Amy August 30th, 2008
Jackson had his 2 month checkup this week and here are his stats. He’s going to be our big boy! He jumped from the 10th percentile to the 50th percentile.
Weight: 11lbs 8 oz
Length: 23″
Camden at same age:
Weight: 9lbs 9 oz
Length: 22″
Amy August 30th, 2008
Yesterday I was up in Cam’s room watching him play and rocking Jackson who was being a bit fussy. Camden came up to me and handed me his Giraffe. I was not giving him my full attention, but I thanked him and went to set the Giraffe aside. He looked at me with a concerned look and pointed and said “Baby”. I then realized that he was giving it to me to give to Jackson to help calm him. He then preceeded to give me his monkey which is his prized possession. I was touched that he was willing to give his little brother his favorite toys in an attempt to make him happy and to stop crying. I took the Giraffe and had him give Jackson kisses which prompted Camden to take his monkey and give him kisses.
I love watching the simplicity and uncomplicated love that Camden shows to Jackson. I know as they grow sibling rivalry and competition will enter into the equation, but right now there are no hidden agendas and no purposes other than concern and love. If all our grownup relationships were as simple….
Michael August 29th, 2008
Today is a day to remember. Camden has always been fascinated by my or my wife’s cell phone. He will push the buttons and talk to it readily… Until you actually want him to talk to someone, then he won’t say a word. But today was different. I called my wife this morning to see how her day was going and she asked if I wanted to speak to Camden. She handed the phone to him and without hesitation he said, plain as day, “Hi daddy.”
I’ve heard those two words plenty of times before, but somehow, hearing them for the first time on the phone? Well, it made my day.
Stoner…
Amy August 27th, 2008
1. Every day is an adventure
2. Rocks and sticks make the best toys ever
3. Daddy is the funniest person on earth
4. Baby is my responsibility
5. All pains are cured by a hug and a kiss
6. Dog food and Cat food are delicious
7. Any song is an occasion to dance
8. Kitties and puppies are my personal play things
9. The best way to get big people to understand is to take their hand and show them
10. Persistence wears down Mommy and pays off
I love watching him marvel at every nut and bug in the yard and try and try until he figures out how to make one of his toys work. His whole hearted commitment to every emotion from joy to wonder to frustration is refreshing and wonderful. I know that sooner than I wish he will begin to become more guarded with his heart and more jaded at the world, so I am trying to absorb and revel in this time in his life and hope that it makes me a bit less jaded and a bit more open. Toddlerhood is wonderful, exhausting, trying, and blissful and I wouldn’t trade this time for anything.
Amy August 25th, 2008
As most of you are aware, my Dad passed away a couple of months ago. As I was watching a show last night, it made me think about how I didn’t get to have a proper goodbye. I was physically there when he left this world, but there was so much I would like to have told him. Fortunately, I got to spend a great deal of time with him these past couple of years because he and my Mom moved within 30 minutes of us. And for the past year and a half, Mom kept Son #1 for me as I worked and Dad always called him a joy. So I am very thankful for that and that Cam got to know his Granpa, if only for a brief time. I think that he knew how much we loved him, but I wish I could have put it all into words for him. If I could have, this is some of what I might have said…
Daddy,
I love you so much and I miss you. You were a wonderful father and a great man. Your patience and kindness always amazed me. You were fun to have around and you taught me great life lessons by your actions more than your words. You taught me sports and came to all my games. You taught me to drive and how to be careful behind the wheel. You showed me the wonders and joys of traveling and you always planned great vactions every year. You were the one who hauled my stuff across the country on more than one occassion and never complained, simply happy to help me move even though I know you were probably sad to see me leave. You always made sure to tell me that you loved me and that you were proud of me and I thank you for that. You loved my son and he loved you and he still points to your picture as his face lights up and says Paw Paw! Football season will not the same this year as I won’t have you to talk about the games and who did what. I will miss watching romantic comedies with you where the sweet girl always gets the guy (the perfect endings that you enjoyed). Homemade ice cream will be bittersweet from here on out as I will always remember the many times we made it and how you enjoyed it more than most anything else.
Life did not turn out fair for you and you were taken way too early. I had plans for us to play golf and to travel and to raise my sons, but things have turned out differently. I love you and I am proud of you and I miss you.
Amy August 25th, 2008
For those of you who have been following our trip, we did make it home last night. Both kids did wonderfully, especially considering that we were on the road for 6 of our 9 day vacation. Saturday we spent the night with some of our cousins outside of Fort Worth and had a great time visiting and getting to see their beautiful home. Family is a wonderful thing and unfortunately as we are all spread out across the country we don’t get to see each other as often as we would like.
Home again, home again, jiggedy jig….
Amy August 22nd, 2008
It is 10:30pm and Son #1 has finally gone to sleep. I know he was tired because he has endured a 12 hour car trip to make it to Amarillo and he only slept about an hour in the car. He did really well and only melted down a couple of times. Mike has been riding next to him entertaining while I drive. I give top Daddy marks to Mike on this trip.
Son #1 has been happily sitting in his portacrib watching us and the Olympics. He finally fell asleep after I turned off the tv, but unfortunately that means that I don’t get to watch Diving. I have been one of those people who is sleep deprived because I am staying up to watch the Olympics. The week before our trip, Mike slept upstairs while I stayed up til midnight most nights watching gymnastics on our only working television which happens to reside in our bedroom. Mike is not really into the Games, so he actually got some sleep.
But I digress… Our trip today was long, but uneventful except for my near speeding ticket encounter outside of Albuquerque (62 in a 50mph zone). We stopped briefly in Durango which is where we took the pics of Son #1 on the horses.
Almost home…. here are the photos.
Michael August 22nd, 2008
Well, it was a short stay, but a good one. We are off to Amarillo this morning. Everyone seems rested and ready to get on the road.
Stoner…
Amy August 21st, 2008
Today our trip was in honor of Son #1 who loves Choo Choo’s. We went to Silverton where the Narrow Gauge railroad runs between it and Durango. The old timey trains still make runs between the two towns and it is a beautiful trip, but today we just went to see the train come in. He loved seeing the train, although when it got close and a bit loud, he pulled his hat down over his eyes and hid.
You will notice that he is wearing his red cowboy hat – thanks Teresa! He got a lot of attention and many “howdy’s” from the folks in town. It was windy and hard to keep on, but it was the only hat he would wear.
Here are the photos.
Amy August 21st, 2008
Son #1 has begun to form sentences. His first was “Juice gone gone” and his second was “Baby out” telling me that Son #2′s pacifier had fallen out. His latest sentence is “No, Daddy” and it is beginning to get a lot of use. I find it cute and amusing, but will probably change my mind when his next sentence is “No Mama”.
The willpower of a 20 month old is amazing!
