mommy and baby

Who wants to see a current picture of me and Camden? Hopefully YOU! Here you go. Oh, he might have a few boogers- this was before his bath and after mine. Jon and I got to leave the house tonight so I got to wear decent clothes and makeup. I might have even brushed my teeth. We went to a friend's 40th birthday party and stopped afterwards for Olive Garden to go. Hey, not the steak I was craving but who am I to complain?

I'm not looking at the camera mother!


this is soooo annoying...


Hey, what's that?


mommy, stop squishing my face!


here Cam, here's how you do it. Smile like mommy!

Miss Me, Miss Me...

now you gotta kiss something??
Anyway- I bet you are as shocked as I am that I am actually blogging... I really do miss it and updating is always in the back of my mind, but I am just so busy all the time. However, now that Camden is trying to grow up on me and be alot more independent I might actually have time to blog! Sounds crazy I know, but in the last 10 days he has finally developed a taste for baby food and learned to sit up, crawl, and pull up! Yes, I realize he will be into everything but he won't be overly clingy and wanting to nurse every hour and be held constantly. I have tried for months to figure out why he constantly spits up and is fussy between his every hour nursing sessions (in addition to several other symptoms) and I finally think I know what it is! Read here. Basically I am making too much of the sugary first milk and not enough of the fatty hind milk (that satisfies him longer) which means he is hungry and gassy and has every other symptom listed except for frequent diaper rashes. It has been very frustrating simply because not only was I not used to a baby in the house but none of my other kiddos were this clingy and fussy. But, now that he is relying on three mini meals of baby food a day and can move all around the house (so far he's staying in the living room) he is much less cranky and A TON of fun! Which for me means- I can have my life back! If only for a little while. Until he's trying to dive off the couch or open the cabinets for pots to bang on or maybe go fishing in the toilet. He is a momma's boy though which drives Jon nuts so when I do get to take a nice looong bath or get on the computer, it's never for very long.... but we'll get there- I think! I can't promise I'll post daily but I am gonna try.

Cam is 6 months old already?!

My little Camden turned 6 months old on the 10th, craziness! In some ways it seems like he's been here forever and in other ways, I feel like I'm reliving the first month all over again... He has definitely been a challenging baby, and I was definitely not used to having a baby in the house. He seems to be a snacker when he nurses and wants to nurse for 15 minutes every hour, plus he wants to nurse to sleep for naps and at night. So, I often wonder why I bother wearing a top or bra... Really I should go lounge on a topless beach somewhere with a cool drink and let him snack away. I guess I was more used to my freedom than I realized! He loves to be read to or be played with, tickled, cooed at, rocked etc. and he loves his jumperoo and swing, but he can only last solo for 15 minutes or less. So, between the near constant nursing and his less than stellar attention span, I am constantly at his beck and call! Don't you dare call him spoiled....
And, now for the fun stuff! He has almost mastered getting into a sitting position alone, once he's there he can stay that way unassisted for a good long while. He has been rocking on all fours for over a month and does these spastic jerky crawling motions. He can drag himself forward a bit and has mastered backwards scooting. He is blowing bubbles, still cooing, giggling, and has just started the cutest babbling sounds. He likes water from a cup and finally loves baby cereal. His other faves are pureed or refried beans, mashed potatoes, avocado, yogurt, and mashed banana, or in other words- big people food. I am fixing to stop at nothing to get him to eat baby food. I want him used to all the flavors as opposed to him wanting big people food all the time! There are only so many things I can mash up that he won't gag on and I'm too busy to make homemade baby food! He still sleeps with us, which is kicking my butt because he wants to nurse alot or snuggle up to my boob (his pillow) and I am tired all the time because of that...
He is absolutely in LOVE with the big kids and gets very excited, giggly, and smiley when they come home from school. They are pretty smitten with him too. However, they hate when he cries in the car (which he loathes) and when he's fussy when they are ready for bed. They also DO NOT like when he spits up on them and so far Jon and I are the only ones that will change a poopy diaper. Which at this moment is still every other day and yellow- they are gonna die when it's brown and super stinky...
Anyway- here's to the next 6 months! May they be just as fun, not as stressful, and full of fun memories!
P.S. I may add a few pics later- he's being fussy right now... big shocker! This is one of many reasons I never get to blog anymore!!

First Food!

