Ferdinand

One of my favorite stories growing up was that of Ferdinand the Bull. In old country Spain, there was a young Bull who just liked to sit under a tree and smell the flowers, while the other bulls his age liked to fight and demonstrate their strength. One day, some scouts came to Ferdinand's field looking for the next bull to fight in Madrid. Ferdinand wasn't interested in being chosen, so he went to sit under his tree instead. When he sat down, he sat on a bee, who promptly stung him right in the behind! Feeling the sting, Ferdinand started bucking about like a mad - uh - bull? So much so, that the scouts decided that Ferdinand would be the bull to take to Madrid. When he got there, he didn't want to be chased or prodded, he just wanted to see all the nice Spanish ladies with flowers in their hair!

I suppose that I always felt like Ferdinand growing up, which is probably why I was never good at sports! Instead, I preferred cheerleading, where I could wear a cute outfit and put sparkles in my hair. Now, I'm not sayin' Camden is going to be like Ferdinand, but our trip to an empty field this afternoon reminded me of that friendly bull.

Since the weather was relatively warm today, I took Camden out for a little mini "photo shoot." I must say that there is a reason why many people do not take many pictures of their children at this age (or perhaps it's just my son?!), or maybe it's the reason I choose not to photograph many children of this age for my business: it's near impossible. I'm thankful that we were in an empty field, because the sounds I was making to try and get Cam to merely look in my direction were quite embarrassing and obnoxious. I managed a couple, but really all the boy wanted to do was pick the straw grass up and throw it. Towards the end, we found some dandelions, which he found hilarious when he tried to blow them.

Ugh. And can someone please return my baby? Because I seem to have a big boy on my hands here. How did he get so big?!

Can his hair stay like this forever, please? It's so wispy and soft. I vowed I'd never cut it, but people were beginning to call him a girl, so I had to give in... only a little. I still love it long like this!

In an effort to have him hold still for .25 seconds, I asked him where the cow went. He looked at me puzzled, then gave me the sign for "where." Good boy.

He's saying "wun, wun, wun!" (run, run, run). He's quite fast when he runs, too.

18 Months + Thanksgiving

Now that it's almost Camden's 19 month birthday, I figured I'd better blog his 18 month pictures before I officially win Bad Mother of the Year!

We've had a busy month... I wrapped up my last wedding for 2012, and the last wedding before Baby Sister arrives in March! I'm now swimming in thousands of pictures I've taken over the last several weeks...all of which need to be edited! Bobby is trying to finish up his capstone project to finish his Master's Degree. His weekends have been spent in the basement in front of a laptop. Oh, and Camden? He's been busy learning how to do this:

Oh Boy.

This month was fun-filled for our energetic, little boy indeed! He received his first hair cut right before Thanksgiving, clocked lots of hours playing with Jack-Jack, his closest cousin, switching from his crib into a "big boy" toddler bed, and learning how to jump off high surfaces.

I'm so thankful for him in so many ways, and every day he fills my heart with joy! But some days, I just need some patience, and a heart for swift discipline and teaching. This boy would shoot himself out of a cannon if he had one. Apart from jumping off of high surfaces (like his tricycle seat, steps, his bed, the toilet....), I made the mistake of showing him how to do a forward roll. Yes, my pregnant self is still able to do a summersault! Not easily, I might add. However, Camden thinks it's the greatest thing and insists I keep showing him. He still needs assistance (thankfully), but we have our nightly floor show for Daddy when he gets home from work. Mostly it ends in uncontrollable laughter and a bruised tailbone (all at my expense, of course), but gosh, I love to hear my boys laugh!

A lot like the little Christmas lights we'll be stringing around the house, our boy has been putting words together a lot more this month! "Meow ow-side....coooooldddd!" and "No toushhh 'bacuum,' no no" (no touch, vacuum) are among the most popular.

He still loves his Mickey Mouse, which we watch every morning at breakfast! He also loves Grandma's  "nano" (piano), Nana's "how-sh" (house), and most importantly, "choco-lat."

After his 18 month check up, he weighed in at 24 pounds and 32 inches tall. Still very, very shy around Men and not too interested in Potty Training yet.

On Another Note:

We had a great Thanksgiving, full of family time and traveling! We spent the whole weekend up in Baltimore/Severna Park with both of our families. It was nice to see everyone and catch up. I feel like we've been so busy this summer and fall that we've hardly seen anyone! I'm thankful to be back at home and listening to my Christmas music once again :) Can you believe Christmas is less than a month away?!

