Hopes and Dreams

Cam,

Your dad wrote you some words of wisdom a while ago, giving you some advice that I hope you take to heart. While you can expect advice from me for many years to come, I thought I'd share some of my hopes and dreams for you.  Someday you will develop your own hopes and dreams, but until then, here's what I wish for you:

Confidence. I hope you hold your head high and celebrate your accomplishments. I hope you don't try to hide how smart or talented you are. I also hope you learn the difference between confidence and pompousness. Modesty is your friend, but don't ever let anyone make you feel inferior.

Love. I hope you fall in love. More than once. I hope you experience the highs and lows of what it feels like to love someone with every ounce of your being. While I'd never wish you experience heartbreak, I hope you go through the full cycle of falling in and out of love so you know how special and sacred it is to love something so deeply.

Courage. Oh how I hope you swim in a pool of courage! I hope you stand up for what you believe, stand up for those you love, and more importantly stand up for yourself. I hope you take leaps of faith when you are scared. I hope you step out of your comfort zone, and I hope fear never stops you from trying.

Defeat. I know, this one sounds strange. Why would I wish you to experience the devastation of failure? Because, Campbell, when you don't win every game, or ace every test, and when you don't receive every academic or athletic award, you learn that it takes hard work to make your dreams come true. It makes you stronger and fills you with character. Just know that when you fall and feel like you can't get up, your dad and I are here to lift you. Keep trying, buddy. We love you and believe in you.

Campbell, I could write a novel with all the dreams I have for you. But, I'd rather give you a blank notebook so you can write your own story. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Dream big, my love. Dream big!

Where's My Baby?!

Campbell is growing up so fast. Like too fast. I find myself getting more nostalgic each day as I watch him morph into a little boy. I know he's still a baby...I just can't get over how big he's getting!!  (Specifically.. 19 pounds 5 ounces, 25 3/4 inches long!)

He's eating solids. Well kinda. Like for a day. This kid loves his bottle, and was interested in food for thirty seconds. Mommy friends -- any words of advice!?!?

He's popping his collar...

and holding his own bottle...

and sitting in the grass! 

We have a fun weekend ahead of visitors from New York. Rick's law school friends, Mishy and Jeff, are on their way to meet Cam and we are very excited! Happy Weekend everyone!

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

You know how celebrities always respond to interview questions by saying, "I'm just doing what I love. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I'm passionate about every day"? Well, I've always been envious of them for that. Although I enjoyed teaching third graders every day and listening to their funny stories and watching them grow up, I never woke up with an enthusiasm about going to work. I didn't jump out of bed and kick my feet in the air and whistle on my way to work. I know it sounds bad, but I'm just being honest.

My how things have changed. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am doing EXACTLY what I was meant to be doing: taking care of my sweet baby boy. And today, being celebrated for doing what I love to do, seemed strange. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in and having breakfast made for me. I love my new Kindle and cherished every moment of family time today. But, like Angelina, Jennifer, and Julia... I'm just so grateful to be doing what I love. And that is the best present of all.

Here are some pictures from our very special day. Life is good.

Boy's Best Friend

6 Months!!

Dear Campbell,

Another month has flown by, and you are now half a year old! It's just impossible to believe sometimes. This has by far been my favorite month with you. You have blossomed into this little boy with the sweetest laugh and the most vibrant personality.

You are seriously taking in everything around you. You have started playing with Maizey a lot -- she doesn't LOVE when you grab her face. Really, she just ignores you unless you have something for her to lick off your hands or face. You have become obsessed with story time! In fact, before every nap and bedtime, we read a story (or two) and lately you have been very angry at me if I don't read your favorite: Moo, Baa, La La La! You will look over on the night stand and fuss and wiggle until I pull it out, and then you melt in my arms as we flip through the pages and you try to reach out and grab the animals. It's my new favorite time of the day.

You also became a jet-setter this month. We flew to Florida for Passover where you went in the pool for the first time and spent some quality time with your Gigi and Papa. You played with Auntie Candy and Uncle Marion and Poppy clucked in your face. Of course, Mimi fed you and snuggled you and everyone couldn't stop loving on you.

