Backyard Fun

We have really enjoyed our backyard since the swing set made its debut.  The kids swing and play in the sand almost every day.  Seeing those smiling faces makes all the blood, sweat, and tears that came from putting that thing together totally worth it.  

Look at that smile - he loves to swing!

Posing

Playing at the sand table

Picking limes from our lime tree.  We must live in paradise!

On Memorial Day we filled the frog up with water for the kids to "swim."  It was Campbell's first swimming experience and he loved it!  Bailey did the exact same thing last year on Memorial Day.  

We're ready for summer!

Silly Girl

Mr. Handsome

We're outta here!

I wonder what they're looking at...

A Froggy Party

On Saturday, we went to Paisley's third birthday party.  That girl loves frogs and she had tons of froggy decorations!  Bailey and Campbell had a great time.

Singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl

Nick got in to jump with the girls!

Bailey and Paisley jumping with inflatable frogs

Don't judge me for this picture.  

She is wearing bloomers under her dress.

Our girl and the birthday girl

Campbell had fun too!

Sliding

BFFs

After the party, we went to Paisley's house to eat frog legs (chicken strips), frog fries (french fries), and bullfrog beans (baked beans).  We also had cole slaw, corn on the cob, and biscuits but I don't remember the cute froggy names for those.  Paisley's mommy is so creative!

The girls in Paisley's new Jeep

Campbell found a car to take for a spin too!

Campbell's Birthday Party

Campbell's first birthday party was a hit!  We had a camo themed party and served hot dogs, cupcakes, and ice cream.  The birthday boy (and his big sister) were showered with gifts galore. We are so blessed to have shared this special occasion with our family and friends.  

The invitation

(minus our address and phone number)

Cupcake tower and photos of Campbell's firsts

(The pictures included were: Baby Dedication, First Fourth of July, Halloween, Baylor Homecoming, Cereal, Christmas, and Easter.)

Close up of my homemade cupcakes with camo wrappers!

Decorations

Each letter of the banner had a picture attached to it of Campbell's first year beginning with "coming home from the hospital" and ending with his 12 month photo.

Smash Cake

Momma and the birthday boy

Bailey got almost as many presents as Campbell did!

Birthday presents!

Mom, Dad, and Campbell

He's so big!

What am I supposed to do with this?

Mmm...icing is good!

We had to help him dig into the cake.

Last bite

Hey, what are you doing with my cake?

He got over it quickly!

Bubba, Nonnie, and Campbell

Pop, Maw-Maw, and Campbell

Aunt Meike, Uncle Kenny, and Campbell

Joanne and Campbell

Dave and Campbell

The Ferrells

This was Campbell's birthday present from Mom, Dad, Maw-Maw, Pop, Nonnie, Bubba, and Ma.  It was a pain for Mom and Dad to put it together, but we persevered knowing that our kids would enjoy it for years to come.

Happy Birthday, big boy!!!

12 months

Milestones and happenings during your eleventh month:

• You're officially walking!  You can make it all the way across rooms and even change directions!  You usually pull up on something and then take off, but you have just started standing up on your own too.
• Our baby boy is off the bottle!  When you turned 11 months old, you were drinking four bottles of formula a day.  We started introducing whole milk in a sippie cup to see if you liked it. (You did!)  That first week, we took away your nighttime bottle.  (I had thought this one would be the last one to get rid of, but you had been going to bed early and didn't even want a bottle.)  The next week, we dropped your mid-morning bottle.  Your teachers said you didn't even miss it.  They gave you a snack and cup of milk instead of a bottle and you adjusted perfectly.  The following week, we got rid of your mid-afternoon bottle. Again, we replaced the feeding with a snack and milk.  The day of your birthday, we dropped your morning/breakfast bottle.  This one was the trickiest because you are pretty grumpy and hungry when you wake up and the bottle calmed you down before you ate your breakfast.  You have been doing great and we are so thankful that you adjusted so easily!  Farewell, formula...the checkbook will NOT miss you!
• You became a "Daddy's Boy" when Mom went out of town for a weekend.  The entire next week, you only wanted Daddy and Da-Da was about the only thing you would say.
• You were on antibiotics for the entire month for an ear infection.  After the first round of antibiotics didn't clear it up, you started taking a different antibiotic for another 10 days.  At your 12 month check up, we found out that you STILL have an ear infection so we are on antibiotic #3.
• You still LOVE baths.
• You still HATE getting your diaper changed.
• Teeth Count: 6 (4 on top & 2 on bottom)
• Sleeping Habits: 12 hours at night, 1-2 hours during the day

12 month stats:

22 pounds, 13 ounces (50%)

31 1/4 inches (90%)

Campbell Clark on his FIRST Birthday!

His teachers gave him balloons the day before his birthday so we took them into his room and sang "Happy Birthday" to him when he woke up in the morning.

First Birthday

Campbell Clark,

As I sit here on the eve of your birthday, I cannot believe how fast time has flown.  On one hand, it seems like only yesterday that I celebrated Mother's Day 2008 in anticipation of our baby that would be born the next day.  I remember not sleeping at all the night before.  I was so excited to meet my baby boy.  I remember the first time I saw you and love filled my heart for you.  I remember bringing you home and starting our life as a family of four.  I remember (but don't miss) getting up multiple times during the night to feed you.  I remember Bailey calling you "Baby Brother" instead of your name.  I treasure all of the memories I have of your first days, weeks, and months. On the other hand, it feels like you have always been a part of our family.  Somehow I cannot even remember what life was like without you.  You are such a joy to us.  Your smile and dark eyes just make my heart melt!  You are truly a blessing from the Lord and we are so thankful for you.  

Happy Birthday, baby boy!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to...

• My mom who is always there for me.  She is always the first one I call when I have a question about anything.  She loves my kids and would drop everything to come help us (she's done it many times.)  I enjoy our daily conversations as we both drive to work.
• My mother-in-law who did a wonderful job in raising a boy who grew up to be a great man, husband, and father.  She loves her grandbabies and is an amazing Nonnie to them.
• My husband for sharing this journey of parenthood with me.  I am so blessed to raise my children with my best friend.
• I am also remembering Nana and Me-Maw on Mother's Day.  I am so fortunate to have had such wonderful grandmothers.  

My Little Blessings

The day before Mother's Day, our church had a Ladies Tea.  The tables were decorated by women of the church and I was able to participate!  I used my Me-Maw's pink dishes from the fifties.  One of the things I remember about my grandmother is her love for the color pink.  Her kitchen counters were pink, the bathroom tile was pink, and even her dishes were pink!  I remember eating off of these dishes as a little girl and I'm so grateful that they were given to me after she died.  I think she would be proud that I used them!