Bring On The Holidays!

Hi Family and Friends!  Can you believe it's already the end of November?!  I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours was.  It's crazy to think that 2014 is almost over - I feel like this year went by extremely fast!  November was a lot of fun and fairly busy.  The biggest news this month is RYAN AND HEATHER GOT MARRIED!!!!!!  It was a fantastic day that was filled with so much love and joy!  I have never been a part of such a laid back wedding that was so well organized and amazingly executed.  The kids had a great time getting all dressed up and being with family all day and night.  Unfortunately Nattie didn't want to walk down the aisle with Cammie in her cute tutu dress - but she looked pretty adorable being carried by Daddy.  Both kids were abnormally cranky during the reception and it turns out that they were getting colds! Poor things...  Ryan looked Dapper for his bride and Heather looked like an angel.  They were perfect.  Congrats love birds - we adore you!

November was a lot of fun for the kids.  I think they enjoy the cooler weather more and enjoy being outside.  If it isn't raining, we are out for our mid morning walk around the neighborhood.  Cameron loves collecting leaves and Natalie loves holding onto them (of course if it's from brother!)  We fed the ducks at Lake Meridian several times and even had the playground to ourselves!  Cammie wrapped up soccer classes and started swimming lessons on Sundays.  December is going to be insanely busy but FUN!

Cammie has changed a lot this month.  Ryan and I are starting to realize that he isn't a little baby anymore - he is a full on little boy!  The way he speaks is absolutely amazing to listen to.  He is constantly asking questions and wants to know why things are the way they are.  Cam needs to have the honest answer to his questions and can tell when you aren't telling him the truth.  I have to agree with other moms now that age 3 is more trying than age 2.  Cammie is at a sensitive age where he wants to be independent and do things on his own yet is still too small.  He can't reach the sink without help and a stool, he still needs help going to the bathroom and sometimes feeding himself.  We are trying really hard to grant him independence yet keep order and control over our house.

Cam is having a difficult time with Nattie being so mobile now.  He is usually very good at sharing but has been lacking patience with her lately.  I can understand why he gets frustrated, but he needs to learn to be more tolerant.  Sigh...  This too shall pass...  I think it must be a boy thing too.  I always envisioned having my older child snuggling and kissing my younger one.  Not the case!!!

As I said before, Cammie started swim lessons this month and is absolutely LOVING it!!  Every Sunday, Ryan and Cam do a parent and child swim class at the Covington Pool.  They have such a great time and laugh and smile the entire time!  It is so cute to watch them interacting like that and having quality time together.  Cam is a great little swimmer and is completely fearless!  He is the only one that willingly jumps into the pool like a flying squirrel!  I'm so proud of my little monkey man!!

Another big announcement this month is Cam has started potty training at night!!  He wants to wear his cool big boy undies 24/7 and thinks diapers are for babies.  So far so good - and of course there has been accidents but he is doing extremely well.  This is probably the most stressful part of potty training so far.  I honestly can't wait for this to be over!  From the beginning, we have let Cammie take control of the potty training.  We don't push him and let him tell us when and if he wants to wear undies.  We are so unbelievably proud of him for being such a brave little guy and consider ourselves very lucky.  As a reward for being so great at Potty training at night, Ryan and I decided to take the kids to "Disney On Ice"  The kids loved it!!  I've never seen Nattie dance so much in her life!

Natalie has also changed a lot this month and is enjoying being mobile.  She is now running around after brother and loves to play Hide and Seek with Daddy and brother.  She is actually very good at finding them - I enjoy sitting back and watching them play.  Nattie loves to copy Cammie 100 % of the time and recently has started dancing like him.  She spins around and moves her hands like he does and it literally makes me beam with pride seeing them both dancing around together.  Cameron has a special outfit he likes to put on when he wants to dance and now Natalie does too!  Cammie puts on his red jeans, Monsters Inc tee, UW socks and a hat.  Nattie chose a pair of footie jammies, a hat and leg warmers - MELT!  They crack me up!

Nattie is still working on her verbal skills and says "Oh No!" and "Oh Cool!" the most.  She has said "Mama" "Nona" "Papa" "Dada" but they come up very rarely.  I'm not concerned yet with her little verbal communication because she is very active physically - Cammie was the opposite.  Nat trying to talk sounds like her own special language and is quite entertaining to listen to.  Papa is the only person that speaks her language and they seem to communicate back and forth - TOO CUTE!!

Natalie is still very long and lean and has an appetite like a grown up!  She has yet to turn up her nose to anything and especially loves whole foods like an apple, carrot or a waffle.  I think the bigger, colder items help her with teething.  Speaking of that, Nattie cut 5, YES 5 teeth this month!!  The poor thing got 4 molars at once and a front tooth all in the same week.  We had absolutely no idea and she handled it like a little champ.  I am beyond proud of the little girl she has become and I can't wait to celebrate the holidays with her this year.

Both kids are doing so well and I can't believe how big they are getting.  They are both in critical transitions and seem to be excelling which makes me very happy.  The holidays should be a lot of fun this year because they are both interactive and excited for upcoming events.  We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!!

Love to all!