Our Christmas Weekend...

You know how you have this picture in your head of how your day will go and then the day actually happens and it's nothing like you pictured..? Well, that was our Christmas. I call it the not-so-perfect, perfect Christmas because although nothing went as planned, it was still a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Eve started out great - Brian and I loaded up the Jeep with all of the presents and the car with all of our suitcases. Yes, we had to take both cars. (Lesson #1 - Buy the big presents in Indiana so traveling for Christmas will be easier.) The drive over was okay for me, Camden slept the entire time. The drive for Brian - not so good. By the time we got to Decatur, Brian was really sick. He spent most of the day laying on the couch. Terry, Terri, Camden and I headed over to Grandma Laurent's for dinner and Brian stayed at the house. When we got back to the house, we found Brian laying on the bathroom floor.


Even though Brian was sick and couldn't participate, I decided Camden and I would still continue the "traditions" we started last year. AH! Not so much -

1. Open a present containing new PJ's to wear to bed - I couldn't remember which box I wrapped them in. Luckily Grandma Laurent saved the day. She let Camden open the PJ's she bought him.
2. Open a present containing a new little toy - Instead I just gave him an unwrapped truck.
3. Watch a Christmas movie - After dinner we watched a Christmas movie - Merry Christmas Charlie Brown". Camden was disinterested but it caught his eye several times.
4. Read - The Night Before Christmas. Grandpa Laurent tried reading this to Camden but he was tired and ready for bed. I tried reading to him a little more in the bedroom but it still didn't work.

Christmas Day -
Christmas morning I woke up and turned the light on only to see Camden with poop all over him and his sheets! Great way to start the morning! I cleaned him up a little and threw him into the bathtub. I couldn't believe it, not only was Brian sick but Camden was also having some stomach issues. After the bath, we had breakfast and them it was time to open presents. I got the video camera out and realized the battery was dead! AH! Really?! (Lesson #2 - Make sure all batteries are charged) The good part of this is that Terri and Terry let Brian and I open one of our presents early - a new video camera. Although we didn't get to use it that morning (had to charge) it was a nice surprise. The rest of the morning went well and Camden had a great time opening his presents. The second present he opened was bubble so all we heard was BUBBLES for the next five minutes and he didn't want to open anything else (Lesson #3 - open bubbles last).

Later in the day, Brian was starting to feel better so we headed over to Cross Creek to surprise Brian with his TV. That was one of the only things that went as planned! We was surprised and very excited.

We spent the rest of the day, enjoying time with the family. After the kids went to bed Pat, Maya, Terry, Terri, Brian and I enjoyed a game of Imagine If. It was pretty fun!

Here are some pics from the rest of our weekend...

Two Down, One to Go

Brian, Camden and I headed up to Lorain the weekend before Christmas to celebrate Christmas with my dad. Although it was a short trip, we had a great time. We spend most of our time over my aunt and uncle's. We hung out with my cousins and just had a nice relaxing time. I realized I need to make it up north more often. My little cousins are growing up so fast. I don't see them nearly enough. Here's some pics from our day...

One Down, Two to Go...

December is always a busy month for Brian and I. Not only do we have the Christmas shopping, the decorating and the work parties etc. We also have three weekends of Christmas celebrations - one with my mom, one with my dad and one with the Laurent's.

This past weekend was 1 of 3.

My mom and Dennis flew in from Arizona to stay with us for the weekend. They decided not to bring the warm weather with them so Camden and I decided to have a hot chocolate waiting for my mom when they arrived. They were both so excited to see Camden. It's been 5 months since my mom last saw Camden and entire year for Dennis. The three of them had a great time hanging out and catching.

Saturday we all headed over to Xenia for the Ziegman Christmas celebration. We haven't been there since my mom and Dennis moved to Arizona so it was nice being there and catching up with everyone. We always have a great time when we get together.

Camden had fun playing with the girls. He especially liked playing with Darby. Here's some pics of the two of them having fun...



Camden loved playing with the tissue paper that filled the bag his presents came in. He's adorable!

Today we spent the day shopping for Camden. One thing I learned recently, grandparents love to shop for their grandchildren. So do parents, but grandparents can by whatever they want because they don't have to figure out where to store it or deal with the sound it makes. I do have to admit my mom and Dennis listened to my suggestions. And they made sure Camden smiled and like the toys before putting them into the cart. If he didn't smile, it went back on the shelf. Camden walked out of the store with a bike, guitar and a bunch of cars - all of which he loves.

Thanks - G&G Ziegman!

15 Months...

You're now 15 months. You weigh 24 pounds and you're 33 inches tall. I thought my letters to you would occur less frequently since you turned one but you're growing and changing so much these days I want to make sure I remember these little milestones.



So what has changed this past month?....Everything. You're learning so many new things - You can quack like a duck, bark like a dog and say hoohoo like a monkey (and can point to them in a book). Your vocabulary is expanding. You can say ball, bubbles, fish and golf. You say DaDa sometimes - Still no Mommy but I think you're close. You've learned how to run, raise your arms when we say touchdown and sign help and drink. You're catching on to thing so quickly. One of my favorite new things you do is give kisses. Tonight before bed I asked you to give daddy a kiss so you walked right over to him and gave him one. My heart just melted.

You've mastered the stairs and you're actually trying to walk up and down them instead of crawling. When I say trying, I mean you look at me and act like you're going to until I tell you no.

