Sunday, April 29, 2012

Confessions


I still haven't set my bedside clock forward an hour, I just round ahead in my head. Lazy, right?
 
I am always afraid to fall asleep in the car, while leaning on the car door. I don't know what it is, but I'm so afraid the door will open and I will just fall out.
 
I love Thursdays. The anticipation of Friday is so great, that I just really like Thursdays. The feeling of turning into the homestretch is awesome.
 
I still don't sleep with a leg uncovered, that way the boogeyman doesn't get my legs. Seriously.
 
Sometimes when C is extra cranky but not currently teething? I'll still give him a teething tablet (or three). Those natural herbs can really help with the mood, yo. Trust me! Now he thinks they are candy, and requests them. I've created a monster!
 
Husband dresses Camden every morning. He has really good taste and has put together some outfits that surprisingly look awesome. Despite that, there are times when I'm not so sure his outfit compliations go together, like when Husband will put Camden in a striped top and plaid looking shorts. But do I change Camden? Nah. It may look silly, but I'll just remind them at daycare that Husband has morning duty.  :)
 
I think I have a touch of achluophobia. Don't know what that is? Google it. Okay, kidding. It's fear of the dark. I've mentioned before that I don't have the best nighttime eyesight. Because of that I creep myself out regarding "what may be lurking in the corner". Also, I run into things like door frames, walls. It doesn't feel so good. If you do google achluophobia you will find that Some researchers, beginning with Sigmund Freud, consider the fear of the dark as a manifestation of separation anxiety disorder. Nice. Thanks wikipedia for that boost of confidence.
 
Husband still makes my lunch for me daily. And cuts my apples. What a guy!
 
What are you confessing today?

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Great Wolf Lodge

I know I'm way behind, but the sickies had me down. I finally caved and this past Monday I called my doctor and they agreed to call me in a prescription without seeing me. Thank goodness, cause ain't nobody got time fo' 'dat. This brings me to Great Wolf Lodge. I finally need to discuss it's awesomeness. We hit up the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. It was huge. We literally had to walk a mile to our room because we were all the way at the end. of. the. hall.



It was a nice little room with a TV, free wifi(that was slow) and a fridge. We had enough room to store our stuff, plus a little partition in the room and we put the pack and play on the other side so Camden could settle and go to sleep while the rest of us stayed up and watched tv or whatnot.

 But forget the room. The main reason 3 of us went was just for the waterpark. And it was AWESOME! Camden had a blast, trying to be mister independent. He would walk under all of the water mushroom/water type things, walk through the waves - he wanted to be left alone. So that's what we did. Left him alone but had to follow him around non-stop because occasionally homeboy did fall and he isn't so awesome at standing back up yet. He would usually fall face first and I'd slowly lift him up in hopes that he was paying attention at how I was picking him up so that he could learn to do it himself.

We spent the majority of our time at the baby pool because it was only 18'' deep and Camden could navigate it easily. The slides were perfect for him.





We did spend some time in the wave pool and the lazy river, and Camden even enjoyed standing under the large bucket and getting water dumped on us. I think it amazed him every time. We 'swam' in the hot tub, because it was big enough and Camden kept shivering. Husband and I let him practice jumping in to us, and even dunked him under the water and pushed him to the other one of us in true 'swim' form. I think people thought we were nuts because they would ask us "uh, how old is he?" which followed with "is he in swim lessons? Well, that explains it.". I think they expected him to be super upset about all of the dunking, but he couldn't get enough.

Husband and I even got to try one of the big slides. The big ones hold up to four people and let me tell you, that was pretty stinking intense! I was amazed at how big it was, and how fast it was. I definitely enjoyed it.

After swimming we ate pizza at the hotel one night, it was really good! We also ate some of their poolside snacks and indulged in some ice cream. It was all good and the place was just so kid friendly. I know we didn't see the half of it because they have plenty of other programs and things to do for younger kids. I saw children running around waving wands and making things light up. It looked neat, may have to investigate that as C gets older.






