Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays! 2010 has been an exciting and crazy year and sending out our yearly holiday card fell through the cracks! Family and friends mean the world to us and we are so very thankful to have all of you in our lives. We wish everybody a safe and very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Laurent Family

Camden - 28 months...

Camden -

You have got to be the most precious little guy ever! You have grown so much over the past few months. Your speech and the words you say just blow your daddy and I away.

Things you love at this point – basketball, golf, Mickey Mouse, trains and race cars! Oh, how you love race cars. When we’re driving down the road you say, “Mommy faster”, or “Mommy go/stop”. It makes your daddy and I laugh. And when you play with your race cars you love to crash them into each other. I keep reminding you that you are not allowed to be a racecar driver – It’s too dangerous.

One of the funniest moments recently occurred at the dinner table. The three of us were sitting there and all of a sudden your daddy and I heard something. We looked at you and you said, “I burped”. It was funny, because you didn’t actually burp, you had gas….loud gas! The three of us sat there laughing for a good five minutes.

We spent Thanksgiving Day at your Great Aunt Charlotte’s house. You had so much fun playing with your cousins. You were the youngest one, but that didn’t stop you from wrestling with them. I should mention that your daddy and I have been very hesitant when it comes to you wrestling, because you’ve been getting into trouble at daycare for tackling and pushing, but since it was a holiday and you were having so much fun we decided it was okay.

Your Aunt Maya, Uncle Pat, Zane and Jude arrived in Decatur Friday afternoon. I was a little nervous as to how you would react to Baby Jude, but was pleasantly surprised when you didn’t mind me holding or feeding him. And was even more surprised when you shared your Monkey and Mickey Mouse with him…

You and Zane had so much fun playing together and running around the “circle” at Grandma and Grandpa L’s house. You guys ran around it for a good half hour while we watched. At one point your Uncle Pat started hiding and scaring you guys. You loved it!

You came away from the weekend looking like you were in a boxing match. First, on Thanksgiving night, you were doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing. When your daddy caught you, you ran away from him laughing and fell into a small TV, bruising and scratching your cheek. Then on Friday, you and Zane were chasing each other and you fell right into the corner of a wall which gave you a horrible black eye. I think I was more upset than you were. When I ran over to you, you cried for about two minutes and then wanted down to play. All I wanted to do is hold you! We do have some memorable pics from the weekend!

Major changes are heading your way after the holidays. First, you’re moving up to a new class at daycare - Hello potty training and hello big boy cups!!! Either before or after that, when you’re your big boy room is done , you’ll be moving in to a new room and into a big boy bed. I’m a little nervous about the big boy bed for two reasons. One you love you your crib and two it’s so easy. We just put you in there and you go to sleep. You’ve never attempted to climb out…yet. When you move over, I have a feeling you’re not going to stay in bed. Instead, you’re going to want to play or something. I guess we’ll see what happens soon enough.

Camden, just know that with all the changes heading you’re way, I love you and we’ll get through them together!

Love,

Mommy

28 Weeks!!!

Ethan -

28 weeks - I can’t believe it. This pregnancy seems to be going by so fast. It didn’t feel like it was going fast enough when I was suffering from horrible morning sickness, but when I think about the fact that you’ll be here in about 12 weeks…oh my! Your daddy and I have so much to do before your arrival. My original plan was to move your big brother into his “big boy” room December 1st. That didn’t happen. Right now, the room is gutted…I guess that’s a start. Before we move him in, we have to lay the new floor, paint the walls and ceiling, and install the new fan and closet organizer. Not too much right? After we move him over, we’re starting your room! Your daddy and I finally agreed on bedding for your room and plan to repaint the nursery especially for you. With your daddy traveling so much for work and Christmas quickly approaching, I’m not sure when we’re going to get it all done, but we will! I just want everything to be perfect and in place before you arrive!

My pregnancy with you has been completely different than with your big brother. The morning sickness was more intense and lasted well into my 22nd week. In addition, you’re sitting so low! When we had our ultrasound they told us you were breach and I think you still are! I guess we’ll find out when we see you during our 4D ultrasound – which I can’t wait for!

