life is crazy!

We got back Monday evening from a fabulous 4 day trip to Lake Travis and Cameron started his first day of preschool yesterday. I'm so mad at myself- last night we were rushing out the door to meet the IL's for my MIL's birthday, and I accidentally deleted the pictures I took of Cam yesterday for his first day. :(
ANYWAYS, had a great time at the lake.... all except for the minor near death experience when my FIL almost ran head on into a cliff, and wrecked the boat. We are all injury free, but only by a few seconds. If my neice had not screamed when she had, who knows what would have happened. I shudder to think. Other than that, it was great time- good for all us I think to just hang out together.... reconnect... Cameron absolutely loves hanging out with his cousins, and they are so sweet to Megan all the time- it's so adorable. Spent most of our time on the boat (as you can see from the almost 400 pics on Flickr, if you take the time to look) and the weather was great the entire time. Jenni and I did a mini photo shoot of the kiddos Saturday morning to surprise Anita for her birthday- the outtakes are pretty amusing.
The Cameronisms are pretty funny from the trip- Sunday out on the boat we were cruising the lake and Cameron said,"Watch out for that orange kid!" to his Papa.
"What orange kid?"
"That orange kid right there!" We were all looking around towards the shore for some kid in orange or something.
"Right there, in the water!"
"You mean the buoy?"
"Yeah, that's what I said. The boy! That kid!"
"Oh, honey, it's buoy not boy."

Every time Brent would ski Cameron would say he was walking on water. He's dying to walk on water too. We're going ski shopping for next year to get him out there on some small ones. "Walk on water" will definitely be the title of the layout I do (someday) of the guys skiing. He tubed a few times on his own this time for the first time and loved it, and he loved 'driving' the boat with Papa and going fast. We nicknamed Megan "Tator Tot" because of her life vest- she looked so hilarious in it.

Cameron's first day of school went off without a hitch- only a few tears (by me) when he went in- all smiles in and all smiles out. He did at least say he missed Megan and I while he was gone. :) That makes me feel a little better. I'm always glad he's happy to be there, but I don't want him too happy. :P

Happy FIRST birthday Miss Megan!!

I'm a little late with this post, since we were up at the lake for your actual birthday on Friday, and we just got back last night, but Happy Birthday!! We had a party for you last weekend with all the friends, and then celebrated with a little cake that Gramma made and ice cream Friday night at the lake with the family. You're still not diggin' the cake for some reason. Cupcakes, no problem. Cake, no.... this picture cracks me up- your bib says "Fun at One! It's my birthday!" and has your name and the date under (it's a Gramma thing) so it's just slightly ironic that you are crying (because Daddy wouldn't give you his beer- shucks)

This month has had a few of those kinda funny but not moments that must be documented- you fell on your head for the first time (twice- not far, and as far as we can tell, no damage other than to our ears) and you ate your first bug (I would have fish hooked you, but it was too late- that protein got digested- all that was left was a wing on your chin.)
For some strange reason I must look like a pork chop or something when you look at me, because every chance you get, you chomp. I can't even begin to tell you how many times in a day I say "No Bite" but it's got to be in the hundreds. And since you have 5 teeth now, it really does hurt.

We went and met Daddy for lunch one day this month at the Aquarium. You were really fascinated by the tanks and all the big fish- most of the time you just stared in awe at them.

We're completely finished nursing now (shockingly you never once chomped at the bit for all the other biting you do to me). We cut down to 1x/day at the beginning of the month, and then were done on the 15th. I'm really surprised I made it that far, considering I didn't make it past 6 weeks with your brother. But once the newness wore off, it was just easy, and it got to the point where it seemed silly to start on formula since we were in the home stretch to One. There were many times I had had enough and just wanted my body back, but I just kept thinking what a short span of time it was in the grand scheme of things.

You've started handing things off now and doing the "gimme" motion with your hand now when you want something- right now it's still at that cute stage, but I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon- especially for your brother- what a trooper- he gives into so much it's crazy!

