One Proud Mommy

I ♥ this PIC

2009-08-21T13:07:00.001-07:00

My other "Two Year Old"

2009-08-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

I always Joke that I have 2 two year olds. Since we have had Duke Life is never dull. In fact it has been down right hectic at times. He (Duke) and Cameron do not get along. Cameron Pulls his ears and gouges his eye balls and Duke returns the favor by nibbling his ears, neck, feet, and arms. But at the end of the day He cheers me up. Just looking at his droopy face and little pig-like snout, I realize you GOTTA LOVE EM' no matter what! WOOK AT DAT FACE :)

Our First Disappearing Island Trip on the Boat

2009-07-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

6 hours of Pure Bliss. We even had an Ice Cream Boat Come out. This will definatley become a new family weekend destination.

Making Memories on Grandma's front porche swing

2009-04-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

Duke, Our newest addition

2009-04-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Rich called today and gave me some exciting news. Duke (our new english bulldog)was born Yesterday April 13, 2009 and will be comming home on June 8th. We are excited to welcome him with lots of love. Cameron is super excited to have a puppy. we'll see if Duke shares the same enthusiasm about having an new "best friend"

Duke at One Day Old

Duke with his Mommy

Duke's Daddy

Disney anyone?

2009-04-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't know....... Disney world is offering free admission into any one of their 4 theme parks on your Birthday, and because cameron is under 3 we both got in for free! How awesome is that. We packed a lunch so It cost me a measly 12 bucks (parking) to visit one of the happiest places on earth! However I got side tracked during my moment of frugal ecstasy and forgot my camera in the car. But this is what two tired theme park excursionist looked like when it was all said and done. Bed Please!!!!!!!!!!

An ounce of Sun goes a long way

2009-03-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

I decided to head out to the beach today. The weather was not perfect (a tad breezy and overcast) but when the sun finally decided to show itself it felt incredible. Cameron jumped in without hesitation as if last summer was just yesterday. The water was freezing but he didn't seem to care. He was so happy out there with his beach ball, shovel, pail, and a few warm rays in between.

Fun at The Native American Festival

2009-03-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Playing Catch up is hard to do!

2009-02-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas? Valentines Day? Cameron's Birthday? According to my good friend Macy I am a Blogslacker. I was warned about blog ediquite from day one. I fear I have failed as a blogger but here are my redemption efforts. Hope you all can enjoy a fraction of what I did living these moments by viewing them. Love to all. And Happy Belated New Year.

Cameron is Thankful for Grandmas' Sweet potato Souffle

2008-11-28T11:50:00.000-08:00

Your Biggest Fan

2008-11-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

My sister Sara warned me that when I saw Cameron's reaction to seeing the Wiggles in Person it will bring a tear to my eye. I thought that was silly...But there I was, a grown Woman, getting Teary over the Wiggles!???
I had been telling Cameron for months that this day was comming. He would get a little excited but of course being not yet 2, Didn't fully understand. We took our seats after getting some wiggles of our own OUT, and waited anxiously for the show to begin. At the first note, and I mean this literally, of Toot, Toot chugga chugga, Big Red Car, Cameron was pushing his way past the people and into the isle to show off his well practiced dance moves. And although to some he may Have look like Elaine Benice of Seinfield, to me he was my silly lil' boy having the time of his life. The Wiggles are in my living room atleast once a day But ,It was an awsome treat to see them Live. We enjoyed every minute of it!!!!

It's Fall.... Who Knew

2008-11-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

If not for the rituals of pumpkin carving and costume wearing, it would not be evident here in our little corner of the world, that it is fall.

This Year I decided to make Camerons' Costume (with some help from my mother). It turned out rather nice. More or less I was just relieved that the seams didn't come undone durring all the festivities.

We attended the Fall Festival at church on Wednesday and then met up with Kim, Josh, Jen, Chris, Tyler and Baby emily Delmonico for some neighborhood trick or treating On Halloween Night. I'm bummed I didn't get more Pictures but, I had my hands full trying to keep cameron from eating his candy as fast as he was recieving it. I don't think the first ten pieces even touched the bucket (Lil' pig)! Afterwards Cameron and I went to dinner at both of our favortite places (his more than Mine) Chick-fil-A. We had a much needed Sugar free meal and then exauhsted headed home. It was all great Fun!

