Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Has anyone else experienced this?  Cameron isn’t quite to the point where I would call it separation anxiety, just more of a preference.  But it is definitely not for me!  This weekend I spent two days in Abilene for my cousin’s baby shower.  I didn’t bring Cameron because I really thought that four hours in the car would be a bit much to do twice in two days, but I thought that she would have fun with Bo while I was gone and maybe even miss me a little.

Now, on any normal day, she says “Daddy” a lot.  She wants to go see him first thing in the morning when she gets up.  They play and laugh together all the time.  She even says “Daddy” when we are on our way home and she wants to see him.

But I am starting to notice that she doesn’t say “Mommy” that much.  When I pick her up from daycare, the first thing she says is “backpack” because she knows that we get it out of the cabinet before we leave.  She says tons of words to let me know what she wants, like “diaper” or “down” and especially “MUK!”  But not so much “Mommy.”

And sure enough, when I got to see her Sunday evening, she came over with a big smile and gave me a hug, but then it was pretty much like I had never left.  She didn’t want to be held any more than usual and she only wanted to sit with Daddy to eat her dinner.  It would be very easy to convince myself that she didn’t miss me one bit.

So of course my over-analyzing brain starts going back to all kinds of things.  She smiled for Daddy for the first time.  She ate her first cereal for Daddy.  She seems to go to bed easier when Daddy sings for her.  All Mommy does is trap her in the car seat for two hours a day!

Ugh, what does a Mommy have to do to get some love around here?  And to make matters worse, I won’t be home for the first three nights of this week because of bible study and work events.  I won’t even make it home before she goes to bed.  I am really going to have to earn back some brownie points this weekend with Easter coming up…

Spring Break at Its Best

Waiting for the Weekends

Hi Big Girl,
The weekends have been such a respite from our busy weeks that I have been meaning to blog forever. Last weekend, you got to go to a fabulous children's museaum in New Braunfels (thanks to Courtney Stanley!) with the Gilbreaths, and you absolutely loved it. Of course, Mommy's camera battery was completely dead when we got there... It is such a cool place with all these fun sections like a miniature cavern, a camping setup, a newspaper office, a bank, a grocery store, a hospital, and a spaceship. You can play with tons of stuff, get creative in the art room and they even have an outdoor area with a bunch of water activities. You had a great time and I think Cara even got some cute pictures of you and Ainslee.

Then the following day, the weather was so perfect that we all absolutely had to be outdoors, so we cheered on Daddy for a quick nine holes of golf. You really liked riding in the cart with the wind blowing your hair, but I think you are turning into a bit of a daredevil because you kept wanting to stand up! I know when you were first learning to stand we called you our little prairie dog, but now I think you are our little Mountain Goat! You just want to be up as high as possible at all times.

During the week, we fought off more illnesses with Mommy starting on the same antibiotic as you. What a special family moment! My throat has been killing me, but I kicked the fever and achiness pretty quickly so that I could go back to work on Thursday. Friday your daycare was closed for "Spring Break," and we got to spend the weekend with Grammy, Aunt Rachael and your cousins Ryan and Emerson! You were so excited to have so many people to play with and steal things from. Unfortunately, our planned outing on Friday was the zoo and apparently a million other people wanted to be there too! We couldn't even get within a mile of the gate to park and since we didn't have a stroller, we decided the park near Cara's house would be just as fun for all you kids (thankfully we were right!) You three girls and Ryan had a great time playing in the sand of the volleyball court and running all over the playground. You loved the swings and just kept saying "whee!" over and over as your hair blew all over the place. Very cute!

Then Saturday you had a late start so you could squeeze in a quick nap before heading to a lunch date with Grandpa and Gigi and Uncle Tanner! They were in New Braunfels for a very quick trip to a pig farm, so we were happy to get to meet up. You got a little impatient but were very cute when you wanted to sit with each person and give everyone fives. After lunch, we headed back to the Children's Museum and you had a great time running all over the place. It was way too cold and windy to enjoy the water area outside, so you had a great time showing Emerson around. You were completely pooped when it was time to head home!

We were so thankful to have company for a quick Spring Break and even more thankful that they cleaned up so well after they left. When we got home from church, we had about thirty minutes notice for a showing on the house, so we had to do a mad-dash cleaning. Your daddy and I literally worked up a sweat running around taking care of the trash, mirrors, putting stuff away, making the bed... It is nice to have showings, but I want some offer action soon!