Hope you all had a great Holiday and are now filled with the Christmas spirit!

Dear Camden...

Dear Camden,

Eighteen months ago, you were a glimmer in Daddy's and my eye. We spent countless hours talking about you, planning for your arrival, and dreaming of what you'd be like when you got older... We listened to your very heartbeat at every doctor's appointment with our breath held, making sure everything was just fine. We worried about what kind of parents we'd be to you, and how we could be the best and give you everything we possibly could.

When you arrived, our worlds ended and new ones came about. Before, it was just Daddy and Me. Now, it was the "three of us." How thrilled we were, and how perfectly you fit right into our lives. Even Killian was happy that you were here... that is, until you started to move about! Your newborn days were precious, and we spent every minute we could just staring at you, studying every finger, squishing every cheek, kissing every toe, and holding you so very close.

I dreamed for May 3rd, 2011 to come my entire life. I will admit that I was nervous. How would we raise you to love Jesus and to know His goodness and kindness in such a world full of sin? How could we protect you from our own sin? I will not remind you of this when you are a teenager, but Mama and Daddy are poor sinners, too. We all make mistakes, but thankfully love - HIS love - gives us hope that those mistakes will not do us in. Now after eighteen months of being your Mama, I can find more comfort in that than ever before.

You are cute as can be, and so SO smart. But darling, when you flush your Thomas the Tank train down the toilet so it gets stuck, or when you scale my pantry shelves to get to the chocolate, I need to call on Jesus for some patience. You are learning, too, and it's our job to teach you things that are right and wrong. I must say, that I never thought I'd have to teach anyone NOT to eat the week-old crumbs from under the dining table!

My little sunshine, you are most certainly our Light. Although sometimes you are far too busy to give us a hug or a kiss, the lovin' you do give out is cherished endlessly. We know that you love the moment Dada walks through the door from work, or that there are times when all you need is your Mama. We so enjoy watching you grow and learn, from the minute you wake up and ask for your "mulk" (milk), to the minute your tired - but still watching - eyes hit the pillow at night. Our Cup overflows with love and joy.

At eighteen months, you are the busiest little boy. Lover of hiding in homemade tents, flashlights, "Meow" (Killian Kitty), lawnmowers in the grass, bath time, vacuums and singing, you never stop exploring and learning. Although you never sit still long enough to read a book, somehow, you speak and repeat like you were born to talk! I never thought hearing you say (or at least attempt to say) words would be such a sweet sound to my ears. I just keep waiting for the day you will say "I love you, Mama." 

Dada and I love you beyond any measure. And these last eighteen months have been the best we've ever known. What was life without you, my Sweet? With a new baby sister on the way, I can only imagine what a fun and creative big brother you will turn out to be! Love Jesus, my dear, and hold Mama's songs close to your heart. Love EVERYBODY. Be kind, strong, and keep your curious spirit. Do not be discouraged by the darkness in this world, but instead bring light to it by sharing the joy you already have in your happy, little heart.

Happy 18 Months, Sweet Little "Can-Nin" (what you call yourself). We love you,

Mama & Dada
Killian and Mr. Turtle, too :)

4 Months Deep

Still high on the fact that we are going to have a little girl, the last month has flew by. Although not really... I'm now 18 weeks along (which I'm aware is a bit more than 4 months, but pregnancy calculations are weird) and the sickness/energy level was supposed to even out. Not for this Mama. For the most part, the sickness goes in waves. One minute I'll feel fine and could eat anything (except for chicken), and the next, all I can manage is a bowl of cereal.

As with last pregnancy, I am swearing off the scale. I'm determined not to over-do it in the indulgence department with food, however. Since hardly have the energy to get us all dressed in the morning, I'm usually ready for a nap with Camden by the afternoon...which means, exercise has taken a back-seat. Yes, my friends, poor habits. Fear not, because I am doing my best and Bobby is very supportive. I'm hoping that once wedding season is over and I have my life back, I will have a bit more energy to do more of the right things.

Confession over.

My tummy is definitely growing. The picture compared with last month's is a small difference, but I certainly feel it in my clothes! The uterus has moved a bit higher, so I'm not just lower-belly anymore. About on cue with Camden's pregnancy, at just about 18 weeks, I was able to feel the baby move for the first time!! This was my favorite part about being pregnant, and I'm so excited I get to experience it all over again! They are still very small flutters, felt mainly when resting or after a meal, but miraculous nonetheless.

