Three Months is a Charm

My Sweet Baby Girl,
Happy three month birthday! How did you manage to grow and change so much already? All of a sudden you are rolling over, focusing on your toys and grabbing them, and smiling at everyone who talks sweetly to you. You are such a happy girl, so pleasant and easy to please.

Your little wardrobe cracks Mommy up. You have such cute little feet and of course, matching socks to go with all the little outfits that everyone has given us. Emerson (and mostly Aunt Rachael) has great taste, so we have enjoyed lots of her hand-me-downs. Get used to 'em, little girl. Unless Rachael has another little girl in the near future, we will probably keep getting them for a long time! Some of my favorites are your new jeans, your Milk & Cookies dress (which you will get to wear when it warms up) and your dalmation-spotted coat which has ears on the hood. Super cute!

I don't think I can even put into words how much your Daddy is smitten with you. Every morning he talks to you and helps me get everything ready. Then he carries you out to the car and kisses you goodbye. In the evenings, he loves to give you baths and say prayers with you while he rocks you to sleep. The past few days you have been so good and patient with all the new people keeping you, so I think the evenings are when you reach the breaking point. Daddy is patient and walks around bouncing you. You giggled and smiled at him tonight when he sang you the song called "Bubbly" because he touched your toes and your nose when he sang the words. Mommy even got to hear her first big laugh the other night when I tickled you under your chin. It was the most precious thing I have ever heard and I wished I could rewind and hear it a million times over.

In fact, because you are such a big girl now, Daddy thought it was high time for you to meet Frisky and go on your first ride. Most of the time, Frisky is just getting fat in the back yard, but Daddy got him some exercise so he was nice and worn out. Then he knew it was safe for you to have a nice relaxing mosey around our property. Daddy was so proud!

Don't Be Alarmed!

I just changed the formatting of the blog. Cameron said that she is really into polka dots right now. Whatever, Little Diva!

Hot Potato

Sweetheart,
I am so glad that you are the type of girl that rolls with the punches. Yesterday afternoon, Ainslee was not feeling well and Mrs. Cara took her to the doctor. She was running a fever, had a double ear infection, and something yucky called bronchialitis. She even had to get a nebulizer for breathing treatments! The good news is that you were not really around her to potentially get sick, but the bad news is that you can't go stay with her until she is feeling 100% better. So we had to call everyone we know last night to ask if they would mind watching you since both Mommy and Daddy are having majorly crazy times at work. (Daddy's office assistant just got fired and now he is all by himself, meaning he can't be late or leave early to come get you. Big frowns!)

We are so fortunate to have wonderful friends from church! Mrs. Christy is watching you this morning, and she says that you are doing great and that Elizabel is really entertaining you. She is about to welcome her own baby #2 to their family, so this is probably great practice for how Elizabel will be as a big sister. She has somewhere to be this afternoon, so I am running to pick you up at lunch and deliver you over to....

Mr. Kevin! He had the afternoon free and never turns down the chance to hold a cute baby. You have had such a good time with him before, so I know you will be just fine. I am just majorly relieved that I can shuffle you around like a little hot potato rather than me having to take the day off. I would much rather save my sick days for when you are actually sick!

And as for tomorrow, Mrs. April has graciously agreed to let you spend the day with her and Ava (and their sweet puppy, Cherub). She is going to have her baby # 2 later this fall, so there you go again with that big sister practice. Maybe we can start renting you out to parents that want to see how it goes with two kids. Then they would pay us rather than the other way around! You are such a pleasant baby that I think it would be a totally worthwhile investment.

Well, I had better get back to work. See you in just a little while, Angel!

Our Lazy Weekend

How's my favorite girl? The weekend could not have come fast enough... We were so excited to sleep until almost 8:00! Of course, Daddy managed to squeeze in a very long nap this afternoon (half of which you were snuggled up with him) but I decided to catch up on all the TV shows I had recorded from the weeknights. It's embarrassing that American Idol (a ridiculous yet addictive singing competition) takes up two nights of TV time each week. I just want to watch the good stuff - interesting plots, no trashy stuff. I am so excited that Lost and the Closer are coming back!

So this weekend, you surprised Mommy and Daddy big time! we have just started giving you a few toys to play with since your grip is getting stronger. You were laying on our bed just as happy as could be, and all of a sudden, you rolled over onto your tummy! You seemed a little annoyed that you couldn't get back over, so Daddy gave you a little help. The bad part is that now we have to be so paranoid! No more laying you down somewhere and then turning away to grab something. You are officially on the move! You just need to keep working on that arm strength before you can really get to scooting anywhere. You are not a fan of "tummy time" which is supposed to help you get buff enough to crawl...


