Merry Christmas!!!

Brian, Camden and I celebrated Christmas with my side of the family the weekend before Christmas. We drove up to Lorain Saturday and spent the day at my Aunt Tammie and Uncle Danny’s house with my dad, cousins and Aunt Debbie. We watched old family videos and watched the kids open presents. My dad spent the entire time holding Camden. He even changed his diaper for the first time which was amusing to watch. At one point in the afternoon my Aunt Tammie asked my dad is she could hold Camden. She had to ask because he wasn’t just going to give him up. He’s so good with him.




When we got home from Lorain Saturday evening there was a big surprise awaiting Camden - My mom and Dennis bought him his very own fire truck for his first Christmas!


Christmas Eve we loaded up the car and headed over to Decatur. I had previously mentioned to Brian and his mom that I wanted to start a few simple traditions so we did…

1. Get Camden a cute pair of pajamas to wear Christmas Eve night – I actually forgot to do this but Grandma Laurent saved the day - She found these adorable pj’s for him…


2. Watch a Christmas movie – I didn’t actually think Camden would participate in this tradition this year but he did. We watched “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown” – 25 minutes long - Perfect for Camden’s 1st Christmas.

3. Open one present before going to bed – He opened a small Teddy Bear that sings lullabies.

4. Read a Christmas story before bedtime – We read “T’was the Night Before Christmas”

Christmas morning Camden opened his presents from Mommy, Daddy and Santa and then we headed to church. I was a little nervous about how Camden would react but he seemed to enjoy himself. He spent half the time staring up at the fans and the other half sleeping in his Grandpa Laurent’s arms.

Later in the day, Pat, Maya and Zane arrived. We opened gifts and sat down to dinner. Christmas is so much fun with kids. Zane had a blast opening presents and seemed to really enjoy his presents and some of Camden’s – the drum in particular!

The rest of the weekend was just as fun. Friday we met up with Terry’s side of the family for dinner. Brian's aunt got Camden a new friend. Doesn't he seem so happy!

Then on Saturday, Beth, Dan and the kids came over for dinner. I didn't have the camera out while they were there because had the video camera out instead. I have some funny video of all of us playing Wii! If we ever figure out how to get the video onto our computer I'll share it!!

Thank you everyone for such a great Christmas. We had so much fun and enjoyed spending time with all of you.

Note to self - After reviewing all of the pictures we took thoughout Christmas I noticed we didn't take a family picture! I'm adding that to my list of traditions! Take a family picture!

Here comes Santa...

Camden and I headed to Easton today to see Santa Claus. I had no idea what I was in for. We left our house around 3:30pm and got in line to meet Santa around 4:10pm. The line was long but didn't look too long. After about 30 minutes of waiting in a line that was barely moving the person in front of me asked Santa's helper how long of a wait it would be. His answer... 1-2 hours. WHAT?! The two people in front of me left but I decided to wait. I had already been waiting 30 minutes and I really wanted a good picture of Camden with Santa. I should probably add that Camden did meet Santa Sunday at Brian's Christmas party for work but the picture didn't turn out that way I wanted and the Blue Jackets logo is the backdrop. Anyway, Camden and I spent two hours waiting to see Santa. The first 1.5 hours wasn't bad. Camden was happy and having fun laughing at other kids as they played in line. However, as we got closer to Santa so did Camden's nap and feeding times - this meant fussy Camden was about to deubt. But to my pleasant surprise he handled it well and we got a great picture of Camden with Santa. An added bonus - I got a 5X7 for $5.00 since it was his first Christmas and they let me take pics with my own camera too. Okay, so Santa doesn't look so great but Camden is adorable and so grown up!

Another Milestone...

Camden started eating solids a little over a week ago! It's been interesting to say the least. We've quickly learned that we have to hide his bottle or he won't eat his rice cereal. He was definitely ready for solids. It's like he knew exactly what to do. He's now even starting to grab the spoon...especially if I'm not feeding him fast enough. We have his first "meal" on video and it's hilarious. See the toy in the first picture. Well, while I was preparing his food, he pulled the toys so hard it lost suction and hit him in the face. Sad yes, but also hilarious. The best part is we have it on video! Here are some pics...

