Better than lemonade

So, Camden is a great teacher, since he never lectures, only leads by example.  This week's lesson is a valuable one in looking for the positive.

I love how completely unaffected he remains after urping up all sorts of unpleasantness.  Well, sometimes he seems rather distressed by what surely must be nasty flavors of regurgitated, partially-digested mashed veggies and fruits.  Despite those unpleasant tastes, he pretty consistently likes to finger-paint in whatever puddles he just created.  It's kind of one of those "if life gives you lemons..." moments. 

But we now say, "If life gives you vomit, use it as finger-paint." 

Teething Troubles

Camden has a couple teeth popping through his top gums, so this is the face seem most often this week.

No, he really isn't happy.  So he's been rather fussy, especially in the evening, and I've been eagerly anticipating Dan's arrival at home so I can hand off our boy and hopefully regain a little sanity.  (It's not working so far.)  

I miss my cheerful little boy, who is happy to play by himself.

I love how laid back he appears- which is actually unsusal as well.   (I think he looks like his cousin Sarah here.) 

See, Camden already has two teeth.  But these babies came in immediately after our trip to DC, when there were lots of reasons for him to be cranky in addition to that.  So it didn't seem so bad last time.  I just figured he didn't like travelling or going new places, or having his cousins right in his face or sleeping in a strange crib.

Now I just know that it really stinks to grow teeth.  Poor boy.

New Games

Camden has made all sorts of new discoveries.  Besides being able to pick up Cheerios and actually get them in his mouth (he's got about a 85% success rate), he's also found some new entertainment at home.

Okay this was a lot more fun before he ran out of movies he could reach. 

I'm so glad he's excited about doing dishes.  I hope that attitude lasts a LOOOONG time.  (Plus, it's super nice to have something that will occupy him in the kitchen, other than like playing with knives or the gargabe or throwing stuff off the counter top.)

 I think this is intended to be sat in, but Camden has recently found more enjoyment from the outside.  Just like a man, preferring not to be tied down!  (ok, I don't actually know any guys like that.  Probably cause I think they are idiots.)

Just to show you, even though he's changing, he's still a handsome boy.  I never tire of seeing his grin.

Here's Camden laughing.  It's my very favorite thing, so I thought I might share.  But it's probably WAY better in person (especially cause the world doesn't usually shake like this). 

I'm so proud!

Camden drove his first car!!

He really enjoyed it too.  I know, I'm a bad mom to let him drive a car in his pajamas.  
But at least he doesn't have bare feet.

Okay this was Camden's favorite activity for all of three days - which seems to be as long as his interest lasts (Then he wants more!).  Levering himself up using the recliner handle.  And chewing on said handle.  That was really enjoyable, too.

He is really so proud of himself!  As he should be.  So curious!  So cute!

Camden is getting pretty adept at kneeling, crawling over to climbing stuff, pulling himself to standing up, and walking holding on to things.  He gets so excited about climbing up that he's still figuring out how to get back down without bonking.  Although he is getting better at plopping down on his bum when he's tired of standing up.

Yeah, so that put your baby down for a nap when he's sleepy....  Well, it doesn't really work for Camden unless you have him just at the brink of sleep when you lay him down.  Otherwise, he does this.

I didn't think he could even pull himself up in his crib.  Silly me!

My boy is growing up so fast!  Camden just barely turned 7 months old. And he's getting kind of hefty for my puny arms.  Maybe it's just cause he's gained two pounds in the last month.  (The chunker is now 15 lbs 3 oz.)

I love my boy!

The oven cleaner is on

And it's kinda smelly.

Since Dan was so marvelous and basically did everything for a very coughy, non-sleeping Camden last night, I made breakfast for Dan while he took a pre-church nap.  It would have been very yummy breakfast.  Cinnamon cake with peaches. 

Apparently, I didn't grasp the dish firmly enough when I was removing it from the oven.  This has never happened to me before.  The pan slipped from one hand, landed upside down on the open oven door, dislodging its contents onto the door window (which started sizzling), and then bounced off to crash on the tile floor, sending hot glass shards flying.  All I could do was watch in dismay as my eagerly-anticipated tasty breakfast came to such a sorry and spectacularly messy end.  And all because of a lame error on my part.  (I'm going to blame the greased pan though.)  Quite depressing.  I might just stick with cereal for a while.