With Friends Mia and Bro. Ashbaugh

Bam Bam Doing what he does best

Me trying to be Betty... and Bam Bam

With Jen D. The Pilot :)

Michelle With the Beautiful Aubrey

Update on Cameron

2008-10-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank everyone for their concern and wanted to let yall know that it was not MRSA! PHEW.... The Doc was just treating it as such on account of all the cases present in the community lately. I did give him my thoughts on prescribing antibiotics unnecessarily.... and now that he knows where I stand I think we'll have a better patient physician relationship from here on out. Being a mother has made me so confrontational... I kinda like it ;)

Rubbing salt in the wound or MRSA???

2008-09-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Just when I think things are going pretty well life blindsides me and proves me wrong. I took Cameron to the doctor today to get his immunization.... just a routine appointment. The Doc asked if I had any questions or concerns and something told me to have him take a look at what I thought was a bee sting on Cameron's bottom (it has been getting more red and swollen over the past day and he would not stop itching no matter what cream I tried.) The doctor immediately said that he had MRSA.

I don't know why but like an idiot I said okay, took the script, and the novel lolli and headed to super target to get his meds. It wasn't until I got home that I completely freaked out "MRSA?????" Isn't that a serious staph infection that is normally acquired in a hospital??? I was upset with the doctor that he didn't inform me better of the situation and mad at myself for not asking more questions.

Any mom worth her salt will understand the reason for my anxiety; I just found out that my baby has MRSA and will have to take all these powerful antibiotics, etc. etc. to deal with it. I completely admit that I don't know all there is to know(or all that I SHOULD know, or all that I WILL know before the day is over) about staph infections of any kind. I've read everything on the Internet from, "It is a life long thing" and that "there are certain carriers of the bacteria" to "it is caused from poor hygiene" Which sent me even further into wanting to seek a second opinion in order to find out if he does in fact have this "MRSA" I am a very hygienically cautious mother. Cameron gets a bath once, sometimes twice, a day. I launder his bedding 3 times weekly and go crazy with the disinfectant!!! So how can this be.

This poor kid has had a time of it as far as health. It seems that even when he gets the common cold he gets it ten times worse and more frequent than everyone else.

I know We'll make it, but forgive me my Friday afternoon pity party! :(

Has anybody else dealt with MRSA? I would love to hear from you and how it's affected your life. I believe that forewarned can be forearmed and I really need the support!

Back To School

2008-08-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

On August the 25th I headed back to school as a first year student in the Respiratory Care Program ( I finally finished all my pre-requisites....SIGH) At the newly named Daytona State College. I know it will never be a dull moment. I am looking forward to all the cool things I will learn and eventually with some practice, and help from my clinical instructors, save lifes. For those of you who aren't to familar with the field of Respiratory therapist I'll give a little description of the job duties. You can often find RT's in the Critical Care area of the hospital. They intubate patients who have had trauma to their airways to allow them to breath. RT's work with patients with chonic lung disease, emphazema, asthma, heart disease and many other destructive repiratory/cardio aliments. I eventually would like to work with neonates. From what I hear it is a very rewarding Career. I'll keep yall updated on my progress.

Cameron Saying Goodbye to Mommy

Looking a little less than excited

A Wonderful toy "Bilibo"

2008-08-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

So I found this online and had to have one right away. Cameron and his cousins have lots of fun with it. Check out all the cool things it can be used for http://bilibo.com I have a love for swiss and german based toy companies but this on takes the cake for it's unique way of providing hours upon hours of entertainment. The sky is the limit with this fabulous toy. So come on and jump on the Bilibo bandwagon you won't be disappointed.

Cameron Likes to "chill" in his Bilibo

If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies

2008-08-08T17:10:00.000-07:00

As I get older I realize that change is inevitable, A part of life, although sad for some can be rewarding for Others. As Becky and her family make their move to Alaska I know they will be happy and are excited for a new adventure. I on the other hand, have often sat in sadness and pondered deeply the year that Cameron and I spent with our dear Aunt/Sister and each one of her wonderful children each of whom individually brought something special into our lives.

