Visiting Santa

Madison and Cameron visited Santa a few weeks ago.  I was shocked at how well Cameron did!  He didn't cry or even look scared.  He just sat there on the old man's lap and looked at the camera.

Madison told Santa that she wanted him to bring her a camera for Christmas.  This was news to Santa.  Santa is now scrambling.  Frantically. 

Deck The Halls

The halls are decked. 

Madison will not take off her Christmas dress.  I had to buy new tights - and hide them - because Madison keeps playing in her tights and either putting holes in them or getting them dirty. 

We have more than enough snow for a white Christmas.

Madison and Cameron look perfectly natural in Santa hats.

The gifts are purchased - and waiting to be wrapped.  I'm hoping the gift wrapping fairy shows up...wrapping gifts is not something I consider a joy of the season.

Madison is preparing for her first ever Sunday School Christmas Program.  Oh how I remember the days of doning white sheets and halos made of gold tinsel and garland.   

We are learning about the miracle of the Newborn King and are preparing our hearts for Him.

Finally, we are praying that all of our friends and family feel the joy of the season and rejoice in the miracle that is before us! 

Birthday Boy

Can you believe that one year ago, I was paying bills and editing photos while in labor with Cameron.  I knew I should get to the hospital, but I was afraid the bills wouldn't get paid if I didn't do it before going to the hospital.  I'm still not really sure why I was editing photos, I just did.

When I got to the hospital, they made sure that I really was in labor and then quickly wheeled me in to surgery.  Before I knew it, the doctors were handing me my precious boy! 

I could not believe how much he looked like Madison!

It's impossible to not love a face like that!

Today he looks very little like Madison.  Actually, he looks just like his Daddy.  Grandma compared a picture of Mike as a baby to a picture of Cameron and they look exactly the same...right down to the rolls of fat in the legs! 

Gone is his brown hair - it is now super blonde and super soft.  I love the feel of his hair on my cheek as he falls asleep at night. 

He has changed so much in the past year.  This Mamma has only grown to love him more and more. 

He is very much a Daddy's boy and constantly says Dada and even "Hi Daddy" sometimes.  He is much less  interested in saying Mama.  He made my day on Sunday when he said Mama over and over again though.  He is now giving hugs and so far, this proud Mommy has been the only one lucky enough to recieve hugs. 

Cameron adores his big sister and lights up when she comes into the room.  He wants to do whatever she is doing, which is often not welcomed by his big sister.  Their favorite activity lately is playing with a pooh bear ride on.  Madison rides and Cameron pushes.  Somehow, Cameron doesn't realize that he is getting the short end of that deal.

Cameron is very close to walking.  In fact, if he weren't in such a hurry, he'd probably be doing it by now!  He will let go of the couch and stand there.  When he realizes that he isn't holding on, he tries to run!  Of course, that doesn't usually end well.  It won't be long and I'll be getting a work out just trying to keep up with him. 

Cameron LOVES his food.  LOVES.  He's like a dog, you never get between him and his food.  Never. 

It's hard to say what his favorite food is because he likes them all.  Actually, he does really love bananas.  In fact, you can't show him a banana that you do not intend to give him. 

He is going to quickly outweigh his sister.  She is such a little peanut and he is such a moose!  Whenever Madison is mean to her baby brother, I remind her that it won't be long and he'll be able to beat her up.  She thinks she will always be bigger than Cam, but somehow I don't think that will be true! 

I must admit I've struggled a bit with Cameron celebrating his first birthday.  His first year of life has gone by in the blink of an eye.  Although I very vividly remember the sleepless nights and endless feedings, it feels like I have missed him being a baby.  Life is much busier with two children and its easy to miss what is happening around you.  Today, my baby is no longer a baby, but a toddler.  He is leaving behind the bottles, the sweet baby babbles, and even some of the baby cuddles.  Although I am excited about each new accomplishment, every new "first," I will miss the things he leaves behind. 

Happy First Birthday my Sweet Cameron.  I have loved every moment with you. 

Obsessed with babies

Lately, Madison has been OBSESSED with babies in tummies.  So much so that she walks around with dolls under her shirt.  "Mama, I have a baby in my tummy!" 

