Fire! Fire!

A few Wednesday's ago I was laying in bed watching T.V. before going to sleep when I heard the dreaded "beep" from one of our smoke detectors. In that moment between the screams in your head and the temper tantrum in your body our entire smoke detector system went off.  It was not a series of beeps but full fledge sirens.  I shook Bruce to wake him up (earplugs), and we searched and searched for the problem.  Was there a fire? CO?  Bad battery?  It was 11:00 and we were calling the fire department.  The fire department came out and found the faulty detector.  They told us it was in need of a battery change which of course made us feel pretty silly.  They changed it for us and were on their way.  We headed back to bed to be woken up again at 4, 6, and then again the sirens when off at 8.  Bruce called the fire department who came out again with full truck and dog.  They decided to change all of the batteries (which they had to go back and get at the fire station), but when they returned they brought Cameron a badge, hat, and even let her drive the truck when they were finished.  As a thank you Cameron and I bought Frank (the dog) some treats and baked the firemen some cookies.  They seemed just as thankful for the cookies as we did the help.  :)  Batteries seemed to fix the problem until 7:00 Thursday evening when we heard the infamous "beep".  We knew exactly what detector it was, unhooked it completely and haven't heard a peep since.  So, not batteries, but a faulty detector which is now on order.

Wisconsin or Bust! Road Trip with Paw!

The very first week of May Cameron and I pack our suitcases and headed to Dallas to spend the night with her Paw.  After one eventful night of Nu Bird's talking and Cameron's bed hogging we woke up early, packed Paw's pickup truck, and headed to Wisconsin to visit Grandma and Papa.  Cameron was so excited to travel in the truck next to Tucker, but wasn't all to thrilled to have Nu Bird fly around and ride on Paw's shoulder. 

 

The first day of travel was pretty eventful.  Once we all adjusted to each other--it was smooth sailing or should we say "trucking".  Cameron also decided she wasn't too thrilled with sleeping in a crib in the hotel so she shared a bed with me.  She slept great!  Me on the other hand, not so much.  I'm not sure how parents co-sleep and function.

 

 

We finally made it to the beach and Cameron was thrilled.  She really enjoyed spending time with Grandma and Papa.  She loved showing them her trampoline and her ABC puzzle.  She went to a fish fry, her 1st Chinese buffet, the cheese shop, helped plant "trees'" on the beach, and had her 1st real s'more from a fire on the beach.  Most of all she just loved being on the beach, walking trough the state park looking for fish, swinging in the tree swing, and collecting coal to throw back into the lake.  She is already talking about going back, and we hope to take another trip very soon!  It was a fantastic trip!

 

 

Bye Bye "Ba Boo"

I made a promise to myself that Cameron's "Ba Boo" (pacifier) would be taken away after she turned two.  She really only used it to soothe herself to sleep and I battled back and forth whether or not to take it from her, but I kept my promise and here is how it went.  I had a lot of advice about "The Paci Fairy", putting them in a Build a Bear, and cutting the tops of them so they wouldn't work.  I ended up doing a combination of two of these strategies.  Cameron really didn't connect with the fairy idea until that fairy turned into Tinker Bell. Her Grammy had sent her a Tinker Bell backpack which I told her if she put her "ba boos" in it that Tinker Bell would take them to the babies who needed them, and would then bring her a surprise.  She was into the idea, but was having a hard time parting.  So, I took a second idea and slit along the seam of the pacifier so it would no longer work. We started on Monday and I had collected 10 pacifiers from all over the house.  I slit the top of two pacifiers a night.  She would test each one to make sure they didn't work before putting them in the back pack and zip it up.  Tinker Bell would take the pacifiers and bring her books, stickers, crayons, and a coloring book throughout the week.  The last night (Friday) I slit the last two pacifiers after her nap and when I handed them to her she tested them and looked at me and said "It's no not working".  I told her we should give them to Tinker Bell and she was okay with giving one to Tinker Bell, but slept with one in her hand. The next night she decided it was okay to get rid of the other.  She did great without them!  I was very surprise and super relieved!  She was thrilled when she woke up in the morning a found her big surprise from Tinker Bell: two of her favorite character dresses, Tinker Bell and Rapunzel.

April -- It's been fun!

I can't believe April is already coming to an end.  This spring has been beautiful in Hill Country and we are very lucky to have had rain and great weather (mostly in the 70's).  We headed back to the farm with Henry and a new friend, Michelle.  This time Cameron fed the goats and bounced on the large bounce area for a long time.  She loves to play in the dirt more than anything.  She loves to get dolled up, but isn't afraid to get dirty -- that's my girl.

 

We also bought a Nook and love it.  It was the perfect choice for our family because it allows Cameron to have her own section with books, apps, and videos.  She enjoys listening to the books being read to her while we are in the car or when I am trying to get a few things done around the house.
 

 

 

One of Cameron's new favorite things to do is blowing bubbles and coloring/drawing with sidewalk chalk.  She LOVES it and it's a fun way to play outside together. 

 

 

Random cuteness from this month:

 

 

I feel so blessed to be her Mom and get to stay at home with her.  She brings so much joy to our family!




 

Bluebonnets

The Bluebonnets are beautiful here in Hill Country!  It's pretty incredible how different the scenery is here compared to Dallas.  We recently had a little rain which sent the flowers into full bloom.  In true Texas tradition-- here are some pictures of Cameron among our state's flower.

 

 

The difference a year makes, bluebonnets 2012

 

March Madness!

I recently read, "Having a two year old is like having a blender without a lid." I couldn't help but smile after I read it because recently I've been describing Cameron as a roller coaster of emotion.  She is a wonderful little girl and is learning her boundaries quickly, but that doesn't stop the occasional tantrum or two.  Of course, I will be expecting this behavior through most of her adolescence as well.  Oh, the joys of having a beautiful and very spirited little girl! In all honestly, I wouldn't trade a second of it. 

This past month Cameron was busy exploring with her friends and welcoming the spring weather.  She continues to do well in her swimming class, and really enjoys being outside.  She received the chance to break in her rain boots at Bull Creek Greenbelt in Austin, and was able to see fish and throw rocks in the water.  (One of her favorite things to do near any body of water)  We also took a stroll around the Marriot Resort in Horseshoe Bay where they have many Coy fish, ducks, and turtles to look at.  Bruce, Cameron, and I also spent a weekend in San Antonio where we were able to spend a night with her Great Aunt Lesley and Great Uncle Fred.  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of that evening, but Cameron loved Aunt Lesley's guacamole and really enjoyed swimming with Uncle Fred.  While we were in San Antonio we also took Cameron back to the San Antonio Zoo.  She loved looking at the animals, even though the elephant's trumpeting trunk scared her a little. The last little adventure of the month was with her best friend Henry to Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls.  It is a small farm where in the fall they have a pumpkin patch and in the spring you can go and pick strawberries.  Cameron had fun feeding the goats, riding a tractor (thank you Mr. Farmer), and picking "squishing" strawberries.  They were the tastiest smashed strawberries we have ever had! (:  Enjoy the pictures of our growing girl!

Nitro Swimming

 

Bull Creek Greenbelt, Austin TX

 

 

 

Horseshoe Bay Resort

 

 

San Antonio Zoo

 

Sweet Berry Farms, Marble Falls