Top Ten Moments of 2010

10.  Grant learned to ride his bike

9.   Grant learned how to swim

8.   Stephen and I ran our first 5K together in the River Run

7.   Our vacation in the Mountains of Tennessee

6.   Stephen and I had a weekend away in St. Petersburg Beach

5.   Grant started preschool

4.   Our first family trip to Disney World

3.   We potty trained both Grant and Erin

2.   We celebrated ten years of marriage

1.   We welcomed the birth of Camryn Grace

Our Christmas 2010

LONG POST....sorry!

You know when you have small children that whenever there is something special planned (ex: holiday, vacation) someone is going to get sick.  It's just how it is.  I know it happens in my family and I know my brother can relate...they have visited the urgent care clinic here in town on more than a few occasions. Well, I had big plans for the week before Christmas: visions of all the baking the kids and I would be enjoying together filled my head as I bought groceries.  Tuesday morning, just as I was making the "Puppy Chow" it hit!  Erin threw up!  The dreaded stomach virus!!!  That put a halt to my plans.  Taking care of Erin trumped our baking extravaganza.  By Wednesday evening, Grant and I both had it.  Now, when I get a stomach virus it gets bad.  I had one Zofran left from my pregnancy and I took it hoping to stop it, but it didn't work.  By 1 am I knew I needed to go to the ER.  I will spare you the gory details, but was throwing up at least every 5 minutes and I was severely dehydrated.  I was trying my best to drink, but I couldn't keep anything down.  Mind you, that during all of this I was nursing Camryn.  Stephen agreed and took me and my little sidekick, Camryn  (she had to tag along because I did not have any bottles prepared for her), to the ER.  They gave me a double dose of IV Zofran and a couple bags of saline and I was feeling better.  Of course, right as we were arriving home the virus hit Stephen.  That day we camped out in the living room most of the day and the next night---sick as dogs.  Luckily, Camryn was spared from the virus.  Thank goodness for antibodies!!!

By Christmas Eve we were feeling better and decided that no one had been sick long enough that it would be safe to join the festivities at my parents' house.  (My poor father in law got sick that night and my mother in law the next day.  The down side to living next door to us!)  We were so excited because Brian and Liz and the cousins had driven all the way from Colorado to spend Christmas with us!  We had missed them so much.  (They had also had a stomach virus on their trip across country!!!)  We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of assorted sandwiches, chips, dips, cookies, cakes and candies.  Then, we opened presents!!!

Here Uncle Brian assigned each kid their own spot.  They were so excited!!!

Erin opening her Sleeping Beauty gown and shoes from Granny Peggy and Old Papa.

Grant and his Stinky Garbage Truck from Mimi and Papa.  He wanted this so badly!

James and Camryn.  He is such a sweet cousin!

Anna and James loving on Camryn.  They are great with the younger kids.

Every inch of the room looked like this after all the presents were opened.  

After the Christmas Eve festivities, we returned home and put the kids to bed so Santa could come visit!  

Santa brought Erin some furniture for her doll house she received for her birthday last year.  I think I need to talk to Santa....he put Mommy in the nursery with the twins and Daddy is hanging out watching TV with his feet propped up!

I missed getting the kids reactions when they saw their Santa gifts for the first time.  I was feeding Camryn so Stephen took these pictures.  I really slacked on the pictures this year, but I was so worn out!

Santa brought lip gloss....she can't get enough of it!

He also brought Criss, Cross, Crash (or smash if you are Grant)   

Camryn received a little activity mat which she loves!

Each year the kids get a new ornament from us.  Grant got the Polar Express.

Erin's ornament was Cinderella.

These are out of order, but Grant and Erin were just as excited about Camryn's gifts as they were there own.

Camryn's First Christmas ornament

Christmas morning we went back to my parents' house for breakfast.  We normally host breakfast, but I don't think anyone really wanted to come to our house for fear of getting sick.  That was fine with me because after being sick, the house was not ready for company anyway.  We went to see Tangled that afternoon.  It was such a cute movie and the kids had a great time!