Dan scraped it off the door, though, and we ate it anyway.  As long as you avoided the "window dressing" parts.

Progress Report

I have to say, Camden is getting to be more and more fun.  Although, I sometimes feel that he is a little suicide baby, kind of like hamsters are.  So curious, but without any concept of self-preservation.  A little while ago, he suddenly reached out (way farther than I thought his arms extended) and grabbed the hot glass pan of nachos and yanked it towards himself before anyone could stop him.  It did make him cry, but it did not stop him from making another attempt later on that night. 

He's just growing and changing so fast!   So this post is to remind me what Camden was like at 6.5 months old.

Some of Camden's new achievements:

He’s growing some hair! It’s difficult to tell, but it’s coming in very blond. He just doesn’t have a lot, but the coverage is pretty even.

Sitting in the grocery cart, when we go to the store. He thinks this is SO great! 




Which has led to THIS development:

 He started sitting up by himself a week or so ago.  And he likes it.....  as long as there are fascinating things within his reach.  (Please note the very cute blanket Rebecca made for me, er, I mean, Camden.)

But he is too busy to sit for very long. He’s discovered how to transition from sitting to crawling, though his initial efforts at this typically involved a good bit of face-planting and some tears. Camden seems to have accepted that being active is going to involve a little more discomfort and he’s usually only bothered if he bonks his head on something poky or extra-firm. Like the tile floor.

Sitting and crawling just aren’t enough anymore though....

 He thinks he is so clever!  This is his new favorite thing.  Unfortunately, it requires a lot more supervision than crawling!  (Yes, his pants are falling down.  Camden does not have a butt, so he often crawls and climbs right out of his pants.)

 Oh, yeah, he has computer-hacking skills too. 

Being ill helped him to develop a new range of pathetic-ness.  This was a very common face. He has an even better expression of abject misery and sorrow, but I never clicked the camera at just the right second.

But he is still the very best boy ever!!  And he has the very best belly-laugh!  Makes me smile every time.

I wouldn't have thought that was a blessing

So yesterday - after a miserable, shivery, horridly uncomfortable night - I succumbed and went to the doctor.  I really felt too awful to enjoy what turned out to be an hour+ wait (it really felt like much longer, especially since I had to drag Camden with me to this cesspool of breeding germs and he refused to nap - arg).  Anyway, it turns out I have strep.  Nice to know I have a really good reason for feeling so lousy.

But the doctor emphasized that I need to be extra careful so Camden doesn't get it.  I'm not quite sure how to prevent Camden getting my germs.  I breastfeed him.  I spoon feed him.  I prepare his cereal and mash his veggies.  I snuggle him.  I change his diaper (which requires some playing to distract him).  I let him play in my lap and use me for a jungle-gym.  And I lug him around in my arms a good bit.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up breathing on him during some of these activities. 

And then I realized Camden is already on antibiotics, which hopefully will kill the step germies he catches.  I think maybe God allowed Camden to get a minor ear infection to help him avoid getting something much worse!  And I'm very grateful!

A couple of sickos

Okay, I'm rather pathetic and I just need a little sympathy. 

I am sick.  The all-my-muscles-and-joints-hurt kind of sick, where your skin is prickly and you shiver even with ten blankets on top of you.  And your throat is on fire and your neck is so sore you don't want to move your head at all. 

This is my first time to be sick and be a mom.  Suffice it to say, this was not my most productive or interactive day.

Unfortunately, Camden is sick too.  I'm hoping he isn't suffering the same way though.  He has nasty goopy eyes and an ear infection.  It's not horrible, but I felt slightly validated for taking him to the doctor today.  Poor kid hasn't been sleeping well at all - a nasty cough and drippy nose bother him extra at night. 

Last night I just prayed extra hard that Camden would sleep well so I wouldn't have to emerge from huddling, shivering next to my furnace-husband and out into the apparently-frigid night air.  God was very merciful. 

Plus, I have the most incredible husband.  He took care of Camden this evening and made me dinner and ran an errand I was supposed to do for my calling.  He's a real hero!  Seriously.  Cause, really, if you've got to be sick, having an amazing husband on hand is the very best thing.

Junk Mail Rules

Okay, I thought that the day might possibly come when a person stopped receiving credit card offers.  But this hope has been thoroughly demolished.  Even worse, I now know that the older you get, the MORE junk mail you get.  Like funeral and life insurance, hearing aid coupons, and enough stuff from the AARP to keep your shredder chowing on forever.

