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.
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!
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.
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 1st 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!
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...
It was a wonderful weekend full of fun times with friends and family.
Friday, I left work early, picked my little guy up from daycare and joined some friends for lunch. We had a great time. It was so nice to see Cheryl and I was excited that she finally got to meet Camden, Aiden and Colin. Okay so Camden was a little cranky because he was hungry and it was nap time but besides that...it was a great lunch! Later in the evening, I headed out with the girls (and Ben) to help Steph celebrate her 33rd birthday. Except for the part where a guy called me, Keira and Kristi G. old in a round about way, the night was super fun.
Saturday was family day. I tried to make Brian toast with a heart shaped egg in the middle but it didn't exactly turn out. It's the thought that counts...right?
After breakfast we headed out to Touch-a-Truck. Camden had a blast. We're definitely going again. At lunch, Camden had a great time flirting with the waitresses and was super excited when they brought him a balloon.
After a short nap, Camden painted some pictures to give to his grandparents for Grandparents Day. He seemed to enjoy painting. He was focused and trying to figure out what was going on but by the end he seemed to get the hang of it. Thanks Pat, Maya and Zane for the art supplies.
Later in the evening we headed over to Keira and Brandon's for the game and had a great time hanging out with everyone. We all know how the game ended so there's no reason to mention it. AHHH!
Sunday was another full day. My dad and Grandma came to town for a quick visit. The five of us along with Hannah headed over to Gahanna for Family Fun Day at Creekside Park. We had a picnic, took our shoes off and played in the creek, Hannah played on the inflatables and Camden got a tattoo and a balloon. The day ended with a quick trip to a park near our house with Keira, Aiden, Jenny and Emma. Hope your weekend was just as fun!
We took Camden for his 1st haircut today. I wasn't sure how he would handle it so I was a little nervous but he did a great job and seemed to enjoy himself. I think his favorite part was getting the balloon after he was done. He's still carrying it around the house! Here's some pics...
It's been one year since I saw your adorable little face for the first time. It's so hard to believe that you've gone from this precious little newborn that was so helpless and so dependent on me, to this wonderful little boy who is growing increasingly more independent every day.
You step right into your 1st year…literally. You took your first steps on your birthday and what’s even better is they were right to me. Thank you, Camden!
You’ve been walking around furniture for a while now but this month you've also started pushing your toys around and even started standing on your own. The stairs are no match for you…well going up anyway. We still need to work on climbing back down.
Another big change occurred this month – You are officially off the bottle…Sort of. We replaced the nipple on your bottle with a sippy converter. You’ll drink water out of other sippy cups but you want your formula out of the bottle. I hope this changes once we completely phase out formula.
As for your ears, you had tubes put in this month (July 15th) and you handled it a lot better than I did. Although you currently have an ear infection, you seem to be doing a lot better.
This month, you started interacting with the pups more. You try to wrestle with them when there playing and I’ve caught you feeding them several times. Before you would throw them food, now you let them eat right out of your hand. You also have a new friend you can't sleep without, George... as in Curious George. You love him! You carry him around and we've even had to take him to daycare a few time.
You love going outside and swinging on your swing. Every time we open the backdoor to let the pups out you get all excited. When we close the door and you realize we're not going outside you start crying. It's actually pretty adorable.
Your bedtime as been moved back a half hour. This doesn’t seem like much but this gives us extra time to play after dinner and has allowed us to started taking our family walks again. I swear you’re trying to say dog. Every time we see a dog you point to it and say “du”. I wonder if this will be your official 1st word.
Grandma Ziegman flew in from Arizona this past month and stayed with us. Instead of going to daycare, you spent quality time with your Grandma. She took you to the park and spoiled you the entire time. While she was here, we headed up to Cleveland for our family reunion where you met some of your family for the first time. Everyone just adored you.
Camden - Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can say. You are the greatest gift and we are so blessed to have such an amazing little boy. We've enjoyed watching you grow and change over this past year and are eagerly looking forward to what this next year will bring. I just ask that you take it easy on us. We're still trying to figure out this whole parenting thing!
We love you!
Other exciting things that happened this month: 1. Your friend Colin Matthew Stefango was born. 2. Grandpa showed you how to put breaks on a car. 3. Your 1st trip to the Columbus Art Museum. 4. You earned a degree from OSU! "Bachelors of Infancy" Mommy and Daddy are so proud! 5. Your 1st Birthday Party!