Then, we headed to Snowmass, Colorado for a Mathews family vacation. We were celebrating Pop-Pop's birthday and boy was it fun. You got to meet your cousins Reid and Elliott for the first time. You were such a fantastic traveler. Your sleep was not interrupted really, and you generally were a happy camper. We think you may have been teething at the time or perhaps the altitude was bothering you, but overall we were so impressed with your ability to go with the flow. You definitely did not get that from me!

You have learned a LOT this month, too. You are sitting up unassisted now! You much prefer to sit up than lay on your back or stomach. You also still talk a mile a minute. The "word" you say most is "Gee!" Your dad and I sometimes call you Gee because you say it so much!

Some things I don't want to forget about this past month:

• You still love to fall asleep by putting Mojo on top of your face. It freaks me out because I CAN not imagine sleeping with something over my own face but I guess you didn't get the claustrophobia gene from me. In fact, we have put three "loveys" in your crib to help you find comfort with more ease. It's working!
• You started reaching out for me. Love it so much. 
• You have become very curious about electronics. My cell phone, the remote control, anything with an on/off switch. You are your father's son!
• You still only roll from tummy to back. 
• You LOVE books! You reach out for the pages and are so mellow and calm staring at the pictures. I hope your love for reading only grows as you get older!
• You are still taking Prevacid, and it seems to be doing its job. We are so relieved! 
• You were NOT interested in rice cereal or oatmeal this month. We'll try again soon. 
• You laugh hysterically when I tickle you or make funny noises and faces. It is the best! 
• You are now sleeping in your crib happily!
• You have fallen in love with the swing at the park this month. Every day, we take a walk around 4 pm and head to the park. I love this time with you so much. You love to look around when we are walking and you squeal with delight when the wind hits your face.

I think you have definitely gotten taller and you're growing back some of your hair, too! I hopped on our (somewhat inaccurate) scale with you and I think you weigh about 19 pounds! We have your six month check up next week, so we'll see your official stats then! 

Cam, you have no idea how unbelievably loved you are. I just feel so lucky to get to spend my days taking care of you. Happy half birthday, my love!

Love always,
Mommy

Guest Post: A Father's Words of Wisdom

A few weeks back, Gill asked me if I wanted to author a guest post on her blog, and I figured I might not get the opportunity again, so I had better rise to the occasion.  Gill drew inspiration from a parenting blog (authored by a woman), that featured a male guest writer, who penned an open letter of sorts to teenage boys, offering 10 pieces of advice.  Cam, I know you've got quite a while until you become a teenager. However, I suppose part of my duty as a father is to offer you advice, so this seems like a great place to start.  To celebrate your "6 month-iversary" tomorrow, here are my first six pieces of fatherly advice to you:

 

6. Remember your please and thank-you's. Nothing in life is guaranteed to you.  If you'd like something, ask for it nicely.  If you get it, be sure to thank whoever gave it to you.  Even if you believe you deserve it, a humble and gracious attitude will serve you well.

5. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Following Number 6 here would be a good start.  If people come to find that you're a good-natured person, it will stick with them.  However, if other people's first impression of you is less than desireable, you'll have to work overtime to convince them otherwise.  I am not the slightest bit worried though.  Just flash them that million dollar smile, and you'll be fine (it definitely worked on me).

 

4. Be accountable.  Say what you mean, and mean what you say.  The best friends you'll have in your life are those that you can rely on (and who also know they can rely on you).  The world has plenty of people who will tell you one thing, and mean another.  Don't be one of them.

 

3. Always remember the golden rule.  "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." As you make your way through life, be mindful of the decisions you make, and the impact it will have on those around you.  As to how you interact with other people, take a moment to think how you'd feel if they treated you that way.  If you wouldn't want to be treated that way, chances are they wouldn't either.

