Recently...

My boy. He was blowing dandelions and got it in his mouth! Not too thrilled about it either!

His favorite thing to do is "blow blow" with dad. He will talk about it for days and days!

My boys. With another boy that will be here soon to love on!

Randoms...

My bestie got married this past weekend! It was a very busy weekend! We had rehearsal on Friday, Saturday was wedding prep and that night we all stayed out at the casino hanging out until late and then Sunday had a brunch and left. It was so nice! I miss hanging out with my college besties all the time, but at the same time I really missed my little munchkin. ;)

Camden has been a talking maniac lately. It amazes me how much he learns and soaks up things these days. He demands to listen to his songs in the car, always preferring "ABC song" or "Monkey song". It's pretty cute. He says "I can't not hear it" or "I can't not do it" and his little "can't nots" melt my heart, along with his "Okay, Mommy??" when talking to me.

My bump is getting sooo big. I've about had it with people asking me if I am sure I'm not having twins. NO I'm NOT, yes I know it's a big belly and it's just going to get bigger. And with technology these days, of course I know if there is one or two in there. Someone is going to get throat punched. Just sayin'.

I cannot WAIT for swimming pool season. Camden is going to have SO. MUCH. FUN!

Husband's last week on the job was this past week. It was bittersweet, that's where he's been since graduating almost 7 years ago. I know it's a big change for Hubby if he comes up to me Monday morning of the start of his last week and says "I'm kinda sad". It's the fear of the unknown, and having to start completely over. Yikes! I'm hoping this will be a positive change that will help him to broaden his horizons. I pray the transition will be smooth and he will end up fitting right in and loving it.

I'm so proud of my Hubby and how hard he works for our little family. His last day of work it seemed that everyone was sad he was going. They surpised him with doughnuts, buying him lunch and departing gifts (one was a new wallet with a business card - I thought that was a cool idea!), even a multiple cake goodbye gathering. He even saved his going away card his co-workers bought him - which is something he never does - save sentimental things. You could tell they really liked working with him and I think that shows so much of the character he has. I haven't heard of them throwing that big of a shin dig for anyone else's going away party, so it made me super proud of him to hear that. I know he's a hard working and his new job is lucky to have him!

So much to do with insurance changes and preparing for baby and new job and AH! It's hard to keep it all straight. If I just remember one thing at a time, it doesn't seem so overwhelming. I go to my next doctor's appointment at the end of this week. I'm intrigued to hear what they think the size of baby is. I already know my answer and that's TOO BIG! But, a little over eight weeks to go. Soon enough! Now we just have to finalize a name....

That's all for now!

Lately.

Keeping busy.

I love experiencing things with this bunny.

He's getting so big!

 I took these using my makeshift studio.

Turned out pretty good with help of husband.

All done with natural light!

His favorite thing.

Tire swing.

:)

End of Week Randoms

-Chick-Fil-A has done some work to make amends regarding their mishap earlier this week. Apparently it is a nationwide event at all ChickFilAs, and it is supposed to start at 6:30 AM. So - for those keeping score...I was right. They were wrong, they gave coupons. Good thing, because I normally LOVE ChickFilA I would hate to not visit out of frustrations.

-C got in a fight at school. Okay, so that sounds dramatic. But he's 2 and is still learning, but he was riding a bike, got off of said bike and then when another friend got on he decided he wanted it back and picked a fight. Silly kid. He even did so good that morning, sharing his puzzle with his friend, Tucker. He was so cute announcing, "I share with Tucker". Sigh. Silly boy. :)

-Besides the fight, kid has been really doing well at school. For three out of four days in one week I got compliments each day about what a good kid he is, how he has good manners and how he is really smart. Those compliments can mean the world to a Mama and really help to build me up. They told me that they think he is very advanced, he knows his shapes and colors and numbers really well and is still learning his letters. They said he is good at apologizing and obeying and that when he wants to disagree they ask him if he is obeying, and that's usually when he will perk up and say "ohhhhkay" and then do what they ask. They said he's really pretty agreeable and that they can tell I try and raise him with manners. It made my little Mommy heart swell, that's for sure. If one thing I learned from this week is that give compliments to other Moms, it just might make their day. Or their week.

-I did so good last week and made it to the gym FIVE times. That might be a record! This week is not shaping up quite as awesome. Hopefully I get in three. It's super hard though when I work that weekend. Also, my appetite is stil insane. I am so hungry, but I don't want to gain as much as I did with C 1.0, and I really don't want to waddle at my besties wedding. Oye!

-I started a FB page for my photography. Basically I wanted somewhere to put all of my pictures to showcase what I have done. Then people can look at it and decide if I'm worthy of some side jobs taking pics. Hopefully come springtime I'll get a few gigs to help save for baby stuff and pay for my lens. I really do enjoy taking pictures and enjoy providing them for people! Sometimes I just feel pressured, worried that I won't get the shots. It makes me nervous. But then time and time again, I do pretty darn good! I'm still learning, and really excited for what's to come. In the end, I need to recognize that I'm continually learning and growing!

-I'm definitely feeling Baby C 2.0 now. Just little tiny shifting in my belly for now. I was for sure at about 18 weeks that is what I was feeling. Kinda feels like popcorn. I remember that these are the pleasant movements - its later on when it's in your ribs and you can't breathe that you're thinking "whoa"!