And just to keep tabs, we cleaned out your closet again this weekend and bumped you up to the 18-24 month size. We love our hand-me-downs, so you have a fabulous new wardrobe to enjoy. You did have a bit of a drooling issue this weekend, and sure enough you are getting two new "choppers" as your daddy says, one molar and one in the front on bottom. Talking up a storm, taking off into a funny jog when you want to get away, and loving the new puzzles your Grammy got you this weekend. You are one busy girl!

Our Beautiful First House

Just so we can always remember what it looked like, clean and bright!

Our big open living area

And my funky but wonderful orange kitchen/dining area

Our mexican themed decorations and my lovely light fixture. The table belonged to my mom and dad and definitely shows signs of lots of use and love!

The tin tile backsplash that Bo worked so hard to install himself

Our guest bedroom that Bo let me add some style to last year. The paint color is called Eiffel Tower and I got it from your Aunt Amy.

Our spacious and bright master bedroom (currently without our huge set of longhorns)

Our cute master bath with copper sinks

Cameron's room, which Bo says is his favorite in the house. So fun and cheery!

Our loft/office area. Amazingly clean and clutter-free!

Our huge backyard, so secluded from the neighbors. Perfect for red wagon rides and playing fetch with Joe Dog.

Our big back porch that has welcomed many friends for parties and has made some amazing barbecue! The metal bench belonged to my dad's mother, and was updated by my mom, then passed on to me. I love the bright turquoise!

And our new fence that Bo and I just put in to keep Joe secluded in the back lot while visitors come. He hates it, but I think it looks quite nice. We have been so spoiled only having neighbors on one side... Ah, the quiet country life!

Worrying Isn't Worth It

Miss C,
Thank you for being so wonderfully healthy and back to normal this week. The days are passing quickly because I seem to constantly have the same thing on my mind (and I think it is driving your daddy crazy...) When will our house sell? Personally, I think it looks fabulous. We have finished all our to-do lists and are keeping it perfectly clean EVERY DAY. We come home and try not to make a big mess. We leave and make sure every thing is put away so that the rooms look spacious and neat. And of course, we try browsing for houses online every once in a while. I look at them and think, "How could I decorate and change this? Does it have good potential or is it just 100% ugly?"

I worry that the road construction around our house will deter people from coming. I worry that someone will buy it too fast and we will have no idea where we are moving too. I worry that no one will buy it at all and I will die from cleaning exhaustion. Let's just say that I worry too much.

And you are just as happy as a lark. Smiling and laughing when Daddy teases you and says, "Hold you, hold you" just like you say to us all the time. It is my favorite thing you say now, even though it sort of sounds more like "old Jew" most of the time. We are going to work on being PC when you are older.

So I have decided to make up my mind and quit worrying. It just isn't any fun and it sucks the joy out of all the positive stuff (as your Grammy loves to say.) I want to appreciate living in such a beautifully clean home. I want to celebrate the fact that we have a wonderful supportive family that will gladly come visit us wherever we live. I want to be happy that your daddy stands beside me as we wait.

And here are the bible verses that I want to read and learn and ingrain upon my heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 "It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past (or the future!)"

Isaiah 26:7 "But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them."

Isaiah 46:10 "Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish."

Isaiah 66:24 "I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"

Psalm 139:4-5 "You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head."

Matthew 6:27, 34 "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Sixteen Months and Still Kickin'

Hello Darling,
Today you are home sick again from daycare and we are so ecstatically happy that your Daddy's mom came to stay with us and help out. After seeing our regular docotr yesterday, she determined that you don't have roseola, but more likely are either having a viral reaction or are allergic to the antibiotic you were on for your ear infections (which are thankfully all cleared up). She prescribed an oral steriod for the rash, which seems to be making a big impact quickly, and said we should try Zyrtec too. Your rash is clearing up in a bit of an odd way, with the red bumps first developing a white ring in the middle and then turning white from the inside out. Last night you had some odd red half-moon shapes where the rash was almost gone and a few areas left to get better. You do really seem to enjoy a nice bubble bath to soak and not have your clothes making you itch. It was so hard for us to see you uncomfortable and crying when we just didn't know what would make things better. Hopefully you can enjoy these few days with Savtah and your Uncle Jordan and be feeling back to 100% later this week. The only upside to you being sick is that you want to snuggle much more, especially with Daddy!

I can't believe another month has already passed. You are starting to say so many things in your own cute way. You definitely understand the right times to say "help" and up/down, and I love when you say blueberry ("boobeh") and spoon ("poo!") You are in a big phase where you want to do more things by yourself, especially eating. Even when you give up on the utensils and just eat everything with your hands - even oatmeal - it is still pretty cute. And Daddy loves it when you want to sit by him on the couch. The other day you two watched a very exciting Spurs game and he was so proud!

