Pictures!!

Bonding over Scooby-Doo

Check out my outfit.  .  . :)

this was so funny b/c I saw him come downstairs go to his room and emerge with the eye patch and rubber glove on--amazing what their little brains think of

Playing in the activity gym.  .  .or laying in it anyway! :)

Hamming it up for the camera!

Lots of stuff. . .

I have so much to talk about I really don't know where to begin!!  First I guess I'll start with something that surprised me!!  I was reading back over some things about Camden when he was Evan's age--surprisingly they were VERY VERY similar.  .  .

(keep in mind Camden was 6 weeks early, so at his "2 month check up" he was really almost 3 months--if this makes sense)

CAMDEN--13LBS 4.5OZ, 22 1/2" LONG, also  they told me the right side of his head was flat and I needed to work on getting him to turn his head the other way.

EVAN--13LBS 7.5OZ, 23.75" LONG, same deal on the head and the same side!!  CRAZY!  

So I know this isn't that interesting to anyone else, but to me it's surprising!  I keep thinking, I just don't remember Camden being this big this soon--obviously he was though!!  My boys may have started out dainty, but they didn't stay that way for long! :)

Next order of business, it was brought to my attention that I never mention the help that I have.  Now, I'm not like Kate from Jon & Kate Plus 8 who has helpers in every day and people that I travel with everywhere I go--BUT I let's face it folks--I've only got 2 kids, I'm not outnumbered by much!! :)  I do, however, have a good amount of help.  For instance, my trip to California never would've been possible if it weren't for ALL of mine and Jason's parents.  Tickets, shuttle to the airport, babysitters, dogsitters--you name it, they did it--and never complained to me a bit! :)  Pretty much every weekend we see at least one grandparent or one set of grandparents, and this is a nice break for all of us!  All of our friends are around as well.  Right now, I'm getting ready for my weekly dinner at the Rittenger's house--we head over in the afternoon, and just hang out for a bit before bedtime.  It breaks up the week, and we ALL get some social time in!!  Not to mention everyone calling to see if I need anything, bringing me dinner when they have extra (cooking for one isn't fun), setting up playdates, etc!  Everyone has been such a help to me and I couldn't do this (without being committed) without you!!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!  So you see, I don't do it all by myself!!  

So, I finished my February projects, and I'm about to start on my March projects.  I've decided they will include cleaning the playroom closet, putting up some decorative stuff I purchased ages ago, and cleaning out my top drawer (you know you have one too--so just hush)!!  If anything is worthy of a photo update I will definitely post when completed! :)  

In other news, we are beginning to have something of a schedule.  .  .I hate to put it here b/c I know it will backfire, but maybe not!!  I've gotten a solid nap out of Evan every day at the same time in his crib for about a week!  We are working on a solid night sleep--about 8:30-4:30 right now.  I know this seems like an odd stretch, but I really need for him to start by about 8-8:30 in the mornings and in order to do that--the 8:30-4:30 is working.  Slowly but surely we are getting there!!  Camden has started going to the gym with me 2 days a week--he seems to really like it.  Breaks up the being at home on those days, and he gets a treat afterwards!!  

Okay--that's it for right now, Evan is starting to stir and  I need to pack a cooler!! haha!!  If for some reason I have forgotten to mention you or if there is something you would like to know about please let me know!!  I get started on here and wander in a million different directions!!  

WOW--a very short long weekend!

All good things must come to an end--I had a wonderful trip to California!  It was a little nerve wracking leaving my kids at home.  I, of course, felt very guilty, and sad, and lonely without my boys--but they did quite well while I was away!!  Jason and I had discussed whether or not to tell Camden where I was going--we never really came to a firm decision so I thought I would opt not to mention that I was going on a trip to see Daddy.  .  .my son, however, is much smarter than I give him credit for!!

All week I had left the suitcase out and gradually started filling it--he would come in and look at it and ask me where we were going.  I let him know mommy was going on a trip for a few days--to which he responded "are you going away like daddy?" I reassured him that I would be back before school started the next week!!    The day that I was leaving I told him I was going to fly on a plane--"where are you going on a airplane mommy?" "to California" I answered.  .  .he got a silly grin on his face and said "no you aren't--daddy is in California!!" WOW--really??  I'm sure it's been mentioned that daddy is in California, it just never occurred to me this information would be retained in that big ol' 3 year old brain of his!!  While I was there Daddy and I made a call home and talked to Camden--he seemed thrilled that we were together!  This relieved both of us, and it was only AFTER we got off the phone that I started freaking out that he would be expecting Daddy to come home with me!!  He didn't though, he came in this morning and was SOOOOO excited to see mommy--he said "Now I can go to school again!"  (so maybe he was more excited to be going back to school--regardless that smile was priceless)!

