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.

Surfboards...

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/.

Good Day...

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.

Diaper Changing...

How many people does it take to change a 10 month old's diaper? In our house....TWO. It's been absolutely impossible to change Camden's diaper lately. He's kicking and rolling and his hands are going places they really don't need to go. I think we've ended up with half a bottle of diaper rash cream on us instead of Camden the past couple of days!

And our poor son just can't win these days - A few weeks ago it was an ear infection, two weeks ago it was pinkeye, last week it was an allergic reaction to something he ate and this week...croup! I'm beginning to think we should just make a standing appointment with his pediatrician.

We're really looking forward to this weekend though! We're finally going to the lake! It's one of the few weekends we'll be able to head over this summer. I don't think I'll be going again until Camden's birthday.....

Simply Adorable...

Ear Infection/Teething...

Not only is this Camden's second ear infection, both ears are infected this time. And to make it worse, my poor little guy is teething. We should see two top teeth popping though soon.

I took Cam to see his pediatrician earlier this week because his "teething" symptoms seemed to be getting worse. After explaining these symptoms our pediatrician he told me a story that ended with "teething causes nothing but teeth". He then went on to say, in a round about way, that all the parenting magazines and books that state otherwise are wrong. I just looked at him and kept my thoughts to myself. Who am I to argue? I didn't go to medical school. Then while he was looking at Camden's chart to find out when his last ear infection was, I reminded him that it was in January, the same week he got his bottom two teeth.

Okay so maybe teething isn't causing Camden's ear infections but I can almost guarantee that the next time he's teething an ear infection isn't far behind...

Friends...

These pictures were taken a couple weeks ago when Laurel and I took Cole and Camden to the park. I am so happy that Camden is going to be surrounded by such great friends. When I first told Laurel I was pregnant we talked about how we could plan play dates, take the boys to the park, etc. and here we are! I love it!!!

Enjoying Bathtime...

Camden enjoying bathtime...

I can't wait to see how he does at the lake this summer! He really seems to love the water.

All better...

Camden is feeling much better. B shot with video with his cell phone Sunday evening while they were playing.

My poor little guy...

I've never felt so helpless in my entire life. In the past two weeks we've taken Camden to the pediatrician 3 times, called the pediatrician 4 or 5 times, have had two prescriptions filled... and he's still not feeling well. It started off with him being moody and spitting up, then it was that plus an ear infection and now all of that plus vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever. It's like he just keeps getting worse. He's spent the past three days in my arms. He is sleeping in his crib at night but trust me, it's taking all I have to not scoop him up when I go in to check on him. This is him sleeping just a few minutes ago. I couldn't help it. I had to take a picture. He's is the most precious thing in the enire world. I hope he starts feeling better soon!

He loves his Tigger Blankie...

The two of us cuddling earlier today.

Another 1st for Camden...

Camden, the little boy who’s always happy, hardly spits up and loves to eat has turned into a cranky baby who refuses to eat a full bottle and gets sick if he does. We took him to see the pediatrician last week (his doctor wasn’t in) and we were told he was just in a "funk". Well, his “funk” seemed to get worse over the weekend so we decided to take him back to see his pediatrician yesterday. After examining him we were told that our little guy has his 1st ear infection. Poor little guy!

First Trip to the Zoo...

The Columbus Blue Jackets had an event at the Zoo Tuesday evening so Brian and I decided it would be the perfect time to take Camden. The event took place after the zoo closed so we basically had the exibits to ourselves. Although we only spent about 30 minutes looking at select animals it was so much fun. Our first stop was the penquin exhibit. Camden was sleeping as you can see below. We then headed over to see the lion which had decided to move indoors so we could only see his huge paw. After that we walked over to the tiger exhibit which we all three loved and spent most of our time. There were two tigers - one was laying around but the other one was playing with a ball. It was awesome to see this huge tiger playing ball just like our little pups do. Brian took some cute pics and we moved on to some smaller animals and then the elephants and rhino's. I can't wait to take him back next year when he will actually be interested in what we're seeing. The best part of the night for me was seeing Brian holding Camden, explaining the animals to him and telling him stories of when his grandma and grandpa brought him to the Columbus Zoo.

Smile...

I finally got some pictures of Camden smiling while trying to take pictures for his birth announcement (I'm a little behind). I couldn't get a full face smile out of him but I hope to get that on camera soon. I thought these were cute so I just had to share them.