And that's all the randomness for now. Have a great day!

It.

Our January that has been full of purging of things we don't need in our house is still in full effect. We have donated a whole car load of stuff to Goodwill, added extra shelving in our his/her's closets in the master and added shelving in our storage closet as well. Everything has to be reorganized to fit in its space. We bought those space saver bags for extra linens and ended up freeing up two shelves in our tiny linen closet. We are still in the process of reorganizing and purging everything that was in the dresser in Camden's new room and in the closet. We just have SO MUCH STUFF it seems. And it's stuff we didn't know we had or forgot about, which goes to show that it's really just NOT important. But like I have mentioned they are things we don't really want to get rid of. My wedding dress. Movies. My saddle. Crafts Camden has made.

I just need ONE more closet!!

I can't wait to get stuff organized and set up. At the same time, thinking of Camden sleeping in his new room so far away where I can't hear him? Just sounds insane. The other night he started fussing hardcore and it was turning into crying. Finally, husband got up to go see what was wrong. When Husband returned he said "his sleeves were stuck up and he wanted them down and couldn't get them down". He will be so far around the corner that I'm not sure if we will hear him crying, or for that matter getting sick in the middle of the night. It's weird to think!

The other day Camden was reading books before bed. He decided to "read" a book for Husband and I. It was so cute. He would flip the book around and show us the pictures, going from side to side around the room like a teacher would, then saying "next page" and 'reading' the book based off of the picture and then he would flip the book back around and sweep the room with the pictures to make sure both Husband and I saw them. Goodness it was adorable!

As challenging as this stage is with testing boundaries, independence and stubbornness - sure is a lot of fun. I can't wait for warmer days and longer days, so we can play outside and enjoy the sunshine!

This past weekend was AMAZING. We had a two relaxing days off, we took Camden to the Aquarium for the first time thanks to free tickets from family, and we just spent lots of time together as a family. In addtion to this we were asked at church to be leaders of the Host Team (the head of about 50 volunteers) and to lead them in encouraging emails/prayers and to help organize the set up of people. We are excited and nervous to be in this role and can't wait to see what it will bring! Besides that, I was also asked to take pictures for baptisms at one of the servies at church this past weekend. What! An! Honor! It was so cool to be up front and center and witness the joy and happiness and to be able to capture this special time for these people. So amazing!

So it was a fantastic weekend.

And then Monday happened. ;)

Monday started off like any other Monday. We were running late in the morning, about 15 minutes later than usual by the time we got to our cars. Whoopsie. So, we head out to our respective jobs and plan to get started. Camden of course woke up with worse pink eye than what he had the night before, so we had to wrestle him down and put drops in his eyes which he acts like it might be some form of medieval torture.

I pack the drops to take to school and am about to pull in to daycare and I hear "it".

You know what "it" is, I know you do.

That horrible wretching sound that you can hear from a mile away if you have mom ears. I stop the car and turn and look and ask him, "Camden, are you okay?" He nods and then I hear "it" again, followed by copious amounts of vomit. And then again. And again. By this time he's completely emptied his stomach contents of morning milk onto the front of his shirt all while strapped into his carseat. He's crying and upset, I have vomit all over my hands from putting a blanket up by his face in hopes of keeping some of it from splashing all over the car. He's done vomiting and he starts crying "I want bath". Awesome. Here I am 30 seconds from work and I'm thinking, "I do not want to waste this day of getting up and getting ready and all this hair gel". I call Husband in a panic asking him "you or me, who is staying home?" because obviously I can't take him to school like that. Husband says he'll analyze his work and call back while I attempt to clean up the car and tell people at work I'll be late. Then it dawns on me. MLK day! My mom! Luckily I have THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD. And she happened to be off that day because it was a 'holiday'. Super Cici to the rescue! She was able to meet me at home to watch Camden. By the time she arrived I had stripped him down, clothes in the wash and I had cleaned out my car and tossed him in for his bath that he was demanding.

He stayed home and played, hardly ate and took a long nap. My mom took him to the pediatrician just to be safe, and of course he checked out just fine. He played okay the rest of the evening and got a good nights rest, so here's to hoping the rest of the weekday mornings start off less uneventful!

Weekend recap

Long time no post! We had the busiest weekend in a long time! We did Christmas train on Friday night, I had two photo sessions, we did home improvement work to fix some outlets (I get to say "we" because I did help hubby run the lines/wires during naptime), we saw lights at Rhema and we spent the better part of our free time looking for my keys that I "lost". The house got a good cleaning after getting turned upside down multiple times.

Finally found my keys after a long weekend of searching, in my pants that I had already washed AND dried. Big fat fail. It appears as if the keys are ruined, but at least I know where they are on the plus side.

Chris was thoroughly annoyed as can be expected, especially after my phone incident a few weeks ago. But on the plus side my sweet hubby is the BEST. Not only did he quietly voice his frustration, but he surprised me with a new camera lens and a flash for my camera when I got home Friday! He had to take a half day to be able to sign for it so he could have it all before we headed out on the Christmas Train. So sweet of him! He really hustled to get it all. And he got the high grade lens even though I said I would settle for the medium. He kept saying "you wouldn't of been happy". Whatever, would too! But I am extremely happy this way too!