Overall it was an awesome place, and I am looking forward to going back when C can go on even more slides! :)

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Twenty Months!

Wow, here we are, officially not a teenager anymore. Wait, I mean you officially aren't in the teens when counting by months, and I imagine the time to your 24 month mark will continue to fly by. It does seem like you will be leaving for college any day, it really does go by fast!


You are growing like a weed, child. You are SO heavy anymore! I never realize it until I go to pick you up, and it feels like there is a weight attached to your pants dragging you down. But wait! Those are just your legs that are attached! I haven't weighed you yet but last time you were at the doctor you were 26 pounds so I would guess you are close to thirty. Your feet are still a size five, in fact your new Giraffe TOMS in a size five are still a little big on you, and you have to wear them with socks (and you still step out of them). Its okay though, they should be just about perfect in time for the hot part of summer. You are wearing mostly 24month or 2T shirts, you can still wear 18 month shirts but not for long. Your pants are about the same, 18-24 months and even 2T, if it's rolled up. You are still wearing a size 5 diaper.


This past month Mommy decided to attempt cloth diapering at night. She's not sure what she was thinking other than she wanted to way to save on those pesky expensive overnight diapers. We have tried two different kinds and may have found our match. It was tough though, lots of changing sheets and finding the right fit. You were none too pleased the first time you had one on, I don't think you liked how thick they have to be at night. Mom doesn't think it's too bad though, but she definitely has to wash those diapers right away. Because? G-ross!


You are LOVING playing in your playhouse. You can't seem to get enough. You are always asking to go "out-ide" so you can play. You love to follow your Dad around outside, doing things in the yard or helping him mow. You usually just stand in the middle of the yard with your mower and turn it to watch him while he goes around. It's pretty cute watching you. Swimming is still one of your favorites, and we are still in swim lessons once a week.


You are wanting to be SO independent all the time. We went to Texas to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge while Daddy and Grandpa went to the Nascar race. The baby pool was 18 inches deep, and you wanted to walk, climb and do everything ON YOUR OWN. Even after you would slip and be face down in the water and need help up, you still wouldn't want any more help after getting back on your own two feet. Mr. Independent that's for sure!


You don't walk anymore. You RUN. I kept having to tell you to walk around the pool area. Your little bow legged run is just precious, and you seem to do more work running than you would just walking. But you prefer to go your own way, and that's okay.


About a week before Easter you started to really become a little chatterbox. Just talking and talking nonsense to anyone who would listen. You have a whole LIST of words you can say, of about 25 or so, but I can't even think of them all. You are better at stringing your words together now too, saying "More milk" or "please Daddy". Thankfully, you have really picked up on some of your manners. Now you will say "thank you" when given something without being prompted. We hope that keeps up! We learned a new sign word this month since you aren't so hot at pronouncing the letter 's'. We learned the sign for "sorry". Now when you do something wrong or if you go to time out, you have to look us in the eye, sign sorry and give us hugs before getting out. You also really like to shake your head and say "no no" when we ask you a question. It seems as if "no no" is always your response, you barely use the word yes and you don't know know to nod yet. Well you can, it just isn't much of a habit yet. You comprehend so much of what we say now, that part is really impressive!


Mickey is still by far your favorite show and seems to hold your interest a bit longer these days. You do also enjoy Bubble Guppies and Curious George. You still don't sit still at restaurants or other important places, Mommy can't wait for the day when you will be able to do that. Work in progress!

You are so smart. You know motions to all sorts of songs, you can point out just about every body part, and you are pretty darn good at matching your shapes. We can ask you what sound an animal makes and you can mimic it. We can't wait to take you back to the zoo so we can show you all of those animals again in person!