Today, she took it one step further.  She threw this blanket over her head and announced that she was "Baby Jesus' Mom." 

I didn't even know how to respond. 

Goodbye College Fund

My sweet Madison has once again made me laugh uncontrollably with the things that she says.  Last Wednesday she purposely broke another child's toy at daycare.  As I learned about the incident from our provider the following went down:

Mommy:  Madison!  Why would you do such a thing?  I'm very disappointed in you.  You'll have to take the money from your piggy bank to buy C a new truck.
Madison: But that money is for college!

I had to hide a giggle.  It would have been cute if I weren't so upset with her.  Our provider also had to hide her face in an effort to not laugh.

The conversation continued in the car:

Madison:  Mommy!  I want to go to college.  If I have to buy a new toy I can't go to college.
Mommy:  Well, you should have thought about that before you broke C's toy.
Madison: But I want to go to college!
Mommy:  I guess now you'll have to only go to community college instead of university.  That's too bad.

I later emailed the child's mother to get more information on the toy.  She has since fixed the toy and all is forgiven, but I haven't told Madison yet.  I'm letting her worry about not being able to go to college. 

Mean, I know. 

I still might make her take the money and buy a toy for someone less fortunate.  One way or another, she'll learn that she can't break other people's toys. 

Just for fun, I bring up the piggy bank and her college fund from time to time.  The disappointment in her face and voice is unchanged.  I know it is eating at her. 

Is it wrong that this is so much fun for me?

Name that picture

This photo clearly needs a title.   Something like "Who pee'd in your Cheerios?" or "If Looks Could Kill." 

I think she was really getting tired of the mamaratzi gettin' all up in her face.  She looks like she could go all Mike Tyson on me and my camera. 

Leave a comment with a title.  The prize is nothing more than pride. 

Bananas

For bananas!

If I would let him, Cameron would eat bananas for every meal of the day.  The kid LOVES them!  He even says Nananananana!  (No Grandma, he is NOT referring to you)  If you show him a banana or a banana is in his line of sight, you'd better be planning on giving him said banana or face an all out temper tantrum.  (he learned that from the best; Madison.) 

If I didn't know better, I would say the kid is part Monkey.  That gene must have come from his Dad's side!  ;)

MMMMMOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!

A little help please!

Carseat Karaoke

Madison has been noticing the songs on the radio more - and starting to sing along.  A few days ago a song came on and she started to sing.

Madison:  God is great, beer is good and people are crazy. 

Hearing her sing this song already had me chuckling.  Then she said that Dawn (her daycare provider) had taught them that song, I was laughing even harder.  If she did indeed teach the daycare kids this song (and who knows, Madison could have made it up in her mind), it might bother some parents, but I think it's kind of cute and all in good fun anyway. 

So I was laughing to myself about the song, enjoying her slightly off-key rendition of it.  When she started to analyze the song a bit.

Madison:  Mama, I don't know many people that are crazy.
Mommy: Hmmmm.....

*Thoughtful silence*

Madison: 'Cept for maybe you, Mama. 

A moment later she added Daddy and Cameron to her list of people that are crazy. 

At least I won't be in that padded room all alone!

'Lil Goblins

Our Halloween festivities started with carving pumpkins last Friday night.

Madison worked on the guts, even though she didn't want to.

Daddy tried to smear some of the pumpkin guts on Madison's face.  She was laughing and screaming all at once! 

Madison and Daddy showing off the finished product!

Cameron is too little to carve his pumpkin, so Mommy took care of it for him.  When it was done, Madison claimed his pumpkin as her own because the face was scarier!

Daddy and the 'lil goblins showing off their pumpkins.  Notice Madison is proudly standing behind Cameron's pumpkin...little turkey.

The big night was cold - so we bundled the goblins up in layers under their costumes.  Cameron was a little pumpkin and Madison was a little witch.  Daddy and Cam waited at home while Madison and I hit the street.  We just went up and down our street, it was too cold to go much farther.

Then we brought the goblins trick or treating at Grandma and Grandpa L's.  The treats this year were giant halloween cookies and a piggy bank to paint!

After gracing Grandma and Grandpa with their cuteness, the goblins visited Great Grandma D and got some fun treats too!

