Impromptu Interview

We were eating lunch and I just started asking Camden questions about his "favorites"...

1. color: red

2. song: Jesus Loves Me

3. place to go: zoo

4. treat: candy cane

5. book: Thomas and Friends

6. drink: milk

7. fruit: blueberries

8. show: Mickey

9. animal: puma

10. toy: guitar

11. friend: Markus and Casey

12. food: cereal

13. sport: soccer

14. ocean animal: seahorse

15: thing to do with Parker: "get you!" (I'm holding Parker and Camden chases us and tickles him)

I wonder how many of these answers would change if I asked him tomorrow!

...three...

Camden James,
You have been three for exactly three weeks. On October 2nd I said to Daddy, "I can't believe he's going to be three. Three years ago today I was in the hospital..." I'm pretty sure I will do this every year. You are such a big boy (and you like to remind me of that)! You still talk about your "Christmas house," but not as often as you used to--"I have a turtle at my Christmas house." You continue to love music...you say, "louder please" in the car to turn up the tunes and play your guitar and drum daily (every now and then you'll mix in the piano, xylophone, and/or harmonica). Outside is where you want to be! You want to ride your scooter, balance bike, "big boy's bike" (a bday gift from Gramps and Grammy), or your fire truck. When you're not riding something, you're playing soccer, football, baseball, raquetball, golf--something that involves a ball. You love playing with the neighborhood kids, "How about we knock on ____'s door and see if he/she can play!" Jumping is a big deal these days, off the couch, on the couch, on your bed, off the stairs, the trampoline at My Gym, off the curb, etc. You are obsessed with skateboards! "How about we look at skateboards!" while in Target. You really want one and ask Daddy and me, "Will you please teach me how to ride it?" You are a little slugger! We bought you a "real" bat for your birthday and you can hit that ball! You continue to be the best big brother around! You LOVE Parker and I love watching you with him. When he goes down for a nap, you put a blanket on him, sing a song, and say, "Night-night Parky." When he wakes up, "Oh! I hear him! Let's go see him!" You want to get in his crib with him to play. You say Parker like you're from Boston and often call him Paaarky-Park! You are so great about sharing your toys and get really excited when he does new things, "Mommy, he sat up! He was laying down and now he sat up! He's learning!" You are quite the negotiator. After we tell you what we're going to do (eat dinner, get ready for bed, etc.) it's usually followed up with you saying, "How about this great idea..." or "I know what we can do..." Your suggestions often include playing for "just a little bit longer." You have an amazing memory, "This the way we go to airport," "We going to the pumpkin patch with Courtney?" (we went with her and her fam last year), etc. You say, "Hey Mommy/Daddy" approximately 426 times a day because you have so much to tell us! Sometimes it's even followed by a "look at my eyes." You are still shy at times, but are becoming more assertive. I think being around the older kids has helped. You definitely stand up for yourself more and can be Mr. Bossy at times, "You have to wait your turn," "Come over here," "Stand right here!" You love to dance, sing songs, being with your friends, stickers, Play-doh, puzzles, sports, CBS "Bible," My Gym, listening/playing music, reading books, being with your brother, helping, painting, drawing, and more! You don't quite understand the adult/kid/growing up thing. You will say, "Mommy, you can ride Thomas when you're just a little bit bigger like me and Daddy," or "Daddy, when you get little like me, then you can ride a scooter." You crack me up...every day! You have quite the personality. You are still super stubborn and rigid, but you are the sweetest! If I get lost while driving (it happens often) you say, "Don't worry, Mommy, you can do it!" (after you say, "Where we going?"). "I can do it all by myself!" and "I know how to do that!" are common phrases out of your mouth. We have three things we are working on daily and you're doing such a great job: obey the first time, be kind, have a happy heart! I could go on and on about you, buddy! You are an incredible kid! God gave us such a precious gift when you arrived 3 years and 3 weeks ago. You melt my heart when you say, "I love you, Mommy!" You are such a joy! I'm so proud of you and so proud to be your Mommy! Happy 3rd birthday, my big boy! I love you so much!
xoxo
Mommy

September 23--8 months

I thought I should squeeze this post in before he turns 9 months tomorrow!

Our sweet Parker is growing so fast! He continues to be such a happy boy and loves his big bro more and more every day! He's quite the army crawler--he's speedy! He rocks on his hands and knees, but still hasn't crawled. Parker added two more teeth (both on the top) this month (for a grand total of 4). He got his 1st (of many) mark on his forehead from a big bonk on Camden's bed. He also went in a swing for the first time and loved it! It was so great seeing my two boys swinging next to each other at the park. We found out he is a big fan of balloons after bringing them home from Camden's birthday party. He still loves balls, holds a toy in each hand and hits them together, grabs hair and holds on tight, makes the best scrunch nose face, gives awesome open-mouthed kisses, can entertain himself with pretty much anything he finds laying around, and is a splashing machine in the bath tub! He started sitting in the regular tub and he goes crazy in there! He sticks his face in the water, goes on his belly, and puts all the "squirters" in his mouth. We might have one water baby in the mix! I thought I took pics, but I can't find them anywhere. We love you, Mr. Parker!

