Hello 2015!

Hi everyone!  I hope this post finds everyone happy and HEALTHY!  What a cold and flu season we are having this year!  We usually get away with Cammie catching a little cold but this year, all 4 of us have had multiple sicknesses since the end of December.  We have battled Bronchitis, Croup, Viruses and the stomach flu.  We are beyond ready for Spring time to show its face.  The worst part about being sick is not being able to fully rest up and heal.  Life goes on and the kids need to eat, laundry needs to get done and chores start adding up.  The worst part about the kids being sick is not being able to do much for them.  There isn't a lot of cold/flu medicine relief for the lovies because they are so little.  Thankfully, I am very into home remedies and believe that the natural way is best.  I also have an advantage - my mom was the best when my brother and I were sick.  I learned a few tricks from her over the years and still remember them after 30 years!  Change sheets every 2 days, fresh jammies, opening the window in our bedrooms when we went to rest in my mom's bed.  Make a little bed on the couch with blankets, lots of fluids, hot steamy showers, little snacks, vicks on the feet with warm socks. Chapstick under noses, sinus rubs and most importantly, lots and lots of snuggles and kisses.  I hope my kids have the same feeling as I did when my mama took care of me.  Even to this day when I get sick, I really want my mama.  Hopefully we will be done with sicknesses soon and we can continue LIFE!

January was an unusual month for us (because of the sickness stated earlier).  We celebrated Cameron's birthday with his friends on January 4th.  We decided to treat him and have his party at a place called "Bounce It Up 360".  It is a giant warehouse that is filled with multiple bouncy houses and games.  The kids had such a great time and it was so much fun to see Cam play with his friends and be the center of attention.  We served cupcakes, ice cream and juice for the guests and the theme he chose was "CONSTRUCTION".  I think everything turned out great and it was nice to celebrate somewhere else and not have to clean up!  Cammie decided that for his birthday, he wanted his friends to bring animal food for him to donate to the Seattle Humane Society in lieu of gifts.  He became interested in animals without homes when we read him a Christmas book "Jingle the Husky Pup".  In the book, Jingle didn't have a home and Cammie was very upset.  We had a long talk about how some animals don't have homes and need help until they find their perfect forever family.  Cam's friends were VERY generous and brought a lot of food, treats and a toy for cats and dogs.  Cammie was beyond excited to drop off the food at the Humane Society.  You could tell he was very proud and knew that he was helping.  We were incredibly proud of him and told anyone who would listen!  If he is doing this at 3, I cannot wait to see what he will do later in his life.  BIG THINGS!

Both lovies started swimming lessons at the YMCA pool in Auburn this month.  Cameron has graduated to the big class and is now swimming with other toddlers and a coach (I think Daddy misses it).  It is fun to see him interact with another adult and follow instructions.  It's crazy how trusting toddlers are and honestly a bit scary.  So far he is doing very well and is loving it.  Natalie is in a parent and tot class (Ryan and I alternate every week so we both get a chance to watch Cammie and be with Nattie).  She is loving it and can't wait to get into the pool.  She is the only little girl in the class with about 9 boys!  It is adorable to see her in her little swim suit.  She thinks she is big like her brother.  We are going to keep the kids going in swimming probably year round and add sports to our schedule for Cameron this year.  Next up is going to be T-Ball!!  I cannot wait to see our little man in action!  Ryan was throwing out the idea of maybe coaching his team.  Love it.

Cammie has grown leaps and bounds this month.  I feel like after his birthday, he is speaking so much clearer and is negotiating when he feels wronged.  I wouldn't say he challenges us all the time but he definitely tries to get the situation to favor him.  My wish has come true and Cam and Nat are now playing harmoniously together (with the occasional fight of course).  It feels good to put on a movie in the playroom and let them play together upstairs while I'm making dinner or cleaning up.  I finally feel like I has control over the house again and everyone is working together.

