As I said earlier, we went to California for 5 days with both kids. Ryan had a conference to attend for work down in SLO (San Luis Obispo) and we decided it would be a great idea to make a family trip out of it. We flew down a couple days before Ryan's conference to go to the pool and and the beach as a family. Cameron had SUCH AN AMAZING time at the beach! He is definitely a water baby. He also loved the pool, the hot weather and most of all, the wonderful king size bed! Every night, we would let him fall asleep between us while watching a movie (Heaven for all parties involved). Nattie had a great idea spending so much time with Daddy (Such a Daddy's girl) and I think Ryan secretly loved carrying her around everywhere. We totally lucked out with the weather that week. Apparently SLO was experiencing an extreme heat wave that week and the temp got up to 99 degrees!
The end of the week came quickly and Ryan had to attend the conference all day Friday and Saturday. This meant I was alone with both kids, a rental car, a hotel room and the beach. We had such a great time together and both kids were perfect for me. On Saturday, I took the kids over to Avila Beach after we checked out of the hotel. Our first stop was the little aquarium. Cammie got a chance to touch 6 different starfish and even a sea urchin! He thought he was so cool! At the end of the aquarium, there was a tank of sharks - Cammie squealed! HEHEHE After the aquarium, we decided to watch the boardwalk out to the pier. Cam walked the whole way himself - HOW SCARY!! I told him to lift up his legs and "March" so his flip flops wouldn't catch on the wood. He did awesome. After the pier we walked almost the whole south side of the beach. He was in heaven.
The kids both did quite well on the airplane for their age. Nattie had a 10 minute freak out in the beginning of the flight home but calmed down once I nursed her. While we were in the front of the plane calming Nattie down, Ryan went back to check on Cammie at our seats. He found Cam sitting across the way in my seat, seating next to the prettiest girl on the plane. He was flirting with her and showing her the iPad! By the end of the flight, he was sitting in her lap looking out of the window!! EXCUSE ME MR!! I'm in trouble if he is girl crazy at age 2 : ) All in all the trip was a blast and I'm so thankful we went out of the box. We have a ton of great memories and pictures to share.
The kids are both doing wonderful. Cammie is growing like I weed! His vocabulary is amazing and makes us laugh everyday. The things that come out of his mouth are hilarious! He says "Bless you" when people sneeze, "Cuse me" when we cross in front of someone, "Please" when he wants something, "Than You" when he gets something, "Cuse me" when he burps/toots and my favorite right now, "Miss you so much!" He is now speaking in complete, understandable sentences with ease. It makes life so much easier knowing exactly what he wants! I spend literally all day talking to him. I try my best to read everything I can to him, asking him to spell out signs, what colors things are, what sounds animals/vehicles make, etc. Cammie is also asking a lot more questions about things and wants to know a reason for everything. It is so awesome watching someone experiencing and learning new things about life.
Cammie is also an amazing helper. He grabs diapers and wipes for Nattie, hands her toys and snacks, gives her her lovie, cleans up after himself, throws things away, helps with laundry, etc. All in all he is a great listener and genuinely wants to be a good boy. Cam is such a compassionate little boy and shows a lot of empathy and emotion for animals and people. He wants everyone to be happy and ok. I'm so proud of him.
Another huge event that is currently happening for Cammie is potty training. He is rocking it! With the exception of a few days after California, he is 99% potty trained during the day! I'm soooo excited for him and can't believe my baby isn't wearing diapers! He is extremely proud of himself and wants to tell anyone who will listen that he went potty! He is now recognizing the feeling and sensation of going potty and now has the ability to hold it until we can get to a potty. YAY!
Cammie is loving life right now and couldn't be happier. He plays hard and loves hard. Here is HIS list of his top favorite things this month:
- Fast Cars
- Nona and Papa
- Auntie and Uncle
- Beach
- B and Loey
- Big Trucks
I just love him so much and can't wait to wake up in the morning and share my day with my sweetie. He is such a wonderful son, brother, nephew and grandson. LOVE YOU BUGGY!
Natalie is also growing like a weed! Her 9 month well baby check up is next Thursday (9 month?!?!) and we will find out her stats. She is still a little itty bitty thing - very long and light. Nattie started a growth spurt at the beginning of the month and is finally finishing it up. It was a rough one for all of us (lots of tears, sleepless nights and fussiness). She is now back to waking up only once a night to nurse and is back on the same napping schedule as Cammie. Her nap time is increasing in length, yet she has decreased the amount (now only 2 naps a day instead of 3). Nattie's second tooth made its appearance right next to the bottom front (3 months apart!). Ryan is super sad because he LOVED her one little tooth. HEHE
Nattie poo is officially crawling like crazy! She is ridiculously fast and is now trying to climb the stairs! We never had to worry about stairs when Cammie started to crawl because we were still in the Shoreline rambler. She is incredibly sneaky and gets into absolutely anything and everything (Hence her nickname!). When she is into something she isn't supposed to be, we say, "NATTTTTTIE....NO NO." She slowly turns her head and puts her hand on her little butt with a HUGE smile! It is hysterical! She has quite the personality and is such a sweetie like her brother.
Nattie is definitely a Daddy's Girl and gets physically excited when Ryan gets home. She drops what she is doing (Even nursing) and crawls 100 mph towards him while squealing. It melts us! It is so much fun that we each have a baby that favors us (Cammie is definitely a Mama's Boy - AND I LOVE IT!) Nattie's motor skills are increasing weekly and it definitely appears that she is left handed. She grabs for everything, including food with her left hand (Just like her Nona). Speaking of food, this girl is a little piglet! She eats so much now! She is nursing like a champion still and often (about 8 times a day). In addition to breastmilk, she is eating 3 meals of solids a day, enjoying 3 snacks of cereal, yogurt melts and avocado/banana/mango chunks and sometimes a yogurt. She loves food and is doing so well. She has never turned up her nose to anything and loves to try new foods. I'm making her solid foods just like I did for Cammie : )
I'm so in love with my baby girl and can't imagine my life without her. She is unbelievably snuggly and sweet. Her smile melts my heart and makes me stop and live in the moment a little longer than I did before she was here. She absolutely completes our little family. I LOVE YOU SNEAK!
Seeing both of my babies interacting and playing with each other is a feeling I can't begin to describe. I'm so happy to see them together, loving on each other. Cam is very protective of his little sister and makes sure she is always with him and happy. Nat is constantly following Cam and wants to be his little shadow! I'm one lucky mama!!
As this month comes to a close, I couldn't ask for a better May. I feel spoiled rotten by my family and friends and experiences that I was given this month. As summer starts, I look forward to more playdates, sunshine, pool parties, friend dinners and family get togethers! I hope everyone enjoys their June!
A quick shout out to my amazing Husband - HAPPY 7th ANNIVERSARY Babe! I love you : )
Enjoy May's pictures! HUGS!
