Hair Club for.... Babies?!???

<p>My beautiful little baby who was born with thick, dark hair is going bald!! He still has some hair, but has definite bald spots along the back of his head. The hair in the front is still growing. So much so that he really needs a trim pretty soon!

Last night was another reminder of how big he's getting: I pulled out and washed all of his 9 month clothes and weighed him. He's 20 lbs!!!

We're so blessed to have family close. Cameron saw all of his grandparents last weekend and a few of his aunts and uncles!! Ryan took him to St. Cloud and met his dad, Dave, for lunch with Amber, Andy, Uncle Josh, and Grandma Chris. Then they went to the hospital to visit Papa Dave and also saw Jessica and Tabi. I enjoyed some much needed "me" time and planted flowers and did some baking. Okay, okay, I admit my mom came down to help me plant because I'm terrible at it and also I'll admit that both my cookies and muffins I made burnt... but at least I try!!

My parents took Cameron this past Monday so Ryan and I could spend some time together. We went golfing and grabbed DQ for lunch afterwards. Yum! We had a good time and it was a good reminder that we need date time more often!!

Cameron's still moving around like crazy and I give it a few weeks to a month before he's crawling. Yikes! We spend more time in our basement now where we don't have to worry about him rolling onto the hardwood floors.

Our little guy continues to amaze me!! Hard to believe he was 5 months old yesterday! Before you know it, we'll be planning his 1st birthday party.. Yikes!!

Papa Dave!

We had a fun time this past weekend visiting family and catching up! Cameron did well with all of our travels and had no melt downs... yay!!

On Saturday, Cameron and I, Grandma Chris, and Auntie Amber went to visit Auntie DeAnn, Uncle Slava and Cousin Amelia. Cameron had fun playing with his cousin and loved all the extra attention from his family! Slava and DeAnn made us amazingly delicious BBQ ribs and corn on the cob.... yummmmm!!!

On Sunday, we went to go visit Ryan's mom and step dad Dave at the St. Cloud Hospital. Cameron was incredibly attentive and in love when we put him in the bed with Dave so they could catch up and chat! He also showed off all of his "tricks" to Papa Dave (rolling, pushing up on his hands/knees) and was quite the little ham!

Papa Dave continues to do incredibly well with his recovery and even took steps this week with a cane!! Two and a half weeks ago, he was told he wouldn't live, a week ago they said he may never walk again, and he's beating all odds!! Praise God!!

Other fun news is that we bought a new car!! We bought my Uncle Tim and Aunt Cindy's Toyota Highlander and I absolutely love it!! Loving the space and not feeling like I'll break my back every time with putting him in the Saturn. I'm learning quite quickly how much more gas is sucked down in a SUV than a car though....

Cameron continues to be a very active little dude and we can't even leave him alone for more than 30 seconds or he's rolled off his blankets on the floor, or stuck under the couch or coffee table! Knowing that he'll only get more active, we're putting a TV in the basement where its carpeted and going to try to spend more time down there than upstairs where we have hardwood floors. He's only going to get busier and more curious!!

Boogies!!

Cameron came down with an icky cold last week. I left work early last Tuesday to bring him to the doc. His ears and lungs were clear, along with a negative strep test, so. The doctors advice was to just wait out the virus. By Friday his cough was worse and he wasn't finishing and/or refusing bottles (and anyone who knows our son knows that's not normal!!!). I took him back to the doctor on Friday evening, but same response: just a virus, wait it out! At least I had peace of mind that it was an ear infection or bronchitis or worse!

With this cold we've had to suck out lots of boogies!! We've had to turn it into a game so he thinks its funny, not annoyinng. I don't blame him... no one wants a bulb syringe shoved up their nose!! Heeeerrrrrrrreee boogie boogie boogie!!

He's starting to become very mobile! If we put him down in one spot, a minute later he's turned his body and is facing a new direction or has scootched his knees under him and has inched forward, especially if we put toys in front of him!! He's not content in one place.. we're gonna have our hands full pretty soon!!

At school they practice one sign language word a day and lately its been the word "milk". Ryan was practicing with him last Saturday morning and our smart guy imitated his daddy's gestures!!! Of course he has no idea what it means or how to use it yet, but it was so fun to see! And we both saw it so I know I'm not going crazy :))

We went for a walk last night and for the first time, we rode in the stroller without first being strapped in his car seat! He looked like such a little man and to be honest, made me just a little sad! He's getting to big, too fast!! I suppose I'll be saying that the rest of his life, huh?? :))

We're excited for a relaxing weekend ahead of us and seeing Grandma Chris, Auntie Amber, Auntie DeAnn and cousin Amelia on Saturday! Can't wait!!!

Pictures: Snuggling with daddy on a Saturday morning Not sitting still before bath time! (Some day he'll get mad I posted this pic, but I just couldn't resist showing off those cute baby bunners!! )

I'm a Big Boy!

Cameron had his 4 month check up last week Thursday. He came in weighing 16 lbs, 15 oz (85th percentile), 27.5 inches long (95th percentile) and his head circumference was in the 90th percentile, which means his brain and head are growing, too!! He got his shots like a champ (I couldn't watch, another nurse took my place holding down his arms!) and so far no side affects except being more sleepy!

Other big milestones for our little dude:
- He tried rice cereal for the first time last night!!! Very messy, but very funny to watch!! He would try to grab the spoon out of my hand and shove it in his mouth. Both Ryan and I were laughing outloud at how funny and cute it was :)
- Held his own bottle for about a 2 minute stretch last night!
- Scootches his knees under his tummy!! He did it once at daycare last Thursday, 3 times on Saturday night, and did it more last night! I think he'll be going places soon... what happened to my little swaddled baby?!??
- He's learning to kick in the bathtub and that it splashes water everywhere!! At the end of bathtime, we have about half the water left in the tub... I have no doubt that he'll be a true boy as he gets older!!
- He's slowly getting more comfortable with sitting on his own.. still can't do it solo as he just slowly falls forward, but at least he's less fussy when we practice!!

Cameron's at the stage that I love!! I miss my "tiny" baby, but I absolutely love his toothless smiles, giggles and deep belly laughs!! We are sure blessed with an adorable baby boy!!!

The Power of Prayer

Lesson learned this week: We have an amazing and powerful God who listens to our prayers!!

Last Friday, Ryan's stepdad, Dave, had a massive stroke. The outlook by later on Friday was not promising; the doctors weren't confident Dave would make it. Ryan and all of his 12 siblings were able to go to Bismarck, ND, to be with his mom. Over the weekend, Dave made small improvements, but by Monday the outlook was not positive again because the swelling in his brain was worsening. They gave him a drug to help the swelling, but weren't sure how his body would respond to it. Miraculously his body responded positively and the swelling decreased!! Things have been looking up all week with him moving out of the ICU yesterday, taking small amounts of food and drink and also speaking in sentences! It will be a long road ahead with his recovery and rehab, but through God, Dave has beat all odds!! Ryan's mom has been so strong through all of these major up and downs! She's such a rock for the family!!

Andy and Amber were able to come home last Saturday because of Dave. It was a few days earlier than anticipated, but we're so thankful the army was able to send them early!! Thank goodness they were already back in the states!! Auntie Rachel, Andy, Tasha, Megan, Elijah, Izaiah, Cameron and myself were able to be at the MSP airport to welcome them back. Definately not the home coming they were anticipating, but we tried to make it as special as we could! Another answer to prayers ... having them return safely!!!