Superb at Seven Months

Sweet Girl,
You are seven months (and a day) old! Sorry Mommy is late. We have been so busy watching you in action that I nearly forgot that a whole other month has passed! You are so close to crawling - you are now up on all fours and occasionally rock back and forth... No actual going for it just yet, but you still get around pretty fast just by rolling and "army" crawling.

You are growing so well and have such a happy disposition. You have a been a little fussy around dinner time and I think I know why... Your other bottom tooth came poking through today. Your gorgeous red hair is getting longer and can hopefully soon hold some tiny clipped on bows!

And eating is definitely not a struggle for us! You are a big fan of baby food and have yet to come across one that you wouldn't eat. Daddy is a little worried that you might be allergic to bananas since you keep scratching your ears (he says they make him feel itchy too!) so we are going to lay off of them for a bit and see. But you have eaten carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, bananas, and even a few mixtures. Ms. Christy gave me the happy news that we can stop giving you rice cereal and just do more baby food now. You are hungry enough for the big jars too!

We are trying to keep you on a routine (should be interesting when Mommy and Daddy go on a trip soon) of eating and sleeping. You seem to let us know what you want and are quickly calmed down when you get it. You still nap alot in the car, but we worry sometimes that your neck is so leaned over! When you wake up and scream, I figure it is the first pang of stiffness from that position!

So now at night, we are going to take a bath, brush those teeth (hehe), have your bottle, read a story, and sing a song before you go to sleep. You are so happy that Daddy and I trade off this duty so you get to enjoy us both throughout the week.

Well, Mommy had better get some sleep herself! Here comes another week... And I have a feeling I am going to need my energy to keep up with you!

Memorial Day Weekend

Little Toot,
Your first Memorial Day weekend was a smashing success. We did a whole lot of nothing and loved it.

We started off the weekend with a fabulous dinner at the Gristmill in Gruene with the Gilbreaths! We were in a G mood, I guess! You were so happy to be sitting on the patio since Ainslee's high chair was right next to you.

Until it started to rain! They were nice enough to move us to an inside table right away since we had TWO little ones. The food was really good and we always enjoy the chance to hang out with Jason and Cara other than when I am dropping you off or picking you up!

And then the whole Haley family arrived! My mom, both my sisters, one husband and all the kids.... And did I mention that we are down to one guest bed? It was a little crowded but everyone was so glad to have time to hang out since the Delgados are headed to Costa Rica in just over a month. (Mom, don't cry!) Emerson was so sweet to share all her toys with you, and she even tried out some of your things that she had given up long ago.

We spent Saturday hanging around the house enjoying the rain and did a little shopping at the Outlet Mall in San Marcos. Then Sunday, we all went to church and enjoyed the Memorial Day service. They had a really special presentation to honor all the branches of the military and those that have given their lives in service to our freedom. It was very touching, and reminded me that I am proud of my grandpa and brother-in-law that have both served in the Air Force.

So Sunday night we invited a few friends over to have dinner and hang out. We thought the kids might enjoy playing together... And boy, were we right! It started out peaceful with burgers and backyard marshmallow shooter fights, and quickly turned into a wild party. In your room, by the way.

I think Ainslee and Emerson had the most fun. There was lots of squeeling and dancing with excitement. They loved watching the bigger kids wrestle and make silly videos and play. Everyone stayed up way too late and left exhausted. We should definitely get you all together again, especially if it involves vacation days!

Big News, Guys!

i have.....

my first.....

TOOTH!

I am super pumped. Bring on the cookies!

Uncle Ryan

Hey, I know you! You're my Uncle Ryan!

We hung out at Christmas! I know, I'm bigger and cuter now.

You're totally jealous of my crab. No, I will not share.

Our Ultimate Goal

Hi Busy Girl,
I was thinking this morning about the parenting series we just started watching in our class at church. Last week in our discussion time, we were talking about how parents today seem to want to make their child "experience rich" and end up making them "relationally poor." That we hustle them around to a million activities, but they don't spend time with friends and family and they don't learn how to really relate to others.

It is easy for me to point a finger at other parents because you are only 6 months old, and the only place you go is to Mrs. Cara's! But I think I appreciate now the things that I did get to do as a child a bit more now. Just like now, my house as a child was about 20 miles away from town. Going to eat a nice dinner or going to dance class or gymnastics meant that my mom had to give up both the gas and time. And we will be the same way with you. We simply won't be able to shuttle you back and forth every night of the week for some activity.

