Week 6

Cameron is getting more and more of a personality each day.  For starters, he loves the Redskins.  Daddy can't wait to watch games with the little man this fall. 

We've had the hardest time trying to find a place to put Cameron down.  He loves being held and while I want to hold him every second of the day, there are times that I need to make bottles, or throw in some laundry, etc.  He hates his swing and is hit or miss when you put him down on his back in the pack 'n play.  Finally, his bouncy monkey seat seems to work!  He just hangs out and watches the monkeys overhead and enjoys the movement.  Also, as you can see, he can now grasp toys that you place in his hands.  (He's so smart!)

Chris, Kristy, Chase, and Bailey came over to watch the playoffs at our house.  Cameron pretty much slept in Aunt Kristy's lap the entire time, but did wake up for a minute or two for some quick pics with his cousins. 

Cameron surprises me each day with how sweet and good he is.  Most babies hate baths, but Cameron just sits in the tub and looks around peacefully.  He'll kick his feet a little and splash the water, and really doesn't seem to mind it.  He smiles and laughs and just seems to take it all in.  Perhaps it's because Daddy and I have a routine to get the job done in the fastest, most efficient manner.  (Cameron also tinkles in the tub at least once each bath!)

 

This week was especially special because Cameron gave us his first social smile! 

I can say that from the bottom of my heart, there is nothing more amazing than having him smile at me.  He'll look into my eyes and give this big, gaping, open-mouthed smile, and  it just makes me melt!  

In addition to lots of smiling, Cameron is just an all-around happy baby.  He's very verbal, makes tons of noises and gurgling, and even loves to dance!

He's just amazing.

Week 5

Cameron is getting bigger, a little bit more manageable, and we're finally getting a bit more sleep.  As tired as we are, each day is so fun as everything seems to be a new "first".

First collared shirt and sweater vest, like Daddy.

First walk outside.

First band aid!  

Cameron went to the pediatrician for his 4 week check-up.  He measured 25-50th percentile for height (21 inches); 50-75th percentile for weight (10lbs 6 oz), and 50th percentile for head circumference.  So we've got a chunky little man on our hands!  

The worst part was the shot.  The poor guy didn't see it coming.  He was just minding his own business on the table, and then reared back once he felt the shot.  His arms flew in the air and he started screaming at the top of his lungs.  It was heartbreaking.  While I know that his vaccines will protect him and keep him healthy in the long run, it was so sad to watch.  (He cried almost as much as I did.)  He was pretty fussy the rest of the afternoon, so I gave him some infant Tylenol.  Let's just say, he slept like a dream for the rest of the day and night!  :)

Cameron is finally out of his glider and sleeping in his bassinet.  He sleeps swaddled at night, so this is him just taking a quick nap.  

 

I was hanging out with Cameron, and had Animal Planet on TV.  It happened to catch  Nola's eye, and she was just mesmerized by this basset hound!

 

Cameron is already getting so big.  We didn't know he would grow so fast and didn't have enough 0-3 month sleepers to keep up with his massive amount of laundry.  (You never know how many sleepers or diapers you'll go through at any one diaper-change.)  So, here is Cameron in a Christmas sleeper, since it was the only one that fit! 

We ended up having a huge snow storm, and Mom stayed in Charlotte for a few extra days, so we were able to celebrate her birthday with her.  We got an ice cream cake, and rushed Mom to blow out the candles as it was melting into a puddle on the counter.  As you can see, Cameron was a real party animal. 

Cameron's 1st Christmas!

Christmas 2010 was Cameron's first Christmas!  Since he was only a few weeks old, he really had no idea what was going on, but he had a wonderful Christmas!  Colleen, Steve, Ella, Mom, and Glenn came to Charlotte since Cameron was so little.  We had such a great week all together.  (Colleen's blog has tons of great pics...I don't think I "had it together" enough to take pictures just yet.)

Aunt Colleen and Uncle Steve got Cameron the cutest Santa suit.  Josh and I went back to our apartment to change for church on Christmas Eve, and left Cameron at Mom's house.  When I came back, I was greeted by the sweetest little Santa!  He wore his suit and slept through the whole service!

On Christmas Day, Josh and I got over to Mom and Glenn's fairly late, since the little guy is so unpredictable.  When we showed up, Ella was in Christmas PJ's and a jeweled necklace from Santa!

 ...and believe it or not, it was extra special since it was a white Christmas!