The downside to having a stuffy nose is breathing through your mouth all the time... All these bubbles, it looks like someone is washing dishes in there or something!


You are finally a big girl with her own cute pair of jeans. While we were hanging around the house this afternoon, you even busted out your pink bunny slippers. Ahh, Saturdays!

I Love Me Some Cameron

Daddy is just too much fun to contain! Check out how nicely your hair matches his goatee...

Mmmmmm, fingers..... Omn mommm nommmm!

You are getting to be such a busy girl. It's only a matter of time before you are grabbing toys and entertaining yourself.

Out with the Old, In with the New

Today is a very special day in history, Cameron. Our 44th President is taking office today, Barack Obama. While I did not vote for him, I am excited to see all the festivities and hear his innaugural speech. He is a very eloquent speaker (here is the transcript from his recent speech in Baltimore), very much focused on change and progress. He certainly has a lot to deal with right off the bat - unemployment, the housing market, the war in Iraq, the banking industry meltdown... I think most Americans have realistic expectations that these things will take time to address. But he has made big promises to unite the government and work together to make things better for all Americans. We spent some time praying for him and all the new leaders that will be part of his administration this Sunday in church. Our pastor is a firm believer that whether or not you agree with all the politics, that our national leaders deserve respect and support in prayer. Today I hope that President Obama will cherish this moment with his family and face the future with the confidence that God has appointed him for this season to lead our country, and that he will guide him and protect him.

And P.S., I just found this very interesting article written by a Barack supporter that details why he is thankful that Bush won the last two elections...

All the Leaves are Brown

Cameron,
I want you to know that when your mommy and daddy fight, it is never your fault. You are the most wonderful thing, a blessing that we are thankful for every day. So when we complain that we are tired and that the house is messy, it is only because we wish that those things would take care of themselves so that we could only have fun with you.

Sometimes I feel like I am trying to take care of you the best I know how, and that I don't know how to take care of Daddy or myself anymore. Daddy said the other day that sometimes I make him feel less like a husband and more like a helper, and it really hurt my feelings. He is always so wonderful to pick up my slack around the house when it comes to dishes and laundry and picking up. I guess most evenings I feel like it is just a miracle that I stayed awake long enough to last through work and fight the traffic back home, and the tasks piling up around me just get ignored. I don't know at what point it happened, but I think I have made a really bad choice to put your daddy last on my list. It is a hard thing to realize that when you become a parent, you feel like you lose that younger, more spontaneous version of yourself. And right now, I feel like I chose you over that version of me. I knew that having a baby would change everything - my sleep schedule, my body, my finances, my priorities.

The irony of how I have thought about this strikes me since I seem to have a black thumb. It's like our marriage was a beautiful potted plant. I watered it, I bought it a bigger pot, and it was growing great. So I decided to get it a friend! Another pretty plant right next to it. But instead of continuing to water them both, it's like I said that I only have one watering can and I just don't have the energy to fill it up twice as often.

How do I let him know that I love him now more than ever? But that it seems to take all of my focus to not let that one watering can run dry? No else seems to be able to fill it up for me, and I am afraid that I am just going to be an awful gardener all around. I know that there is always enough love and that you are the joy of every day, but Daddy and I have to find a way to take better care of one another too. I could use a little watering myself today.

Mommy Needs Cookies

Oh Baby,
Your mommy is wiped. This week and next week are the busiest parts of the semester for my job and I have had to shuffle both yours and my schedule around a bit. Daddy had to drop you off in the morning (which made him late fighting more traffic) and then I would come pick you up. It was nice to see Mrs. Cara in the afternoons so we could actually talk about your day. Plus Ainslee was awake and showed me how she likes to hold you and kiss you on the head! Cara informed me a few days ago that you seemed to constantly be starving after a 3 oz. bottle, so we decided to up them all to closer to 4. I will have to be diligent to keep pumping on time at work to keep up! Honestly, I was a little nervous about giving you a 33% increase in food for every meal since you are already starting to get a little extra meat on your bones. I call you Chunky Monkey, but it really is probably all my fault. All I want to eat lately is chocolate chip cookies!

You are so cute when you wake up to see Daddy or me. I love your big toothless smiles, and last night Daddy tickled you under your chin and you let out the sweetest little chuckle. You are starting to get some "double chin" action going on. I will have to try to get a picture soon... You are officially 11 weeks old! It still surprises me to see you in 3-6 month clothes, and you are rapidly getting too big for your diapers! Good thing we didn't buy a million in size 1 because they are not going to work for too much longer!

You have also discovered Baby Einstein videos. We experimented with putting you in your swing so that you could see the TV and you were completely mesmerized! We had just enough time to cook dinner while you were occupied. I have to admit that I felt guilty for letting you watch it since I wasn't even sure your vision is that great yet, but you seemed locked in on it. I don't want to be one of those parents that just parks their kid in front of the TV all the time, but Daddy and I figured that one video wouldn't kill 'ya. He is a big fan of the dragon that sticks his tongue out at you.

