Happy, Happy, Happy

Camden amazes me all the time. I can't believe how much she understands and how much she can convey to us. She copies all that we say and do...so is expanding her knowledge and vocabulary all the time.

She hears a dog...and says, "Woof, woof" to let us know about it.

She wants to eat...and goes to the kitchen and stands in front of her high chair and pats it.

She goes to the computer and points to the on/off button...and shakes her head "No," because she knows she is not suppose to touch it.

But my two favorite thing she says now are "Yummy, yummy, yummy" and "Happy, happy, happy." Obviously the first one is in response to food she has tried - and sometimes if she sees us eating something she wants to try. But the second is just a state of being for her.

The first time I caught her saying it was about 3 weeks ago. I put her in the bath tub for her evening bath and she started saying something in a whisper. I leaned in and heard, "happy, happy, happy." She just kept saying it over and over. I wasn't sure if she meant it or it was just a new babble. But she says it when she gets home and starts playing with her toys. Or when I pick her up in the evening, put her in my lap, and start reading her a book. She actually says it alot. And I would agree...she is a very happy girl...and she just wants to let us know.

She has also started to blow kisses and give lots of hugs and even some real kisses when she wants. She is a very loving, happy, expression little girl.

I have no new pictures today...but was sitting at work thinking of my little sweetheart.

Oh...and she went to the doctor for a check-up (and three more shots)...at 15 months she weighs 23lbs 4oz. and is 31" long. Her head and height are somewhere just shy of the 75th percentile and her weight just above the 50th. Right on track!

A Clown and Her Loot

Camden was a hit on the trick-or-treating circuit in Waveland. We loaded our clown up in her wagon and set off on a beautiful fall evening.

We set out to just see Papaw and Grandma and Grandpa. And they couldn't get enough of the rosy cheeked girl.

Grandma even got Camden a real treat....new boots! She didn't inherit it from me, but this little squirt LOVES her shoes.

Here in this tiny town, people sit on their porches to pass out candy and every home we passed wanted to see the "adorable" clown.

A few of the firemen were out at the volunteer station and, of course, we needed to stop and see them!

At the end of the evening, Camden had quite a stash of candy.

We did let her sample a few bits of her treats (but she had to fight mommy and daddy for the Mounds & Reese's).

We captured a few fun video moments. The first is Camden relishing in her bucket of candy.

I'm not sure where or when she had a lollipop before, but she sure seemed to like it.

Can you understand what she likes even more than candy?

It was such a fun halloween with our silly little clown. We love you!

Happy Halloween

From the clowns in our house.

Pumpkin Carving

I love carving pumpkins. I enjoy the whole process from cleaning out the "guts" to creating the face to roasting the seeds. It's a fun tradition that I want to start with Camden and I was anxious to see how she would react.

She was a little leery at first, standing back from the pumpkin and looking a little concerned.

But then she decided it might be fun to hold the pumpkin. She never has been one to hesitate to do things. She's our little daredevil after all.

Next, I let her see how slimy the seeds felt, thinking she'd get curious.

I was right...it passed the "ohh...interesting" test and she dug right in!

Camden would have played for quite a bit longer, but it was getting late and it was time for a bath. The pumpkin still hasn't gotten carved and the seeds aren't roasted. Plus our evenings are packed the rest of the week. So I guess the rest of the steps of the actual pumpkin carving may have to wait until next year. But judging by her reactions and expressions, Camden is definitely game for this tradition.

15-month Update

Camden passed her 15-month mark on Monday. I can't believe how big she is. She looks so tall! When we look at her with her bears, it is just remarkable how she has changed. Take a look back at last November...a little less than a year ago...and compare it to these pictures.

I really should have choosen a better prop then an empty diaper box, but it was handy!

After the "official" photo shoot, Camden decided to wrestle the big bear...

She makes me smile so hard. What a sweet, sweet face.

Final Visit to Riley

Camden had her final check of her femur at Riley's on Thursday. They printed off the first X-Ray and the one from that visit to show the bone growth. It's almost impossible to tell the difference in these pictures...but amazing on the screen. If you look close on the first one, you can see how it is bent about 1/4 of the way from the top. In the second picture, you can see the bone growth around the fracture.

Okay...maybe you can't see, but trust me it's there! She is healed.

We thank Dr. Caltoum for the wonderful care of Camden from the surgery to put the cast on through the final check.

We stopped at Barnes and Noble after the visit and Camden was in hog heaven. She was non-stop for 30 minutes exploring every book in the children's section.

I finally told her it was time to go (cause I was getting exhausted from picking up after her) and started carrying her out of the section. She put the fingers together from each hand...the sign for "more"...telling me she wanted to stay and look at more books! Gotta love a book lover!

Evening Playtime

Every evening after dinner Camden plays in the living room. She's got a plethera of toys and she explores them all. She also walks around the house...into her bedroom...into the kitchen...into our room. She's in constant motion. Even after her bath, she plays and plays.

One thing she is loving right now is sitting on the other end of the couch from me and leaning against one of the couch pillows. She loves her pillows. She hugs them and pats them and generally wants them near her when she's on the couch. She's also learning to get down from the couch without falling on her head. That's a good thing!

The second thing she is loving to do is put her head down on the ground with her bottom in the air. It's almost like she is starting to do a somersault or a head stand. She gets in that position and then giggles and giggles. I tried to capture a picture of it last night, but she decided since I was on the floor, she'd rather play with me. I didn't complain.

She brought one of her toys and we enjoyed some play time together.


I can hardly stand how cute her feet are! Love, love, love them.