Sandy Hook Elementary

Since last Friday, 12.14.12, I have watched Anderson Cooper 360 every night at 8pm.  I end up in tears at the end of the show as they play Amazing Grace and show the sweet, innocent faces of 20 1st graders and 6 adults.  I watch in amazement at how some of the parents hold it "together" while being interviewed.  I watch and wonder how and why?  I watch with a small feeling of being scared to send my own child to school one day.  I watch with overwhelming sadness as I think about how someone took the most precious gift from God to a parent, their child.  I think about how some of those parents might have tried for years to have a baby and in an instant their gift was gone.  I think about how those parents even go to sleep, do they?, or eat, or put on clothes knowing how horrific the scene in which their children passed away in was.  It all is so incredibly heart wrenching.  I say prayers and keep those who passed away and their families in my thoughts.  I know God is trying to bring peace to their hearts.

Mom Guilt

In my last post, I wrote...."You(Campbell) are seriously the BEST sleeper (let me knock on wood)"

Ummmm, yea.  NEVER.AGAIN.WILL.I.WRITE.SUCH.A.THING!

For the past week, my daily alarm, Campbell, has been getting up at 5AM on the dot.  And I'm not talking about the wake up to hear her talking in her crib, singing songs, or peacefully relaxing.  Oh no, I'm talking about the blood curdling screaming crying wake up.  We have let her cry, we have gone in and held her for a few and put her back down, we have sinfully held her and rocked her back to sleep, we have got up and come downstairs at 5 to begin our day.  We have taken her to the dr. thinking something, MUST be wrong for our once fantastic sleeper to be waking up 2 hours earlier. Nope.  Nothing.  It's a phase and it too shall pass (quickly please)

And today, I feel bad.  I feel guilty.  My tone was short and curt.  My patience was nonexistent.  No matter how many deep breaths or moments of trying to find peace and relax helped. 

I am thankful for my healthy, peacefully resting little girl.  I am grateful for a husband who comes home at night and helps, A TON, when I need to "tap out."  I am graciously blessed with the words, "Tomorrow is a NEW day" (and hopefully one that won't begin at 5AM)

1.5 years

Campbell,
On October 29, 2012 you turned 18 months old..that's a BIG 1.5 years!  It's so amazing to think about how much you learn and change from day to day, week to week, and month to month.  You are so tender hearted, loving, sensitive, emotional, copycat, a follower, independent, sassy, stubborn, polite, and sweet.  Your dad and I adore everything about you.

Facts:
Weight - 22.5 lbs
Height - 32 inches

Sleeping - 7:00/7:30pm - 7:30ish am with 1 nap around 12:30/1pm.  You are seriously the BEST sleeper (let me knock on wood)  You tell us when to stop reading books, point to your crib and say, "Crib night, night"  There are mistakes we make everyday as parents, but sleeping training was not one.

Teeth - you have them all except your 2 year molars - Yippee.

Eating - You would eat pasta, crackers (goldfish to be specific), ice cream, chips and fruit around the clock if I let you.  Veggies are a no go ...but that's ok I try to sneak them in when I can and you're a toddler, it's normal.  At least you love fruit, although it's always the most expensive fruit..blueberries, raspberries, blackberries.  You love bananas and will eat apples only if we share 1 together.  Oh, and you love chili, ha.

You are a talker and we love it!  You're speech is unbelievable.  Truly.  You communicate so effectively for your age.  You also repeat EVERYTHING we say, you little parrot, you.  Case in point, the other day you heard your dad yell to me downstairs, "Hey Babe" then "Jenn" and within seconds you yelled out babe and Jenn. HAHA!  Luckily, you still refer to me as mommy and you say it about 500 million times a day : )  You learn at least a new word everyday.

You know most of your alphabet, it's spotty, but you recognize the right letters and can say them (out of order past the letter D) ha.  You count like a maniac.  You can count to twenty although you always skip 3 and 4.  You sing, Ring around the rosies, itsy bitsy, If you're happy and you know it, Do you know the muffin man, Row Row Row your boat.  You dance.  And if we aren't looking at you when you're doing it you yell, "Mommy, Daddy..watch and clap"  It's hilarious. 

You're favorite time of day is when Daddy comes home.  We sit and watch for him at the front door and when he walks in you "tell" him what you did during the day.

