A Glimpse

It's usually pretty quiet around here during the day. After sweet Camden's first nap, however, the house is filled with giggles and wide-mouthed smiles. When Bobby gets home, there is even more laughter.

My heart is full.

I do not take pictures on a daily basis with my big camera. As shocking as that may be, it is just sometimes downright inconvenient. Since Camden is starting to move around a lot more, it's much easier for me to just take pictures with my iPhone. It's been REALLY nice because I can take video with that too. Camden's grandparents (both sets) will likely receive a weekly video or a picture here-and-there. Since we're far away from our families, I want them to feel like they can watch him grow up during the week...not just on special occasions.

So here you are, world. If you are on Facebook, you've probably already seen most of these. Just wanted to share with those who care to have a look into our days together :)

For those of you that will freak out when you see this next picture, he was only like that for a second while I took a picture. He could still breathe :) His poor, little neck was just tired!

Hot, summer, Maryland evening at the Pier on Solomons Island.

Killian really wants nothing to do with Camden. This is a good thing...except Camden wants everything to do with Killian. It should be interesting watching these two together!

So serious.

Me and my boy in stripes!

Bobby loves spending time with Camden in the morning. I love these tender moments. He is such a good Dad already.

Cam & Jack... taking a walk. Can you see the resemblance? I think their eyes look similar. I can't wait for these two to grow up together.

Our little hurricane party! We buckled down in the basement when Irene hit and had some fun times together.

3 of 5 boy cousins (on my side of the family). We went for breakfast before school at Chick-fil-a last week while I was visiting. I've never seen two pre-teen boys get out of bed so fast when they heard Chick-Fil-A was for breakfast! (This is Adam - left and Jacob - right, for those of you wondering).

Sweet sleep.

Little Heart.

This one melts my heart. I love his smile.

Kitty for Sale!! Our first baby hanging out at our yard sale.

Hope everyone has a great week!

14 Weeks

Every day is something new. And every day is a new day.

Since Camden was born, I haven't felt that complete exhaustion that so many people talk about. Maybe that's because he's not terribly mobile yet... I know, I know. It's coming. For now, I'm enjoying my baby who just likes to stand up on my legs and smile at me because I'm his mama.

Every morning is precious and I will cherish it until the day I die. Around 6am every morning, I hear a little song bird down the hall. I go to his crib and there is a big, toothless grin waiting for me. Once he sees me, his legs kick like crazy. We go back to our bed and nurse. He doesn't nurse for long in the mornings, but I think it's because he's just so excited to see us. He spends the next 20 minutes smiling, standing, burping, and just being downright adorable. We kiss Daddy good morning, sing a few songs, then head downstairs to make breakfast and lunch for Bobby. As soon as Daddy is out the door, it's back to bed for me and Camden. We cuddle up in the fluffiest blanket we can find, Camden sucks that pacifier until there's no tomorrow, and we're both out like a light at 7:30am sharp.

Now that he's a little over 3 months old, he enjoys being on his belly more and more. On his 3 month birthday, our sweet boy rolled over for the first time! We had some friends over when he did it, so she is my witness (Nicole, right!?)! He did it again for Bobby later that evening. Of course, he won't do it for me while I'm trying to record it.

So for this week's picture, I'm showing you how he likes to be now: on his belly. He's also a side-sleeper now instead of his back, but we won't tell anyone :) Also, there's a video of Camden playing. Nothing much, just him and his toys and his adorable "kicky feet." I love him.

This is as close as Killian will come to Camden. And this is the ONLY time he's ever come this close to him. We make kitty noises all the time...he loves "Meow!" Killian - not amused. I don't think Camden is so sure of him yet.

Cam and the Geeeetar

I have a little string bean on my hands. And for the record, I'm still waiting for some chunky baby thighs. But for now, I'll take my thin little peanut and his chubby cheeks! Our sweet Peanut was born 22 inches long and everyone keeps commenting on just how long he is. To give you some perspective, here's our little baby with his Daddy's guitar (we call it the geeeetar).

And for those of you asking about how Killian, our cat, is handling baby? He has absolutely no interest and keeps his distance. He has taken a liking to the pillows in my office (don't worry, the zebra pillows don't intentionally go with the houndstooth pillows. I ran out of places to put them before baby and they've ended up there for now!)!

