Dearest Camden. . .

Camden's 2nd Birthday is on Wednesday, the 18th. I recently read a blog about writing love letters to your kids each year around their birthdays and found it to be such a good idea. Here is Camden's.

Dearest Camden,

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby! I can't believe you are already 2 years old. You are the sweetest little boy and I'm so happy that I'm your mommy. Let me tell you what I love about you and a little bit about how you are at this age.

You are all boy. You love dirt, bugs, building with blocks, cars, sharks, dinosaurs, and anything you can throw. You can throw well too! You've got a great arm and Daddy says you're either going to be a pitcher or a quarterback. Just a side note- Mommy would rather you play baseball due to all the head injuries with football - but we'll let you decide. And you can hit too! Check out this video!

All Boy

Future Baller

You have no fear and will dive off just about anything. We have to sit at the edge of the bounce house at Grammy's house since you like to run and jump out of it head first. You go down the slide head first and love to jump off things. You are fast and like to run. You're an active little guy and you don't enjoy sitting still for very long - unless it's to read a book about dinosaurs, sharks, or cars. Then you'll sit for a least a few minutes.

Being forced to sit still is torture!

You are a smart little guy. You know a lot of words and are able to figure things out quickly. Addison teaches you a lot and makes you repeat words she teaches you. It's the cutest thing seeing you too together. You adore Addison and I know she adores you - even though you're always taking her stuff. She takes good care of you and looks after you, but she's just as quick to tell on you if you do something you're not supposed to. You know how to do some of your sister's puzzles, with a little help. You like to solve problems and build things. You can build super tall towers with your Legos. Maybe you'll end up like your Aunt Gina & Uncle Rob and be an architect someday. You do have a bit of your Daddy's Irish temper and get frustrated when you can't figure something out though.

When I ask you what you want for breakfast, you'll smile with your adorable grin, complete with a dimple on your right cheek and your smiley eyes, (courtesy of Pa) then you'll look to the side like your thinking and say, "Uhhh. . . . choc-it." You want chocolate all the time. It's so hard to say no to your cute little face. But if I didn't, you'd have chocolate for every meal. Your daddy and I recently started giving you time outs for pinching, biting, stuff like that. But you're so funny because we'll try to warn you and say, "Camden, do you want a time-out?" And without hesitation or a look of concern you say, "Yeah!" It's so hard not to laugh. You're a little stinker.

Rotten

Love that grin!

Speaking of Pa, he used to watch you twice a week when you were an infant, but he passed away when you were a little over a year old. About two months ago, I showed you a picture that we keep high up on our baker's rack and pointed at the picture taken last May (a month before he died) of you, Addi, Mimi and Pa. I pointed to Pa last and asked you who he was. Right away you said, "Pa!" It was so sweet and made me so happy that you remembered him. Made me tear up. He sure loved you!

You are funny and do silly little things to make us laugh. You noticed how Addi poses with pictures and now you do it too. And your poses are so funny - you'll hold a leg up or lean to the side or cross your arms in front of you - it makes me smile just thinking about it.

Posing like Addi

Always got one leg up

B-boy Style

You are outgoing and wave to everyone at the store. You are smart, as mentioned above. You are daring, mischievous, and fearless. You know what you want and you go for it. Right now what you want are other kids' toys. In fact, you've already gotten written up at school for a fight over a toy that turned nasty. It was a one-time thing and I know it won't happen again, right? You are a charmer and know just when to give Mommy hugs and kisses. We've also been told by the daycare ladies that you like to give the little girls in your class kisses too. You are a flirt and love to look at girls, particularly their backsides. Quite the ladies' man already.

Checking out Victoria's Secret.

 You are kind and loving. You are a good boy with a wild streak. And every boy needs one of those.

Thank you Lord for this precious gift. I pray that you will continue to keep him safe, healthy, and happy!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy! I love you with all my heart and soul.

All my love,
Mommy

A little more about your 2nd year of life:
Wake up @ 7:00
Nap from 12 - 2 p.m.
Bedtime 7:30 or 8:00
Favorite Foods: cheese, yogurt, applesauce, spaghetti, bread, ice cream, PB&J, bananas
Favorite Drink: apple juice
Favorite Things: blankie & binky
Bad Habit: pinching
Weight:
Height:

I Have Failed as a Mother

A funny thing that's been happening in our house is that Addison got a camera for Christmas from her Grammy and Pappy. She loves taking pictures of everything, from the TV to the cat to her brother. The other day I got her out of the bathtub and told her to put her undies and robe on while I cleaned the tub out. The next thing I know I hear the camera clicking, and I say, "Addi, did you get your clothes on already?" She says, "No, I'm just taking some naked pictures of myself." I holler, "Addison, we do NOT take naked pictures - you understand?!?!" I never thought I'd be saying these words to my child. But then, I guess I'd rather be telling her now than when she's 15 or something. And yes, I explained to her that no one should be taking pictures of her and went over all that stuff - don't worry - it ended up being a great teaching moment. Below are some of the pics Addi's taken. Luckily only the G-rated ones turned out.

