Sounds & Kisses

Camden was talking a lot, so I wanted to catch it on video, but when I paused Caillou (one of Mykenzi's favorite shows) it irritated him (unfortunately, he loves to tune in to her shows from time to time as well - especially the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), so he started fussing at the t.v. Near the end you can see Mykenzi play little Mommy to him, which he finds to be amusing.

These two are of Camden giving Mykenzi kisses. I love what Mykenzi says in the second one.

This is just a video of Camden shaking his head no.

8 Months Old Today!

Camden is 8 months old today! He's getting stronger and stronger every day. Yesterday I gave him a toy to push and walk with, and for the first time he actually understood what to do. Normally he'd stand there and cry because he didn't like it, but yesterday he stood there first pushing and pulling it back and forth, so he was really standing on his own. Then he pushed it a little too far one time, and figured out that in order to get back to it he'd have to move his legs so he started walking across the floor pushing his toy. I've also noticed lately that when he lets go of objects or I let go of him while he's standing, then he'll slowly sit down instead of falling down like he has been, which tells me he's getting closer to standing on his own better and walking. Mykenzi was almost 10 months old before she started walking, and it'll be just fine with me if it takes Camden that long as well!

Getting Ready for Bed

Tonight Camden took his first bath in the bathtub, as opposed to the kitchen sink that he's been taking baths in since he outgrew the infant tub. I always enjoyed bathtime with Camden, even when he was a newborn because he's loved baths since his very first one. He was even happy the first time I put him in the sink for a bath, but for every bath after that he's cried and cried. The water is not too hot, if anything maybe too cold because I like extremely hot water for myself so I try to underdo it when I run the kids baths, plus Mykenzi likes the water rather cool (very odd), but no matter which way I adjust the water he just cries until it's over. Tonight he wasn't very happy in the big bathtub either, but he did calm down after I gave him a washcloth to play with. Here are some pictures of him afterwards, much happier playing in his room.

Two New Teeth!

This afternoon, nearing the end of Camden's lunch, I put a spoonful in front of him, and he threw his head back in rejection. At that moment, I noticed something in his mouth, quickly set the bowl down to take a peek, and found that he now has both of his top two teeth! I just checked there a few days ago, and there wasn't anything. They appear to be the exact same size just barely peeking through the gums, so my poor little guy had both teeth pop through at the same time! That must have been awful for him, but other than having some sleeping issues for a few nights, he hasn't been fussier than usual so he handled it like a champ!

Camden is still working very hard at learning to stand on his own. Occasionally he'll let go of something (chair, table, baby gate) to hold on to a toy, and until he realizes it, will stand on his own for a few seconds. I have also stood him up and let go, and he still tries to maintain balance, but will plop down after a few seconds. He's getting stronger, but he's not quite able to stand on his own all the way yet.

One of his favorite things to do now is give kisses! It took him a while to kiss Daddy because his rough, unshaven face must have hurt him, but now he loves giving Daddy kisses too! We just have to be careful because he kisses with his mouth wide open, and sometimes when he really gets into it you can feel his teeth. Until now, it was just those bottom two, but with those top two in - that would really hurt!

Fun in the Snow!

We went out this morning when it first started to snow. Isn't Mykenzi excited?!?

She insisted on riding her bike in it, but did say that it was very hard to see where she was going. It was really coming down!

Just too excited for words! Lots of laughter from Mykenzi...

Not a peep out of Camden!

"Can we go back in now?"

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Round 2 - We we went back out after the snow had accumulated so that I could try to take Mykenzi and Camden for a ride on the sled. Jonmark was at work, so I had to bundle Camden up and take him out too. I put his camo pajamas on over top of a sleeper, and then put him in the snowsuit.

All I did was sit him down on the sled, and he started screaming!

I seriously had not even moved the sled and he's not happy at all! He didn't enjoy the slow ride on the sled either. I tried to pick up the pace a little, but he didn't care for that either. So we stood on the porch while Mykenzi played.

Making a snow angel of course!

And then we had a little snowball fight. I didn't mind it at first, even participated by throwing a few at her with Camden on my hip, but then she chased me up to the porch. One time she even took the sled out into the yard, loaded it up with snow, and came up to the porch with the sled to do her damage! She's such a mess! She even rolled down the stairs one time, scaring me to death, but cracked up laughing, stood up, and said, "I'm fine, I'm fine" as she was walking away into the yard to play. One time she got me really good with a snowball while I was on the phone with Jonmark, and with her little mittens on, gave me a thumbs up indicating that was a good one! We had a great time though and hope we see some more snow this winter so that Daddy can play too (we really missed him for this). Plus he's a better match for the snowball fight!

A big girl and a big boy!

Look at Kenzi in her big girl bed!

She has slept on the couch from the time she was 21 months old (because she was terrified of her bedroom) until now, at 3 1/2 years old, and most nights she made her way into our bed sometime after midnight. We finally found something that would get her to sleep in her own room, a TV/DVD combo, of which only the DVD is used (no cable or satellite, so no regular television). Since January 1st Mykenzi has enjoyed her bedroom as if she finally has a room of her own (like she didn't all these years). She'll often say to you when you go in her room, "welcome to my new home."

