Two Months, Three Shots

Sweet Girl,
You were so good for Mommy today. Now that you are two months old (what?!?) you had to go to the doctor for another checkup and (dun, dun, dun...) your immunizations. First things first, the doctor said you are growing wonderfully! You weighed a whopping 12 pounds and 2 ounces! I couldn't believe it. The last time you were there, you were in the 50th weight percentile for your age, and now you have jumped all the way up to the 90th! Apparently all the chocolate that your mommy likes to eat is going straight to your hips and butt too! You also grew another inch from last month, which explains why some of your tiny jammies are getting a bit snug.

When it came time for the shots, your daddy and I tried to be prepared. Thankfully, people told us to give you some Tylenol about 30 minutes before the appointment so it could help keep down any fever and make you feel better. Daddy was so sweet to come to your appointment too, and really kept you happy right up until the first poke. The nurse was very quick and as gentle as she could be, and you really only cried for about 30 seconds. It was time for you to eat, so we had a bottle ready to calm you down right away. As soon as she was finished and the sad little band-aids were on your legs, Daddy sat right down and fed you. You were so tough! The bad news is that we have to do it all over again in two months....

I can't believe that you have grown so much! And even more so, I can't believe that our time together at home is almost over. Going back to work will be really hard for me since I feel like I am just starting to get the hang of things with you! You are so much more alert and interactive, smiling and watching people. You are going to learn and change so much, and I won't be the one to see it all day long! But I know that Mrs. Cara will be just as sweet and caring for you as she is with her own girl, Ainslee. And we are going to just enjoy this week, organizing the house and getting all the Christmas things put away. At least we get one whole day with Daddy since New Year's Day is coming up! 2008 may have been a rough year with regards to the economy and politics, but I will always treasure it as the year that gave me the greatest gift of you.

Four Christmases

We had such a wonderful (almost) week with every family member we could think of. Here are some of the best pictures! You couldn't believe what a lucky girl you are to have so many people that love you.

We started with your Gigi's family on Christmas Eve where you got to meet a bunch of people for the first time. You were very popular! You were especially excited to meet Uncle Tanner for the first time and see Uncle Chance again. They are so sweet with you!

Then Christmas morning you were at your Grammy's house, where everyone seemed to give you educational toys! You are going to be very busy and very smart apparently. We had a wonderful lunch with all Mommy's family and had a fun time doing our crazy $10 gift exchange.

You decided you needed to put in some more face time with the Kilpatricks....

So we went to see Grandpa's family on Christmas night. You got to play your first domino game with Daddy!

And you got to meet Baby Owen and his mommy and daddy for the first time. He was a little fussy but we were happy to spend time with them. He is a handsome dude, all long and skinny.

Here's us with Mawmaw and Pawpaw, Grandpa and Gigi, and your uncles!


The day after Christmas (possibly a new tradition?) we went to see your Daddy's other family, where you met your Uncle Ryan who has been living in California. You had a great time seeing lots of family members and really loved your special stocking!

Here is your Daddy with Uncle Ryan and Uncle Jordan.

You got lots of presents, but we think the best was all the money for your college fund. You have lots of long-term thinkers in the family! Daddy and I made sure we didn't spend it on us.


All in all, I would say you had a great time on your first Christmas. Everyone said next year will be so amazing since you will be up running around and talking, all grown up way too fast. I won't ever forget you this way, my happy girl.

What Grandpas Are For

Cameron,
You won't know it for a while, but your Papa passed away two years ago today. It's like he was here one minute and gone the next. There are so many things you would have loved about him, and he would have loved every single molecule in your adorable body. Christmas really changed for me after that year, and now is a hard time for us. Okay, me. Last year I turned into a big old mess, and finding out two months later that I was pregnant with you totally turned me around. I think you saved me, Little Girl. Your mommy is a bit emotional, and sometimes I let myself get carried away with them. You were my anchor, my hope for tomorrow, my joy amidst the sorrows. I remember how it felt to be under that cloud and because of you, I haven't been there in a long long time.