Cam with a squirrel

Lalaloopsy doll

Confused Camden

Her favorite boots

Sophie, the cat

Addi's Daddy

On Wednesday, I took Addison and Camden to the park to have a picnic playdate with Addi's friends and their moms from cheerleading. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had a great time. For a while, Addison picked about 50 dandelions and gave me the big bouquet. The kids had lunch and cake pops and then started to play again. Now the other two little girls we met were having fun playing Princess on the playset. My daughter, however, had a different idea. She asked me to help her slide down the pole. So I helped her, and then she wanted to do it over and over again. I tried to deter her and encourage her to go play with the other girls. It didn't work. Then she did it by herself and was shouting, "I did it Mommy! I did it! I went down the pole all by myself." I told her, "Great, honey!" though I didn't want to. I pointed it out to the other two moms that while their daughters placed Princess, mine was sliding down the pole. Great. As those of you who read my blog know, Addison already loves wigs, shoes, and sparkly things. Now she has also learned about the pole - which she talked about the whole way home from the park. Where did I go wrong?

Then, yesterday after work I got home and started changing from my work clothes. Addi comes in and I asked her about her day and if she got to play outside at daycare. She told me that she did and she decided that Lincoln is her boyfriend. I didn't think I heard her right so I asked her to repeat herself, which she did and said exactly what I thought she said. She said that her friend Makenna also wants Lincoln to be her boyfriend. Love triangles apparently start at the age of 4 now. Addi said she told Lincoln she wants to marry him because she wants to kiss him.

This week's chain of events has me worried. I have failed as a mother. I may have to send her to the convent at age 5.

March Madness

I can't believe the month of March is almost over! It's been amazing as far as weather goes, sunny and warm; the warmest I can ever remember. This winter was really warm overall. Now I'm just expecting a cooler-than-usual summer or a scorchingly hot one. We shall see. As long as boating season isn't ruined, it'll be fine.

Due to the nice weather, we've been playing outside a lot. I believe that Camden may end up being a landscaper when he grows up. They boy is obsessed with mulch. It doesn't matter where we are - he will find the mulch. He loves to walk in it, even when he's barefoot, loves to roll in it, and loves to throw it in the air. I am constantly saying, "No mulch, Camden." And he just says, "much, much." It's like he speaks Japanese, no "L's" yet. He also says, "Damn it" a lot. It's so hard not to laugh, especially because he says it in context. So Ike and I are just trying to avoid saying it because I'm sure he heard it from us.

My Little Landscaper

Addison's season with the Tiny Terriers ended too. It's amazing how much she's learned in just a year. She learned her backward roll, her cartwheel, and she's working on her back kickover. She's done it a few times, but it's not a consistent thing, but at 4 years old, I'd say that's pretty impressive! Her end-of-the-year party was last night. She was given the "Tiny Dancer" award because of her dancing abilities and how she just beams during the dance section of her routine. The former cheerleader & dancer in me was so proud. She's going down the same path I was with cheerleading, gymnastics and dance- except even faster than I did. I sure wasn't close to getting my back walkover at age 4. Yes, I'm bragging about her a little.

Addi getting her "Tiny Dancer" Award

The party was held at a place that sells recreation equipment, there are all kinds of swing sets for the kids to play on inside the big showroom. Camden was running around like a banchee. One lady noticed me chasing him constantly and how he'd grin and be rotten when I got close and then run. She told me, "Wow, he's pretty darn cute, but he's going to be trouble!" Gee thanks. Is the cute part supposed to make up for the trouble part? Sometimes it does, I guess.

Little Stinker

I also turned 33 this month. That just sounds so much older than 32. I'm almost to my mid 30's. Whoa. I had to work on my actual birthday but then a bunch of my fabulous and fun co-worker friends came out to Kilroy's to celebrate with me. We had a blast and the $5 individual pitchers of Long Island Iced Tea made it even more fun. I seriously work with some of the coolest people ever. That's another reason I don't want to leave the PICU - because I love my friends there and I'd miss them terribly if I left. We definitely have a bond that other people don't understand because of the stuff we see and deal with on our unit. We are able to vent to each other and we understand because we've all been in similar situations. Anyway, I'm just thankful for my friends who helped me celebrate my 33rd year of life.

Fun Chicks

PICU RN's are the coolest

Ike and I celebrated my birthday the Sunday after. We went to church, which admittedly, we haven't done in a long time, then went to my favorite breakfast spot - Cafe Patachou. Of course there was a wait and we didn't get seated and served until it was Camden's normal nap time - so he was throwing a fit basically the entire time. It was my fault though for choosing to go somewhere after church, instead of dinner. Cam is just miserable if he misses his nap, and all of Cafe Patachou was able to witness that. My apologies folks.

My best friend, Melissa took me out to lunch and to see the Hunger Games to celebrate my birthday because we are both obsessed with that series. The movie was awesome and I can't wait to see it again. And I kind of have a girl crush on Jennifer Lawrence now, not gonna lie. I wish the movie could have been longer to go more in to depth with the characters and their relationships, but it is already a 2 hour + movie. Thanks Melissa for taking me out to see it. You're the best! Can't wait to see the other two with you. And for those of you who haven't seen it - go. I think even people who haven't read the books will like it. I'm making Ike go see it with me and he didn't read the books, so I'll give you an update after I take him.

We've also been to the Zoo and to the Children's Museum. It's been a busy month!

Addi watching Cam in amazement as he pours sand on his face.

Who says you shouldn't have a fabulous pose even when you're by a walrus?

The eye of the tiger; notice Cam is backing up. He's smart.

We love spring!

On to April!