A late night HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY PARENTS!

Camden is yelling, "Happy Anniversary" Grammpy and Grammmy!"

Miss you, hope you are having fun in Mexico!

I HAVE AMAZING NEWS! . . . .

Well, Amazing to me . . . . Paula is back to the land of blogging. Go to http://www.gregoryandpaula.blogspot.com. I have missed them so.

Pictures to tide you over while you sit on the beach in Mexico, you know who you are.

This is the outfit mom, it fits him perfect. I'm sad he is wearing it though, because that means it's coooooold!  . . . . And you are sitting on by a pool somewhere in your new swimsuit.

In fact, this morning was so cold in the house, and Jeff refused to turn the heat on.  

(Refused, Until I whined enough and got out sweats and a jacket and put hooded sweatshirts on the boys) Then I got my way. . .  and a cute picture.

Jeff wanted me to take a pic of the thermostat to guarantee you know 

I was complaining for nothing. 

Remember those day, Bill?

Saturday morning football

So Thursday it was about 80ish, Saturday morning it was 0h, 57ish.

Hoodies, jackets and long pants. I had to scramble to find them all, so that they could scramble around the yard.

Thanks to Amanda for the cute matching shirts. They say, "My mom is outta your league."

Catch Cam, Catch!

Where do you think? . . .

So where do you think Carter gets his green eyes from?

So where do you think Camden gets his glasses from?

Carterisms

Carter: Mommy, you okay?

Mommy: Yes, Carter I'm good. Are you ok?

Carter: Hmmm, Carter okay. Okay?

Mommy: Yes, that's okay. I'm glad your okay.

Carter: Okay.

Carter sitting 3 inches from me: Mommaaay! Mommmmmay! Mommmayyyyyyyy!

Mommy: Yes, Cubby.

Carter: I lub you soooooo much.

Mommy: (Eyes well up) Carter, I love you soooo much too.

Carter: Mommy, you sad?

Mommy: No, I'm happy, cause you love me.

Carter: Don't be scared of the lawn mower. It's okay.

Mommy: I'm not scared, I'm happy.

Carter looks at me so confused, but gives up, running off to play. Tears and happiness don't go together in his little mind yet.

Carter: Drive fast, there's a tiger coming!

Carter: Mommy I frownd up all over. (This after he littered Grandpa and Grandmas porch with projectile vomit.

Mommy: Your okay now, let's take a bath.

Carter doesn't say anything until we are leaving 20 minutes later. Then as we walk out to the porch . . .

Carter: Where frowd up go?

Mommy: Pappa cleaned it up, all gone. It's ok.

Carter: Where frowd up go?

Mommy: All gone. 

Carter: You frowd up? 

Mommy: No, but almost. (Really - ALMOST) 

Camden's 1st Birthday Party - overdue pictures from 10/4/08

Start the party with some snacks, followed by hot dogs, corn, baked beans and chili cheese dip.

None of which I could actually eat, but we had to feed the cowboy's crew. 

Then open a load of presents, clothes, toys and books, all perfect.

Throw in a crowd to watch.

My very own train. ("Hands off Carter")

Followed by my own chocolate cake and cupcakes for the gang.

A "Happy Birthday" to me song and a intriguing #1 candle.

A little taste.

Now a fork full.

Ok, let's get serious, just dive in.

Slop it around a bit.

Add one cute cowgirl and a couple balloons.

 . . . and I'm one happy cowboy!

With one big happy family.

lucky, lucky, lucky.

Catch-up

The temps have cooled down and the boys have enjoyed playing in their pool.

It looks like Carter is blowing me kisses. I will just pretend this is what he was actually doing, rather than drinking dirty pool water.

Standing around.

"Here Camden, drink some water"

Camden in the worlds heaviest diaper full of water.

And more time in the water at the end of the day.

Happy 1st Birthday

Camden,

A picture from 6:42 pm, the exact time you were born 1 year ago.

Your first taste of cake.

Little Camarones,

This is what Poppa calls you. Somewhat of an oxymoron considering camarones means, "shrimp" which you are not. Especially today when you turn a whole year old. You almost have the hang of walking and you crawl like a mad man.  You can say momma, dadda, kitty, got it and did it. You no longer like "baby" food. But why would you like it, your not a baby anymore. You want what we have on our plates and so I try to make your meal look just like Carters. You sit up to the table like such a big boy and laugh with Carter while you munch on bananas, mandarin oranges, crackers, goldfish, just some of your favorites. It isn't too hard to please you.

One year ago, I was waiting around a hospital room for you to join our little family.  After a long day, you came into the world quietly, sleepy and content. A year later you aren't so quiet but you do love to sleep and are content most of the time. This month has proven to be a test of your contentment and normally easy going self. After several ear infections and too much pain, (your ears, my heart) the Dr. has decided you need ear tubes. You will have surgery on October 25th. The ENT we saw explained you hear us as if you had a bucket over your head. I feel guilty for not understanding why you have been frustrated the last month or so. Partially your ears, maybe the 3 new teeth you are getting (totalling 9 now) and then the fact that we sound like we are talking to you under water, I can only imaging how upsetting this is to you.  

Even in this present state, you are truly a sweetheart and a joy. You love to be held and cuddled and now give kisses. One year ago, I couldn't imagine being Mommy to 2, now I can't imagine life without you, your kisses and cuddles. I can't wait to watch you grow more in the next year.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday little Camarones, Happy Birthday to you!

I love you more everyday.