As for your big brother, I think he’s starting to realize change is coming. I’ve started to calling him my big boy, but every time I do he says, “No Mommy, I’m a baby”. Really it’s cute because I will also consider you both to be my babies but at the same time, I was hoping to start calling him my big boy so he would be more excited about moving over to a big boy bed and about potty training. So far, he still loves his crib and doesn’t have much interest in using the potty. We’ll see, hopefully this changes soon…Really he doesn’t have a choice…

Your little cousin Jude was born recently and we met him over Thanksgiving weekend. Camden was so good with him and even shared his monkey and Mickey Mouse which is a really big deal! He doesn’t like to share all that much, especially monkey and Mickey!

Anyway, I’m so excited to see the two of you together. Hopefully, your big
brother adjusts quickly when you arrive.

We’re all excited to meet you soon!

Love,

Mommy

It's a boy!

Little One –

Today your daddy and I found out you’re a boy! We are so excited and so thrilled to have another boy joining our family. You’re growing and everything seems to be progressing well. The only concern at this time is that your breach. The doctor said she’s not too concerned because you’ll be moving and turning over the next 20 weeks so hopefully when you’re ready to come out, you’ll be in the correct position. It’s just something we’ll have to keep an eye on.

As for your name, we’ve decided to call you Ethan R Laurent. I know I mentioned in an earlier post that your daddy and I couldn’t decide on a name, but once we found out you were a boy we quickly agreed on the name. I have to admit, this name was just added to the list a couple of weeks ago. Once I heard it, it was like something clicked. I knew from that point on you were going to be a boy and your name was going to be Ethan. I’m just glad your daddy finally agreed!

As for the letter R in your name. We’re carrying on a tradition. Your brother’s middle initial is J, just like your daddy’s. The J stands for several things including the first names of both of your great-grandmothers on your daddy’s side and the first name of your Grandpa Adams. The R in your name is also your Uncle Pat’s middle initial. It stands for the first names of your great-grandfathers on your daddy’s side and your great-grandmother from my side.

As for the reactions from people when we told them…Your grandparents are obviously happy, but I’d have to say your Uncle Pat’s reaction was the best. He sounded so excited. It was like he could picture all the fun we’re going to have with you four boys. Yep – four! Not only do you have an older brother and an older cousin, but by the time you arrive you will have another older cousin! Family get togethers are going to be a blast! Just remember you can tackle your brother and cousins, but not the kids at daycare!

When I picked your brother up from daycare today, I told him he was going to have a baby brother. He responded by saying “My baby brother”. I thought it was cute. I know he doesn’t fully understand the changes coming his way and I’m not sure how he’s going to react to you when we bring you home, but I hope and pray that you two grow to love and depend on one other and be as close as two brothers could possibly be.

The next several months are going to be busy with the holiday season approaching, but the one thing I want to do is cherish this time and enjoy the rest of this pregnancy.

I am so excited to finally be able to call you by your name, Ethan.

Mommy, Daddy and your big brother, Camden are so excited and we can’t wait to meet you!

Love,
Mommy

Cool Packaging...

One of my assignments for the Marketing class I am currently taking involved finding a product with "cool" packaging. After searching and searching for an item, I came across this Fisher Price - Music Box Record Player. It may not have the "wow" factor I was looking for but I think it's pretty cool. The package itself is very retro, very simple. I love that Fisher Price is using muted red and black, not bright and bold like modern toy packaging. I feel this brings out the "classic" side of the product.

20 weeks – Tomorrow’s the day!

Tomorrow at 11am we find out if you are a girl or a boy! I am so excited and so nervous at the same time. I can’t wait to start calling you by your name. If you’re a girl, we have a name picked out. If you’re a boy…well, I have a name picked out but your daddy isn’t 100% on board with it. I’m also looking forward to picking out your bedding and deciding on a design for your room. Yes, even if you’re a boy we’re redoing the nursery for you. Some people think we’re crazy but it is important to me and to your daddy that you have your own identity and your own space from the start. As for being nervous, I’m nervous because tomorrow is also the day that the doctor takes all of your measurements and confirms that you are healthy and everything is going well. I know everything is okay, but it still makes me nervous. Mom’s are allowed to worry!

As for your gender and what everyone thinks, at this point it’s 50/50 - 50% are saying you’re a boy because it seems like boys run in the family - your daddy, Uncle Pat, Zane, Camden, and Jude. The other 50% are saying girl because well some think the Laurent’s are due for a girl. As for the others… well, when you’re pregnant with your second, everyone always thinks you’re pregnant with the opposite of what you had the first time.

