The Phillips Family

I love Sam's hair. It is so fluffy and adorable and forms the perfect faux-hawk after a bath. He looks like a white version of Mr. T. I love it.

After breakfast we usually head outside to play. Aiden LOVES the snow! He will try every chance he gets to run outside, whether he's wearing clothes or not. After playing in the snow for a bit, he came inside and we began to take off all his snowgear. Once it was all off, he turned around and ran outside again... no shoes, no socks, no coat... he didn't care! He just loves to be outside playing. Sam is getting the hang of his jumperoo horse. He's starting to be more interested in toys more and more, which makes playtime with him last longer. He is such a sweet little baby. He is so content just watching all the chaos going on around him and simply adores his big brother, even though Aiden is anything but gentle with him. Once when I went to get Aiden out of his room from a nap, he walked right out with his cowboy hat on. I don't think he slept much, but boy was he cute! He kept the hat on most of the afternoon. And at the end of the day, I get to bathe my bo...

is digusting!!! I forgot how slimy, sticky, gooey, and gross starting solids can be with a baby. Especially if your baby prefers to sit on your lap while eating. By the time we're done, I'm just as white and sticky as Sam is. But that's not the point of this post... the point is... HOORAY FOR SAM!!! He has started eating solids and LOVES them!

I am the ward organist at our church. Because of this, I am up on the stand for half of the meeting. It's a great view of the congregation... especially the pew where Rex, Aiden, and Sam "sit." This is a typical Sunday for us: While I play prelude music, Sam sits quietly - even happily - in his car seat on the front row. Meanwhile Aiden is running in and out of the pews as people file in. Rex follows close behind. As the meeting begins, Rex firmly sits Aiden in his lap while Aiden squirms and screams his disapproval. Rex pulls out a quiet activity, such as coloring, books, or small toys. This works until the opening hymn begins. As I'm playing, I see a coloring book go flying across the chapel. Aiden screams. Sam starts to fuss as it is time for his bottle. Rex gives Aiden some fruit snacks and a sippy cup while he gets Sam's bottle ready. Third verse begins. Now I see a sippy cup go flying across my peripheral vision and I hear Aiden much closer to me ...

I just want to know one thing... Is your house ever fully organized, clean, tidy, and decorated just the way you like it? As soon as I complete my "Procrastination List" (odd-ball things that I put off until I can't stand it anymore) there's always one more closet that needs to be sorted though, more pictures I find to hang up, more spots in the carpet that need to be scrubbed, more junk to take away, etc... I keep thinking that some day the house will be just the way I want it and the only chores I'll have to do are the regulars. So that's why I need your opinions and advice. How long does it take to really settle in? Is there a time when your house feels "just right" or is it a continual process until the day we hire a maid? Please... just make it stop... whimper... whimper

Who could resist taking pictures of such cuteness? Sam has started laughing (a lot!) and is such a ham already. He's getting stronger and stronger every day - no one can tell that he was a premie now! Happy 5-months, Sam the Man! We love you!

Who's the drooliest one of all?? You are!