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.
  

Finally Home

We arrived safe and sound Sunday night to my sister's house after a ten and a half hour trip from Alabama. Camden did great in the car, aside from a slight meltdown about an hour before arriving to Tomball. We have figured out that 'The Wheels on the Bus' is Camden's favorite song and mom and I sang it LOTS on our trip! Upon our arrival, we unloaded the vehicles and U-Haul, had some dinner and I unpacked a few things. On Monday, I unpacked even more things and Shane and I went to the grocery store to pick up items to cook for dinner (since cooking is my chore - which of course I do not mind!)

Today, Camden and I took a trip to my great friend Lorrie's house. As you recall, Lorrie has been my 'go to gal' since pregnancy. She is a stay home mother of two and is a plethora of information! She has sent Camden numerous things prior to his arrival as well as after and I was so glad they finally got to meet!! Camden and I finally got to meet her two children, Garrett and Lilly. Let me just say that Garrett has the best manners!! I hope he can rub some of those off on Camden when he gets older. He was so good to bring Camden toys and help in anyway he could. Lilly (or better known as Dorothy) was such a joy also. She is just precious and loving. I can't wait to get to know those kids better! So exciting to be near long time friends and family!!!

Lorrie feeding Camden

Lilly and Garrett

So Much To Do, So Little Time

I have been packing for the past several weeks. Maybe not a lot everyday, but at least a few boxes a day, for the most part. I have not gotten as much done as I would like, but I have done the best I can with having an infant as well as company - which by the way I enjoyed very much!! I usually would be in panic mode by this point since we are heading out tomorrow for Texas, but I knew that my Mom would be able to help me with the last minute packing. Camden and I picked my mom up at the airport last evening. Once we got home, we all ate dinner and then Camden went to bed. It was then time for the games to begin. Mom and I packed several boxes in the kitchen while Shane got all of his clothes together. We then decided to call it a night, knowing that today would be the real fun.

We packed and packed and packed today. It seems like that is all we knew how to do. Shane got the U-haul and packed all the boxes we were taking in it. Shane and I had decided to only take the things we needed, along with Camden's bed. I guess I should stop here and explain what the heck is going on with our situation. I have a job at Horne Elementary in the Cy-Fair school district in Cypress, Texas. Shane has yet to find a job, and we have not sold our home - to be honest, not many people have even looked at it. (The market is not good right now.) So all that being said, we can not afford two house notes. My sister and her husband have graciously allowed us to come and live in their house until we can get situated with our house selling. My sister said that we could bring Camden's bed and put it up in Braden's room who could sleep in Mason's room since he has bunk beds. That was a relief for me, because I really did not want Camden to get out of his routine. She also had cleaned out the dresser and closet in the guest room so that we could 'move in' to that room. So we decided that we would only take our clothes as well as our mementos and pictures. Everything else we would go ahead and pack up, but would leave behind and come back one weekend and get after the house sells. We decided to do that since renting a climate controlled storage was about $200 a month and we would already be paying for 'climate control' in our home!

Manya and Ronald stopped by one last time this afternoon for us to say our goodbyes. I know I have said it before, but I have so enjoyed them! I am ready for them to retire so they can come visit us in Texas!! : ) We have all worked very hard today, and the last thing to do is clean so the house is presentable for possible home buyers. We plan on getting up bright and early in the morning with the intent of being on the road by 8:00 am. I am so grateful that my mother was able to come and help us. I was not looking forward to the last minute scramble as well as traveling alone with Camden. It will definitely be nice tomorrow having her with us as we travel the ten and a half hour trip (or longer depending on Camden).

Camden chillaxin' in his Bumbo

Hanging out on the couch

Sad Goodbyes

Today was the day that my work celebrated my leaving. Now that just doesn't sound right, but they all know how anxious I am to get back home to Texas. Even though we celebrated, it was a sad occasion. I have had some awesome coworkers during the last three years that have been great friends and family to me. We have shared happy times, sad times and frustrating times. But all in all, it has been good.

Several of the girls, Dr. Hemstreet, and myself went to Kobe, a Japanese grill, for dinner. It was great fun, and we laughed A LOT!!! I will miss them so much - but have faith that I will see them all again when we go to Alabama for football games!

Front Row: Tori, Me, Meredith, Brandi
Back Row: April, Landa, Carol, Gerri, Brandy, Jennifer

Dr. Hemstreet and Me

Almost 10th Percentile

Today was Camden's 6 month check-up. It is just a hair early, but since we will be right in the middle of moving when it is time, we went now. Also, they prefer you go early rather than late. So of course, the part that I anxiously await each time is the height and weight check. Well, I am proud to say that our higher calorie formula along with solids has helped! Today he weighed 14 pounds 6 ounces and was 26 1/2 inches long with his head circumference being 16 1/2 inches. He is now closer to the 10th percentile in weight, 75th percentile in length and his head is in the 10th percentile. Yea!!! And of course he received 3 shots today, which he bled like a stuck hog out of one of his legs, bless his little heart. But, as in the past, he recovered in a very short period of time.