The idea of my little guy turning one this Saturday has me filled with so many emotions. I’m so excited for him and have been anxiously awaiting this day but at the same time, I find myself getting teary-eyed just at the thought of it. So far I’ve cried in the car, in the shower, outside while watching him play… This is good right? I’ll just get it all out now, so when Saturday comes, I’ll be okay. I was happy when a friend of mine told me she cried the morning of her son’s birthday and not at the party. I just have this picture of me crying when we sing “Happy Birthday” to him.
I keep telling him that just because he will officially be labeled a toddler doesn’t mean that I can’t call him my baby boy…forever.
The surfboards for the cupcakes have arrived. I'm having such a great time planning Camden's birthday. I forgot how much I enjoy planning!!! Here's a picture of the surfboards that will top Camden's birthday cupcakes. Poor Camden will not be able to enjoy one though...They contain egg whites. These were ordered from http://www.bakersnook.com/.
Today was a great mommy and son bonding day. The two of us went to church this morning, the zoo this afternoon and then hung out in the backyard this evening. My little guy is truly amazing and my sweet little miracle. Sometimes I just have to stop what I'm doing and try to take it all in. I can't believe I've been blessed with such a remarkable gift.
My favorite part of the day...Besides all the laughs while watching the monkeys had to be when my little guy gave me a kiss. He finally knows how to give kisses! They're big slobbery open month baby kisses and they are wonderful.
It's been a crazy month. I've tried so hard to post your monthly letters as close to the 8th as possible because you change so much day to day but this month just got away from me. Why this you ask...? Well, you're keeping me busy!
You're now 11 months old. You're 21 pounds 8 ounces and approximately 32 inches long. The big news this month...You have to get tubes and your allergic to milk and eggs. Everyone says you're just like your daddy and you're proving them right!
Mobility Status - Not only have you started crawling, (Yes, an actually hands and knees crawl) you're also pulling up on furniture and even trying to walk while holding on to it. Because of this we finally installed gates around the house and finished putting locks on the cabinet doors... All except for one that is. I reorganized the kitchen and made a cabinet specifically for you. It's full tupperware for you to take out and play with while your daddy and I cook. You seem to like it.
You've also started helping me "clean" your room. I put the books on the shelf and you reorganize them. You helped so much the one day that I eventually had to put you in your crib so I could organize them the way I wanted to.
One of the cutest things about your new skills is that although you can pull yourself up you haven't yet figured out how to sit back down. Sure you sometimes just fall over on accident but if you don't, you stand there and cry until we help you down. For instance, earlier in the month when you first started standing, we put you to bed for the night and a few minutes later we heard you crying. After a few more minutes your cry started getting louder so I peaked in to find you standing in your crib looking down trying to figure out how to lay back down. It was hilarious. Here's a picture of you from the first morning daddy and I walked in your room to find you standing there waiting for us.
I'd have to say your two favorite activities this month are opening and closing doors and golfing. Yes, you've made your daddy one proud papa. Daddy asks you to find your golf club and after you do, you hit the golfball, then crawl over to it and hit it again. I love seeing your daddy's face when the two of you are playing. He's so proud.
We headed to the lake this past month for a long relaxing weekend with Will and Mandy. Your daddy and I have been looking forward to taking you on your first boat ride and for your first swim. Although you love taking a bath and swimming in your pool, we were a little worried that you wouldn't like the lake. I was afraid it was going to be too cold for you but you seemed to love it.
We headed up north for Father's Day weekend. Your Grandpa and Great Grandma Adams watched you while I went to a reception. Your grandpa loves you so much. The two of you played for hours and he layed on the bed next to your pack-n-play until you fell asleep for the night. Father's Day morning, we woke up and took Grandpa Adams out to breakfast then headed back home so you could spend the rest of the day with your daddy.
We're trying to explore the parks around Columbus. Our favorite so far is Liberty Park in Powell. Although it doesn't have baby swings (your favorite) it does have something most parks don't... a Splash Park!!! Your daddy and I took you there Sunday afternoon then headed over to Rita's for some italian ice (sorry, no ice cream for you).
Well, Camden...The invitations have been sent and the planning is done. The next letter I write will be for your one year birthday. Although I'm looking forward to this milestone, when I think about the actual day, my eyes fill with tears. I can't belive that in just a few short weeks my little guy will technically be considered a toddler! I hope you know that no matter how old you get, you will always be my precious baby boy. I love you.
