First Day of Daycare

Well, the morning routine was different for all of us! I woke up 30 minutes earlier than normal, which was 5:45 am and Shane woke up around 6:15 am. Camden, who normally wakes up around 6:30 - 7:00 am and then lays in bed and talks awhile, was awoken at 6:25 am. Since we normally do not wake him, but rather allow him to wake up on his own, I was a bit worried as to how he would do. Why do I even worry? He woke up and had a smile on his face and was just a chattin'! I just LOVE him. Anyway, he ate his fruit and cereal and only had a little of his bottle, but I wasn't concerned because I knew they would feed him at daycare. So I packed up the car with his diaper bag and all the 'school supplies' we bought and left the house at 6:45 am. On our way we talked about how things would be a bit different, but he would make a lot of new friends and learn so much. (I know that talk was more for my sake, but even so he listened and chimed in occasionally.)

Getting ready to get out of the car at daycare

We arrived at daycare at 7:00 am and of course he smiled for the ladies in his room. He is in the 7 month to 13 month room which makes him one of the youngest in his room as well as being the smallest. He is the only one who does not sit on his own or eat finger foods. (We have been working on eating puffs, which he has pretty much mastered eating and swallowing them, but just has a problem grabbing them with his hands. He can't seem to get that thumb working!) So, to say the least, I am concerned that he is behind!! Well, after signing him in and getting everything squared away I looked at all the other children and noticed they all had shoes on. I showed up with a barefoot child because we only wear socks at bedtime. When I made a comment about shoes, I was informed that they are required. Seriously? Well, yet another thing to keep up with! Anyway, I gave him lots of hugs and kisses, took a picture and left. They informed me I could call anytime during the day and they would let me know how he was doing.

Camden with one of his teachers

Around 10:30 am, I called to check on Camden and the assistant director of the Early Learning Center answered the phone. She went to check on Camden and when she came back to the phone she was giggling and said that Camden was just sitting in there smiling. When she asked one of his teachers how he was doing, she said, "Look at him. I think that pretty much says it all. He is happy." I didn't doubt that at all. He has such a great personality and I am so grateful that he is able to show that off. I pray that he stays that way! Shane went to pick him up around 12:45 pm and they had just gotten him to sleep, so he left (which ended up being a good thing because I still had his carrier in my car!). When Shane went back to get him 45 minutes later he was sitting in one of his teacher's laps and when Shane picked him up he just started chatting with him. Shane said he looked very tired, and he ended up sleeping once he got home. Since he is so nosey, he has a hard time taking a nap, so this will definitely be an adjustment.

I will have to say, it was an emotionally difficult, but successful day. Camden makes things so easy and we are so very fortunate for that. Now we will have have to learn how to settle into our new routine, which I don't think will take too long!

A Day at the Soccer Fields

Today Camden and I spent the day at the soccer fields with Melissa, Shawn, Mason and Braden. It was the second and last day of a tournament that Mason was playing in. Yesterday they had won both of their games, and so were scheduled to play today at 10:00 am and 1:45 pm. Up until this time, Camden has used his stroller but only while sitting in his carrier. I figured he was big enough now to sit in the stroller like a big boy. I think he absolutely loved it!!!

Also, today it was a hot Texas day, and I packed him some apple juice to try and he loved that also!!

He did wonderful today, even thought it was hot. He seemed to enjoy being outside all day and was glad to see Mason's team win both of their games therefore making them the winners of their category in the tournament!

Enjoying the game - trying to stay cool!

Once we got home, bathed, ate and got Camden to bed, Shane and I had to go 'school supply' shopping. On Friday, I received Camden's school supply list and had not had the time to obtain the needed items until this evening. The list was as follows:

• 3 boxes of Kleenex tissues with lotion


• 3 containers of Clorox wipes


• 3 Purell brand instant hand sanitizer


• 2 bottles of hand soap


• 2 bibs


• 2 small cereal bowls


• 1 ream of printer paper


• 1 disposable camera


• 2 extra change of clothes/socks


• blanket


• pacifier (if needed) & pacifier clip


• diapers


• diaper cream


• wipes


• pre-made bottles (with name labels on ALL detachable parts)


• sippy cup


• 1 family photo


• 1 photo of your child

So to say the least I had some work to do. I spent quiet a bit of time getting together all of the needed items, but I finally did get it accomplished.

Camden's labeled bottles

Girl Time

I have been waiting for the day that Camden would finally get to meet one of my dearest friends, Lisa, and today was finally the day. Camden and I drove over to Lorrie's house and hung out with her, her children and Lisa. When Lorrie's husband got home, Lorrie, Lisa, Camden and I all went out to eat. It was so great being together. The last time we had all been together was last year at the baby shower they gave me. I am so glad that we will be able to have more girl time together now that we are in Texas!

Camden and Lisa

Puffs

For about a week or so I have been offering Sweet Potato Puffs to Camden before his supper. It has been humorous watching him eat them. He has definitely improved his eating technique since we first tried them.

Just getting in his mouth . . . .

Working on getting it where it needs to be . . . .

Oops. It slipped out!

Got it!!!

An Answered Prayer

When I found out I was hired for the school nurse position at my school, I immediately contacted the Early Learning Center (daycare) that is ran by the Cy-Fair Independent School District that is for employees of the district. My nephews went to the Early Learning Center and learned so much and my sister absolutely LOVED them! Not to mention they are cheaper than any other daycare. After I turned in my paperwork, I was informed that it was a year waiting list, which really did not surprise me. Since that time, I went to a few other daycares in preparation for the day I would have to take Camden. The first one appeared fine, but I did not have a good feeling about it. The second one was ran by a Lutheran church and I was really pleased with it. I had decided that is where he would go and luckily they did have one opening. I was waiting for Shane to land a job before I paid the deposit. So, since he is waiting to hear from a local school district about a job, I was thinking that this week I would go and place our deposit.