Well, better get some work done. I couldn't be more excited that today is Friday! Yesterday Mommy was so exhausted that you and I both accidentally fell asleep in our bed at 8:30! Daddy was sweet enough to stay up and wash bottles, do laundry and get ready for the next morning. The bad news for him was that you and I took up the whole bed and were too sleepy to scoot over when he wanted to come to bed! You got a little fussy around 12:30 (you can't seem to stay asleep without being swaddled) so I put you back in your playpen and let Daddy crawl in. I think I could go to bed that early again tonight... After we have some chocolate chip cookies!

She's Having a Ball

If I ever worried about Cameron during the day (which I honestly don't), this blog makes me love her babysitter even more!

That's How I Roll

Hey Cutie,
I can't believe how quickly the week went by and how exhausted I was by the end of it. Friday morning, none of us wanted to get out of bed! Daddy was working at a basketball game, so we had a lazy night at home and then managed to get ourselves up and going for a baby shower on Saturday morning. We arrived only one hour late! But we had to go celebrate with Stephanie for the little girl they are expecting just around the corner. I think we totaled up how many ladies are pregnant in our church group and here is the running total: Christy (mystery baby), Denise (a little boy), Stephanie (girl), Lenzie (mystery baby) Amy H. (a little girl), Jennifer (TWO boys), Kara, April.... Did I miss anyone? That is plenty of babies for you to be friends with!

Your daddy decided to be handy this weekend and tackle a crack in the ceiling up here in our loft. Apparently the builders decided to just take a shortcut when they were doing the drywall because there was a big gap that they filled in with putty junk. Daddy had to sand it down, put drywall tape over it, spackle it, sand it, (repeat, repeat) and then texture and paint it. Hopefully he will be finished with it tonight, but boy did it make a mess up here! We are just thankful that he is so handy because it probably would have cost a bundle to have someone come do it.

So last night we decided that we didn't feel like cooking and wanted to go out for dinner. First we tried Texas Roadhouse - an hour wait. We didn't think that would go over well with you. Then we tried Carino's - hour wait. FINE! We decided to go to the most uncrowded, quiet place around. Luby's. Bo loves Luby's and I generally refuse to eat there with him, but I was starving and impatient and gave in. I am pretty sure that you dropped the average age in half, Baby Girl! Apparently I don't know any of the secret Luby's etiquette, because I ordered wrong, took too many rolls, grabbed extra silverware and tried to pay the guy who only rings up your food. The only good thing is that your daddy and I could actually hear each other to have a real conversation and laughed so hard over dinner that I was teary-eyed. We made lots of jokes about how old and uncool we are to be having a hot date at Luby's on a Saturday night. You were a pretty happy girl and were even more excited that we got to go to Target afterwards. And just to cement the fact that we were turning into geezers, we bought a humidifier for our bedroom. Yeah.

At least we got to take naps this weekend - one yesterday and today! We have to get back in the routine of getting up at 5:30 again. Mommy is going to have a really busy week with appointments, so we will hopefully be crashing early. I am so glad that I got to enjoy being with you and get some good snuggles in. You are getting so big and strong! Today Daddy wanted to know when you would be rolling over, but I told him not to get in too big of a hurry. We enjoy being able to set you down and not worry about you rolling away! And speaking of rolling, you are looking super cute in your new jammies!

It's Going.... TOO well!

Mrs. Cara says that you are an easy baby! She says she thinks having a newborn but skipping over all the hassle of having to pump or breastfeed is actually pretty enjoyable. Today she said that she told Ainslee to give you a hug, and she reached with both arms and hugged you. It must have been so adorable. Cara said she won't even hug her own parents like that on command! You must be pretty easy for her to manage because she loaded you and Ainslee up this afternoon and went to the park for a few minutes. Your mommy has never taken you anywhere fun like that!

After two days at work, I am starting to feel guilty, but not for the reason that everyone anticipates... I kind of like being back at work and feeling like I am good at my job. I have a million things on my to-do list, but I have a sense of control and predictability and accomplishment when I help students learn valuable things for their future. And the truth is that I guess I am not cut out to be a stay-at-home mom. And that's okay! Because I don't worry about you being away from me during the day. I think about you often (especially because I am pumping milk every three hours!) and I am thankful that you have someone so wonderful to watch over you while Mommy is at her job. I have joked that our mortgage made the decision for me to go back to work, but I really do have a peace that God gave me this job for a specific time in my life, and he also gave me the perfect gift of Mrs. Cara to be my friend and your babysitter.

