Next Stop, Portland

We just got back from a wonderful weekend in Portland. I had to go down there for work, so I took the train early on Friday morning and Brian drove down with the kids. I definitely got the better end of that bargain because the train was awesome. Brian was a trooper and braved the drive down solo with the kids. We met at our friends James and Keri's house and spent the weekend with them. It was organized chaos with 3 kids, a puppy and chickens. The kids got along great though and I was pretty impressed with how well Adelyn and Cameron warmed up to the dog, but more impressive was how patient the puppy was with the children! Cameron had his first slumber party, his first coed bath (other than Addy) and went pee for the first time on the potty! We had some fun with face painting, Cameron loved the "pretty pony" and we had so much fun hanging out at the house. We were up bright and early both mornings, oh how trips with friends have changed since having kids. It felt just like old times, just a lot more work.

Pib, Up

I don't want to jinx anything and I am not bragging, but Cameron has to be the easiest kid ever to put down for bed. Every night we read stories (always at least 1 truck book), then brush teeth and then after we say our prayers (he always names Mama, Daddy and Aggy and then a few surprise guests) he cuddles in to me with his lovey, bonks me in the head with his head which makes us both laugh and then is ready for bed. Each night this week he then says "up" and tries to get me to stand up and then says "pib" which is crib and he points to his crib. I ask "do you want to go to your crib?" and he says "yes" and then laughs because he's so excited to go to his crib to go to bed.

I'm not joking.

Then once he's in his crib and he says "bye" and continues to say that as I shut the door and walk away, all while he is grinning ear to ear. I hear a few more "byes" an occasional "Aggy" and then he's quiet. It is ridiculously sweet and easily my favorite part of the day.

Here Comes Trouble

Yesterday Brian went to get Cameron from school and he was in the gym with his friends. He came right up to Brian and said "trouble." Brian asked him if he was in trouble and he said "yep."

Then Cameron's teacher explained that he had pushed another kid so they moved Cameron away from him so he didn't cause any more trouble. 

I think "trouble" weighs almost 29 pounds and doesn't know his own strength. At least he's the sweetest trouble I've ever met. 

New Sunnies

Cameron is constantly stealing and wearing other peoples glasses so we finally got him his own. I probably should have tried them on him first. He looks pretty awesome and pretty ridiculous. Oh and he still prefers to wears Addy's glasses.

18 months

Cameron had his 18 month appointment this week. It was almost awkward with the Dr. because I really had no questions so it was just about the fastest appointment ever (no shots yay!). Cameron is ahead of schedule on basically all fronts and we have the happiest healthiest boy ever. Here are the stats:

Height: 33" (70%)

Weight: 28 lb 4oz (90%)

Head: 49 cm (87%)

Here is Cameron enjoying some coloring time with markers. We decided it's easier to just take the clothes off if he wants to color all over himself.

Happy Father's Day

We had a great Father's day and the kids got to "show Daddy their love" all day. And by that I mean, Brian got to be tackled and wrestled and tickled all day. Cameron's favorite thing was to say "night night" to Brian and then force him to the ground and cover him with blankets. Kids show their love in so many interesting ways.
Happy Father's Day Daddy, Grandpa and Papa! Thank you for being such amazing fathers!

A Walk at the Beach

This past weekend, Brian had a great idea to take the kids to the beach to play. It was morning so it still wasn't super warm, but it was a perfect morning. The beach was pretty empty and it was low tide and it was just awesome. Cameron loved walking in the sand and Addy was determined to build the perfect sand castle. Cameron's highlight was that two trains went by and he got to see (and hear!) them up close. It was a wonderful morning and makes me so grateful that we live in such an awesome city with so many great things just down the street. 

Big Shoes to Fill

I've mentioned previously about Cameron's shoe obsession. It's a real thing. He's obsessed with his shoes, and with everyone else's shoes too. He is constantly going to the closet and pulling out shoes that are still too big for him and wanting to wear them. His latest obsession is with Addy's dress up shoes. He is constantly finding them, carrying them around, trying them on and trying to walk in them. It is absolutely hilarious, at least up until the point that Addy wants them back and then full madness ensues.

Here is documentation.

The discovery of the shoes

The sharing of the shoes

The teamwork of the shoes

The triumph of the shoes 

 The battle of the shoes

 The escape of the shoes

 The negotiation of the shoes.

The compromise of the shoes. 

And I just wait for the next round. 

My So-Called Life

It was another crazy week and by Friday afternoon I was looking forward to having a relaxing night at home. I had visions of the perfect evening. I would head out from work early, stop and pick up dinner so we didn't have to do any cooking or cleaning, we'd enjoy the sunshine while eating outside and it would be a fun & relaxing evening as a family.  I couldn't help but smile at the thought of it.

Fast forward to reality.

Everything was right on track from leaving work early through picking up dinner. From there on out things didn't fall quite so nicely into place. I actually beat Brian home which is rare so I felt good. When he came home both kids were a little cranky. I went to get Cameron and bring him in and he had a meltdown because he wanted Addy to come right with him. The second I got him calmed down Addy started crying because we "left her alone" while she took off her shoes in the hallway. Cameron refused to let me wash his hands, Addy refused to wash her hands. Addy complained about the food I picked. Cameron refused to eat the food. We did eat outside but it was suddenly much windier and chilly and everyone was cold. Cameron wouldn't eat a thing because he was so distracted by the trees and airplanes and doggies and anything else that was an excuse to not eat. Addy continued to whine about the food. At one point Brian and I just looked at each other and laughed. Then Addy had to go the bathroom, she locked herself into the bathroom and then was screaming because there wasn't any toilet paper. By the end of dinner, both kids were whining, I was freezing cold, Cameron was fussy, Brian was still hungry. It was not the relaxing, enjoyable dinner of my dreams. In fact, from the second the kids got home there was not a single relaxing moment.

I've decided this experience is a phenomenon that has been purposely designed by nature. I don't know that I can ever recall a "fun & relaxing dinner" as a family (I don't think relaxing is a word that belongs in any sentence involving an 18 month old who is awake.) But my mind allows myself the illusion to envision it and find joy it the possibility of it, which is probably all I really need to get through my day anyway.  I can guarantee next week I will look forward to the weekend with the same aspirations and smile at the thought of what might be and that will be just what I need to get through another week...of reality.

The Great Indoors

Brian has been talking to me for awhile now about going camping as a family. I have been stalling for awhile now avoiding a conversation about camping as a family. It's not that I don't enjoy it, but even when we went camping before kids I thought it was a lot of work for what it was. The thought of going camping with kids completely overwhelms me. Why do I want to pack up all of our things to drive a few hours to unpack them and then sleep on the hard ground with bugs and animals? Oh right, because of the experience. I remember now.
In an effort to stall the conversation further, I recommended that Brian do a "trial run" with Adelyn to see if she even likes it. We certainly don't want to take this adventure just to find out she refuses to sleep in a tent. I must give him credit, he went all out to ensure she enjoyed her first time "camping". He went really easy on her and for her first experience they stayed inside.
They cleared out the area before setting up the tent. They gathered all of the necessary equipment (flashlights & fake campfires included) and even had the sound effects of crickets and frogs to serenade them.
Addy loved it! She was excited about the whole experience and especially loved staying up late & sleeping in a sleeping bag (they both stayed up later than me, and Brian fell asleep reading stories to her). Cameron was more than happy to join in on the fun the next morning and Addy claims she is ready to tackle the backyard next! She insists there is enough room for all 3 of us, I'm not convinced just yet. Although it does seem a lot easier than the alternative. Maybe this is a compromise I can live with.