Our Family Funnies

Phew!

2010-08-16T23:42:00.003-04:00

We are home safe and sound and I will definitely post about our trip once I have a few functioning brain cells. This has been by far one of the hardest things I have ever been through. I have had to deal with Cameron's grieving and attachment but this is a whole nother level of intensity. Gavin is greiving pretty badly but as we found out on our pick up trip his foster mother held him ALL THE TIME!! While I am very greatly for everything she has done for Gavin I really believe in my heart (and this is my personal opinion) that social workers need to really sit down with these families and explain to them the outcome of some of their actions. Gavin was held so much that his muscle tone is not where it should be. He screams this most awful ear piercing scream if you don't pick him up. If we are not in the same room as him he flips. I can't pee without him wanting to be held. While I know that some of it is his learning to attach I know most is from her holding him so much. She actually told us she held him a lot in our meeting. It really doesn't teach him how to self sooth at all. I had to teach this to Cameron and it is not easy. Then on top of that the sleeping with them does not help at all. Both boys slept with their foster families. I know they want to spoil them rotten and make them as happy as they can while they have them but some decisions will effect them for a long time.

Cameron is doing okay but had a very bad night this weekend. We had family, friends and neighbors stopping by on Thursday and Friday and really doting on Gavin. Although I do have to say Darla was very good and aware about doting on Cameron too. Some of my wonderful friends Darla, Angela & Tracy made us meals and gave both boys gifts. Dan's sister, Mollie brought us dinner and my mom stayed for a few days to help out. But Cameron seeing Gavin getting more attention than him really set him off. Saturday night while trying to get him to bed he through the worst fit ever. He was refusing to go to the potty (and BTW he had regressed in the potty training) and just screamed like I have never seen him. I went upstairs to talk to him and holding him. He hit, punched, kicked and screamed the whole time. It hurt me so bad that I just broke down in tears. It made him calm down as he saw mommy was hurting too. It really makes you question your decision as a parent. I know things will get better and everyone will love each other one day but I promised him I would never, ever hurt him and he is hurting so bad from this. I feel so much guilt when I love on Gavin but also knowing he needs it to know I am his forever mommy. I can tell you that adopted children have a much different experience that a biological child. Cameron has already had to deal with abandonment and he is questioning it again in his young life. We are spending one on one time with him and reassuring him every day that is our baby and isn't going anywhere. Just keep us in your thoughts and prayers! If any of you stop by or see us out just don't forget big brother needs love too!!!

Just a small update!

2010-08-10T10:48:00.000-04:00

I am beyond exhausted just a short update. We are here, seeing the sights, shopping and enjoying our son for the first day. Our pick-up was great until we got in the cab. He screamed for Omma (mom) for the first 10 minutes in the car and finally fell asleep in Dan's arms. He is a daddy's boy but let me get him to sleep for bed. He is grieving terribly and screams so loudly it could burst your ear drums. He screams so loudly that the only way to calm him down is to go out the of the hotel. Once he is outside he is happy and content. Tomorrow is our last full day here and we are going to do some last minute shopping and hope it doesn't rain so we can go to Seoul Tower. Good night! I will give a more detailed update on our trip tomorrow morning.

Favorite Foto Friday U-pick

2010-07-30T10:59:00.000-04:00

I am happy to announce that we are traveling soon to pick up this handsome boy

While this handsome boy

gets to stay and play with this beautiful girl!

(Hannah, I stole this from your blog)

It's been awhile! Update on our 2nd adoption

2010-07-07T21:10:00.000-04:00

I know it has been awhile. We are getting very close to going to South Korea to pick up Gavin. We are guesstimating 2 weeks from yesterday. He had his visa physical on the 7th of July and it is usually about 1-1.5 weeks after that you receive travel call. We just have a few small steps to finish. For those of you that have adopted from Guatemala we are pretty much the same place as we would be if we got out of PGN. Cameron doesn't quite understand that we have to travel pretty far to pick him up. He thinks daddy has to go down to the corner and pick him up. My wonderful friend, Hannah is watching him while we are gone. We thought it was best because he would be crazy busy playing with his girlfriend and my future daughter-in-law Sophia. We are so excited to go and explore our son's birth country and see his cute little face. We actually will be taking about 2 days before we actually have our gotcha day to travel and explore. And it will just me & Dan. We won't know what to do. After going through our pick-up trip for Cameron we do have the knowledge of what will happen when we do the actual pick-up. It won't make it any easier emotional wise but we are now prepared. Well, here are new pictures of our baby boy! He is 14 months in these pictures and will be 15 months when we pick him. I can't wait!

Happy 1st Birthday to our baby boy!

2010-04-13T23:25:00.000-04:00

For those of you who aren't on Facebook here is a picture of our baby boy. He is 5 months in this picture and we are patiently waiting for an updated one. We have decided to name him Gavin Bak (Beck). He turns one tomorrow and I am kinda sad to miss his first birthday but there is not much I can do about it. All I can do is pray our wait is short and things go smoothly. Our last update said he weighs 21.5 lbs. He is a bigger baby than Cameron was at that age. We picked up Cameron 12 days after his 1st birthday and he was 18 lbs.

I am now getting Gavin's room together. He is getting a whole new room but it is Cameron's old room so it has been very hard to change it. I had that room painted with furniture in place when we started trying to get pregnant over 5 years ago. I shut that door many times in sadness not knowing when a baby would be filling that room. Then when we got Cameron's referral I filled it with clothes, toys and all the extras only to shut the door again because he just wasn't coming home any time soon. I can so see that room when he first came home and I just loved sitting next to his crib while he slept balling my eyes out. He took his first steps in that room, fell asleep playing with his toys for the first time and slept at home for the first time in that room. I know Gavin will love his room when it is finished and I am so happy to know there will be another baby in that room. I just hope I never have to shut that door!

For those that haven't figured it out yet!

2010-03-24T21:46:00.000-04:00

We are going to be a family of four! Dan, Cameron & I are adopting a baby boy from South Korea. We accepted his referral while we were in Florida on our vacation. Our agency has a photolisting on their website and we asked to look at his medical information back in November. Another family also requested his information and wanted to go forward with his adoption. If more than one family wants to move forward our agency makes families go to committee to decide which is a best fit for the child. We did this once last year and just couldn't handle doing it again so we decided to pass. A couple of days before we left for Florida I received an e-mail asking if we wanted to see his information again because the previous family fell threw. We had been debating on going with China or South Korea (and was completing a homestudy for China) and knew that was our sign. We looked over his medical information and decided he was meant to be a part of our family.

He will be one next month and will hopefully be home this summer. South Korea is SO much different than Guatemala. No court, no dossier. It all goes through USCIS and the Korean government. We just got our homestudy completed and are waiting on our acceptance paperwork from our agency. Once we sign that I can post pictures of him. He is so adorable and Cameron is ready to teach him bad things! I am so excited to get his room together and see Cameron finally have a partner in crime!

The rest of our crazy trip!

2010-03-22T00:08:00.000-04:00

The rest of trip consisted of resting, eating, playing and more resting. One day we went to Blue Springs Park. This is where the manatees hang out while the weather is changing. There were over 300 of them and we could really see them close up. It is amazing to see how big they are close up and learn about how they are injured by boat propellors.

Friday night we hung out at Downtown Disney. We bought Cirque du Soleil tickets for Dan's mom for her Christmas, Mother's Day and Birthday gift. The show is called La Nouba and it is the 2nd time I have seen it. Sad to say this is the 7th time I have been to a Cirque show. I am addicted. While we were at the show Dan, his dad and Cameron walked around downtown. The place has tripled since we were down there almost 4 years ago. Unfortunately it was crazy packed so I didn't get to adventure anywhere other than the show. I did make Dan drive me down to the big Disney store so I could get the Mickey sprinkles for cookies. I could have stayed in there all night. And guess what I find some and bought 2 bottles of them.

Saturday we went to the driving range and watched Cameron hit some golf balls. He did really good until he starting throwing fits because he thinks he is Tiger Woods and doesn't need any help. He had fun watching Daddy hit them far. Overall it was a good trip but we were worn out with Cameron's sleep habits and full on tantrums. Being in a strange place tends to do that to him. And now we have to repair the windshield due to flying rocks.

Just think...Next year there will be two boys in that backseat!

Cameron's 3rd Birthday at Disney

2010-03-21T23:34:00.001-04:00

(Sorry so much time in between posts but soon you will find out why.)

Cameron turned 3 on Feb. 15th and man what a crazy day it was. Dan's parents live about an hour from Disney so we go every year. I had shirts made for Cameron & I to wear. We went to Animal Kingdom for the first time and it was a little different than we had hoped. We had scheduled breakfast with the characters so we had to leave extra early. Of course Cameron had to have a huge tantrum right before we were paged for our table. He has become a little shy so he was kinda scared of Micky, Daisy & Goofy. The breakfast buffet they had was AMAZING! They had anything & everything you could think of. They brought Cameron a HUGE cupcake after we ate and Mommy loved seeing the Mickey sprinkles. Needless to say I had to have them.

This park doesn't have too many rides for Cameron but we were pretty busy all day and enjoyed every minute of his excitement. We all loved the Jungle Safari and got to see baby giraffes which are all over our house. He was actually falling asleep in the stroller and when I asked him if he wanted to go see Tigger, Pooh & Eeyore he jumped out the stroller. He was jumping up & down and so excited to see them all. This was also his first time seeing the parade. He is usually sleeping during it but I made sure to keep him awake. The only thing that scared him was the 4D Bug Show. I forgot how much he doesn't like them and they wouldn't let us out. We loved seeing his eyes light up every time!!! He was very excited to get a new pin and holder for all his other ones. He crashed in the car soon after getting his chicken nuggets for dinner.

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Finally pictures from our trip!

2010-03-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

We tried leaving at 6:00 am on Friday but because of the lovely roof rack we were an hour late. Poor Dan had to fix it in 10 degree weather. Of course, we have great luck! Cameron did pretty good most of the ride but had a big tantrum b/c he was hungry and tired. Those are no fun while in the car driving 70+ mph. He feel asleep while eating his chicken nuggets. The first few days we took it easy. Of course, Cameron went from getting up at 9:30 to getting up at 8:00. Pappaw is a very loud talker and tends to wake up the house in the morning. We did a little playing at the playground, took rides in the golf cart and did a little cake baking. I made Cameron a cake on Sunday to celebrate his 3rd birthday. We got some figurines to add to his cake. (Hannah, they work with his playset you got him.) He is deeply in love with Toy Story as you can see. He was more than excited to get his Buzz Lightyear from Mommy & Daddy. He also got a sleeping bag and some new shoes before we left for Florida. He was a little embarassed by us singing to him.

