Houston Rockets

Tonight, we had the opportunity to go to a Houston Rockets game with my school's band, orchestra and choir. We decided to have Melissa and Shawn watch Casen while the rest of us went, even though he probably would have enjoyed it as well. We drove separately and met the students at the Toyota Center. The Rockets were playing the Nets and while I have been to an NBA game, Shane and Camden have not, so they were able to experience it together. Camden sat very still and watched the game and all the entertainment they had going on. He would cheer when the Rockets would do something good and really seemed to enjoy himself. Luckily, the Rockets did win.

Camden and his Daddy enjoying the game

Camden enjoyed all the fun thing the mascot did

And while we were enjoying the game, Casen went out to eat with Melissa, Shawn, Mason, Braden and some family friends. This was the first time he sat in a high chair at a restaurant. Melissa said he had a good time.

Apparently, Casen and Shawn had more fun then they could stand for the evening. After good food and fun, Shawn rocked himself and Casen to sleep.

Accidental Flip

Just like Camden, Casen is not very fond of being on his stomach. So much to my surprise, when I went to get Casen out of his bed this morning, this is what I found.

Moving on Up

It seems that the past two weeks, we have initiated a lot of new 'firsts' for Casen. Due to his chubby little legs getting a little tight in his Bumbo, last night he graduated to the high chair. And since he moved to the high chair, that meant Camden got a new booster seat - which he is thrilled with!

So proud to be sitting in the high chair

Camden was so excited for Casen to be using his old chair

Tonight, Casen got to try Baby Mum Mum's and can I say, he really liked them!!!! I, myself, didn't care for the mess, but none the less, part of growing up!

The Big Tub

I have known that it was time to move to the big bath tub for a bit now, but I love the comfort of knowing Casen won't hurt himself in his little bath tub. Up until a few nights ago, he had still enjoyed lounging in his baby bath tub. I would try to sit him on the 'Toddler' side and he still preferred to recline on the 'Infant' side. Then the other night, he wanted to sit in the tub, which was great, however it was then that I realized that it was time to move on up to the big tub.

So tonight we took the plunge and used the big tub. Needless to say, he loved it!

Yea - toys!!!!

Sippy Cup Slacker

This week, I was looking back at my blog when Camden was the same age as Casen and realized that I had already done some things with Camden that I had not yet done with Casen. I will tell you I was a bit surprised by this because I feel like Casen is a bit ahead of where Camden was and I feel like I have been rushing things with him. One of the things I had not introduced to Casen yet was a sippy cup.  So tonight he got to use one for the first time, and although I am unsure as if he got any water out of it, he definitely enjoyed playing with it. I had mentioned to Mrs. Ellen, one of his teachers, that I was going to let him use one tonight and she encouraged me to bring a sippy cup to school so they could work with him there as well with it. I guess tomorrow I will take one to school so he can use one there too!

Bye Bye Toothless Grin

I absolutely LOVE toothless grins!!! So, needless to say, I loved that Camden was late getting teeth (9 months). For several weeks, Shane has thought that Casen was teething due to his increased chewing on toys. I had looked in his mouth numerous times, but had not noticed any redness or swelling of his gums. On Sunday however, I did notice what I presumed to be a tooth trying to make its way through the gum on the bottom right, but could not feel a thing. Today when I arrived at daycare and got his daily sheet there was a certificate attached to it with a great announcement!

And here is a picture of the little tooth making its appearance - bottom front right.

First little toothie

Our Final Christmas

Shane's parents went to Alabama and Georgia after Christmas to visit family. They recieved gifts there to bring back to us and that thrilled Camden. Aunt Manya and Ronald sent great gifts that both the boys loved.

Camden excited about his new game

Camden helping Casen open his gift

Casen opening an ornament from the Granny and Granddad Hood

Camden mastering how to get the ants in the can

Poppa playing with Casen

Nana and Casen

The Dreaded Pink Eye

I received an email at school mid morning today informing me that they were concerned Casen may have pink eye! Ugh!!!! So, after getting things together at work, I headed to pick him up. Sure enough, his left eye had lots of goop in it. So we headed home so I could start him on eye drops we already had and by the time we got home he was asleep in his carrier. He slept for two hours before waking, and when he finally did wake, the right eye was nice and goopy as well. So, eye drops for Casen, and a day off of work and school tomorrow!

Roll Tide

Last night Alabama played against Notre Dame for the National Championship. It was a blow out to say the least, which I was grateful for because that left the yelling at a minimum, thus the boys were able to sleep! ; )  Today all the boys in my life wore their Alabama gear in celebration of the win.