Because we were so kind to share our stomach bug with Stephen's parents we had to post pone our celebrations with them until this weekend.  

Besides the illness, we had a good Christmas.  The best part was getting to spend time with the cousins and Brian and Liz.  Let's see if we can all stay well next year!

Christmas Greetings 2010

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Our Sunday Best

 Grant wasn't feeling the photo op!  Really, I should know better than to expect cooperation as we are headed out the door on Sunday morning.

This about sums it all up!  

(She is well loved and never wants for attention.)

There.  That's better!

Maybe I will get a burst of energy and dress them up again just for the sake of taking pictures.

Guess Who Saw Santa Last Week?

I know, not the picture you thought you would see!  I received  this picture on my phone last Friday night.  Stephen spent the week in Baltimore last week for work.  He was in the airport, waiting on his flight, when he stopped by for a visit with St. Nick.  I'm not sure what the "thumbs up" is about.  Maybe Santa was saying that he made it on the good list this year!  When I opened the email I quickly shared the picture with the kiddos.  It had been a long week and I wanted the kids to know that daddy had spoken with Santa.  They were so excited and were on their best behavior (for a little while at least)!  I asked Stephen if he actually stood in line to visit Santa, but apparently there was no line to wait in.  I guess people don't usually visit Santa at the airport! 

Cloth Diapers: A New Experience

Before Grant was born I did not even consider cloth diapering.  I did not know anyone who actually used cloth diapers and all I could picture was the old diapers and rubber pants my mother had to use to diaper us.  Seventeen months later Erin came along and now we had two kids in diapers!  I wish I had researched the idea then, but I didn't.  When Erin was a little over a year old I noticed more and more of my friends were talking on facebook about cloth diapering their babies.  I became intrigued by the idea, I was still diapering two kids and the amount of money we had spent on diapers and wipes over the past few years was astronomical!  After a little research, I decided against cloth diapering mainly because it is such an investment up front and we were in the process of potty training Grant and Erin.  I figured if we were blessed with another child I would considered it again.

So, when we discovered we were expecting Camryn I began to take in as much information from the world of cloth as I could.  I must admit it was a little overwhelming at first.  There are so many options and choices out there for cloth diapering your babies!  I was able to get a long list of advice from several of my friends who cloth diaper their children.  This was extremely helpful.  I also began scouring blogs about cloth diapering like The Cloth Diaper Whisper.  I decided to buy some Bumgenius 3.0 one-size pocket diapers, second hand, from a friend as my first purchase.  One-size diapers adjust to grow with your child and can fit your child from 8-35 lbs making them the most economical choice for cloth diapering.  However, these will not fit a teeny tiny newborn so I purchased a few newborn diapers and I tried my hand at making some as well.  I have also been able to borrow a bunch from my friend Amy.  

This is a Lil Joey from Rumparooz.  These are the tiniest diapers and Camryn is already out growing this one. They are so cute on!

Bumgenius All-In-Ones x-small

This is a diaper cover...I guess it would take the place of Mom's old rubber pants.  This cover is made by Thirsties and I have it over a Kissaluvs fitted diaper.  These diapers require a cover unlike the One-Size and All-In-Ones I mentioned above.  Those have water proof fabric built into the diaper!

I guess the question everyone asks me when I tell them I use cloth diapers is:  How do you wash them?  or (What about the poop?)  I must admit this was one thing I spent the most time researching because I had the same question!  It is really not that hard and the diapers always  come out fresh and clean!  The poop is not really much of an issue right now because Camryn is breastfed, I might have to give you a better answer when she starts solids.  I do line dry the diapers most of the time because it's good to sun them.  Then sun bleaches out any remaining stains and breaks down the ammonia build up in the diapers.  We are fortunate to live in the Sunshine State so I take advantage of the rays!  After they line dry I fluff them in the dryer...good as new!  Right now we go through an average of 8-12 diapers a day.  I was having to wash every day, but I was able to borrow some diapers from Amy and now I can wash every other day!  The picture below shows about two days worth of diapers.  I think there are seventeen diapers on the line!  It's actually fun to do this laundry.  (I actually enjoy all laundry.  It's one of my favorite chores, so maybe I am a little biased.)