You are scared to death of our house cleaner, Roxanna...and only because she uses the vacuum (which you hate).  You say things like, "Roxanna voom voom dirt (vacuums the dirt), and then immediately say, "Roxanna, go bye bye." HAHA. 

You LOVE Abby.  And you love to go outside everyday and blow bubbles with Abby because she jumps in the air and gets them.  You think it's hilarious. 

You still love to be naked (lord help us).  And run full speed when you're naked and we are trying to get you into the bath.

You also love Elmo, my iphone, watching videos of yourself, looking through picture albums and naming everyone, talking, gymnastics, being outdoors, your wagon, playing pretend with your babies, the weekends when Daddy can spend the entire day with us, playing with other kids, coloring, stickers,

You dislike our house cleaner, the vacuum, the blender

You are such a joy and blessing in our life.  We are grateful everyday for the gift of you

First Haircut September 2012

HAHA

Best Friend, Sam

Me: "Smile Campbell"

Slowly but surely

Ahhhh...the MB was finally painted last Monday, yippe.  I LOVE IT.  Seriously.Love.It.  We chose to go with Sherwin Williams Softened Green, to make lighten up the downstairs a little but still stay with the "flow" of the other colors of the house. 

It appears MUCH darker in the swatch above then it does on the walls.  Oh, how I just love it.

Orderd an oval mirror from Kirklands last week.  Again, OH HOW I LOVE KIRKLANDS.  Best find, great quality, wonderful prices!  I plan to hang this mirror "landscape" if you will above our dresser. Much bigger in measurements then I would have expected : )

Today I ordered some amazing throw pillows for the bed from ETSY.  LOVE THEM!

I am contacting a few people tomorrow for making curtains, I have some ideas for above the bed decor and then will be searching and scouring ETSY, homegoods, etc to find accessories.  But for right now, I am loving my "light" green, robin egg blue, crisp white, brushed silver, and "natural" fiber decor. 

Tip of the Day

Last night as I was catching up on some very overdue email and to-do's The O'Reilly Factor was on the TV and although I was not paying attention, something caught my eye...in big, bold letters the words TIP OF THE DAY was on the screen.  I listened and watched.  And here is what I learned and will be starting tonight.
Everynight when Bill O'Reilly goes to bed he writes down the very best thing that happened to him that day and the very worst thing that happened to him that day.  At the end of the week we looks back over his list and deteremines areas/attitudes/thoughts/feelings, etc that are in his control that he can change/modify to have more productive, positive days ahead. 

I like this.  I like this a lot.  Quick, simple, and a way to capture precious daytime moments and change behaviors that might be impacting my life negatively.  Refreshing on every level if you ask me.

Off to write.....

Makeover Madness

The master bedroom that we lay our heads every night is U.G.L.Y. period.  I have spent the last year wondering when and how I would change it.  The time has come.  It is being changed.  2 weeks ago I up and put our "bachelor" style, rooms-to-go bedroom set on craigslist and it sold within hours- yay!  I went and got a bed frame and ordered a headboard from Pier1 that I had recently become smitten with.  That's where the decorating begins and ends.  We have a cool headboard, oh and I bought a cool dresser.  So, there we have a cool headboard and a pretty average dresser. 

Well friends, today the painters came over we discussed paint options and since they left I have got a vision (read:  I have pinned wayyy to many items on Pinterest, in which I will most likely never even remember to look at when I start shopping for the rest of the room "necessities"). 

I'm super excited to get this makeover underway.  Here are the before pics of one ugly master bedroom

The lamps aren't bright or anything, ha.

Fall..ahhh!

We have been experiencing life around here, you know...playing with a very funny, very sweet, very loving, very developing toddler, making yummy dinners, taking Labor Day weekend trips to Philadelphia, spending time with family and friends, etc.......hence the lack of blogging.  

College Football is on our TV, our toddler is napping peacefully, I am in workout clothes (hoping to workout, but probably won't), shopping online, getting excited to eat pizza for dinner and indulge in a few beers while watching even more football tonight, daydreaming about Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks, daydreaming about wearing sweatshirts and seeing the leaves change.  I love Fall.

Happy 1 Year!