I will say the pencil test says you are a boy. Leslie and Andrea have preformed this little test on me twice at work and both times – boy! As for the Chinese Conception Chart is says you’re a girl, but it also said your brother was supposed to be a girl.

Everyone keeps asking me if I have a feeling and I do. I guess we’ll see if my mother’s intuition is right! All I know for sure is that as long as the doctor says you are growing and things are progressing the way they should, I will be one happy mommy!

You're Two...

Camden -

Just a few short weeks ago, you turned two! I cannot believe how fast these past two years have gone by. When we ask you how old you are you hold up all of your fingers and say “TWO”!

Word cannot describe how much your daddy and I love you. It has been truly amazing to see how you have grown and changed during these two years. You are talking in sentences, running, jumping, and you’re even walking up and down the stairs…No more scooting down on your butt. When you attempted to walk down the stairs for the first time, I told you to sit down and slide down the stairs and you did. Then one day you said no and instead, you took a hold of the railing and walked down the stairs. When you got to the final step you jumped and said, “I did it”. You were so proud of yourself and I was so proud of you - And once you were down, I finally started breathing again.

Your birthday party had a sports theme this year, because you love all sports. Basketball and golf are your favorites by far, but you also love football, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and hockey. Your party was a lot of fun. You were surrounded by family and friends and had a great time. When it was time for your cupcake, I thought I was going to have to help you blow out the candles but you did it all on your own!

One of my favorite parts of the day was actually after your party. Your Grandma Laurent was helping clean up and all of a sudden we heard giggling coming from upstairs. We went around the corner and found you and Zane jumping on the bed! It was something I will never forget. You two were bonding and being mischievous together! Very cute! Your grandma and I just smiled and laughed for a few minutes and then made you stop. From then all that is all you two wanted to do.

This coming year is going to be a big year for you. So many changes are coming your way over the next seven months. Although I know you’ll be fine, I’m nervous. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed or feel like we’re abandoning you in any way.

The first change is going to be you moving into your “big boy” room. We have decided to go with a sports theme. And of course with the “big boy” room comes the “big boy” bed. You’re moving right into a queen size bed. Our plan is to move you over in November or December unless you decide to climb out of your crib before then.

The next change will be moving into a new room at daycare. You should move up in February and when you do, you’ll begin drinking from a regular cup (no more sippy at school) and you’ll start learning to use the potty. About a month after that comes the biggest change of all - Your little brother or sister will arrive. I am so excited to see the two of you together, but I am extremely nervous at the same time. I do not want you to think you are being replaced or that you’re loved any less. At the same time, I don’t want your new brother or sister to feel that we love you more since you’re the oldest. I hope that you both will know that there is enough love in our hearts for both of you and that we love you both.

One promise I’m going to make to you right now is that we’re going to plan special mommy and Camden time, not only when the baby comes, but before that. Over the past few weeks, I haven’t been able to spend as much time with you as I would have like or that you would have liked. This trend is probably going to continue for a few more weeks or until this morning sickness subsides. But I promise, when I’m feeling better, we’re going to spend so much time together - So much that you’re probably going to be sick of me!

Not being able to spend time with you has been hard on me. I feel like I’m neglecting you which is the last thing I want to do. You have a wonderful father who loves to spend time with you and lets me rest when I need to, but I still hate that I am not spending time with you. You and your daddy went to the slash park and out to dinner yesterday while I stayed home sick. This summer had just flown by and I feel like I have missed it and you, and your daddy. But again, once this sickness is over – you and me kiddo! We’re going to have lots of fun!


Fun/Cute things to remember:
1. You carry around a lot of animals – Curious George, AH AH (the name of your little monkey), Mickey Mouse, and Kitty. At times you also want to grab Doggie, Pooh, and Tigger.
2. Your favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You watch it every morning while I’m getting ready for work and every night before bedtime (with a snack and milk).
3. You are still sleeping in your crib – I’m happy about that.
4. Besides sports, you love bubbles, books, trains, cars, and trucks.
5. You love to dance and play outside.
6. You love to jump – which makes me nervous because you do it when I’m not expecting it!
7. You say bye to everything – Bye daddy’s car, Bye flowers, Bye slide, Bye rock…
8. If we ask you if you have a girlfriend you say “Emily”.
9. You love your sneakers and you tell everyone about them. Whenever someone new walks in the room, you hold out your foot and say “shoes”. You cry if we try to make you wear flip flops or any shoes other than your “shoes”.
10. You love Fig Newtons.
11. You love to “read”. At times we find you sitting with a bunch of books, just looking though them. You even want to take one to bed every now and then.

