Feeding Time!

Just like most other babies around 6 months of age, we attempted cereal for the first time about two weeks before his 6 month "birthday." It was New Year's Eve! Brad was on call in Biloxi, and I wanted him to see the event. So I packed up the car - Campbell and dogs and all their gear - and drove to Biloxi for the holiday.

Campbell is not know for being a great eater. It took us a month to figure out breastfeeding. So I assumed starting solids would be a slow start too! Sometimes he's more into it than others, but it's always fun seeing him eat. And the best part is our clean-up crew. Who knew Waylon would love rice cereal so much. As food goes flying, he's right there to lick it up. Post-meal, he is always ready and willing to start the pre-wash by licking Campbell's hands. And Campbell loves it. Campbell giggles and squeals in delight. A fun time for all. Now we just need to figure out how to get more food in the tummy!

First bites - love that rice cereal! It tastes so good (or not)!

One of our messier dinners. We'll figure this out eventually - I hope!

Christmas Card Photos... Take Two!

This year taking the Christmas card photo was a long process... and the most fun! Brad was home the first weekend in December so we got our tree. I love real Christmas trees, the smell, the feel, the look. Campbell loved it too. We spent hours this December looking and touching each ornament, touching the branches of the tree. Then it took about two weeks to get it decorated! Perfect timing. Brad was back home the third weekend in December, our last opportunity to take the picture BEFORE Christmas!!

Here are some of my favorite out-takes:

Had to get one with the pups. Try getting two dogs and a baby to all look at the camera at the same time!

Wait! I wasn't ready!

Mom - this is exhausting!

That's it - time for my break!

The winner:

Chronicles of a "Single" Working Mom

I'm back - sort of. As Brad mentioned in our last post, he was home from Biloxi on Monday night. I should explain. Brad is on a 4-month rotation at the VA Hospital in Biloxi, MS. It's only 1.5 hours away, but sometimes it feels like a world away. The "normal" schedule is commuting home Monday and Wednesday nights, and every other weekend. But of course, there's no "normal" when it comes to the VA. Brad usually makes it home most Monday nights, but Wednesday is a crap shoot depending on how the day goes. And the weekends have been crazy too. Not hatin' just explain'. So most days it's been Campbell and I since November 1st - thus the lack of recent posts.

When Campbell was born, Brad had just started his research rotation. He worked from home for four months and was "available" to help with everything from late night feedings (Brad's a pro at waking up in the middle of the night!) to grocery shopping. [Wow - you're probably thinking we timed that well - oh wait - we totally planned it that way!] And despite all the chaos of having a newborn, he had a very productive research rotation, completing several projects - way to go babe. Campbell and I were very spoiled getting to spend so much time with Brad, a special 4 months I'll never forget. So the Biloxi rotation has definitely been an adjustment to our normal routine.

November 1st - Brad goes to Biloxi; Campbell starts daycare.

Oh what a day! It's important to know that the company I work for has been great to me - our office is in New Jersey, and I used to travel every week to train agents in our offices across the country. Post-baby, no travel, and I work from home on various projects. It's also important to know that Campbell is a night owl. I thought little babes still slept a lot at 4-6 months. Not so for our active little boy. He loves to play and be entertained and usually doesn't go to sleep till midnight (like tonight - down at midnight!)

Week 1 - shower, make-up, cute clothes. I wanted to look like all the other working parents dropping their kids off at daycare.

Week 2 - shower, cute clothes, make-up optional depending on the day.

Week 3 - no shower, workout clothes, stinky coffee breath

I'm pretty sure the ladies at daycare think I'm crazy - what professional financial services organization would employ a woman who wears t-shirts and jeans every day. Oh well - thank goodness we don't have video-conferencing yet!

If I'm in bed by 1 AM, it's a miracle. So here goes our "normal" routine.

Alarm goes off and dogs start whimpering to be let out. Roll out of bed, throw on clothes, make coffee (that part is essential to my day). Let dogs out. Check on Campbell - still asleep. Let dogs back in (paw check - we live in NOLA, backyard is a mud-pit when it rains), feed dogs. Start to make my breakfast... Campbell wakes up. Change diaper, dress Campbell, nurse. Oh shoot, we're running late. Grab bottles from fridge. Campbell in carrier, off to daycare. Back home, start work, back to back conference calls. Did I eat breakfast? Reheat bowl of oatmeal that's been sitting in microwave for the past several hours. 2nd cup of coffee. 10 minute break to make sandwich. Eat while working at desk. Run to daycare to nurse Campbell on my "lunch break." Back home - work - super, crazy busy year-end and start to new year. 5 Pm - attempt to quit work. Take dogs for speed walk. Then off to pick-up Campbell from daycare. Back home. Feed dogs, feed Campbell. Feed mom! Play with Campbell... nurse... play with Campbell... nurse... did I brush my teeth today?... nurse.... play with Campbell... dude it's midnight, when are you going to sleep.... nurse.... asleep!

Friends in NOLA have been supportive, inviting Campbell and I over for dinner on both weeknights and weekends. Sometimes though, I've politely declined with the excuse that I've already made dinner. I think that sounds better than, "I haven't showered since yesterday, I probably stink from walking the dogs and Campbell is going through a growth spurt, nursing every hour. So if you're okay with a stinky, topless dinner guest who's so tired she might pass out your coach, then we'll be there."