Wet Nose

This nose is in my face each morning when I wake up. Oh, how I love his little gray spot.

Then I roll over, and another beast is snoring in my face.

It's a good thing we have a comfortable mattress, otherwise I wouldn't be able to sleep!

I just wanted you to know. That is all. Good-bye forever.

Coming Soon

...to a bedroom near you.

But wait. The delivery people misunderstood the warehouse. Apparently "deliver this furniture to California, Maryland" sounds exactly like "send this furniture back to our manufacturer in North Carolina."

So now our brand new mattress (which resembles the likes of a warm marshmallow) is sitting naked on the floor with no furniture to accompany it.

C'est la vie.

Killian has rather enjoyed the new square footage offered by our new mattress though.

Killian, the little Turkey.

And a little "Before" picture of our bedroom before our furniture arrives!

'Tis the Season to be Merry!

Here are the top 10 reasons why I hate it when Bobby leaves me to go on travel:

10. There's no one to make me coffee in the morning...besides Starbucks.

9. Our electricity goes up those weeks due to all the lights being on during the night.

8. Killian follows me around the house like a lost sheep.

7. I have to sleep with a heating pad.

6. I have to keep a fan on over night to make up for the snoring I've been getting used to.

5. There's no drill sargent to get me out of bed in the morning. Self-motivation, baby.

4. I'm forced to clean up my own messes (i.e. dishes)

3. I have to drive the Jeep to work and literally launch myself to get into the car.

2. Recycling comes tomorrow and there's no way I can lift the bin by myself.

1. Killian thinks he's boss without Bobby here.

The "#1" item on my list brings me to my first point. Killian hates me.

I try to avert his hatred by feeding him EVERY DAY of his life, but it continues and is only enhanced when Bobby is away.

I came home singing Christmas songs and in order to get Killian out from under my feet for two seconds, I offered him a treat.


"How can I possibly pry that treat out of her hands..."

Meanwhile, I'm whistling to myself, trying to catch Killian sitting still... "Deck the halls with boughs of holly..."


Then Killian chimes in: "FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA." Just kidding.

It's just you and me, Boss. About .346 seconds after this, Killian proceeded to jump face-level and snatch the treat out of my hand.

And then I moved on to photographing inanimate objects...like Christmas trees and ornaments. (Please note my reflection in the ornament.)

In other news, I am about 90% finished with my Christmas shopping. And now I pose a question for you: how does one inconspicuously gift-wrap a large broom?

Caving In

Here's the thing about cats: they pretend not to like you, so they put on this whole sneaky, creepy image. But really, they're just big softies on the inside.

Case and Point: Killian. This picture was about .0495 seconds before he swatted my camera lens out of his face. You can tell when he's irritated when his eyes start to slant. I'd like to point out, that if Bobby had taken this picture, Killian would NOT have swatted.

He only swats at me. Why is that?

Look at these paws... these babies have torn at our rugs, sliced fingers, caught stray birds flying around in our apartment...and shuffled excrement around in a box-shaped toilet filled with clay....

Killian's paws change colors with his nose. How do I know this? Better question is WHY do I know this? It has something to do with being snowed in one day last winter with nothing better to do. But that's another story.

To discourage Killian's self-righteous image and sneakyness, we gave him a pretty red collar.

I thought gray, white and red were a really nice color combination. Not so sure about that one? Just wait until you see our new house.

Killian's red collar also has a humiliating bell on it. Whenever he walks from one room to the other, it jingles. This is especially helpful to hear when Killian decides to charge my leg at full-force...with his teeth ready to sink into my calf muscle.

*Shudder*

Nevermind. You read about that story here.

See, the thing is, Cat's are sometimes deceiving. They are made so soft and cuddley, but when you try to cuddle, it doesn't work out so well.

Killian has a beauty mark. Or a mole. What is the cat equivalent to a human mole? Some people say it looks like a "cliff hanger." Get it? Ha. Ha.

Hold on a second while my mind goes back to second grade.

Ok, I'm back. That was almost bad - visions of Minnie Mouse T-Shirts and stirrup pants.

*Shudder*

I don't mind his beauty mark. In fact, I think it makes him look quite distinguished. I don't think he's amused though. Note: eyes have become slivers.