Camden also had some sickness this weekend that was random. Two of the days and mostly in the middle of the night he would cough and then vomit. Just once, and like 24 hours apart. And it was gross. He didn't run a fever, acted fine if not even better after. It was just bizarre. He denied anything hurting, and all doctor appointments were full so I am just waiting it out. So far no incidents since this weekend. But he is still coughing and I think I may have a slight touch of PTSD from the events as I jump everytime he starts to hack.

Been trying to wrap up end of the year stuff. Getting final doctor appointments and making sure we spent enough on flex spending. Let me just say, I think we are going to own lots of band aids very shortly!

That is all I can think of for now. Evenings are spent enjoying this uncharacteristically warm weather out riding trikes and bikes or spent at the gym or editing photos. So much to do, so little time left before Christmas!

I will leave you with a few picture of pictures of Christmas Train and a shot of my gorgeous nieces' newborn photos!

happenings...

Been so busy around these parts. Between shoots for family and friends, setting up Christmas lights, doing holiday baking and being sickly, it's been hard to keep things straight around here.

I feel like I am behind on sleep sometimes, but I love the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I love taking pictures for friends so I wouldn't change it for anything.

Camden has been talking and repeating everything lately. Sentences are getting longer, words are getting bigger. I am amazed at how much he learns on a daily basis. He is so fun to be around, even with the toddler tantrums and all. I mean, I just love this age, even though it is supposedly "terrible". He has been big into wanting to sit on our laps, bringing us books and when Chris is outside hanging lights he is trying to tackle and climb on Daddy, and it is just precious. He can put up things that he knows are to be put up, he knows to push in his chair after dinner and he especially loves going to CiCi and Papa's house after school because he knows they have chips and dip. In fact, he started screaming in the morning when I drop off Pearl, "I get out, PLEASE! I get out, PLEASE!". He's not a fan of having to wait until after school. He says things adorably like "nonut" instead of "donut" and uses words like "together" and is frequently yelling out "I did it!".

We bought him Mickey Mouse Christmas lights the other day, they were the last string available at Target and shoved way in the back. We hung them on his curtain rod above his bed, and he was so happy to see them up there that without prompting he thanked us. "Thank you Mama, Thank you Dada". It was so precious that I just died right there. I just couldn't take the sweetness.

In other exciting news, I figure I better share my stolen cell phone story. It was pretty entertaining so it's only fair that I share it.

I was taking pictures of my friends Preston and Jennie and their adorable little Kinley and Tobie on Sunday at a nature park near my house. I had my cell phone in my pocket but I was doing lots of squatting when taking the pictures, so I think that's when it happened. My phone fell out of my pocket, and I realized it as we were taking pictures. FAIL. I looked all around where we were and didn't see it, so we hiked back acrossthe park and looked on the other side of the trail where we took pictures. We walked back and forth, searching. In the meantime I called Chris from Jennie's phone and had him log into the Find My iPhone app on the iPad. He logs in and says that he sees it, occasionally telling me that he thinks it has moved, but it was hard to tell as all of the picture showed was "off the map" and off of the streets, because basically the park wasn't mapped out (thank you so much apple maps). I run into another friend, Jennifer out there who thankfully had a free second and loaned me her iPhone and I logged into the app as well so we could switch back and forth from the app to the apple map and see if we thought we were close to where it was. Eventually it looked as if it were IN the parking lot. SO confusing. I mean, what? We walked around and it wasn't there, so we assumed that it meant that the satellites were off and we headed back down the trail. As soon as we did, Preston and Jennie heard someone say "I'll be right back" and sure enough, we look at the map and we see that my phone is quickly on the move. What the heck? Someone STOLE it, despite the fact that I was asking EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. that I passed. That's just crappy. So, I get on the app on Jennifer's phone and lock my cell phone and put a message up for them to see on it. It said. "I am lost, please call this number (I put in Chris' number). Then once I saw it travelling, I started getting a little meaner. I added to it. "I see you. I am still at the park. Please return it". Nothing happened. Then, we noticed it got still in a parking lot across from Walmart. So we decide to go get those boogers and throw down. Jennifer and I hop in my car and head to find it. We arrive and see it's a Nail Salon and a Subway. We are about to head in and start asking, when we set it off the alert to find it and hear it. It sounded like it was coming from a nearby car! Upon closer approach we can tell it's in the bush. We continue to set off the alert, and we find it buried deep in a thick and thorny bush. So someone obviously ditched it and hid it in there hoping I wouldn't find it and they could come back and get it, OR they were hoping to at least not get caught. JERKS. So after an hour and a half of searching and the generous patience of Jennie, Preston and Jennifer, we found it. Wowee was it ever a scare of a lifetime. And who steals a phone when you OBVIOUSLY SEE THE PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR IT? Sad that there just aren't honest people in this world anymore. The moral of the story? Don't drop your phone. And if you do? You better have the Find My iPhone app on it. TRUST ME.

