Birthday Surprises!

I love birthdays! And I love surprises! So this year we combined the two. More on that in a minute. Campbell turned one on Monday, July 11th. We celebrated his birthday with family and friends and a party on Saturday July 9th. Grandparents and Campbell's aunt Whitney made the trip to New Orleans to help us celebrate. Our house now looks like Campbell's daycare room with all the gifts he received. That's one lucky boy!

As much as I love little surprises like when Brad brings me flowers for no reason, or unexpected phone calls from great friends or when Campbell bursts out giggling just because, at my core, I'm a planner. I like being prepared and planning helps me to feel prepared. The more I plan, the more prepared I am. And yet, Brad and I have had so many wonderful surprises in our life together. I would have never planned to live in San Antonio , Nashville or New Orleans, and yet I have treasured each experience we have had and the friends we have made along the way.

So the biggest surprise of all. Our friend Amber suggested how to announce the surprise, and I have to admit it was great. As we opened gifts during his birthday party, Campbell's first gift from mom and dad was his first coloring book, his first package of crayons and a onesie that reads "This Little Monkey is Going to be a Big Brother." That's right, we're giving Campbell a sibling! It took the grandparents several minutes to read the onesie, apparently no one heard me when I read it out loud. But once they got it, there were screams and cheering.

According to Katherine's Master Plan, we were going to start trying for our second little one in January to optimally space the kiddos about two years apart. What do you know... I'm due in January. So we're 9 months ahead of schedule in my master plan. You would think by now I would have figured out that I'm not actually in control of the master plan. All I hoped for in life was a happy marriage and a large family. I am blessed to have an adoring husband who's an awesome dad, and now our family is growing. Sounds like a great plan to me!

Our photographer (Brad's mom) was a little shaken by the news. She was so excited that our picture is a little blurry, but you can read the Big Brother part.

Happy Birthday son!

A monkey cake for our little monkey! Test cake looked terrible. Second cake turned out much better!

Wow... That Kid Can Dance

As Campbell continues to grow and develop, it's so amazing to see so much of myself and Brad in him. Becoming a parent has been such a reflective experience, and I have loved every minute of it.

To that point, I love dancing, all dancing, any time, any where. Growing up I took ballet, tap and jazz. At first because "I was made to" then because "I wanted to." I loved it. And when I hear a great song with a great beat, I just can't help myself. I dance in the car, I dance in our house, I dance at the grocery store. Yes you heard me correctly... at the grocery store. It cracks Brad up. Our Whole Foods plays awesome music, and I routinely find myself jamming out while cruising the aisles. It apparently cracks other people up too. One time I was in my own world, rocking out while walking down the chip aisle. I got to the end of the row and looked up to see this guy laughing. He agreed that Whole Foods played great music, but I guess I was the only one actually dancing to it.

So, this week at daycare, Ms. Gloria has had lots to tell us about Campbell's dancing. When Campbell and I arrived yesterday morning, she had to know whether or not we had instruments at home. Campbell loves music, especially live music. One of his teachers (Ms. Annie) is a former musician, and she routinely brings her guitar and/or harmonica to play for the kids. This week she played her harmonica, and Campbell jammed down with her. He was dancing so hard in his chair that Ms. Gloria could hear his back slapping the back of his chair. Every time Ms. Annie stopped playing, Campbell would lose it. She would continue playing, and he would keep dancing!

The funniest part to me is that he loves the same kind of music that Brad and I listen to. Ms. Gloria continued to explain that Campbell is bored to tears with all the baby tunes. While all the other kids smile and enjoy Row, Row your Boat, Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, etc., our little man prefers jamming to the radio. And he dances any where, just like me. During Easter Brunch, as we sat on the patio, Bob Marley started playing through the speakers. Next thing we know Campbell is dancing away in his highchair. I wish I had it on video! As soon as I get some of his moves on camera, I'll be sure to post them.