2010 Intentions

A New Year always brings with it a feeling of hope, possibility, and a clean slate. I love that “clean slate” feeling! I almost always spend a little time re-evaluating the previous year and create goals for the coming year.
My goals (or good intentions) almost always include the topics of:

Physical Health – usually weight loss or more consistent exercise
Financial Health - you know, spend less and save more
Spiritual Health - For me, spiritual health isn’t just about my faith but its about doing the things that recharge my batteries. It’s about taking time to do the things that lift up my spirit.
Professional Health. – well, that is self explanatory.

So – in re-evaluating 2009 I discovered that I have grown (and it hasn’t all been positive!)
I learned that I feel a whole lot better when I attend the church of sleeping in less and Bethel Lutheran more. I learned that juggling two kiddos is a lot of work but one of life’s greatest joys. I’ve learned that Madison is my greatest blessing and greatest challenge, all wrapped up into one cute red-headed package. I’ve learned that I have a very soft spot in my heart for my sweet Cameron and I hope his Dad can be the disciplinarian with him because Cam has me wrapped around his little finger. I’ve learned that unexpected surprises (Mike’s job loss) can be a huge blessing in disguise. I’ve learned that I have strength that I didn’t know I had. I’ve learned that sometimes we just need to beg-for, demand, and finally take a little time for ourselves. I’ve learned that a diet of cookies, Coca-Cola, and chicken wings will not help with the baby weight. (That’s the not so positive part!)
So – what do I hope for 2010? I hope that it is a spectacular year! I hope that I can continue to grow in positive ways (and not so much in my waistline!)
Physical Health – My pants are telling me it is far beyond time to lay off the cookies, coca-cola and chicken wings. That is my main goal for this year. I plan to celebrate and reward my successes. I’m following the brand new Mayo Clinic Diet – read the book, it’s great!
Financial Health – well – that goal kind of conflicts with my plan to reward myself for my physical health successes…but I can still focus on spending less and saving more! I am currently learning a few new ways to save at the grocery store (look for a follow up post on my short term failure in that regard!)
Spiritual Health – I worked on this last year and I will continue to work on it this year. Scheduling a little time each week to work on a pastime that recharges my batteries is my priority. Wednesday nights is my night to focus on my scrapbooking. The dishes, meals plans and laundry can wait – I am a better Mom when I take this time. This year I am considering moving into digital scrapbooking and I hope to begin with the 2010 photos. If you have any great digi scrapping resources – feel free to share!
Professional Health – For the past few years, I have been very focused on completing my MBA without paying for it. (That’s why I’m three years in and still working on it!) I have just 5 classes to go, three of which will be completed during 2010. Since that goal is right on track, I’m also going to focus on my next career steps during 2010. Hopefully there will be more to come on that!
So, there it is – a public declaration of my 2010 goals.

12 month update

Cameron is ONE!  I can't believe how fast the past year has gone.  My sweet baby boy isn't a baby anymore, but a toddler that is developing his own personality with each passing day.

Cameron had a check-up recently.  He weights about 24 pounds (I'm too lazy to go find the sheet that shows the exact weight.)  He has actually lost a little bit of weight.  He is easily in the 75th percentile for weight but the doctors say he is just a healthy boy and there is nothing to worry about. 

I'm not sure how tall he is but he is in the 50th percentile for height.  (Man, with Madison I had those number MEMORIZED!)  It's funny how priorities change.

Cameron still prefers to say Dada over Mama...but he is saying it more and more.  He even said Grandma once on Christmas Eve.  (Much to my Mom's delight).

Cameron still has only two teeth, but he seems to be working on a mouthful of them and is quite miserable.  Poor guy.

He is walking now - and getting into e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.  I don't know why we buy him toys, he'd rather play with whatever Mom is using at the moment.  No tupperware, serving utensil or pot and pan is safe!  Back to his walk, it's a cute little waddle.  It just makes me smile to see him walking through the house.  He also likes to dance.  A LOT.  Anytime music comes on, he starts to wiggle.  It doesn't help that I'm always singing "shake your booty" to him! 

I have been on the receiving end of his adorable hugs.  He squeezes so tight around the neck and then pats my back.  It is truly the best part of my day.  Mike has been lucky enough to get a kiss from Cam.

Cameron also likes to cluck his tongue.  A few days ago, I noticed that he turns his tongue sideways when he tries to talk.  My first instinct was to be concerned about it but the more I watched the more I realized it is simply adorable and for now, I'll just enjoy this cute little quirk.

Cameron is a good eater.  In fact, he has yet to meet a food that he doesn't like.  At his birthday party, he double fisted his cake and ice cream.  He didn't need the fork, he just picked one up in each hand and started eating! 

I have never seen a kid put away a bowl of chili like he does. 

I think he missed a spot....

I

 

Sunday School Christmas Program

This post is long overdue! 

Madison had her first Sunday School Christmas program last month.  I was a proud proud mamma! 

When you attend a church this big, its hard to get a good picture of the kiddo singing "comfort, comfort Baby Jesus is coming!"  Next year, I will bring the zoom lens.  I did not expect to sit this far back in the church so I thought my regular 55 mm would be enough.  Lesson learned. 

Just to give you some perspective...the Sunday School has to be split in  half - and each half does their own program.  The kids in Madison's "half" of the Sunday School number more than the entire membership of the church that I grew up in! 

                                                      Can you see her, in the middle?

There she is again!  Just to the right of the lady in the black jacket that is taking a picture. 

Madison had not said much about the Christmas program, so I did not expect her to do anything in it - but the beginners sang three songs - and I think she knew at least two of them.

That's my girl! 

 

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.