So more about my trip!!  I got in around 8pm on Thursday, which was 11pm for me--I was EXHAUSTED and slept the whole way back to Port Hueneme--Friday Jason worked and I got up and headed over to the exchange.  They have a very nice exchange on the base and Jason and I walked away with some goodies!  I tried to find some cute Navy/Seabee stuff for the boys but, as usual, the options were far and few between--however, endless for little girls!!!  GO FIGURE!  After Jason got off we headed down to Ventura--a cute little beach town with a small downtown area within walking distance to our hotel.  From our balcony you could see ocean, parking lot (haha), and mountains.  California really has some beautiful scenery!!  It was so nice to just be able to enjoy each other and have a meal without having to rush back home, or answer to Mommy & Daddy every 5 seconds.  We hadn't really enjoyed just some carefree time in a while so it was very much needed!!  

The next day we decided to head down to the Reagan Library--anyone who hasn't been should go!  I found it very inspiring, and uplifting!  Just walking through there and seeing all of Reagan's encouraging words made me feel like I can get through anything put in front of me--and make it out stronger than I was before.  The love he and Nancy shared was also inspirational!  (just a little trivia--did you know Ronald was married before Nancy?  probably, but I had no idea) :)

We headed down to LA from there, I requested the direct route rather than the scenic tour--honestly, I'm just not a car person, and it was just better this way.  Jason informed me I could flip through his pictures if I wanted to check out the scenery!  We had a little nap, and headed down to the manager's reception at the Embassy Suites--it was crowded and we didn't have reservations for dinner until 8 so we went back to our room and watched a movie.  That was kind of cool--it was like normal stuff that we would do at home--chill on the couch have a beer watch  a movie!  We chose not to venture out into LA in the dark, on Valentine's day!  Instead, we ate at the hotel restaurant--subpar--but it saved us a cab fare and we were able to just enjoy each other's company instead!!  We both got a little sad at dinner b/c my departure was looming--we had the same feeling of "now what do we have to look forward to"-this was our last hoorah before he heads, out and it flew by!!

While I was there Jason was able to give me more info about what he will be doing "over there" :)  --I can't really discuss it here, but I can say that for anyone who knows Jason--it was almost like this job was handpicked for him!  I'm excited for him, but scared at the same time!!  I know that he will give no less than 200% as usual and the Navy is lucky to have him!!  We also came to the realization that although it seems so far away until he is home, it's really just not as far as we thought--knowing this makes this all a little more bearable!!  I'm not focusing on any date or any month because I know things can change--but every day that goes by is one day closer to him coming home!!  Please continue to pray for him and his speedy and safe return! 

--On a side note, I also learned a little bit about traveling and the things you DON'T need!!  Like--a hair dryer, shampoo, and soap--the hotel provides all of these things and from now on I will be a rebel and travel without them!  It may leave room for an extra pair of shoes!! :)

Headed to CA--but before I go

3 reminders for myself:

#3 goal, a project each month--FEBRUARY--my maternity clothes and Evan's closet.  Fortunately we are half way there even though I haven't reported

#4 goal, more patience and enjoy life's blessings.  This will always be a work in progress so I will continue to post it to keep myself in check

#5 goal, be positive--remember Melanie life is what you make it.  Every negative has a positive to go with it.  Don't stay bogged down with all of the bad stuff.

It's been a rough few weeks, but knowing that I'm officially off the clock (as much as a mommy can be) Thursday around 3 gives me SOME relief!!  I just need to post these things to remind myself of the goals I made back in January!  

REMEMBER MOMMY--THIS IS WHY WE DO IT:

For the smiles.  .  .

For the quiet moments.  .  .

And for the sweet, sweet voices.  .  .

Pics & Videos

Camden putting bottles together!

Evan in the Bumbo

Evan & Ella

Camden--"Brown-hog Day"

I forgot to mention in my last two posts that Uncle Adam came for a visit over the weekend and we had such a good time with him!  Camden loves him some Uncle Adam, and Evan is teaching him how to hold and feed a baby! :)