Well that's some of the excitement going on in our lives, but let me say my favorite holiday is upon us. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

On a random note--had to post this from an app on my iPhone. Anyone else notice blogger being screwy? It won't let me open up my page on my home computer! So weird!!!

Remember the time when...

I sneezed while outside with my patients and got snot in my hair? 

Oh you don't?

Consider yourself lucky, cause it was pretty sick.

Speaking of pretty sick, that's how I've been lately. Allergies are kicking my rear, and suddenly my week long of clear snot turned into green infection. Icky.

Camden has been fighting stuffiness too, so it appears we just can't win. He at least still sounds like himself when he talks. I got some antibiotics so hopefully that will kick in SOON. No more sneezing snot into my hair, PLEASE. It was the kind of sneeze that shot me forward, and with it my hair swung forward as well. I'm sure you can guess the rest.

Oh and next time I want a new PCP? Remind me to get one. This one will not call in a prescription without seeing you. I mean, that's kind of ridiculous. I'm a grown adult, I know a sinus infection when I have one. One that comes with the nasty headaches and pressure that feels like my eyes are drowning and my ears are going to explode. I mean, seriously. I need to get on that. 

In other news, our anniversary was Sunday. Yay! I had to work, but afterwards we had dinner with his parents (which is one of my favorite things to do), and then we stopped and got some pints of Braums ice cream to eat for dessert. Yum! Camden and Husband have been partaking in the ice cream nightly, however due to my influx of mucous I have skipped out. Sad face. 

Our church is doing an AWESOME series called "The End" and it's talking about the end times and the book of Revelation. It is so good, and moved me to tears a few times. Our pastor really and truly has a gift - he keeps me riveted and I love going to hear him. And the best part? Getting friends to come to church. Everyone should see how awesome it is!

Not much else is going on in the news front. Going to take some pictures for friends if the weather holds off this weekend, I'm already praying it does! (rain is predicted - boo) I have cough drops to get me through the night tonight, so hopefully I can get a little sleep in. 

Hopefully a more substantial post will follow, soonish!

Hubby and I - so young!!

Happenings

We've been staying busy in our household! The sickies have left for a while, and we have been enjoying the cooler weather. We have NOT been enjoying the fact that the sun sets around 7p. We do manage to go to the park most evenings and let Camden run around like a wild banshee. He runs around, goes down the slides and is a little climbing monkey. I love it. I am SO not looking forward to winter and having to keep that little tornado cooped up in the house. He thrives being outside!

We have made a few changes in our routine in the morning and evenings. TV is left off, intentionally. He only gets like one episode of Bubble Guppies and he doesn't get milk until dinner. He is not a fan of waiting, but he was just drinking too much milk and not eating dinner. He's a mess. He's learning boundaries though, and getting him to obey is a work in progress. But what kid isn't a work in progress? He threw a fit the other morning not wanting to take off his PJs. He had to sit in Calm Down Corner for a while, eventually he gave in and let us change him. It wasn't easy, but it worked. He's learning!

I have been trying to work out in my head what I want Camden to be for Halloween. He still fits in his costume from last year, but I seriously doubt he will wear ANYTHING on his head. He's not into dress up or anything like that, so I don't think he's willingly going to wear anything. Oh well.

I am throwing a baby shower for my sister in law, L, in a few weeks. I am SUPER pumped, I can't wait. It's going to be packed, and I have a lot to do in a short amount of time. My house is a pit and needs crazy WORK.

Speaking of a pit, it's partially a pit because I have turned it upside down looking for my missing memory card. Why is it missing? Grubby little toddler hands seem to have pulled it out of my computer and walked off with it. I can't find it ANYWHERE. I sure have looked too. So maybe in cleaning for this shower it will turn up. Just praying that it didn't find it way to the trash, accidentally. 

Homecoming walkaround are coming up where I went to college and I can't wait. Here's hoping Husband and I can take a little trip up there for the evening!

I've been trying to intentionally cram in workouts. Hopefully, I get get a pattern and stick with it.

On another random note? My closet needs some SERIOUS cleaning out.

And can we talk about Grey's Anatomy here for just a second? I am NOT a fan of where this season is going. I understand they needed to kill off some characters but honestly? HOW MANY BAD THINGS can happen in ONE PLACE? It's absurd. And unrealistic. At the beginning it was so much more realistic. And fun. Now it's just sad and annoying. Oye.

Other than that, it's the same ol', same ol' stuff.

9/11 Randomness

I want to start this post off by saying, 9/11, we will never forget. It's one of those moments you'll never forget, like what I talked about the other day.

It is such a defining moment in our history that I didn't want to not recognize it before I continue on with my rather unimportant information I plan to sputter out.

*Camden weighs 26.5 pounds. He is so tall and so heavy now a days. It's so weird.

*People sometimes don't think he's my kid. I mean, he is SO blonde. Should I die my hair back blonde? (ohkay - not really. I mean I get my hair cut three times a year, so my roots would be AWFUL). Plus the back of his head is definitely getting darker. Sad face.

*I am dying to watch the Hunger Games. Maybe one day I'll actually have the time to watch it. The series was an AMAZING read, so I am really looking forward to it.

