*blows dust off of blog site*

Hmm, I never claimed to be good in the blogging dept. But I thought I would oblige two of Chunker's biggest fans, Nicole & Brenda. Nicole demanded an update.

Cameron's new "thing" is going down the stairs by himself. He's been doing it for awhile, but once they're in sight the word "PEAZ!" comes out of his mouth, begging us to let him walk up/down them.

If we're lucky he'll usually mutters "oh shit, oh shit". Ok, maybe it's not actually "oh shit", but to us it's beyond hilarious. I would promise a video, but I can almost guarantee the audio would be Paul & I laughing.

And B Dawg, demanded a taping of Chunker saying "banana" & "cheese".

All while eating a bowl of fruit salad, true Chunker style. ;)

Silly face!

For awhile now Cameron has been making an adorable, goofy, silly face. We would just laugh & ask what he was doing. Sometimes he would just laugh or look at us like we were crazy. "What is this silly face you speak of?! I was stretching my mouth." But we would make the same face back & he would imitate us. So we knew, he knew what he was doing. But since neither of us really knew where he got the idea to initially do it.

Every morning he eats breakfast while watching an episode of Yo Gabba, Gabba! Today was no different. As he was enjoying his daily dose, I was in the kitchen washing the blender when I heard "Silly Faces!" said over the tv. They have a portion of the show where Dj Lance Rock & all the kids make their own silly face. And what did I catch Cameron doing? His famous silly face! It was the cutest thing in the world. One because, ppsshh, hello, he's Cameron, THE chunker. He just oozes cuteness from his double chin to his stubby little toes. But on top of all that, the fact that he understood what/how to make a silly face blew me away. I motioned for Paul to come see Cameron in action. We couldn't help but smile & say, "YAY! You did it!"

So of course I had to brag (it's my mommy duty) to any & everyone today. Plus, I just had to catch it on video to share w/his loyal fans.

Enjoy!



Now let's see YOUR silly face! ;)

Side note: The loud smacking you hear my son doing is from finishing off an Aunnies bunny. ;) They don't call him chunker for nothin'.

Making his walking debut. :)

So, when we go to pick up Cameron from daycare, Miss Ruth raves about how he walked all day. Naturally his legs turn to noodles once we arrive. :/ He insist on being held & I willingly oblige. I know one day soon, he's going to refuse my arms & I'm in no rush.

We got home & it was time to take the dogs out for a walk.

Apparently that sounded like a FANTASTIC idea to Cameron.

Betcha can't watch just once. ;)

So I was having a pretty sad day today. I guess stress from every direction can do that to you.

Then I went to pick up Cameron.

*sigh*

How did I survive before him? He's my constant.

Constant reminder that I am loved far more than I will ever realize.

Blessed with many people in my life that are happy, healthy & cute as a button.
Who share my same fashion sense,
People who are willing to lend a hand (such as, putting away groceries),

Important people that fill my world with laughter, the same laughter that fills my heart with love.

Our little chatter box

I probably find more amusement out of it, but I just love hearing Cameron jibber jabbor the day away. Ok, ok I just like having someone that talks as much as I do. hehe

He's been getting better (or at least trying) to pronounce sounds other than D. He tends to only say Ma Ma when prompted (fine! I admit it, I beg. Are you happy?) but his expression following my squeals of glee is worth the beg. His smile widens ear to ear you can just see him thinking, "Ha! I did it!"

The other night bath time was over & it was time to get dressed. The video is super short & the quality sucks (cheap cell phone) but it's better than nothing. Again, you are more than welcome to visit AZ & see it live! ;)

Video upload, FAIL

Oops, let's try this again. Brusha, brusha, brusha, take 2!









If it doesn't work this time, I guess you'll have to visit us in AZ to see Chunker in action. ;)

Brusha, brusha, brusha...

I am a good mother, I can (finally) cook rice!

Ok, so this may be 1 out of 533,124,643 times but that's neither here nor there. I was so thrilled at my Martha Stewart moment I could have screamed.

Ok, so I did. I screamed out toward Paul who was reading to Cameron, "Omg, my rice taste GOOD!"

Little did I know that feeling was worth squat over hearing Cameron's reaction to my edible rice.

*swoon*

His new favorite word is "that". I think the new found love comes from the power of pointing, saying "that" & getting whatever he wants (most of the time).

But, I don't think "that" or any other word will ever replace his love for "cookie". ;)


I'm not bias, but isn't he the cutest chunker you've ever seen? Love.

Did you know, some dogs are brown?

Cameron is non stop "talking". You can tell there's so much he wants to say & I'm sure the moment he can, he'll talk for a day straight.

Tonight after daycare we stopped inside our leasing office. As I sat there signing paperwork Cameron talked (read: flirted. Ay yi yi wait until at least puberty....wait no. until your 3o's) with the office assistant. She commented on how well he held a conversation. Oh really, is that what you call it? Because at times I can barely get a word in nevertheless hold a conversation. So, I thought I would share another one of his favorite things, talking. :)



He's getting better with signing too. Along with dog he's been saying/showing "fan" & "light" more & more each day.


We can't take the credit for everything, just 99.9%. His friend at daycare, Stefano would say tick tock through out the day. I guess it's fun to do because before we knew it, Cameron was chiming right along with him.



What's that? You want more video of Cameron?! Ask & you shall receive my dear Cameron fans. Did you wonder how to sound like an airplane? Watch closely & listen well, Cameron will teach you.



Next lesson, The Law of Gravity.

Today, I'm going to take over the world.

To say Cameron has a strong personality is an understatement.

