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. 

Vistors

Camden had his second PKU shot on Monday.  My in laws watched the kids.  It was a little busy at the hospital but once it was our turn we were in and out.  After we got home my sister in law and my nieces stopped by to see Camden.  They came baring gifts, several cute outfits.  It was so nice to see family so far only my mother/father in law have seen Camden.  Usually we have a ton of family and friends visiting us.  It really uplifted my spirits.  I know it's my fourth baby but celebrating my newborn should still be just as special as my first born.

Big kids day

I decided to spend one on one time with the two big kids before Richard went back to work.  Up first was my Alli.  Allison has been obsessed with her American doll this summer.  She's been begging to spend her money on accessories.  She's also managed to become very crafty and has made wallets out of tape.  Reused boxes for beds and couches.  She cleaned out her closet and used a portion of her book shelf for space for her dolls.  I took Allison to toysrus and bought her a few accessories for her dolls.  Next we went to the mall and grabbed some desserts from the great American cookie.  My daughter has a sweet tooth thank goodness she has her dads fast metabolism.  We then went to Justice to do a little shopping.  It was nice to chat with her about all the things she cares about.  I am so blessed to have a daughter since I am surround by boys now.  Allison is so caring and helpful I don't know what I would do with out her.  She brings a much needed balance in our home.

The next day I took Cooper out.  He had several ideas for our time together.  We started at the mall.  Cooper was in need of new clothes, that kid is rough on clothes!  We had fun shopping and my lil man is not to old to still hold my hand!  As wild as Cooper can be many people miss out on how loving he is to me!  I get a ton of love from Cooper, lots of hugs/kiss and even more I love you's.  Next we went to game stop, with no luck finding a game.  So we hit up toysrus and bought a nerf gun, like we need more of those.  Then we ended our time at Burger King.  Let's just say Cooper wanted our time to last longer, but we had a great time together!

Baby bedding

I recently finished all of Camden's baby bedding about two weeks before he was born.  It started out with an idea of colors I wanted and then went looking for patterns.  I bought two lime green patterned fabrics and two dark navy patterned fabrics.  Then I added the minky dot fabric in navy and lime green too.  I ordered some of the fabric online, bought some at hobby lobby, and bought the other fabrics at Joann's.  It took me awhile to decided on a pattern for the comforter and then I got busy sewing piece by piece then row by row.  Then I choose a silk navy blue for the revers side of the blanket and had to sew the backing inside of it.  It was a very daunting project and I messed up a lot.  Some times if you over work a project its best to step away and come back.  But I didn't listen to my own advice and boy did I make a big boo boo on it.  After several attempts to fix my mistake, I think it turned out okay but I do notice the imperfections.  Next I started the crib bumper but had to stop because I ran out of fabric and the fabric was out of stock.  So I started on the crib skirt and boy was that tricky!  Next I worked on the changing pad which I really messed up and didn't notice tell a day later that I didn't stick to my horizontal pattern but hey it was already sewed!  Once my fabric came in I was able to finally finish the bumper bad which was a huge project to sew in the backing and the ribbons.  I got myself so backwards while sewing that but it all turned out ok.  I am sure most everyone that reads this has no idea what I am talking about, but it was indeed the hardest thing I have ever sewed.  I made all the same things for Beckett but I had my sister by my side the whole time and plus its been a few years!  Anyway I feel so happy to have finished this for my sweet new baby all by myself.  Although there were many phone calls to my sister on questions and venting, thank goodness for her sweet words and encouragement because I needed them.

Daddy time

Richard has several vacation days that he hasn't used this year.  We decide he would take a work week off when Camden was born.  Plus Chevron gives two paid paternity day.  After those 7 days Richard would be off his normal 4 days.  Which totaled to 11 days off.  Having him through this time has been so wonderful!  We've really gotten into a nice schedule with Camden.  Richard is no stranger to diaper changes, he is the swaddle king, and has the magic sleep touch.  I feel like I've made huge leaps in my recovery.  I've sent him to the store countless times.  He took the highlander to get an oil change. Best of all the kids have had a ton of daddy time.  Richard has taken them swimming nearly everyday!  They also went to the movie theaters to see the Minion movie.  He has taken them to the park and to all of Allison's soccer practices.  Richard took the kids to chickfila's cow appreciation day.  And managed to get out the door to church, even thought they were a lil late due to a dead car battery!  Words can not explain my gratitude and love for this man!  He does more than I could have ever hoped for or imagined.  He is a true partner in our marriage.  I feel so lucky to be his wife and I don't tell him often enough what a great man he has become.  From the quirky teenager I feel in love with to the hard working dedicated family man.  Thank you for giving me another lil Richard (Camden).  Raising our babies brings me the greatest joy in life.