18 weeks...and growing!

Cameron is 4.5 months old and one thing is for sure, he's a BIG boy...(almost 17lbs!)  It's so funny how he takes up our entire laps!

He's now very interested in his sweet little hamburger feet.  As you can see, he loves pulling off his socks.  

Cameron used to despise "Tummy Time", but now he's a pro.  He can hold his head and upper torso up perfectly, and each time he flashes a huge smile to show how pleased he his with himself!  

(The pediatrician said he had "superior trunk strength"...just saying. :))

What a gorgeous face!!

Cameron is now noticing and enjoying the pets.  If he sees a cat or dog walk by, he starts frantically waving his arms, wanting to "pet" them.  As you can imagine, he is the complete opposite of gentile, but he's sure loving "getting to know" them.

Relaxing with his feet on Callie.

I'm not sure if Cameron is more interested in Nola or vice versa, but the two have quite an interesting relationship.  

"Come on over here, Nola..."

...perhaps a little too rough with his puppy!

"Come back here, friend...I'm not done petting you!"

 

That said, our sweet little friend is precious, but still a TON of work!  Our greatest challenge right now is eating and sleeping.  (He's pretty much got "playing" down pat...go figure.)  He used to be a champion eater, but after his vaccines a week and a half ago, his appetite was terrible.  He would eat just a few ml's and then start swinging his head around like a crazy man and rolling around in my arms, crying.  We couldn't figure out if his tummy hurt or if he just wasn't hungry for some reason.  In addition to not eating great, his sleep was terrible.  He was waking up every 15min-1hr for about 9 days straight.  It was torture!!  We've been attempting to transition out of his swaddle (for the past 3 weeks!), which is not an easy feat.  We've successfully mastered one-arm, but as soon as he gets that 2nd arm out, he starts flailing around wildly and wakes himself up over and over again.  

I've adopted a schedule and am sticking to it, religiously, and I've finally seen an improvement.  Over the past 2 days, he's back to eating like a horse and his sleep is definitely improving.  (He can even put himself to sleep on his own in his crib.  So independent!!)

Discovery Place KIDS

We had so much fun with Cameron this past weekend.  We took him to this place called Discovery Place KIDS.  We've been to Discovery Place with Ella before, but this is a different location about 10 miles north of the city.  They have a special area for kids 0-36 months, so we thought we'd try it out.  As soon as we walked in, the lights, the colors, the noise, the action...it had Cameron mesmerized!  He was wide-eyed and so excited for nearly all of the exhibits.  Though there's not too much he could do yet, I think he really enjoyed it. 

Checking out a snake X-ray at the Veterinarian exhibit

Checking out a firetruck

Smelling the flowers...

 Being handy...

Checking out a race car!

Driving a mustang convertible.  What a cool dude! 

Checking out the bank.

Driving a tractor...Cameron was much more interested in looking out the window.

Riding a cow.

Who's that beautiful baby in the mirror?!  How you doin'?

Cameron got tired toward the end of his adventure!

Ready for a nap!

After a nice nap, looking handsome and having fun before church!

We probably had one of the most fun days with Cameron yet.  It's just incredible how much he is growing developmentally.  He coos and talks, he grabs at items (his favorite being wads of mommy-hair), he bares his weight on his legs, and even lifts his feet up and down.  He's just such a sweetie pie.

Visit with Tate and Julie at Grandmom and Granddad's

Last weekend, Tate and Julie were in town visiting with Dad and Donna.  We were so glad we were able to catch them and spend the afternoon with them and Ada and Zella.  

Cameron getting dressed up in his "best".  

(My friend, Sarah, actually made this adorable little onesie for Cameron.)

We haven't seen them since I was pregnant, so it was the first time they met Cameron.  Ada was quite the pro, holding her baby cousin. 

It was quite difficult to get a good picture of all three of the little ones...so this is the best we could do!  :)

 

Ada and Zella are just getting sooo big!  We celebrated Ada's birthday, a few weeks early, and just had a nice time catching up.