Yeah it was that cold when we left!

Can you see the chicken nugget in his hand?!

Playing at the playground.

Bubba's cake. Hey it did the job!

Making his wish.

Mammaw & Pappaw (Dan's parents)

Us!

Oh Buzz how I love you!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet baby boy!

We made it!

2010-02-23T23:21:00.000-05:00

We are home from our trip to Florida and trying to get back on schedule. Cameron had a great 3rd birthday trip to Disney. I will post pictures as soon as I have a minute to download them and get them sorted out. It was a very stressful, exhausting vacation with a 3 year old. Cameron starts having reflections of things that happened when we picked him up from Guatemala. February and March seem to be pretty bad months. On top of that he is being a typical 3 year old. He had a tantrum every single day sometimes more than one. The threes may do me in!

Stay tuned for pictures from our trip and our BIG news!!!

Our baby boy turns 3!

2010-02-11T23:00:00.000-05:00

Cameron is two days old in this picture. He was so bright eyed and silly even at that young age. He will be three on Monday and I can't believe what a little man he has become. He is such a smart ass but he can be just so sweet at the same time. He loves bossing mommy & daddy around all the time. We weren't quite ready to be able to pick him up for his first birthday but 12 days later we finally held our baby boy. When you miss that first birthday it just makes every one of them after so special. This year we are spending it at Disney's Animal Kingdom. He gets to eat breakfast with Mickey and the gang and just have fun being a kid. If you ever get a chance please take your child just one time to Disney. It is the most amazing thing to watch your child experience it. I cry every time (this is Cameron's 3rd time) I see him light up with excitement. Experiencing life through a child's eyes is the most amazing gift God has ever given me. Please pray for his birth mother and foster mother as I am sure their hearts are heavy as they think of our baby boy! They are both such amazing women for what they did for our son!

Favorite Foto Friday...Kiss-Kiss

2010-02-06T10:01:00.000-05:00

I know you all already saw Hannah's post that was so cute thanks to good 'ole fantabulous me. Haha! Cameron insisted on getting Me-Me & Monkey Baby the lip suckers and I just couldn't say no. He enjoyed it so much he wanted to make sure the love of his life enjoyed them too! Oh how we love that familia!

Here's my lip smacking baby!

Wordless Wednesday!

2010-02-02T22:39:00.001-05:00

FFF U-Pick Favorite February Foto

2010-01-30T00:28:00.001-05:00

Like Hannah it is hard to just pick one. This last month or so Cameron's personality has just blown up. And I mean literally. The 3's may kill me! This child has such a mind of his own & always has but add that to the terrible 3's and let's just say Mommy has grown some grey hairs.

Since it's been cold out and I don't like going outside unless it is above 30 degrees we have been doing a lot of crafts. Cameron is really getting into painting and doing stickers.

I was sick last weekend so Dan took Cameron to the train museum. He is really getting into watching them.

But we did go play in the snow. He loved having me pull him around in the sled.

And even went to see Pappaw T. (my dad) do a basketball shooting clinic at Miami for the local YMCA kids. Cameron was a little jealous. He made sure they knew it was his Pappaw.

Cameron enjoyed a fun sucker!

But I think Cameron's favorite was seeing Sophia. These are so crazy & fun to watch. It is so awesome to see how much they have grown up and how much fun they have together!

FFF-Closeups

2010-01-16T00:58:00.000-05:00

I am really loving taking pictures of Cameron lately. He loves to finally show me his big smile and yell cheese really loud! He loves being silly when we take pictures. The closer we are getting to his third birthday (next month) the more personality he is showing. And believe me this kid is bossy and stubborn but is also so sweet!

FFF-Favorite Holiday Picture

2010-01-02T00:34:00.000-05:00

With Daddy before the Farrell Family Christmas.

And his hot mama!! Haha!

Posing with Daddy & the personalized bat we got him!

Opening Pappaw T.'s gifts. He couldn't get the tape off!

Opening his Handy Manny bike from Nana!

What is better than M&Ms!

I actually have a couple ones that I just love. Cameron was very into opening gifts this year. He was still careful about ripping the paper off but it was so fun watching him. Once I cried experiencing it through my baby's eyes. And it was even better since we had to wake him at 10:00 to open gifts!

Just a little update!!

2010-01-02T00:16:00.001-05:00

Ruthanne passed court! I can't wait to see how her trip to Ethiopia goes.

Come on let's get praying!

2009-12-30T22:41:00.000-05:00

Ruthanne's court case is on tonight to find out if she gets to bring home sweet "Bear." You can go see her post here to find out why it was postponed. Please go visit her blog and let her know you are rooting her on. I love this woman & can't wait to go and visit her, Andrew & sweet "Bear" next summer. I am praying she passes so I can go do a little shopping for her boys!!! Hugs to her & her boys!!!

Just a little off subject! But for a good cause!

2009-12-29T12:51:00.002-05:00

(Adela is the on the left. She is the oldest in her family.)

I will be posting about our Christmas craziness later today but wanted to really do a post about a very special girl who has touched our hearts greatly. We sponsor a student to go to school in Guatemala through Mayan Families. I love knowing we are helping a young girl get her education. Young girls tend to drop out of school b/c their families cannot afford to pay for them to attend school and need to help their family with their siblings or making money. I love this organization so much. They make sure we receive updated pictures of her all the time. We also get letters, pictures she draws for us and her report cards so we can keep up with her progress. She asked us to send a letter & pictures which I am working on now. We did a garage sale this summer and used the money to buy her an onvil stove (alot of families cook over fires which is very dangerous) and some baby chicks. It was such a sight seeing her smile in those pictures after receiving both. If any of you would like to help just one child, just one family please consider donating to Mayan Families.

Please pray!

2009-12-08T19:10:00.000-05:00

I met Ruthanne via the blog/FB world. She is a wonderful mom to Andrew also adopted from Guatemala. She will find out tomorrow if she passed court (which actually happens while she is sleeping) for her 2nd adoption from Ethiopia for her son named Bear. As a bonus you all can finally see how gorgeous he is. (I already know! Hehe!) I so hope she passes and gets to go pick up that baby. I don't know how she is going to do it raising two boys by herself but she will be rewarded with more love than she ever thought possible.

My baby boy!

2009-12-07T22:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Belated Halloween

2009-12-01T23:34:00.000-05:00

I promised Hannah I would get these up so she can see Cameron in all his glory. We went trick-or-treating with Pappaw T. (my dad) this year. He came down & had a lot of fun watching Cameron. We had just woke Cameron up before we left and he wasn't quite awake yet. He was a little shy at first but then figured out that he was getting candy & was all about it. He would say "Twik Tweet" and "Tank You" every time. Sometimes he would go back for more & of course they gave him more because he is so cute!

Fun with Friends Again!

2009-12-01T23:15:00.001-05:00

(Yeah, they were done with pictures.)

(Driving Phia.)

(Looking at a plane together!)

(Monkey being a Monkey.)

We went to the Louisville Zoo a couple of weeks ago with Hannah, Dmitry & Cameron's girlfriend Sophia. It was so cute watching them together. It has been a few months since they saw each other and usually they are really shy for awhile. It took them about 15 minutes and they were all about each other. Sophia was mothering Cameron and he kept demanding to hold her hand. He would get upset if she would walk away from him. A few times when she was mothering him Cameron would yell at her "Bop (stop) Phia". They were actually having conversations together. They have really grown up since our first play date. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops. You can go to Hannah's blog to see more pictures. I just have a point & shoot and can't catch them quite as good!

FFF-No Faces!

2009-11-29T23:44:00.000-05:00

I am very late posting this but I have been having trouble with the pictures loading on my computer. This is Cameron & Dan's hands while they painted Cameron's pumpkins for Halloween. It is too cute seeing the two of them working together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T11:52:00.000-05:00

I hope the few of you out there that read my blog have a "Happy Thanksgiving"! The holidays are always filled with tears around here. Tears of happiness! You never quite know life until you have a child to discover it with.

I always remember being so excited when I was little about the holidays b/c my grandma was just so into it all and made sure I was always a part of that. She always made sure there was something to help her with. I miss her so much this time of year b/c the more family that was there the better. Now that she has passed away I feel like that has gotten away quite a bit. Now that I have my baby boy I making my own memories. I love watching him discovering and learning what it is really all about. I am so thankful to his birth mom for letting us be the ones to raise him and call him our own. If it wasn't for her my heart wouldn't be so full!!

The 3's are coming!

2009-11-24T23:48:00.000-05:00

I am really trying to post more but something always seems to get in the way. Cameron got sick last week and who do you think got it next? Of course the nose blower, Mommy. I tried to not give him cough medicine since it is recommended not to but he was having such a hard time. Just a side note: My child is one you do NOT give Benadryl to. While most kids go right to sleep after having it my child runs around like he is on speed. So after taking the cough medicine for a few days he started acting up-BIG TIME! We thought for sure it was the medicine so since he was feeling better we stopped giving it to him. Unfortunately for sick me it wasn't that-just plain testing the boundaries toddlerhood. Crazy toddlerhoood! People keep telling me boys are harder-don't listen as well. Cameron has had his moments but was never that disobedient. Until now! He loves to do things he isn't supposed to and gives you the shit grin while he is doing so. Let's just say he was in time-out so many times he decided to put Daddy in time-out while they were playing last night. He even told him to sit and be quiet. Then when his time was up he told him "Mere please!" I know he understands it now that he has done that. I did ask him the other day "What part of No don't you understand? The "N" or the "O". His answer, "The "O"! That's my boy!

FFF-Beautiful Gifts

2009-11-13T22:58:00.002-05:00

Yes, I am back. Sorta. I got a new cord but dumb-dumb me didn't think about the fact that the battery has lived out his life. The first thing I had to do now that I am somewhat up and running is Hannah's FFF. Of course my baby boy (although he is almost 3 he tells me he his momma's baby every day) is one of the greatest, most beautiful gifts I have received. We prayed for a long time to finally have a child and then to receive one and have to wait even longer before we could hold him. He will always and forever be my baby!