Trying to make it up the step...and he did!

Handsome fella!

Time for the chair photo shoot...

...which means time to eat paper!

Dropping it over the side for the 27th time (he does this in the high chair too)

Where did it go?

Sweet smile

Love him!

A glimpse of the scrunch nose

A few random pics from this month...

Multiple choice

a) put your kid on your lap

b) sit up straight

c) look really awkward by leaning in like you're going to go cheek-to-cheek with the person next to you except the person next to you is a baby and his cheek is way below yours so, again, just look really awkward

I chose 'c.' It's okay though because it's one of our few family pics and both boys are somewhat looking in the direction of the camera. So, I'll take one for the team!

Obviously this pic was taken at the patch. We didn't stay long...it was super cold and both boys were (are) sick, but we went and it was fun! I'll post more pics (probably sometime in December).

We love Papa...and teeth!

On September 6th (one of these days I'll actually blog about things as they happen, not a month+ afterward...ugh!), Papa celebrated his birthday! We are so grateful for him! Papa is always ready to play! No matter how much work he brings when he visits (and I'm sure it's a lot), he is on the floor or outside with the boys the minute they wake up! He consistently encourages Jonathan and me with wise words and Bible verses. He has an incredible attitude about life--you will often here him saying, "Life is good." When I texted him happy birthday his response was, "Thank you! Every day is happy." Papa, thank you for being such a positive influence on our lives. You have a heart for Jesus, your family, and working hard! We love and appreciate you!

Parker and Papa during their recent visit at the beginning of October

Playing during our trip to CA in May

Oct. 2, 2011: talking to Camden just before he rides a pony

All done! You can't tell by his face, but Camden really liked it!

Morning lesson about tools!

Camden applying what he learned while Papa oversees!


Camden celebrated Papa's birthday by going to his first dentist appointment! He did awesome! He was a bit nervous and not a huge fan of the noise/feeling of the cleaning brush, but he hung in there like a champ!

They have TVs on the ceiling so he's watching the movie he picked out

Counting his teeth

All clean!

Parker also celebrated Papa's birthday by getting his third tooth! I couldn't get any pics of that!

Puffs!

September 5, 2011: Parker tries puffs for the first time...

So determined to get that little thing!

Concentrating

Where did it go? They kept sticking to his hands and he couldn't figure out how to get them off!

Swimming Lessons

Here are some pics from the end of August during Camden's final swimming lesson. He did great, but is definitely not a water baby (as you can tell by his dry hair). The lessons were perfect--a small group of kids at a friend's house. It was more about getting in the water and hanging with friends than learning how to swim. He likes being in the pool, he just doesn't want anything above his shoulders getting wet! My MIL told me his Daddy was the exact same way as a kid and he turned into a surfing, swimming, snorkeling machine! We'll see if Camden changes his mind about the water as he gets older.

Kicking with "Miss Laura"

Blowing bubbles with Nancy (I was usually in the water with him, but I was taking pics)

Getting ready to blow bubbles

Always a little hestitant to stick his face in the water, but he would eventually do it every time!

Seasons

This is not a post about Fall (however, I do love everything about this time of year...leaves, holidays, candles, etc.). It's not about Winter, Spring, or Summer either, but the seasons of life. I started this blog because Jonathan and I were entering a new season, we were going to be parents! Now we are in the season of being parents of two little ones--both of them are VERY busy! Camden is constantly running, jumping, playing, kicking, talking and Parker is constantly squealing, talking, army crawling, playing. I love it! However, there are times when it is exhausting and I just need a break. It's difficult because at this time in our lives we are far from family and all of our friends have kids (I have a hard time asking people to take care of their own two kids and my two as well). A break is also not happening because we are in a season (there's that word again) of not being able to get away, just the hubs and me. Parker will not take a bottle. We've tried. It doesn't work. I find comfort in the fact that it will not be this way forever (I also love the sweet moments I have with just Parker). Someday, Jonathan and I will take a little trip (or seven) and this time will be gone. You know the saying, enjoy the present because it quickly becomes the past. How true! It's amazing how quickly time goes. I think God has us go through these seasons to put life in perspective. I have been the Mommy of an 8-month-old before and now he's three! I know Parker will be walking and talking in no time because I've been there. Future seasons help us too...someday, my boys will be off to school where they will spend the majority of the day with their teacher and peers rather than me. Someday, I will be dragging them out of bed! Someday, I will send them to college. These seasons ahead of us help me to treasure the one we are in. Yes, I would like a break, but they are little for so little time. I will savor it. I will cherish each season and each moment within the season. We are making memories.

There you have it, the new title of our blog, Seasons. I love sharing our journey with you as we go through life.

Sidenote: I am obviously in a season of not updating this blog. I'll work on it.