Sam's Baptism - One Year Later

One year ago this weekend Sam was baptized. At the time we did not have our blog operational, so I thought on this one year anniversary I would share a few photos taken by my sister-in-law, Gina. It was extra special because our nephew, John, was baptized alongside Sam. We were thrilled to have Justin's two oldest brothers and their families here to celebrate and see Sam for the first time. We were also celebrating Justin's bother Brian's safe return from a very long deployment (17 months) to Afghanistan.

John and his Dad (Brian)

Brian and Gina are Sam's Godparents and made the trip to Fort Riley from Fort Drum. 

Brian and Gina were stationed at Fort Riley several years ago and had some friends, Gary and Christie, from Manhattan be John's Godparents. Gary and Christie hosted a lovely party for John and Sam at their home in Manhattan after Mass.

Our beautiful chapen, St. Mary's, and Chaplain (MAJ) Fr. K.

Joseph, Sam, John and Michael - all the Ducote grandchildren at the time (now +3)

Little Sam at 2.5 months  - was he ever that tiny?

Cousins enjoying the Stone Court playground 

Love this picture! His eyes are so pretty! 

Michael and John playing with Sam and his famous owls. 

Newly baptized and parents - anyone think Brian and Justin are related? Sam is wearing a baptismal gown that my mom made and that several of my siblings wore at their own baptisms. 

Sam cried during most of the ceremony and we are desperately trying to quiet him in this photo. 

Back when Sam would take a bottle! 

Sam being anointed. 

My wonderful sisters-in-law, Lisa and Gina, looking very pretty in pink and well, I am still in a maternity shirt (ouch). 

February and March Pictures

The past couple months got away from me without putting up many photos . . . prepare yourself for lots of pictures to follow! Sam is now walking and running everywhere! His vocabulary has grown to include ball, sock, cheese and no - ball being the clearest and most often repeated. Thanks to a diverse and hearty appetite Sam has moved from always being a little on the light side to being a solid 24 pounds at his one year visit. He does not watch TV, but does like his Baby Einstein videos and Curious George. We never get tired of his imitation of the monkey noises. How is that for a proud parent report? 

Excited to play with big kids in the Chick-fil-a playroom. 

Sam surprised us by taking one of our old phones and babbling like he was having a conversation.
This is now one of his favorite activities.

Sam and Daddy enjoying morning coffee and Curious George on the iPhone.

Discovering Dad's boots. 

Sam at the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi located along the Santa Fe Trail in Council Grove, Kansas. 

Hays House, Council Grove, Kansas

Sam is into giving lots of hugs and kisses right now.  It is the sweetest thing! He does it after we reprimand him, when we get him out of his crib and often just spontaneously. I hope he never outgrows showing affection (one can wish).

Justin took Sam to the indoor pool on Post to begin preparing him for summer pool season. Justin taught swimming lessons to many kids in his hometown during summers in college. 

Sam was a little hesitant at first but quickly warmed up to the water and had great fun splashing.

We took Sam to a toddler gym . . . his face says it all! Success! 

On the Carousel in Topeka.  

Balls have become a huge fascination and his favorite word to repeat. Anything round qualifies as a ball  and as we do errands he points out every round object we see (fruit, balloons, red concrete balls in front of Target). When we passed by this ball in Target it was too much to leave. He insisted on carrying the ball like this in the cart.

Then he insisted on carrying it all the way home. 

A happy baby making pancakes with Dad on a Saturday morning.

Easter 2013 - Sam's 2nd Easter

Sam in his Easter finery from Ericka Pertierra - unfortunately he outgrew his white shoes before Easter!  

It is hard to believe, but we are now starting to celebrate Sam's "2nd" events. This year we celebrated with my little brother, Patrick, who spent his Spring Break in Kansas. Sam loved having Uncle Patrick here. He taught Sam how to snort like a pig, which was an instant hit. Since Patrick has left every time Sam sees a dark haired thinner young kid he starts snorting, loudly. It happened at Starbucks today and it made for an interesting explanation to the person being snorted at in line.

We began Easter morning with Easter baskets followed by brunch and Mass at the Post Chapel. In the afternoon we had some good friends, the Hahns, over for Easter dinner. It was a fun, relaxing day.

Sam was teething and woke feeling sick and feverish. Poor baby! Luckily after some meds he was feeling much better. This is a rare shot of Sam not moving!

Sam exploring his Easter Basket - no candy but lots of Annie's organic snacks and a few fun toys/books.

Our Easter dinner tablescape - I love using all our china and linens to make the holidays special.