Getting off my butt!

2009-10-29T21:55:00.000-04:00

I have tons of new pictures but they are on the main labtop. The cat chewed right through the cord so I have to wait for a new one. As soon I get it get ready for some Cameron on overdrive!!

The friends we love!

2009-09-17T23:25:00.001-04:00

Go to Hannah's blog to see what our latest adventure was with them. They were in Guatemala picking up Sophia the same time we were picking up Cameron. We never spoke a word to one another while we were there with everything going on and because we are both big shy birds. We met through blog & facebook world and now have playdates together every couple of weeks and for the first time in a long while Dan & I have found a couple we love hanging out with. I predict our two guate babies will be married some day but not until he is 30 years old. We love you guys too!!!

Just some pics!

2009-09-15T11:42:00.002-04:00

Cameron & Sophia at the Loveland Castle.

Mommy & Cam at the Bengals pre-season game.

Cheesing.

At our 5th anniverary dinner. Melting Pot-yum yum.

Big boy haircut.

Getting back on the horse!

2009-08-19T23:26:00.003-04:00

Unlike some people I have not had much desire to post on blogger. Maybe it is b/c of summer time or maybe b/c I am addicted to facebook. Well, not that bad. I will do all my babbling on this post and add some pictures on the next few. Our summer has been a little busy this year but mainly just on the weekends. During the week it is me & Cam. Where do I begin? We have had play dates with Hannah, Sophia & Dmitry (Phia as he calls her) at the Children's Museum, the waterpark in Louisville and just recently the outlet mall. Ham (as Phia calls Cameron) and Phia are madly in love! LOL! I guess I love hanging out with Hannah too!!! JK! I had my first annual A Gathering of Our Hearts in Indy in July. It turned our great but I will save that for another post. Cameron loved spending all weekend with the guate babies and I loved getting to meet all my adopt moms in person. It was so much fun and I hope it is bigger next year. We went camping with Mammaw & Pappaw (Dan's parents) in Brown County, Indiana. Cameron loved staying in their bus as he calls it & although we all smelled by the end of the weekend it was fun.

Dan's mom had her 2nd stem cell transplant 3 weeks ago and she is doing pretty good. She has multiple myeloma and had one 7 years ago. They had some stem cells left from the last transplant so she thought it was in her best interest to do another. It scared us but it was ultimately her decision. She gave us a scare here and there but seems to be doing a lot better. She still can't eat b/c of the sores in her mouth from the chemo she gets before but she is walking around and talking like crazy. That's my mom-in-law. (I just call her mom!)

Cameron is growing up like crazy. He is 2 and 1/2 now but loves calling himself Mama's baby. He is now 3 feet tall and 30 lbs and all boy. He is very orny and stubborn but I love him to pieces. He is so much like Dan & I it isn't funny. Every day I am told how cute he is & boy does he know it! He is so into shoes & clothes it isn't funny. Wonder who he got that from?! He loves to be out & about and really does get upset if we aren't going to see Phia his girlfriend as he calls her. He is very independent and gets upset if you don't let him so something. He has to everything including bringing Dan his boxers in the morning and helping him change his clothes when he gets home from work. He has to help Daddy with the shoe inserts, put his dirty clothes in the hamper, put his shoes away and then steal any change he has in his pockets for his piggybank. He amazes me every day the things he remembers. He knows whose house is off what exit of the highway. How does he remember these things?

I have been pretty busy just being mommy and a wife. I am happy to say that I took the plunge and got right into this get together we had last month. For those of you were there and those of you that know me I am VERY shy until I get to know you. I had to hand deliver the gift bags I made and introduce myself to complete strangers. I hate patting myself on the back but that was a VERY big deal for me. I do have to say I made some great life long friends. It was so much fun to get to hang out with Hannah & her family all weekend. They have been the first couple that Dan & I have felt comfortable with from the very start. We are all too much alike it is scary. Hannah, I think you need move closer so we can hang out more. At least that is what our social worker said!

Cameron's favorite day on our vacation!

2009-08-19T22:58:00.004-04:00

We have been to Disneyworld already when we visited the in-laws last November but we both thought he would really get into being that he is officially obsessed with Mickey & Minnie. Disneyland in California is awesome. It is smaller but it is no nice to have one main entrance to get into both parks and downtown Disney. And it is open until midnight so we could take our time. When we first arrived we decided to get him Mickey ears since we didn't do that last time. While Dan was in the store getting ears I was outside with Cameron avoiding the crowd. All of a sudden here comes Mickey & Minnie right where we were standing. They were coming out to do their autograph signing & we were the first ones. Cameron actually got a whole 5 minutes with them all to himself. He was in awe & so happy to see them. He kept kissing them on the noses and they loved it. I, of course, didn't take him out of the stroller but it was so awesome just to watch him light up. He only slept for about 10 mins the whole day we were there. We went over to downtown Disney for dinner and went to their huge store. They have the biggest store in the world there and I am determined to go back just to Christmas shop. If we weren't flying we would have stocked up for Christmas. Cameron crashed so hard when we got to the car. He actually slept the whole time I was putting his jammies on in the room. It was the best day and I love seeing Disney through my baby's eyes.

Here's the pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40992311@N05/

Dodgers Game

2009-07-31T12:04:00.004-04:00

I am really, really behind. Here are the pictures from Cameron's first official professional baseball game.

Vacation-Part 2

2009-07-16T00:35:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the delay. Between Cameron & I being sick, getting things together for the get-together and Cameron's new big boy room (pics when we are done) I have been busy. Thursday morning we headed to Universal Studios. Parking is so funny in California. They try to get you to pay $8.00 extra to park closer to the park. They try to convince you it is an extra 15 minute walk. Well, it is only 5 extra minutes and we enjoyed scoping out the shops for after the park. Cameron was so excited to get to go be crazy & have fun. He was a little scared of the guy dressed up to look like part of the statue out front. He cried bloody murder. There wasn't many rides there and he wasn't fond of the characters there but he loves being around people. He laughed at the shark from Jaws which was quite funny. We all crashed after a long day at the park.

Friday we took Cameron to the pier & to see the beach. He didn't get to go play in the sand b/c he threw a huge tantrum and wanted a nap. He did get to ride the old carousel there though. After napping we went to a Dodgers game. We got gear Thursday at Universal to wear to the game and Cameron talked about it all day. Poor Dan was a little scared to drive on the California Highways. I lived for a few months way back when so it didn't bother me too much. (Yes, he let me drive home.) Cameron was so excited about baseball but he was a little scared about all the cheering and kept crying everytime it was loud. The ice cream there was so awesome and he thought it was so funny that he got it in a baseball hat. Poor Daddy & Cameron crashed right after the game. (It was 1:00 am back home.)

Our first offical week long vacation-Part One

2009-07-01T11:26:00.007-04:00

The view from our room.

Santa Monica Pier

Ocean views

Before our first night sleep.

Okay I am finally getting around to blogging about our trip. This was our first official week long vacation with just the three of us and it was surprisingly quite relaxing. I thought for sure with Cameron's sleep issues starting (he wakes up at 3:00 am and cries for at least 2 hours refusing to go back to sleep) and the time change he would be a mess. The night before I got only 2 hours sleep. Between Dan waiting until the last minute to pack and Cameron not wanting to sleep I was so tired. And of course right when we are getting ready to wake him up De*ta called and our flight was delayed an hour. An hour of sleep I could have used. He was pretty good on the flight until the last hour. He refused to sleep and kept throwing his toys to the aisle behind us.

LAX is NOT kid friendly at all. Of course little old me packed an extra suitcase we didn't need and with the crazy traffic Dan got to be the one containing it all. You have to walk across traffic to get the rental car shuttles. We were exhausted and of course they had no car available. We finally arrive at the hotel to see the valet is full (the only way you are allowed to park) and no where to park to find out where to go. We finally squeezed in and went to check in to see papparazzi outside our hotel. Dan told me he sees our hotel on TMZ all the time but I just booked it because it was really close to the beach & we got a great deal. One of the guys at the front desk took us to our room and told us what was going on. Our hotel was very small (75 rooms) and it us U-shaped. The pool sits in the middle & we were on the 2nd floor. He told Dan to look at the lady in the blue dress. That is Leann Rhimes. There was a Christian Dior party going on right there and there was all kind of celebrities there. Dan & I don't usually get star struck but it was neat to see. We changed and went to get something to eat. As we are walking down the street the papparazzi are taking our pictures. Trust me we didn't look like we were at a Christian Dior party with jeans, t-shirts & flipflops. After we ate & walked around a bit we were in bed at 7:00 pm. Hey it was 10:00 at home! Of course Cameron had to sleep with us b/c there was absolutely no way to fit a crib in our very little room. We were sound asleep and the fire alarms start going off. We all woke up and I asked Dan if we really had to leave. I got some shoes, grabbed Cameron & off we went. It was 3:30 in the morning and couldn't believe our first day would end like this. They left the stoves on in the kitchen and couldn't figure out how to turn off the security system. Since it wasn't an emergency I took Cameron to see the firetruck. At least we got something out of it. I was so afraid he wouldn't go back to sleep but he did thank goodness.

Wonderful Wednesday

2009-06-24T11:05:00.002-04:00

The love of Cameron's life!

Love & Popsicles

2009-06-18T23:12:00.000-04:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Here we grow again! (My 100th post)

2009-06-13T12:11:00.003-04:00

Sorry for not posting in a very long while but the last month has been comsumed with alot of thinking. We are decided to add to our family and were all geared up to go with China in August when we are married for 5 years. Well, I came across South Korea and it was so much easier & quicker we on decided to start that as well. There are only so many agencies that do South Korea (you have to work with one located in your state of residence) unless you do special needs. We found an agency but they limited who we could use for a homestudy. Needless to say we aren't feeling comfortable with either one. After applying I haven't heard much of anything except where is your paperwork or where is your homestudy. While deciding what to do I spoke with Natalie who helped me sort out alot of questions I had about domestic adoption. Thanks so much for all your help Natalie. Well, all of you that know me know I go with my gut but tend to question my decisions sometimes. Going international just didn't feel right to me and domestic was in that gut of mine. Well, we have officially decided to go domestic. Thanks to Natalie I have a good group of agencies to submit our paperwork to. I am over the moon but so nervous. I did live with my best friend Mindy when my nephew (hey, we have been friends for over 20 years now) was born but I have never had a newborn before. Cameron was one when he came home so there are lots of stuff we still have to get. And we can't forget the cute baby clothes. Oh, Dan is in TROUBLE!

