Party Like a Rock Star

Okay, so not exactly like a rock star.

But who else has pre-birthday parties?


While back in Levelland for Christmas we had a birthday party for Camden. Happy eleven months and three days; to be exact. We wanted to share his one and only first birthday with our family that wouldn't be able to travel to Houston to celebrate with us in late January. And just for the record, I do know that all birthdays only happen once but the first is a little extra special.



Zak made an adorable Cookie Monster cookie cake for all of us grownups and an Elmo and Big Bird confetti cake for Camden. Camden was a little tentative about digging into his cake initially.
He started with just one little piece of frosting that he picked up with his thumb and first finger. He kept looking around at everyone like he was expecting us to tell him to stop.
After discovering that no one was going to do such a thing and that we were actually encouraging him to get messy, he decided to dig in. He wasn't near as messy as he has the potential to be but still managed to get cake in his hair and behind his ears.



It was such a fun event and I'm glad that we were able to share it with our friends and family back "home." I'm looking forward to having another party, this one to celebrate his real birthday, with our friends in Houston. More cake, gifts, balloons, friends, and a one year old.
I can't wait!!!

Christmas Catch Up

It has taken me a little longer than I anticipated to get my Christmas pictures posted. I suppose its better late than never...right?



We spent Christmas in Levelland with my family. Christmas Eve we went to my Mamaw's and did a Chinese gift exchange. (a first) It actually turned out better than I think everyone was expecting. It was fun to participate in and to watch...we're already planning another for next year. This was the beginning of Camden's gifts. I really didn't think that his presents would eventually wind up fill the back of our Yukon...but they did. Does one child really need so many toys?!?



Christmas day was spent at my parents house with my parents, brothers, sisters-in-law and my too spunky for words niece, Madison. We had yummy breakfast pizza, opened gifts, played board games and ate a delicious turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. Again, Camden received enough toys to last him several Christmas'...although I'm sure that won't be the case.


It was the perfect first Christmas to share with Camden. You really realize how special and magical really is when you can see it through a child's eyes...even if that child is just a few weeks shy of a year old. I was so happy to go back to Levelland to see my family; I miss them all so much. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

Such A Slacker

Yes I am.
There has been so much going on the last few weeks: visitors, Christmas shopping, get togethers, baking, sightseeing, etc. I have so many pictures that need to be posted but will most likely have to wait until we return to Houston after Christmas. (My parents have horribly slow internet...Sorry Mom, it's true) Everyone can look forward to a whole slew of post after Christmas.
As for now, I'm off to bed. We still have a full day of driving ahead of us tomorrow. Levelland here we come! :)

Santa Baby

"Camden, we're going to go have your picture taken with Santa. There isn't any reason to be scared. I know he has a fluffy beard and wears funny clothes but Mommy will be right there with you. " That was the conversation Camden and I had at breakfast before heading to the mall to meet Santa and have his picture taken.

I was a little apprehensive because Camden doesn't really care for men with beards. He's always cried when bearded men come near; even when he's safely being held by Mommy or Daddy. I suppose Santa is the exception. He wasn't exactly super excited or happy to be placed on this strangers lap but he wasn't upset about it either. We never got a smile...only looks of "why am I here?" and "who is this?" But we did manage to catch a special memory with this adorable picture.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Brian and I went outside to get the last of the trash we had in the house shoved into the trashcan and to our surprise we find little snowflakes falling from the sky.
Not only that, but the ground was covered with a dusting of snow.
Yes...we still live in Houston and it's really snowing!
I took pictures for proof.

Nothing like a little snow to make it feel like Christmas!

Out!

Yes...Camden's first official word is "out."
I wonder where he learned that word?
He never hears it from me...I swear! lol



"Out" accompanies his version of Mommy and Daddy ("mamamama" and "dadadada"). Since Camden amazed us with his first word, he's added "what" and "yes" to his vocabulary.
Only ten months old and he's already a little jabber-jaw!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Houston doesn't really get what I would consider "cold." At least, it hasn't yet. But it has been pretty chilly the last few days and a light jacket or sweater was needed when venturing outside. Well, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to put Camden into one of his new "cold weather" outfits. I choose an adorable hoodie we got at Carter's Black Friday sale that has little ears on top.
Why? I'm not sure...but it's cute. I snapped few pictures (okay..more than a few) before heading out to the grocery store.

Little Laundry Helper

On occasion it is a little difficult to get daily house keeping things done with Camden up and around. I normally get most of these things done while he's napping. Laundry, though, is one of those things that needs to be folded once the dryer quits. Less wrinkles, fresh clothes and I can get the next load going.


As I was folding today Camden decided he wanted to help unfold the towels. After refolding and placing the laundry out of his reach I turn around to find him playing with the laundry basket. I picked him up, put him inside and did what any mother would do...take pictures.
He wasn't much help but he sure was cute!

Spoon Fed

Camden has always seemed to have an "I can do it myself" sort of mentality. He's independent, strong willed and stubborn. We're not sure where those last two traits came from. Although, Brian would be quick to say that it's me....but he'd be wrong! :) Ha! Ha!