Today I wish I could tell you every happy memory I have of your Papa. How kind he was to people when wanted to show his appreciation. How generous he was with his time and his talents. He could build the most beautiful things and fix just about anything. That big motorcycle of his, he would have loved for you to ride on the back with your little arms hugging him. He would have taken you on lots of trips and made you watch old western and science fiction movies. He would have shown you what Grandpas are for.

Tonight you went to see your Grandpa Billy and Gigi. You were so happy and smiled at them and cooed. Grandpa sat with you in his new recliner and helped you exercise just like your daddy does. Your head is getting stronger and you kick out those legs and try to stand. It is so cute! He was talking to you when I realized that his voice sounds so much like your daddy, and that's why you were so happy to hear it. Daddy has been at work today and won't be here until tomorrow, so I know you have missed him. He would have been just as happy as I was that you were such a good girl for your Grandpa and Gigi. They loved seeing you.

As wonderful as it was, seeing you with one Grandpa makes me sad to think about the one that you won't ever know. But especially at Christmas time, we focus on the hope that we have in God, the promise of heaven where we will see him again. I love you and am thankful for the blessing you are in my life. Merry Christmas, Cameron.

Let Us Sleep & You Can Go to College!

Cameron,
For some reason, last night you decided to sleep all the way up until 5:30 am. That has never happened before! And I am sure that by writing about it, it won't happen again for a very long time... Daddy gave you a bath last night during the Cowboys halftime, and then you ate a really good Dinner #2, and then Daddy put you to bed a little after 10:00. And you just slept and slept! When I heard you cry and rolled over to see the clock, I thought Daddy must have snuck you some formula or something. You had always eaten before between 2 and 3! I have no idea how we made it happen, but I hope it is something that happens again soon. I felt so refreshed this morning (even waking up at 5:30 felt great) and made your daddy muffins before he had to leave for work.

So as a nice reward for your good sleep habits, we set up your college fund today. Now that you have a real Social Security number and the stock market is on such a good sale (that's how we positively see the recent downturn, like it's all on clearance for young buyers!), you are now the proud owner of a College 529 account. Your daddy worked a bunch of extra sporting events this fall and set aside all that money just for you. The best part is that you will be able to use that money tax-free to pay for your tuition, books, rent, food, whatever. You are free to decide where you go to college, but it is definitely something that we will encourage strongly. I just don't want to imagine how expensive it will be by the time you are graduating! Mommy is still paying off her loans, so we hope that is something you won't have to burden yourself with. Since we know you are going to be so smart, we want to start making preparations now. I mean, you should see yourself holding your little head up and trying to stand when we hold you up... It's obvious - you're our little baby genius!

Christmas is All Around

There are some wonderful reminders of Christmas around the house. For the first time, our mantel is a bit more crowded! I found this cute stocking for you at Target. What do you think?

Daddy put most of the ornaments on our tree this year, so it took me a bit to find it, but this is my very favorite Christmas ornament. I have been collecting Santa ornaments for a very long time. My mom used to let each of us girls have a small (four foot) tree in our bedrooms that we could decorate in any style we chose. Mine was all Santas, Aunt Amy did hers in Southwest stuff (like chili peppers and cowboys) and Aunt Rachael's was more Victorian themed with pearls and fancy feathered ornaments. So now our tree has tons and tons of Santas. But this one is the best because it reminds me of the real meaning of Christmas. And this year it is even more special because we have just celebrated the birth of our own baby! Now the emotions of Mary and Joseph seem much more real to me, and Christ as a child seems more magnificent and wondrous than ever.


I look forward to the day when you are big enough to participate in Christmas and remember our family traditions (even though we haven't made any yet!) I hope that each year we will talk as a family and give money to a charity. For the past few years we have donated to Heifer International because they give animals to people in foreign countries. The receipients must care for animal, not eat it, and then they turn it into a sustainable source of income, like selling their cow's milk or their chicken's eggs. It gives them a new start in life, something to be proud of and work hard for. Your Aunt Rachael was telling me that one of her favorite parts of Christmas is donating to the Angel Tree. They give gifts to children of people who are incarcerated, and each year she chooses children that are close in age to your cousins. This year, (she would never brag about this, but I will) she gave gifts to FIFTEEN children. They got winter coats, bibles, toys, clothes and most of all, love from a total stranger. I was so proud of her.