We just back from vacation and will post about our trip. It was the first relaxing trip in a long time!

Being A Mom!

2009-05-10T11:41:00.004-04:00

I dreamed of being a mom ever since I was a little girl. I raised my brother while my mom worked to support us. I had many daydreams of holding my first born and loving her unconditionally. While all my friends were worried which college they were going to attend I was worried about when I was gonna be a mommy. After Dan & I got married we started trying right away. After a few years of no success we tried mild fertility treatments with no success. We had the application for adoption while doing the fertility treatments but I wanted to at least try one last thing before going on that road. We finally sent in the application & while doing the dossier received the referral for a little boy who was 12 days old. Exactly one year later we were in Guatemala holding him for the very first time as he balled his eyes out. I thank God every day for leading me down that road. I thank God that Cameron's birthmother had a big enough heart to let me be his mother. It is the greatest gift one woman can give to another. Cameron will always know her and know what a great sacrifice she made to make me a mom. Even though I have only seen her in pictures she holds a big piece of my heart. He is every bit like us. Very stubborn and hard headed. Very impatient. It drives me crazy but he is just like me. Very into his clothes & primping like his daddy. Very caring like his daddy. I have been given the greatest gift ever. It is a very hard & tiring job but it is worth it every day to see him grow up and become an independent & caring child. He knows when you need that hug & rub on the back to make the day go better. It is the biggest job I will ever have & it is the best job I will ever have. Being a mom just feels right!

Happy Birthday Nana!

2009-04-30T12:41:00.004-04:00

On Monday my mom turned 48. Yes, my mom is young but I love that Cameron has a nana that will be around for a long time. We have been practicing saying "Happy Birthday Nana" and I finally got it on video. Mom, I know you loved hearing him say it on the phone but now you can see him say it. This is for you mom and we can't wait to see you on Saturday.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T19:23:00.002-04:00

Can you help?

2009-04-28T00:05:00.002-04:00

Please read this post on Kayleigh Freeman's blog written by Brent Riggs. I have asked everyone to pray for this family which I do every day. Yes, me! They also need help financially. Their daughter was born premature and after her last surgery is somewhat brain dead. They have no clue what the exact thing that caused it but she had blood loss either during or after surgery. She may not survive but their faith in God is unbelievable. Along with dealing with their daughter being in the hospital since the minute she was born they have been hit hard financially. Please read Brent's post and help any way you can. I did and it feels good to be able to do something to help them even if I don't know them personally.

http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/2009/04/42709-guest-blogger-brent-riggs.html

Prayers & hugs,

Mindy

Cameronland

2009-04-07T11:11:00.006-04:00

We have been looking for swing sets for Cameron and finally found one we loved. Well, Dan fell in love but Cameron had to approve. We actually went to a different Costco to check it out and I couldn't find it anywhere. Then all of sudden Cameron points up and says Mama. It was clear on the other side of the store. When we finally got it it was the last one. Dan rushed to get the sod taken up and the yard leveled before he left for his trip. Of course he hurt his wrist while doing it. We had one Sunday planned for the guy to come put it together (yes, we paid someone. It would have taken Dan 10 years & who knows if it would be put together right.) and of course it rained. Well, finally this Sunday they came to put it together. Of course they weren't quite done & it started drizzling but they kept going. At 6:30 they got it done so we woke up Cameron (late nap) and took him out. He was watching them build it all day while he played outside so he was so excited when it was done. He got to play on it for about 15 minutes before it started pouring down rain. He hasn't gotten to play on it since b/c yesterday we had hail and today it is snowing. Only in Ohio!!!

FFF-Beach

2009-04-03T23:49:00.003-04:00

Today's Favorite Foto Friday theme is "Beach'. I bought these sunglasses at Children's Place on Saturday on my girl's day out. He put them on and has to wear them every day all day. The first thing he says when he gets up is "Blue Eyes". He only takes them off for eating and sleeping. I know it isn't the best for him to wear at night but he is two and right now I am picking my battles carefully. Cameron has not been to the beach yet but we are going to California in June. We are staying near Universal the first 4 days and the last 3 days in Santa Monica on the beach. I am so excited. I lived there for about 6 months when I was 19 years old. I was completely broke and not working so I never got to enjoy much while living there. That is what happens when you are young and follow a boy there. Anyway Cameron is talking up a storm and really getting into things I can't wait to spend this vacation with him & Dan.

His new nickname is Chatty Cathy. He talks all day every day. Most of it I can understand but Daddy is still having a hard time. Dan has been in Vegas since Tuesday night and Cameron is doing okay with it. He did ask tonight if Daddy Home. He will be home tomorrow and I am so ready for him to come home. He goes every year but it is kinda good for us to be away from each other for a few days. We really realize how much we love and appreciate each other. He does so much for me and our family and I love him so much for it. He is so into his terrible twos. He has such a hot temper that he now throws temper tantrums for an hour to an hour and a half. I have no clue how he lasts that long but it wears me out. When he is home it doesn't bother me too much. He has become a little destructive at times so I put him in his crib with no toys and when he is done he lets me know. But a few weeks ago we took the car in for a maintenance appt. and he threw a fit the whole hour we were there and then an additional half hour after the appt. Everyone was staring of course b/c I wasn't picking him up and babying him. I try to comfort him but he pushes me away. I cried so hard the other day b/c I feel so bad when he gets upset. I have no idea how to comfort him and what to do for him. He refuses to tell him what he wants and it so hard to know what he wants. I am slowly learning how to handle it without getting so upset but it is hard with a hot-headed child. Why don't they come with manuals!

Scared to Death!

2009-03-02T23:34:00.002-05:00

Ever since we were not selected during the committee for a child in Korea I have been really down. We started thinking that maybe this was a sign from God that we should go for a girl. I keep looking at the photolisting. Every day I check them to see what children are waiting in Korea. Some children have severe special needs and while my heart breaks for them I don't think it would be fair to Cameron to bring a child into our home where we would spend a majority of our time in the hospital if we can help it. The way it works is they are given a batch of referrals just like any other country. They go through & send referrals to families who are a matched based on the form you filled out on what special needs you would prefer. If some children are not matched they go on the photolisting. You can then inquire & request additional medical information for your pediatrician to look over. Sometimes there are a few families that request information. After so many they won't send out anymore information. Then they wait for those families to decide if they wish to proceed with the adoption. The committee made up of 5 social workers looks over every families information & decides who is the best match for the child. Even though we know we are not bad parents in any way it is very hard to hear you are not selected. I hurried and started getting all our paperwork ready for our homestudy to have everything done & turned in before our committee meeting. I only had a few documents to collect. Then we were not selected and I put the binder away for a few weeks. Our homestudy agency is waiting on me to complete the paperwork before doing our first visit. I just can't seem to get it together. The fear is coming over me more than I anticipated. Am I ready? Yes. Am I somewhat prepared for two children? Yes. Am I okay with not having that little girl for this adoption? Yes. The ups and downs of Cameron's adoption are just coming back after our one year anniversary. He was so worth every mountain we had to climb and compared to some families they weren't that bad but when we signed up for Guatemala it was 6-8 months at the most. It then turned into one year for us. Children in Korea are not available for international adoption until they are 5 months old. The wait is usually 3-5 months at the most but again you never know. And yes we found another little guy we are interested in and are still waiting on our pediatrician to go over everything. She adopted two girls from China so she understands so much and is really helping us by looking at this child's information. We inquired on Thursday and by Friday they marked his picture as no longer accepting applications. Yes this means that there are other families looking at his information right now. If we do decide to proceed with adopting him there is a potential for us to have to go to committee again if other families would like to as well. I think this is scaring me for than anything. Can I handle another let down right now? What if we aren't selected and it puts me to where I just don't want to do another adoption right now? I know this is part of life and you have to take risks to go after that ultimate dream but I can't but be scared. I am human! But that the same time I can't help but think of the other families. I have to let go and God will help me through it no matter what the outcome.

Am I the only one who doesn't have the umph to blog?

2009-02-24T10:08:00.003-05:00

I have become an addict to Facebook. There I admit it. I am not on all day but I do check a few times a day. Mainly because I am doing the get-together in July. There is a lot going on with us. Cameron had his 2nd birthday party and it was a blast. I will post pictures & videos. We have our 1st family day on Friday. Dan is taking the day off and we are going to Newport Aquarium. We are spending the whole day together but that is what we do almost every day. We are a little concerned because while at Aunt Mollie's this weekend he became deathly afraid of their algae sucker. Hopefully when we see the big fish he doesn't freak out.

We are now looking at preschools for Cameron for the fall enrollment. I have to admit I have been crying about this. The thought of him not being with me all day is a little sad. I know he needs it and will be fine but I am very, very attached to my little man. He is growing up so much & he is so much fun to be around when he isn't teething. We are going on vacation in June to California and I can't wait. Not only to get some warm weather & sunshine but to watch how much fun Cameron will have. He is so into things now it is going to be so much fun to watch him play in the sand, ride the rides at Universal, see a baseball game & just be a kid. Hopefully he can handle the 5 hour flight there just fine.

We are working on our 2nd adoption now. We are just doing our homestudy now and really deciding on what program to go with. We were hoping to do Special Needs from Korea and actually found a little man we were absolutely in love with. Because we selected off a photolisting website along with a few other families our agency required us to go to committee for them to select who would be the best fit for the child. To say it was stressful is an understandment. We were not selected. I have found out who the family is that was selected and hope they love him as much as we would have. We were down for awhile but are back on the boat. Our child is out there but it will be when God decides. If we don't find a child from Korea by June then we will be going with Special Needs from China.

Please pray for this child

2009-02-20T09:36:00.001-05:00

I came across this through the Riggs Family blog. I just read it and balled my eyes out. Why do children have to go through this? Why can't all the bad, horrible people be the ones to go through it?

http://deckapes.blogspot.com/

Then & Now!

2009-02-15T10:04:00.005-05:00

3 days old-Our first picture of our baby boy!

In Guatemala on pick-up 1 year 14 days old

One year pictures (late) May 2008

Two year pictures. Now a little man!!