And you're full speed ahead on the walking- you've been walking short places for a couple of months, but you started taking off mid-month, and you're not far from running. And I'm amazed at how you can scale those stairs so fast. You love trying to keep up with Cameron, and are always fascinated by his toys more than your own.

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea! We've been so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful first year, and you're such a healthy, beautiful BABY!

Love, Mama

I hope it's always this way

they already squabble, fight over toys, and pick on each other. But I hope they always remain close and love each other and look out for each other the way they do now. They laugh at each other, giggle together, and play together. I didn't know it would happen so early- that connection that was mutual. I dream like every mom does, that it shall always be that way, as will their children some day....

It's over...

gone and done in a flash, megan's party is over. i can't believe it. the party was a success, i believe. seriously, it's a blur. glad Tiff took pictures, otherwise i swear i wouldn't know what happened. i do know that for once our little garbage disposal didn't want to eat something! my cake (that was the second one i made just for the record!!) i'm sure my MIL will have more pics for me... if you would believe it, i did not turn the camera on once today! Liberating, but at the same time, such a panic... that someone else got the pictures you would want, KWIM? we had a sundae party, with fixins for all the kiddos to make their own sundaes instead of the traditional cake... the kids seemed to love it! i don't have any pics yet, but we had a super duper slip n slide that inflated that kids spent most of their time on (and thus resulted in a landing strip in our yard rofl).
i feel like a ball of mush, thinking about the party and how lucky we are that we have so many people that are special to us, and care about our kiddos. we had about 45 bodies in our house today... thankfully, i had enough food! :) and to think that my daughter will be one now....completely insane and makes me go crazy thinking about how quickly life comes and goes. her actually birthday is friday, but we're leaving for the lake with the family friday morning, so we had it a little early. this again is why i love to scrap, just to relive life all over again with every page.

Prep time

for Meg's birthday party Sunday.

Today I made cookies and chocolate dipped pretzels. Yes, that's my wine glass you see in the picture. The day wouldn't have been complete without it. (for the record, no, I am not an alcoholic. It's just Friday, and Fridays aren't complete without some wine.) We made a trip to Noah's Ark this morning, came home and Heather helped me decorate cookies (in case you are wondering, I do not speak in 3rd person, I really do have a friend named Heather) for Megan's party Sunday. Tomorrow I have to get all the food ready. I was crazy to have the party at my house, with only being here a month. It's driving me crazy that the painters haven't come yet. He came this morning and gave me the quote, and offered to start tomorrow, but I was worried about him getting finished by Sunday, so no paint yet. :(
We met Brent for lunch yesterday at the downtown Aquarium for the afternoon. Cam loves it down there. Doesn't happen too often that the busy guy can squeeze us in for lunch, but it is nice when it happens.
We also experienced Floam for the first time this week. Pretty cool stuff, but it doesn't dry all that great. These are Cam's floam creatures- what are supposed to be a mouse and a spider. They look cool in the picture, but I should have a before and after they sat for a while. Hmm...


Got my hair chopped this week. LOVE it. Was so sick of not having a style. Sorry Brent, the long hair just wasn't working for me. Hope you understand. I gave it my best shot.

We also got our new breakfast table and bar stools this week, and a I finally finished (with some help from Brent at the end) painting the guest bathroom. It is no longer poo, but just a nice dark brown. Now, to decorate. I think I like knocking the bathrooms out so well because they're easy to conquer and I feel accomplished, like doing mini albums. (True scrapper when you relate real life to scrap stuff, huh?)
Cam also had his 4 year check up this week- 41 lbs and 41 1/4"...he's hanging in the 75% height/weight.... and geez is it ever crazy to me how big he is getting! It's crazy now, and I won't talk about it too long, because I will get a little sappy, but he's at that 'boy' age where I can picture him as a teenager and what he'll look like, and it scares the hell out of me.
Also made it to Mud Pie... I love that place! Cam made a hand print plate at story time, so now we have one that is almost exactly a year apart from the last one. Can't wait to see it and see the change.
Anyways, just an update to the busy life... Cameron's doing great in karate, on his way to an orange belt!

