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!

Grandma comes for a visit

I decided early on in my pregnancy knowing my due date that I would most need my moms help on Cooper's birthday week if I made it to my due date.  My mom was very sick with a cold the week Camden was due, although my mom was itching to come anyway.  My mom drove into Midland Monday.  We had a full week!  Having a built in friend to talk to all day was amazing.  Most of all I enjoyed my moms enthusiasm to lend a helping hand where ever needed.  The house stayed cleaned, dishes were also clean, and Camden was always taken care of.  The best part I was able to take the older kids out to the park, swimming, and to chucky cheese.  One night Richard watched all four kids and my mom and I went and got pedicures.  Every night my mom and I went for a walk alone.  Richard and I were able to pick up all the party supplies and birthday presents for the party.  We wouldn't have been able to pull off Cooper's birthday party with out my moms help!  We all went out to lunch Saturday before my mom got on the road.  I sure am going to miss her, thanks mom for everything!

Newborn Pictures

I never did newborn pictures with Allison or Cooper.  Newborn pictures didn't become a thing until Beckett was born.  Beckett was so sick I reschedule his pictures twice before eventually canceling them.  I have a super duper camera I don't know how to work but I thought I would play with the settings and try a few poses with Camden and the other kids.  I had fun looking for poses and editing the pictures.

First Bath

Camden's first bath went as expected he cried the whole time.  We had an audience while we gave him a bath, all the kids wanted to know what's wrong with the baby!  Fortunately the bath was over pretty quick and once the lil guy was dry he calmed down.  I know some day he will love baths but for know we will have to deal with the crying.  Both my two older children never cried at baths. but my two younger boys frantically cried.