Our weekend...

What a weekend! First Terry and Terri came to Columbus for the weekend to watch Camden so Brian and I could attend my company’s holiday party. While they were having fun with Camden Friday night, Brian and I were dancing the night away. Okay, so I was dancing the night away while Brian was talking to friends but, we had a blast. I think it was our first real night out in over a year! We got home around 3am!! I know for a fact that hasn’t happened since before I was pregnant. Thanks Terry and Terri!

Me and my hot hubby...

Me, Santa and Leslie

Andrea, Leslie and me

Saturday, Terri and I headed out to a craft show my friend was in and did some shopping. Saturday evening Terry, Terri, Camden and I attended a Blue Jackets game. We were 3 rows from the ice! I’m not a huge hockey fan but when you’re that close you can’t help but to have fun. Camden was in awe. He was awake most of the time but fell asleep in Grandma’s arms during the last period.

Isn't he adorable in his hat?!

Watching the game with Grandma and Grandpa...

Hanging with Daddy at work...

My mom and Dennis are in town visiting for a week. Brian and I picked them up from the airport Sunday morning at 1am. Although I wish they were visiting under better circumstances, Brian and I are happy to see them. Sunday morning Dennis and Camden met for the first time and my mom got to see how much her little grandson has changed over the past four months. I’m glad they are having time to bond this week. I came home from work today to find my mom and Camden taking a nap together. Cute!

Camden and Grandpa Ziegman...

Camden and Grandma Ziegman...

Four Months Old...

Your 4-month checkup went well today. You are now 15 pounds, 12 ounces and 27 inches long. That puts you in the 75th percentile for weight and the 97th percentile for height! That explains why you seem to have grown out of your 3-6 month clothes already. You must have grown at least 2 inches in the past couple of weeks. Your pediatrician gave us the thumbs up to start you on rice cereal whenever we feel you’re ready. I think we might try that this weekend.

One major change that happened this month - you are now a formula fed baby. My goal was to breastfeed you for 6 months but after this past week, a couple cry sessions with Laurel and a couple of conversations with your daddy, I decided it was time. It was a very emotional decision but I am glad I made the decision before you. Last night I decided to use up some of the stored milk I had and you refused it. I think it had something to do with the fact that you were fed only formula this past week but still…it made me sad.

On a happy note…you have the most adorable smile and laugh! Sometimes when I look at you I find you staring at me with this adorable grin on your face that just melts my heart.

You’re making some new noises and your voice seems to be getting deeper. You love to talk to your toys and you seem more focused when reaching out for them. You still haven’t rolled over and seem to have zero interest in doing so. Tummy time is getting better, although it is still your least favorite activity.

One of your favorite things to do is stand. We used to sit you in our laps while singing and talking to you but now you kick us or stiffen up until we hold you up. You also love your hands. You hold them together like you’re praying or you suck on them… not just your thumb…your entire fist. We've also started putting you in your jumperoo. You seem to love it. The first time I put you in it you started swinging and just looked at me and giggled. Your new trick is wiggling your way around your activity mat. We'll lay you one way and you end up another. You also enjoy wiggling your way around when we are trying to change you! You're already almost too long for your changing table, wiggling doesn't help. It is however adorable and very entertaining. We've started putting foot rattles on your feet. You seem to ignore them until we sit you in your bumpo chair. OH - I almost forgot, you're also trying to hold your bottle!

As for the pups – you’re really noticing them now. You watch them play together and even laugh at them when they wrestle. We get down on the floor and play fetch with them. Griswald sometimes bring toys over to you when you’re on your activity mat and both of them just stop by at times to give you kisses. I’m happy to see you guys bonding.

This past weekend I decorated the house for Christmas. We had an interesting time finding a Christmas tree but I hope it’s a tradition you come to love. We actually have two trees in our house: our family tree and a special one for you in your room. We’ve decided to put a little tree in your room and take you to the store to let you pick out a new ornament for it each year and I’ll buy two of them. I figure this way, when you’re all grown up and move into a place of your own you’ll have some ornaments for your tree and ours won’t be bare. Plus, I'll want to have them to remind me of when you were this little.


