I love...

I love how you smile when I say, I love you.

I love how you wave your arms in the air out of excitement.

I love how little thing, like going up/down the stairs excites you.

I love how you’re learning to sign back (allll done!)

I love how you can play alone, but always welcome the company.

I love how you smile & devour your snack, when daddy ask, “can I have some".

I love how you think about sharing, and then do it.

I love how your voice trembles & lips quiver when you're upset.

I love watching you give love to Oscar & Sadie.

I love how you use my shirt to pull yourself up.

I love your infectious laugh, your bubbling personality & how you're quickly turning into a little boy who knows what he likes & what he wants.

But most of all I love you.

I love how you can turn a simple moment into a priceless one.

I love how you can make me stop what I'm doing, dash for the camera & capture every priceless moment I can.

Mama, look at what I can do.

Yes, now lay down & act like a baby.

*sigh* As ironic as it sounds, I cannot get over how big Cameron is getting.

I use to think it was so silly when people would say, "my baby is growing up so fast!"

Of course they are, they’re babies. Babies grow up, duh.

But now that I have my own, I can see exactly what they were talking about.

It's not about them growing bigger.

Or all of the milestones that they've met.

It's about the journey we’re made together.

Of course Paul’s always been there, but there’s a special bond I have with Cameron.

Feeling his hiccups, his kicks to holding him in my arms for the very first time to knowing what to do to make him calm down, not knowing what to do but being there just the same.

I remember I couldn't get over how this baby was at one time in my belly. Even when he was so very small I couldn't wrap my head around it.

Each passing day my love grows right along with him and I honestly don’t know what my future held without seeing him right there with us.

Now I see this little boy emerging from what was once that tiny baby.

Big boy! I can't wait to see how tall he is next Halloween. :)

Through out the day he insisted on standing up. Shakin' his groove thang with Miss Tessa.

I've never been a huge fan of baby shoes. I thought it was silly to buy shoes for a baby that has no use for them. But after the pumpkin patch we went out & purchased Cameron's first pair of shoes.

I think he likes them. :)
PHEW! This standing up is hard work mama.
One of Cameron's favorite things, is yelling the moment we leave the house. He loves hearing his voice echo through out the hallway.
I'm sure the neighbors appreciate it, especially when we leave before 7 during the weekday.

This last picture just melts my heart.

*sigh*

So know I understand, my baby is growing up too, too fast.

Baby Rule #3

Do not question the love a boy has for his ball.

It's become bit routine to "check out" a toy from daycare.

Cameron picks out one (whichever one he plays with the most that week) and we return it the following week.

We've had big toy truck, xylophone alligator, ball with toy hamster inside, tambourine, small toy truck, toy that had spinning ducks....you get the idea.

Well Thursday night I went to pick up the Cheese & what did I find?
He was playing with the room beach ball, hmm.

Miss Ruth said the first day she brought it in for beach day, Cameron was scared of it.

So scared, he would cry if it got too close to him. :(

But over time & I'm sure watching everyone else have fun with it, he's grown to love it too.

What a wonderful story right?

It's great, really it is.

Cameron put the ball back, we're not taking the huge beach ball home.

Note to self: Do not try to take beach ball away from Cameron.

So, as comical as we looked I placed Cameron in his carseat & he held onto the ball.

I was too busy saying, "are you kidding me? we're taking the beach ball?" to take a picture.

As soon as we came home he went straight for his new toy & well, had a ball. ;)
This is my ball Oscar, you can look at it but don't touch. Matter of fact, stop looking.
Mama, cross out Infant & put Cameron.
Ok mama, I'm going to throw it to you & you throw it back.

See, wasn't that fun?! Now let's do it 1,432 more times!
As usual, Friday was daddy & bebe day.

When I walked through the door Paul told me all about Cameron's love for the beach ball.

Yeah, I think he likes it just a tad.

Paul even surprised me with a video to show proof.

It has a Blair Witch vibe, but it was sweet that Paul thought to record & share with me.



Ahh, to be that content with a 99 cent ball. :)

Yes I will buy that picture for $50

I'm sure it's very apparent I love taking pictures of Cameron.

I don't have that many baby photos of myself, and I'm sure that's where my obsession began.

Now scrapbooking, that's a whole other story.

I can't say I've tried, but I don't see it happening.

All the pictures will go into a photo album, in a frame, on the wall or on my work desk. :)

But then, picture day at daycare arrived.

Actually, let's take it back even further.

Before we left the hospital they offered newborn pictures.

