Arianna's Birthday Bash!

We had a perfect day for Arianna's party. There was no rain, wind, or anything like we had on Cam's 1st birthday. Just lots of sugar and a few surprises thrown in! Thank you to everyone who came we're so glad you could take part in our special day!









The kids decorating their cupcakes








Relaxing after the festivities!

Happy 1st Birthday Arianna!

Then:


Now:


She was very spoiled on her birthday by Nana and Papa.


Her very first taste of cake!


Of course Big Brother Cam had to have a taste



I think she liked it!


Happy First Birthday Baby Girl!

Happy Birthday America!

Today did not start off great here in our house. Cam woke up at 5:30am with a phrase we haven't heard much lately, "Daddy, the sun's up." There was no getting him back to sleep as much as we tried but we some how convinced him he had to stay in his room until 6am. Then Steve got up with both him and Arianna. I am grateful each and every weekend that my husband is a morning person and I get to sleep in.

We had planned on taking the kids to the 4th of July festivities in Halifax, after Cam had a nap. Well, he just wouldn't take a nap. We knew we were doomed. As we were driving Cam asked me "Mommy who's birthday is it?"
I said, "Cam it isn't anyone's birthday" (I know...the history buff that I am.)
He said, "Yes it is, Is it my birthday?"
"No Cam, it isn't"
"Is it Daddy's birthday?"
"No Cam"
"Is it Elijah's birthday?"
"No Cam, it isn't anyone's birthday." Finally at this point Steve chimes in. "I told him it was America's Birthday."
Me: "Great then you can take over."

We went around 11:30ish and he seemed to be ok at first. We walked around for a little bit. We were hoping Cam would get to take a Pony ride but the line was ridiculous. There was a bouncy house and of course that's all Cam wanted to do. But he didn't want to wait in line. That was meltdown number one. So we left there and went over to an area where they had some side walk chalk out. He was less than thrilled with that.
We tried the bouncy house again. Meltdown # 2. Steve is ready to have a meltdown himself at this point! I thought maybe Cam was getting hungry so Steve went and got some pizza. Nope, Cam didn't even touch his. As we were sitting there a woman came over to us and asked if Arianna was going to be in the Cutest Baby Contest? Huh? "Ummm, I didn't know there was one but I don't think so." A few people had commented on how cute she was (and I thought she looked rather cute myself...I know, I'm extremely biased!) so I thought hmmm, maybe I will! So Cam FINALLY waited his turn and went into the "jumper." I went over to Steve and told him about the contest and said, "what do you think? Should I enter her?" He said, "Do what you want, but it's a popularity contest and there's only us. People are here with their whole families" Way to burst my bubble huh! After he said that I thought well there's no way in hell I'm going to enter her! At this point Cam's time was up in the jumper and Steve had to literally pull him out. Meltdown #3. It was getting close to his nap and we'd all had enough fun (or torture?)for the day. So we went home. Of course as I was crossing the street 2 more people commented on how cute Arianna looked!

After naps we were all refreshed then we enjoyed a small BBQ with Nana and Papa. Since Cam is not a fan of the fireworks we shut all the windows and turned on the a/c so everyone would sleep!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Steve's birthday and we did what every man dreams of doing on his birthday...we had family pictures done! Cam did not surprise me, he was his usual unruly self. He was all over the place, wouldn't listen, and wouldn't sit still. The photographer was great she tried so hard. She did manage a few smiles and laughs from him. Of course in the pictures that he's smiling in, Arianna is not. Oh well, maybe some day!

After trying to get shots of him alone and with Arianna for 10 minutes I gave up. Steve took him to play on the escalator ("that kid is STILL on the escalator"...name that movie!)I didn't get any pictures of him alone. When they came back he saw that Arianna was posing and having some fun so he jumped in there to try and get her to laugh. That's when we got the only good pictures of the two of them. Luckily you cannot see his bright blue Crocs!Here are some of the pictures, minus the family one because Steve would kill me!





By the time it was over we were all exhausted. Unfortunately we had gone out to dinner to celebrate the night before. We could have used a beer after that!

The Pirate Party That Got Washed Ashore...