Happy Birthday sweet baby! I love you more than I ever thought possible. You mean the world to daddy & I. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect little man!

Birthday Fun

2009-02-14T00:57:00.004-05:00

Practicing blowing out candles

My baby will be two on Sunday. I have been crying a lot the last few weeks knowing he is growing up. Imagine how I will be when he turns 18. This is first birthday with us. We missed his 1st birthday by 12 days. I love this little man more than I ever felt possible. It hurts some days because I love him so much. He has inherited a lot of my bad habits being around me all day. Tonight we went to Skyline Chili for dinner. He was eating his crackers while we waited for dinner. He grabbed a napkin and started whiping down the table. He even picked up his cup of crackers and whiped under them. He is learning early!!! He now loves to repeat everything I say and do. Every time I clear my throat you can soon hear Cameron do the same thing. I have to tell him to "Come on" several times during the day. Boys!!! Soon after he does the hand gesture and says "Cumon" in Cameron. He loves his cars and choo-choos and his favorite color is blue. We took him the library a few weeks ago and got some books. He has to read them all before bedtime. Good thing I hid two of them. His favorite is What's Wrong Pookie?. If you have never read this book it is right up a toddler's alley. Let's just say there are a lot of No's in the book. And he knows most of the words now.

Tomorrow we are having his birthday party at Run, Jump & Play. I am so excited to enjoy the day with our son. Today I finally got everything ready and picked up some Disney Cars balloons. He loves them and has been talking about them all day. He got upset that we couldn't take them into any of the other stores after we picked them up. He makes me laugh so much! And let me tell you the twos are in full force. I have decided to write him a letter just from mommy every birthday until he is 18. I know now he will not understand but when he gets older it will be a nice thing to reflect on.

Sunday is his actual birthday and we are going to go to Build-A-Bear (sign up for the birthday club, you get a free stuffed animal) and then have dinner. I love watching grow into a little man but it breaks my heart that he can't just stay little. I pray to God every day for letting us be his parents. We are so lucky to be a part of his life. His birth mother gave me the best gift she could have given anyone and I pray for her every day.

Prayer Group

2009-02-08T23:17:00.003-05:00

I posted this on Facebook but wanted to put it on here to.

We are going to do a prayer group for Abby tomorrow. At 3:00 pm EST everyone stop what you are doing and pray for Abby. Maybe if we all pray at the same time God will heal this beautiful little girl faster.

http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/

Tagged by Mayna

2009-02-07T20:32:00.007-05:00

Mayna at http://aamayna.blogspot.com/ tagged Cameron.

1. Cameron newest obsession is dip. Almost every meal he has to have some kind of dip. He always goes and grabs the barbeque sauce out of the refrigerator and brings it to you.

2. He loves his shoes. He goes in his closet every day and picks out the ones he wants to wear.

3. He has this sinister laugh that is hysterical. I have no clue where he got it from but it is so funny when he does it.

4. He is very affectionate. Our 3rd day with him in Guatemala he gave me my first kiss all on his on. He loves to give kisses and hugs. If he sees us a hug someone he has to do it too.

5. He loves playing golf. We bought a plastic set last summer and now he has to play with it every day in the house. He is really good when he hits the ball.

6. Cameron came home on March 4th, 2008. On the night of March 6th, 2008 he took his first steps. Yes, you read that right 2 days later. After a few days of walking he starting running and hasn't stopped since.

7. He loves Mickey Mouse. We went to Disney last November and he tried to jump the line to get to see him and Minnie. He has 3 different Mickeys he has to sleep with every night. (Don't worry after he falls asleep I take them all out.)

8. He has a new night-night ritual. You have to kiss every stuffed animal in his bed before you kiss him. He will say Mama Pooh, Mama Mickey, Mama Mickey, Mama Mickey and Mama Dog Dog. Then it is Daddy's turn. If you don't kiss every one of them he throws a fit.

9. He is very good about cleaning up. Every day we go up for our nap, go bye bye or go to bed he has to put his toys away. I tell him to pick them up and he puts every one of them away and knows where they go. (Wonder who he learned this from?)

10. Cameron loves to see how things work. He watches you do something and then can do it all on his own. He has the jump & play pony that has to be plugged into the tv. He pulls out the box, plugs it in the correct color holes and turns it on all after seeing me do it one time.

Cameron is tagging...

Jaden at http://www.jadenrussell.com/

Isabella at http://adoptbellagrace.blogspot.com/

Caleb at http://cooksadoption.blogspot.com/

Eliana at http://thewheelerjourney.blogspot.com/

Calling all Guatemamas from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois or anyone else who wants to join in!

2009-02-04T23:25:00.004-05:00

I know like a lot of you I would love to go to Guatoberfest on the cruise. Unfortunately we are just not able to go. I have been thinking about doing a get together for us since most of the Guat get togethers are on the West Coast. I found an awesome hotel in Indianapolis, IN with a huge indoor waterpark. They allow 5 people to a room which I thought was a nice bonus.http://caribbeancovewaterpark.com/
The Children's Museum is a 10 miles away and that is one of the best we have been to. I thought we could go to this on Saturday. I was thinking of doing it July 17th-19th. Let me know if any of you would be interested on going. I have never done anything like this so be patient since this will be the first year and I will be learning along the way.

Come visit our blog and let me know if you would like to attend via comments or e-mail at agatheringofourhearts@hotmail.com.

http://agatheringofourhearts.blogspot.com/

What you really want

2009-02-04T00:27:00.000-05:00

Check this out!

2009-01-27T13:26:00.000-05:00

Check out this blog http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/. These people have been through a lot this month and are still able to see the good. It broke my heart to read their story.

I am going to be brutally honest...

2009-01-22T00:35:00.004-05:00

about myself. I am a total control freak in every sense of the word. Everything has a place and needs to be in the place. I wear the pants in this house most of the time. Well, I like to think so. Sorry honey! We tend to butt heads sometimes b/c we are both this way. I daydream all the time about things and events and how they will turn out. When they don't then I over analyze about what I did wrong that they didn't go my way. I know 95% of us in the adoption world pictured that day when your child will forever be in your arms. It will be glorious and happy. God will open the sky just for you and you will see this big beautiful ray of light. And like me it didn't quite turn out how you expected. But you lived through it and finally realized after days of over analyzing that it turned out how God knew it would. You actually have no control over the big things like that.

I finally realized I have become that person. That one who lets someone else take over the wheel and I just live my life. We went to an seminar last week and met another family who adopted internationally. We both spoke of our experiences, me actually exposing myself when asked what was your experience like. Well, lets see I knew Cameron would have an adjustment but I never thought about my adjustment. The fact that even though I hadn't given birth but my mommy hormones kicked in anyway. And boy did they kick in.

One woman asked the other adoptive family when and how God spoke to them about pursuing international adoption. First of all I found it I little wrong to ask this. I think it is a personal thing and if someone wants to let you know then they should on their terms. I also realized that God usually doesn't put a sign and say here this is your next step in life. And he certainly doesn't show you once since it takes most of us a few times before we "get" it. If he did everyone would have the perfect life and how boring would that be. She then proceeded to ask me did you ever worry about him being taken away. I answered right away "No." I worried more about him being safe but I knew that this was my path and God was in control. After thinking about it later that night I realized that the #1 thing I learned from international adoption (besides how much I can love one person) is to finally let go and let someone else take the wheel.

I have slowly been letting that happen and I truly feel better about life. My life. It still comes out at times especially when it comes to my home but there is a reason and a really long story for another time. Today I finally decided to let God take the wheel. Something very big & personal is going on in my life and I will fill you in at a later date (Jessica) but until then know that I have thought long & hard the last few months but once again it isn't turning out how I dreamed it would but it will turn out how it is meant to be!

Can you say slacker?!

2009-01-20T15:49:00.003-05:00

Like a lot of other people I have been slacking on the blogging. This cold weather makes me just want to stay in bed under the covers. There is a lot going on the Farrell household and a lot left to do. Cameron will be two next month & this mom is just not ready. I can't believe that my baby is growing up so fast. We are actually doing his birthday party at a bounce house that he loves going to. We went there for our friends' children's party last month and he was wild man there. After his birthday he will be moved to his big boy room. He has picked Disney's Cars for the theme and now mom gets to paint his room red. I love painting so it will be fun to do for him. Then his current room will become the playroom. I can't wait to have my living room back. There are toys growing out of the walls since Christmas was here. Although he is so good about picking them I am ready to see them have a place of their own. If anyone out there knows a good painter let me know. We are wanting to paint our great room and I would love to do it but I am afraid of heights and really don't want to paint the 19 foot walls. And no offense to my husband but I am usually the one painting around here. Also any storage ideas would be good too. We use the other 2 bedroom closets for our clothing storage and they have to go somewhere else. I thought about getting racks for the basment but don't know how good the covered ones protect against the dust and bugs. (It is unfinished.) This Saturday is getting his 2 year pictures done and I can't wait. He did pretty good last time but was very clingy to us so we had some crying. Now he loves having his picture taken. We are sending some pictures from the last year to his birth mom & foster mom in Guatemala so if you have any advice of the best way to ensure they get there let me know please!!

Last week we had our 1 year anniversary of getting out of PGN, birthmom signoff and BC. Dan had his 3 year anniversary with his company. A lot of people are wanting to jump on the low interest rates so his business is booming more than they ever thought possible. If anyone out there wants to refinance let me know I can hook you up with my hubby. Hehe!

We also have a very big change coming to our family and will let you all in as soon as I know. Needless to say once again my life didn't quite go the way I pictured but it still has turned out pretty good. God has really blessed me with great family & friends. And now thanks to Jessica I am addicted to Facebook and have met even more great friends.

Please keep this beautiful baby girl in your prayers!

2009-01-13T00:37:00.003-05:00

Little Abby has an aggressive form of Leukemia and starts her hardest round of chemo tomorrow. This just breaks my heart that this innocent little child has to endure all that she has been through. She has such a long road ahead of her. I pray & think about her every day and the strength she has to survive this.

http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/2009/01/valley-begins-tomorrow-would-you-pray.html

Nana bought Cameron a pony!

2009-01-08T22:36:00.003-05:00

The bounce & spin pony that is. She looked everywhere for this and finally found it at the last minute. I only had to show him how to use it once and he gets on it every day now. He loves just riding it but always ask for you to hook it up. He loves the alphabet and the counting.