Momma

26

My Loving Carter, 

You are such a sweet boy! Your vocabulary is expanding every minute and some of my favorite sweet things you say are, "I'm so glad to see you." "Lub you Mommy, so much!" When you want me to put something down somewhere you say, "Right der mommy, right der pweese" and "See you real soon!" Tonight Daddy told you "Carter, You and Cam make me very happy." To which you replied, "Are you happy to see me?" Daddy said yes and then you said, "I'm happy to see me too!" 

Every morning I wait to hear you open your door and come running to the gate. You remind me, "Binkies stay in bed." and run to throw them back in your bed. Next I hear, "Up high Mommy, milk and cereal in bowl pweese." Sometimes I get a "glad to see you." And my heart flutters because I am so glad to see you too! You smell like Lavender soap from your bath the night before and you are warm and cuddly from being wrapped up in your blankie. And the day starts, the best way possible.

Today also marked your first trip to the dentist. You were perfectly cooperative. Opened real big like a little alligator and had everyone wrapped around your finger. You have 20 teeth and helped the dentist count them all. You got a new Tigger toothbrush and were so excited to show Grampy and Grammy all your new stuff from the dentist. 

You are so excited to spend time with Grammy and Poppa, who are here to celebrate Cam's 1st birthday. Every second it's, "Poppa play, Poppa come outside, Poppa sit, Poppa eat with Carter." You are so in love with them and they are in love with you. 

These are just a couple things from the day you turned 26 months old. Things I will hold in my heart and cherish for years to come. Please be "glad to see me" when you are 5 or 18. Please continue to give me those unsolicited "Lub yous" PWEESE!

Lub You too,

Mommy

The Perfect Man, The Perfect Trip

These are going to be a little out of order. 

Saturday we went to the Metropolitan Art Museum.

For those who don't know, I am an art freak. I love love love museums, specifically impressionism, paintings from 1700 to 1900. We found just that at the Met.

One of my favorite sketches by Degas.

Sunday night we had an incredible dinner at Buddakan, an Asian inspired restaurant. It is quite popular so we actually ate at about 10:15 to avoid the crowds. It worked out perfect, a subway ride to the Meatpacking District, a small walk and walla! a perfect restaurant tucked in a trendy brick building. 

And of course, I had to have a picture with some men in uniform. This town is perfect for me. 

Jeff the stockbroker (not exactly) on Wall Street.

And the sign at the florist shop down the street from the Grand Hyatt where we stayed which explains why Jeff isn't a stockbroker.

Another random picture of the Met Museum. Jeff was as interest in the Art museum as I was on Wall Street. Ho-hum, trying to look interested at least.

Saturday night a boat ride around the Hudson to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Jersey city and the New York skyline.

A snapshot from our ride. The middle condo tower, top floor, is owned and occupied by Leonardo DiCaprio. Martha Stewart also dwells here. (Well, not in the same condo)

In all her glory.

Sunday morning, we took a walk by ground zero and the marina at Battery Park, and another shot of the Statue of Liberty.

Sunday we walked around Greenwich, Soho and NYU. Not many shots of this, we tried to not look too touristy, until I had to get a shot of another fire truck for Carter. 

Jeff in Central Park Saturday morning.

Very popular benches along the trail at Central Park. Several movies filmed here. So I posed for the camera too.

As did Jeff. 

Subways in New York are great. We actually navigated around the whole city with ease. No wrong trains,  no muggings, nothing "scary" as I thought it would be.

So I am a little biased but I believe I have, hands down, no questions asked, the best husband in the entire world. A husband so great that he thinks up a trip to New York for 4 days, just me and him, a little escape. A trip including a babysitter flown in from Seattle so I would be sure my babies were in perfect care (Thank you Erin), a day of shopping/pampering before we left, A phone call to a certain employer to ensure I would be free, a limo pick up at the airport and a funny story to go with it, Phantom of the Opera, a boat ride around the city, Wall Street, Central Park strolls, Grand Central Station, Twin Tower Memorial, Empire State Building, The Met Art Museum, Times Square people watching, Tackling/Braving the Subway (Bus system, pedicab, taxicab, you name it, we did it transportation wise) Dinner at Buddakan and Lots of Shopping. A husband so great that he thought of everything to make me happy. And even though I found out about the surprise a week before I should have, I was surprised by his extensive planning and attention to detail. I shouldn't be surprised, after all this is the same man who proposed on the beach with a message in a bottle. His middle name is "Surprise.Perfect.Romance." and I am married to him. Yup, Jeffrey "Surprise.Perfect.Romance" Shepherd is my husband. Eat your heart out.  

Carterisms

1.) "Mommy, Carter likes her fruit snacks." - Refers to himself in third person AND as a girl.

2.) "Baby Cammen wokes up? You get him" - Refers to his brother correctly. . . . hmmmm.

3.) "Hot dog, hot dog, hot digggy diggggy dog" - Mickey Mouse song he sings when he's reading.

4.) "siss, eight, noowyn, tin"- counting, he says his nine so funny. Like a New Yorker.

5.) "Carter ok, all betta now" - When asked if he is ok, when he falls, bumps into something, gets his feelings hurt, etc.

6.) "Lub ewww. Ok bye now" - When I part with him at daycare.

7.) "You go own bed, Mommy tired go yer bed." - When I tuck him in and he is obviously ready to just go to sleep.

8.) "Ummm, yeah pweese" When ask if he wants a fruit snack. This is the only time we get a yes, otherwise always no. 

9.) "Pweese, tank ewww, yer elcome" One complete phrase when he is trying to get something. The "yer elcome" sounds german.

Ordinary Miracle

My new favorite song, I think of the boys, just another ordinary miracle today. 

A day on the boat.