Sensory overload!

OK, more for us than for Sam. HE seems to be doing just super. We're still reeling from a day of sensory overload, otherwise known as: the MARKET. What a crazy fun day we had!

We woke up to a little boy who seems to be feeling much better. I mean, MUCH better. It is amazing to see this little guy open up and show us his personality, little by little. This process seems to be facilitated by the antics of Ben and Zoe, who quickly taught him the joy of jumping on the bed (Yes, well. We'll unteach bad habits later. It was just so darn CUTE!)

First thing this morning after breakfast,Brian went with the other husbands to pick up Sam's new passport, and Mom and Dad and Sam and I headed for a walk to the open air market. We browsed along the shops on the way there, and were so well entertained. Scooters have this ability to be everywhere: driving down the sidewalk, parked IN shops, etc. We found one of the most precious linen shops with cute little embroidered everything and, of course, helpful staff! Then we meandered some more, ending up at the market: narrow aisles and stacks and piles of, well, everything: clothes, trinkets, purses, and food. Lots of strong-smelling food! No square inch wasted in this place: At one booth we saw people having their nails done at the same place they were selling shrimp. Nice combo! Everyone so very anxious to sell you things, and it was a little overwhelming for the munchkins, and Papaw.
So I brought Sam home, and Zoe came back shortly with the grandparents. She was quite happy with her purchase of a little Vietnamese doll and a lovely fan.

We got back and Brian took over for a couple of hours for Zoe/Sam watching--Mom and I went back and did some serious shopping. What a fun time! We ran out of energy, which, to those of you who know us, is really saying something.

Sam napped a bit this afternoon. He's doing great most of the time. Happy, giggly, easy-going. Who would have known a ziploc bag and plastic cups would be so darned fascinating? He has had a couple episodes we struggle to interpret--anguishing, back-arching crying spells, that usually turn off as quickly as they arrive. We aren't sure if they are related to his tummyache yesterday, or if they are part of his own "sensory overload" that he's experiencing. His sleep is often very violent: tossing about, unable to settle in. Again, we can only guess the cause, and try to love on him till the stormclouds pass.

Funny moment this evening. We ordered him a plate of chicken and veggies and rice. We were spooning it in his mouth, bite by bite, and he started pointing at a little spoon...by the end of the meal, he had moved two little bowls in front of him and was quite adeptly spooning in the bites himself--with his left hand, no less. We had to go get Papaw and show him how his namesake was more and more like him every day: kinda messy, thin hair on top, and a southpaw! Brian has always thought most of my disorganized, scatterbrained qualities he could blame on MY lefthandedness. I'll have to tell Sam he got it "honest"!

I'll try to post some pics in the morning, but it's dark in here and I can't find the camera cable. I better get some more sleep: who KNOWS what adventures we have in store today?