Nana these videos are for you. The first one is from the morning after Christmas and the 2nd one is from a few days later.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My trips this year!

2009-01-06T22:48:00.002-05:00

Because you all asked I will gladly explain. Re-Union '09 is in Oklahoma. Kerri set this up and it will be in Tulsa, Oklahoma June 26-28. MoGuate will be August 6-9 at http://www.tan-tar-a.com/. This is a cool family resort. There are links on the side of my page with all the other blogs.

If anyone knows when Guatoberfest will be let me know.

Hugs,

Mindy

My 2009 Goals

2009-01-06T18:46:00.006-05:00

Yes, we are still alive! I have been a little behind on blogging b/c I found a new addiction-The Twilight series. I promised myself I wouldn't start them but after the 1st one I couldn't stop. I am on the last one so I will be back to blogging full time again.

I usually don't do this but this year I decided to make some goals for myself this year. My first one is to meet as many of my blogging buddies in person. I have met so many people through the wonderful world of adoption and blogger. I am so excited to be going to Oklahoma for Reunion '09 in June. Candy I can't wait have adjoining rooms and having our own little party. Then it is off to Missouri for Moguate in August. Again I signed up for this b/c of Candy. I am so excited that Vanessa is now going. I really don't like being in car for hours but it will be worth it to meet all these wonderful people and their beautiful children. Then off to Guatoberfest wherever it may be.

I also want to travel to Chicago this spring/summer. We have been in awhile and love going there. I really hope to be seeing Andrew & his mommy, Ruthanne. I actually had a dream the other night that my dad with went us. He met Ruthanne, they fell in love and she became my step-mom. How funny would that be!!!

Aimee-we have to get together again. I can't believe it has been almost a year since we brought our babies home. We won't be going to the X-mas party this Sunday. We will have to meet up somewhere halfway. How far are you from Columbus?

Anyone out there who wants to stop by or is traveling throught the Cincinnati area our open is always open. Any chance to meet any of my blogger friends!!

This is a shout-out to Jessica at http://www.jadenrussell.com/. You asked how close I was to Western KY, is there where you are from? I think it is time that Hannah, you & I get together. Hannah, I am ready to travel to Louisville but the only place I have been to there is the Louisville Slugger Factory so you will have to tell me a fun place to meet up.

My second goal is to begin our adoption for our 2nd child. We have decided on China but we have to wait until August when we will be married 5 years. We are hoping that Guatemala will re-open by then but you never know. Yes, I really, really want a little girl.

Mommy, finally gave in and let Cameron have his first big taste of barbeque sauce and now we have to have it will every meal.

Seriously Part 2!

2008-12-23T11:06:00.002-05:00

It's official. Mommy has strep. The nurse swabbed my throat and I knew right away that I had it. The doctor came in a few minutes later and said it is not strep and there is nothing I can give you. Seriously! I am in so much pain here. Five minutes later the nurse comes in and says sorry it is positive. I got antibiotics so hopefully I am feeling better by Christmas morning. I really want to enjoy Cameron's first Christmas home. Let me tell you being a stay at home mom is hard when you are sick. I can't take the medicines that knock me out so I really feel the pain from my throat right now. I keep taking ibuprofen for the pain. And Cameron gets so upset when Mommy won't kiss him. He cries so hard. Dan helped out last night so I could rest but Cameron wasn't liking it. No one does it like Mama!! Haha!!!

FYI: The full kitchen came and it is put together waiting for Christmas morning. I can't wait to see his face.

Seriously!

2008-12-22T10:58:00.003-05:00

Sorry I haven't blogged lately. This mommy is really sick. Cameron got it last week and gave it to me. We took him to the doctor yesterday and they said he had an upper respitory (sp?)infection but gave him no prescription. The doctor was against any medicine b/c of his age. I am really afraid I have strep and I tend to be a horrible patient. I really need to go to the doctor but it is freezing here in Cincinnati. It was down to -16 with the wind chill last night. Then it will be back up to 50 on Friday. Only in Cincinnati. It is really hard to take care of a toddler while you are trying to rest your voice. Ugggh!! We are hosting Christmas this year and we may be having bologna sandwiches for dinner if I am not feeling better.

Happy 22 month birthday!

2008-12-15T23:45:00.003-05:00

My baby turned 22 months today. I can't believe in 2 months he will be two. I have always loved this little man but the last few days it has hit me really hard. He has such a large part of my heart that I will never get or want back. In the last few days his vocabulary has exploded. He actually talked to his daddy on the phone today. He talks to Dan almost every day at work but usually just listens or says "Dada"! It was so cute hearing the excitement in his daddy's voice today.

Last one for today!

2008-12-09T23:18:00.004-05:00

I have to tell you of my Christmas horror story. I actually had about 95% of Cameron's Christmas shopping done before we left for Florida early November. We decided to get him a kitchen set (yes, my boy will know how to cook, clean & do laundry ladies). I got it the end of October but haven't opened the box to check the pieces. The other day I decided to wrap his gifts and get it over with. I always buy too much stuff that I hate wrapping by the time Christmas comes. Anyway, after wrapping most of it I opened the box to check the contents. Wait, where are the directions? Where are the other doors? Where are the other burners for the stove? I checked the back of the box and it said 1/2. I was missing a box. Are you kidding me? This happened to my sister-in-law on Christmas Eve and I knew better but waited anyway. I grabbed the computer and called Amazon. I found out it indeed came in 2 boxes and Fed-Ex didn't drop off the other one. They are sending a whole new replacement. I hope I get it in time and get both boxes. Just an FYI-If you order the Melissa & Doug kitchens they come in two boxes!!!

My first blogger award!!

2008-12-09T21:34:00.008-05:00

Hannah nominated me for my first blogger award. I don't know if my blog is so fabulous but thanks for the award. She & her family were actually at pick-up the same time we were. We never met b/c of obsession #5. She actually only lives about 3 hours of me. Maybe some day we can meet half way with our families so our guat-tots can meet. FYI: I love the haircut comment but I hope you aren't devistated b/c I am growing it back. It was a bad idea.

Here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous bloggers in a post. 2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post. 3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post. Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

1st obsession: Windex. I am addicted to windexing everything in my house I can. I know, what am I thinking with a toddler and 5 animals.

2nd obsession: Keeping things in their place. I know, again I have a toddler but I have OCD or something. I get it honestly from my mom. Everything has a place and needs to be in that place. My house is not spotless by any means but things are always in their place. All right most of the time!

3rd obsession: Reading your blogs. I know have a list of almost 50 blogs now that I check almost daily. I am not good at doing my blog and would rather read them than do my own.

4th obsession: Candy!!! Anything grape & sweet I love to eat and it is usually that candy I used to eat at 10 years old. Don't let let me walk by a candy store because I always buy too much. My old co-workers used to make fun of me all the time because of it. Let's just say during the adoption there was an endless supply in my office. The best are the Now a Later candy canes. They taste just like the candy and they stain your lips and tongue just like them too.

5th obsession: This is the hardest to admit. I tend to be obsessed with fitting in. I am very shy but love meeting new people. I tend to be quiet because I am not quite sure what to say to people. But once I warm up and get to know you then I can be a little crazy & silly. I have tried very hard to end this obsession but this is a hard thing to get over.

I am changing it up a little and adding 5 things Cameron is obsessed with.

1st obsession: Zippers! He has figured out how they work and loves to zip them up & down. When he wears his footy pjs I always find him asleep in his crib with them down to his ankles. I have to take a picture of it even though it drives me nuts.

2nd obsession: Dog food bowls. He has started an obsession with feeding them their food and then bringing you their bowls if they are empty. He won't stop until you fill them up.

3rd obsession: Dog poo! We have a yorkie puppy who is having potty training issues when it comes to #2. Cameron will check the great room all day for it. Then when he finds it he needs to keep walking around and checking on it. Then he growls (like his mom) and says "Sammy, no, no!".

4th obsession: His stuffed dog dogs. They go everywhere with us. We got his second one at Home Goods while I was Christmas shopping. Then we got home and I showed him his first one that he had before he came home.

5th obsession: Grapes! He will eat them all day, evey day if you let him. I try to limit his intake b/c the end result is just not pretty.

Okay it is hard to pick 5 blogs out of the 50+ I check every day but here goes:

1) Candy I came across her blog on adoption.com and love reading it. She seems so fun (we have never met in person) and loves to have a good time. She got me hooked on crocs & the charms for them. I finally get to meet her in June at Reunion '09 & then see her again at MoGuate.

2) Jenna I just came across her blog b/c of adoption.com. I just found out our blog is on her list so she discovered me first. She just adopted her 2nd son via domestic adoption.

3) Jeck She is such an awesome person and always has the most sweetest things to say when you are feeling down! I really would love to meet her some day.

4) Ruthanne She has the cutest little boy who is only a month older than Cameron. I would love to meet them some day. Dan says they look a lot alike.

5) http://www.thegrowingwarehouse.blogspot.com/ I love reading this blog and keeping up with their adoption of their 2nd child from Vietnam. They made it just by the cut off time.

Ready for Christmas!

2008-12-09T20:56:00.007-05:00

I really, really love Christmas. My grandmother had me hooked. She was so into it and loved passing that on to me. Last year was very depressing and I almost vetoed Christmas. This year is so special b/c Cameron is home that I have to make up for last year. As soon as we got home from Florida the middle of November I told Dan I wanted the tree up. He thought I was crazy. He was taking too long to do so I decided to bring up the tubs of decorations. Needless to say my dumb butt pulled out my back but it was worth it. Cameron loved helping me put the decorations up. Since we only put the tree up last year I couldn't remember where anything went and had to make them unaccessable to a toddler. He now points to them every day and says "Pretty". He also knows who Santa is and says "Santa" all day. Here are some of our pretties.

Cameron picked this out all by himself.

Our Disney ornament.

The beginning of the chaos.

Dan hates blow-ups but let me get these 2 small ones for Cameron.

Let it mow, let it mow, let it mow!