But here, my friends, is the true test of Killian's weakness. This is for all the marbles right here. While Killian may act tough, he's nothing but a big, fat, furry teddy bear on the inside.

Complete mush, I tell you.

I won't show affection. I won't show affection. Ok, maybe just a little. It. Feels. So. Good!

Killian is partial to the under-chin rub.

...and, he cracked. Pshhh.... it gets him every time.

Or at least for two minutes where he's not swatting at me or my camera lens.

Good Boy, Killian. I see right through you and your thick...fur.

Happy Wednesday!

A Change of Scenery

Since I've been posting so much about the house, I thought I'd switch it up a bit and give you a picture of your other favorite subject...our poor Killian.

This was .34982 seconds before he swatted me in the camera lens for being "up in his face." His words, not mine.

Have a "swat-free" weekend.

Easy Like Sunday Mornin'

Although today, it's Saturday morning. Thank you, Lionel Ritchie, for inspiring me (or inspiring me to be lazy) this morning.
I must confess that I have not been diligent about posting to The Barrick Times lately... My priorities have been elsewhere (namely MB Photography Blog) and I have been blogging LIKE A CRAZY PERSON on that blog. It's rather picture heavy and I try to inject bits of Barrick Times humor into my writing. Not that I'm funny or anything. I'm just sayin'...
Anyway, I PROMISE you that once our house starts, I will be posting much more frequently on The Barrick Times to give updates and progress on the house. Have I mentioned that they still haven't started building? But, there's a dash of good news as we finally got the building permit back from the county! It's all a-go and they should break ground early next week!!! Bobby and I have been driving/bike riding/walking past our lot almost every day to see if they've started. As of yesterday, they have the digging machine (help me, I have no idea what the real name for it is) out in, what will be, our front yard! Progress!!! Look back next week for some of it.
As for today, I am taking my time getting the day started and it's been so very nice. I've been organizing my pictures as my OCD requires and have come across several that I haven't posted yet. I was also harassing my poor kitty this morning with my big lens so I have some pictures of the blessed cat to post as well. I know how much you love seeing Killian!
So anyway, thanks for hangin' in there... tap, tap, is this thing on? Anyone? Well, if you're here, Happy Saturday Morning. I hope it's quite a lazy one for you, too.

I made Starbuck's Perfect Iced Coffee for myself this morning... only with Chock-Full-O-Nuts. Triple the amount of grounds for your normal coffee preparation, fill a pitcher full of ice, pour hot coffee into iced pitcher, cool down completely. Prepare glass half full with ice, pour milk and desired sugar over ice, pour in cool coffee, mix and enjoy. Then drink 10 more cups and pass out an hour later. It'll be totally worth it. Oh, and drink it with a straw. It will make your life complete.

J-Money, Bobby's youngest brother, graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in May! I love the tradition of the white tuxedo's instead of the boring old cap-and-gown deal. Hey Joey, GQ called. They want their tuxedo back.

The famous class ring. Now, all of the Barrick Brother's have this same ring... Along with the other thousands of Mt. St. Joe graduates. Ahh, tradition.

Racoon-Eyes Jokes welcome. Bobby and I spent the entire day before this outside at the Air Show. Some of us wore sun-screen, and some of us just wore sun glasses. The reason for not wearing sunscreen on his poor forehead? And I quote, "I don't want to smell like a girl."

The Barrick Brother's: Bobby, Nick and Joey.

And now on to less important things...like my emotionally manipulative cat, Killian. He knows full well that I'm behind him with my camera. He's determined not to acknowledge me.

He hears me calling him. Here Killian... here boy! The one ear cocked to the side means I'm about to win this game of emotional roulette.

He couldn't stand it any longer. After all, I might have some bread crusts or lunch meat in my hands. He wouldn't be able to meow-the-heck-outta-me for the next 20 minutes if he didn't turn around. Bread crusts are bread crusts, man. Me - 1, Killian - 0. I win.

For whatever reason, I always imagine Killian speaking to me in French, much like the cartoon skunk, Pepe Le Pew. Tu es ridicule, ma petite chou, mais je t'aime (you are rediculous, my little cabbage, but I love you). I know, Killian, I know. Just stop biting my toes at night and our relationship will never suffer.

Now, go and speak French to your loved one like you are Pepe Le Pew. It will make your Saturday that much better. I need to stop drinking my coffee now.