7 Months and Making Crayons

My how time has flown!!!! I look at Casen daily in awe of how fast he is growing. It is exciting watching him progress with his milestones, however it saddens me at just how fast it is happening. I think with Casen it is a tad more bittersweet then it was with Camden because I figured we would have another child and assumed he would not be the last. With Casen, I know he is our last so it is a bit harder to know that we won't experience all these firsts again.

He is doing awesome! He is a big eater. He is drinking about four seven ounce bottles a day, usually two of them formula and the other two breast milk. He is eating Stage 2 baby foods three times a day and sometimes at supper time, he eats two of the containers of food. I really have not found any foods that he completely dislikes, however he does favor fruits over anything. (Like his momma, he likes the sweet stuff.) He is taking about two naps a day at school and we are lucky if he sleeps more than 30 minutes at each nap.  He always falls asleep on the way home from school, but generally wakes right back up once we get home. He is still a great sleeper, unless he has a stopped up nose, and then he thinks he shouldn't sleep at all (which is what happened last night). He is a happy boy and loves to be around other people. He is definitely a keeper!

Such a big boy - sitting at school

Admiring himself - I guess he knows a good thing when he sees it!

Circle time at school

Now to update Camden and his potty training. He has done AWESOME!!!!! He has not had an accident since before 11:00 am on the day we started potty training. He is not wearing a diaper for naps, however I am still having him wear a diaper at night time just in case. Apparently, he was ready!!! I am so proud of him - such a big boy! We have ran errands and used the pottys in public with no problems at all.  I was concerned as to how he would do at school since there would be a lot of distractions today, but he did not have one accident. His teachers Ms. Donna and Mrs. Amy were so excited for him this morning when he ran into the classroom and shared with them that he tee tees in the potty.

 To share a funny in regards to Camden and his using the potty, this evening I was in the living room doing something when Casen when Camden said he needed to go use the potty. Right now his little potty is stationed in the kitchen (I know, real sanitary) so he headed in there to use the bathroom. He of course was excited after he was done, pulled up his pants and came into the living room. Shortly after Shane got home, and as he walked by Camden's potty in the kitchen, he said, "You didn't want to empty the poo poo?" I said, "What??? I didn't know he poo poo'd. Camden, you have to tell Mommy when you do that so we can wipe? Come on, let's go to the bathroom and wipe your hiney." Camden was in the kitchen by this time, and as he walked by his potty he got so excited and said, "Look mommy, I made a crayon!!!" As I walked in the kitchen, sure enough his little turd was in the shape of a crayon. He was so excited with his creation, however I could not empty it soon enough!!! I guess just so long as he doesn't think he can play with that crayon we are okay!!!

Happy Clapping

Casen started intentionally clapping today and it made him sooooo happy!!! I always clap and say 'Yea' when he does things and all of the sudden today he started clapping. It was soooo cute! I caught some pictures of him clapping while he was sitting in his swing.

Happy New Year 2013

Happy Pee Year!!! Oops, I mean Happy New Year!!! After focusing all day on getting someone potty trained, I forgot exactly what day it really was. All joking aside, it is so hard to believe it is 2013. I have been saying for weeks, well months really, that it was time to get Camden potty trained so I figured what better day to start than today - the beginning of a new year and the beginning of a new era (we hope). I must say by 10:30 am, I was feeling defeated and questioning what I was even doing. We had two accidents right off the bat this morning and he didn't seem to be getting the whole concept. But, by 11:00 am he finally used his potty after we moved it to the living room where all the action was. It was a small amount, and Shane referred to it as a nervous drip, but none the less it was potty. The first thing he wanted to do was pick out a sucker - what he has looked forward to for months!!! It has been our bribery tool and he knew that when he 'tee teed on the potty' he could get a sucker. The second thing he wanted to do was to call Mason and Braden and tell them the good news. Luckily, they both acted very excited and thrilled for him. I believe he may have had one more accident after that, and since then, I am proud to say that Camden has been a peeing machine!!!  So after a total of 8 calls to Mason and Braden (luckily there were a few times he forgot to call them) and 7 suckers later, he has definitely got the hang of this. As a matter of fact, he was just watching Jake and the Neverland pirates on his IPhone and stopped and told me he needed to potty - and sure enough, he did!!!! I could not be any prouder at this moment!!!

Camden proud of his newest accomplishment

Casen played all day while Camden was mastering the use of the potty

Such sweet boys

Camden wanted to take a picture with his brother
while enjoying one of his celebratory suckers.

Camden sportin' his 'Cars' underwear while playing with his cars! : )

**A big thank you to Mason and Braden for talking to him each time he called them and showing enthusiasm. It really meant the world to him that they were excited.