Cam has always been an extremely sensitive, sweet and serious boy.  Lately he is starting to show his goofy side and the things he comes up with are hilarious.  Most nights, Ryan and I lay in bed with Cammie and crack up because of the things that he either does or says.  I don't know where he gets these things from but they are 100% toddler and true.  His little giggle makes me so happy and there is no where I would rather be than with him.  For the last 2 months or so, Cammie requires that we "Snuggle Cuddle" with him until he is ready to go to sleep.  At first it was very time consuming and all I could think of was the chores I had to do before getting ready for "Me Time".  Now I understand that it is his way of showing me that he wants to spend time with me.  I find that this is the time when he is the most open and expressive.  We talk about our day, what we liked, what we didn't; We make up stories and talk about things that are going to happen tomorrow.  Most nights he drifts off to sleep either holding my hand or cuddled up against my body.  I have learned to drop absolutely everything and breathe him in.  Soon he will be too cool to snuggle mama, too busy, too old.  This time is everything to me.

Cammie wanted to include his favorite things this month.  He really enjoys putting his twist on this part!

1.  Mac N Cheese
2.  Curious George
3.  Mighty Machines
4.  Construction Vehicles
5.  Hide N Seek with Daddy and Nat
6.  Library Books
7.  Nona, Papa, Lucy and Charlie
8. Drinking Milk
9.  Dancing to the COPS Theme song "Bad Boys" and singing "I believe I can Fly"
10.  Swimming with Coach

He also wanted to include Nattie's favorite things (as told by Cam)

Frozen
Elmo's Song
Minnie Mouse
Wearing Shoes
Blueberries
Dresses
Swimming
Lovie and binkie

Speaking of Nattie, she is quite the little miss.  She has an incredible personality and is really starting to become a little girl.  I'm very torn.  On one hand, I'm super excited for her to be able to communicate and express herself more.  I can't wait to see what she is interested in, what she will pick out to wear by herself and what toys she will want.  On the other hand, I'm extremely sad that my little girl is growing up.  She is most likely our last baby and I feel like things have went by much faster than they did with Cammie.  I don't feel like I have given her enough one on one attention : (
I'm sure a lot of parents feel like I do.  It is just a part of growing up and embracing every moment, small or large.

Like I said before, Nattie has a great personality that shines from the time she wakes up until she goes to sleep.  She is much more dramatic than Cammie and LOVES to lay it on thick!  Both lovies are sensitive but Nat is extremely.  She is very cuddly and enjoys finding a place on our laps to snuggle.  She will watch an entire show laying in my arms and I secretly melt inside with love.  Having two children that are very different has been challenging, but honestly I feel like I have the two best kids in the world.

Natalie is still not communicating much.  The only words she really says are "Uh Oh" "Oh No" "MiMi" (Minnie) "Papa" "Mama"  She only says these words when SHE WANTS TO and will not do it when we ask.  Honestly, she won't do much unless she wants to!!  Nattie is very strong willed and I have a wonderful feeling that she is going to grow into a strong woman one day.

Not to sound superficial or anything but OMG the cuteness factor with Natalie is UNBELIEVABLE!! Sometimes I just stare at her with a huge smile on my face and say to myself, "I can't believe she's mine."  Her strawberry blonde hair is getting longer and is so much fun to play with.  I put her hair up in high pig tails, low pig tails, whale spout (one pony on top) and half up and down.  She has the cutest body language and is very wiggly and coordinated, especially when she dances (favor music right now is Salsa and Reggae - WHAT?!)  I really can't get enough of her and love hearing her wake up in the morning.  I couldn't imaging starting my day without hearing Cammie go into Nat's room and say, "Hi Nattie - How did you sleep?" over the monitor. MMMEEEELLLLLLTTTTTT!

As my close family and friends know, I have been struggling with back problems for a year now.  It is extremely hard to sleep, walk, move or even get up in the morning.  I have to say that getting up with my kids is the only thing that keeps me going.  I love our morning routines and can't wait to hear their little voices.  I am the luckiest mama on this planet.

To finish up this entry, here are this month's pictures.  Have a great February and GO HAWKS!!!!