Mommy & Daddy are just as excited for Camden, who has been sleeping in our room for the past 7 months, first in a bassinet and then a pack'n'play, and is now sleeping in his own room as well!
He's occasionally even sleeping through the night, but still waking up at least once most nights. This is different for us because Mykenzi started sleeping through the night when she was 6 weeks old, except of course until she was 21 months old and moved to the couch.


Camden even likes to eat his crib. I just know that before he's done with it there will be teeth marks on that rail!

He also doesn't mind playing in his crib.

Look at that smile!

This was taken a few weeks ago after Camden's first

taste of Gerber Fruit Puffs. He actually tried to put

one in his mouth, but he did not like it at all and spit it

right out. We kept trying over and over, but he got

really frustrated. In this picture, Mykenzi tried to cheer

him up by tickling him, which he loves! He's super ticklish!

Cool Dude

Pulling Up & Letting Go

Happy New Year!

We like to celebrate New Year's at home, so last year I decided to make it fun for Mykenzi by taking her to buy a party hat and noise makers. She enjoyed it so much that we did the same thing this year and added some appetizers/snacks for a festive touch.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Growling

Camden has always loved to growl, but lately he's been putting more into it and growling with all his might!

Daddy's Cup

Camden isn't crazy about his sippy cup, but he likes Mykenzi's sippy cups (I think I'm just going to give him one like her's since he seems to handle her's just fine) and anything we drink out of (glasses, cups, water bottles).

Camden and Blade

This is a video of Camden watching Blade the Skate and Tricks Puppy that Mykenzi got for Christmas. For some reason, he's really afraid of it, but he's okay as long as we hold him while it's on so he can't sit in the floor while Mykenzi plays with it.

Christmas

Christmas morning was rather hectic so my pictures

didn't turn out the best. I have posted a lot of pictures,

but chose only our favorites to show the excitement

that took place on Christmas morning in our house.

***

Christmas Eve

The plate of cookies and milk that Mykenzi left for Santa,

2 chocolate chip and 1 sprinkle cookie, per Mykenzi's insistence.

Camden playing with his new doggy, and checking out

Mykenzi's new bike from Santa!

Stockings for everyone, even Zoey, the puppy!


I love this picture of Mykenzi and Camden checking to see that Santa ate his Christmas cookies. What actually happened here is that Camden wandered over to the table, pulled himself up, and was eyeing the leftover half of a chocolate chip cookie. When we called attention to him trying to figure out how to let go with one hand to grab the cookie, Mykenzi ran over to see. (Camden can now let go with one hand, and sometimes even both hands, when he's pulled up on an object. However, if he lets go with both hands he still falls down, so he's not standing alone yet.)


Trying out her first big girl bike!


Camden just joining in Mykenzi's excitement over it all,
but still not a clue what's going on!

Camden watching his big sister, wanting to do everything she does!

This was a real hit, the cash register. Mykenzi found this in the Toys R Us toy book, and had to have it, so much so that once she opened it she wanted to play with that instead of opening the rest of her presents! We finally had to give in and just let her play with that while we ate breakfast and waited for her to want to open the rest. It didn't take long before she was ready for more!

A purse!

A Dora nightgown!

Camden with his new Sports Center.

A vacuum! Whenever we vacuum Mykenzi wants to vacuum along side us with one of those loud ball popper things. It's not like it's loud while you're running the vacuum, but we thought

she'd enjoy a toy that looked like a real vacuum, and it even picks up a little!

We saved this big one from Santa for last. You can see that she has an idea of what it is from the little bit of the box she's exposed on the side.

Yep, this was a loud moment. She's so excited about this Dora Vanity,

and surprisingly has played with it every day since Christmas.

Her new necklace!

Playing with the cash register again. It came with play money and change, as well as a credit card, a digital display that functions as a calculator, a working microphone, and a working bar code scanner. This thing entertains her quite well.

Christmas morning excitement exhausted Camden! Getting in a quick nap before heading to Maw Maw and Pop's for Christmas with all the cousins.

Test driving the new bike outside!

These pictures show how happy she is to have a big girl bike, but I missed the pictures at the end of this bike ride. Mykenzi went off the asphalt at the end of our driveway by the house a few too many times, and told Jonmark she is not a good bike rider and did not want to ride it any more. She didn't ask to ride any more that day, but has gotten back on and hasn't fallen off again!

Opening/eating a present at Maw Maw's.

Zwieback toast. He actually wasn't sure what to do with it at first, and kept looking at everyone as if to ask if it's okay to put this new thing in his mouth.

" Mmm, this thing feels sooo good on my gums, and
it makes a crumby mess for Mommy!"

Happy about this box of new cars!

Blade the Skate and Tricks Puppy! One of the top items on Mykenzi's

Christmas list, but I have a video showing it's one of Camden's least favorites!