 

2. Use good judgment.  As your namesake would tell you, this is less a piece of advice and more a way of life.  Trust me, you're going to hear it a lot.  There's one person, and one person only, that has to take responsibility for all of the decisions you make, and that's you.  So when it comes to those decisions, make sure you're comfortable with them, because they're yours and yours alone.  And since this is such an important lesson, I'll give you some context.  It scares me to contemplate how early I'll need to drill this into your head, but the internet is forever.  There was no internet when I was a kid, let alone e-mail, facebook and twitter.  This will present you with some many opportunities to connect with other parts of the world, but no matter what you think about the people you come in contact with, know this: everything out there is public.  Here's a rule of thumb for you.  If you're going to write something, picture me reading it back to you at the dinner table in front of your mother.  If you wouldn't to want hear it, don't write it.  In fact, just stay off the computer in general.  Go outside!  Ride a bike!  I'm always up for some catch (I don't even care what we're throwing... a football, a frisbee, a baseball... just ask)! 

 

1. Love your mother.  Cam, this one is very important.  No one in your life will love you as much as she does, and no one will give as much of themselves to you as she does.  Because of those reasons, amongst many others, she deserves your love and respect, and you should treat her accordingly.  Number 6 is very important here; it lets her know that you appreciate her.  Number 4 is important as well; you'll never have to wonder whether she's accountable to you, and you should extend to her the same courtesy.  Number 3 goes without saying.  And while I'm on the subject, treat all of the women in your life with respect.  As a man, this is an important lesson for you to learn, and any son of mine will learn it well.

A Day in the Life

A lot of my friends and family have been asking me what a typical day is like with Mr. Cam these days. We have fallen into a really nice routine that begins bright and early and ends with a big sigh of relief that I managed to keep my baby alive and healthy one more day. So here's a typical day in the life of Gill and Cam:

5:00 am -- Cam poops and wakes up squealing and talking. We think he's saying, "Come on people... I don't want to sit in this any longer!" We change him. He may or may not nod off again.

6:30 am -- Wake up for the whole clan. Cam gets a bottle. Then pukes.

We then keep Rick company while he gets ready for work and then we go upstairs, make a pot of coffee, and play with toys and turn on the Today Show to see what Matt Lauer is up to!

8:15-8:30 am -- nap #1. Cam goes to sleep and I kick it into high gear. I find myself most productive during this first nap. My routine is to make our bed, get dressed, put in one load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, sweep the floors, tidy up any messes. Then I pick one major chore/project to complete (vacuuming, clean the bathrooms, organize the pantry, clean out the fridge, etc.) and by the time I"m done, Cam is waking up and ready to play!

9:30-10:00 am - Cam wakes up. We get him dressed and play for a bit in his room. I usually put away any of his clean laundry at this point or tidy up his room while he entertains himself.

10:00 am -- Cam gets a bottle. Then pukes.

After this bottle is when we usually run any errands we may have. We make a weekly trip to Target (sometimes bi-weekly!) or we will go grocery shopping or return any items I impulsively bought online.

11:30-1:00 -- nap #2 -- I like to catch up on email, Pinterest, eat something and then tidy up a bit of the mess Cam and I created in the morning.

1:00 -- wake up, eat, puke

1:30-3:00 -- Normally we do our Mommy and Me class at this time, or we have a play date or go to the park if it's really nice out!

3:00-3:30 -- cat nap (though this seems to be phasing out...)

3:30-6 -- Cam gets a snack bottle. Then pukes. We then take our daily walk/visit to the park. We usually walk for about an hour, then come home and do some wind-down activities. And then we start bath and bedtime routine...

Of course, our schedule changes with travel, visitors, illness, teething, growth spurts, sleep training, reflux flare ups, doctor visits, and more. So really, our schedule isn't much of a schedule at all. :)

Look at those cheeks! And, I swear he's not a red head!

UPDATE: I wrote this post a few days ago, and was going to publish it this morning. Turns out Cam's whole schedule is changing as we speak.. I think he's ready to drop to 2 naps as the morning one is getting longer and the late afternoon one is hit or miss. This kid loves to throw me through a loop!