Despite the torrential downpour and the loss of electricity I think the kids had fun. After the day was over, it hit me. I had a craft for the kids to do! Oh well, I don't think they would have sat long enough to do it (well, Cam wouldn't have!)

I swear every event in Cam's life will involve rain. I'll just have to warn his future bride that it will most likely rain on their wedding day! Thank you to those that came. Cam and I appreciate it! We hope you had fun despite all the rain!






"Goonies Never Say Die" I wish he would have let me get a good pic of the shirt!

Happy 3rd Birthday Cameron!

It really is hard to believe that Cameron is 3. I feel like we've already been through so much in just 3 short years:
*We moved when he was 6w old into our house and while it is by no means my dream home nor is it my "forever house" it is home. I do love our yard and knowing that our neighborhood is safe and quiet.
*Cameron has a passport and has been out of the country! I did not leave the country until I was in high school. I didn't get a passport until I was in my 30s! I hope to get him a few more stamps before it expires in 2012.
*My poor Cameron has already had one major surgery and one minor surgery. He has had more surgeries and hospital stays than me. I wish I could change that.
*Cameron has a baby sister! There were many, many times I said he would be an only child but he's not. Seeing them play together is so worth it!

Watching and helping Cam grow as a person has been my greatest accomplishment. Thinking back to his 2nd birthday and today there is a world of a difference in him. A year ago we were worried about his language development. He was talking but he was not forming sentences. He was barely putting two words together and I was so nervous about it. I would see other kids his age and even younger kids talking in full sentences and he just wasn't there yet. As the months progressed he got there. By the time Arianna was born he had a word explosion. It was amazing. Even in the 8mths since she has been born his language has continued to grow. As his language grew I expected his intellect or reasoning to grow also but he just wasn't there yet. I was never able to say to him "Cam you cannot do that because this will happen" or "Mommy has to help Arianna too" he just didn't get it. I would always complain to Dianna because her Elijah (who is 3mths older than Cam) was always one step ahead of him. She would always say "don't worry, he'll get there." Well, I am *so* happy to say that CAM IS FINALLY THERE!! I have noticed over just the past few weeks that I am able to talk to him and not at him. He loves to ask me questions about how things work and "why Mommy?" I am finally able to take him places and not have to worry about him running off or throwing a temper tantrum. I now know that I can handle it because I can talk to him and reason with him. I finally feel like I'm doing this "Mom" thing right (most of the time)!

Seeing how much he's changed in just 3 short years is just amazing. I am so excited to see what this next year brings with him starting school and potty training!

Cam's Party!

Today we had a small birthday party for Cam.

We arranged for the fire truck to come so the kids could play on it. As the day ticked by we were afraid they weren't going to show up but they did! The kids had a great time! Here's Cam's friend "L" with the helmet on. I think it may weigh more than him!

Cam seemed a little unsure sitting in the big driver's seat!

Thank you everyone!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

You're the best Daddy in the whole wide world!

I love you!!
Boo

My Little Man is *2* !!!!

He's growing up so fast! We sent him to daycare with his "Birthday Boy" pin and some cupcakes. I hope he has a good day!

Last night the three of us were sitting on the couch.
Daddy said, "What's my name?"
Cam, "Daddy."
"What's her name?"
Cam, "Mommy."
"Who's this (pointing to his best friend in the world, his stuffed dog)?"
Cam: "Puppy."
"What's your name?" Cam, very proudly pointing to himself "BOO!" He did it about 2 more times and each time Cam confidently pointed to himself and said "Boo!" We definitely have to get it on video! Steve has been calling Cam Boo since he was born! I have absolutely NO idea where it came from, I don't think he knows either. There's many sides of "The Boo." There's the karate chopping "Black Boo", there's the hiding Boo "Where's the Boo?", and plain old Boo Boo. Those boys of mine!

After Cam went to bed last night Steve and I were talking about just how fast he is growing up! It really is so scary! We were remembering the day he was born and how we were not able to hold him until 4 hrs later, our first night home from the hospital (oh what a night), and all the things he has accomplished in his 2 little years! Cam is going to be an amazing big brother. We have so many things to look forward to!