Follow Up With Dr. Ferber

Yesterday we went back to see Dr. Ferber. He had the tough love approach with us! We need to be a lot firmer with Cam when he wakes at night because if we don't it's just going to keep happening. I do agree with him and it didn't come as a total shock.

Dr. Ferber does not think this is all related to us taking away his binky which I was happy about. I did ask about getting rid of Arianna's. He said that during the day I should find something else to soothe her if she's fussy and not just automatically stick it in her mouth. Once she's used to that we should keep her up 30min. after the time she usually falls asleep at night so that she's really tired and put her to bed without the binky. He said at 10 1/2mths she's so young that she will fall right to sleep without much hassle. Dr. Ferber said that after 2 nights of doing that she should be fine. Since she really doesn't have the binky that much we are going to work on not just sticking it in her mouth when she fusses.

Today was Cam's second week of soccer and I guess you could say he did a little bit better? We talked with him all week about how even though he now has a new Coach he still has to listen to the Coach. He agreed with us and told us he knew he had to listen to the Coach. Yeah, it sounded great until he got there! It took him half the class to warm up to the other coaches. Tonight when Steve got home he asked Cam why he didn't want to play soccer and Cam replied, "I was waiting for my Coach." My little creature of habit!

It's finally summer here! When we came home from soccer both kids were hot and sweaty (it was literally 100 degrees in the sports complex)so we went into the pool! They had a blast!

Arianna's First Trip To The Beach!

Not so sure about the sand...

But there's nothing like baby toes in the sand!

Her first experience with the FREEZING cold Atlantic Ocean.
Maybe this isn't so bad!



"But I still don't think I like this sand..."


Cam had no problem with the 50 degree water.




We had a great day! I can't believe it's the middle of July and it's the first time we've been to the beach. I'm a total beach person so this kills me. Will it ever hit 90 this summer?? I realized today that I'm not sure if I'm ready to tackle the beach with the 2 kids by myself yet. It took Steve and I 30 minutes from the time we left the beach, got to the car, got both kids out of their bathing suits and into dry clothes! I can just imagine how long it would take if it was just me! I also realized that the sun tent I bought when Cam was about a year old is next to useless. It's time to give it up and buy an umbrella. I'm tired of wrestling with it every time the wind blows!

It's The Moments Like This...

that make a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad *week* bearable.

Sail Plymouth 2009

Yesterday we took the kids down to Plymouth Harbor to see the Tall Ships that had come in. What a disappointment. There were 2 ships plus the Mayflower. You could buy tickets to go on them but the lines were huge and it just wasn't feasible with 2 kids. The were also having a waterfront festival which consisted of maybe 5 rides and one food vendor. Cam had a blast in the fun house so it was worth it. He had another horrible night sleeping so he was again in rare form. He went in the fun house 3 or 4 times but of course that wasn't enough. We some how got him out of there with minimal fighting then went to Sam Diego's for lunch. He loved the chips and salsa but of course when his quesadilla came he wanted nothing to do with it. Will we ever be able to enjoy a meal again? It seems like we're always rushing to finish before one of them freaks out. Arianna was loving life. She was sitting in the high chair for the first time so she was more than happy to just watch everyone.

After we left Cam wanted to go back to the fun house. We knew it would be a disaster getting him out of there yet again. It was 3pm at this point and he had only napped for 30 minutes in the car. We figured a meltdown at the car where there was less people was better than a meltdown at the carnival with millions of people. So, we put him into the car kicking and screaming. He got over it eventually, especially when he remembered there was ice cream cones at home!

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!

Arianna's 10 Months Old!

Arianna has changed so much in the past month. She pulls herself up, crawls, tolerates some solid foods, and the best of all she has the sweetest personality. She is a total ham and loves attention. I'm not sure where she gets it from because Steve and I are not like that!

She gets into everything now that she can crawl. Cam is not used to it and sometimes gets very annoyed when she is into his toys or climbing onto his train table. The absolute best and music to my ears is hearing them laugh together. Cam does play well with her most of the time and Arianna thinks that he is the best thing ever (except when he sits on top of her...we're still working on that). She learned how to click her tongue and she's so proud of herself! She still only has 2 teeth but the top ones look like they'll be coming in soon.

New words this past month: Dada, nana

New foods this past month: Cheerios, mini whole wheat bagels, American cheese.

And a little reminder of just how miserable June was...though it's not like we could ever forget!

Cam's First Movie!

Today was "Mommy and Cam Day." We really don't get to spend that much time together, just the two of us. Steve runs errands with him on Saturday mornings and since Cam is such a Daddy's boy they just spend more time one on one.

When Jade suggested we go to the movies I was a bit nervous. I was unsure how Cam would be since he's never watched a movie here at the house never mind a theater with other people! But I thought it would be fun and something different to do on yet another rainy day. I'm running out of ideas of what to do!

I told Cam that we were going to watch a show on the biggest tv he's ever seen and also that he'd get pizza for lunch and a treat. The treat got him...well until he realized that Arianna was going to be spending the day at Nana and Papa's. He was NOT happy. He kept telling me he wanted to go. He is not a fan of sharing his Nana and Papa with his sister. When I dropped Arianna off I kept Cam in the car and he cried but he got over it a lot faster than I thought. We were running a little bit late (I know, big surprise) but I had to stop and get gas. As I was leaving the gas station I hit the curb, twice. Cam asked what happened and I told him. He says to me, "Mommy you need to be careful." Yep buddy, I do!

When we got to the mall Jade had already got some pizza (thanks again Jade!) and we ate a little bit. At the mall they had some kids day going on so there was music and crafts. Cam had fun dancing to the music in the middle of the food court. So unlike him! I was surprised!

He did well in the movie, he was antsy at first he kept saying he wanted to go but it was nothing a few Twizzlers couldn't fix! They both did very well, I was so proud of them! (he couldn't figure out the seat, he wasn't heavy enough to keep it flat!)



The movie was good, there were some parts that were probably scary for the kids (crazy dogs and a mean old man) but I don't think they paid too much attention. Overall it was a very successful day and I'm so glad I got to spend time with Cameron. He's growing up so fast I don't want to miss a minute of it.

Oh, we saw: