Casen's First Incident Report

Let me start by explaining how Casen LOVES to give kisses. He has been doing this for quite sometime and I absolutely just adore it. He will grab my face (or whoever he wants to give a kiss to) and then with an open mouth will 'kiss' me, generally on my jaw line. It doesn't hurt, if anything it is wet, but I just love it! Yesterday when Shane went to pick him up from school he was informed that he had been kissing a friend and left little teeth marks on his friends face. As you know, those little babies skin is much more sensitive than ours, so I was not surprised that he left teeth marks. Today when I went to drop him off at school, Ms. Caroline told me that what happened was one of his friends crawled over to him and Casen was rubbing his head. The friend got a little closer and Casen grabbed his head and gave him a kiss, thus leaving the teeth marks.

Today I received an email from Ms. Tamara telling me that again Casen kissed a friend today and left another mark. She said they had to fill out an incident report and requested that I sign it upon my arrival to pick the boys up. Well, honestly I was OK with that until I arrived and read the following report:

OK, seriously - 'gnawed on his forehead' and the word 'bit'???? Can I tell you how furious I was? First of all, my child does not crawl so he did not go seeking out someone to 'kiss' much less 'gnaw' on. That child would have had to come to him. And second of all, my child does not bite. Camden, yes he was a biter and I pray that Casen is not, but seriously at this age, I can assure you he is not biting! I understand that a report has to be written since marks were left on another child, but you could definitely choose your words better. The report that was written for yesterday's incident was much nicer and more accurate, stating that Casen left marks on another friend when he was giving him a kiss - that would be exactly correct!!

Sorry, just had to vent a little . . . .

Checking out the Pearly Whites

The last time I went to the dentist, which sad to say was about a year and a half ago, I asked the dental hygienist him about an appointment for Camden. She suggested that when I make my next appointment to make him a 'Happy Visit' so he could see me get my teeth cleaned and then they could just take a look at him so he could get used to the idea of the dentist. Obviously I have been overdue to go to the dentist, so I finally made us an appointment. When I told Camden he was going to the dentist, he automatically knew exactly what I was talking about because in one of his Elmo books, Count Dracula goes to the dentist and we have looked at that book a million times.

I made plans for my sister to pick up Casen so that we didn't have to worry about him while at the dentist. I picked up Camden a bit early from school and we headed to see Dr. Methvin. Of course, I went first and he watched everything the dental hygienist did and asked lots of questions. He spotted her kid toothbrushes and was so excited to get one. She told him that if he would let Dr. Methvin look in his mouth he could get a toothbrush. He eyeballed a blue Cars toothbrush and was ready for his turn. So after Dr. Methvin came in and checked me over, it was Camden's turn. He was such a big boy - he got right in the chair and opened his mouth right up without a problem. Dr. Methvin called me over as he was checking things out so that he could point out Camden's molars. He questioned me about if I was ill when I was carrying Camden. I explained to him about my ocular neuritis. He asked if it was towards the end of my pregnancy and I told him that it was around 5 months. He told me that generally when mothers are on different medications while their babies are in utero and it is the time that the baby teeth are forming, it can affect the teeth and cause them to have a yellow appearance and later on they can become 'chalky'. He said that as time goes on we may notice pieces of his back molars just flake off. He said that it is not a problem, they just put caps on them and then when their permanent teeth come in there are no problems since it is only the baby teeth it affects. He said that this 'chalkiness' may not even happen, but to be aware of it. Can I tell you how sad that makes me???? I possibly ruined his back molars and didn't even know it! We have always been so good to make sure he has good oral hygiene and this we can't even do anything about. UGH!!

All in all, it was a great visit. We accomplished what we needed to as far as getting Camden used to the dentist and at least letting Dr. Methvin take a look at his teeth. Camden promised the dental hygienist that next time we visited she could clean his teeth.

Go Texan Day

The rodeo is beginning here in Houston, so today was Go Texan Day at school. To celebrate that, the boys dressed up in their western wear. As you could only imagine, it is quiet the struggle for us to come up with something western for them to wear, but luckily we mustered up some things and they ended up being some cute little cowboys!

Casen at school riding a little horsey (check out
his cute little crochet boots)

What Other Tricks Do You Have Up Your Sleeve?

Today when I was picking up the boys, I was talking to Casen's teachers and Ms. Caroline said to me, "You do realize that Casen holds his own bottle, right?" Uh, no I didn't!! I tell you that boy has me jaded!!! Camden never held his own bottle so I don't ever think anything of Casen not holding his. I occasionally attempt to see if Casen can, but apparently I had not checked recently. So tonight when we were eating supper, I put Casen's bottle in front of him, and sure enough, he holds his own bottle!!! Makes me wonder what other tricks he has up his sleeve!?!?!?

Happy Valentine's Day

My sweet boys were happy and ready to go school this morning. Camden was excited because they were having a Valentine's party at school and he was ready to exchange his Mickey Mouse valentines. Also, he knew they were having a special lunch and snacks, so it was going to be an extra fun day. He picks out his clothes daily and today chose a red shirt! Prior to leaving, I got a picture of my two sweet Valentines.