It was never a dull moment with Ty. He called Cameron, and I quote "his best Buddy, Because he listens to me." Cameron loved having him around as did I. I never got enough of his energy and love for life. He could light up a room and was always the life of the party. One night I had them over for dinner, I think we were having rotisserie chicken or something like that anyways, all the kids were sitting at the table anxious to eat with just there place settings in front of them. Mind you there wasn't a morsel of food on the table at this time and Ty says very loud and out of the blue, "can someone please pass the chicken nuggets. I'll never forget the time he invited two neighborhood girls on his "father and son" camping trip. They showed up at the front door, bags packed and asking Becky to come and meet their parents before departure.

Rylie, what can I say she is such a little sweetie. She is starting to bear some of the same traits of Ty but in a more.... sophisticated way???.... She loved to come and stay the night with us. Her and Cameron were a riot when they were together. She always tried her hardest to make us all laugh. A miniature comedian.

Cayley also liked to have sleep overs with us. She loved to stay up late and watch Grandma's collection of little house on the prairie. She is an old soul. I have a drawing on my fridge of a red headed little girl and underneath are written the words "If you are red head, you are special." She had a knack for poetry, "Cayley Style," and loved making thank you cards or just I love you, everyday cards.

hmmm what can I say about colton? When he wasn't playing video games.... No... he is a good boy who reminds me so much of chip. You can really tell that he loves his family and would do anything for them, of course all the while trying his hardest to seem tough and unemotional. And... SMART... he will grow up to do great things. there are so many things that come easy to him. He is truly gifted.

I am so glad that all the kids and Becky have Eric as a father and husband. Although I haven't had the opportunity to spend that much time with him I know that he is a hardworking man of integrity who loves his family very much.

Last but not least my sister Becky. (tears are falling down my cheeks) I honestly don't know what I am going to do without her here. She was my rock, my encouragement for hope. My mother once quoted something that encompasses all that Becky is... It goes something like this "when you can keep you head about you when everyone around you is loosing theirs, and blaming it on you ..." She forgot the rest :)... In a nut shell, I rarely saw Becky get angry. even when the kids were shouting at each other and at her she always knew how to handle it like a saint. She reminds me so much of our mother, another rock in my life. She has taught me so much. I will miss her dearly as I will them all.

Here is a few random favorite pictures of our time together. I wish them the best of luck on their new endeavors. I know that each one of them will make the part of the world they now inhabit a better and more loving place than it was before their arrival. I know this because that is what they did here. Love to you all.

Kenley Vause Blessing

2008-07-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to post pictures of our visit to Chipley, Fl. Here is the only one I have on my camera of the family at Kenley's Blessing. Jared Gave her a very spiritual blessing, it brought tears to my eyes. He is going to be such a great daddy. It is just hard for me to believe that he IS a Daddy.

Merinda and her family were great as always. You could not ask for a nicer group of people. They would give you the shirt off their back and are just real salt to the earth.

We had a great Time. Jared and Dad did a little fishing, all the kids had fun in the pool. Cameron had his first Moto experience. Uncle Jared took him for a ride on the dirt bike he seemed to really like it. I on the other hand was a nervous wreck but he must not have been to bad of a driver because I agreed to let him take Me, Mom, and Ty on the Kabota. He's was a crazy man running over trees going through mud ponds. He really is in his element. Country living has been good to him :) Ty fell asleep a third way into the experience(that kid would fall asleep durring a 7.5 Earthquake). I wish I had a picture it was a funny sight. All the kids played hard as well as some of the adults. We all needed the six hour drive home to catch up on some zzzzz's. It was great Fun

A face that turns Camerons' Frown upside Down

2008-07-26T19:28:00.001-07:00

All that it Entails

2008-07-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

I felt compelled to write this down in my journal this evening and thought I would share a little about what I felt in a blog entry.

I often think about how drastically my life has changed since the first day I found out I was going to be a mother. I would have never considered my self a bad person, I believe that I have always had a good heart. I was however, lost.

There was a moment this evening that could never escape my memory. Time nor age, nor a thousand tear jerking events could ever replace what my heart felt tonight. This is what life is all about I thought. It's not about how much money I can make, what clothes I wish I had and how smart I want to be. It's about taking care of the ones I love. Since being a mother I have found my empathetic heart. It didn't matter that I was covered in vomit and that my make up was running down my face because He would only get in the bath if I were holding him. What mattered most to me was that he knew I was there for him, and that I will always be there. As his fever of 104 broke he laid so calmly in my arms and looked up at me and his eyes told me he loved me.

