My Sweet Sam.

I have a sweet son named Sam. He is most definitely a middle child. Needing attention. Always having a big brother and a little sister to wrangle. Not quite being comfortable with 2 strong personalities surrounding him. Always craving attention. He sure is cute, though!

He is just the sweetest thing in world. Especially when he's fast asleep.
My sweet Sam has a very precise personality. He is a ham. Like his dad.
But he is also very very shy. Like his mom.
He loves his blankie so much. Such a tender heart. Such a sweet soul.
Wait a minute. Oh! Sam! There's nothing shy about this guy!! He has enough energy to outlast anyone who just slugged down the meanest energy drink. And that's without having had breakfast.

He's a Super Hero in training. Waiting to save the world from certain destruction. And he wipes me out.

He keeps up on Godzilla so well, that sometimes I think he might just morph into Godzilla! He's could quote Godzilla movies like nobody's business.

He finds being wrapped in a step stool extremely comfy! I have no idea where he gets that from! Honest!

He loves his dad! He loves just being right with him and doing what he's doing.

His first grade teacher said that he needed to smile more in school. He was very sedate. He needed to break out of his shell.

Is this Sam we're talking about?? Sedate?? Shell? Sam is the most loud and in your face child I have. Sedate! Puleeze!

But she said he was always quiet and calm and the only time she's seen him be silly was when I was in the classroom with him.

Weird.

This is a shot I get a lot from my sweet Sam. Booty shaking!

So I told Sam to be himself in school. And at home for that matter.

But then I remembered that when I was in school, my teachers told my mom that I never talked. Or smiled. Maybe we are more alike than I realize.

When he gave his 2 book reports in front of the class, he let his humor shine. He told jokes. He broke out! I saw a glimpse of me in him then.

Quiet in large groups. Relaxed and funny and talkative in reality!

So far we have had 2 nights of camping this summer. Spring. Whatever. It was cold and raining both times.

Each night, my sweet Sam didn't fall asleep fast. He laid awake and talked to Daniel and me for quite a while. He was asking us questions that took me a little by surprise.

"Will you help me get a job when I get bigger?" "What will I do when I go to college?" "Can I be a home dad when I get older?" "How will I know what to do?"

Oh Sweet cuddle bug Sam. We are more alike than I could have ever imagined! And we will help with anything you want. And you will be fine. And this is the look Daniel gets every night when he gets home. Sam (and the other 2) wipe me out!

I told him that my grandma walked me into the registrar's office at the local college when I was 18 and made me register for the following quarter. I was embarrased and did all my own registering after that. I hope I never embarass him and take certain advantage of the fears he may have. I've had them and still have many certain fears that follow his line of thinking.

Somehow I don't think he will have a problem deciding what to do and then doing it. I'm not sure what it is...

Both nights as we camped, Sam grabbed my hand and held it. He held my hand for a long time.

I held his hand until he was asleep. Then held on just a little bit longer.

My Sweet Sam is a terrific kid! I think he is the bravest, craziest, snuggliest, godzilla-ist, silliest boy in the world. As a middle child he sometimes gets a raw deal. But Isaac couldn't be the oldest and Ruthie couldn't be the youngest without someone as awesome as him right by each of them! We wouldn't be the awesome family we are without my Sweet Sam!