Of course we let them take pictures.

And then, of course we bought them.

Do not attempt to adjust your screens. Cameron use to not only be that tiny, but that skinny!

hehe Just look at those perfect piano playing fingers.

Love.

Our child was obviously the next Gerber baby & we bought them right away.

The plan was to have Cameron sign each one & give away to his loyal fans.

Instead...we bought & safely tuck them away in a nice envelope.

Then to make sure their safety was reinforced, we stuck that envelope in our cabinet where they've been kept safe, since January. :p

Then picture day at daycare arrived.

Oh glory, my little boy was getting his first "school" picture!

We just had to buy them, not only were they cute but the moment had to be saved forever.

We would save one for us & give the rest out to Chunka Cheese fans worldwide.

I admit, the backdrops aren't the *gag* cutest but that smile just sucks you in.

So, we grabbed his newborn pictures down from the cabinet & placed our new purchase in the same envelope.

Yup, we were going to mail both pictures together!

This was a BRILLIANT idea!

So right away we tucked that envelope into our cabinet, for safety reasons of course.

That was back in April.

Do you see a trend forming?

Hmm, my ability to mail out pictures is right up there with scrapbooking.

Well, glorious picture day has arrived yet again!

And seriously, we're buying copies & mailing them out.

Honest.

Promise!

Who could resist this laid back pose, arm against the bridge and all?
Or this handsome smile, teeth & all! Don't you just want to gobble him up?


How could we not buy them, right?

If all else fails, at least they'll be a nice addition to our already growing collection. ;)

Home Is Where The Cheese Is

This weekend was hard for many reasons.

1. I was leaving Cameron for almost 3 days.

2. I was saying good-bye, to my beautiful friend Jewelyn.

3. I was leaving Cameron for almost 3 days.

I knew I was going to cry.

Admitting I was stressed out is sugar coating it.

I was scared out of my mind.

It was stressful, the upcoming services, driving alone, being away for so long but I knew if I didn't go, I would regret it.

I'm so lucky to have Paul. I don't really know if I would have went if he wasn't so supportive of me going.

So, I packed the night before & "planned" on leaving after Cameron went down for his first nap & then decided to leave at 8.

Well, after trying to leave several times, I ended up leaving after he went down for a nap. We said goodbye & Cameron started to reach out & cry for me.

*insert worst mama in the world feeling here*

I stayed a bit longer, we sang "the ants go marching", marveled at the wonder that is a ROCK and danced.

Then finally I was on my way.

The drive wasn't terribly bad. It was great to spend times with wonderful friends, missed family & driving through familiar roads.

The services were so beautiful. I was so nervous the day of. My palms were sweaty, my stomach was just in complete knots.

Then I arrived at the church.

All my anxiety just lifted & I knew I had made the right decision.

The services were beautiful, just as Jewelyn. Every moment was heartfelt & I was so relived I was not only a part of her celebration of life, but that she was & will forever be my friend.

My trip was short, bittersweet but full of love & priceless memories.

It's always wonderful to surround yourself with people who love you, for you.

So, of course coming home was the cherry on top!

I made excellent timing & was so happy to see my little man.

As I walked through the doors he smiled & then looked around as if he was thinking, "look! mama's back!"

I picked him up & he starting pulling himself up in excitement. It was the best welcome home hug.

Since it was still early a trip to the park was in order.

The famous, crawling is over rated, I can reach it streeeeetchhhhh.

We decided to feed the ducks.

Ok, Cameron ate but he was kind enough to let the ducks watch.

Paul joined us after work, ahhhh another face I've missed.

It was so nice relaxing & spending time together.

We walked around & found a bucket swing!

Cameron has yet to swing on his own, so I was (probably the most) excited. :D




Well, it looks and sounds like someone was a little excited too. *coughpaulcough*



After the park, we headed home just in time for Cameron's bath.
His new "game" is leaning over & reaching for toys.

Then, if they're just a wee bit out of his reach, he politely says, "mama can you get that for me?"



Ahhh, I've missed that face.

So very happy to be home with my boys, my beautiful family.

Cali, see ya in December!

Cameron fall down, go boom

With Paul's new work schedule we needed a sitter.

So, last Friday Cameron went to daycare for an hour, an hour.

Within that hour Cameron knocked "first bruise" from his check list.

Mr. Anti-Crawl-Don't-Worry-I-Can-Scoot-And-Reach did just that for a toy.

Somehow his revision to crawling didn't go according to plan.

He fell forward onto said toy and ate it, hard. :(

Miss Ruth gave him lots of love, poor guy.