But a person in my group mentioned a thought that struck me. We were talking about how some parents seem to be building their kids a resume already. That if they don't excel in certain things like sports or gymnastics or music by the time they are 10, then they assume that they won't make it to the "big leagues" of college or professional whatever. So they push and push from the very beginning. They have already made up their mind that the ultimate goal is their child being "successful" by following their plan.

And I will admit that I was taken back because I realized that I already had a plan in mind for you... I assume that you will just follow in my footsteps and do the same thing I did. Do well in school, go to college (I mean, we have already started saving, so you HAVE to go, right?) and then get married and have a family.

But this other mom said that the ultimate goal for our children should be to see them in heaven. That what they do here on earth, unless it is a sin or against God's plan for them, doesn't really make a huge difference. Could you not be just as happy being a stay-at-home Mom as you might be if you were a neurosurgeon? Does a social worker matter less in God's eyes than a Supreme Court Judge? Not one bit! So today I am going to focus on the ultimate goal - to show you the love of Jesus and hope that all my efforts are not to steer you onto my path, but to allow you to find the one already made perfect for you by your Heavenly Father.

But I am pretty sure that God and I both agree on the college thing, just so you know.

Mommy Guilt, Again

Well, this week is totally passing in a blur. We have a big event coming up this weekend, so I am literally spending every minute at work trying to get things prepared. I haven't even looked at our blog, let alone made time to write one... So today's post will be quite a paradox - me saying how completely swamped I am at work, yet here I am writing!

Your daddy has been working some contract football games two evenings a week, plus Saturday mornings, so it seems like we are trading off who comes home late. You always seem to be so excited to see us and have gotten your routine down. 6:30 - eat cereal, real baby food (you love everything so far, even peas!), and a bottle. Play time until you get cranky and take a cat nap, then another bottle around 9:00 and it's off to bed.

Rocking you to sleep has been so sweet lately. You tend to go to sleep better when you lay on your side, but now you are so long that your head and legs hang over the arms of the rocking chair. I remember you being so tiny in my arms! You can roll around now in your sleep, so every morning we seem to find you in a different spot in your crib. Sometimes sideways!

Well, this Saturday your daddy and I will be going to my work auction, so you are going to have your first babysitter that isn't from church! Daddy has asked one of his former students to come, so I hope you have a good time with her. Surely nothing major can go wrong in only three hours! Right, right?

Okay, back to work. Just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you even when we seem so busy. And I am very sorry about the other morning! You were laying in the middle of our bed, and since I thought you were still asleep, I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom when all of a sudden I heard a loud thump! You decided to nosedive off our bed. That's right - I confess to letting you out of my sight. Lesson learned, and now I pile pillows everywhere around you. I know this is the first of many times I will worry about you getting hurt, but truth is that you are on the move now and we have to just do our best. Granted, that was definitely not my best... I promise to do better. Oh, the guilt.

Happy Mother's Day

Our first Mom's Day was just the way I like it - stretched out over two days! Last night your daddy and I got to go on a nice date, and he decided to let me pick out a nice new dress as my present from you. We had a great evening at La Cantera and then had a cozy little dinner at Fralo's, an amazing pizza place nearby. We even brought our own bottle of wine and enjoyed some amazing turtle cheesecake.

Then today we went to church and had a relaxing afternoon. We came home from lunch and took a long nap! You have had so much fun rolling and scooting around, and we know it is only a matter of time before you figure out how to get those knees up and under you. Mrs. Cara told me on Friday that you are now able to roll across the room before she turns around, so she declared you officially "mobile!"

As much fun as I had with you, I was a little sad that we weren't able to be with your Grammy today. I hear they had a fabulous brunch with your Aunt Rachael and Aunt Amy and all the rest of the family. We hope we will be able to see them soon, and I guess I will be mailing a belated gift. I still can't believe that I am finally a Mommy myself! They asked all mom's that were celebrating their first Mother's Day to stand up in church, and it was so sweet to think how long I waited for you to give me this title. I know it carries a lot with it, and hope that I can take all the amazing examples that my mom has been for me and help you grow up into a smart and strong woman yourself. I love you and am so thankful that today, I could enjoy the best part of being a mom - holding you close and praying for the gift that you are to me.