Your bottom molars are finally starting to break through, and your top ones still aren't all the way through. That makes our total at 10.25 teeth. You are eating better at what is on our plates and eating less pureed food, so that is definitely progress. Some days at daycare though, you will completely refuse meals. Picky eater, just like your Dad! Strawberries seem to be your favorite, either the flavor in a pureed pouch or the actual berry, you really seem to enjoy those. And 'nanas'.


You have been infatuated with Daddy when he mows the yard. As soon as we get home in the evenings you point at the mower and the blower. As soon as Daddy gets home you point and talk. The other day we brought you in the house and you proceeded to throw a fit by the back door asking to "mo mo mo mo mo" which is your version of "mow". You lucked out that daddy just happened to need to mow, but it was cute how bad you wanted to do it.


You continue to amaze us at how big you are getting. They are getting ready to have promotions at daycare, and that means you are moving up a room. It's always so bittersweet for me. For multiple reasons, one being I have gotten so used to your teachers, and you love them and the routine in that room as well. Second, was the fact that I had to see your name listed underneath the "Older Ones". That just sounded so old, and time is going SO fast. Weren't you just a little baby in the baby room spitting up all over the place? My how time really does fly. Your next letter will be written after your move to your new teachers, I am praying for a smooth transition!

As always little boy,
Love you to the moon and back!
Mommy and Daddy

Friday, April 20, 2012

Giggles

This video is from Easter. Little C had a full on giggling fit every time Husband and his brother would kick the ball. He's carrying around another family member's empty soda bottle but with the way Camden is giggling and walking around deliriously you'd think he just chugged the entire thing himself. But I promise he didn't! No judgies!




In other randomness...

Camden is huge. He's getting so big and so heavy and is learning so fast. But despite all that? He stopped last night and gave me the best cuddles. It had been a while too! He crawled onto my lap facing me, and laid his head down on his chest. It was so sweet! I like to know that my little ball of toddler fury still needs me!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Easter, Part II


{who cares about getting more eggs, lets eat what was in this one!}

{Cousin K has got it figured out!}

{So does cousin H!}


After the easter egg hunt, we played with a bouncy ball and Husband and his brother were kicking it up really high in the air. Camden thought this was HILARIOUS. I took some pictures of him full on laughing.



Then, Camden decided he thought he might want to snack on something. So he helped himself.

Then, Mommy decided to have another impromptu photo shoot reminiscient of last year.



Remember this post involving this same truck?


and somehow I managed to remember to take a family picture of ALL THREE OF US. Mark that down on the calendar, I never seem to remember!



It was great getting to see everyone for the holiday, and I'm glad the weather held off so we could enjoy it outside. It was a fun-filled and busy weekend, that's for sure!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

348 Months

For my birthday, I told Chris there were only a few things I wanted. Burlap Toms, and to go painting at Pinot's Palette which is a new painting place here in town. You can buy a bottle of wine and in a two hour time span they tell you how to paint your own masterpiece. Masterpieces range from famous paintings like Starry Night by Van Gogh, or other art like what we chose, the blue tulips. As you can see, they allow us as much creative freedom as we wanted, so I chose to make my tulips purple, since purple tulips are my FAVORITE. Jennie opted to make hers pink to go in Snowflake's room. The option of changing our colors was nice to add a little personalization to our works of art! It was a fun time, and much more challenging than I thought!


{The beginning instructions...here we go!}


{those of us in our painting party}


{I'm working hard. Very focused.}

{the whole gang, with our finished product!}

{those of us that are related. ;)}

It was so much fun. I can't wait to go back!

My birthday was a blast. It was all celebrated early because I had to work that weekend. But I got to paint, then spend Good Friday off with Husband who was also off for the holiday. My brother took us out shooting guns, and that was AWESOME. I had never shot a gun, so I went from two extremes, painting and doing something dainty with the girls to shooting guns with boys. I shot 4 different types of guns: a baby desert eagle 9mm, a Smith and Wesson M&P 9m, .40 caliber and an AR15 rifle. Sounds like I know what I'm talking about? Ha! I don't. But my brother does so he was the best person possible to take us shooting. Husband has shot guns before but nothing like that. We have decided that we both probably need to take some classes and it would be fantastic if we could own some land to practice shooting our guns on. Sometime, Lord willing. Finances are tough to get worked out, ya know? But we would like to be able to defend ourselves, God forbid we would ever need to, but better safe than sorry.

