4 Months!

Dear Campbell,

Another month has flown by... you are four months old today! You have grown so much this month. The beginning of February was rough for us. You took your first airplane ride to Austin and while we had a blast playing with Auntie Ash and Mimi and Poppy, the traveling wreaked havoc on the both of us. I got a terrible virus, then you got sick, then Daddy got sick, and then we spread it around again. You also regressed significantly in the sleep department. While you had been very easy to put to sleep at night previously, this month, it took us 3-4 hours a night to get you to stay asleep. Then you would be up 5-10 times a night. Usually, we could give you your paci and you'd fall back asleep, but a few nights you refused to sleep unless you were being held or rocked. It was a rough month.

Then, last week we decided to resume your reflux medication and that combined with some other changes (blackout curtains, a bigger swaddle blanket, bottle before bath, and new pacifiers -- MAM brand) you turned a corner! You've been napping a little better (still usually 45 minutes at a time but that's better than 10!). You also have gone to sleep very easily at night (6:30 pm bedtime) and you have stayed asleep. You have even slept through the night. See how much you have grown already!?!?

Aside from your sleep habits, you've changed in so many other ways, too. You have discovered your voice this month! You haven't stopped "talking", cooing and your new favorite -- squealing. Just last week you began squealing so loud it shook the house. We laugh every time you do it because it's so cute and so fun to watch you try to communicate. You've become very social, too. You love to be a part of whatever action is taking place. You have also become quite the flirt. You love to smile and giggle at the ladies. All the ladies. In fact, you gave your first real laugh for Mimi the other day.

Physically, you haven't stopped growing either! We had an appointment at the GI doctor today and they took your measurements. You are 16.2 pounds and 24 inches long! So big!! You are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes right now and size 3 diapers.

You are holding your head up really well and love to sit in your Bumbo and Super Seat. You are tolerating tummy time a little more each day, and you are putting everything in your mouth. You especially love to put your fists in your mouth. You're favorite toys right now are your Buddy Blanket, your musical inchworm, and you still love to lay on your play mat to look at all your toys hanging.

Cam, you are such a little ham. Sometimes I just stare at you because I can't believe you are really mine. You make me laugh every day, and I love you so much. Happy 4 month-day to you!!

Love always,
Mommy

Look how much you've grown!

The Light

I can see it. It's dim, but I am finally getting a glimpse of the light at the end of this reflux tunnel.

I'm rocking Cam to sleep as I write this on my iPhone. Tonight is the 5th night he has gone to sleep without a fight. The 5th night he's snoring in my arms without waking to cough, spit, choke or cry. It's the 5th night I feel a glimmer of hope that my baby is finding peace and comfort in his sleeping hours.

Last night, he slept from 6:30 pm-4 am. I never ever thought that day would come. It may have been a fluke, but he did it.

He's waking up in the mornings with a smile on his face and squeals with delight until I unwrap him from his swaddle. His naps are no longer 10 minutes long. He still struggles to put himself back to sleep during the day.

I just can't help but sit here and smile. I could go put him in his cradle right now but I don't want to. I know not every night will be like this, so for right now I'm enjoying the quiet snuggle.

The light is getting brighter by the day.

Nanny and Pop Pop

Nanny and Pop Pop came to visit last week! What a fun visit it was. They gave Mommy a break when she needed to go to the doctor. They played with Cam and gave him lots of kisses and snuggles. They also got a chance to go to his music class and see how much fun he has singing and dancing and staring at all the ladies.

Nanny cooked for us...

And Pop Pop gave Maizey lots of lovin'...

Thank you for a wonderful visit! We can't wait for the next one :)

Poor Bunny...

My baby is sick. So is his mama. We're both fighting off a cold, and though it's not a momentous occasion, I did want to document Cam's first cold. It came and hit hard, and we are ready for it to say good bye. I have to say though, he's acting totally normal, smiling and squealing as normal.

He's just stuffy and coughing. He has no fever. No watery eyes or drippy nose. So why was I up all night worried about him? 1) Because I'm a mom and that's my job and 2) He slept through the night.. the whole night... without a peep, or a groan or a grunt!