Nothing much more to report in the prego department this month! Thank the Lord for my good health! I have so much to be thankful for.

17 Months: "Baby" Cam

A baby no more, our little toddler is all over the place these days. I must confess that I missed his 16 month picture, so we don't have a comparison for last month. Oops! I blame Baby #2 and the fact that I could hardly wake up for the past 8 or so weeks.

Anyway, if you see Camden now, he will be most likely running... not walking... running to the nearest ball or wheel: two of his favorite things these days. He likes anything with "weeo-weeo-weeo"'s and the sight of them will surely stop him in his tracks. If another person tells me he's going to be an engineer, I think I might combust.

Bath time is extra fun these days... with all the splashing, pouring water out of the tub, bubble-blowing practice (face IN the water). The bath is his "hot pool" and he does not sit still. We've diverted to giving him baths in our big tub just to give him some extra space to "swim." Regardless, he wants to use "doap" to wash himself, and as directed, will wash any body part you name! He can also tell you every feature on your face: "eeoh-eeoh" for ear, "noooose" for nose, "eyes, "wips" for lips, and a very hard knock on your forehead to demonstrate how hard your forehead is.

Camden and Killian have become the best of friends over the past few weeks. Camden will come in our bed every morning to drink his milk and lay right next to Killian. Before he can drink his milk, he MUST have Henry (or "May-Mi," his stuffed monkey) give Killian a very chaste "kiss." Camden will stuff a variety of things down Killian's cat door in the basement. And Cam will wait for Killian by his cat door some mornings. When Killian enters through his little kitty door, he'll sit down next to Camden, and Cam will proceed to name every body part of Killian as well. Including his "toooeeesss" which are very sharp (Cam makes a surprised/scared face at this word).

I must say that this child does not stop talking. Although he isn't speaking in sentences or anything, he knows a LOT of words and says them. In the last 2 weeks or so, he's begun to put words together: mamas shoes, nice kitty, get down, milk please, etc.

Right now, he's jumping around in his room (surprisingly NOT talking to himself or Henry)... his other favorite thing to do. He can now get off the ground with both feet, which I'm told is a milestone. Either way, this boy thinks he's a frog.

In regards to his baby sister on the way (wow, I'm really going to have a second child?! Why do I still feel like I'm in high school?), he'll wave to my belly every morning and he tries to say "seeeester." He really has no clue what's going on, so it'll be interesting to see how a child so small will handle not being the only one anymore!

Here are a few pictures of our guy this past week. Can he just stop growing?!

Watching Mickey Mouse, his favorite show in the mornings after breakfast.

Eating his snack off the floor.

Buddies.

This was the cutest thing. Bobby was cutting the grass last night and Cam immediately took out his lawn mower and followed Bobby all around the yard. It was so funny.

"Weeo-weeo-weeos!"

Sometimes when I have shoots in the evenings, Bobby will watch Camden while he and his friends work out in the garage. Camden LOVES it and even tries to help with the little weights. Don't worry, a spotter is there at all times so no weights aren't dropped on little toes! He just likes to mimic Daddy.

It's a... GIRL!

We were escorted into a dark and quiet room. Camden at my side with an apple slice in each hand, and Bobby a step behind me. Candles all around, and soothing music filled the air. I saw the giant bed, and large sonogram machine right beside it. Bobby took his place in the comfortable couch next to the bed to get his first look at our second child. I always love watching his face at moments like this... moments that we will remember for all of our lives. Camden's birth was one of them. But now, we get to see our new baby, Camden's first sibling. 

A messy squirt of the warm jelly (sounds good, right?) was slathered over my burgeoning baby bump, and with a soft prod of the sonogram wand, our sweet, tiny baby was up on the screen. Magic. It always amazes me and never grows old. We explained to Camden, "Look! A new baby in Mama's tummy!" He climbs up next to me (apple slices still in hand) and puts his head on my belly... dipping his hair in the nice, warm jelly. Awesome. 

We had just eaten lunch in the car on the way up. I was pretty tired, as I always am right after lunch, and so was our sweet Little. It wasn't moving much, so we poked and rolled over from side to side... trying to get the baby to open his or her legs! After all, today was the day we were going to find out if that little baby was a boy or a girl. 

