Reptile Exhibit

Nov. 8th, Papa took Cameron to the reptile exhibit that was in town. Cameron loves reptiles which is a love that he shares with his Papa and I knew that they would have a big time. Cameron came home with a lizard temporary tattoo and plenty of excitement about his little field trip. He even got to hold a baby alligator as is pictured.

Cameron's First Trip to the Dentist

Cameron had his first trip to the dentist this week. There is a dentist here in Madison that closes his office down for a couple of days and just takes the kids in Head Start which is the program that Cameron is in for school. The school bus transports them to and from the dentist's office and I was able to leave work for a few minutes and just meet him there. When I arrived he was sitting in the chair with the big pad that blocks the radiation from the x-ray and when he saw me he immediately got anxious and x-rays just did not happen. Other than that he was a total trooper. I sat next to him and held his hand while he had his teeth cleaned and I was instructed on how to make sure his teeth are being brushed properly. The dentist then came in and confirmed that he had no cavities which made mommy very happy. He was treated to a new dinosaur toothbrush, a winnie the pooh sticker, and a rubber lizard which he has not put down since. I was so proud and the next day he asked if he could go back so I believe it was a success.

Fall Fun

Several weeks ago we piled in the car and headed to Anderson's Farm for a tractor ride into the pumkin patch. I had done a little research to find the best place for our little fall outing. The owner of the farm greeted us and we immediately headed out into the field. The pumpkin patch was quite the little adventure for the boys as they were able to actually cut the pumpkins right off the vines. They had a blast. We piled our 6 pumpkins back on the tractor and headed back. The owners of the farm had a very mild haunted house which was perfect for the boys. We then headed back to the house for carving. When we got home we sat in the driveway with my friend Ann and her son Jack, who is pictured with my boys, and cut the tops off the pupkins and let the boys clean out their pumpkins which, I might add, made quite a mess. Ann sat outside with the boys and helped them carve their pumpkins while I went in and baked pumpkin seeds. It was a day full of memories and something I will never forget.

Cam's First Day of Pre-school

I don't know quite how it happened but the day came that my little boy was going to school for the first time. Now what they actually do in school at the age of three is a mystery to me but I am sure that there is a lot of time for recess. Anyway, we woke up the morning of 9/11/08 and I said to him "Cameron, you get to go to school today" and the tears came crashing down. " I don't want to go to school, I don't want to ride the bus, I want to go to Nora's". Nora is his daycare provider for those that don't know. So, I sat him down and had a brief conversation about how he was a big boy now and he was going to make all kinds of new friends and learn amazing things. We hopped up and got him dressed in his first day of school outfit, got on his back pack and we were on our way.

The plan was for me to go to Nora's and stay with him until he got on the bus and then I would meet him at the school to spend a little time there with him and get his day started off. He was absolutely the cutest thing getting on the bus and getting all strapped in. I watched the bus pull away and then headed on my way.

Well, I am not biased or anything but my child was definitely the best in the class :). Just kidding of course...or am I???? LOL Anyway, they sang songs, then had breakfast of which they served themselves, and then had playtime. All the other little boys went straight for the trucks and cars and what does my child do? He goes and gets the mop and tells me that there is a "mess" and proceeds to mop it up. Is this a problem? No way!!!

I had to get to work so I gave him a kiss (I do have to take advantage of it while he isn't embarrassed) and told him that I loved him and left my baby all on his own. His first day was a total success!!! More to come I am sure.

Hair Cuts

Well, it was that time again. Cameron and Abbott have incredibly curly hair and it tends to get a bit out of control if it gets too long so we had hair cuts today. My plan was to do Cameron's first thinking that he could be the "big boy" and show his baby brother how it's done. Of course nothing goes according to plan :). As soon as the clippers came into contact with the back of his head he completely fell apart. So I went to plan B. Strap Abbott down and just try not to slice his head off. Actually, with just a hint of resistance, I got Abbott's done. Whew! One down, one very strong willed one to go. I played a little dirty. I know it isn't nice but sometimes it has to be done. When I heard the words "Abbott is the big boy and Cameron is the baby" come out of my mouth I already knew I had it in the bag. Cameron immediately said "I'm ready mom. I'll sit to get my hair cut". All I heard this time around was how much it tickled. Anyway, the venture was successful and they both look so handsome.

Mathieu "Abbott"

Abbott was born January 22, 2007 after 14 hours of labor and only 20 minutes of pushing. He arrived 3 weeks early weighing in at 9 lbs. 5 oz. Doctors said that he would have weighed 11-12 lbs. had I gone full term so thank the good Lord that I went into labor early!!!

He came into the picture in circumstances that left a little, well actually a lot, to be desired. The father of my 2 children and I had just split up for good and about 2 weeks later I found out that I was expecting our second child. It only got worse from there although having Abbott in the midst of all that was the silver lining.

What can I say about him? At 18 months, he is a spit fire and will for sure give Cameron a run for his money some day. Cameron antagonizes him to no end but Abbott can hold his own. I am sure that he will be the brute of my 2 sons and will pay Cameron back for every bit of misery that he causes him. He already tries his best.

Cameron was only 21 months when Abbott came along and I remember my parents bringing Cameron to the hospital and he was so interested in that little bundle. I don't think he truly understood at that age but he was a trooper. Now, even though they fight like cats and dogs, they are inseparable. If at any point one is without the other, the are not quite the same.

Abbott has brought so much joy to me and is a great addition to our little family.

Jarrod "Cameron"

Cameron was born April 27th, 2005 weighing in at 10 lbs. 1 oz. after 18 1/2 hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing. I remember the first thing I said when I saw him..."he is huge". All babies are small. They are babies after all but he was a huge baby.

He is now 3 years old and loves to test me any chance he gets. Whoever said terrible 2's was a liar. It is the terrible 3's for sure. At the same time, he can be so loving. He loves to be right on top of me every second. "Mom, can I sit on your lap?" "Mom, can I have a hug and a kiss?" It is never ending and I love that he wants to be so close to me all the time.

He will start pre-school next month and I am so excited yet a little sad at the same time. He is so smart and I am sure that he will thrive in a structured educational environment. I will keep you updated on his progress.

More to come....