Riding Big Boy Style

As with everything else important in the life of Camden, I have spent weeks debating when to get a car seat for Camden. Up to this point, he has been rear facing in his carrier. The professionals recommend that you keep your child rear facing as long as possible, but if you would like to have them forward facing, they should weigh at least 20 lbs. At his appointment on 02/14/11, he weighed in at 19lbs 11oz. I would think that by now he has added another 5 ounces and is now 20 pounds. Also, he seems to be long legged (wonder where he gets that from?) and his little feet have been hitting the back of the seat for awhile now. So, with taking all the information available to us into consideration, we decided to buy Camden a new car seat and put him forward facing.

He seems to enjoy facing forward and seeing everything in front of him. He will still use his carrier when Shane takes him in his vehicle, but while in my vehicle he will be riding big boy style.

A Contract

After a year on the market, our house in Tuscaloosa finally has a contract on it. We knew for a week or two that two different couples were interested, but we finally received the exciting news that they had actually signed the contract on Thursday evening. Honestly, I have been reluctant to tell anyone because it is so hard to believe that we finally have a contract. We are very excited about the sell of our home, but are trying not to get too excited until the actual close of the house, which is scheduled for March 22nd. I know my sister and her family are more than ready to have their house to themselves, just as we are ready to have our own house again. Now, the fun begins as we try to find a new home to call our own!

Go Texan Day

Today is our first ever 'Go Texan Day'! Honestly, I did not even know this day existed until I received the newsletter from Camden's school saying we would be celebrating it today by dressing up like a cowboy. Well, let me just say, we did the best we could. I did not see myself buying cowboy boots for my child to wear one time - you know at this point, we are just not cowboy type people. So, Camden looked more like a farmer in his overalls and plaid shirt! Regardless, he was as cute as could be!

Playing with the Big Boys

Nascar started back up today and while we watched the race, Mason and Braden played with their army men. Camden decided he wanted to play army men with the big boys too, which sometimes caused a few issues. But, for the most part, they all played well together!

Camden examining an army man

Playing with his own toy amidst the army men

Braden asking me at one point to 'Please move Camden'

Goodbye Note

Dear Similac Isomil Formula,

It is my pleasure to inform you that as of today, we will no longer be using you. This parting of the ways is not because we are dissatisfied with you. Instead, my son, Camden recently turned one and as of today, is on whole milk.

You have served us well during his first year. You supplied him with all the vitamins, nutrients and calories he needed to sustain his life. You were a formula he could tolerate well without causing stomach cramps or gas. He apparently enjoyed the taste of you and you gave him great joy every time he drank you. Although we were not particularly fond of paying $23.79 per canister, (unless we had a $3.00 or $5.00 coupon to use), we would pay whatever we needed to for our child.

Thank you so much for all you have done for Camden!!

Bye Bye Formula!!!

Moving On Up

Happy Valentine's Day! Today was Camden's 12 month appointment for a check up and immunizations. I was aiming for 20 pounds at his year mark, but knew he would probably fall just a hair short of that. So, he weighed in at 19 lbs 11 ounces, which is the 8th percentile. YEA!!! He finally moved off of the 5th percentile, so we are moving on up!!! He is 30 inches long, which is the 50th percentile and his head circumference is 17.72 inches, which is the 15th percentile. Needless to say, Dr. Taylor and I were thrilled with his measurements. So as before, we will continue doing what we are doing!!! He received four shots, a finger stick and peed in a bag for a urine sample. He was absolutely wonderful!!!

Taking off one of his band aids. Notice the band aid on his right middle finger - bless!

Since today was his 12 month appointment, I thought I would take the time to do an update on Camden:

• He wears size 4 diapers
• He wears 12 month clothes and size 3 shoes
  
• He drinks about 23 ounces of milk/formula a day (by the end of the week he will be on straight whole milk)
• He still takes medicine for his reflux - Prevacid 15mg solutabs
• He still takes Miralax for constipation
  
• He has two teeth
• He loves to eat table food and absolutely LOVES bread
• He takes 2 naps a day, anywhere between 1 hour and 2 1/2 hours
• He sleeps 11 to 12 hours a night, uninterrupted
• He can say momma, dadda, yea, blue, tree, duck, dog, cat, shoe, juice, bye bye and a few other words
• He maneuvers around by crawling in his own special way
• He still sleeps on his back, however daycare has found that he will fall asleep faster if you put him on his stomach
• He loves to take baths
• He loves to put things on his head - diaper rags, socks, clothes, toys
• He is still very happy and laughs and smiles all the time!
  

Fun Things

Several fun things are happening these days. Camden loves to feed himself and drink out of his sippy cup. I am not sure I mentioned it amidst all the birthday fun, but as of his actual birthday, February 4th, we have been bottle free. He had been drinking out of his sippy cup occasionally, but it seems like all the sudden that day he decided he could do without the bottle, and we have never gone back. By February 6th, I had all of his bottles and nipples packed away!