Just thought I would share our new adventure into cloth diapering!

Breakfast With Santa

This past Saturday morning we had the pleasure of enjoying "Breakfast with Santa."  This was the first year that we have had the children's Christmas party on a Saturday morning and I think it turned out great!  We had a yummy breakfast and all the kids wore their pajamas!  After breakfast the man in the red suit himself showed up for a little visit.  All the kids were so excited!

Waiting patiently for a turn to sit in Santa's lap

Erin told Santa she wants a Dora doll and a pink Leapster explorer for Christmas.  She proceeded to open her gift while sitting in Santa's lap!  She received a Strawberry Shortcake doll that she loves, however, she was didn't understand why Santa didn't give her what she asked for then. I have tried to explain to her that she has to wait until Christmas day to see what Santa will bring her!

Grant was equally excited to see Santa.  He asked Santa for a Criss Cross Crash (a matchbox car toy) and a Stinky Garbage Truck.  Santa told Grant to look at me and smile and this is what I got!  

Camryn slept through the party, but Santa did not forget her!  She received a musical highchair toy.  

Grant was thrilled with his little gift!

Camryn's Birth Announcement

I just finished Camryn's birth announcement!  I wanted to hurry up and get the announcements in the mail with our Christmas cards so I used Shutterfly since I was already using them for our Christmas cards!  They had several designs that I really like, but I settled on this one.  I think it is perfect!  Of course, the sweet little face on the front is my favorite part!

Vintage Volute Pink Birth Announcement

Customize your own baby announcement at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Baby Camryn: 1 Week Old Photos

I keep attempting to get pictures of her asleep, but she always wakes up on me!  Could it be that my two little assistants are waking her up?  These are still sweet!

Thanksgiving Recap

I figure I better blog about Thanksgiving before the week is over!  We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house as usual this year.  (Don't worry...I didn't do all the cooking!)  We had 27 family members present!  All of my dad's family was able to be here this year.  My cousin and family even made it down!  It was so nice to get to visit with her and her boys are so sweet!  Grant and Erin had a blast playing with them.  My Granny, Grandaddy and Aunt Vicki were also in attendance and Stephen's family joined us as well.  We missed having  Melissa and Chris and Brian and Liz here this year.  

Granny Field got to the house early and had a chance to hold baby Camryn before everyone else arrived!  My kids are so lucky!  They have so many grandparents/great grandparents to love on them!

The food was great and the fellowship was even better!  I look forward to Thanksgiving every year!

The kids listening to stories

I think she exceeds the weight limit by about 16 lbs!

First Attempt at Christmas Card Photos

Yesterday evening, before Stephen and the kids left for worship service, we attempted our Christmas card pictures.  These two group shots were the best.  I don't know how many times I told the kids to look at the camera. I don't think there was a single shot out of about 40 where both Grant and Erin were looking at the camera and don't even mention smiling!  Hunter gave up and left the photo shoot to sniff around the yard.  

I  like this staging better....we just needed someone to stand behind the camera and get the kids' attention!

I love this shot of Grant!  He has a hard time smiling on command for pictures.  He tenses up and ends up making the goofiest faces.  The more you tell him to "just smile"  the more awkward he looks.  He was smiling at his daddy making funny faces behind me.  Boy he is looking so big!

Camryn was oblivious to the photo shoot this year.

As you can see from the new header, I had these huge lollipops as a bribe to sit still during our family shots. They loved them....

...as you can see!

We might have to have a redo next weekend with a little assistance!