*I am still waiting on a call from my referral. I called the doctors office last Friday and they put in the referral the day I went to my PCP, and that was 8/24. After I asked they gave me the phone number to the doctor they referred me to. I called them THREE TIMES last Friday leaving messages starting at 8am and got ABSOLUTELY no response. Not a fan. I called again today and left a message and of course got no call back. I called my doctor to inquire about a referral elsewhere. Such a PAIN in the rear. And I bet I won't get an appointment for another MONTH at least.

*Church has been really amazing lately. Between the sermons at church regarding having a failproof marriage and how to not be financially strapped and then special talks to the ladies from the pastor's wife, It really helped me to see a different perspective on things. I mean, it really isn't about me. It's about Him. So does it matter what I am doing, needing or wanting? Not at all. Also, are we Godly? What does that mean? To me it means asking for His help before I have a reaction. I'm really working on thinking before I speak or act, because some of my reactions to things just are NOT NECESSARY. I think this has been a huge lesson for me.

*Another lesson God is teaching me right now? Without a doubt is PATIENCE. See two stars above. After I typed that I realized that again, I am not just waiting and knowing that he will take care of this. Waiting is so hard.

*Lastly, I have been learning how to just not worry. Which is a definite plus as worrying is a sin. But, I am being a little TOO casual at times, even wanting to blow this whole neurology thing off. I know I am doing the right thing by getting it checked out, but it's such a pain that I just want to write it off and forget it, chalk it up to a headache the day of my first MRI and just continue living my life. But, that is not the right answer. Praying for wisdom!

*I am loving that we have an abundance of cantaloupe in our backyard. It makes a nice breakfast snack!

*I'm hoping to borrow a new read from my sister in law - Sun Stand Still. It's a book by Steven Furtick that's been out a while, considering he just launched his second book. But, I really could use a new read and it was a great two week sermon that he preached in church a while back.

*It's a small world. Found out some people that I volunteer with at church actually work with my sister in law. I love things like that, I really do!!

Okay, well I think that is all of the random bullet points for now.

Picking my Brain...

*Why does it seem that NBC is bent on giving spoilers out on their own coverage of the Olympics? I mean, I can understand why other networks would post spoilers or tweet, that way people won't be interested in watching. But if you watch the National News on NBC? Yep, they will spoil it. I don't get it.

*Why do people wear PERFUME to the gym? I guess I will never understand this one. Goodnight, it is wicked strong, enough to knock me off my treadmill. Will not literally but lets just say I finished up quick and bailed. Hooboy.

*Why do the Olympic gymnasts from other countries put that glitter crap in their hair like kids do on Halloween? I don't see how that is trendy either.

*Anyone else super tired from staying up until 11p to watch the Olympics, just because you really don't want to miss it? Even though you already know what happens?

*Why did Carter's change their coupons to not be useable on clearance? That's kind of a low blow. That's how I got so many awesome deals on Camden's clothes in the past!

*Why do kids seem to get sick in the middle of the week, rather than the end?

*Why can't my dishes do themselves? haha.

Okay enough rhetorical questions, I'll stop there!

Some Like it Hot!

So, it's ridiculously hot here.

Like, BAD!

We are going under voluntary and soon to be mandatory water restrictions in town. Local Targets and dimming the lights and cranking the thermostats up from 2-6p a few times a week to prevent electrical outages due to the increased power usage.

Splash pads are being turned off, golf courses restricted on when they are allowed to water.

It's insane. The high today? Is 113. Yesterday, our town was the hottest spot on the map of ALL. OF. AMERICA at 6am in the morning.

We are under severe drought warnings. We need rain. Like whoa.

So despite the fact that on the 7 day forecast is appears there is no end in sight, as I drove past the vacant lot this morning that houses the pumpkin patch and fresh Christmas trees, I couldn't help but realize how quickly that really will be here.

So it may seem there is no respite for these horrible temps and it will never rain again. But so very soon? It will be cooling, leaves will be falling and we will be pulling sweaters out of our closets.

So hang on for a few more weeks local friends, we can do this!!

7 little moments

Random moments from the past week: If you follow me on instagram you have already seen these. My apologies! :)

He reached over to hold my hand. LOVE it.

Braums was short on the letter 'R' and for some reason I find it hilarious.

I went to get CEUs on Saturday. We spent a good 4 hours learning local gangs and their colors, signs, dress, slang, graffiti and how we as therapists can encourage a different lifestyle. Really enjoyed it and it was super super informative.

I saw this on my run the other evening. He didn't make it, but was so pretty.

My passenger seat driver.

Feeling the rain with Dad.

Swimming all on his own. When did he get so big? Just nuts I tell you.

And there you have it. I'll try and not use only previously instagrammed photos next time! 

;)

Midweekish Randoms.

Some exciting things have been going on and are coming around these parts!

My bestie Tiffany got engaged on her amazing trip to Australia!! Woot! So it looks like we will be planning more showers/parties!

My bestie Jennie who is due to have her precious little Snowflake mid July, has asked me to her maternity pictures here in a week in a half. I am SO nervous and excited at the same time. I think I can get some great shots, but this is my first 'official' shoot so I will have to really pay attention to my lighting and backgrounds when shooting.  Wish me luck for sure!