Independence Day Celebration

2008-07-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Fourth was a fun filled day. We started off by going to the Beach in the late Am rather than the afternoon to somewhat beat the holiday chaos. Cameron and his cousins had fun in the sea and sand. It was surprisingly comfortable and the water was a nice 72 degrees which always helps cool things down. By noon cameron was ready to head home for a nap. Later that afternoon we cooked out at Grandma's and Grandpa's with yummy chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, water melon... the works! Around 6:30 it was off to Port Orange City Center for the fireworks show. I popped corn for all the kids. We had sparklers and firecrackers to boot. A funny story... I thought I was reading the right packaging directions for one of the firecrackers I bought. It said to hold in hand, with arm outreached pointing flam away from you. So I handed to Colton and told him to hold it and I would light the fuse. I freaked out and shouted for him to drop it when flames and sparks started flying towards his face and arms with loud crackling sounds. In a nut shell I was reading the directions for the giant morning glories not the bottle rockets. Luckily Colton was okay. I felt to guilty all evening. I was worried he thought his aunt Rachel was trying to do him in. He are some fun Pics of festivities

Waiting......

Playing ball...Killing Time

Grandma Pre-Fireworks. I think she was watching, hoping they would come early so she could go home and go to bed :)

Cameron Post Fireworks, Exausted!

After the BBQ

Cameron Loves his Uncle "BEAR"

The Girls putting on a smile though the Pain of their sunburns. Such Troopers

Sisters Jen If I had Photoshop I'd stick you in there with us :(

Bubblely Toes

2008-07-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

I love days when I don't have anything important to do. I can always tell a difference in Cameron's disposition when I don't have to rush around, get in and out of the car, and have to eat on the fly. Today we had a fun day at the park then came home and blew bubbles barefoot in the front yard until the afternoon thunderstorm rolled in. Then we sat on the front porch swing and enjoyed the rain and cool breeze (a rare thing this time of year) It was a prefect day.

2008-06-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

So, I am attempting to make blogging part of my weekly routine. Who am I kidding, those who know me, know, I haven't a routine ;) .......

A lot has come to pass since my last entry. I was accepted into the respiratory care program at our local college here in Daytona. I start in the fall. I don't think I have ever been so excited to start school in my whole life. It's "picking out what outfit your going to wear on the first day of school ....exciting for me" The only hesitation that I have is leaving Cameron everyday. It will only be for a couple of hours but, the thought of it makes my heart hurt.

Cameron is growing up so fast. He talks a lot. Mostly gibberish but, he sounds so matter of fact when speaking that he could convince you of anything, So animated. I'll try to catch on video, my favorite of his talking episodes, which is when he first wakes up. It is a knee slapper.

Cameron went to stay with Aunt Sara while I took my final exams. Here are some pictures of the fun filled activities she planned for him,.. Just kidding this was on his own agenda. What can I say, my son is officially crazy!

If I could read his mind I would say he is thinking... "Man, this is alot smaller than I thought"

May my unblogg - worthy life become Blogg - worthy

2008-01-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

So, here I am. First off let me apologize to everyone in advance and, be the first to tell you if your looking for something and exciting and juicy to read you probably won't find it here. However, If you find such stories of the overwhelming desire to be able to wear a shirt all day, and not have it drooled on, pulled on, spat on, or used as a Kleenex, you be sure to read and read often.

Cameron is just starting to walk!!! I am very excited... I think :)

For a while he would get very frustrated and upset when falling down but, with lots of practice he seems to be getting the hang of it. He refuses to crawl anymore, as if to say it's beneath him LOL. Nope crawling is now for the birds. I now have on my hands a very independent, persistent, strong-minded toddler.

His favorite thing to do lately is to feed the dog with Grandpa. He carries out the cup of food, pours it the dog dish, brings in the cup and puts it back into the dog food bag. According to grandpa he is very persistent in doing all of these things. I bet when he is eight, he will feel the same. NOT!!!

Pics soon to come. XOXOX miss everybody Jennifer... Get ye here already. :)