Big thanks have to go to your daddy since you aren't really old enough to pick out a card or gift for me. Someday, I am sure he will be happy to turn over the reigns.... but today, he helped me celebrate in the sweetest way. In fact, I think my steak dinner is almost ready!

Happy Half Birthday!

My Little Girl,
I cannot believe how fast six months has gone by! You are sitting up, eating real baby food, chuckling at your daddy and constantly trying everything out by shoving it in your mouth. You are so beautiful and happy and easygoing. You are such a blessing, even on the days when you have poopy diaper blowouts and refuse to take a nap.

We survived our weekend without Daddy, but we were both so excited to have him home again. I think the time right after a trip for either of us is the best - we are always more thoughtful, more romantic, more appreciative of each other. Daddy said he missed you very much and was so thankful that we let him have the weekend to play. Now he says he needs to play golf all the time!

Tomorrow we head to the doctor for another round of shots. You have been so amazingly healthy so far. I don't want to regret saying this later, but you haven't really been sick at all! A runny nose here and there, the daily eye boogers, those things don't really phase me. I am just so thankful that we haven't battled fevers and jaundice and ear infections. Hooray for Mrs. Cara's house that keeps you germ free!

Here's to another six months of bliss! I cannot even imagine how different you will be at your first birthday. I love you so much, Miss Cameron!

Quick Update: You did great at the doctor, even though you were totally amused by shredding the paper on top of the table... Three shots, but they were over quickly and you were calm after just a minute of crying. You now weigh 17 lbs. 4 oz (75th percentile) and are 25 1/2 inches long (50th percentile). Doctor says you are growing just perfectly and that you can work your way through all the stage 1 baby foods!

Majorly late, but better than never

Here are some cute pictures from a few weekends ago when the Kilpatricks came to visit!

You loved getting to play with your Uncle Tanner. Sorry we didn't get a picture of you with Chance too!

You and Gigi had so much fun at the restaurant. We had to wait a while so she helped you eat your cereal and bottle. You were much more tolerable of the wait afterwards!

Now that you can sit up so well, we realized that you look a little funny on your play mat. The light at the top kept bumping you the in head, and the lights and sounds are motion-activated. Very silly!

You especially loved all your Gigi's sparkly jewelry and gave everything a nice spit-shine! Just proof that girls need sparkly things.

Avoiding any and all disasters....

Hey Honey Bun,
Well, the week is coming to a close and we are still Swine Flu-free! It is crazy how much this outbreak is all over the news and on everyone's minds. They actually closed three entire school districts around where we live, but none just yet in San Antonio. I will admit that I heard the news yesterday and got a little freaked out. Not being in school just made me think that all those kids would have nothing to do all day long but roam around my neck of the woods and spread their germs! So I decided not to go to the grocery store 5 minutes from home, and instead went to the big nice HEB Plus (like a Super Walmart for non-SA people) closer to town. We have stocked up on anti-bacterial everything and are trying not to go too many crowded places. Unfortunately, we can't just stay home in bed all week!

Your daddy is all excited for his weekend getaway to the annual golf tournamant that his family puts on in Abilene. This year it is benefitting two charities, one of which gives backpacks of supplies to low-income schools - including the one your Grammy teaches at! So I think she will be volunteering this weekend just to chip in. Your daddy loaded up his new golf clubs and can't wait to hang out with all the guys. (Three friends from SA are going too!) Fortunately, he has been super sweet to help out around the house and spend lots of time with you since he will miss you all weekend.

This morning as we were driving to work, he called to tell me about a funny billboard that said, "Your Wife is Hot" in huge letters, then underneath it said, "Better get the A/C fixed." It made me laugh at first, then brought up a bit of fear...

I remember so many times when I was younger and my dad would go out of town for something, and inevitably, a major thing in our house would break or go awry. Like the car breaking down, or the laundry room flooding, or the dishwasher croaking. And I had a bit of a freakout wondering, "Oh crap, what is it going to be at our house?!?" So here's hoping we have an uneventful weekend!

Mommy is super thankful for our CBC "family" here that have graciously offered to babysit you while we have our Bowl-a-thon for work this weekend. Friday night you will be with Mr. Kevin (who I definitely think should be upgraded to "Uncle" status after all the times he has kept you) and Saturday you get to hang out with Dr./Aunt Kara and Mac (and Baby Morgan, who hasn't really arrived yet). I know you will be on your best behavior and have a great time!