Camden is 1 week old!

Oh man, I have been wanting to blog but I am barely keeping my head above water. So, this post will probably be kinda long and hopefully not at all boring....

First things first- yes I am gonna blog about my "birth story" eventually and I have given myself a month to update the blog title and add new photos since we are no longer a family of 6. I just need to search for a header and background I like and also new pics need to be taken. That being said- where do I start?

It has been an amazing, stressful, happy, weepy, blessed first week with a new baby around here. We are sooo in love with Cam and can't get enough. I had an audience (the entire family) for his first big tarry poop and his first sponge bath. The kids are pretty fascinated by their new brother and I probably could have saved a ton of money on baby gear as he's always in someone's arms. Breastfeeding has gone as well as could be expected for someone whose boobs haven't nursed a baby in almost 8 years. Sore and cracked. But, I suffer through and it's getting better. He is getting enough to eat for sure and has already gained 1/4 inch and only lost 1/2 a pound per his first doctor's appointment. So that is great news. I however have been a bit weepy since coming down off a hormone high. I have either been head over heels in love with my family or overwhelmed or tired so I cry here and there. But, I have amazing friends and family who have kept me sane. I do have a bit of cabin fever and the blahs as well, probably from lack of sunshine. I really want to get out but it's too soon and I am TERRIFIED of swine flu, colds, etc. So, I am staying put and trying to keep my chin up. A shower does wonders as does brushing my teeth. We have also been spoiled rotten by our friends who have kept us fed. We have had casseroles, lasagna, spaghetti, tacos, and DESSERTS! It's amazing! We have saved a ton of time and $$ which are in short supply with such a big family. I get teary eyed just thinking of how blessed we are. Really, who knew people really liked us and wanted to help? I am stunned. So far each day is pretty routine- Jon and the kids go off to work and school and the baby and I go back to bed! We spend our days nursing, diapering, resting, and I watch TV and do minor chores here and there. I spend a huge portion of each day kissing Camden and rubbing his velvety head and soft feet. I love the way he smells and my most favorite of all is how he quiets down at the sound of my voice and the way he "roots" for a nipple on my face. He is so sweet and of course- PERFECT! I seriously can't believe having another baby was a question all these years. Yes, it is hard having 5 kids and juggling all that comes with our life but when I look at their faces it is so worth it!


sleeping, look at those hands...


sleeping some more


wide awake at bedtime


same as above, and yes he sleeps with us


he slid way down in his boppy


first bath

Baby Showers!

Me and the baby (and Jon) were recently the guests of honor at not one but TWO baby showers. They were thrown by my sweet sister Kelli and two sweet friends, Erin and Sarah. One was for my friends from Grand Prairie and Arlington and one was for our couple friends. And, these ladies went all out. We're not just talking cake and punch here. We're talking FOOD, FAVORS, AWESOME CAKE, DECORATIONS! And, these sneaky ladies not only planned and hosted a great party- they gave me gifts too. Which, they will be getting spanked for.... as soon as I have some energy to do so. I specifically told them no gifts if they hosted the shower, but they didn't listen. I had a great time at both showers and I think Jon had a pretty swell time as well, he did pretty good for his first ever baby shower! I am just so thankful for my friends and family, that I was all mushy both days. I was able to score enough clothes, blankets, diapers, toys, sheets, and all manner of fun things that baby boy is spoiled already! I was also able to get a ton of gift cards that I am gonna put towards some of my bigger items. Thanks again for a great time! I am a lucky girl to have such an amazing support system. I have but a few photos, I was too busy eating and talking to take very many. But, I know for sure Miss Sarah has some great ones over at her blog. She was able to get pics of all the cute decorations. Check it out here. I may be able to scam some from Erin sometime too, we'll see.

P.S. I do believe I am in the home stretch....!

about to open our loot at couple's shower (gotta love my hips, they were made for birthing babies or so it appears)


cutting the cake (aww, just like our wedding day)


kiss, kiss (they made us)


me and Miss Chloe at my girls only soiree

My kind of day!

Jon and I celebrated our birthday (yes, we were both born on February 28th) on Saturday by doing a few of the things we enjoy. I slept in until NOON! Meanwhile, Jon went to work and afterwards took the kids to the BMX track for some practice. While they were gone I piddled around the house (cleaning and Facebook-ing) and took the longest bath ever. It felt great! And as an added bonus- no one walked in while I was in there because no one was home but me! We had planned to have dinner and see a movie, but the movie we wanted to see (The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke) was only playing in Dallas and at Grapevine Mills. Chan was babysitting and we felt it would be best if we ate and came straight home. Honestly, that's more our style anyway seeing as we outgrew club hopping a long time ago. Some people may find us boring, but that's just who we are. Dinner out and adult conversation are luxuries and really I am too tired to do much more. We went to one of our favorite places: P F Changs and had some yummy food- super spicy Dali chicken, shrimp with candied walnuts, lettuce wraps, and chicken fried rice. Yum! I had to un-button my pants on the way home, lovely. So worth it though. Even though it was super low key, we had fun. We both forgot to get cards and decided against cake, seeing as we were way too full. But, we made a promise to each other to get cards asap and that tomorrow evening we will have cake. Not uncommon for Jon to forget, but very unlike me, I have been slightly distracted... I do want to thank EVERYONE for the awesome birthday wishes via phone, text, cards, and Facebook. I really am blessed to have such great family and friends. And, before I log off for the night I wanted to share our fortunes, they seemed very fitting considering our recent news this past week. For some reason the waiter gave us three cookies even though it was just me and Jon. I of course took it to mean I should eat two of them, one for me and one for the baby.

Jon's fortune: Your eyes will soon be opened to a world full of beauty, charm and adventure. And on the back was one word: GIRL.

My two fortunes: #1- A single kind word can keep one warm for years and #2- You will receive a surprising gift very soon.

Happy Birthday to me and Jon 2/28/2009

Under construction...

Ok, so I am behind on all things Christmas. Normally I would have decorated, done picures and cards, shopped, and re-vamped my blog Christmas style by now. But, I have been busy otherwise: 2 roadtrips, dog surgery, dentist appointments, a baby blessing, and 1 science fair project to be exact. So, today I am in the process of getting alot of it done. The outside of the house is decorated, finally. Half the inside is done and half the blog is done. So, I am getting there. Since I am computer challenged, my friend Shannon is doing my blog for me. Thanks Shannon! Hopefully between her creativity and my input we can get it all done up soon!