We want you to learn that Christmas isn't about gifts from Santa (even though your grandparents will make sure that you get plenty.) It is about celebrating the beginning of the most wonderful rescue mission ever. Jesus came to earth in the most shocking way - as just a plain old guy. If God ever seemed distant or mysterious, he wanted to strip away the formalities and make himself accessable to everyone. The same God that made your tiny little heart beat in my tummy, he walked on earth and touched dirty hands and ate dinner with outcasts. This is what it says about his birthday in Luke 2:

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven —praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Now I realize what it means that Mary kept all these things in her heart. She was constantly think of Jesus and what his life would mean. What things were in store for him. Whether he would marry, whether anyone would believe him later in life when he told his story. Her story is different to me as a mother. As for you, Cameron, you are my all-time favorite gift from God, and I will keep you in my heart always.

Six Weeks, Six Minutes

Little Girl,
How can you already be six weeks old? The days are going by in a blur. I can't believe how much bigger you already are and how much more active you seem every day. You are starting to reach out and smack the dangling animals on your bouncer, grab Mommy's hair and necklaces, and you are constantly smiling when your daddy and I talk to you. I think it is quite obvious that you will be smart because you are such a good communicator already. You make all kinds of cute little noises, particularly an "i" sound and a "ga" sound.

You certainly are a good eater! Lately Mommy has been pumping and giving you bottles more frequently, and you seem to think it is easier and faster too. Plus, it lets me know exactly how much you have eaten, rather than the mystery and guesswork of the... uh, traditional method. I figure I have to go back to work in just a few more weeks, and then you will have to take bottles all day long anyway. Gotta start builing up a stockpile of milk!

You are such a good little companion these days. We go run errands and I catch myself talking to you in the stores. We always get lots of compliments on how adorable you are, unless you are crying! The one thing that drives me crazy is when someone walks up, checks you out in your pink outfit covered up with a pink blanket and says, "Aww, what's his name?" That would give a baby boy some serious issues when he grew up! I know that you are a sweet, beautiful little princess!

I feel like we are just starting to get to know eachother. I feel more confident going places with you and am doing a better job of finding myself things to do most days so that we get out of the house. I can usually manage to make myself presentable and am starting to feel more like myself. Your daddy is always sweet to compliment me on how I look, and it still surprises me that he overlooks all the permanent reminders of you on my body. I guess he sees them as souveniers on the journey that brought you to us, and they were definitely worth it!


See what a big girl you are getting to be? Sporting those cute boots for our most recent trip out. We like the cold weather, but only because we stay inside until it is warmed up a bit. Any excuse for boots!

What's she saying?

"Hurry up, Christmas! I have lots of grandparents to go see!"

Blast from the Past

Your Grammy let me borrow some pictures from when I was little (for comparison to you) and I have now gone crazy scanning in my favs so I can keep them forever! Here are the ones that I just have to share:


Be thankful this isn't your mommy's idea of child care...


This is me at about 2 and a half weeks old!


This was our family vacation to Yellowstone. Check out Papa's hat!


Aunt Amy, me, and Aunt Rachael.


Fabulous accessories, but no outfit?!?!


All three girls and your Grammy. Wasn't her red hair beautiful? Can't wait to see if yours is this color.

There are more, but I will wait for another time. It is just so exciting to finally have these for myself. I hope that someday you will cherish this blog as my way of keeping memories of you, Sweet Girl!

Good Morning Girl

Cameron,
You are such a little morning person! My mom says that when I was a little girl, I used to wake up with a big smile on my face, so happy to start the day. She says it only lasted until I was a teenager, and I agree. Now I am so hard to get out of bed in the morning. I can set the alarm clock for an hour ahead of when I actually have to get up, just so I can hit the snooze button a few times. It makes me feel like I am cheating the day a bit, getting more rest. Which I realized sounds ridiculous when you could just set the alarm for the right time and get your butt up... Whatever.