One thing you love to do is play outside. Everyday when we arrive home you grab your basketball and head to the door. One afternoon daddy started throwing the ball up on the roof and now it's one of your favorite things to do. He lifts you up high, you throw the ball up and laugh when it falls to the ground. You also love playing golf and riding your bike.


A small issue we're having is separation anxiety. All you want is mommy. I have to admit 80% of me loves this... the other 20% not so much. You do pretty well in the nursery at church and at daycare but the gym...no way. Daddy and I dropped you off there the other day and you cried the entire time. Heartbreaking. Everyone keeps telling me that you'll get used to it but it's hard to leave you. It's going to be harder once you actually yell mommy.

I'm looking forward to the holidays this year. We're going to cut down our tree in a few weeks. I wonder what you will think of it. You make the holidays so much more fun!

We love you!

Growing our faith...

It's amazing how a child can change your perspective on things. Before Camden, Brian and I rarely talked about religion unless "big" decisions needed to be made...Where would we be married? Would we raise our children in the catholic church? Other than that we rarely talked about it...until Camden. He changed things. I can't pinpoint the exact moment but it happened.

Over the past 5 weeks Brian and I've been attending Discovery Classes at a local church we've been going to since June. I'm excited to say that last night we made the decision to become members of the church. I'm thrilled that we found a church that we're both excited about, a church that we both feel comfortable in and a church that will allow us to grow our faith individually and as a family.

http://www.newhopeworship.com/

14 months...

It still amazes me how much a baby changes in just one short year. Your daddy and I just look at each other at times and say “How did this happen? He’s a little boy. He’s a little person.”

I have to admit, I miss the cuddle time and rocking you to sleep, but this stage…this stage is my favorite so far. The thing I like most is that you’re starting to communicate with us. You’re not only signing (finally after 8mths of daddy and me signing to you, you’re signing – more and eat!) but you can tell us what you want and you know what we’re talking about when we ask you to do something. You also know when you are doing something you’re not suppose to which has been funny at times (we try not to laugh) but also means that we’ve had to start time-outs. We haven’t had to do many and you honestly have no idea what we’re doing but it’s a start. The main reason for time-outs…hitting Griswald! Anyway, it is so amazing to me because a couple of months ago you weren't walking or communicating and now your walking, playing Ring-Around-the-Rosie, dancing, riding your bike, throwing balls for the pups, climbing up and down the stairs, blowing kisses and TALKING!

Yes, you’re starting to talk. Most people are not going to believe this but your first word was…GOLF! Sure you’ve said DA DA DA and a couple of months ago we were sure your 1^st word was going to me dog but no…it was golf. Daddy is so proud! Since saying golf you’ve started to say fish (there are fish at your daycare), DADA (you’re actually looking at him while saying it), and uh-oh. Okay, so I don't know if uh-oh counts as a word but you say it every time you drop something and it’s adorable so I’m counting it. I think you say "that” and “yes” too but they’re not clear. Still no MAMA or Mom or Mommy….Come on already!

We’re starting to wean you from the paci which means no paci during playtime. You love your paci and it breaks my heart when you walk over and point to the shelf we keep it on. I must say, you’re handling it better than I expected. I think the hardest part is going to be when we take it away at naptime and bedtime. Although you still have your tiger blankie, football blankie and George…Yes all three! The first thing you want to do when we get home each day is go up to your room and get them. You love them!

Mealtime has become more difficult, not only because of your allergies but because you’ve become one of those picky toddlers I always read about. You refuse to eat veggies which used to be a favorite of yours. At times, I can get you to eat carrots if they’re dipped in ketchup. You love ketchup. You’d eat it as a side dish if we’d let you. It’s also difficult because you love to throw things – your food, your sippy, your spoon etc. Oh! And you want to feed yourself which is adorable. You dip your spoon into your food and bring it to your month. Problem – there’s no food on the actual spoon. It’s cute because you’re so proud of yourself. I’ve learned a trick - you have a spoon and I have a spoon…or two.

You’ve started brushing your teeth on your own (okay so we still help a little) but you sit on the bathroom floor with me and we brush our teeth together. You love it and I love that you love it. You have 12 teeth and I want to make sure they stay cavity free!

As for toys, you love your golf clubs. Every ball is a golf ball. You even called the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch – golf. Another favorite of yours recently is your blocks. I love watching you try to stack them. And you love the laundry basket. You climb in and we use it as a race car. You scream with laughter as we race room to room.

A favorite time of day for me is when I go to pick you up from daycare. I quietly open the door and just stand there until you notice me. I do this because I love to see you play with other children and to see your personality without me there. It only takes about 15 seconds for you to realize I’m there but it’s enough. It’s enough for me to take it all in and for me to see that you are truly your own little person. You, Camden, are an amazing little boy!

Other things you love/Cute things you do:

- Reading books. I find you in your room, flipping through books and making noises like you’re reading.

- Going for walks. You’re starting to want to actually walk instead of riding in the stroller.

- Playing with the pups.

- Balloons

- Every time daddy starts the car – you wave bye-bye. Even if we’re just waiting for him to pull out of the garage.

- You walk to your chair when I ask if you want a snack.

- Dancing – we love to dance together. Sometimes when I’m driving I look in the mirror and see you moving to the music. You’re so cute!

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

We headed to the pumpkin patch today with Hannah, Jason, Julie and Lou. The kids seemed to have a great time. I love this time of year. Here are some pictures from our day...