Last, but not least, the goblins visited Great Grandma L. for treats and pictures.  Great Grandma L. likes to bake, so not only do the goblins get lots of candy, but they usually manage to score a few cookies or pieces of cake too!  YUM!

On my playlist

On my playlist right now:

I'm alive - kenny chesney and dave mathews
American Ride, Toby Keith
15 Taylor Swift
Toes (the uncensored version) - Zack Brown Band
Welcome to the future - Brad Paisley
Love your love the most - Eric Church
Sounds Like Life to Me - Daryl Worly
Joey - Sugarland
Need you Now - Lady Antebellum
I Wanna Make you Close your Eyes - Dierks Bentley
Alright - Darius Rucker

What is on your playlist right now?

birthday fun

We celebrated Madison's 4th birthday last weekend and these are my favorite pictures from the day.  Madison is starting to look so grown up - and I am amazed by how photogenic she is.  She looks so sweet in all of her pictures from the day!

Madison is such a ham!  She was so excited for the new princess gown and matching barbie that she immediately had to try it on and model it for all of us. 

We managed to get a picture of all of the Tigue grandkids!  We plopped them on the couch and took it really fast!  From left to right: Riley (2.5), Cameron (10 months), Madison (4), Evan (1.5), and Mason (4).  Clearly, Madison is in the minority!

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After all the pictures were taken, I finally got a chance the have someone take pictures of our family.  As you can see, they were DONE with pictures at this time.  Someday we'll have a family picture where we are actually happy!

Fall

It finally feels a bit like fall in the Med City!  We had to take advantage of some dry weather to get a few fall pictures!

Toofers!

There are teeth in there!  All about efficiency, Mr. Cameron decided to get his first two teeth at once!  They appeared sometime between Saturday and Sunday morning.  His Grandma checked for teeth during a short visit on Saturday and there wasn't anything there - but I found them Sunday morning while trying to figure out why he was umbearably fussy. 

How Big is Cameron??

So Big!

My Baby is FOUR

I cannot believe how quickly time flies. Before I know it, I’ll be saying that my baby is graduating. YIKES!

What can I say about Madison at four years old?

Madison adores her little brother and shows him that with hugs and kisses and by dragging him around the house by his neck. She has even accomplished the amazing feat of getting him out of his pack ‘n play, much to my horror. Madison does not quite understand the words “DO NOT pick up your brother.”

Madison is T.I.N.Y. She is tall, but oh so skinny. I do feed her, I promise! In fact, the kid eats like crazy but weighs a mere 32 pounds. I cannot buy pants that stay on her. I am constantly telling her that “crack kills” and pulling her pants up!

She still has the gorgeous red hair that she shocked us with at her birth. It is long long long. I want to cut it so badly! It is long enough to donate to locks of love but we are waiting just a bit so she will have some left when we do finally cut it.

Madison lives up to the fiery personality that red heads are so well known for. She is always right and will argue anything with anyone. Mostly she argues with Mamma. It’s funny and infuriating all at the same time. In a particular bad-mommy moment a few days ago I was very frustrated with her and muttered under my breath “oh, Madison grow up!’ She heard this and said “But Mommy, I can’t grow up, I’m still only three.” Those sweet little words melted my heart and a laugh escaped my lips. Of course, her “growing up” is the last thing I want – I’m sure many mothers of almost-four-year-olds can relate to my moment of frustration!

Madison can:
Write her name
Write the alphabet
Tell you what the first letter of a word is when you help her sound it out
Skate
Ride a bike with training wheels

Madison likes:
Pooh Bear (STILL!)
Princesses
Hockey
Camping
Campfires
Marshmallows
Capri Sun
Boating
Skipping
Driving her power wheels Jeep
Dresses and Tights
Sunday School
The Green Bay Packers
The Train Movie (The Polar Express)
Barbie Dolls

Madison wants:
Everything in the Fleet Farm Toyland catalog
A princess scooter
The Dora doll that can dance
Dresses

Happy Birthday, sweet Madison. You are the light of my life and the joy in my heart!

A Monday to beat all Mondays

Dear God - we could have done without today. Really. Everything happens for a reason and at some point, we will understand your plan.