Cam had his first taste of cereal on Monday. And, he hated it! He gagged far worse than any of the other kids ever did. I thinned it to almost pure formula (what? I am all out of pumped breastmilk...) with a tiny bit of cereal and it was still too thick for him. He did look cute in his french fry bib and high chair though! I am thinking he'll survive until we try again, especially since at his doctor appointment yesterday he weighed in at 15.4 pounds and 26.5 inches long! All of the many many hours spent nursing are paying off. She was very pleased with his growth given the fact that he spits up so much. He is so sweet and I am so in love with him. He is super close to rolling over (finally) from back to front and giggles all the time. His favorite thing to do now is try and sit up when I am changing his diaper or he is in his tub or swing. I can't believe he is already 4 months old, time sure does fly! Anyway- here are some pics of the momentous occasion. Enjoy!

blessing the food


watching mommy mix his cereal


3...2...1


GAG, so blurry but sooo funny!


yuck, ick, blech!


hey! This isn't what I'm used to eating...


no more mommy!!


hating being wiped up almost as bad as eating cereal

Tidbits

Ok, here is what's been going on:

Christmas is FINALLY over, yay! I am so glad and I don't mean to sound like Scrooge at all. Mainly because our house is so over run with baby goodies that I will not be sad to see the tree and other decor go in the attic. Hopefully we'll have won the lottery and gotten a bigger house before next year.... HAHAHAHAHA! LOLOLOLOL! Christmas was a blast as always! Camden's first Christmas didn't disappoint, however I forgot to get him a Baby's 1st Christmas outfit and a pic of him wearing said non-existent outfit... oh well!

I got an IPHONE! I love it so much! It is the funnest thing to play with although I don't know half of the things it is capable of. But give me time! I never want to own another phone. It is SO COOL!

Jon and I are discussing putting our house on the market. Yes, the real estate market isn't great now. But, with prayer, faith, and much intense discussion we feel like if it's the right thing to do we'll know. Also, if it sells quickly that will be a determining factor as well. We aren't 100% sure where we would go but have discussed Grand Prairie near Joe Pool Lake. Personally I would miss my friends over here terribly and our pool and stuff but we need more living space and less yard.

Camden weighs 16 POUNDS! He is getting so big. He is giggling and kicking and is just so full of personality. I just love him to bits. He put on quite a show for family over the holiday and was passed from person to person and boy did he ever ham it up! He has been drooling and chewing like crazy. I think he may be in the beginning stages of teething. Certainly his boobie-biting has been an indicator. Santa brought him some baby cereal and 1st foods, so after his 4 month check up in a few weeks he may be starting solids!

Ok, here's a biggie: what do those of you who live near family do to divide your time with family evenly over the holidays? Jon and I had a pretty heated argument about this over Christmas. Yes, bad timing I know... I absolutely LOVE both of our families to pieces but it seems as if I don't ever get to see enough of them on holidays. We are either at our own house or on the road. What to do? There are only so many days... advice/opinions please!

Chandler took his SATs the other day and scored 1800 out of 2400. I was hoping for a perfect score :) to help him get into a good school or the very least a decent scholarship. I am super proud of him no matter what! He is more than likely gonna retake it, simply to see if he can get a higher score and because when he took it the first time he had 4 hours of sleep, no breakfast and he left his calculator at home.

And, last but CERTAINLY not least: both of Jon's grandmothers passed away within 13 days of each other. So super sad and at Christmas too. His maternal grandmother, Mabel, was in her mid nineties and it was expected that she wouldn't make it til Christmas. But, it was very hard regardless. She was soooo sweet and I loved her so much. Just a sweet kind little lady with a great spirit about her. I will miss her so much. His other grandma, Cecilia, was his stepdad's (from age 5 to 25) mom and she was a feisty redhead like me, so naturally we hit it off from the first time I met her. Her passing was VERY unexpected and hit an already grieving family hard. I am so sorry to all family on hubby's side for such a devastating loss during Christmas. These two neat ladies will be dearly missed. As soon as I can get my scanner working I hope to load some pics of Mabel and Cecilia on here.

And, on that note I am gonna finish my chores and dinner. I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and I am wishing all of y'all a healthy, prosperous, Happy New Year! Can't wait to hear those resolutions!

Shark!