In addition to taking J's maternity pics, but we are hosting her shower at my house on the 23rd! I have been crafting and planning for a while now, trying to do little bits and pieces here and there when I can, and when the little mister is down for nap.

I have been busy getting MRIs through work to get some extra cash. It's kind of a pain in the butt but hopefully it will be worth it when the extra rolls in that I can put in Camden's savings account. They are doing research on people with different mental health issues, however I don't qualify for any of those (fooled you, right?? haha) so they are using my brain as the 'control brain' and they stick me in there for only an hour at a time (the other people's last 4 hours at a time) and they do simple tests just to make sure that their machine is working properly. So that's interesting. Each time I go in, I have to take a pregnancy test to prove that I am in fact NOT pregnant, then they pack me into the machine and tell me not to fall asleep. That may be the hardest part ever! Still waiting to get a check though, so we will see what the payoff is!

It is finally raining a little bit around these parts, it was getting awful dry. So dry that Camden was even waking up with bloody boogers on his face. It is so weird to have such a lack of humidity here.

That's all I have for now, I have a whole list of things I need to be doing right now! ;) xoxo

Catching up

Sorry blog, for being MIA lately. So much goes on sometimes that I can't even keep my head straight. I have been so busy lately. And the busy-ness this past week just caught up to me. By Thursday I was a cranky irritable mess. I couldn't wait to for the weekend to arrive. I don't know if it was a combination of not having two days off in a row for over 2 weeks or what, but the 4 days of working this past week just pushed me a little over the edge. On top of that, I didn't get any workouts in. So, by the time this weekend rolled around, I really needed it. 

Thankfully, this weekend was just what the doctor ordered. We went to our first Lifegroup on Friday night and it was a breath of fresh air. We slept in late the next morning, until 8 am! I sternly warned husband NOT TO WAKE ME, the night before. (And yes, I probably said it just like that). I was happily sleeping when husband decided he was going to break the rules a little. Silly boy cooked me egg in a hole toast, and stuck it right by my nose in bed. I smelled it, and therefore woke up at 8. It wasn't so bad, not with breakfast in bed. Plus, sleeping til 8 am? I don't remember the last time I did that.

On to a few pictures.

I caught Camden playing with my iPhone the other day, and he was randomly in the Places feature. Look what was pinpointed? I found that odd. I don't really know where this is either, just thought it was pretty cool.

This would be a picture of Camden's left toe. It has far less toenail than even this picture now. Last weekend he pulled a heavy lawn chair over it, bending the nail back and causing it to bleed. He cried pretty hard at first, then once we kissed it he was okay. He has spent the last week pointing and telling us "toe". He hasn't been too fond of wearing bandaids, until we bought the Mickey Mouse ones. He thought those were pretty darn cool. We do think he will end up losing that toenail, as it seems to lift up more and more each day.

This picture is from one of our walks around the neighborhood. On the way home a neighbor has this bench at the end of his yard. Camden almost ALWAYS climbs up on it. This day he apparently needed a little rest break to make it the rest of the way home. I edited this photo with a new app I found in the app store called Snapseed. It seems lots of fun, I just haven't figured it all out yet.

A picture from the walk. He insisted on wearing his shades. My little tow-head.

This gum is addicting. I LOVE it. The girls at work introduced me to this flavor and since then there has been no looking back. The hard part is that it is difficult to find. Between all of us at work, we've searched most of the area Targets!!

We've been doing more family exercising if we can. Here we took a bike ride around then rode our bikes up to the local sno cone stand. It was Camden's first sno cone, and I'd say it was a success. It was a nice family evening too!!

Get it done little C!

Signing that it was "all done". We will definitely be hitting up that stand again. In fact, I think we are going to go for bike rides here in a bit to feed the geese nearby and then have an evening snocone. I really needed this weekend, and we still have Sunday Funday planned of church and swimming after naptime. Sound glorious right?

Have a fantastic weekend!

Chomp Chomp went the crocodile..

Little C has been challenging in more ways than one lately. Firstly, things haven't been going so smoothly in the teething department in our house. Little C has had a rough go, and I've nicknamed him my little crocodile. He's been biting and I keep getting calls from daycare saying he has bitten again. The past call I got, he had already successfully connected twice and attempted a third, all before lunch. Goodness gracious, what a little stinker! My sister bought him this awesome new book called 'Teeth Are Not For Biting'. We read it often. So far it hasn't sunk in I suppose. 

In addition to biting he's been throwing the mother of all fits when he doesn't get his way. He is testing Husband and I, trying to outlast us in the fit department to see if we will give in. After 45 minutes of a fit and timeouts and tears, he finally realized that he got his stubbornness from his parentals and we weren't going to give in. He finally did what we asked him, and was promptly rewarded with his sippy of milk that he wanted in the first place. It has been so challenging.

I posted this as my FB status the other night.

(Click to view larger if necessary)

And it is honestly SO true. Despite all fits, tears and frustrations that we all have had, I couldn't be happier. I am honestly blessed beyond measure to even have the opportunity to be this little crocodile's mother. 

Sometimes, you just need a little perspective. And God gave me a nice little nudge right when I needed it.


Happy weekend, all!

25 Random Things..

25 Random Facts. Because everyone is doing it.

-I hate my socks to be mated. Husband helped with laundry the other day and mated my socks. It is wrong on so many levels.