Well, I am so thrilled that I had not paid the deposit, because today I received a phone call from the Early Learning Center that they have an opening, and Camden could start daycare on Monday!!! Woo Hoo!!! That was the best news I had heard in awhile! We will be saving a considerable amount of money every month, but better yet, he will have great caretakers and will learn so much. They already feel like he is family since they know Mason and Braden so well, and one of his teachers actually taught my nephews. This was an answer to many of our prayers! It still amazes me how God has it all planned out - He is soooo faithful!


Now the sadness sets in. I can't believe that he will now go to daycare. I know that he will learn so much from the teachers and other children and will enjoy being around other people, but not knowing exactly everything he does or receiving pictures or videos through out the day is going to be a change. I do have the fact that I have a great work schedule and will be off so much more than I ever would have with my other job so I will get to spend more time with him. I will be home earlier and of course will have two weeks at Christmas, a week for Spring Break and of course the summers. I will do my best to focus on the positives so that Monday is not so miserable!

Such a happy guy!!!

Like A Big Brother

We are very fortunate that we are able to stay with my sister and her family right now for many reasons. One of the main reasons is that Camden gets to be around his cousins. Braden, being the younger of Melissa's children, likes Camden and sometimes dances to entertain him, but really is not overly interested in his daily ins and outs. Mason, who is almost 11, is absolutely wonderful with Camden. He likes to hold him, play with him, watch him for us when we have things we need to get caught up on around the house, and really just watches out for him. Melissa also really enjoys being around Camden and he really seems to like her! As for Shawn, he still isn't so sure about him. Unfortunately with Shawn's schedule, Camden is asleep both when he leaves for work and for the most part when he gets home from work.

Mason feeding Camden

Holding him at a restaurant.

Playing with him after a soccer game.

Good To The Last Drop

Yet another sad day as a mother. Today was Camden's last day to receive breast milk. As you recall, I quit breast feeding after he was 4 months old. The main reason was selfish I suppose. I had lost more weight than I needed due to the lack of things to eat that did not contain dairy or eggs, and I was craving some of my favorites. Also, finding a place at work to pump was an issue at times, and it was hard to pump as long as I needed to as well as eat in the allotted amount of time available. I had pumped extra milk, and was thinking that it would only last a month longer. I was joyed to find that it lasted a little over 2 months, due to the fact that we would mix breast milk and formula together. So, even though I was hoping for Camden to get breast milk for a year, 6 months was as long as we made it. We have been very fortunate that he has only been sick once, which was with a cold when he was 2 weeks old, and I am praying that his immunity holds strong.

Reverse Superman

For several months now, Camden has been doing something that we find quiet humorous. When you lay him completely flat on his back, he will stiffen his whole body and pick his head and feet up off of the floor. He will hold the position for awhile, relax and then do it again. I think he should have abs of steel due to his own personal exercise.


Anyway, while we were at his 6 month appointment, he of course assumed the position when I laid him on his back on the exam table. I asked his doctor what she thought he was doing, and she said she was not sure, she had not seen it before, but he looked like he was doing a 'Reverse Superman'! What a great description!! Well, he continues to do the Reverse Superman, although not as often as he used to.

Footed Pajamas

I just love Camden's little feet - be it with or without socks on, in pajamas or not. His little feet are just precious - period! So it goes without saying that I absolutely love footed pajamas that actually resemble a shoe or animal.

Sneakers

Monkeys

Rhinos

Puppy Dogs

Monkeys

Duckies

Fun In The Sun

Uncle Shawn found the float that both Mason and Braden used as infants and aired it up yesterday for Camden to use today. Once again, he enjoyed the pool. Today he relaxed in the float, while at times talking and smiling. Even when the boys splashed him, he did not mind. I am so glad he loves the water as much as I do. Hopefully, we can spend many days together at the pool!!

Camden checking out his new ride

Mason

Braden

Camden relaxing

6 Months Old

Camden is six months old today!! So hard to even believe. I honestly don't know where the past six months have gone, but I have enjoyed them so much since Camden's arrival! I have learned so much during this time and can't wait to learn more! Since it has been awhile since I have updated his progression of things, I will take this milestone marker in his life to do so.

• He now eats prunes, apples, pears, bananas, peaches, squash, and green beans - with pears and apples being his favorites.

• He loves solid foods more than his formula.
  


• He just started drinking water on Saturday and seems to like it (so he must be his father's son).
  


• He is able to sit on his own for about 5 seconds.

• He is NOT big enough for his Johnny Jumper yet.
  

• He loves the pool! Today was his first venture in the pool and took a 30 minute nap while in it.

• He still sleeps for about 12 hours a night (7:00 pm to 7:00 am) and has not woken up once in the middle of the night since he started sleeping through the night (knock on wood that this continues).
  


• He tried a sippy cup Monday and has taken a few drinks out of it over the past few days.


• He started holding his own bottle on Sunday, but still has to figure out that in order to get any milk out, he has to hold the bottle up.
  

• He has a great sense of humor and is ticklish pretty much anywhere.
  


• He loves 'The Wheels on the Bus' and his favorite verse is when the wipers 'go swish, swish, swish'.
  


• He is wearing Size 3 Diapers and 6 month clothes.
  


• He has no teeth as of yet, and it doesn't feel like there are any there for the time being.
  


• He loves his feet and can't wait to get them in his mouth after we take off his pajamas.

• He still sleeps in a sleep sac.

• He recognizes himself in the mirror and will talk to himself.