My sweet Valentines

In each of their classes, the boys exchanged Valentines with their friends. Camden gave out Mickey Mouse Valentines while Casen's had cute puppies on them. Luckily, the boys teachers take pictures of the fun festivities.

Casen having fun at school

Camden enjoying a Valentine snack

Camden putting a Valentine in his friends box

Camden enjoying a sucker from one of his friends

Camden showing off his Valentine loot

Casen with his Valentine goodies (yes he is in different
clothes, he spilt milk on his Valentine's outfit.)

Valentine's party mix and some treats we made for the teachers.

You Still Doing That?

"You still doing that?" If I have heard that question once since Casen was born, I have heard it at least 50 times. Family, friends and coworkers have asked me that question in regards to breastfeeding. Generally when some of my coworkers see me walking into work with my breast pump bag on my shoulder, they will question me if I am still breastfeeding. Up until today, the answer to the question was always yes. However as of today, the answer to the question is, "No, no I am not." I pumped for the last time yesterday. After a week of pumping 20 minutes or more three times daily and only producing almost 6 ounces total in a days time I decided it was time for it to come to an end. As Shane said, "It is not like you are keeping him well." (Thank you for pointing that out dear.) I will tell you, I thought after I was able to consume dairy that I was going to be able to breast feed for his full first year, but instead, I only made it 8 months - which is better than what I did with Camden. I am feeling very sad and guilty, but I feel like I did the best I could working full time and will just have to go on the fact that I was able to give him breast milk for 8 months. So, with the one last bag of breast milk I have in the freezer, tomorrow will be the last time Casen gets breast milk.

The final bag of breast milk

Luckily, it does not phase Casen if he drinks formula or breast milk so that transition is no problem. The one thing I am concerned with is what difficulty I will run into trying to put him down at night since he is used to breast feeding and sometimes falling asleep while feeding. I guess only time will tell, and like anything else it will be an adjustment for us both.

Nephew Time

Yesterday Braden came over and hung out with us for several hours while his parents had a banquet to go to. Of course, Camden was in hog heaven having him over here to play with him. While he was at the house playing with Shane and the boys, I went to their church to be with Mason while he accomplished another milestone at his church. I am so proud of the young man he has become. It is so hard to believe that he is 13!

This morning while I was in the kitchen, I looked at the refrigerator and just had to laugh. Apparently Braden had been playing with the letters. I love his creativity in the letters he used to spell Camden's name.



8 Months and 3 Year Well Check

Today Camden had his 3 year well check and he is doing great! He weighed 36 pounds and is 39.5 inches tall, both of which are in the 87th percentile. His vision is 20/30 in both eyes and he answered all the questions the nurse and doctor asked him correctly and did everything they asked him to do. Dr. Worrall said he is still on target to be 6' 2", but personally I think he will be taller.

Today Casen is 8 months old and luckily is doing much better than earlier in the week! I had to pick him up early from school on Tuesday due to fever and after it spiking up to 103.7 and him receiving Tylenol and Motrin alternating, I still could not get it down below 101.7. So yesterday I decided to take him to Dr. Worrall. He weighed in at 18 pounds 4.5 ounces. They tested him for flu and strep, but both came back negative. I was concerned about his right eye, which has been weeping for almost a week now and he said it could be an ear infection. After looking in his ears, he said that his right ear did appear red and questioned me which eye was the one weeping? The right - so he said that it is related. He felt like the fever was related to a viral infection, but he prescribed him Amoxicillin for the ear infection and can I tell you today, his eye is much better! I had no idea - and yes, I am a nurse! (Sometimes I can feel so dumb.) 

As we were having fun today and playing on the floor, I noticed a new little white chiclet in his mouth - his left front bottom tooth. Tooth #2 has made its entrance! I had wondered on Sunday if a new tooth was coming in because he was drooling a lot that day, but after that I didn't notice much drooling. So bless his heart, on top of a viral infection and ear infection, he had a tooth coming in!!

Casen is a joy. He loves his brother and is constantly laughing at/with him. He is very attached to me right now and any time I leave the room, he starts crying. He is eating 8 ounces four times a day and is eating baby food three times a day. He enjoys eating puffs and sometimes eats arrowroot cookies or Baby MumMums. He has a very sensitive gag reflex and will gag anytime food with a different texture hits his tongue, however he loves to eat things other than baby food. He takes two naps a day, generally around 9:30 and 2:00, but they generally are only about 30 minutes. Sometimes you may get an hour or so out of him, but that is rare. He is not showing any advancement with crawling yet, although we still are trying. He LOVES to talk and is very chatty! Sometimes he sounds like he is howling like a dog or hooting like an owl. It is so darn funny.

Very serious about what he is saying.

Sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Camden

Today is Camden's actual 3rd birthday and honestly, I still can't believe he is 3!!!! Staying with the Mickey Mouse theme from his birthday, I ordered a cookie cake from the Great American Cookie Company, but due to copyright laws, they could not put Mickey Mouse on the cookie, so I improvised.