For being so young, he already behaves so grown up at times.

Well, grown up in a baby kind of way. :)

“I don’t want to sit in the cart mama, I want to sit on the floor.” Ok, happy baby.

“Oh, a duckie washcloth. Let me reach over & pull it off the shelf. Here mama, you can buy it for me.” Ok, happy baby.

“You really don’t have to lay me down to take my medicine. I’ll willingly drink it sitting up. I’ll even cry for more, because I know it will help me get better.” Yay, happy baby.

“Oh, I think I’ll crawl today.” Yaaa – Wait, what?

Yup, just like that Cameron decided he was going to crawl.

I went to pick him up from daycare last night & Miss Becca was so excited to tell me the news. She said it was for a few seconds but he was definitely crawling. At first I was a little upset that I didn’t get to see for myself, but then I sat Cameron by the kitchen while I got his dinner ready. And he just crawled on over to the dogs dish bowls & started taking their food out. I couldn’t help but laugh, laugh because of course that would be the first thing he would crawl too but the fact that he was on the move.

When Paul came home I had plenty of video to share with him. We just kept laughing & replaying the footage.

I just can’t believe it. My son, Mr. Anti Crawl I can reach it if I just stretch enough, decided he would crawl. Not just semi crawl, but crawl as if he’s been doing it for ages too. I can’t help but laugh, he just does what he pleases & there’s really no guessing what he’s going to do next.

So, if/when he declares he’s going to be an astronaut, President or a cowboy that wrangles cats, I won’t be the least bit surprised. I’ll just think back to this day & say, “I think you’ll be the best *insert aspiration here* there ever was.”

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.

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. :)

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!

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.

The Evolution of Cameron's Personality

We expected for our baby to be able to communicate before being able to speak.

How he would communicate was beyond me.

A smile?

A laugh?

When Mr. Man was a newborn he would let us know what he liked,

By not crying. hehe

Over time he began to smile, kick, open his mouth wide open, blow raspberries, yell, grab for anything within reach, sign "milk", kiss, mimic, hug...

PHEW! I'm sure I missed some, but you get the picture.

I guess he wanted to make sure we kept up the good work.

Now he's acquired, ummmm a new reaction to his favorite things.

Favorite thing #1:
Watching the dogs walk toward him.


As you can see in the end, Sadie kept putting her ball by him. :/ I guess she's trying to make "throwing the ball" on his list of faves.

Favorite thing #2:
Blue Wall!!! (It's at the park downstairs from our apt. It's a crime if we don't visit it before & after our walks)

Heh-heh, heh-heh, heh-heh

Mah-Maaah

My baby is amazing, a genius, child prodigy if you will.

Last Friday he said his first word, mama.

His tongue muscles aren't fully developed so it's still a work in progress.

And unless you have a trained ear (as I do) his M's might sound a bit harsh.

If you're on the brink of going deaf, it might sound like a D.

Either that or his Az accent is thick.

But in my heart (keep the laughter down to a polite chuckle) his first word is mama.

Let me also note, on Saturday morning I woke up to Paul coaching Mr. C.

"Da-da. Cameron say DA-DA"

I promptly rolled out of bed, stuck my head out of our door & said, "MAH! MAH!"

Hmph! Paul's tongue muscles must be underdeveloped too.

Giggle Fest

Monday night Cameron was full of giggles.

After swimming (for over an hour) he was ready for a bottle.

Of course once he was on the floor the Sadie & Oscar had to be within arms reach.

We're so lucky that they've adjusted so well with Cameron (not that they had a choice).

And Cameron is slowly but surely learning "nice" when petting them.

Sometimes he gets nice confused with yank.

But we're working on it. :)

Even if we're around the house he's usually wearing a onesie.

But since he was starving, I didn't waste time.

Before we knew it he was busting up as Sadie's hair rubbed up against his buddha belly.

Which of course made us laugh.



Then it was bath time.

Paul is definitely the animated one of us two.

He's always finding new ways to put a smile on Cameron's face.

And mine too.




I love that laugh.

love, love, love.

Go, Cameron go

The clarity on this video is not that great, but it's better than nothing. ;)

Yesterday afternoon we headed out for Cameron's favorite thing.

Swimming!

As soon as he sees his blue boat, it's all over.

His mouth goes wide open & his legs start kicking all over the place.

Cameron has loved the water since his first real bath (no sponge, please).

So, we tried out swimming classes & he was a natural.

Nothing has changed since then.

He now understands that kicking moves him in the water (and he would go so much faster, if mommy & daddy didn't get in the way).

If he sees his ducky or boat in the pool he turns into a little frog & kicks toward them.

He's even spotted the flowers along the pool & swam toward those.

Don't worry, I got pics on the disposable of that too. ;) Daddy was so proud. hee hee

Yesterday, he kept wanting to go toward a beach ball.

The little girl who brought it, was nice enough to let him play with it.

Without further ado, our little nemo.

Eyes, fingers, toes

Everyday Paul & I try to point out everyday items to Cameron.

It's good for him to associate objects with words & he's getting real good at it.

During swimming I saw some birds fly overhead, so I said, "Look birds Cameron!"

He instantly tilted his head back to the sky.

It was so cute.

He kept looking around for birds so Paul took a picture with our disposable water camera.

When we develop the pictures I'll be sure to share them with you.

I love that he's catching onto (even the little things) so quickly.

Along with birds, tree, flowers, blue wall (all his favorite things) we've moved onto body parts.

During lunch today we had a break through!

Cute now, not so cute in his teenage years.