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

 

Cameron is 2!

I am going to try this blog again.  I am a little embarrassed that the last blog post I have on here is from Cameron being 8 months old.  It would be forever and a day to catch up on those pictures so .... we will just fast forward 1 year and 4 months to Cameron's 2nd Birthday!  You will forgive me, right?

Cameron is 2!!!  She had a camping themed party at our house and invited all of her friends from Rolly Pollies (her gym class) and Nitro (her swim class).  She even got to spend her birthday with her Grammy, Aunt Carolyn, and cousin, Claire!  It was so much fun and completely exhausting at the same time.  It was well worth the time and effort when putting her in bed that night and I asked her, "Cameron, did you have fun at your party?" and she said, "YES!!!" and gave me a big hug.  Here are a few pictures from her big day.