-I love buying shoes. Its almost always something that I can guarantee that will fit. Can't go wrong there!

-I feel so very pampered when I get a pedicure. They are so ridiculous for someone else to paint your toes but if they do a good job and rub and massage? It's totally worth it. And am I the only one that swears the polish lasts longer when someone else paints it?

-I usually get my hair cut about 4 times a year. My hair is extremely boring. I don't color it anymore, its too much upkeep and just an added expense. And my hairstyle will probably never change. I cut it short, let it grow and repeat. Four times a year. Hey, it's curly. What more do you expect?

-I don't like getting in water that I can't see my feet in. I think it's disgusting not knowing what's down there, and apparently this means I watch WAY too much reality TV. But seriously? Gross y'all.

-I'm not a huge fan of surprises. Good or bad, I guess I don't like feeling unprepared. However, I do think that I am extremely good at my poker face. So if it's bad? You won't know. If it's good? I won't know how to express it. So be warned!

-I hate grocery shopping. I am not good at planning ahead at my meals for the week, and I always tend to forget something at the store. Also, chasing around a crocodile toddler? Makes it that much more challenging. I don't mind it so much when I get to go ALONE. Sans toddler and husband and I can try on Target clothes as I please. :)

-Horses are my favorite. Those of you that knew me in high school know that I had a horse, and I spent every waking hour at the barn, riding, cleaning tack, bathing my horse or just playing. I have the BEST memories from that.

-I have self diagnosed SAD. (Seasonal Affective Disorder for you non med field folks). I absolutely get so depressed once we have to close up the pool and the winter and cold makes me cranky, irritable and downright depressed to have to deal with. This past winter? AMAZING. It was great.

-My favorite candy bar is a Kit Kat.

-I love sleeping. Back in the day, BC (Before Camden) Husband and I would hit the hay by 9p, and sleep until 6 before getting up for work. On good days we would go to the gym at 445. Nowadays I am lucky if I am in bed before 10, and I am up by 515. I do miss my bed. A lot.

-One of the best parts of summer in my opinion is homemade ice cream. My grandmother used to always do that for us, I loved it.

-I eat a ridiculous amount of peanut butter. I know I've said this before, but Husband thought that Camden would come out being made of peanut butter. And my love for all things PB remains. In fact, I have a PB&J daily for lunch. I probably need to work on that.

-I stumble over words way more often that I'd like. Especially in front of people when I am leading groups at work. I called a 'button' a 'nutton' the other day. #fail

-Something I love and despise all at the same time regarding my job? Working every third weekend. It's a love/hate relationship.

-No one ever understands what my job entails. Its hard to describe at times.

-Reality tv may be my downfall. Its so annoying. And I love it.

-I have cleaned a toilet ONE TIME in this house in five years. Winning! (And no this doesn't mean they are dirty, it means my husband is awesome!)

-I really want to run in a 5k. That should be so easy but working weekends makes that harder. Also someone needs to train...

-My dog is so spoiled its unreal. She has her own pillows, platform to look out the window and goes to doggie daycare daily. She was my first baby!

-I have no tattoos. That is odd for this day and age. I just can't think of anything important enough to put on my body permanently. Well, I take that back. I could think of a few things but no where to put it that it wouldn't be annoying where I'd have to cover it up or something ridiculous like that.

-I really want to take a vacation somewhere this year. But I'd like to go somewhere new. And? A true vacation is sans toddler. I love my child, but a relaxing vacation needs to be without having to decide what he will eat, when we can nap, etc. I can't wait to vacay to Disney sometime, but for now? No kid. If I would go somewhere repeated? NYC. So much awesomeness to do there.

-I hate math. I am not very good at it, either. I took an extra math class my senior year of high school so that I wouldn't completely suck it up in college. I gasped for air all the way through my math classes in college and was thrilled to be done after college algebra and elementary statistics. Lets just say Little C better go to his Dad for help with math when he gets older!

-I can't listen to the Beatles song "In My Life" without crying. Memories!

-I'd rather eat raw cookie dough, with raw eggs even (sick!) than have a cooked cookie. I'm seriously addicted to cookie dough. It's bad.


I think that's about 25. And let me just say, that took some time!

Okay, your turn!

Midweek Randoms

Things have been more than hectic around here lately.

-Camden had his last swim class. We are stopping since it's time for pool season, and homeboy was starting to get fussy while in swim class. Time to play for the summer.  He did get two ribbons, so he had one proud momma for all of the skills he did accomplish.

-Glee last night was amazing. It touched on so much - like domestic violence and bullying. I may have cried a little. They get so deep. Then Lea Michele sang Celine Dion. She's so good. Goosebumps.

-I am doing horribly on getting to the gym more than twice a week. It's rather unfortunate. With swim lessons on Tuesday and husband has soccer on Thursdays it doesn't leave me as many options as I would like. Definitely need to change that. As much as I like my off weekends, maybe it's time I change that.

-Interns started this week. Whew. Here's to a busy ten weeks.