Trials of the Jumperoo

I've been dying to get Cameron into his Fisher Price Laugh 'n' Learn Jumperoo.  I feel like he needs some more interactive toys, but I was waiting until he could very steadily hold up his head for extended periods of time.  So we finally put his jumperoo together tonight.   Josh and I struggled and struggled trying to assemble one piece of the stand...and I mean struggled.  We were ticked!  We just could not get it.  I looked online to see if I could find any tips and all I found were mocking reviews regarding how simple assembly is.  One such review, "It's so easy to assemble, my 15 yr old daughter put it together!"  Nevertheless between 8 years of college and an MBA between the two of us, we could not do it.  Finally, after over an hour of sweat, smashed fingers, and fury, Josh finally got the last piece clicked into place.  We were so excited to put Cameron in it.  He sat in there for a few minutes while I was responding to email and Josh was doing dishes.  I then went to go to get CME out of it, and he was COVERED in poop!  And then so was I, and so was the jumperoo!!  After all that, we had to disassemble a piece of that darn jumperoo to throw the seat in the wash!

Since Josh won't let me post the picture of the little cutie and his massive blow-out, I've posted this sweet pic instead.  :)

Visiting with Mamaw and Papaw and FUN in the swing!

Mamaw and Papaw came in from Virginia yesterday.  Cameron hasn't seen them for a little while, so he was very excited!  

Telling Nola all about it, while getting ready for their arrival.

We went out for some pizza when Mamaw and Papaw arrived.  Cameron was very good in the restaurant...as long as he was facing the TV.  

Sounds like a baby-Edwards.

Smiling with Papaw

Posing with Mamaw

Very intrigued while Papaw was "eating his tummy".

Mamaw's so funny!

Cameron had such a fun time with Mamaw and Papaw and can't wait to see them again soon!

Rockin' out as the 5th Beatle!

When Cameron was a newborn he slept in the glider which rocked right to left, as opposed to up and down.  His swing rocks up and down and he's never really been a huge fan.  I've put him in it from time to time and he has fun IF he's in the mood.  He was sleepy this afternoon, but not interested in sleeping in his crib, so I put him in the swing, hoping that he would fall asleep in it.  Quite the contrary!  He became a little wild man and had the best time in it!

1st St. Patrick's Day and visit with Grammy

This past week was Cameron's first St. Patrick's Day!  Of course this little Irishman had a full day of festivities planned, including several wardrobe changes. 

Starting his day, hanging in the bumbo seat.

After relaxing in the morning, Cameron had his first play date!  My friend Laura has a precious little cutie named Oliver, who is 14 months old, and Cameron and I went over to Laura's for our first date.  I would have to say that Oliver did most of the playing, while Cameron did most of the napping.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, but we had a great time and look forward to visiting again!

After his nap, Cameron changed into his second St. Patrick's Day outfit.  

I'm pretty certain he got TONS of kisses that day!

Later that afternoon, Grammy arrived for a visit. 

Listening intently to Grammy's story!..."You don't say?!"

Grampy-G got Cameron the cutest little rattle booties.  They have animals on the front of them and make noise when Cameron shakes his feet. 
"Hmmm, what are these things?"

"I think it would be best if I get a closer look..."

While Grammy was here, Cameron showed her all of his new tricks!

Sitting like a big boy!...and watching TV.

Most impressive, Cameron is just starting to learn how to roll over.  

He has no tolerance for Tummy Time so we practice rolling over like this...

This Momma knows her pumpkin is quite advanced!  :)

Snuggling with his giraffe from Sarah and Heather

Visit from Granddad and Grandmom

Dad and Donna came up a few days ago to watch Cameron while I had a few things to do around the house.  He had a great time and I appreciated the help!

Playing on the couch

Posing with Grandmom

 Making a silly face on Granddad

 Standing like a big boy on Granddad

Exhausted after all that standing!  Time for some snuggling with Granddad.