I am the lucky one responsible for handling my parents' mail while they are on their mission.  The mail forwarding quit sometime this summer and today I received a large package with the last few months' of correspondence.  Eek!!  I am pretty sure that Discover and Chase are responsible for at least a third of the Postal Service's workload.  I'm thinking the Democrats plan to keep the USPS in business by inciting their rivals to mail out unprecedented numbers of requests for financial support.  (I love how they include a survey as if they care about your opinion, but then they make you pay them to care about your opinion.  I mean, aren't we already paying our representatives?)

Anyway, out of this box of more than 50 envelopes, let's just say that only two were important, and maybe 5 others were helpful.  Too bad the mailbox out front doesn't have a junk mail compartment. 

If it did, I'd equip it with a handy little incinerator option.  More fun than a shredder!

Yeah, I'm slow

In a shocking change from my hum-drum, mundane life, a lot of exciting things recently happened.  Now, you may debate whether it is actually exciting to you, but then again, you may feel that a post from us IS exciting.  (I'm going to delude myself that you feel the latter way.)

So, yeah, don't get distracted just by this last entry.  I posted a couple things.  And I'm sure you won't have a satisfied and full life unless you see all the cute pictures of Camden available here. 

Speaking of cute pictures....  This is one of my favorites.  I just still find it astonishing that I have a son so enjoyable to look at.  I mean, strangers everywhere tell me so, so it must be true!

Love-Hate Travelling

Okay, so I knew life would change with a baby, but the very hardest thing to give up, is getting sleep when I go on trips.

Our family spent time in Utah last week.  Dan went for work and I went for fun.  Which is slightly ironic.  I mean, I did have fun and some great times during the day, but I also had a lot of tired teeth-gnashing and nocturnal musings on the potential of selling our screaming baby on ebay.  Fortunately, come morning, Camden had the most adorable little grin and snuggle for me.  Smart boy.

So here are some pics from our trip.

Ah! Mountains!!!   Sorry, but this just isn't a sight often seen in Oklahoma.  And I kinda miss it. 

Draper, UT Temple

Deborah took me on a temple tour!  We drove to the Oquirrh Mountains Temple, the Draper Temple, and the Jordan River Temple (and back home), and did it all in 90 minutes.  I can't even drive to the temple nearest my house in that amount of time. 

Deborah and kids visited Temple Square with me and Camden on a lovely brisk day.  It's always so peaceful and beautiful there.

Sarah and Steven are so cute!

Well, I was going to show you more, but the blog isn't allowing me to attach any more pictures right now and it got late all of a sudden! 

6 Months!

Yesterday Camden revisited that special torture - 6-month checkup and immunizations.  Poor kid had no idea what was coming.  Barely home from an adventure in Utah and we whisked him from his cozy home to get stabbed in the legs.  Camden was even happy at the doctor's this time.  A first for him.  He cheerfully accepted being manhandled by the doctor, in exchange for trying to grab her fascinating accoutrements.  And he was happy, all the way until they poked him with needles.  Anyway, here are the stats:

Height:  27.25 inches, 76th %

Weight:  13 lbs 5 oz,  3rd %

Head:  43 cm, 27th %

The pediatrician was surprised to see that Camden already has teeth.  She expressed concern that his weight significantly deviated from his growth chart trend and recommended we beef him up with some serious baby food.  Apparently, Camden can't live on milk alone (although I have been giving him a little bit of rice cereal each day - when I'm at home that is).  The doctor was astonished that Camden is already crawling, but figured that only added to his need for additional sustenance. 

So Camden has been delighted to try new foods.  He scarfs down the rice cereal and was really enthusiastic about peas.  He just likes to help you with the spoon - which is so helpful!

This is just in case you might have forgotten how very cute he is!!  If you disagree, don't say so in the comments - it might ruin our friendship forever!  Or at the very least, make me doubt the validity of your opinions in the future. 

 

Camden on the Cob

Our Halloween adventures took place at my sister Deborah's house.  We crashed her ward's Trunk or Treat.  Fortunately, we had this fantastic costume Rebecca let us borrow.  Aren't sisters the best?! 
So, here is Camden in his Halloween finery, with his very handsome papa. 