After some time, the baby was finally cooperating. I didn't think much of why it was taking so long for the sonogram technician to find the very important anatomy! I was just enjoying the show. Camden was babbling off about something, when the lady announced: 

"You can share your apple slices soon with your new baby... SISTER!" 

What?! This surprise was just as unexpected as finding out we were pregnant! A girl?! Bobby's family doesn't make girls! I always just assumed we would have another boy. But a girl?! All of a sudden, I got choked up and began to cry. I had always prayed for a girl... someone to give my doll house to, play American Girls and Barbie's with, go shopping with... and the Lord has answered my prayers. 

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." - 1 Samuel 1:27

We are feeling richly blessed around the Barrick House these days. Although we still have a ways to go, I know the time will fly by. Preparations will begin soon, but for now, we are relishing that fact that we will add a sweet baby GIRL to complete our family of FOUR. Thank you, Lord. 

Here are some pictures we got back from the sonogram. 

Proof!

SURPRISE!

...weeeeeee'reee PREGNANT!

While completely a surprise, Bobby, Camden and I are totally thrilled. Baby Barrick #2 is on the way!

Despite the rumors, we did not get pregnant in Paris. However, less than a week after arriving back home from our trip of a lifetime, I went in for my yearly exam. When the doctor entered the room, she was beaming with a big "Congratulations!!" Having simply no idea what she was referring to, she further explained that I was pregnant.

Uhh... excuse me?!

So here we are... morning (which is actually all-day) sickness and exhaustion in full swing (much worse than I remember being with Camden), Baby #2 is about 12 weeks along, making his or her arrival pegged for March 9, 2013!

Bobby is taking myself and our little monkey to the beach for a week, where we can spend some quality time together, digging our toes in the sand, playing in the waves, and really enjoying our last summer as a family of three.

Au revoir!

15 Months + Black Eyes

It is no secret that I have a tiny Monkey on my hands. Camden is slight in figure if you've never seen him in person... skinny as can be, but very tall. This allows him to move around quickly and climb like crazy on lots of things I never thought possible.

Today at the pool, while I had my feet dipped in the baby pool with Camden pouring water on my hands, I shut my eyes *for two seconds* and enjoyed getting some sun in peace. All of a sudden, I'm tapped on the shoulder by a very young girl who says to me "excuse me, but I think your baby might fall off." PANIC! I turn around and Camden has scaled the baby pool fence and is sitting like a King on top of the fence. Once he catches my eye, he gives me the BIGGEST grin I've ever seen and bucks back-and-forth like a baby seal who has just learned a new trick.

*breathe*

Our time at home is not much different. He climbs into buckets, behind our couch, all over his crib.... thankfully he is confident and does not seem to be prone to falling. Should I be thankful for that!?

Anyway, our little guy is 15 months old now and he is learning so much. He surprises me every day with a new word he's learning, or just how much he mimics us. I really do not give him enough credit when I ought.

Since we saw the doctor for his milestone check-up, here are a couple of his stats:

- Height: 33 inches (97th percentile)
- Weight: 22 pounds, 5 ounces (25th percentile)

New sign language motions: helicopter, thank you, your welcome, water, car, bike, help, more and please (performing these consistently now)

Words (loosely pronounced, but used in the correct context): Truck, tractor, vacuum, bathroom, fan, cheerio, cereal, bum, diaper, doctor, phone, game, Jeep, help, cheese, water, pool, balloon, etc.

He eats his food mostly independently with a spoon and fork, but doesn't quite drink from a cup without spilling it everywhere. He RUNS everywhere, call the cat to "come" like we do by making kissing noises, snapping, patting our legs, etc. He's into hugging and kissing (only when he wants to), and is still very, very shy around most men.

You will notice in a couple of pictures that  my poor baby has a black eye with a big scratch next to it. I think it makes him look a little rugged ;) He had a run-in with the corner of a bed frame but thankfully is just fine!

Stop growing little boy, I'm just madly in love with you now (of course I always will be)!

Camden's new thing: praying. It melts my heart each time. When he's tucked into bed at night, we pray together, then I tell him to pray with Henry (gets him to close his eyes!). Before each meal, lately, he'll fold his hands and bow his head, poke one eye open to see what I'm doing, then immediately shouts the most gleeful "AMEN" you've ever heard!

"AMEN!!"

See? Pure Monkey. I don't know what he's doing here or how that could be comfortable, but he's only a foot off the ground so it doesn't bother me.

Peek-a-boo. Pleasing babies and toddlers for generations (please note the toes sticking out in the left photo).