Missing My Boys............

Tonight as I set in our quiet kitchen finishing up work for the day, I'm reminded of how much I have missed my boys (Austin and Camden) this week. This last week has been one of the roughest since I've been back to work. I've spent about 12-14 hours each day working since last Wednesday. While I do get to come home to work in the evenings, it is so hard not being able to spend time with my family. In the short amount of time that I have been able to spend with my boys this week, here are some moments that I was able to capture. I thought I better update my digital picture frame on my desk at work since I've spending so much time there lately. Thank goodness that Wednesday is only 2 days away and things will be back to "normal" whatever "normal" really is. We've got a relaxing weekend coming up and I am so very much looking forward to it!

Such A Good Boy!

I mentioned in my last post that the week would fly by and it is! I can't hardly believe tomorrow is Thursday. This week has been a bit different than most weeks. Austin has worked two days in a row this week. The past two days all three of us have gotten out of bed and headed out the door at the same time which provides a little taste of whats to come in mid-August. It is a great feeling knowing that Camden is at my mom's for the day while we are away. He is growing to love going to Nana's as she spends her whole day entertaining him. Nana, we are so grateful that you are able and willing to keep Camden. The best part is that I can call several (I mean several) times a day and Mom/Nana does not think a thing about it. She knows that I completely trust her and that I just want to see how things are going.

On Tuesday, Austin and I took Camden to the immunization clinic for his 4 month immunizations. As I walked in the door of the community building, another mommy was carrying out her baby which appeared to be Camden's age. The little baby was all tears and clearly scared and possibly in pain. It broke my heart to know that Camden was about experience the same feeling. As we waited for the nurse to call our number I was completely dreading the the whole experience (once again). Austin graciously opted to hold Camden while he received the shots. Of course, Camden screamed. But after the last stab I scooped up Camden into my arms and his loud cry turned into a tiny whimper. I cannot begin to describe the feeling I experienced that Camden totally expressed true comfort from me as his Mommy - it made my heart melt. As a proud mommy, with Daddy by our side, Camden and I exited the community building is a calm and content fashion. Camden, you did a great job and I'm so proud of you. Later on in the evening, Austin had a church board meeting so Camden and I spent some time playing with toys. Despite the small bruises in his thighs he was feeling very well not experiencing any side effects (fever, fussiness, sleepiness, etc.) of the shots. Here are some photos to prove it!

Where Did It Go!

The weekend, where did it go? It has come and gone in a blink of an eye. Personally, my favorite thing to do on the weekend is to stay home. When we are home as a family on the weekend it is so relaxing (minus the cleaning that we try to accomplish). While weren't home much this weekend we had another great one. On Thursday we celebrated on 4 year anniversary. Austin and I hadn't really thought much about our anniversary as we had been so busy with vacation and VBS but on Thursday evening we thought we'd have a nice dinner at home together and then celebrate at SCOOPS. For those of you that do not know my husband - ice cream is his all time favorite - he eats it every night before bed (not healthy - we know). WE had several friends and family offer to watch Camden so that we could have a date night, but we both decided that we wanted to have Camden join us. Since we leave him while we are working, we prefer not to leave him with in the evenings and weekends. So, on Friday evening, we enjoyed a good dinner (taco salad - one of our favorites) at the table - just the two of us while Camden was napping. This was the very first time we ate dinner at the same time without of us holding Camden (it felt weird). Then we went to town to enjoy some ice cream at SCOOPS. Although Camden's can't have ice cream quite yet he did enjoy SCOOPS as we sat outside (last time we were at SCOOPS we sat in the truck as Camden was sound asleep in his big boy car seat and unable to be moved without waking up). Then on Saturday Camden and I headed to Lynnville to meet up with Cheri and Brooke (one of my closest friends and her baby daughter). We spent the day in Evansville shopping for ourselves while Austin was helping family work on a pole building. It was good to allow Austin to have some time to himself doing things he enjoys outside that he can't do with baby Camden tagging along. Nana and Pappy and Great Aunt Deb came over for dinner and we had a nice visit. Today Grammy and Pappy Yake came to church with us and then took us to Reid's for lunch - it was so yummy. We don't see Grammy and Pappy that often so it was nice to see them and I'm sure they were happy to us too. This evening we stopped by Heather Coffman's graduation party - she graduated from IU in May and is off to Avon for her very first job as teacher. Good luck Heather - we are proud of you. Our weekend has come to a close once again and we are now looking forward to the next one! Back to work tomorrow for me to close out the month and quarter. This week should fly by as we have lots to do each day. Until the next post, have a safe and fun week. And, just for you Aunt Allie - here are some more pictures. Hope these hold you over until next weekend when you come home to visit.
Getting ready for bananas
Nighty night time
Aware of my surroundings

We Are Home..........

We have made it back from our mini-vacation to Nashville. Camden did extremely well on the way to our destination and on the way back home. Camden was a bit fussy on the way down, but he learned to soothe himself by singing. On the way home, he slept the entire time - he didn't even wake up for lunch or a snack. While we were in Nashville a few of our highlights included sight-seeing, swimming, shopping, eating, and visiting with friends. While we had a great time, it is nice to be back home.
Riding in the car isn't too bad Mommy!
These alligators are scary Daddy!
My Mommy and My Angie!
Just a swing'n.
I'm so happy!
At the zoo.
Watching the elephant.
The puppy is not happy!
Yake School of Fish
This is supposed to be vacation, but I'm worn out!

Since we have been home from vacation we have been busy in the evenings with VBS (it always seems as if VBS starts the evening that we arrive home from our vacations). This week Austin has been doing some surveying work for VU so Camden has gotten to visit with the Lee and Sarah Smith. I must admit, taking Camden to the sitters in a few months when Austin goes back to work will be a big adjustment. Right now it is so nice not having to pack a bag everything night or morning and get Camden up early to get ready for the sitters. For me, my morning routine is wake up, get Camden out of his crib, feed and snuggle with him, and rock him back to sleep. Then Daddy takes over while I get ready. Before I leave for work, I can always count on Austin and Camden snoozing in the recliner waiting for my goodbye hugs and kisses. I think when Camden goes to the sitters I will have to leave before Daddy and Camden and allow Daddy to drop him off at the sitters. It is one thing to leave Camden here at home with Daddy, but another to leave him somewhere else. With that said, I am so very lucky that my mom plans to watch Camden a couple of days a week and "Grandma Sandy" will watch him the other couple of days. We are blessed to have my mom and "Grandma Sandy". I can't think of anyone else that I'd rather leave Camden with while we are working.

Today was Camden's 4 month well-baby check-up. Camden is in great health. He now weights 14 pounds and 3 ounces and is 23.75 inches long.

Tomorrow is our next play date and we are very much looking forward to it! We miss all the mommies and babies so we will have great time. Watch for updated pictures of all our playgroup friends tomorrow.

P.S. Thank you for all the prayers we are certain the Lord is at work. Mandy and Gabe were united this evening at home. Yes, at home. Mandi and Gabe both were released from the hospital today. Mandi will continue with rehab at home so please continue to lift her up in prayer as she continues to recover and heal. Gabe came home with a feeding tube, so please continue to pray that he regains strength. Please pray for Andre and Mandi's family as they continue to care for Mandi and Gabe over the next several weeks. Mandi and Gabe, we are so glad you are home and we are still praying for you!

I'm a Swimmer

The first several weeks of Camden's life, he hated taking a bath. But now look - he loves it. He has become much braver in the bathtub over the past couple of weeks. He is starting to express lots of emotions and our favorite is his happiness.

Well, we are off for our little vacation in Nashville, so we'll be back soon!