And I discovered why Halloween is fun for parents of small children.  First - people tell you how very cute your kid is -- always nice to hear!  Secondly, people give you candy.  Someone actually thought I would give him a 3 Musketeer.  Perhaps if I were a generous mom, I would.  Sorry, he'll have to get it secondhand.  I'm all about repression from a young age - that's how I was raised. 

Here is my niece Sarah, as Minnie Mouse, with her good friend Tate.  Sorry, you can't really see Sarah's cool ears that Deborah made for her (by looping her hair, Pippy-long-Stocking fashion with wire and placing felt ears over the styled braids).

Dan says this Mickey and Minnie must be from the Addams Family. 

Marine Band = Hot Date

Okay, I'm going to say up-front, that I accept that some of you won't be excited (or even appreciative) about this topic.  But if that is so, I'm also going to say that you're a Philistine and your opinion will be suspect in the future.  Kind of like if you told me you like mullets or picking up guys at gas stations.

So, Dan took me on a hot date (for my birthday!) to see the President's Own United States Marine Band!  They performed at the Tulsa PAC last night. We weren't allowed any pictures. Sorry!   They were AMAZING!!!!  Oh, be still my beating heart!  There was the most incredible euphonium solo.  *sigh*  And they played The Stars and Stripes Forever, with 4 piccolos.  I didn't know you could get 2 piccolos to play in tune together, but these 4 picollo-playing ladies managed to not only be in tune, but synchronize their trills.  It was a total band nerd's heaven.  So, to a patriotic military brat band nerd, it was the highest level of the celestial kingdom.  The band played some other classical music too, like a suite from Ivor Stravinsky and a fanfare by Aaron Copeland.  But it was all impressive and highly enjoyable to listen to. 

So, now that I've gushed about that....  I wanted to tell you I've spend the last half an hour downloading free music from their site!  And I don't even have the half of it yet.  Since they are supported by our tax dollars, you can get their music free.  Which seems only fitting.  If you are interested, you can go to http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/ and go to Audio Resources and then Educational Series and select the album you are interested in.  I'm pretty much interested in them all!

Inchworms and Monkeys

Our boy has developed remarkably in just the last few weeks.  He's got mad skills!  Previously, Camden was a very effective army-crawler, but now he has a new technique.  Dan refers to it as the "inchworm".



 

Oh, Camden is also growing his very first tooth!  It's on the bottom in the middle, just barely poking out.  I was just excited to have a reasonable explanation for why he has been a little crankier lately.  Although he doesn't seem to be horribly bothered by it now. 

I didn't think he would grow a tooth already, he's been chewing and drooling for so long now.  He especially likes to bite on his banana toothbrush-primer (thanks Aunt Melinda!).  But I think it makes him look like a monkey!

Biker Boy!

Yes, our boy lives life on the edge.  I think he also inherited my dad's love of motorized vehicles of classical design.

I told Camden, No way!  I think he needs to be at least two before he can drive one of these.

Isn't this the coolest thing?!!  If you can't tell from the background, this was a thrift store find.  But a little too pricey to take home (plus there wasn't a cool side-car attachment), but it was perfect for a photo op. 

New Advances

Our exciting adventures continued....  Savannah, Rebecca, Delaney, Rylee, and Camden.  As a posse, we set out with grandiose plans to view all the monuments on the National Mall.  But, the combination of excessive heat and physical exertion, plus we had a deadline (school kids to be home for), proved to be too much for us to overcome and we only did about half of what we had hoped.  

But we were exhausted anyway.  

After a jaunt on the Metro, we first went by the National Archives to view the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  I also fed Camden (in the bathroom because I was too timid to do so on a bench which was located directly in the flow of traffic).

As we exited the Archives, we observed this statue and Savannah commented that this lady had no qualms about breastfeeding in public.  I guess I should have taken my cue from her.  But perhaps a little more modestly.

We perused the Vietnam Wall.  

We also saw the World War II Memorial and barely refrained from dipping our feet into what appeared to be very refreshing water.

Camden woke up for the Lincoln Memorial.  He has good taste.  And the air conditioning on the lower level probably woke him from his heat coma.  The stroller seems to be a bit like an oven on warm days (of which this one DEFINITELY qualified).

We also saw the Korean War Memorial.  Camden was obviously unaware of its importance, being more fascinated with his cousins.  Perhaps it isn't apparent that we are all drenched in sweat and beginning to overheat.