Happy 1 year Birthday to our precious blessing, Campbell

You:

Weight 20.10 lbs

Height 29 inches

Size 4 diaper

12-18 months clothes

Eating:  EVERYTHING

Words - Mama, Dada, Dog, Dance, Elmo, Hat, No

Teeth - All except your 2 year molars

You are a walking and running machine, slow down please

You are into everything!

You now throw tantrums-eekk

You still take 2 naps a day

You love things that involve tasks - putting clothes away, taking things in and out of baskets, etc

You understand a TON

You now face forward in a big girl carseat

You love gymnastics!!

You hav a ton of energy (hence the above) and do not stop talking or moving unless you are sleeping : )

You LOVE animals

You LOVE your best friend Sam : )

Your love for Elmo and Sesame Street have become an obsession, ha

You are learning to feed yourself

You, Campbell, have brought such joy, love, patience, and laughter to our lives.  This past year has been so incredible.  When we look at you, I swear it's like a seeing a piece of heaven.  I miss you terribly when you sleep, I love to hold, cuddle and kiss you.  Watching you grow and develop is so amazing.  We can't wait to spend a lifetime living in the moment as a family and creating memories that we will hold in our hearts forever. 

Our endless, unconditional love



A moment in time

Just a quick post to remind myself of how wonderful being a mom is...

Motherhood is filled with lots and lots of
hugs
kisses
arm reaches for only you
tears
laughter
joy
heartfelt moments
tickles
playtime
silly time
family time
   and lots more..

I'm truly grateful to spend everyday at home with my precious angel.  Even the days that start out with coffee spilled on cream rugs, no morning naps, tantrums, no time to get myself ready, crankiness and the other long list of items that make up the hardship of parenting.  But, God blessed BK and I beyond words with our daughter.  How lucky are we that he chose us to be her parents.

11 Months

Happy 11 month birthday Campbell

"You are at such a fun age" ha.

Oh goodness, where do I begin.  You took 4 steps on your own Easter Sunday, while we were at your Nana's house.  I am happy your Nana, aunt Ash, and Uncle Austin got to be there to see you do this.  I know it meant a lot to them - so good timing : )

You starting saying DOG sans the G, but we know what you mean. 

You talk all the time.  It's not really the English language yet, but you talk in your own language all the time.  It's so cute.  One of the words you say in your language sounds identical to "tickle, tickle, tickle" so funny!

We have begun giving you whole milk.  You do not like it.  I have tried everything to get you to drink it.  Even putting it in a regular glass and using a plastic straw, you loved this because Daddy and I clapped every time you drank, so it ended up that you were drinking for positive reinforcement, ha.  Hey whatever works, right?!

Although you don't like milk, you LOVE food and are the BEST eater.  Thank God.

You LOVE playing with, being around, watching older kids.  You want to do everything they do.  It's so cute to watch you act so big.

You're still a good sleeper.  7pm-7am is how you roll : )  Thank you Campbell

You love the toy magnets and farm on our refrigerator.  You love to play a game of taking one magnet off the fridge and giving it to Daddy or I. 

We just officially baby proofed, because you like to get into things my dear!

You started throwing small tantrums when your diaper is being changed or when we won't let you have a toy that one of your friends is playing with.  Overall, though, you are really good

You dance and its so cute and sweet.  You love music

You love bubbles

You love going on walks, again thank you Campbell for liking your stroller right now : )

You are a snuggle bug and so loving.  Always giving kisses and hugs

I just cannot believe you will be 1 on April 29th.  Where o where has the time gone?

You are our darling baby

We love you

10 Months

Happy 10 month birthday Campbell

Let me keep with tradition, "You are at such a fun age!"

 

You are growing teeth!!!  It is 9:58pm on March 15, 2012 (little late on posting this as you turned 10 months on 2/29/12) but I am currently listening to your Daddy sing you songs and rock you because you just woke up screaming in pain from your teeth - poor baby : (  You have all top teeth except your molars coming in.  Wow. 

 

You learned to pull-up, and now cruise : )  You push your push toys around all the time and constantly reach for our fingers to walk.  You have become quite good at walking.  You are up to about 20 seconds of standing without holding anything before falling on your bottom : )

 

You are talking a lot! 

 

You learned how to clap your hands and love to do ALL the time

 

You finally learned the "all done" sign and do it whenever you are done doing something. HA.  For example you will wave your hands saying, "all done" in the middle of me changing your diaper or when we are riding in the car and you're ready to get out.  Too funny you are!