My birthday was an awesome, awesome time.


I don't know if next year can top it!!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Easter Egg Hunt at School!

I have been super busy around these parts, which explains my lack of posting in the blog world.

Last week was not only my birthday weekend, but Easter weekend, AND I worked. This past weekend we went to Texas for a quick Nascar race shindig. So I haven't had much spare time to type.

I suppose I should start at the beginning so that means Easter. The day before Good Friday, Camden had Easter celebrations at school. I am so lucky that I was able to rearrange my group times so I could make it over there to take pictures and help him hunt eggs. It means so much to me to be able to be a working parent, yet to be able to attend the important events really make it so I can have the best of both worlds. Hopefully things will continue to be that flexible. Anyways the kids were so cute, picking up their eggs. I'll post a few.




{I'm supposed to do...what again?}

{Look what I found, Mom!!}

{Telling me something important about his eggs}

{laughing after telling me that something important :)}

{Camden and his close bud behind him (in yellow) after the hunt. They are each other's shadows!}

I got some good pictures of my little man in action, which I was super surprised that he was able to follow my directs with me hiding behind the camera. Love my little guy!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Playhouse Update!

{waving at me from the unpainted house}



You guys! The playhouse is coming along. It is painted, has a green door like our front door, and it was sealed and made bug proof so carpet could be installed! Underneath the porch, husband even installed pavers to help with the mess of tracking stuff in on the carpet. (I can't believe I'm typing that for a playhouse). Of course, I just typed that and it gets more astonishing. Husband was playing with C in the playhouse and noted that despite having the windows open when it was warmer out, it was SWELTERING in the house. Husband decided that wouldn't do, because how was little C supposed to play in there all summer? He did the next logical thing. Yup, he installed an air conditioner. Seriously.

We are those people.

Anyway, it looks awesome, and Camden LOVES it. That's the important part. We have moved some toys outside and he asks to go out there as soon as he wakes up. It's adorable.

{fussing because he had to come in because it was raining} He loves it!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter.

Today is an amazing day. It is the day where our Lord and Savior, who died from our sins, rose again.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:2-6

Years ago, a Friday was the day where the world stood still. Hope was lost. Confusion abounded. But what we do know is that Sunday came. And on that Sunday there was a sunrise like never before. He is risen, INDEED!

He died to save us. The problem is, "until we see ourselves as sinners, we don't see a need for a savior" -Craig Groeschel

And I think that is one of the most important things we can take away. We are not good people. The only person who ever was good and pure? He died for us. He did something that no one ever would have chosen to do, but that something that he did was what EVERYONE needed.

Thank God for his amazing Son and our Savior on this day.

Happy Easter, friends.

If you are looking for a good message, or a hint into why bad things happen to good people? Check out Lifechurch.tv for Online Easter Services.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Photo Challenge: Favorite from March

It is incredibly hard for me to pick my favorite photo from this month. I sure have some adorable shots from this month. For me it is a tie. It's between this one:



And this one:

The first one means so much to me, because Camden is sitting on the lap of my almost 94 year old Granddaddy. The fact that he has a Great Granddaddy to take pictures with is beyond amazing. Camden humored me and sat in his lap for quite a bit when we went to go visit, and I got quite a few shots of the two of them. Honestly? That made my week.

The other picture that I love is the second one. His face says it all in that shot, and he's pointing right at me. That tow headed boy with those chubby cheeks, blue eyes and little hands pointing at me, makes me mushy. I'm so lucky that he's mine!


Linking up with the Paper Mama for her photo challenge.
The Paper Mama Photo Challenge