Even though we had no idea that you were feeling so terrible, you were a very happy girl to spend the weekend at home with us and were a fabulous subject for Mommy's impromptu photo shoot. You were adorable as ever and we love seeing that big happy smile. Especially since you have so many teeth now! What a big girl!

Poor Baby

Cameron,
These last few weeks have been rough! You fought off a double ear infection and fever to spend this entire week at daycare, but then this Saturday morning you woke up with a fever of 103.7. Mommy tried not to panic. After being on antibiotics for a whole week, we couldn't figure out what you could have gotten now! I had to go to work for the evening, but Daddy stayed with you and took great care of you. After you took a very long nap and were fever free, he even took you to a park for a nice hike! He said it was so wonderful to spend time with you and enjoy the beautiful scenery. You just got a little tired on the way back and Daddy ended up carrying you for a while. Next time we go back, I think we should take a stroller and bring Joe Dog!

Last night when your fever came back, we called our friend Dr. Keith to ask if we should make an emergency visit to the pediatrician. He said that your fever might have to just run its course and that it would probably be too early for them to know if you had a virus anyway... This morning you woke up with a fever still, so we stayed home and did chores all day in our pajamas. You don't really seem fussy and are still eating fine. But then this afternoon...




Spots! Mommy and Daddy felt so bad for you, but they didn't seem to bother you or itch one bit. After some quick internet research, Daddy figured out that you probably had roseola. With your high fever that came on quickly, the rash is the second indicator that the virus is on the way out. Don't think you are contagious anymore, but who knows how many kids got it at daycare this week.

After sending Dr. Keith a cell phone pic, he agreed that it looks like an agressive case of roseola. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything to give you or put on the rash. We will probably go to the doctor tomorrow to make sure that your antibiotics worked on the ear infections and confirm that it is roseola. So sorry, sweetheart!

Our Weekend at the Stock Show

You had so much fun going to see all of Daddy's family at the stock show. Other than the ridiculously long walk from where we had to park, we had fun too! You were all smiles for your Uncle Chance and Grandpa as they showed you around the pig barn.

And apparently you and Gigi must have chatted earlier because you were perfectly color-coordinated! You got a sweet Valentine's surprise from her and Grandpa - pink shoes with sparkly tops and zebra ribbon laces!

She even bought you two sparkly bracelets just like hers. You always love them and try to steal Gigi's. They are so tiny and adorable!

The highlight for you was definitely the petting zoo. You were so excited to see animals that you have seen in all your books. You told us all their noises and were all smiley.

Uncle Chance even helped you touch the baby pig! Though this one was no match for Aggie, the pig that is actually being shown in the stock show. Can you tell Uncle Tanner got to name him? :)

And Sunday you got all dressed up for church and were our perfect little Valentine.

Happy Valentines Day

We love love love love YOU!

Cross one off, add another.

Cameron,
Mommy is so looking forward to the weekend, but I still know that there is a lot to be done. Our house will officially be for sale in just one short week! Last night, we cleaned up the kitchen and did laundry to get ready for your daddy's family to come visit. It's rodeo time in San Antonio, which means stock shows (which means smelly pigs that Mommy somehow doesn't love as much as everyone else...) We are looking forward to having everyone over to our house for dinner perhaps on Saturday.

But we are frantically trying to get our to-do list all crossed off before next Wednesday. We spent the weekend power-washing the house, painting the new fence, and cleaning out closets. Last night we packed up a ton of clothes and shoes (of course mostly mine) to make our master closet look nice and spacious. I even packed up things out of the guest closet and the bathroom that we know we won't need for a while. My only worry is that our house will sit on the market and I will suddenly wish for something that is all packed away!

You have had a bit of an odd week too. Your tummy has been a little upset, but you don't seem to be grumpy. Your appetite is still good, so we have just tried cutting back on how much milk you drink and that seemed to help. Daddy even went and bought you lactose free milk to see if that was better. I really hope that you aren't suddenly becoming lactose intolerant because you sure love your dairy.

Here's hoping that we can make it through the rest of the week in one piece. You fell on Tuesday and got a huge busted lip at daycare (which bled horribly when you fell over again that night) but it is already looking much better. Hasn't stopped you from sucking your thumb and giving lots of kisses. And one shameless Mommy moment: This morning was cold and rainy, so I had set out your big fleece hat on your bookshelf. You saw it and patted your hair and said, "hat" to tell daddy that you wanted to wear it. He was so surprised! Smart and fashionable girl!

Hopefully if the weather clears up, we might head to the stock show with Grandpa and Gigi. We are supposed to be taking a bunch of things to our new storage building, but something tells me that family time will win out. Maybe we can just combine the two! Nothing like bonding over boxes!