Colleen and Steve gave us a neat gift, so we could save Cameron's hand and foot prints.  We made the mold and thought it shouldn't be too hard.  Well, our subject had other ideas in mind.  His foot was a piece of cake...since I was able to do that imprint while he was sleeping, but his hand was another matter altogether.  Each time we would attempt to press his hand into the mold, he would make a fist and grind his little fingers into it.  I think we had to re-roll the mold at least 5 times, but they finally turned out!

Cameron in his first pair of overalls!

A quite eventful week 2...

Cameron's 2nd week was quite busy.  Sleep deprivation, feedings, dirty diapers, and lots of rocking...

Mom stayed in town to help with the baby and Colleen came back to help the following weekend. 

 Cameron hugging Grammy

Snoozing on Aunt Colleen

In the middle of all this baby excitement, was a huge milestone to celebrate as well...Josh's graduation!  After 2.5 years of tireless work and efforts at night and on weekends, Josh just graduated from the University of South Carolina with his MBA!  I couldn't be more proud!  (While I had hoped to go to the graduation, I was not feeling well...not to mention there were a few logistical issues with an 8 day old baby.)  We were so happy that Josh's parents came down again to celebrate this huge accomplishment!!

Daddy, "the graduate"

After the graduation, we celebrated the big day (and Mamaw's birthday) with pizza, cake, and a DVR'd Redskins game!

Throughout the few days prior, I just wasn't feeling well, and had assumed that's just how you feel after having a baby.  That night, I got a severe fever and had to head back to the hospital.  Unfortunately, I had an infection, and spent the next 3 days at the hospital and missed my baby boy MORE THAN ANYTHING.

Fortunately, Grammy and Mamaw took great care of him while Josh stayed with me at the hospital for 3 days.  Cameron came to visit every day.

We finally made it home last week and have been trying to adjust back to normal.  

Cameron opened Christmas presents from Mamaw and Papaw...

...took his second bath...

and has just enjoyed being a sweet baby!

Finally!

Well, 40 weeks came and went...

Each day that went by was torture, just wondering when the little guy was going to arrive.  On December 3rd, I went about my day, trying to find ways to pass the time.  I went to the grocery store and had a feeling that the time was coming.  Josh and I ate dinner and then decided to do a few chores, just in case the baby decided he was ready.  While making Nola's food in the blender...my water broke, and all chaos broke loose!  All along we had assumed that I would start having contractions and then have several hours at home before we had to head to the hospital.  (While it may seem common in the movies, only 20% of women's water breaks on it's own.)  I called the dr and they said to get the hospital ASAP. 

Mom had a flight for the crack of dawn the following morning.  Josh's mom started driving from Virginia.  Dad was waiting for the word to get to hospital, and Colleen drove over right away from Raleigh.  Colleen met us at the hospital and hung out with us for a few hours, until about 3am when we decided it was time to try and get some rest.  (Colleen was an incredible, amazing help!  She was so supportive while I was in labor and kept Josh company (and calm), while I paced around the room with each contraction.  I'm thankful for such a wonderful big sister!)


...18 hrs from the time my water broke, Cameron was finally here!

Grammy and Cameron

Grandad and Cameron

Aunt Colleen and Cameron

Mamaw and Cameron

Here are some pics of our sweet baby's first day...

Cameron and Mommy

Cameron and Daddy

Beautiful boy!

Grammy telling Cameron stories

Uncle Steve, Aunt Colleen, and Cousin Ella visiting in the hospital

Finally, it was time to head home from the hospital...

Over the next few days, Cameron got to meet the rest of his big family....

Cameron and Grampy G

Cousins Bailey and Chase

 Grandad and Grandmom

 Meeting Papaw

Three generations!

1st trip to the pediatrician

38 weeks and Onesies!

Just 2 more weeks to go until we meet our little boy.  We are definitely very ready!

My friends at work organized a baby shower for me a few weeks ago and we made onesies with fabric markers.  They came out just adorable!  Who knew my colleagues had such artistic talent?  There were a few left over, so Josh and I made more at home.

Daddy's baby Gamecock....

 

6.5 weeks to go!

Today we had another ultrasound.  It was incredible to see how much our little friend is finally looking like a "real baby", instead of a skinny little skeleton.  He's just too too cute, and you can see his little chubby cheeks already!

 In this picture, our little man's nose is smashed up against the wall of the uterus.  Seems pretty uncomfortable to me, but I guess he doesn't mind.  Plus, he's likely running out of room in there!

He currently weighs 4 lbs 13 oz and is in the 47th percentile for growth.  The humerus bone in his arm measured fairly long, so he's likely pretty tall as well.  (Chapel Hill basketball scholarship?!)

Just a few more weeks until our precious little baby is here!