On your way...

June 30th - It has been two days. Two days since I found out you’re on your way! I have so many things running through my mind. Are you okay? Are you growing? Is your little heart beating? I called the doctor today and she scheduled my first appointment for August 2nd…. It’s June 29th. How am I supposed to wait another 6 weeks before I know you’re okay?

I must admit, your daddy and I are very surprised. It took us a year to conceive your big brother and you… well, let’s just say it didn’t take any time at all. I had a feeling I was pregnant last week, mother’s intuition I guess you can say. I wanted to surprise your daddy this time so I kept my feelings to myself.

My plan was to take a pregnancy test when your daddy wasn’t home so I could fight the urge to tell him and surprise in a special way. However, when I got home, your daddy was home. He was supposed to be at Keira and Brandon’s by the time I got back from the store. I was so anxious and there was no way could wait to take the test so I told myself that if the test was positive, I would say I forgot something and had to run out. That way I could start my plan. However, in the 5 seconds it took for the test to show two pink lines, I changed my mind. I quickly (but carefully) ran downstairs. Your daddy and Camden were sitting on the couch and I pulled the test out of my pocket. Your daddy was shocked (as was I). All he could do is say, ”WHAT?!...WHAT?! How many did you take? Are you serious?”. Then he wanted to call your Grandma and Grandpa Laurent to share our happy news, but I told him no. I didn’t get to surprise him but we were going to surprise everyone else!

And so it begins…

Back to School...

I’ve finally made a decision… I'm going back to school. The decision to go back for my MBA has not been an easy one. It's something I've been struggling with since I found out I was pregnant with Camden. Being there for all of his firsts was extremely important to me. And although I could have been done with school in the amount of time it has actually taken me to decide to go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I was there to see Camden’s first smile and to hear his first laugh. I was there to hear his first word and to see his first steps. I know there are more firsts to come but I feel now is the best time for me to take this step. So, I’m off. I’ve been accepted in to the MBA program at Franklin University and if things go as planned I should have my MBA by September 2011. Good Luck to me!

18 months...

There are amazing little moments that happen everyday. I try to take a mental snapshot of each of them because it's these little moments that I don't want to forget. Last night for instance - you and daddy were sitting on the couch and you gave him a kiss and my heart just melted. And today you gave me the perfect ending to a crazy day. You not only let me rock you to sleep, but you looked up at me, said mom and gave me a kiss. It was wonderful. Mom is the best word - I've been looking foward to you saying that word since even before you were born and now you're saying it! Life can be crazy so I have to constantly remind myself to just relax and enjoy our time together. Thank you for helping me to do that.

So this week you are transitioning to the Toddler 1 class at daycare! I can't believe you're a toddler! There are big changes coming your way - You'll now be taking naps on a cot, sitting at a table for lunch and drinking from a big boy cup! I can't wait to see how you adjust. I'm sure you'll do great!

You've grown so much over the past year and a half. You just had your 18 month check-up and the doctor said you're doing great. You're 33 inches tall (90th percentile) and weigh 25 pounds (50th percentile). You're talking more and more each day. Your two favorite words are snacks and ball but you also say mom, socks, shoes, basketball, golf, yes and a few other words. You can sign eat, more, please, all done, milk and thank you. You give kisses and hugs and love to climb on the kitchen chairs.

We've recently started to let you watch a little TV. Two shows actually - Chuggington and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You only sit in one place for about five minutes but you seem to enjoy them for those five minutes. Another cute thing you're doing...

Basketball and golf are your two favorite sports. Although... you do love OSU football! We can point to anything OSU and raise your arms like your saying touchdown! You also have a special dance you do when you make a basket...It's adorable!!!

You continue to love music and dancing and seem to really enjoy you're WeJoySing classes. It's been fun for your daddy and I to watch you grow and learn during these classes.

I'm looking foward teaching you new things and to learning new things from you.

I love you more than words can say.

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...