2008-12-09T20:47:00.004-05:00

We had our first snow this weekend. On Saturday it started snowing and kept going all day. Most of it didn't stick but Cameron loved watching it all day. He kept saying "Mow, mow". We went out and got him some snow pants and a sled. Sunday morning Dan took him out and pulled up and down the driveway on the sled. He showed no emotion in the video but loved every minute of it. He really liked making snowballs and throwing them.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Turkey Day

2008-11-27T00:57:00.004-05:00

I am so thankful that Cameron is home to enjoy this Thanksgiving with us. Last year I was very depressed just knowing he wasn't going to be home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who works so hard so I can stay home with our precious son. I am so thankful for our friends and family (our pets too) who are so supportive and understanding. I am very thankful to his birthmother and God for letting Cameron be a part of our lives and me to be able to call him my son. I am also thankful for all the wonderful people I have met along the way on this great journey in life. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and know we love you all!!! I am off to bed to get sleep before my cooking begins. And yes our Christmas tree is up along with all our other decorations. (And I won this year, we bought two blow-ups, a Tigger and Mickey) This is Cameron's first Christmas home and since I pretty much boycotting last year and had to make up for it! He loves the trees and always says Pretty!!

He is growing up way too fast!

We went and saw Santa on Saturday. He wasn't impressed.

Waiting in line for Santa.

We finished the tree tonight. It has been up since we got back from Florida.

Kids say the darnest things!

2008-11-27T00:47:00.002-05:00

I keep meaning to post this story and I know most of you have heard it but I just have to tell you. We went to Disney a few weeks ago. Cameron's favorite character (or so I thought) was Pooh. Well, we found out he is in love with Mickey too. When we got in the line to meet him Cameron tried jumping the rope and was kicking and jumping with excitement. Anyway being a 21 month old he is still having problems with pronunciation. He tries so hard though. He can say the M in Momma, Minnie & Milk but Mickey not so much. He calls him Dickey. I have tried to work with him and have him watch my lips. He now says MmmDickey. Every night mommy puts his jammies on with his night time diapers. They have Mickey on the front. He has never paid attention to this until a few weeks ago. The other night I was getting him dressed for bed after his bath. He looks down points to his diaper and says "Dickey". I laughed so hard. If you don't know Mickey just happens to sit right in the very front of his diaper. It was the funniest thing ever and I am sure a story I will torture him with.

More Florida Pictures

2008-11-21T23:45:00.003-05:00

Here are the last of our Florida pictures. We went to one of the country clubs for dinner. They have lobster and it is so good. Cameron was so good and loved going out to see all the old people. LOL!!! We also went to dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant at the Villages where they live. After we went to one of the town squares and Cameron enjoyed dancing with Mamaw & Papaw. He kept trying to go up on stage. He loved watching them all dance. I am so glad he got this to spend this whole week with his grandparents.

FFF..For Crying Out Loud

2008-11-21T23:11:00.005-05:00

This is from our pick-up trip. My poor baby was so upset.

See he did survive!

This was before I changed his clothes.

Like most people if Cameron is crying I usually delete them. Lately he doesn't even let me take them if he is made. Here are a few I posted awhile ago. He was mad because I changed his clothes. I got his Christmas outfit awhile ago and was taking pictures to enter in the Baby Gap contest. I then changed his clothes to try on his other Christmas vest & he wasn't having it. He wanted that tie & vest on so bad. I know he looks so pathetic but trust me he survived. He is VERY, VERY good at the fake cry. Sometimes too good!!! (I don't know why this is underlined & the pictures didn't load in order.)

Disney Day 2

2008-11-19T00:09:00.005-05:00

I really wanted to go to Universal Studios new park. They have a Dr. Seuss land that I was excited to see. We were going to go to Animal Kingdom instead but there weren't many rides for Cameron. We then decided on Hollywood Studios because they had Playhouse Disney. It probably wasn't the best choice but we were there so we just enjoyed it. Cameron loved the stunt car show. He kept saying "More, more." He has never done that. He clapped and cheered the whole time. We actually saw Angel's daughters Zoe & Caitlyn but couldn't find Angel anywhere. I really wanted to meet her since I stalk her blog all the time. He was a little crabby at the park but that is to be expected since it was actually kinda warm. Every ride he kept saying "Choo Choo." We stayed for the Fantasmic show and I loved it. Sorry some of the pictures are dark. I am still learning how to take pictures at night. There were lots of people in one spot though and that really makes me nervous. All in all we had so much fun and watching him enjoying it was awesome. I cried so much watching him. Two days was very tiring though. I don't know how people stay for a whole week.

Disney Day One

2008-11-18T23:34:00.004-05:00

We left about 9:30 on Wednesday morning to head to the Magic Kingdom. Dan wanted to go later but I wanted to spend every minute we could there. Cameron was so excited and so was mommy!!! I couldn't wait to see that "Awe" look in his eyes. We got on the tram and the first thing out of his mouth was "Choo choo!" He has never said that ever. Then we rode the monorail over and he said the same thing. We should have just saved our money and rode the monorail all day. The look on his face when we firsted stepped in was priceless. He actually started smiling in his pictures when we were there. He has a tendency to say "Cheese" but not smile. The first ride we went on was It's a small world. Dan & I realized we have never seen that part of Magic Kingdom last time we went. He loved every ride we went on. Right before the parade he passed out. I was a little disappointed but I couldn't wake him. After we took him down to Toon Town. Candy recommended going there and he loved it. He saw the Pooh ride and went crazy. He loved riding that ride. He got a big stuffed Pooh. Dan wanted to get him the biggest one but I knew we would have to carry it around all day. He tried to walk out with two. I have a video I will post later of him saying Pooh. He says it so cute!!! We took him to Mickey's tent to meet Mickey & Minnie. While we were in line he figured out who it was and tried to jump the rope. He started jumping up & down like crazy. He kissed Minnie on the nose and then kissed Mickey on the nose twice. Dan heard them whisper how cute Cameron was. He loved seeing them up close. We tried to see Pooh & Tigger but they were taking forever with each kid. We would have wasted so much waiting and frankly as expensive as the tickets were we weren't going to do that. He rode all the other rides that we could. Right when we were walking to the front Dan said let's ride Haunted Mansion. I really thought he would be scared but they redesigned the ride so we had to. He laughed the whole time. It was so funny!! We were going to stay for the fireworks but Mommy was hungry, nothing was open and I had a big headache. We got McDonalds and checked in. We all ate and mommy & daddy were pooped. Cameron was still going. He got his own bed & I was really nervous about him sleeping in it. He fell asleep at midnight. I kept waking up and checking on him. At 2:30 I thought he woke up because he was wrestling around in the bed. I was pretending to be asleep in case he was waking up. All of a sudden I heard "POOOHHH" "POOOHHH". I looked up and he was sound asleep. He was dreaming about Pooh. How cute is that! Stay tuned for Day 2!

Finally posting about Florida!

2008-11-18T23:10:00.003-05:00

Sorry but I am just now finally posting about our first week long vacation to Florida. I have been a little lazy since we came home. Trick-or-treat was on Friday. Of course, me, the procastonator waiting until the that week to pack and get things ready. Why is it that the wives have to pack for everyone? No, I didn't pack Dan's stuff but I still had to get Cameron & me packed. Then make sure we had snacks & drinks for the ride down along with stopping mail & the paper. Of course anal me always has to clean the house before we leave for vacation. I love coming home to a clean house & not having to worry about anything but resting. Anyway Dan had the bars put on our new car so we could put up the roof rack and of course the dumb dumbs stripped the tool & screws so Dan couldn't move the rack. He tried & tried for hours. He was supposed to get a nap after work but of course he didn't. My mom came over, we put on his monkey costume and off we went. We went next door to drop off our candy and he started balling. We were sure he wasn't going to like it. We kept going and he got the hang of it. The quicker we went the better. And if we stopped to talk to any of our friends he was already trying to go to the next house. He couldn't say trick-or-treat but he said "Thank you" every time. He lasted most of the 2 hours. Dan tried messing with the roof rack again but he just tied down the back end. Of course we left an hour and a half later. Cameron hardly slept most the ride. He didn't even fall asleep until midnight. And then slept off and on the 15 hour ride. We were so exhausted from the drive. Note to self no more driving at night. We had fun hanging out with Grandma & Grandpa. Unfortunately Cameron acted out a lot on the whole trip. He was being so bad. I know a lot was just being in a new house (He doesn't do that in hotel rooms.) and having too many people trying to discipline him. He really gets his feelings hurt when he is told No. He loved riding in Grandpa's golf cart. He wanted to be out the whole trip. One night we took him to a Mexican restaurant. It is my favorite and I have to go there every time. He was in awe watching everyone that worked there. He loves seeing other latinos and listening to them speak spanish. Unfortunately the bad part was having to pack for our night in Disney. Wait till you hear how Disney was!!!

Who doesn't love a good crying laugh!!

2008-11-17T00:07:00.003-05:00

I was watching SNL last night. I usually just barely have it on because most of the time it just isn't that funny. I love when Justin Timberlake is on because he is just so hilarious. You HAVE to watch this clip from last night. I woke Dan up laughing so hard. I was crying from laughing so hard. It is hilarious.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7f5zf_justin-timberlake-beyonce-parodie-s_music

Some Disney pics to hold you over!!!

2008-11-13T12:00:00.002-05:00

I am just now feeling normal after getting home from our trip. I will post about our trip later. Here are some pics to hold you over!!

Carving his first pumpkin!!

2008-10-30T12:34:00.001-04:00

Looking Back

2008-10-30T11:47:00.005-04:00

On the 4th Cameron will be home 8 months. I really can't believe it has been that long. I was looking at some video we took on our pick-up trip and when we got home. The first one is from our pick-up trip in Guatemala. This was the first time he gave me a kiss. Most of you know my son is VERY affectionate. He will love on almost anyone he meets.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The second video is his first time walking. He only gave me two days after coming home before walking. I wish I wouldn't have missed those few months of seeing him crawl. All well. I love him bunches anyway!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mamaw & Papaw!

2008-10-30T00:01:00.005-04:00

Dan's mom wanted a special name for Cameron to call her. All the other grandkids just call them grandma & grandpa. We decided to see what Cameron comes up with. It is now officially Mamaw & Papaw. He says it all the time now with all the other names he says. Dada, mama, bubba, nanna, mamaw, papaw, sammy, boo boo, loo loo, riri, kitty, pooh, tigger, elmo and mickey. I hear them all day every day but it is so cute. Here is a short video with him saying it. It was also his first time with ketchup!! Yeah! LOL!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mommy's birthday, Disney on Ice & wedding shots!