Camden, I hope you know how much we love you. You are mommy and daddy’s little miracle and you mean the world to us.

Exciting things that happened this month -

- You're 1st OSU/Michigan game - OSU won!

- You're 1st Thansgiving. We spent it with your Grandma and Grandpa Laurent.

- Grandpa Adams, Great Grandma Adams and Aunt Debbie came to visit.

- You met your Great Grandma Borne and your Grandpa Laurent's side of the family.

Oh Christmas Tree...

I’ve been thinking a lot about family traditions and what family traditions we would like to start in our family. One tradition we’ve decided to start is going out and cutting down our Christmas tree. Brian and I actually did this the first year we were married but skipped last year due to the horrible morning sickness I was experiencing. This year I’ve been so excited about cutting down our tree. I’ve been picturing how the day would go for a few weeks now. Needless to say, the day did not go as I envisioned.

The day started out great. Brian, Camden and I had a relaxing morning and headed out after Cam’s first nap. Everything was going the way I had planned. To make things even better… it was snowing outside! After stopping by Lowe’s to get work gloves and twine (hard lesson learned the 1st year we did this) and by Toys R Us to buy Wii Fit (yeh!), we headed to the tree farm. Once we arrived we realized it wasn’t the same one we went to two years prior. I was a little disappointed since that one had Santa and this one didn’t but things were still okay. After putting Cam in his snowsuit I realized the Baby Bjorn wasn’t going to work. It wouldn’t snap over his snowsuit. This is where things fell apart. The only other option was to put him in his car seat and carry him. He started crying and we were freezing. To make a long story short, we didn’t see Santa, we didn’t drink hot chocolate by the fire, and we didn’t get a Blue Spruce Christmas Tree. In fact, we didn’t cut down a tree at all! Instead we drove 40 minutes to get a precut tree that we could have gotten at Anderson’s which is 2 minutes from our house! Now don’t get me wrong, we actually had a great day and it was definitely memorable. This is one tradition that we will continue. I just hope Camden enjoys himself a little more next year!

1st time in snowsuit....

At the tree farm....

Precut trees....

Brian did most of the work...

Happy Thanksgiving...

Brian, Camden and I (and the pups) had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family. It started the Sunday before Thanksgiving when my dad, Grandma and Aunt came to visit. My dad spend the afternoon holding and spoiling Camden while the rest of us played Wii. My Grandma almost beat me in bowling!

Grandpa Adams and Camden sneaking in a quick nap...

Thanksgiving morning Brian and I loaded up the Jeep. After we packed everything we “needed” for Camden, I didn’t think we were going to have enough room for our stuff or for the pups. It looked like we packed the entire house! I didn’t realize we would need so much for a weekend trip. It turns out we didn’t. When there’s family around that doesn’t see Camden on a daily basis they are all you need. Next time the swing and Bumpo stay at home!

When we arrived in Decatur, Grandma and Grandpa Laurent got their hugs and kisses in and then we headed over to Aunt Charlotte's house. There were several family members who Camden had never met so it was nice to be able to spend the day with them.

The day after Thanksgiving, Terri and I head out to join in the Black Friday festivities. We left the house at 4:45am and headed to Babies R Us. After BRU we headed to Target and quickly figured out they didn’t open until 6am. People were standing outside in the freezing cold, in a line that wrapped around the building..crazy! We decided we didn’t need anything that bad so we moved on to Toys R Us. It was the same way. I hope Camden doesn’t ever want something that I can only get by standing in line for hours in the cold and then for hours in line to pay for it. But if he does, myself or Brian will probably do it just so we can see the excitement on his face Christmas morning. Anyway, we stopped a Starbucks and Wal Mart and were home by 8:30am! I think we got a lot done in a short amount of time!

We spent the remainder of the weekend at the lake cottage. Friday evening was spent entertaining my nephew Zane and Camden. It was cute to see the boys together. On Saturday, Pat and Maya headed up and we celebrated Thanksgiving with Aunt Beth, Karly, Ben and Uncle Dan. I love the holidays!

It was such a great weekend. We have so much to be thankful for!