-Camden is so cute these days. He's picking up on all sorts of stuff but one of my favorites is listening to him call for "BURLLL". He calls for "burl/bearl" as soon as he wakes up. He gives her hugs, and most importantly he calls for her before bed so he can give her a goodnight kiss. It is incredibly precious.

-That's all I've got. Hopefully more things of substance later. Once I catch my breath!

Weekend recap

There is so much happening lately, that it's hard for me to be able to keep track of everything that I want to blog.

The weekends just fly by, you know? I feel like I can barely cram all the things I want to get done into my two days off on the weekend. It goes unbelieveably fast. 


This saturday morning we spent at my brother in law and sister in law's house, where husband helped build a fence. Camden and I went to hang out with the company, it was lots of fun. Camden loved their outside toys and enjoyed playing at someone's house that wasn't his. He got to watch Elmo and only had two mishaps, falling off a chair and falling off a bed he climbed on.  I was discussing this with husband the other day, about how he has no concept to be careful of heights because he has always had us catch him before he falls and hurts himself. Unfortunately it seems the best way to learn about heights is to fall a few times. That sounds so mean though, doesn't it? After being repeatedly told to sit down in the chair and then falling, he quickly learned to stay seated the rest of the time. 

Anyways, we stopped at the first day of the Broken Arrow Farmers Market and preused the fresh goodies and soaps. There was so much to see and Camden excitedly pointed out every 'dog' that he saw along the way. It took all I had to not buy some goat cheese and goat soap. So cool!

Saturday afternoon we had a birthday party to attend. It was for a co-workers son, and they happen to live right down the street. I woke Camden up from nap early, and we headed down the street. Same story for Camden, he LOVED playing at someone else's house, with someone else's toys. He went down their slide, played on the trampoline and dug for fossils. He refused cake, but loved the koolaid.

That evening we ran to Reasor's to go to their meat sale. We got a bunch of KC strips and some ribs for decent prices. We stopped and got pizza for dinner and came back home in time to put Camden to bed.

Sunday went equally as fast. We had our usual Sunday morning waffles and went to church. Camden has been a picky with sleep kid this weekend. He is SO tired, yet really fighting sleep. He will lay in bed and emit a high pitched scream or just talk to himself non-stop before finally going to bed. This being said, he was about 2-3 hours short of sleep both days, so by the time we picked him up from LifeKIDS on Sunday, he was sooooo tired looking. His favorite teacher comes in at 1130 and we pick him up at 1200. Luckily, fussy pants mcgee really responds to this sweet girl, so she held him and he calmed right down. She said that the other workers asked "how did you do that?" and she just answers that he just really likes her. Which he does. He runs up to her and fights other kids off of her lap, and clings to her for the 30 minutes she's in the room. After church we came home and had a quick lunch and put Camden to bed before heading back up to church for a meeting. Afterwards there was Nascar and naptime for Hubs and I, and then we went to dinner at the in-laws, got the boys haircuts and then headed home.

It was a great weekend, but it just went SO fast. Such is life. I may never catch up, but who cares! I have too much fun family time to enjoy!

Random Fridayness

Wow this week was buuuusy. It was one of those weeks where I barely felt like I could catch my breath. There was just so much stuff to do! I feel like I was productive, so that is an added bonus. 

Camden has continued to be a fussy pants for the past two weeks at swim lessons. It's getting ridiculous. I don't know how to fix that, or why he's doing it. Unless it's the fact that he wants to be independent, and he can't yet. Only a few more weeks little C, and mommy will stick floaties on you and let you at it.

He's teething, so that isn't so fun either. He has ONE molar that is left to pop through. Which means there is only 8 to go! He has been a bit of a mess lately at school, trying to bite and at one point even being successful. I have nicknamed him 'Fangs'. I can't wait til that last tooth pops through and maybe he will quit trying to bite. He definitely hears us when we tell him no, since he repeats "no no bite" all the time. I guess it isn't sinking in. (pun intended).

Today was his last day in his current room at daycare. He is more than ready to move up and I'm excited for him to go. But at the same time, it is incredibly sad. Not only did he attach himself to his teachers in his room, but I did too! I am going to miss running into them daily, and sharing their stories, and making silly jokes. Its time to meet new friends, but I'm still so sad! The girls wrote Camden and I the sweetest note, I was glad I waited until I left to read it. I was crying in my car at the stoplight! It will be a perfect addition to his memory book. I know they were equally as attached, you'd think we were breaking up or something. Or you'd think Camden was graduating high school with the way we were all getting sentimental. :)

Camden on his last day in Weebles. Bittersweet!

So back to the whole teething thing. He was up the other night screaming for an hour, refusing to go to sleep. Nothing could console him either. When he finally passed out, I breathed a sigh of relief. But I don't know what took him so long to go to sleep! In that hour he did manage to climb out of his bed again, and pitter patter down the hall while upset. Neither Husband or I could bring ourselves to reprimand him, he was so incredibly pitiful. I'm afraid we may be moving into toddler bed time before we know it. I don't know if I am ready for that either! That is a transition I am definitely nervous about! Suggestions are definitely welcome!

Well, that's all I have for now. Since this week really wore on me, it is time to hit the sack so I have enough energy to get through the weekend without a nap. It doesn't appear naptime is going to fit into Mommy's schedule this weekend! Have a good one friends!