Over the past few weeks, his reflux has definitely seemed to have worsened. He was waking up in the middle of his naps screaming and was spitting up much more, so much on Sunday that he soaked his shirt. So on Wednesday I called the doctor and she called in Prilosec for him. So far, I believe it is improving the reflux. Today he has not spit up once!

Also, I guess I need to give a poop update. A few Sundays ago at church I was feeding Camden during the sermon when all of the sudden he started his whole pushing and grunting ritual topped off with milk coming out of his nose from pushing so hard. I took him to the cry room and after 15 minutes or so, he finally was able to produce a very nicely formed turd. We had been giving him Lactulose off and on, but found that it seemed to cause him to cramp when it started working. So on Wednesday, I called and talked to the nurse at the pediatrician's office about the situation and questioned if we could try Miralax. After she discussed it with Dr. McGiffert she called me back and said to give him 1 tsp once a day in one of his bottles. So on Friday we gave him his first dose and on Sunday while at church, he filled up his britches - so much so that we had poop EVERYWHERE!!! So we decided that perhaps 1 tsp a day was too much and we are now down to 1/2 tsp a day, and seem to be doing great! So, thankfully, I feel like we are getting back on track with his reflux and pooping! Mercy, I never once thought I would be so obsessed with poop!!!

Camden with a prune handlebar mustache

One last thing, today is Shelbe's 16th birthday! So hard to believe that my baby girl who I received as a gift when I started nursing school is now 16. Age has taken its toll on her little body, she is now blind and deaf, but she has been such a great dog and has brought me great joy. Happy Birthday Shelbe Lin!!!

Going Away Party

Our dearest friends from church got together and threw us a nice going away party this evening. It was so thoughtful and we enjoyed being able to get together with them one last time. I will definitely miss them! Each of them have played a special part of my life while here in Tuscaloosa. Susannah was such a great shoulder to lean on when things in my life were just not where I wanted them and I always loved to see her bright smiling face on Sunday mornings. Sarah and I were pregnant at the same time, which was awesome because we could compare and contrast our progression. She was the first person to ever keep Camden! She truly is one of the sweetest people I know and I love her dearly. Candace, Melissa, and Kim were always available for great advice, since they were new mothers themselves. Nicole has kept me and Shane laughing more than she knows! Amy and her creative self, just amazes me daily - as the mother of triplets and one of the most creative people I know, she is always selflessly doing things for others. And lastly is Ashley who is pregnant now and I am so excited for her knowing how great motherhood is. She has such a beautiful voice and I always think how fortunate her son is to have a mother who can sing so wonderfully - I hope she sings to him ALL the time!

Me, Sarah, Noah Catherine, Melissa, Ashley, Kim, Susannah, Nicole, Amy, Candace and Macey

Thanks everyone - you will be dearly missed!!!

Cupcake tree that Amy made

Stephen and Camden

Susannah and Camden

Camden and Noah Catherine

Kim, Susannah, Amy, Sarah and Noah Catherine

Family Get Together

On Friday night, Shanelle, Kelsey and Gavin arrived for a short stay here at our house. They were on their way to visit more family, but luckily got to stop and visit us and the family in Birmingham for a few days. Yesterday after church, we all headed to Maw Maw's house in Gardendale and ate some of her good home cooking while visiting with and saying our goodbyes to the family. It was fun seeing Camden and Gavin together as well as watching everyone enjoy having little ones around. Manya had gifts for our little guys, including a cool Guy Harvey shirt for Camden. It had a Mahi Mahi on it, which I found neat, since that is what Shane and I caught on our honeymoon.

Of course, the goodbyes were rough. I HATE goodbyes!!! We have been so fortunate to be able to spend good quality time with some of Shane's family since we have lived here. Everyone has been so gracious and loving. Manya and Ronald have been absolutely wonderful to us and have made me feel like such an important part of their family. They have been so good to include us in so many of their family events. They will be very missed!! I can't wait until they retire - hint, hint- maybe then we can go fishing!!! ; )

Ronya and Camden

Ronya, Camden (in his Guy Harvey T-shirt), Manya and Gavin

Manya, Carol, Camden and Gavin

Shanelle, Kelsey and Gavin (he was hitting his hammer)

Gavin enjoying looking out the door