And of course, we had to have Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears for his whole class!

Camden and some of his friends with their ears on

Ms. Dona and Ms. Amy (his teachers) participating in the fun

His class getting ready to enjoy some cookie cake.

They all seemed to have a good time - which is what matters the most!

I had read on Pinterest where a mom asked her child the same set of questions every year on their birthday to see how the answers changed over the years. I thought that sounded like a fun idea, so here goes.  . . . .

 1. What is your favorite color?  Blue
 2. What is your favorite toys? Cars (matchbox)
 3. What is your favorite fruit? Apples and bananas and crunchy things
 4. What is your favorite TV show? Little Bill and Mickey Mouse
 5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut Butter sandwich and blue chips (Cool Ranch Doritos)
 6. What is your favorite outfit? Red shorts
 7. What is your favorite game? Soccer
 8. What is your favorite snack? Goldfish
 9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
10. What is your favorite song? We Are Young by FUN
11. What is your favorite book? Mickey Mouse
12. Who is your best friend? Olivia, Addison and Nina
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cereal with marshmallows (Lucky Charms)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Slide
15. What is your favorite drink? O.J.
16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you all night? Mickey Mouse and Donald
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal and marshmallows; I mean donuts
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Ice cream
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A football player


As for what is going on with Camden - well let's see . . . .

• He is a funny, loving and sweet boy.
• He loves his brother so very much and is always loving and kissing on him.
• He tells me daily that I am his favorite friend - LOVE that!
• He is very chatty (wonder what he gets that from?) Used to, our trip to school in the mornings was very quiet, but now he and Casen are constantly talking.
• He is very independent and loves doing things that make him a 'big boy'.
• He can be a scaredy cat, however his dad can scare the fire out of him and he loves it and laughs hysterically when it happens.
• He is very smart and Ms. Dona says she can always depend on him to be her big helper in the classroom.
• He loves school and daily asks me, "Where are we going tomorrow?" and when I tell him school he says, "Again? Oh goody!!!"
• He is a great eater and will eat pretty much anything. He loves spicy food and has eaten as much as two pieces of pizza at a time.
• One of my favorite things he says is when he sees cows or horses and says, "Look at the aminals!" I love how he says animals! I can't even bring myself to correct him.
• He loves playing soccer, baseball, and football. He also enjoys playing with hot wheels and watching different videos on his i-phone.
• His favorite TV shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, the Backyardigans, and Little Bill.
• He still takes one nap a day which is generally an hour and a half, but sometimes on the weekends, he will sleep almost 3 hours.
• When the sun comes up, Camden is up - which means Mommy is up too!
• He is very inquisitive and asks a lot of questions.
• One other funny thing that I still laugh about is something he does daily. One day, about a month prior to his 3rd birthday, we were driving home from school and as usual he was asking me one of many questions. Sometimes his questions involve something he sees, which I do not see since I am driving and not looking at whatever he is looking at. So if I didn't know what he is talking about, I will answer his question with "I don't know." This particular day he responded to my answer in a rather annoyed voice with, "Yes you do." We went back and forth arguing that I didn't know and if I did know I would tell him. Once we got home I told Shane that I was not going to continue to argue with a 2 year old about what I do and don't know. So the next day, the same situation occurred and I told Camden that I would no longer argue with him, if I told him I didn't know something it was because I really did not know and that was that. Well, then next day, again he asked me something about a truck he saw out of his window. Once again, I answered him that I did not know since I did not see the truck. From the back seat, in a very quiet voice that he thought only he could hear, I heard Camden say, "Yes you do, " and then started talking about something else. Make me laugh! Now daily he mumbles under his breath "Yes you do," when my response to him is that I don't know and I just have to smile and chuckle to myself. Oh, what I have to look forward to . . . .

Camden's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

Camden's birthday is not until Monday, however today we celebrated his birthday with the family by having a Mickey Mouse party. I must say, I enjoyed preparing for this party because I found several Mickey Mouse things to do to make the party a true Mickey Mouse theme. I started with the invitations, which I found on a creative mom's blog.

Camden was thrilled with everything, and was really excited about the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake that Grandma Key made.

I spent several evenings making Mickey Mouse ears for everyone to wear. Much to my surprise, everyone, young and old, sported their Mickey Mouse ears.

I loved these Mickey Mouse cookies, probably because one of my favorite cookies is Oreos. Camden thought they were really neat.



And of course, as any good Micky Mouse themed birthday party would have, we had 'Hot Diggity Dogs' as well as some chips and dips. Camden enjoyed every bit of it!

Roll Tide Mouseketeer

Camden did a good job blowing out the candles

Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream

I LOVE my little mouseketeer!

Love the littlest mouseketeer too!

Nana and Casen

Grandma Key and the birthday boy

Melissa and Mason - they looked so cute!!!!

Grandpa Key sportin' the ears

The family portrait

  

Gavin enjoying a Mickey Mouse cookie



After the festivities, we headed to the neighborhood park to run off some energy.

Malachi sat and watched the big boys play

Braden posing on the slide

Love these boys!!!