He fell so hard the bruise was in the shape of the toy, boo hoo.

I wont' lie.

As soon as I saw him I freaked out.

He had a nasty diaper rash a few days ago. When I say nasty, it was bad, really, really bad.

I got a call from Miss Ellen & she said it looked like a hive.

Doing what I do best, I freak out & make a mad rash for the store.

After buying a bottle of Calamine I rush to daycare, turns out it's just a rash.

He's never had a diaper rash & I wasn't sure if it was a rash or allergic reaction to a new food.

So, I ran back out & bought Bag Balm (if you don't have it, get it today!) & oatmeal for his bath.

Now, a few days later I walk into the infant room & it looks like a hive across his face.

{{insert panic mode yet again}}}

I had to sign an incident report & joked about getting a copy for his baby book.

*sigh* He's a boy, I know this is the first of many but, *sigh*

As ironic as it may seem, that's a picture of Paul & Cameron playing "boop".

It started when Diana came down to visit.

She would say "Toques" & bump Cameron's head.

He had no idea what was going on.

Well now, Paul says "boop" and they butt heads. :/ Oh joy.

My bebe may try to act tough & butt heads withe the best of them.

But I know better. :)


Then, later that weekend Cameron woke up with a cold.

He rubs his nose when it runs, combine that with crankyness & you get another wound.

A scratch that ran from under his eye almost to his chin. :(



So, w/a bruise & battle wound I couldn't help but buy this shirt to celebrate the occasion.



Perfect, no? ;)

Seriously, how do you title a story like this one?

When most people ask how Cameron's doing I'll always make it a point to say, "he's still nosy".

Inquisitive, taking in the world, always wanting to be in the loop.

Call it what you want, my son is down right nosy.

Not sure where he got that trait from, hmmmm.

Being so inquisitive has led him to mimicking as well.

He's gone from mimicking noises, gestures, rubber neck syndrome & now this.

Last night we got home a tad late from daycare (read: I talked too long with Ruth).

We usually take out his red push car & walk all around the neighborhood.

Since we were already running late I decided to just carry Cameron.

We walked over to the poop zone.

Sadie is a poop champ. She doesn't put on a show, just takes care of business.

Oscar on the other hand is a PITA.

I mean, he needs coaching. :D

I'm usually quite patient w/his song & dance.

You can't look at him, he has to sniff over every inch 3x over, circles 3,423x then when you finally think he's going for it, he hears a noise & the process starts all over again.

Ugh.

I'll usually yell out, "POOP! OSCAR POOOOOOOOOOP!!!"

I am fully aware the neighbors peak out their window & judge.

I know & accept this.

But, I live w/freak dog & can yell if I please.

So, it didn't matter to Oscar that it was getting dark & Cameron needed his bath.

After pleading I finally told Cameron, "Tell Oscar to go poop."

Funny enough he started yelling out toward Oscar, da a-daaaaa!

So, here I am saying poop! Poooooooop, go poo poo!

And what do I feel?

Cameron bracing down.

He was bracing down, red in the face & grunting.

My son was trying to poop.

I've heard of sympathy pain, but he was taking it just a bit too far.

The princess, the giant & the squirrel.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.

The generosity of so many has been so amazing.

Kim has been receiving loads of donations.

A yard sale was held for the Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund. The girls raised $1,200, woo hoo!

Miss Gabrielle is finally home with daddy.

You can go here for updates & pictures.

She's just too precious for words, and that hair! You know I'm a sucker for wild hair. ;)

Speaking of hair you want to run through your fingers, Mr. Cameron is getting BIG-ger.

He just had his 9 month check up (insert hysterical crying).

Stats, 20.3 lbs & 26" long!

Our giant genes are starting to take over.

Since it was Paul's day off, he took over shot duty for this round.

He reported Cameron cried for a second.

Hmmm, that's not how I remember the last two visits.

There was screaming, pleading, scratching at the door to get out-oh wait, that was me.

My tough little man. The warrior Snoopy bandaid was kept for a warning to the Gu guey (sp?).

When I got home Paul met me outside, just to show pics & video from their day.

Isn't that just oozing of daddy love?

Here's a video of Cameron saying "ten".



Last but not least, climbing over Mt. Jackson to reach the camera (sorry, I don't now how to flip it).



I don't know what's more hysterical. Cameron leaping over or Paul's laugh. :)

And a few pics showing off my bebe.


Ahh, those squishable cheeks. He's hiding something in there, I'm almost certain.