Happy Baby!

Just wanted to share some recent pictures of our happy baby. Ethan smiles so much and requires no encouragement to do so. He easily volunteers his toothless grin to anyone that will look his way.

Camden's World is Getting Bigger

With mixed emotions, Camden moved from the infant room to the toddler room at daycare this past week. It's sad because it's a sign that our little Cammers is growing up so fast.
The infant room just seems a little different without Camden in it. It's hard to describe. Just feels like something is missing. It just feels quieter without Camden's big personality occupying the room.

It's also sad because we have grown so attached to his caregivers in the infant room and they to him. Traci, Denise, Sheila, Carol, and Jamie have given him so much love and have taken such great care of him. On the bright side, we have the comfort of knowing that Camden's little brother Ethan will get the same love and care.

Of course, we're happy that Camden has reached this milestone in his life. The teachers there are great, too. So far we've met Nikki (his primary caregiver), Linda, Lisa, and Katie. Another benefit to having Camden in the toddler room is the reduction in his daycare rate. Like most of us, every little bit helps.

Camden's vocabulary update...He's very aware of Ethan now and even refers to him as "bayyy-bee" now. We might be downstairs in the living room and we ask Camden where the baby is and he responds, "Baby!" and points upstairs. Camden is becoming more useful as well. He'll bring a towel over to him and gently wipe his face. Or he'll bring over Ethan's nuk for him and plug him up.

Camden knows when it's time to go "bye-bye" too. If one of us goes to the closet and puts our coat on he immediately says, "bye-bye". He knows that if we put his jacket on then we're going "bye-bye". He includes the hand wave and everything. Speaking of putting coats on...here are some pictures from earlier in January of some outside time with Camden and the sled.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Ethan rolled over for the first time today! He did it for mommy first, going from his tummy to his back rolling on his right side. Later he did it for me, rolling from his tummy to his back on his left side. It was quite exciting and we're so happy for our little man. Pictures and video to come once we catch him in action.

Ethan's Four Month Checkup

I'm sure we're violating all kinds of HIPAA regulations, but we're going to report on the results of Ethan's four month checkup anyway. We're seeing the same pediatrian as Camden's, Dr. Kris Benson, and it's nice to have that continuity. She knows us, she knows our boys, and she's gives us great care. So does her nurse, Ashley, for that matter.

At four months, Ethan weighed in at 17 lbs. (90th percentile). He was about 28 inches (95th percentile) and his head measured in around the 75th percentile. So he's pretty different from his older brother size-wise. Camden was skinny and wirey and light at Ethan's age. It's a pretty big contrast for us to have another baby that differs so much in size. Ethan's really putting a strain on his 6-9 month clothing. The snaps on his onesies are holding on for dear life.

We're just blessed to have another healthy, happy baby. We're thankful everyday for having Ethan and Camden in our lives.

Camden Gets a New Pair of Shoes

Camden moves up to the toddler room at daycare this week. So we thought it was appropriate to commemorate the occasion by treating him to a new pair of sneakers. I've always thought those baby Air Jordans you see at Foot Locker are so adorable. I was fortunate enough to have a few pairs of Air Jordans as a kid, and I always dreamt of the day when I could buy a pair of baby Air Jordans for my son.

Well, that day arrived. I'd been talking about it for awhile, we found a nice pair, they fit, so we pulled the trigger. I must say, Camden certainly is stylin'.

This was the best picture I could get of Camden and his new shoes. The kid is just so darn mobile I had to wait till he was sleeping :)

Camden's Anatomy Lesson

We got together with our neighbors, Kelly and Jana Reger, for pizza on Friday night. They have two girls, Emma (3) and Grace (1), and of course they joined us as well. Grace is about 8 weeks younger than Camden. The highlight of the evening came when Emma needed her diaper changed and her dad, Kelly, thought the middle of the kitchen was a good place to take care of it. Well, Camden certainly got an eye full. These pictures speak for themselves and feel free to add your own captions.





I could not stop laughing at Camden. The reactions on his face were priceless. And he kept pointing and babbling and pointing and babbling. He seemed so inquisitive. Maybe it's just a guy thing, but I found it hilarious.

We don't get together with Kelly and Jana enough. They live right behind us and we really have no excuse for not getting together more. I'm sure our boys and their girls will have some fun times as they get older so they'll be lots of opportunities for us to hang out. Here are a few more pictures from the evening.

Camden really enjoyed playtime with Kelly.

Camden really enjoyed playtime with Kelly.

Left to right: Emma, Grace, Camden, Ethan...Kelly insisted the boys and girls be separated with the pillow on the couch.

Emma cuddling with her Daddy.

Camden's Graduation Letter.......

January 2008

Camden, Kim, Steve, & Ethan

It has been so fabulous to have Camden in our infant room for as long as we have. He makes every day fun! He's grown into an assertive, energetic, and very curious toddler. We'll miss him but are glad we will have Ethan so that we can see Camden and your family.

Camden is one exceptional boy. There have been so many great and often unique to Camden moments in our room. Many of the things we'll miss are Camden's overly productive sneezes, how he almost always had to leave a little bit in his bottle (out of principle); his sleeping and nonsleeping schedule (many days of shorter naps and then a record 2+ hour nap his last week); The way he lowers our waistbands in back to find out other belly button; his phase of tickling/exploring, his love of the sink and how he could splash for such an incredibly long ime. How he went "0to60" to tell us it was time for a bottle. The way he used to nip our shoulder with his new teeth when his was little, his love of brooms and anything with a long handle that he can push; the way tries to open up every cabinet and is happy to just open and close them; how we'd try the last of bottles as we stood by the posting or diaper chart so he was distracted enough to eat without realizing he was missing out on something; yelling "HI!" to everyone who came into the room; his art projects and how he loves to paint; how excited he is when we start reading "Frosty" or "Wheels on the Bus" and how he knows all the actions, his love of shaker eggs, how he used to chew on Paulina's fingers; the way he'd collect so many things in his little hands that he had to tuck them under his arms too; how often he very clearly let us know he was awake that he'd cuddle on our laps; how he's gotten so good at listening and responding; his great laugh, his sense of humor and so many other Camdenisms.

Thanks again for letting us take care of Camden during such an important part of his life. We've loved every minute of it. We'll keep "spying" on him down the hall.

Love Always,
Traci, Sheila, Denise, Jaime
Infant Room: 11-30-07 to 01-08-09