So, technically Cam is not supposed to start solids til February or March. However, he appears to be bored with a breastmilk only diet. And, he's decided to broaden his culinary horizon. Food of choice? ME! A couple of times around the 6 to 8 week mark, he "bit" down on the boob that feeds him, hard! After that, he continued to do it once a week or so but this past week it's been EVERY SINGLE FEEDING! Yes, he is toof-less, but it still hurts very bad. So bad that the other day I got tears in my eyes. He won't do it the first 5 or 10 minutes of nursing but waits until he's ready to burp or swap sides. Sometimes he'll do it when I'm half asleep like the 4am feeding or his last feeding of the day. He does it at 6:30 when I should be getting up, and it works. No need for an alarm clock when a small child is trying to chew off your nipple. He bites me every time he lets go or falls asleep. And, he thinks it's funny... because unless he has dozed off he grins at me real big. And, I know he doesn't know any better but I swear he's smiling at me as if to say "LOL Mom, I know that hurts but you won't stop breastfeeding me because you know it's healthiest and you aren't going to flick my cheeks or thump my mouth like some Mommies do." Ugghh! And, he's right. I won't flick him or thump him, but I have yelled out and yep, he smiled BIG! So, I am hope, hope, hoping he stops it- soon! I am so afraid I am gonna look like one of those tribal women from National Geographic if this continues. I have developed anxiety every time I feed him and I don't think it's good for either of us to be anxious during feedings. So, any advice? I need to get this nipped in the nipple before he gets teeth... pun intended :)

OMG Ashley look at your butt... and stomach, and thighs, and double chin and...!

I am sitting here drinking a Coke while a Dove chocolate melts in my mouth and I know that the good times of giving into the cravings are over. Besides, the three C's- chocolate, cheese, and Coke make Camden fart. I had seriously cut down on them when I discovered they made him gassy, but eventually the cravings won me over. But, now that he had his 3 month birthday today, it's TIME! Time to eat healthier and guzzle even more water than I normally do. I try and eat somewhat healthy but I am so nowhere near perfect. I am lucky that I am nursing because it burns so many calories and I feel like if I had tried harder that I could have lost more weight by now. Thankfully I lost every single pound I gained during my pregnancy which is nice, however it's definitely distributed differently. Honestly I don't know how the scale has the same number because my face is puffy, I have a fat belly, and of course there's my boobage, which I swear needs it's own zip code. I am gonna start slowly partly because I am not sure how many calories I should eat and because I don't have time to read labels and count calories like I did before. My plan is to eat healthy, normal portions and not go for seconds. I will allow myself to "cheat" but not everyday like I have been. I am also gonna double my water intake which is already pretty high. For exercise, I am gonna put on my Reebok Easy Tone shoes and do the treadmill while Camden swings or looks at his mobile or something! I may even try and keep them on while I do chores and whatnot. I won't wear them in public though- they are fugly! I am pretty sure that lugging the car seat and carrying around a 13 pound baby will help me in the weights area. I am gonna see how things go on this "plan" of mine for a few months and if I am not showing marked improvement I'm gonna have to join a gym and consult with a trainer. I don't think I was ever meant to be teeny tiny and although I love sports and am pretty athletic I am never gonna be a gym rat, a runner, or a slave to exercise. Life is pretty busy and as long as I try and stay healthy that is what's important. And, first and foremost is my family so I really don't want anything to get in the way of that. I wanna enjoy the last year Chandler is in our home and I want to be able to spoil my last baby as long as he'll let me. Anyway- I guess I am telling you guys this so I can get advice and/or words of encouragement along the way. Wish me luck!

Yes, I Know

I suck at blogging. I am just so super busy, it's insane... I have been trying so hard to keep up with housework, laundry, cooking, bathing etc. that blogging is on the fun list, a list I rarely get to work on. Factor in preparations for Chandler's Senior year such as SAT's, football banquet, cap and gown orders, Senior pics, yearbook stuff etc. that I hardly ever get a moment's peace and when I do I am breastfeeding or changing diapers.
In addition- I have noticed my blog is getting under 20 views per day, ouch! Soon I will have a lovely new CUSTOM MADE header and SHINY NEW PICTURES which I hope translates into me being a better blogger. Crosses fingers... In the meantime, here are a bunch of totally random pictures of totally random stuff. Have a GROOVY day. I am off to decorate the Christmas tree. Oh joy!

hot cocoa bar, Starbucks eat your heart out! Love my CocoMotion all these years later, thanks Aunt Sarah!


