Unbelievable...She's One Month Old!

Could it really be that a month has flown by?

Camden is growing and changing rapidly. She has moved out of her "E.T." phase and is looking more and more like a gorgeous young lady. Though you can't tell in pictures yet, she is getting a bit more hair (hard to tell the color yet) and her eyes look like they are going to turn brown (but who really knows?!?). She had her one month visit with her pediatrician, Dr. Joshi, and is getting to be a porker! She's reached 7 lbs 14 ozs and is 21" long. Grow baby, grow.

Camden was given a little bear in the hospital from her Grandma and Grandpa French. We took a picture of her with it when she was just a few hours old. We are going to take her picture each month with the bear to watch her growth.

She also got a big bear from her cousin Amanda which we thought would also make a fun comparison.

And, what's a blog post without some cute pictures...just because!

New Car

Kevin came home from work yesterday and announced that he didn't think the reliable green stratus was going to make it anymore. Granted, we had been driving hundreds of miles a day - literally...when we both are working, we put 192 miles every work day on it. That translates to approximately 1000 miles each week...or 40,000 miles since last October. We'd been putting it off for months, but the inevitable was here. Now, however, we had a newborn baby to tag along which made test driving really fun! So we called Aunt Carole, who willingly took Camden for the day while we went shopping. It's important to note that this was the first time since she was born that Camden has not been in my immediate surroundings. BIG day for momma!

And, Kevin was right. While driving from one dealership to another, the car broke down. After a brief cool-down, it started up enough to limp into the next dealership, where we bought our new/used 2008 Buick LaCrosse. It is bright red (ugh, but slowly growing on me) and is loaded with leather interior, heated seats, individual climate control...gorgeous!

Getting clean is a tough job

Camden's cord fell off on Wednesday, August 20, so it was time to give her a real bath. Just like her previous sponge baths, she just loved getting naked and being put into water. Hopefully it won't be too long before she does enjoy bathtime. Maybe we're biased, but we think she's adorable even when she screams.











She sure is relieved that bath time is done. It's almost a smile!

Wings and things

Camden has been out to several places to eat, but we wanted to record her first visit to Buffalo Wild Wings. "B-Dubs" is our favorite place to go in the fall for football...oh, who am I kidding...this is one of our favorite places to go any time of the year. The newest phenomenom in dining out is that the waitress has to come back four and five times because everyone is stopping to coo over Camden and we don't get a chance to look at the menu. What can we say...she is a cutie!

Dr. Hoversland

Gina has a terrific doctor. He is laid-back, funny, kind, and a brillant physician. Because of a few minor complications from the C-section, we've had to have more follow-up visits than usual. We don't mind, though, because we like to see Dr. Hoversland and his wonderful nurses. They have taken such good care of Mommy before and after Camden was born. We are grateful for such wonderful people!

And despite how it looks, Camden really likes him too!

Over the river and through the woods...

...to Great Grandmother's house we go. Well, over the state line at least. Kevin's extended family lives in Illinois and we wanted to visit Grandma Beasley while Camden was still just a little newborn. So we traveled to Fairfield, Illinois for the night on Wednesday. Camden ate just before we left, slept perfectly sound the entire 3-hour drive, and awoke just in time for wake-up stretches before her great grandmother got her lovin' in. She held and rocked and kissed her latest great-grandbaby to her hearts content.

Then we had visits from Great Aunt Linda (yes, Camden has two of them) and Great Aunt Thelma. After all the attention, Camden slept for two 5 hour stents, so Mommy and Daddy got a really good night sleep, too!

Cousin Vicki stopped the next morning and gave her stamp of approval.

Camden loved being at her great Grandmother's house and can't wait to visit at Thanksgiving so she can be in Grandma Beasley's arms again!

Big Brother

This past weekend, Camden got to spend a little more time with her big brother Austin. The first thing he did when he held her was stick out his tongue at her. Typical 14-year old reaction! He did a great job holding her and she seemed to enjoy the time in his arms.

Camden's Nursery

Two weeks before Camden arrived, my wonderful sister Carole, cousin Melinda, and girlfriend Ashley gave me a shower. Besides spending time with family and friends that I love, getting terrific gifts that we use constantly, and eating wonderful food, everyone helped create pieces of art to be displayed in Camden's nursery.

She has a jungle theme, so all the paintings reflect that. Several people worked together on small canvases, then one large mural was created. That one is titled, "It's a jungle out there."

In addition, we refinished a changing table that Kevin's friend and co-worker, Gabby and his wife gave us. We love the nursery and think of our family and friends every time we are in there.

And Camden loves all the wonderful animals she has received...especially the monkey that Grandma Pat made her.

Camden and Bill

One of Kevin's best friend's, Bill, and his family came to see her on Thursday. Camden and Bill hit it off immediately...she promptly filled her diaper which leaked onto his shirt. The sad (but funny) part was it was a very runny, dirty diaper! The spot tells the story...

Daytona and Cheyenne picked out her first pair of shoes. Camden will have to grow a bit, but they are adorable.

Meet you at Arni's

On Wednesday, August 13th, we said "see you later" to our dear friend Lora who is moving to Denver. She has been one of my dearest friends the past three years. She threw a fun party at Arni's, and we got to enjoy pizza, juniors, and friends. Several other "Frinks" pals were there and got to meet Camden.

We will miss you tremendously, Lora, and wish you all the best. Please, please, please visit often!

Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric

Probably one of the biggest joys we have is watching Camden be loved on by our family. Gina's sister Carole and her husband Ric are two people who will generously spoil our little girl - and we welcome it! They were able to come spend the day with us last Saturday. Daddy and Ric went golfing while the girls stayed at home and rested. Then we all headed to our favorite local pizza place, called "Up the Creek" for dinner and ice cream.

Even Camden got a bite...ha ha ha. Don't worry, it is a staged photo.

There was even a live band, so Mommy and Camden did a little dancing.

All and all, a good time was had by everyone. We can't wait for more fun evenings with Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric.