First day of school

Allison and Cooper started school this past Wednesday.  Cooper started 2nd grade.  He has several friends in his class.  His teacher is fun but strict which is a good combination for Cooper.  I am really excited to see how the school year progresses.  Allison started 5th grade.  She has three amazing teachers!  Although none of her buddies are in her class, I have hopes she makes new friends!  Yay for a new awesome school year ahead for both my kiddos!

Potty traiing

It feels like I've been potty training Beckett for months.  We started and it didn't go well and then I revisited it and we hit another bump.  Third times the charm right..  We are 3 weeks in!  Beckett has the hang of going number one.  At first we used diapers during naps and at night.  We've gone a week with no diapers and no accidents.  Going number two seems to be more difficult.  At first he would hold it for days and then get constipated.  He has gone by himself a few times but we've had a few accidents too.  Were not perfect at it yet.  At first Beckett was taking all his clothes off.  I teach sitting down first until they have complete control and then I move to standing.  We have moved on to standing up and he has gotten that down!  This was probably a crazy time to potty train but I guess any time would have been hard.  I know it's not convenient but it was so worth it!  Ever since Camden was born I see Beckett with new eyes!  He seems so big to me, of course he is naturally bigger than my first two children.  But he is not my baby anymore, we've hit a new stage as a preschooler. 

End of summer

 

It's been a very interesting summer!  In the beginning I dreaded it and wished I could just skip to the end of summer.  But time passes and I kept the kids busy and tried to enjoy our time together as just a family of 5!  Although I am so thankful to be done with pregnancy and I am enjoying all the sweet snuggles from my newborn.  Getting the Kimberly pool membership was the smartest thing I did!!!  We swam all summer, hung out with friends, played football and soccer, and threw two big birthday parties!  Most importantly we welcomed our son Camden to our family!  I will miss having a flexible schedule and sleeping in late!  But I am ready for cooler weather and a more set scheduled day.  I pray I am able to handle all my children's activities.  I am ready for the challenge.  I am ready for the school year!

Lucky 13

Sunday was our 13th wedding anniversary!  We celebrated by going out to dinner with only Camden.  My in laws watched the other kiddos.  It was nice to be by ourselves, Camden slept the whole time.  We were asking each other some of our favorite memories over the past 13 years of marriage.  I enjoyed listening to Richards thoughts.  Most of mine were with our children during vacations.  Our honeymoon was one of my favorite memories and our lil getaway by ourselves to San Francisco.  That night we watched interstellar and snuggled while everyone was asleep.  It's hard to believe how our life together has played out.  We aren't a perfect couple but we love each other and work hard at our marriage.  Richard is my best friend and I enjoy his company, he is so caring and dedicated.  During Camden's hard birth it was another reminder to me how much I rely and depend on Richard.  He is my anchor.  We have both grown a lot through these past several years.  I can't imagine my life with out him.  Happy lucky 13th babe, I love you!

Zoo

Day number 2 of family fun was spent at the Abilene zoo!  It took us forever to get out the door despite waking up early.  We had are little highlander packed to the max, I can't wait to get a new car January can't come soon enough!  Snacks, drinks, extra clothes in case of potty accident,  baby stuff, swim stuff, and double stroller!  Plus a family of six!  We pulled into Abilene at lunch time and stopped at this amazing burger and shake joint.  Then we made it to the Zoo!  It was HOT!  I am thankful I packed a ton of drinks and sunscreen.  We managed to stay cool by stopping in the indoor reptile exhibits between looking at all the animals.  There were also plenty of shaded spots and an indoor cool room with interesting facts about the Zoo.  My favorite parts this visit was having an up close experience with the camels, the kids got to pet them.  And watching a feeding of alligators!  I felt very lucky also because the animals were very friendly and all came out to see us up close! Another fun thing the zoo added a carousel ride, train ride, and splash pad!  It makes the Zoo experience that much more fun!  Even though it was my birthday slash anniversary weekend we spent it with our children doing fun family things which is exactly where I wanted to be. 

Water park

Because our weekend plans were canceled we still wanted to do something fun as a family.  Day one swimming!!  Midland built a new water park that opened this summer.  We've been wanting to check it out but haven't been able to.  Plus every time we drive by they've met capacity in the first half hour.  We woke up early and packed a lunch expecting to wait in a long line.  Luckily we didn't wait long and even got a nice table covered in shade.  Our kids are little fish and loved the water.  Allison and Cooper kept them selves busy.  Beckett loved the kiddy area.  Richard and I took turns staying with Beckett and trading off to be with Camden in the shade.  This place had three giant slides, a rock climbing wall, lazy river, floating steps, and a kid water park.  We stayed for 4 hours until they closed because of lighting and thunder.  We took breaks and snacked throughout the day and the kids would go back out and swim. It was well worth the visit, maybe next summer we will go more often!

My birthday

My birthday was this past Wednesday.  We originally had plans to go out of town and then Allison soccer team was going to have a tournament so we canceled our plans.  Then the tournament was cancelled last minute.  I never had time to plan anything.  So my birthday became just a regular day.  I normally surround myself with family. Once all my family members moved away I began to plan fun outings with just my lil family.  Two years ago we went to the Carlsbad caverns and last year we went to the Abilene zoo. I figured going somewhere by myself with a newborn was not a good idea. I woke feeling very sad and missing family.  I decided to get up and dressed and take the kids shoe shopping.  My mom called shortly after and then I talked to my sister.  My mood was better!  Then the doorbell rang over and over in the next two hours with flower deliveries! If you know me I am a sucker for flowers.  I would love to constantly have fresh flowers all over my home.  I felt so loved!  I took the kids shopping after lunch and we had a blast!  They were so well behaved and I was able to buy shoes for all three.  We meet Richard in Odessa for dinner at red lobster.  After dinner we had my in laws over for cake.  I ended the day going for a walk talking on the phone to my best friend! 

Life with a newborn

It's hard to believe three weeks of Camden's life have flown by.  The shear joy I feel to not be pregnant anymore is unexplainable.  Feeling more like myself and having more functioning capabilities is so refreshing.  I might be tired from a night of feedings with Camden but it's a different level of tired then when I was pregnant.  Holdings brand new baby in my arms it's bittersweet.  Things may have not gone according to my plans, but Camden is mine.  I have a son that needs me, right now he is helpless.  The baby making machine is closed!!!  I have 4 beautiful children!  All in completely different stages of life, all in need of me and their father.  Back to Camden, he is by far my best eating newborn!  Such a hungry little guy.  He is an awesome burper.  He sleeps pretty good.  He doesn't like to have his diaper changed but who does!

Camden has had his first doctor apt, second PKU, and his two week check  up.  Camden's weight went down to 6lbs and 12oz.  But by two weeks it was back to birth weight 7lbs 1oz.  His coloring looks great no jaundice.  He is also pretty strong trying hard to control his head.  Camden's umbilical accord and circumcision ring both came off.  I catch myself slowing down and just holding and snuggling my little guy.  House work can wait, things around the house will still be there.  My favorite time of the day are meals around our table.  The kids are doing well with Camden.  Allison of course is right in the thick of things.  She wants to watch him eat, bath, or even a diaper change.  She is quick to help or soothe Camden.  Cooper gives Camden kisses when he sees him but other than that he keeps to him self.  Oh but he came up with a nickname for his new brother, Camwitch like sandwich.  Beckett is all about "baby brother"!  He baby talks to Camden, he calls him Cam Cam. He tells him that he loves him like a hundred times a day.  If Camden is not in our arms he wants to know where's my baby brother. 

Having Richard off for so long and then having my mom here was such a huge help.  Things have stayed clean and I haven't had to leave any where with all four kiddos, until this week.  I am learning quick things take me a lil longer to get out the door, and that I don't have enough time to do everything that I want.  I can take a shower but not enough time to put on makeup, I can wash loads of laundry but no time to put away, and leaving the house is like packing for a trip.  Its not to overwhelming its just an adjust on my part, I need more time to perfect this mom of four thing!  Life with a newborn keeps me busy there are not enough hours in the day, but I wouldn't have life any other way.

Cooper's 7th birthday

Looking back at pictures of Cooper warms my heart it is hard to believe he is 7!  The last few years have really flown by.  I remember his pregnancy very well, it was my easiest.  My due date was 8-8-8, I was induced on 7-31-08.  I remember thinking I would never make it to August.  Richard was bummed we didn't get a 8-?-8 birth date.  Cooper has always been my lil blue eyed demon.  Such a handful of a toddler and even more wild of a preschooler.  As much work as my Cooper James is he is worth it!  He is creative, thought provoking, and sensitive.  Happy 7th birthday baby blue eyes!  My favorite part of your birthday was taking you to do two rounds of laser tag before your party.  Grandma watched the two lil boys and went and had blast by ourselves!

A week after Cooper's birthday last year he was brain storming his next party, zombie related.  I tried desperately to convince him of other ideas.  I though we could rent one of those water slides.  And then we got a membership at the Kimberly pool, let's have a pool party!  Every idea was shot down.  Cooper had this thought out zombie nerf party.  I gave in and we brainstormed together!  It was hard work especially as sleep deprived parents of a newborn.  We wouldn't have been able to pull it off without the help of my mom.  Cooper had over a dozen friends attend and his party was a huge success.  My sister drove in from San Angelo for the party and meet baby Camden.  I am relieved it's over, all 4 of my children's birthdays are over!