 

You love to take everything out of your drawers, baskets, off  your shelves, out of your closet, etc.  Although, you don't clean up very well : )

 

You light up when we go in to see Daddy in his home office (multiple times a day).  This melts me

 

You had your first night without Mommy and Daddy this past weekend.  We took a little vacay to a local resort here in Raleigh.  You had such a wonderful time though with your aunt Ashley, uncle Austin and Nana.  It was nice to leave you in the hands of others that love you so much.  And to be honest, as much as Daddy and I had a wonderful time together...we were running in the door to see you.  Oh I missed you sooooo much!!!

 

You love music and will put your arms in the air when I sing. 

 

You can understand a TON!  If I ask you to go get the ball, you do - it's amazing to me how much you are learning and developing.  You have become obsessed with mouths and teeth.  We are trying to talk about other body parts too, like eyes, ears, etc.  And we sing, head shoulders, knees, and toes a bunch! 

 

You are our little copycat.  Everything we do you do.  When I change your poopy diapers I say, "eww stinky" and wave my hand in front of my nose, you then do the same, HA.

 

You still love Elmo and sometimes I turn on Seasame Street for you to watch a little, but you have no interest.

 

You terrorize Abby in your walker.  But you and her are best buds and love one another so much.  It is so sweet.  You constantly want to find her and show her things and she loves to lick your hair and stare at you.  Another melting of my heart moment.

 

You LOVE graham crackers and strawberries!!!

 

I starting replacing 1 bottle a day with a sippy cup of formula - you refuse to drink it!  Yikes.  Hope this changes

 

You LOVE older children and try to copy everything they do

 

You are still so loving and cuddly.  I ask you multiple times a day if I can kiss you and hug you and although sometimes you act like it is such a nuisance you still allow me to do it...thank you!

 

I have planned most of your party and am sending out invitations this week.  I cannot believe you will be 1.  I often cry and get teary eyed at the thought of this, but they are all wonderful, amazing tears.  Tears of joy, love, accomplishment, amazement, God's miracles and blessings.  We are so excited to see what year 2 brings with you : )

 

You are our darling baby

We love you

I should be...

Cleaning.Campbell is taking a long nap and my floors are dirty, there is dry laundry in the dryer and wet clothes in the washer, there are dirty dishes in the sink and clean dishes in the dishwasher...I really SHOULD be cleaning.  But I'm not.  I'm blogging, I'm Internet searching, I'm pinning, I'm facebooking, I'm texting friends, I'm contemplating watching the Real Housewives Orange County that is on my DVR and although I am feeling a tad guilty..I'm allowing myself to "let go" and enjoy (insert smile). 

I make a conscious choice everyday to play and do things solely with Campbell when she is awake.  Sometimes that includes walking laps around my downstairs while her cute little fingers wrap around my two hands (while my back is giving out because I have been hunched over for 30+ minutes).  Sometimes that means acting excited to play with Elmo for the 10th time that day or sit and hit the same keys on her baby Einstein piano.  Whatever activity we go to or do at home I devote my time to my child and when she sleeps I do my other job, housewife - cleaning, cooking, etc etc. 

Today I am mom and lazy.  There is always tomorrow.

Faith

I'm a Christian.

I grew up in a family that went through spurts of going to church every Sunday and then going to church on holidays (I really dislike the last part).
My dad once said to me, "God spends his whole days caring for you and watching out over you, do you not have 1 hour each Sunday to give to him?"  Sad, but true.  I want and wanted God to be apart of my life for a very long time.

Out of all times in my life, I had the most fulfilling and wonderful relationship with God when I was a freshman and sophomore in high school.  I was apart of something called Young Life, which really helped me to understand and form a relationship with God.  I was convicted and stronger than ever in my faith.  And it felt amazing!

Unfortunately, I have let that relationship come and go and not made much time or effort for it.  BK and I struggled for a lot of years on what church to settle on.  We struggled with how we want to share our faith together and now as a family.  BUT we do agree we want that faith to be shared as a family and as a couple.  We want our child and one day children to know that church is just something we do on Sundays.  No complaining, no begging not to go and sleep in instead, we just go and we do it together.  And when we leave, we talk about church and our faith, we encourage each other, we pray together...church and faith are just apart of who we are.