All kidding aside, I'm amazed, inspired and in awe of the real single working moms, who give 100% to their families and careers every day. I've learned that I can't get it all done, so I have to prioritize - yes, my Christmas tree is still fully decorated and it will probably remain that way in our family room for several more weeks. At least it smells good!!! I hope to have pictures from the holidays posted soon. Good night for now!

Christmas Card Photos...Maybe!

I am so behind on my updates!

I came home from Biloxi last night. I always look on our library website when I'm home for journal articles in our literature relevant to patients I'm taking care of because while the super top-secret VA computer system lets one log into Facebook, it is not possible to proxy into the Tulane medical library to educate oneself. No wonder Wikileaks has such an easy time obtaining classified government documents even if they are just making fun of the French.

I digress. To get back to the story, the top line of this blog post is what I saw when I sat down. Our little Campbell has been playing catch-up. Per report, he has literally been eating every hour according to Katherine so I decided to finish this post even if it is not what was intended.

One of the main goals of going to Dallas for Christmas was to introduce C-man to his two surviving great-grandparents, my Mom's mother Pat (Grandmommie) and my Dad's dad Tom (short for Thomas Booker, Grandad). See pictures below:

You will probably hear from Katherine in the next couple of days when Campbell slows down his eating rampage! I know she has a lot to tell you.

Today we went to get our Christmas tree. It was short-lived (as most of our out-of-the-house trips are) because C man got hungry, but we still had a lot of fun. It was awesome seeing Campbell smell and touch a tree for the first time!

Rolllll Over!

I have mixed feelings about daycare. I tell myself every day that it's a good thing. Great for socialization! I don't allow myself to focus on the cons. We all know that Campbell is more likely to get a snotty nose and ear infection, but hey, Dad's an ENT. We have in-home health care!

So the pros - Campbell has developed rapidly in the last three weeks. Since starting at Uptown Learning Center, he makes sounds that I've never heard before. And on Monday (11/15), my daycare daily report read: Campbell rolled over - twice! What, are you serious? Rolled over? I was so excited that I almost forgot to feel sad that I missed it. There's a cute girl in Campbell's class that can hold her head up well, and every day Campbell has tummy time with her since they are close in age. This week, he has started to hold his head up and yes, roll over. I guess the cute girl at school was all the motivation he needed to get that head up. Brad assured me that Campbell would roll over a million more times, so we were bound to witness it eventually. Well, this morning it happened. I didn't get a great view because I was busy taking pictures of the little man propping himself up on his arms... when ... all of a sudden... rollll over! Way to go Campbell!

Catching up... What a busy October!

Going back to work has cut into my blogging time. There is so much to post about! I turned 30 in October. It was a very special day for lots of reasons, but mainly, a year ago that same day we found out I was pregnant. Brad and Campbell made it such a wonderful day. I took the afternoon off from work. We had lunch at my favorite lunch place, St. James Cheese Company, and ended the day with super delicious cupcakes. Thanks to my boys!!

The gorgeous flowers that were delivered to the house! What a surprise!

Yummy! We love cupcakes!

During October we had visits from Paw-Paw and Rosie. Paw-Paw of course came on TX's bye-week. We all enjoyed the break from this year's disappointing football season, and spent the weekend hanging out at the house. Brad was on call at two hospitals, and it was great having an extra pair of hands. We finally made it out of the house for church and brunch on Sunday. Campbell as always did great, slept through church and enjoyed all the sights and sounds at Dante's Kitchen.

I see a striking resemblance.

Brunch at Dante's Kitchen!

Pap-paw and Campbell enjoying a post-Sunday-brunch nap! Love this picture!

Rosie visited the following weekend. We got Campbell out for dinner - only his second dinner out! Little man was so curious about everything happening at the restaurant, he was too distracted to eat. That's never happened before. We found a quiet corner, he pounded his bottle and then back to the table so mom could pound her dinner! Everyone enjoyed chowing down at Ye Old College Inn.

Weekly Saturday lunch at Superior Grill.

The next weekend Campbell attended his first birthday party. Our friend's son had his 4 year old birthday party at a Carousel. It was really fun and made for some great photo ops!

The birthday boy hamming it up for the camera!

Harper meet Campbell!

The whole family in front of the Carousel!

Before we knew it was Halloween weekend! It was an especially fun and busy weekend. Our friend Matt was in town for the Panic concerts. We met him in the French Quarter for lunch and Campbell took his first stroll (strapped to mom in the BabyBjorn) down Bourbon street. We had to cover up those virgin eyes a couple of times!

Matt and Campbell during lunch at the Bourbon House!

After our active Saturday in the French Quarter, we rested up Sunday for the big event - our first Trick or Treating with C man. With a PBK giftcard that was begging to be used, I felt it was okay to splurge on a too cute pumpkin outfit. Campbell only wore it for two hours on Sunday evening - but it was totally worth it.

Our little pumpkin ready for his first trick or treating!

We didn't last long, only two blocks! What a tired little pumpkin!