This illness has turned my baby into a sleeper! He slept 7:30 pm-5 am for the first time, already took a two hour nap this morning after a doctor's visit, and now he's down for nap #2 (took him 5 minutes to fall asleep and let me put him down!) Poor bunny is obviously not feeling quite like himself!

I'm sad my little nugget isn't feeling 100%, and I'm sad we had to miss our Mommy and Me class today, but I sure am thrilled to find out my baby actually knows how to sleep!

Here's a picture from the doctor's office this morning as proof to you grandparents and great-grandparents that this peanut is just fine.

Oh Young Love...

It's official. Cam is in love. We knew this day would come, and we couldn't wait for it. But to think it would have happened at only three months of age is still surprising to Rick and me both.


The story of this Romeo and Juliet is a lengthy one. It dates back to March of 2011 when Sara and Jigar told us they were expecting... and little did they know, we were due three weeks later! Fast forward 20 weeks, and we come to find out our bundle of joy will be wearing blue and theirs will be wearing pink. Rumors started amongst our friends that somehow Rick and Jigar planned this (how that is even plausible, I have no idea!)

Fast forward again to October 14, 2011 when I am put on bed rest and told that I will be induced early. Sara: still very pregnant.

November 1, 2011: My induction is scheduled for November 9. Sara's due date: November 8.

November 9, 11:50 pm: Cam is born.

November 10, 11:37 pm: Leela is born.

You can't make this stuff up.

Cam and Leela were destined to be together before they even took their first breaths. We never imagined they'd be so smitten with one another from the beginning, but it was like a classic love story unfolding right before our eyes:

Young Boy pulls Young Girl's hair to show his affection

Cam and Leela (1 week old)

 Boy apologizes, and Girl (hesitantly) forgives

Boy and Girl attempt to get to know each other, but Girl passes out and Boy becomes cranky

Cam and Leela (3 weeks old)

Boy invites Girl's parents over for dinner. The fathers approve of the relationship.

3 weeks old

Boy and Girl begin playing with each other

2 months old

 Boy and Girl pretend they aren't interested in one another

2 months old

 Finally, Boy begins to court Girl and sparks fly

To be continued...

Friends

Cam and I have made some sweet friends through our Mommy and Me class we have been going to each Tuesday.

Meredith and Noah (7 months)

Lindsay and Myles (5 months)

It's been so fun watching each other's babies grow up and interact over the last month. They are all really starting to engage each other and recognize one another when they play. Cam is the baby of the group, but he doesn't look like it!

We started getting together outside of class for a couple play groups each week, and it has been so fun. It's been so wonderful to talk with other moms going through the same struggles and celebrating our successes together. I have loved watching Cam play with his friends. He's so sweet with them. And the girls... well they are already smitten with them.

Amelia (4 months) and Cam

 

 

 

Warming Up

These two are starting to warm up to each other.

It's taken a while for Cam to notice Maizey, but now that he does, he stares at her longer and seems very curious at the furry creature running around his house.

Maizey on the other hand realized Cam's presence very quickly. She's been so sweet with him from the beginning. She loves to sit next to us when he's eating, she runs quickly when she hears him crying, and she's been very protective of him and our home since he's arrived. (The barking leaves something to be desired, but I'm trying to see the positive side of this!)

One of Maizey's more disgusting habits is licking up "Cam Juice" Our little puking monkey seems to leave his "juice" all over us, himself and our floors. It's impossible to keep up with all the laundry and cleaning when every ten minutes there's another outfit to change or pile of puke to clean up. Maizey has quickly realized that Cam's unfortunate habit results in a treat for her.

Rick and I noticed over the last couple of days that every time we begin burping Cam, Maizey comes running into whichever room we are in and waits patiently. She's waiting for her snack! How funny and how smart of our pup! While it grosses me out, I'm sort of appreciative of her assistance. My mop has appreciated the break as well :)

I know soon, these two will become the best of friends. I'm excited to watch Cam interact with Maizey and discover the joy (and occasional frustration!) that a dog brings to your life. I'm excited that soon Maizey will have a new playmate to throw her balls and chase her around. In the meantime, enjoy the juice Maize!