However, you can imagine my struggle with the above, with the fact that I am currently in a rut with my relationship with God.  Sure, I am apart of a bible study.  Yes, we attend church.  Of course, I say my prayers and give thanks or try to give thanks almost everyday, but I am struggling and I don't know why? 

I'm hopefully this will change...and even more hopeful this is a normal.

Happy 9 months

Happy 9 Months


Happy 9 months Campbell. I CANNOT believe you are 3 months away from your first birthday. Saying that brings happy tears to my eyes.

I always say this but time is flying by and everyday I wish I could freeze it.

YOU

 

1. You weigh 18.7 lbs

 

2. You are in size 4 diaper

 

3. You eat about a 6 oz. bottle every 4 hours and now eat a full breakfast, lunch and dinner. You LOVE food!! You have been eating "table" or finger food for about 2 months now.  Anything Daddy and I eat, so do you.  You get mad and upset if you don't eat exactly what we do - sassy little thing : ) 

4. You go to bed each night between around 6:30pm-7:00pm and sleep until 6:30am!

5. You now crawl like crazy, but you love to pull yourself up and pratice walking.  You constantly are "asking" (reaching out for our hands) for our fingers so you can pull yourself up and walk around the house.  Mommy's back hurts by the end of the day : )  It is so funny to see you standing in your crib now.  We recently had to lower your mattress to the 3rd level...where has the time gone?!

6. You take 2 naps a day each for about 1.5 hours!

7. You love to laugh and talk.  You talk up a storm and mostly in public.  When you do this I say you are giving "your town hall meetings" ha!  You say mama and dada. 

8. You are so smart!!  You know exactly what and who we are talking about and show us you know by looking at or picking up what we are talking about.  You also know the word, NO and give a devilish look/smile when I say it to you...sassy girl : )  You are so good though and ohh so loving

9. You are such a creature of habit and I love it!  It gives us all some structure and we all know what to expect

10. You still love your green newborn soothie paci - ha.  You have about 5 in your crib at one time 

11. You love playdates, library storytime and getting out of the house.  We are trying to use and show you the word share a lot, as this isn't one of your best qualities at the moment, ha.

12. You are now impossible to change as you just try to roll over and get away, it has only got worse since your 6 month post. 

13. You LOVE your walker.  It gives you freedom around the downstairs since you hate to crawl on the hardwood floors.  You terrorize Abby in that thing..constantly finding her hiding and pulling her fur and ears.  It is so cute, but sometimes I do have to stick up for Abby and turn you in the other direction.  You LOVE Abby!!

14. You now have 3 teeth on the bottom and 4 others coming thru - you poor baby.  I know that doesn't feel good.   

15. You LOVE books and being read to.  You laugh and smile at books like Peek-A-Moo or Hoppity Hop Bunny.  You adore Goodnight Moon and certainly tell us when you don't like a book by slamming it shut and pushing it out of the way.

16. You love to give kisses and hugs.  And Daddy and I LOOOVEEE this. 

I could write a novel about how much you mean to us and how much our love for you grows daily. We thank God everyday for the gift of you. We love you Campbell.

8 months

Happy 8 month birthday Campbell

Let me keep with tradition, "You are at such a fun age!"

You are a true snuggle bug

You show you like something by opening your mouth and putting your head to it - so cute!

You are sassy!  You want to be such a big girl and do things on your own

Hence why you only eat finger foods now

I have to distract you with something just to get a spoonful of yogurt in your mouth

You love cheese and bread

You love to laugh and smile

You are a great sleeper

You are a fantastic eater...last time we took you to the Dr. you weighed 18.5lbs!

Unfortunately, you were sick most of the month of December with pink eye, double ear infection and RSV.  We found out the mold from our live Christmas tree caused all of this - I'm so sorry!  New Year's Eve was spent at the ER due to your breathing issues from RSV

You LOVE your lovie and we finally let you sleep with it at night

You LOVE Elmo

You crawled for the first time yesterday (January 11, 2012)

You love to be scared, haha

You HATE the vaccum

You HATE when I blow my nose

You LOVE books

You love to talk and babble.  Most sounds are daddadadadada and mamamamamamama but I don't know if you know to say those words when talking to me or daddy

You are our darling baby

We love you