A few Caminisms...

the other morning Cameron came and crawled in bed with me (for the record, the heavens opened and someone listened and instead of waking up at 5, Megan's actually been sleeping until 6:30-7. :) Yay!) and laid there for a minute. I never let him see me open my eyes when he crawls into bed, because if I do, all bets are off and the motor is running on his mouth... anyways, a minute later I opened my eyes, and he smiled and gave me a kiss. (aww) Then proceeded to make a terrible face and wipe his mouth off. (no more aww) I asked him why he wiped my kiss off and he said,"Because your lips stink, Mommy. Did you take a baf last night?"

Awesome. Welcome to Morning Breath, my dear son.


This morning he came racing down the stairs with his Batman figurine, and said, "Mommy!! I know how to say "Batman" in Spanish!!"

**sidenote: Brent's company hired someone to come in and teach them Spanish, since 100% of their work crews are Spanish speaking, so Brent's been coming home every night and gracing us with his new Spanish every evening. Suddenly he thinks because he's learning Spanish, his family at home must automatically understand it. It's really fun.***

"Oh really?" I say, "How's that?"

"It's a secret. I can't tell you."

"Oh, come on, just once."

"Okay.....it's........ buuuUUUUtttttt Muuuunnnnnnnn"

"Hmm... really close. But I think that language is a little closer to Jamaican."

Check out this cool cat...

he's learned how to wink. What a little stud. He's holding a little mini replica of his Daddy's car. He's officially cool now that he has one of those.

12 on the 12th...

I know, three posts in one day- crazy! Won't happen again I'm sure... anyways, the 12th landed on a Saturday this month, and my husband was actually home this time. :)
1. Saturday morning- curled up on the couch with his milk and a blanket to watch some cartoons.
2. Miss Megs after breakfast- stripped down and making a break for it up the stairs- her favorite adventure!
3. Love this stuff- especially with my piggly wiggly who stains almost everything every time she eats.
4. Karate in this morning.
5. Hit up quite a few furniture stores today- Bassett, Star, Gallery & Laurie's. Found some decorative stuff and a breakfast table and some bar stools. Yay!
6. One of our finds today- cool sconces that are about 3 1/2 feet long to go on either side of the mirror above the fireplace. Love them!
7. Lunch @ BJ's brewery- love that place- so yummy! Definitely skipped the Pazookie this time though!
8. Legos- one of Brent and Cam's favorite past times these days.
9. Bath & Bed for Miss Megs- she cutting 3 new teeth on top! Squeezed in some return calls while she was bathing.
10. My side of the road find! :)
11. Brent putting together our new office chair- our IL's came by and surprised us with it. Very comfy I must say!
12. My latest favorite wine- Francis Coppolla Pinot Grigio. Yum! Great way to end a day like this!

The latest addition to our walls...

and I LOVE it! We put it at the tops of the stairs, so you see it as soon you go up. SSOOOO so in love! It's hard to get a good picture of it, but you'll just have to visualize in person.

I feel like the house is finally coming together.... the kiddo's bathroom is done, the painters are coming Wednesday to paint the great room, foyer, game room & upstairs hall area. I still have to paint the upstairs guest bath, the office, and the kitchen though. And we got a new breakfast table and some bar stools yesterday- they're being delivered on Wednesday. Yay! Progress...

this thing is soo cool...

found this on the side of the road today (for sale)... my friend Shelley (the one who lives out on the farm) will love it- I brought it home and now my husband wants one...yes, it's a huge ice chest, and even has a bottle opener on it, and a drain on the side, and a bucket to put your bottle caps in.... anyone who knows Shelley knows there is absolutely no more perfect gift than this for her.... now to sneak one in for hubs.... they had them decorated in all different styles, but I liked this one the best.

There's something so cool about being able to say "Yeah, I picked this up on the side of the road for you- Happy Birthday! :)"

she's on a roll....

I walked into my bedroom 30 seconds too late... this girl is into (and up ON!) everything!




