He absolutely loves to put things on his head, be it his socks, shirts, pants, diaper rag or toys. He thinks it is so funny to put things on his head and thinks it is even better if he can cover up his eyes while doing it.



For Christmas, Camden received a pair of tennis shoes from us. About a week or so after Christmas, Mason and Braden went shopping for new shoes. When they got home and showed us their new shoes, I just laughed. Seems as though Mason has good taste too!! His shoes are exactly like Camden's, just minus the Velcro and in a bigger size!


It has been cold this past week, so of course we are have been bundling up before heading to school. For Christmas, Camden received some mittens and a stocking cap. He doesn't mind wearing either of them, and in fact thinks it is fun to clap with his mittens on.

Camden's First Birthday Party

For Camden's birthday party, I had decided not to go with a theme. Camden is not overly interested in one certain item or character and since I am not a theme person we decided to go instead with a color scheme. Since Camden's favorite color is blue, we went with blue and lime green with a little yellow thrown in for good measure. At one of my baby shower's, there was a cute banner that had been made for me, and I had decided then that for his first birthday party, I would make a birthday banner for him. I had worked on it off and on for several weeks, and was very pleased with how it turned out. The banner, along with some balloons, colored plates and napkins and we had the makings for a party!!

The decorations

Camden's Birthday Banner

Balloons

Shane and I headed out to get the balloons blown up and to buy Camden's birthday present while Mom watched him and made sure he got his nap in. Yes, I do realize how horrible it was that we waited until the last minute to buy his gift. That is so very unlike me, but it is what it is. Luckily, we knew exactly what we wanted and were able to walk in and out of Toys-R-Us rather quickly. We got back from running our errands pretty much in time for us to do a few last minute things before Nana, Poppa Ron and Connor arrived. They were able to spend time with Camden after he got up from his nap, and then Kelsey, Shanelle and Gavin arrived. Now, it was time to party!

The first thing we did was open presents, which Camden loved. He loved to pull the tissue paper out of the gift bags and see what was in them. He was thrilled with his gifts, which included toys, clothes, money and a tooth bank (for when he starts loosing his teeth).

Getting ready to open presents

Camden was excited about his party!

He loved to pull the tissue paper out of the gift bags

Everyone checking out his gifts

We then ate hamburgers and hot dogs and socialized for a bit. Camden enjoyed eating a hot dog.

Smiling with hot dog in his mouth

Next, was the part I had been waiting for - CAKE TIME! Now let me stop right here and say that my Mom did an awesome job on the cake. As you may or may not know, I can be a bit picky, even though I don't mean to be, but luckily my mother knows just how I am and accepts that (thank goodness!) She brought the cake already decorated, and brought left over icing so she could add anything I wanted or make any changes I wanted. Of course, I had some additions I requested, which she gladly obliged. The cake turned out great and tasted absolutely wonderful. Along with making the big cake, Mom also made an individual cake for Camden. We sang 'Happy Birthday' to him and then put the cake in front of him. He immediately stuck a finger in it, and then tasted it. After he decided it was good, he stuck his whole hand in the cake and then the other hand. He was so excited he started clapping his hands with them covered in cake and icing, so cake was flying everywhere! I went ahead and moved the cake, cleaned him up and then fed his some cake and ice cream, which he loved!

The birthday cake Grandma Key made

Camden's personal birthday cake

We got the hat on, now we are ready!

Everyone was singing 'Happy Birthday' and Camden was not quiet sure what to think

Trying to figure out the cake

Tasting it for the first time

Camden was very excited after he finally tasted the cake

He decided to get both hands into the cake

Camden was clapping his hands and yelling "Yea!"

Cake was everywhere!

The remnants of his cake

Everyone visited for a bit longer and then Shane's family had to leave to return to their homes. We had a great time celebrating Camden's first birthday and look forward to celebrating many more! Camden was absolutely wonderful for the whole party and really enjoyed being the center of attention - I guess he gets that from Shane! ; ) We appreciate everyone who came to the party as well as the others that remembered him on his special day!

Camden and I enjoyed his first birthday party!

Happy Birthday Sweet Camden

Well, today is the big day. Camden turns 1. I still can't believe that a year ago today I was laying in the hospital receiving medication and awaiting the arrival of our sweet baby boy. After much pushing and work, he finally arrived at 5:05 pm. The past year has absolutely been one of the best years of my life. It is amazing that regardless of your life situations, a child can bring you so much joy and remind you of what life is truly all about. Camden, I pray you never doubt just how special you are and how much you are loved. Happy Birthday my sweet angel!!!