We still tried to take the opportunity to explain to Camden how blessed we are and how grateful we are for those who have fought for freedom.

Poor Camden seemed a bit overheated, so once we were out of the sun, waiting for the Metro, we disrobed him and he was much happier.

Recording Camden's Metro experience.  He liked it pretty well.  He made a lot of friends too - grandmas and young ladies alike were quite entranced by him.

Apparently, despite Camden's lack of obvious interest in most of these cultural experiences, they appear to have stimulated his development.  Yesterday he crawled!!

Okay, so he didn't get up on his knees, but he definitely had some forward motion.  You can see his amazing action here.

And just for DAN!  Per your request....  

By the way, this photo makes Camden look a little chunky, but it's not true.  He is still a stick baby.  Not a sumo baby.  Just FYI.

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Camden takes a trip

This blog is to fulfill the request of my most amazing Dan, who is home slaving away and the one who has made this trip possible!  So....  here are some pictures of Camden's adventures today!

We are inculcating him with a desire for liberty and a gratitude for those who have made it possible for us to live in liberty.  And to know that the Marine Corps is the best of the best of the best!

  Ignore the goofy-looking adult here.  Camden was too tired to appreciate the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.

This is a real fake DEA agent (aren't you intimidated?), on display at the DEA Museum.  Camden learned what a brick of marijuana looks like.  He also knows to say no!

Camden learned about our very noble and praiseworthy first president ever.  

Camden also toured the historic home Mount Vernon and was awed at the elegance.

Camden is really just a one woman man.  He doesn't really think anyone but me can solve his problems. But he did have a (short) fun time visiting with Aunt Rebecca!

Camden is a real hit with his cousins, but he gets overstimulated by their enthusiastic exuberance.  Rylee was a little more mellow, but she liked the same toys.  Camden hasn't had to share with anyone before.  It's been an educational experience in many ways.

Catchy Tunes

Did you know that there is a song for everything? 

It's true.  No matter your circumstances, odds are good that someone else wrote a little ditty that describes them (you can count on Weird Al for melodic summaries of really bizarre events).  And, if perchance, someone hasn't provided the proper lyrics for you, then if you're like Dan, you just change the words to some catchy tune.  I realized I've started doing this for Camden during the day, following Dan's example.  Because Camden loves it when you sing.   (Even if you sing badly.  Which I frequently do.)  Here are some of the songs we sing:


Camden Eli is So Great (to Camptown Races)

Consider the Camden in My Arms (definitely not as beautiful as the MoTab's arrangement Consider the Lilies)

Goodnight, My Camden (Camden loves stuff from the Music Man and he usually falls asleep to this adaptation of a great classic)

Baby Drool (perhaps not as flattering as Baby Doll, but it's such a frequent occurrence it really should be noted)

When Camden went to Take a Nap (adapted from the Primary's When Joseph Went to Bethlehem)

Don't Cry for Me, Camden Eli  (Evita needs some adjustment to be age appropriate for our boy)

Puke on My Shoulder Makes me Happy (thanks to John Denver)

Camden has discovered the joy of books.  He is so his mother's son!

4 Months

So, Camden turned 4 months a couple days ago.  He had his checkup last Monday and his current stats are as follows.
Weight:  12 lbs, 6 oz, in the 15th percentile
Height:  25 & 7/8", which is 50th percentile
Head:  41 1/2 cm, which is 25th percentile. 

Basically, he's a tall, skinny boy.  But so cute!!

My favorite recent development is that Camden laughs!  It's so cute!  He has discovered that his hands are useful and he can actually control them.  Mostly.  So now he grabs everything - his toes, his toys, the cup I am drinking from, my hair, etc. 

It has made him a little more self-entertaining.  Not sure why, but the toes are always fascinating.  And apparently tasty too. 

Yeah, the fingers are yummy too.  Usually he has a couple or his whole fist to suck on.  So when he only tucks his tiny thumb in the wide expanse of his mouth, it looks a little silly (kind of like a ping-pong ball in a baseball mitt).

Coinciding with his development of the tractor beam to the mouth, he has started drooling at an incredible rate.  If fossil fuels recharged this fast, no one would be worried about alternate energy sources.

I actually bought this fantastic toy for me (it was cheap at the amazing thrift store in Illinois), but Camden is quite interested as well.  He is usually entertained long enough for me to chow down on breakfast.