Vegan food for the Soul

I have so much to write about I don't even know where to start! August has really flown by and while it's still so hot, the mornings and nights are getting cooler, so I know Summer is winding down. This past weekend we had aunt Rebecca and her boyfriend Chris here for a visit. We kept really busy by going tubing down the "Hooch", going to the aquarium, doing the coke tour, dining out and eating in! One day Chris and Rebecca were in charge of dinner and they made soy tacos and they were honestly really good. We also ate at a vegan soulfood restaurant. Not bad....seriously! Jan watched Camryn while we went tubing but Camryn came along to everything else and was really good and I think she really enjoyed herself! The weekend went by too fast, and I think we were all sad to see it end!

This coming weekend we are taking it easy because next weekend is out big trip to Charleston! let me just say, I need it! I can't wait to relax for a couple of days....Ahhhh! The weekend after that is Camryn's first birthday party! We are having in the clubhouse of our subdivision just to have a little extra space. We've got lots of family coming into town so it should be great! I also decided that Camryn and I are taking our first girls trip together. Bert is going out of town for a weekend in October so Camryn and I are going to drive down to Tallahassee and see our buddies. So I can pretty safely say that this next month is going to be fun, but busy!

Little Camryn is really starting to look more like a toddler than a baby. She is not quite walking but she takes 4 or 5 steps at a time. Her balance is getting better she stands without holding on, clapping her hands. I gave her her first mini haircut, just trimmed her bangs, but I think it made her look more like a big girl! She raises her hands in the air when we say "touchdown"! She has her real laugh and a fake laugh that I think she uses when she just wants to appease us! She's a really good, easy baby, but she can throw a nice little tantrum every so often.

Cooking in her very own kitchen (thanks grandma Lori!)

Playing with Aunt Rebecca

Peek a boo!

Summer Lovin'

I'm loving these lazy summer days, but not really loving the extreme heat lately. Fortunately we have an awesome pool and have been taking advantage of it lately. Lucky little Camryn probably goes to the pool three or four times a week and she loves it! She especially loves the kiddie pool because she is the perfect height to stand in her float and have her feet touch the bottom so she can run around and chase the other kids. She likes the big pool too, I push her around and she chews on her pool toys.

Speaking of chewing on things, our little beaver was starting to gnaw the finish off of her crib, so we bought this crazy railing cover contraption and it is hideous but at least it will protect the crib. The crib converts into a full size bed and I'm sure she wouldn't like it in 15 years to have to see chomp marks all over her footboard!

We've been giving Camryn more and more table food, but she still has a lot of babyfood too. We gave her refried beans at a mexican restaurant a couple of weekends ago, and she loved them! We had tacos a couple of nights last week and I bought beans as a side and she loved them so much! After about ten bites we switched to something else because I was scared that she would get a stomachache! She also loves banana pieces. She and I split a banana almost every day!

She definitely wants to walk and walks around the house holding our fingers or her baby walker, but she's very cautious and isn't ready to let go quite yet. She still falls over a good bit! I am always calling her "little drunk lady" because she'll be standing against the couch and tip over out of nowhere, or she'll just start hiccuping or giggling out of the blue.

As far as the rest of the Gary household, we are all doing well. Work for me has been good the last few months, and I'm so glad to be at home with the baby. Even though it can have it's stressful moments, I wouldn't want it any other way! Bert is good, loving his job, enjoying his break from school until next semester, and taking a much needed guys night tonight. Miller is learning how to navigate over the maze of baby gates, and becoming more daring when it comes to Camryn, I'll even catch him rubbing up against her for some love, maybe they will be best friends after all.

Stayin' on Bentley Way

It's been so hard to keep up with my blog lately. I have had a busy couple of months with work, Bert has a lot going on with school and the baby is literally all over the place. The main reason I'm keeping this blog is to help me remember Camryn's milestones, because she changes so quickly, it can all be a big blur. It's also nice to share our goings-on with friends and family, although I'm not sure if anyone really reads it anymore.

We had a great Fourth of July weekend, went to a couple of fun BBQ's and enjoyed some pool time. Camryn absolutely loves the pool, and Bert and I are like a couple of kids in there taking our turns on the water slide. I also found out that a bunch of stay at home moms meet at the pool weekly to have playdates, so I went the last two times to see if I could make any friends in the neighborhood with babies Camryn's age. The moms are nice enough (but I think they are a little predjudiced about working moms), so we'll see...

In other news we decided to take our house off the market. There are too many foreclosures in this neighborhood, that no one wants to pay what we were asking for our house, which is less than we paid for it. We are gonna stay here for a while, and hopefully will be able to get something bigger in a few years.