The point I was trying to get to was that you are so adorable in the mornings! You had a bit of a rough time going back to sleep last night around 4:00 am, and I guess I should say that I was lucky that your daddy was on his shift and letting me sleep! So he was exhausted, and we let him sleep longer and we got up around 8:00. Around 10:00, you were talking and smiling and cooing at him like you had completely made up from the night before. He calls you beautiful and talks in his high-pitched "baby talk" voice, and you just eat it up!

I know that you were just expressing gratitude that Daddy worked so hard for two whole days to give Mommy a wonderful present. An electronic gate opener! Our driveway is now one of the happiest places on earth! I just push my little button right before I pull in the driveway, and whalah! It opens, then magically closes itself a minute later. No more getting out to open it in the rain and the freezing cold weather! Daddy was excited that he got to use a welder and that it made him feel so handy. Take note of this for future reference - Marry a man who can use power tools around the house. When it comes to big projects, your Papa always said, "Knowing how is not a requirement."

Shopping Makes Me Feel Better

This week Mommy has been feeling a little under the weather and couldn't seem to do anything! On the one day that I was feeling up to it, we had to go to my doctor for a checkup and managed to squeeze in some shopping while you were (mostly) asleep. I went to Kohl's because I had seen commercials for their monster sale, and I found 5 pairs of pants. I am such a picky person when it comes to pants (remember this post?) I am super curvy and short, so once I find a pair that fits, I have been known to buy them without even looking at the tag. But I like to think that I have classic taste so that my things don't go out of style for a long time. What I found at Kohl's were a trouser cut that came in petite sizes, so I snatched up a dark denim pair, khaki, olive green (my new favorite neutral) and a black and white plaid pair of dress pants. I was so happy in the dressing room that I did a little hop and cheered. (It was silent because you were sleeping and I didn't want my joy to be quickly reversed by your screams!)

Then, to put the icing on the cake, we went to DSW and bought a new pair of black sexy heels. Bo agreed that now I really am a hot mama! Clearance and a coupon, it was just meant to be...

Giving Thanks

How can you not love a holiday when you get to eat alot, spend time with family, and wear this fabulous dress? (Thanks Grammy!) We had a great time this past weekend even though we were nervous about your first big roadtrip. Stopping to feed you adds on another hour to our trip, but with good planning, we did just fine. You slept the whole time and adjusted very well to not being home. Mommy packed up almost everything we own (just in case) and was very thankful to have more of Emerson's things to borrow. It is amazing how much stuff you use when you are such a tiny person! Emerson wasn't feeling well (and had the worst case of diaper rash ever - stinkin' antibiotics) but still wanted to see you and give you a big pat! She is walking so well and seems to always be on the go. Everyone said it was incredible to think that next Thanksgiving you will be doing the same thing!
You even got to meet some family members for the first time, like your Uncle Ben and Aunt Brittney (Mommy's cousins, actually). Ben drove all the way in from Oklahoma and did a great job carving up the turkey for the whole family! In this picture, Brittney is holding her one week old niece Zoey! She seemed so tiny when I got to hold her. Big congratulations to Tyler and Jesse on her safe arrival, and we hope they are blessed with good sleep sometime soon!


We spent Thanksgiving day with your Sabba and Savta, and they were so excited to get to hold you and have the whole day to see us. We had a big traditional dinner and were thrilled to get to have dessert with your daddy's extended family, including your Great Grandma Stella. She is 91 years old and has had a rough spell with her health, so we weren't sure if she would be able to come over. When she arrived, she got to hold you and said you definitely look like Daddy. :)

Not many families are fortunate enough to have four generations together, and we had it twice over! Here you are with Daddy's family, and then Mommy's:




While there were so many people buying gifts and going crazy shopping this weekend, your daddy and I were excited to just relax and see everyone that we love. Friday night, we went over to your Grandpa and Gigi's house, where you also got to meet Uncle Tanner for the first time! You even met your Great Grandma and Grandpa (we call them Mawmaw and Pawpaw), your Great Uncle and Aunt, and lots more cousins. I am bummed that we forgot our camera, so we will definitely take lots of pictures with them on our Christmas trip. Gigi bought you some really cute Christmas outfits, so you will be trying them out very soon!

And before we left for home, Grammy made sure that we took one big family picture. Here you are in your first Haley family photo!