BUT she's kind of cute.... so I think I'll keep her. ;P

I believe in a healthy diet for children....

Can you tell? This is my human garbage disposal. She never stops eating. And she eats anything. I have no idea how she stays so small.

Am I a bad mom...

if

A) I took this picture.
B) I laugh when I look at this picture.
C) I shut the door on her so I couldn't hear her.

BTW, I hope Cameron always calls the Astro's the Astronauts. It's too damn cute.

Just a couple of things....

Rita- you better get on that blog, because your link is known to all now. :D

Cameron has an imaginary brother. Who is a mouse. His name is Freddie. And Freddie is now to blame for "saving" any fruits and vegetables on Cam's plate for him, and for any reason that a toy may not be picked up "because Freddie was still playing with it".... I have already been accused of sitting, and stepping, on Freddie.

I'm going to be an Auntie again. My 18 year old brother, who is living with the 32 year old girlfriend, is now going to be a daddy. Things that make you go hmmm..... I'm actually happy for him. They were planning to get married already, and to have a baby in the next couple of years. I still scratch my head at the age difference, but I like her a lot (she scraps! that was an instant bonus!) and I've never seen Nick happier, and I think he will make his way through as a parent much like I have- trying to be everything our parents were not. And who just doesn't dig a new baby?!? They're both responsible adults making a good living, and living together..... hmmm..... time will tell..... but I will be the #1 fan through this, even in moments where it might not be the first place I'd choose, because that's what Nick needs, and he's not going to get it from anyone else.

The house is coming together.... our bathroom is now painted, and I've been shopping like a crazy lady (why do you always find what you want when you don't need it, and then when you need it you can't find it?) and got the kiddos bathroom stuff, and some decorative things around the house. Still haven't found a breakfast table, but we're going shopping next weekend for that and for the scrap room, and a media cabinet to put the big screen on. Will take pictures soon- everything has been unpacked for a while now, but a lot is still not on the walls, so there's not much to see right now. :)

I didn't forget!

So it's slightly delayed, but I didn't forget! :P


7 people that I admire:

Brent- he has so many qualities I admire. Determination and drive- I have no doubt my husband will always be successful and continue to strive for excellence. And he is so good at just about anything- really. It's maddening at times, but I do admire it. And he has the ability to get along with just about anyone.

my kids (that's 2 & 3) - I love their innocence and resilience. I hope they always keep those laughs and smiles. They can make my day in an instant.

the rest that I admire are my friends. All for different reasons- whether the strength they have had through the toughest times, or the fabulous mother they are, or their self-confidence, or the ability to give so much to everyone. I am really blessed with the people in my life.

7 things I say often:
"no bite!"
I love you
can you speak a little quieter please Cameron?
Effen (thanks to Brandy)
Awesome (thanks to Sabrina and Shaun)
nuckin futz (as in "my kids are driving me nuckin futz")
What a nice big brother! (constant constant constant)

7 things I cannot do:
sing- I sound like a frog in a blender
a cartwheel
let my house get dirty
see a cockroach and not scream
go a day without some form of caffiene
dance (well, I can, but it's not pretty)
sit idle

7 things you might not know about me:
I was born in Alabama
I have 6 brothers and sisters
Brent and I knew each other for 3 months before we were engaged
We got pregnant on our wedding night (the Pill is not my friend!)
I moved out on my own at 16, and never went back. I moved 1,000 miles away from anyone I knew and started a life of my own. Crazy.
I used to play the saxaphone.

7 movies I enjoyed:
the wizard of oz
for the love of the game
american pie
old school
the notebook
powder
mary poppins

7 things I wish I could change in my life:
ahhh..... the weather! I hate humidity
the size of my ass
some of the relationships with some of my family members- that could account for 3-7

7 books I could read again and again:
ohhhhh it's been so long since I've read any books other than parenting books and idea books! But I love Patricia Cornwell off the top of my head. And I always have loved where the red fern grows.

the 7 people who should do this that blog already have, except for RITA who now has her own BLOG!!! :)

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