Month of May

ok--so could I beeeee more behind in posting?! This is Sam and I after we finished the March for Babies walk on May 2nd. He has a little shirt on that says "March for Dimes Miracle Baby". I am so proud to take part in this event every year. Before we had Sam I would have never thought twice about what this organization does, but now that I have had a preemie, I am grateful that they are raising money for research and providing services to those in need. The march was an emotional day for me. The first year we did it I got pretty choked up. Lots of teams, including us, made t-shirts celebrating their preemies. We were fortunate, Sam has very little if any health issues from being a preemie. Some parents and children have a tougher road to travel. Some babies made it a few days and some even lived for 2 years and then passed away due to their complications. It really does make you see that everyday is a gift that we should NEVER take for granted. This year was especially hard at the walk. I think it was just because I am pregnant and already a little hormonal, not to mention that I'm not sure what is going to happen with this pregnancy. I could go full term, I could have to deliver next week! But I was overcome with emotion and lots of tears. I had two people with me that helped me through, not to mention two adorable babies (Sam of course, and Baby Finton) that helped me smile through all the crazy thoughts! Thanks Jayme and Eli!

Onto cuter and more uplifting pics and stories! Here is Sam hard at work at Greg's new desk in his newly finished office. He has been up there roughly 3-4 weeks now and is LOVING it. I am still waiting on the beer fridge to be moved up there!

Sam has a second mommy. Eli is such a wonderful neighbor and friend. All my teacher friends out there know what I am about to say is SOOO true...when you meet another teacher, you know it right away! Eli is such a mom and a teacher it isn't even funny. She has more patience then I have ever seen in a person :) So we are lucky! She was showing Sam the flowers and he was helping her pick weeds when he grabed a flower and smelled it and then showed it to Eli! What a precious pic!

"Brusha, Brusha, Brusha" This is Sam "brushing" his teeth. I try to get at least a little scrub in before I turn the "brushing" over to him. Really, he just sucks the kiddy toothpaste off of the brush and then proceeds to DROOL all over. The true purpose of this picture and the set of pictures that I took but decided to spare you, was to show you his hair! The child has very little hair, but the hair that he does have is out of control. I still cannot bring myself to cut it. He is too cute with the curls!
Onto Sam's first official competition. Suzzanne signed Sam up for the Sneaker Creeper over Memorial Day Weekend. It was actually for 2 years and up but Suzzanne wanted to cheat so she got him in :) She ran with him in the race for obvious reasons--I'm sure people would have had a heart attack to see a pregnant woman running with a "2 year old"...not to mention that I might scare some child with the size of my boobs :)

Here are the results...which by some miracle (maybe also cheating on the judges part because Sam is so DAMN cute) he placed 3rd....when actually he placed 3rd to last :) But not last....
75 Yd-Boys Time
2 Year Old
E.Gillespie 0:32
K.Peet 0:37
S.Kastendike 0:43
W.Arnold 0:52
M.Walters 0:56
G.Larrimore 0:58
K.Councell 1:07
B.Deringer 1:15
E.Zottarelli 1:17
E.Eienhart 1:18

As you also see...Sam was not happy with his "participant" ribbon and we have coached him how to do better next time :) He did enjoy a whole popsicle after this picture was taken. Then he proceeded to fall asleep on my shoulders with his head resting on mine :)


AHHHH--Chestertown Tea Party! What an event!! We go every year to watch the same parade, point at the same people wearing colonial time piece clothing and we buy the same clam strips and crab cake sandwiches?! I swear it was groundhog's day!

A little Kastendike Family Photo Op!

Sam did have his very first boat ride! He hated the life jacket at first. He looked as if he were in a straight jacket but then learned quickly that he could move around in it :) He then became VERY comfortable on the boat and walked everywhere!

If anyone knows us, knows that we have a million pictures of us just like this...self taken. So just another to add to the collection....
And here is the Scarlett hat + huge boobs + huge belly + brown Chester River = 25 weeks pregnant pic.
Sam has been taking swim lessons with Greg at the YMCA on Saturday mornings...boy has it paid off. The child LOVES the water and is NOT afraid to get wet! Which all can be a little scary. He loves to splash and play, so I am thinking of getting a small pool--one that can fit a pregnant lady and a 21 month old in it :) I took him out today to run in the sprinkler and ended up with my chair approx. 6 inches away from the sprinkler head because I was so hot! I think I spent more time in the water then Sam...but I digress. He played while Maddy cried about her foot (she had a small scrape and it kept getting wet and bothersome). But then they played together pushing a stroller with a baby in it :) How fun! Our "Mommy's little helpers"....yeah right--Andrea and I will have to watch our kids every second to make sure they aren't tipping the new babies out of their strollers :)Hugs and kisses to all :)