YUM-O The Ashley Hot Chocolate Supreme


the Grinch Who Stole Christmas


Chloe and her trophy from Grands!


trying out hats...


every day...


to keep his male patterned bald head warm!

Baby Barf

Ok, so we got an AMAZING new camera and although it's supposed to be mine I haven't had a chance to play with it yet... but Chloe has. When we were out of town for Thanksgiving she was able to capture an all too frequent event in my daily life: Camden spitting up on me!

Stuffing!

I don't have a ton of time to blog tonight- one reason being that we are all sharing one computer... which is practically a national tragedy. So, I'm "stuffing" everything into one post. We made it to Oklahoma once again this year for the BMX races. The ride was interesting now that we have Camden- he did very well but when he got hungry or bored you knew it! We had to pull over so I could feed him twice, I did try once to lean over and feed him, which worked a little but made my back hurt and frustrated him. What is normally a 5 hour drive if we stop for dinner and gas took 7 hours this year. So far I am having an ok time- but I really miss Chan who stayed back in Texas. I guess because of Camden and my new routine I feel really weird being away from home in a hotel with a baby. Plus, I really wanted to be with as much family as possible this year and have a memorable first Thanksgiving for Camden. Don't get me wrong this is fun and I've enjoyed it the last few years but I think the novelty has worn off, so I am not sure what next year holds.... It is Chloe's first year to race and Hunter has kinda lost interest so I am wishing her, Jon, and Hayden good luck! I will definitely keep everyone posted. So funny- last year, Chloe and I had fun walking around the venue in our new sweaters and scarves just chillin' and people watching. We saw a lady with a newborn and I mentioned to Chloe how crazy that woman was to have a new baby in a dusty arena and to have to bunk in a hotel for 5 days. Gee, what a difference a year makes! Here I am hanging out with Hunter and Camden- people watching, bunking in a hotel but also stopping to rock, nurse and soothe a 10 week old baby while my Chloe girl races. Weirdness...
Anyway- we stopped for Thanksgiving lunch at Ruby Tuesday where I had a traditional turkey dinner and my family ate buffalo wings... dorks! Now, we are hanging in our hotel room watching Horton Hears a Who and snacking on junk- squeeze cheese on Ritz, pecan pie and birthday cake. That's right- my Hayden is 8!! Happy Birthday Hayden! Thank goodness we did a party at Trail Dust last weekend or I would have felt that he was cheated on his birthday. But really is he? I mean- road trip, junk food, BMX'ing etc? I'm sure he's having a ball! Anywho, I am off to watch the tube. I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving!

snacks!


Hayden and his mini birthday cake in our hotel



me and Hayden at Traildust last weekend


Hayden and his cake at Traildust


taking a bath in the hotel sink


Thanksgiving outfit

They're back to where they once belonged...

So... in case you were wondering, I got me a new nursing bra! Woo Hoo, I am sooo happy! I went to Nordstrom on the advice of my sisters and got fitted. Now, I won't lie, it was awkward to have the fitter lady tell me to take off my top... and then have to stand there more nekkid than I am used to under fluorescent lighting. She measured me and came in with a few bras and nada, too small. I felt like I was being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She left and came in with another and as soon as I slipped it on I could hear the angels singing. Honestly, I had forgotten what the girls looked like that close! So, I told her I would take it and she went to the register, put it in a fancy Nordstrom shopping bag, and rang me up. $74 dollars later, I am still a happy woman. It wasn't until I got home that I opened the bag and looked at my new bra and all it's fancy glory. It is silky and beige and oh so lacy and pretty, but very sturdy. The hook on the cups is even fancy- a silk loop! The back hooks look like metal- I am sure they are platinum or something... the brand of the bra is embroidered in cursive on the side and the straps are padded and soft. I am seriously afraid to wear it- ya know spit up, milk etc. I looked at the size AFTER I got home. I won't tell you what it was but I'll give you two hints: it's how old I'll be in 3 years and the 8th letter of the alphabet. Now, I'll leave you alone while you count on your fingers....

