Bye Bye Bouncy Seat

Yesterday we set Mr. Sam's bouncy seat by the curb with a free sign on it. I feel a loss. Someone snatched it up in just a couple hours.

He's been bouncing in this saucer like thing since he was only 3 months old. Here's a picture of a newer model: http://www.gracobaby.com/products/subcategory.asp?N=46+10417+557&act=A20. The model we had was made in 1992. Incidentally, it's also the only toy of Sam's that was made in the USA.

His grandmother found this thing for $1 and I can't tell you how much Sam bounced in it. One time he bounced for over an hour.

When he was younger it was one of the few things he could do on his own that didn't require us to be holding him. We could relax and laugh as he bounced away.

Lately, he's not wanted to bounce in it at all. A couple days ago he refused to be put in it. We knew it was time to move on. Someone else will now get the joy of watching their child bounce.

Mr. Sam has found another place to bounce, his crib. Tonight he bounced for about an hour before going to sleep. He's my bouncing baby boy.

Through the Cornfields to Grandmother's House

We did it! We drove 1,600 miles round trip with our 16 month old to Northwest Iowa.

Samson saw the following relatives for the first time:

* Great Grandmother Ellen
* Great Great Aunt & Uncle Anges & Vernie
* Great Aunt & Uncle Mary & David
* Second Cousin once removed Kristi
* Second Cousins Rachel & her husband Greg

Along the way we stopped at my alma mater, Wartburg College. The new chapel is the most beautiful addition.

We also stopped in Emmetsburg, Iowa, my birthplace. I lived there until I was 7 years old. Not much has changed except the new casino sitting just on the edge of town in a cornfield. The house we lived in burned down a few years ago. A new home has been built on the foundation.

Samson did pretty well in the car. These car seats are great for safety but terrible for comfort for the child. He could only take it for about 6 hours a day in the car. So, we took our time on that 1,600 mile trip.

I've never seen so many fields of corn. The price of corn has been going up and there's finally money to be made with corn.