I have to share two things that made me smile. My sweet friend Ashley sent me the most beautiful flowers at work yesterday. She knew that my first day at work might be hard, and wanted me to have something cheerful. There are the most beautiful lavender roses in it and my office smells great! And then tonight, your daddy gave you a new pet name. He loves to tease about things, and after seeing you pop up on your legs with a big grin on your face, he said that you are his little prairie dog. "P.D. Kilpatrick!" What a cutie!

Happy to be Home

Daddy picked you up from Cara's on your first day, and she seemed to think she might take you back tomorrow! She definitely agreed that you are a big fan of being swaddled and said that you liked her swing. (Shocking since you don't sit in yours for more than 5 minutes - maybe you are afraid of owls!) Mommy hurried home to see you and was so excited to hold you and give you lots of kisses. And while we were watching the Texas football game, Daddy gave you a little workout so you could practice kicking him in the chest and standing up. Just look at you, Big Girl!

Thank you for saving some smiles just for Daddy and me.

Fun's Over... Back to Work!

My Angel,
This weekend I was really trying to not stress or worry, just enjoy being home with our family. Grammy came to visit and was such a big help. We cleaned out your closet of newborn things that you have already outgrown, and I was so shocked! There were so many cute things that you have barely worn and I just wanted to make them stretch a bit longer. I have decided that I don't need to buy you any more new clothes because Emerson keeps passing down her things for you. You have tons of things that you need to wear before they are too small.

We went to a baby shower on Saturday for Mommy's friends Christy and Denise. They are both having babies in just about 4 weeks! Denise is having a little boy, but Christy will keep it a surprise for everyone. We can't wait to meet the newest additions to their growing families! Of course, you were not amused by all the noise of all those ladies chattering and interupting your nap, so you got a little fussy and we had to leave. But you were asleep before we even made it to the car! Grammy and I spent a nice quiet evening at home watching Kung Fu Panda and eating chinese food, of course.

Then yesterday, even though it was suddenly very windy and cold, we headed to church. The music is loud and tends to wake you up, so we sat in the lobby until the sermon started. Daddy was nice to save us a seat, but we had only been there for about 5 minutes before you had the worst dirty diaper I have seen yet! I just heard it and knew it was time to go! So after that disaster (it required a change of socks!) we stayed in the cozy little room for nursing moms. It has a TV so you can still watch the service and comfy couches. You were very happy and were even up for an early lunch afterwards.

I told your daddy that today felt like the first day of school for me. I have lists everywhere with reminders and had all of my bags and today's clothes laid out. I was so worried that I was going to forget something important for you! You were asleep when I left you with Mrs. Cara, and I caught myself getting all teary-eyed when I said I was leaving! I know you will have a wonderful time and I can't wait for you and Cara to just fall in love with each other. Ainslee may take some extra time to get used to you hogging her mommy's attention, but you will eventually be great friends. She is going to teach you a lot!

Work is going to be a bit overwhelming. I feel like I have closed off my brain to all things related to my office for the past two months. My only thoughts have been baby, milk, and sleep! So I hope I can gently break myself back in. No time to slack! I have to use my time wisely so I can get out of here when the clock strikes 5:00!

The Real Pictures!

Well, I begged for mercy from our friend Nelson to let me have digital copies of just a few pictures from our fancy photo shoot. His response was, "Only if you take the scanned ones off of your blog!" Apparently he didn't think my scanner did them justice either. So I have honored that promise, and here are the real pictures! I am so excited! I think the one of her and Bo is my favorite...

Happy New Year!

You are a wild party girl! We were actually awake for the midnight madness of 2008 coming to an end, but only because you were eating a very late dinner. We watched a movie (which you and Daddy sort of slept through) and so we wanted to make sure that you would give us a few more hours of sleep. And since Daddy has the day off from work, he is working around the house. He has worked on the fence, trimmed back stuff in the garden, and helped me pick up the house. We took ornaments off the Christmas tree and still have more things to put away in your room. Good thing you aren't big enough to complain about the mess your mommy seems to ignore everywhere!

Now that it is 2009, everyone is probably thinking about their resolutions. To be honest, I am not great at keeping them, so I don't usually make one. Last year at this time, I really wanted to get in better shape, so I joined a gym. That is on my mind again this year, but I will just have to make do with carrying you around and hope that I make time to use the Wii Fit. It really is fun to use, if I would just take it out of the box now and then! But mostly, I just want to try to make it back to work and still feel like I am giving you enough of my time and affection. You are going to grow up to be a fabulous girl, and I want to be able to take credit for it!

Your Grammy has just arrived to visit for a few more days before she has to go back to school too. I think we are going to do a little more post-Christmas shopping and just hang out with you. We sure do love you, Little One!