There were a few very good moments that I will do my best to remember about today. I can't let the downside of life get in the way of all that is wonderful. Crummy things happen sometimes and we need to hold on to the little things. They are most important anyway.



Like Cameron all bundled up for Daycare - this is a new coat handed down from a friend. I couldn't help but think it looked like a Carhart and how proud Grandpa Tigue and Uncle Trevor would be to see Cam in a Carhart! Cameron has taken off in the past few days! He is clapping, saying Dadadada! and Mum mum mum! He has also learned to blow raspberries. Over and over and over and over again.




Poor Madison was sick today. Possibly with strep throat. So, Mama stayed home with her. Doesn't she look miserable? She'll be home again tomorrow, but the fever seems to be finally breaking.



But she perked right up when I told her it was snowing and that it would be good for her to get a little fresh air. She was very excited to learn that I was going to let her go outside for a little bit! I love her beautiful smile.





I bundled her up like it was ten below even though it was at least 30 degrees. Little Miss Personality did not care though - she had been sprung from her fever imposed house arrest.




The first thing she did was make a snow angel! It didn't take long and the beautiful snow on our back yard was full of foot prints. I went out and pulled Madison on a sled, pelted her with snowballs and helped her build the first snowman of the winter. Sadly, (or not, depending on how you feel about snow.) the snowman is already a slushy puddle.



So - even though today was the suckiest Monday of my entire adult life - these are the moments that I will remember. This is what is most important.

Cute new hat

It's getting colder here and its time to pull out the hats. So my sweet friend, Laura, knitted Cameron a striped hat. I picked out the yarn (and YES, its one skein of yarn, who knew that it would stripe on its own????)

I'm into weird colors right now - but this should look great with Cam's navy blue fleece snowsuit.

Now - the challenge will be getting him to keep it on his head!

9 months

Wow - can you believe Cameron is 9 1/2 months old already?

I've been thinking that he hardly looks like the newborn baby that I brought home last Christmas...and how time has just flown by! I can't believe how big he is getting and that he isn't my tiny little newborn anymore.

Ok - he was never tiny but you get my drift.

Cameron had his well baby visit a few days ago.

Weight: 22 lbs 8 oz

Height: 28 inches

Cameron is crawling on all fours, but he doesn't do it at home. I think the tile floors must bother his knees.

He is pulling himself up on EVERYTHING. He has tons of bruises across his forehead from falling down. He does try to walk a bit too, especially if he has something to push like Madison's pooh bear truck or one of the dining room chairs.

He says a pretty mean "da-da" and even refers to Mike as da-da. He sometimes says Ma-ma but far less frequently. (Where is the justice???) Cameron adores his big sister and usually erupts into uncontrollable giggles when Madison is around. She tries to teach him to say "Mad-i-son" but he is usually giggling too much to get the words out.

Cameron gives Mama big wet kisses - they are one of the highlights of my day!

Cameron does not sleep well, but it is getting better. He is starting to go down on his own at night (he used to fall asleep while drinking his last bottle, I KNEW that would come back to bite me!) He still often fusses a couple times a night but I can usually calm him right back down with the Nuk. We are working on getting him to calm himself, but it is difficult when he shares a room with his sister. We don't want his cries to wake her up.

This boy can put away the food too! In fact, it is so impressive that a friend wants to buy him. (Seriously, Joe...how could I ever sell him??? You're welcome to him for an afternoon tho!) Cameron loves anything that can be eaten. Bananas are clearly a favorite of his as are noodles and chicken.

Cameron does not like to be told no. He hasn't heard it often yet, but he already understands that it means he can't do something. A few nights ago he started pounding on his highchair tray and throwing food all over the place. I sternly said "Cameron, NO!" His little lip dropped down and quivered and before I knew it there were huge crocodile tears rolling down his cheeks. TOO STINKING CUTE.

Things we are working on:

1. Saying Mama

2. Clapping

3. SO-BIG!

4. Peek-a-boo

From a personality standpoint, Cameron is much more mellow than Madison, but he is much more active too. I'm a little nervous that I won't be able to keep up with this little guy once he decides to start walking!