Anyway...Camden got to a point where he would not eat without fighting you for the spoon. I understand him wanting to do it himself, but he didn't yet have the coordination or control to get the spoon or any of the food in his mouth without throwing a huge fit and making a mess. Thankfully, we were able to start introducing little finger foods. This gave him an opportunity to feed himself. The spoon and finger foods could live happily together...for the time being.
(messes and an occasional fit still included)

A few nights ago we were having mashed potatoes with our dinner. I loaded up his spoon with potatoes and offered him a bite. He pushed the spoon away and whined. I tried again with the same outcome. I finally decided to give him the spoon and let him make his normal mess when, to my surprise, he held clenched the spoon in his hand, raised it to his mouth and at the mashed potatoes off of the end. I gasped and then cheered. My baby was feeding himself with a spoon!

So, what did I do next?
I loaded up another spoon full and grabbed the camera.




He's such a big boy!
Surprisingly enough, there wasn't even that much of a mess to clean off of him after he was done. He's my little spoon fed boy now...or should I say, self-spoon fed boy? :)

Deck The Halls

Brian and I dug out the Christmas tree, decorations and lights a few nights ago. We attempted to put the tree up while Camden was taking a nap. Attempted being the key word. He decided that he didn't want to take a nap so our decorating was cut short. We managed to assemble the tree and put the lights on but the decorations would have to wait until the following day. Camden wasn't much help while decorating. Although, he was as cute as a button.


All of the tree's decorations are new. I was tired of our blue and white decorations so I caught a good sale and purchased red, silver and gold balls that just so happen to be shiny and glittery. My favorites! :) I was tempted to purchase black ornaments to accompany my red and silver ornaments and have a Tech tree. I would have given into temptation had they had the size I needed. *sigh* Maybe next year. For this Christmas we have a beautiful red, silver and gold tree...Camden's first Christmas tree.


As for Camden and the Christmas tree...we had to create a blockade. The bench that matches our kitchen table and is usually pushed up against the kitchen island is now used as a fence to block Camden's access to the Christmas tree. We've already had to rearrange some of the ornaments close to the base of the tree so that they're out of his reach. He's able to get close enough to touch a few of the lower branches but not close enough to get a good hold on one and pull the entire tree over on top of himself.


I'm so excited to share the meaning of Christmas, gifts, sweets, songs and family traditions with Camden even though I know he won't remember or even understand what's going on. Having Camden makes me remember how magical Christmas was when I was a child and has brought some of that magic that was lost with age.


Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures of our exterior lights...whenever we actually get those put up. Or, should I say, Brian gets them put up. :) All we'll be missing then is cold weather and snow and then it will really feel like the Christmas season. *sigh* I suppose I'll learn to live without those two things though.
Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving

It's taken me a little longer than usual but I've finally managed to motivate myself to write a blog. So here it goes...

Brian's family came down to Houston for Thanksgiving. (Now keep in mind that they are from Las Vegas when I mention their mode of transportation.) They drove. Two adults, two teenagers, multiple suitcases, Christmas presents and more tools than you can count (Brian's Christmas Presents) made a straight 26 hour trip to the Bayou City. I don't enjoy being in a car more than a few hours and I don't want to imagine having to make the trip they made. I suppose it shows how much they love us! :)


We began their visit with an afternoon of rest and recovery from the drive and concluded their first full day in Houston with a seafood dinner on Kemah Boardwalk. Day two was filled with a visit to the Houston Holocaust Museum and an attempt to shop at a down town mall. (Little did we know that everything closed early due to the Thanksgiving holiday.) Brian and I have been to the museum before but were happy to have the opportunity take his family since his Dad is Jewish. It's so sad to see, read and watch what happened to innocent people and how those that survived have persevered.


Thanksgiving day was filled with food, football and a relatively lazy day. This was my first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner on my own and, if I do say so myself, it turned out great. We had turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, broccoli and cheese, sweet potato pie, crescent rolls and pumpkin delight (my specialty). There was more than enough food to feed a small army...yea for leftovers!


Black Friday was filled with shopping. Yes, we are some of "those" crazy people who go shopping at the wee hours of the morning to snag good deals. Well, I shouldn't say we...I should say Brian and Howard. :) Brian's Mom and I waited until late morning to hop out and catch a great sale at Carter's. Camden is growing like a weed and was in need of new clothes. We caught the early bird sale and combined those great prices with a 25% off coupon I had received in an e-mail and we took home bags full of clothes for a mere $80. That may sound like a lot until I tell you that we waved over $90!! Yea for Black Friday and e-mail coupons! Now Camden has no excuse to run around half naked.


Early Saturday afternoon we said our goodbyes and saw everyone off. The week seemed to go by so quickly. Having Brian's family here made me miss my own. It's hard being away but it also makes seeing everyone that much more special when we do get together.

I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving that was full of love, family and yummy-yummy food. On to the next holiday...How many days till Christmas?