So much to update...

It's been a busy month of traveling and visiting for us.  Cameron just turned 6 months old this past Saturday (unbelievable), but let me catch you up on the past few weeks. 

Shortly after we returned from Virginia, we set  off on another adventure...New Jersey to visit Grammy and Grampy G.  

We took Cameron to a farm that I worked at one summer when I was a teenager.  There were donkeys, rabbits, peacocks, and goats...

 Cameron loves to read...

We also drove into the city one day to show Cameron Mom's office, and some of the sites.  While it ended up being a long, traffic-filled ride home, Cameron had a great time in New York.

Having fun sitting at Grammy's desk

Cameron was actually deep in a stroller-nap at this time, so he didn't truly appreciate his trip to Washington Square Park.

Taking a break at Mom's hotel

The day after our Manhattan adventure, we went to a great Italian restaurant near home, owned by Grampy G's friend, Tommy.  Tommy scooped Cameron up and took him into the kitchen to show him around.  It was a Saturday night, so the kitchen was hopping.  I'm sure the waitstaff rushing around to complete orders didn't really appreciate the little addition in the kitchen.

Cameron, making pizzas with Tommy

Playing at bathtime

Playing on the floor

We had a great time in NJ.  Cameron got to see where I grew up and do lots of fun things with Grammy and Grampy G.  While it took 3 days to fly home (it's a long story), we were so glad we got to go.

Sweet baby hanging out in the airport.

Other pics...

Fun at home in his first baseball hat.

Having fun with Aunt Kristy

The following week we went down to SC to visit Grandma and Granddad.  We had such a great time, and got to see their beautiful new house.  To make the weekend even better, Aunt Colleen and Cousin Ella drove out for the weekend as well.

Playing with Grandmom

Laughing with Cousin Ella and Granddad

Being silly on Granddad's lap

After lunch with Dad and Donna, Colleen and Ella came back to Charlotte for the rest of the weekend.  We read LOTS of books, and just had a fun time hanging out.

First dinner outside at a restaurant

Cincinnati, Virginia, and 1st Easter!

Josh, Cameron, and I just got back from a traveling adventure!  Despite 4 flights in 5 days, airport feedings and changings, and being completely off his schedule, our little friend did amazing.  First stop:  Cincinnati.

Snoozing on the plane...thank God!

Once we got to Cincinnati, our first stop (and the purpose of our trip) was to see Josh's Grandma...Cameron's GREAT Grandma.  We had a wonderful time.  Cameron LOVED his Great Grandma...and vice versa.  He was so happy on her lap and just gazed up at her and smiled. 

Grandma then took us to lunch where she and Josh used to go all the time...The Red Squirrel.  Apparently this is a chain out in Ohio...hands down, the most delicious grilled cheese and bacon sandwich I've ever had in my life.

 More smiling at Great Grandma....just precious!

After lunch, we took a trip to the family greenhouse.  Josh's Mom's family in Cincinnati have a huge greenhouse that has been in the family for several generations.  It is a wonderful family business, so not only did we get a beautiful tour of all the greenhouses, but Cameron got to meet some more family!

Josh's cousin, Erin, and her sweet little 9 week old, Rachel.  Check out Rachel's do!  (They've nicknamed her "Einstein".)

Aunt Susan hoisting the big boy!

Uncle Terry holding Cameron.

Pretty beautiful place to work!  Blooms and vegetables as far as the eye can see!

After spending a little more time with Grandma, we headed to dinner with Josh's cousin Sheila, Aunt Cathy, and Cathy's husband, Larry.

Giving Sheila a big wet kiss!

Snuggling with Aunt Cathy

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel.  (After a quick stop off at the famous "United Dairy Farmers" for a delicious malt.)  Cameron did amazing in the hotel.  We were worried about him not sleeping well being in the Pack N' Play instead of his crib, but he did great.  In fact, I think we slept better than ever because we didn't have the video monitor with us, to keep us up all night, staring at the little prince, as we typically do when we're at home.

The following morning we headed to visit Grandma again for a few more hours before heading to the airport for our next flight.  While our trip was so busy, we had the best time seeing everyone!

Back to the airport...Mamaw and Papaw, here I come!

We had 2 flights until we reached Virginia.  This was certainly our busiest travel day of all.  

Snuggling and resting with Papaw.

Reading a book with Papaw and Daddy.

Posing with Mamaw.

Serious face!  (He's playing with a toy that was originally Aunt Melissa's from years ago!)

Sooo funny!

"Come on, Mamaw...keep up...places to go, people to see!"

Watching outside with Papaw.

 "Nothing is funnier than these feet!"

On Friday afternoon, Josh's sister, Melissa and our nieces, Meredith and Lauren, and nephew, Daniel came over for dinner.

Sitting on cousin Meredith's lap.

Cousins!

Posing with cousin Lauren.

The girls were SO sweet with Cameron! They held him, played with him, and read to him.  So precious!

Drooling with Aunt Melissa.

Sitting with cousin Daniel...so handsome!

On Saturday we drove out to Tyson's Corner to have lunch with a bunch of friends.  It shows how old we are now, in that everyone brings their kids!

 We spent Sunday morning at Josh's Dad's church.  Cameron and Josh were quite popular, with crowds of people wanting to say hello after the service.  What a great trip to VA!

Sunday afternoon, we headed home and celebrated the pumpkin's first Easter.

Easter Bunny Baby!

Kisses from Grammy.

What a BIG sweet boy!

A kiss for Grampy-G.

Beautiful face!

Waiting patiently for his Easter basket...

Yes!

Sitting happily on the couch....

This boy should be STUDIED!

Cameron is just 4.5 months old and he's already showing signs of being interested in walking.  (So advanced!)  He's absolutely incredible and blows my mind every day.  If I hold his waist, he pumps his legs, one and then the other!  He'll be off in no time!

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!!)