Youngest and Oldest

It's hard to believe that my baby Chan is a Senior in high school and it's even harder to believe that I have a new baby boy, Camden to round out our family. So, to preserve the memories forever and to celebrate two such amazing things- a graduation from high school and a new sweet baby- I had a great photographer take pics of the boys for me. Missy Saunders, who is not only a very talented chick, she is also an awesome friend to my sister Kelli. Anyway- I think she did an amazing job as always. She took our Christmas pics last year as well and if I could afford it, I would have her over all the time just to take pics. So, without further ado, I will show you the pics now. She captured a ton of good ones, but I am only posting three each of the boys, simply because Blogger can be slow and I have to pack for our Thanksgiving trip. Here they are:








P.S. Missy's photography site

Camden Cooing!

Ok, so I'm really really tired... understatement. Camden had a massive belly ache last night (can you say refried beans?). So, I am just gonna add a link to Youtube for you to click on so you can see Camden and me chatting away. Enjoy!

Camden cooing take 1


Camden cooing take 2

Camden cooing take 3

Do your boobs hang low?

Ok, so I need HELP! It's no secret to anyone that I am currently breastfeeding Camden. But, I have a problem- Elsie* and Daisy* are sagging BAD. And, if I want to remain attractive and keep my breasties from falling out of the bottom and armholes of my shirts I need bra advice NOW! Where in the world can I get a good supportive nursing bra? I currently own 7 and I have purchased them from Motherhood, Target, and JC Penney's. They all stink and they do not work for me at all! Pretty please give me opinions, advice etc.

*formerly Bertha and Martha* They will go back to their previous names when the milk factory closes.

A name and a blessing

Last Sunday was Camden's blessing. I would have done it MUCH sooner but I've been so busy, imagine that! It turned out nice. Of course he fussed a bit during and we almost didn't make it on time. It is hard to get 7 people out the door by 8:30!! Of course I blubbered like a baby myself during the whole service and especially during the blessing. Afterwards we went to a local park so the kids could play and I had brought muffins, donuts, juices, milk, water etc. It was fun to chat and eat and be with family. The only downfall was the morning was cold and windy, but we still had a nice morning together as a family. I am so very blessed to have such a great family and am so thankful for Cam and that Heavenly Father sent such a sweet Spirit to us. What a great day! And, thanks to everyone for coming and participating and to Lois for snapping some pics for us. We love y'all!

Some of the highlights of Camden's blessing:

* you are blessed with a positive attitude and an obedient spirit

* you are blessed to be born into a loving family with older siblings who will help you

* you will be a blessing and a light to your parents as they raise you in wisdom

* you will have a blessing of education both in public school and throughout life

* you have the blessing that one day you will be able to support a family

* you are blessed with strength, health, and happiness

* you are blessed once again to be a great support to your family

Camden's 2 month check-up

I CANNOT believe Camden is already 2 months old! Holy Cow! Where in the world does the time go? I took him for his check-up and shots yesterday and that wasn't at all pleasant. The visit itself was fine, if you ignore the fact that I had to wait in a germ infested waiting room and he got painful shots in each chubby thigh and yes they are chubby! He weighs 12 lbs 6 oz and is already 24 and 3/4 inches long, which means he has gained 4 pounds and almost 3 inches!! I am amazed at his growth- he is in the 95th percentile for height and 50th for weight. He is a big strong boy, probably because he nurses ALOT. He's not really fat just a healthy size. We are pretty sure he does have reflux which is causing all the spitting up. I have an RX for Zantac to pick up- $51.00 for 2.5 oz! It better work. Anyway, I really think he nurses so much because he so often spits up whole feedings. We change clothes alot, me and him. Thank goodness my milk is free, otherwise we'd be spending a fortune on formula! In other Camden news, he is rolling over front to back, smiling all the time, sleeping from 12 to 6 every night and my favorite- cooing and kicking his fat legs! He is much more social now and loves to be outside on a blanket soaking up the rays (not direct sunlight of course). I think his favorite thing of all besides nursing is taking a bath. He will sit in there and grin and splash his heart out, which I hope to get a video of soon.
I felt so bad for him when he got his shots. He cried for several hours in pain but would keep spitting up his Tylenol. I got Feverall suppositories, but thankfully didn't need them. After a warm bath and a cuddle he slept all night and is loads better today. Anyway, he is just a cool kid and I am head over heels. I could sit, cuddle and "chat" with him all the live long day! He was blessed this past weekend and I will be putting some photos on here soon. I got one of our family but none of him in his outfit... dang it.

smile! click for a dimple shot, can you see it??


extreme closeup!


cooing....


mid conversation