A Family Christmas

 Per the usual we had to get a real Christmas Tree (Frasier Fir) and we found a bargain at Home Depot at less than $50 for a 10-foot tree! Camden was so excited to water and decorate it!

 Per our tradition, we also had Brad and Cam put the star on the tree. We had to borrow a large-tree stand that would be sturdy enough to hold a 10' tree.

 As you can see the tree was gorgeous and that includes the random hanger Camden thought would fit well on the tree. Confession: I was too sentimental about the silly hanger and left it through Christmas. ;)

 LOVE

We ended up seeing Santa at his school on their holiday party night. They got to make cookies and see Santa.

 This year he was a little more hesitant to sit on Santa's lap. He did, but after I talked with him a little. Last year it was all I could do to hold him back from being in everyone else's picture. Hah.

We also had a mommy's play date Holiday Party getting all of the kids together. We really miss our Friday play dates and I can't wait until school is done in another 5 months.

 Christmas morning was a BLAST! He loved ripping off the wrapping paper. He had to get every last piece off and tore it off every square inch at a time. It was slow and he is at the age where he wants to open every single toy as he sees it.

Funny how many high-tech and expensive toys he received, but his favorites were a puffy jacket and a $3 cell phone from the dollar section at Target.

Of course Papaw Jones got him a Big Wheel. I mean where do we store all of this?

A family member made a fantastic idea for future presents. Because he gets so many different toys from all four sets of grandparents he has and then even more from us, it was suggested to start a college fund and allow people to donate. Starting on his 3rd birthday and all following holidays, we will be starting a college fund and allowing family to donate and asking for monetary donations with minimal toys. This way we are being responsible and frugal. We can also keep Camden modest in gifts and what he receives.

 

But really, how easy is it to say no to that adorable, perfect little face?!

Not easy. At all.

What's goin' on

In the past few months I've made so many wonderful mom-friends (and even some friends that don't yet have children). I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people to turn to when I need to vent, have a question or just need to get out of the house. We're not quite close enough to tell my deepest, darkest secrets to (I'm sure I have some). Either way, I'm so excited to watch Camden grow up with plenty of friends to play with and it's just great to know that other parents understand the incomparable challenges of raising another human being .. and doing our best to not screw them up.

I constantly feel like raising a child is an extreme roller coaster ride. There will be good days and bad days, and I understand that. The most frustrating part, however, is that he cannot communicate anything with me at this point. It's gotten so much easier to entertain him now that he sits up much easier and loves his exersaucer, but with that comes new challenges. I'm just grateful for the good days. Here lately he's been nothing short of a sweet angel, yet I know he's teething (we had some horrible days last week). Either way.. look at that face..

How could you stay mad at that face!? I know that's why God makes babies so cute; so we don't give up. ;)

Did you happen to notice he is sitting on his OWN!? YEAH! BIG BOY! He does topple over once in a while but is getting so much better at it all of the sudden.

Besides wanting to eat all the tags off of his stuffed animals, he absolutely loves to play with his pacifier. I'm not sure what intrigues him about it, but he always finds it when playing and shoves it in his mouth. Side note: Not that I'm anti-pacifier, but we only use it when he is sleeping or in the car seat. He apparently has other plans. Today he left it in his mouth like this for a few minutes wondering why I couldn't stop laughing.

So here are the cliff notes: Babies are frustrating, cute, but totally worth raising!

Play Dates

Play Date # 1

Camden and his "girl friend" Brooke had a great play date the night Brad was in Texas for his SOA stuff. They didn't play together too much. Cam didn't want to be on his tummy and Brooke wanted all the toys. Haha. Cam mostly blew raspberries the whole time and Brooke's mommy told me the very next night she was doing it too!! Cam is such a good teacher and Brooke is so smart for picking it up so quickly!

Play Date #2

A friend of mine had her baby almost exactly one month after I did. We used to work together but we have actually grown much closer since having the kiddos. Her sweet angel's name is Caleb and they came up to our support group for a play date (and mommy lunch, although Cam was fussy the entire time). During group they were great and even held hands! Cue the "awwww's."

I'm so proud of my little man for doing much better around children. I think it's because I expose him so much and sometimes he even goes to a home daycare (when I work during the day) where there are lots of older kids who talk to him. He cried one time at group when my friend's older daughter was talking to him. I don't know why, but he just started pouting and turned to reach for me and balled his eyes out. Luckily he doesn't do that much (if at all) anymore! :) So proud!