In Camryn news, she has now learned how to climb the stairs! She's fast too! Also she can stand without holding on to anything for a few seconds. She also nods her head yes, especially if you do it along with her. So I'll say "Camryn do you love mommy? Yes?" Nod. "Camryn do you love to poop? Yes?" Nod. It's funny because she looks so serious about it.

In not good Camryn news, we had our first trip to the ER Sunday night. Camryn didn't eat much solid food for two days, threw up three times and had a fever that wouldn't go down with Tylenol. She looked pretty miserable so we decided to take her in. In hindsight we probably could have waited and took her to the pediatrician the following morning, but we were pretty panicked. Fortunately we were in and out of the ER in the all time record time of 1 hr and 15 minutes. Camryn is back to her old self now.

That's about all that's going on in our home. We booked a weekend getaway for our anniversary to Charleston. Camryn is coming with us and we actually leave on her birthday, so we'll definitely order a dessert that night at dinner and give Camryn a little to smash, and I'm sure the waiter will just love us! I can't wait, we are going to have so much fun!

July 4th outfit, on July 3rd!

Pool time!

I'll take a dozen eggs, some frozen waffles, and a baby!

Tiny Dancer's Encore

Tiny Dancer

Rock A Bye Baby

I think we officially spoiled the baby! For the longest time Camryn would have her bottle and try to squirm out of my arms and pretty much wanted to be left alone and put into the crib to fall asleep. Suddenly she would have her bottle and just cuddle up in my arms or lay with her head on my shoulder and it was so sweet so I (or Bert) would just cuddle and rock her to sleep. Well now she HAS to be rocked to bed. She’s addicted! And it’s naps too! I tried to put her down for her nap and listened to her scream until I couldn’t take it anymore. I scooped her into my arms and she was asleep within a minute. I guess I could have bigger problems then a sweet baby who wants to sleep in my arms.

On another note, the past weekend was great. Saturday we met up with Calvin and Duane who were in town for a white water rafting trip, and we went to Seasons 52 for lunch and did some shopping. Sunday was Bert’s first Father’s Day. Camryn got him a travel mug with her photos on it, and I made him some of his favorites, including biscuits and gravy and a cheesecake. Definitely not a low calorie kind of day. I hope he felt special because he really does do such a great job as a husband and father.

This coming weekend we have Emersen’s first birthday party, which is crazy since I feel like she was just born!! Not to mention she’s about 10 weeks older than Camryn so that means I’ll have a party to start planning soon. Although anyone who knows me knows I’ve been mentally planning it for a while!

For some new Camryn party tricks, she is now dancing. She just sits in her highchair and bops her head around. I have a video I’ll post. Also she was saying “hi” but I’m not sure if it counts as a “first word” since she repeats it. I think I’ll count the official first word when she says something on her own and looks like she has an idea of what it means.

Miss Picky

Since my last blog a few milestones have passed. One being my birthday! Unfortunately Bert was out of town last week on business but I made the most of it and brought the baby to Provino's and met some of the girls from work for dinner! When Bert came back to town we celebrated by going to Benihana and to see Shrek in 3D (we've seen every Shrek movie together). He also got me a dozen roses and a gift certificate to the spa, so I think I forgive him for missing my birthday. Camryn got me a nice card, she said it was all she can afford :-)

Camryn and I had a good week even though Bert was gone. She did her best to take it easy on me although she was cutting a tooth so two of the days she was easily agitated to say the least. We missed him a lot and are very grateful to have him home, and very grateful to Jan for coming an extra few hours to give me some time to work and a little break!

Almost forgot to mention that Camryn had her nine month dr. appt on June 4th! She now weighs 18 lbs, 11oz. (47%) and is 28 1/4" tall (73%). The doctor said she's very healthy and is doing great!

She is just getting so big! This morning she sat and ate her banana pieces like a big girl. She also loves the Gerber cheese puffs, which is interesting because she used to hate them. I also gave her some baked blueberries tonight which I think she liked. She's actually becoming quite the picky eater, and it's not from a lack of me trying! Here is a list of current food failures:

frozen green beans

no salt added canned green beans

peas

strawberry

american cheese

cottage cheese

chicken

I'll just keep on trying, I suppose!

Camryn is also walking with assistance and cruising along the furniture. I plan on getting her one of those toys where she can push it along and practice her walking. She is also repeating us if I say "Camryn say mama", she'll say "mamamama." Also she's learning the meaning of "no" and she doesn't like it! Must get that from me. For example she'll be headed for the catfood and we'll say "Camryn NO, NO playing in the catfood!" And she'll put her head on the floor and start to cry! Little diva!

We also had Camryn's picture taken at the Target Photo Studio. Here is one of my favorites:

My Sweetie Girl!