2008-10-28T00:21:00.001-04:00

What a week!

2008-10-27T22:47:00.004-04:00

Sorry it has been awhile but for the first time ever little man was sick. Saturday we went to Disney on Ice. Cameron cried at first when he saw Mickey & Minnie. We were the 3rd row and probably a little too close for him. He finally settled down and just had that Ah look on his face. I cried of course. I love seeing that look when he discovers new things. Of course I wanted to get him a souvenir but they are so over priced. We are going to Disney next week and we would rather spend our money there. We left at intermission and headed to the wedding reception. Dan didn't think we would make it but we did with like 15 minutes to spare. Cameron had fun but wanted to continue running around the dance floor while there were a lot of drunk people out there. I think we did a little too much that day because the next day he was so sick. He had a really bad cold and is just now getting better. And thank God, I don't know if I can handle anymore of the snotty nose. We bought a new car last week and I am so excited since we are taking that to Florida. It is fully loaded but we saved a ton of money. It will be nice to turn on the DVD player for Cameron when he is awake. He loves riding in that car. Not much else going on around here. Just getting ready for our trip. This is our first full week vacation as a family. I know I am over packing just like I did for Guatemala but I am always over prepared. Who knew?! LOL!!! Cameron now says Papaw & Mamaw which is what he now calls Dan's parents. It is so cute hearing him say everyone's names all day. Sadly I am actually almost done with his Christmas shopping. We decided to start early to spread it out a bit. I just wish I would have started everyone else first. I know it will be hard not to keep buying him things. When we get home from Florida the tree is going up. Last year I was going to boycott Christmas because he wasn't home yet but the week before I decided to go with it. This year is going to be the best b/c he is home. I am getting so excited already. I have spent a lot of time today thinking of his birth mother. I would love to be in contact with her somehow. Unfortunately my agency says go through them but it has been 8 months and I still haven't gotten any pictures of his foster family yet. I think the best thing may be to go straight to her. Just to send her pictures & updates on Cameron. I would love her to know how he doing and how grateful we are to her for letting us raise him. I am so happy to say he is our son. It is hard though to wonder how different her life is in Guatemala. We have decided to hold out and wait & see if Guat opens up next year. Both our hearts are still in Guatemala and I would love to have that Mayan princess that already lives in my heart. I leave you with pictures of Cameron at the pumpkin patch from a few weeks ago. We went with Dan's parents and his sister and her family. It was the first time he has really just got to play with his two cousins. It was actually 90 degrees and very humid. I really wanted to do the hay ride but Cameron was in a mood and the heat didn't help at all. Evan & him really had fun being boys!!! Friday night after trick-or-treat we leave for Florida. Yeah!!!!

Happy 31st Birthday!

2008-10-17T10:34:00.004-04:00

I turn 31 today and this is the best birthday ever because I get to spend it with my son. We tend to make the whole weekend our birthday weekend around here. I love doing that. Tonight we are just going to play with toys at a new store that opened and then out to dinner. Tomorrow we are going to Disney on Ice although we won't get to see all of the show. We have to go to the wedding reception right after. Then Sunday I think we will either go to COSI in Columbus or the Children's Museum in Cincinnati. I know what about what I want to do but seeing a big smile on my son's face just makes my birthday wishes come true. (I had my first girl's night out last Friday night. It was fun to take a break from everything. Thanks for watching Cam daddy.)

Here is the e-mail I got this morning from my son: (I cried for a minute)

Happy B-Day Mommy!

Daddy and I want to take you to the Montgomery Inn tonight after we check out my Christmas gift options. I’m going to be very good today for you.

Love,

Cameron
xoxo

Cameron fix!

2008-10-16T12:33:00.003-04:00

He was throwing a fit b/c I took off his vest & tie.

The 2's are here early. Help!!! I know he will throw tantrums but now he is screaming. AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS!!! It is really a ear deathing screech. Everyone stares and can't believe it is such a little boy making such an awful noise. I have been taking him away from the situation and talking to him on his level but now he has also decided to push mommy down. I really hope this doesn't last forever!!

This was just too easy!

2008-10-16T12:07:00.004-04:00

Monday I was so excited about getting Elmo that I didn't sleep well. My phone decided to beep at 5:00 am b/c it was dying. Great now the alarm won't go off. I got up and set the alarm clock, fell back asleep and my phone alarm did go off at 5:45 am. I got ready and woke Cameron up at 7:30 am. He was smiling & so happy. He is always too awake for me. We pulled into Target's parking lot at 8:00 am. Are you serious?! Maybe they really don't open until 9:00 am. There were hardly any cars in the parking lot. This can't be this easy. We walked in and went straight to the toys. We saw a much older couple with 2 of them. Okay they are here! Please have some left. I kept telling Cameron to cross his fingers and say "Yeah Elmo!" We went around the corner and there was one left. There was someone in front of us heading straight for it. Oh no! Why else would someone be in Target at 8:00 am. I watched slowly in anticipation. He walked right by. Yeah it's mine. We picked up that last Elmo and screamed with joy. We walked around a few minutes and walked by the display again. There was two more. Should I grab them to sell on Ebay or Craigslist. I just couldn't. Then there was another older couple picking one up for the grandchild. The man said "I don't think that is it." I looked at him & said "Yes, that's it." I called Dan and told him we got it. He asked me to grab another to sell on Ebay but I just couldn't. I can't stand people who do that when there are limited supplies. We drove around a bit and ate breakfast. I decided to stop at Wal-mart b/c Dan's comment was eating at me. I went in and there were a lot of them. They were even on the tops of the toy shelves. So of course I had to grab one more. No one else was there for them at all. So I guess it is going up on Ebay. I think I might wait awhile b/c I just checked & there are lots of them. Some people are selling them for $500 a piece. I will not be that bad but making a little money to help out with Christmas money won't hurt.

Melmo in the flesh!!

This is for all the Guat tots and their moms!!

2008-10-16T11:54:00.009-04:00

I have to admit I am not that into Crocs. Especially on me. But then I ran across Candy's blog at http://guateawonderfulworld.blogspot.com/ and saw how cute they looked on Kya Blu. On little feet they are adorable and Cameron loves them. Dan not so much since they are kinda pricey. I finally found some at Meijer that can hold the Jibbitz (the little charms for all who don't know). Well, I went on Jibbitz.com looking for Disney ones for our trip and came across the best ones I have ever seen. They are going in his Christmas stocking.

Aren't the Guatemala flag ones just awesome!!!

Ready for Disney!!

Am I the only crazy mom?!

2008-10-13T23:57:00.002-04:00

I am getting up at the butt crack of dawn. (I am not a morning person at all.) I will be one of those freaks who is at the door of Target when they open at 8:00 a.m. to get the Elmo Live. I looked and looked and never reserved one in time. I tried to from Fisher Price but they are on back order now and it may not make it here by Christmas. I have to have it for Cameron's 1st Christmas home. Wish me luck!!!

What do I do?

2008-10-10T01:06:00.002-04:00

I am such an idiot. I bought Disney on Ice tickets for next weekend. I was so excited and decided this is what I wanted to do for my birthday. I checked every show and found the Saturday night show to be the one with the best seats. Well, guess what? Dumb, dumb me forgot we have a wedding to go to on Saturday night. Do you think I can just switch shows? Is that even allowed? I want to go so badly to this show. Just seeing Cameron's smile will make me the happiest mom ever!!!

FYI: At the bottom of the blog there is a slide show. This is Cameron's outfit I got for his Christmas pictures. The shoes & vest I got at Crazy 8 and the tie came from Children's Place. There is a hat that matches the vest but they didn't have his size so I have to order it off the internet. He will be wearing a white button down shirt instead of the t-shirt. He is just like his parents and loves clothes. He whistled (Cameron style) when he saw himself in the mirror. We had to do a photo shoot today b/c I entered him into a modeling contest. Stay tuned to see if Cameron becomes a finalist.

Daddy's back!

2008-10-09T12:40:00.002-04:00

Last Thursday Dan went on his annual golf trip to Cumberland. He didn't get back until Sunday night. Let's just say both Cameron & I were wore out. His sleep schedule was a little out of whack b/c Dan was gone. He is a daddy's boy most of the time. We ran around and did anything I could think of to keep him busy. I got all excited Friday night & decided we would drive to Columbus and go to COSI. I love COSI and now can go with my baby boy. I got up early got ready. Got Cameron ready. He was fighting me about everything. I guess he wanted to be the dirty boy with no face washing or teeth brushing. By the time we got out of here, went to Starbuck's (I NEEDED my pick me up), got money and got gas it was 12:30. He was whiny in the car and I didn't know if I could handle an hour and a half drive by myself. If he did fall asleep would he be whiny at COSI? So I got off the highway and decided to just go to a farm and do the pumpkin patch thing. I knew there were two on OH 48 but what was the address? I drove one way turned around and drove the other way. After an hour and getting lost I decided forget it we are going to Toys R Us. We finally made it to Toys R Us and got Cameron the Fisher Price Ride in Coupe and looked at ideas for Christmas. We went & got his outfit for Christmas pictures. I know really early but Dan & I decided this was the outfit and I didn't want it to be gone. I only got part of it at Crazy 8 b/c they had sold out of some things already. Look for pictures soon. Let's just say Sunday night all 3 of us crashed. We both missed him very much!

What's next?? A get real post!!

2008-10-04T00:08:00.002-04:00

These last few weeks my brain has been running 500 mph. I tend to over analyze everything. I want to do this. Well, if I do this what will the outcome be? Is it the right choice for me or my family? Is it the right time right now? I tend to think when I want to do something I have to do it right this minute. I can't wait a few days or weeks. If I see something I want or want for Cameron I have to get it now. What if it sells out then what? Like my life will come to a stop if I don't get that one item. Example: I have been hunting everywhere for winter hats & golves for Cameron. We have none for him & if it gets cold here what am I going to do. Like something will seriously happen if this one time I take my time to find them. Really Mindy. I have really been researching our next step towards child #2. I know Cameron has only been home 7 months tomorrow. But I really want our children to only be 3-3.5 years apart. And the time some countries are taking these days we need to get moving. I want a girl so bad. Every day I have to walk right by the girls clothes or I will buy everything. We really would love to go back to Guatemala for #2 but they are closed right now & who knows when or if they will re-open. When they do I know like us other people are looking into it and there will be a line from here to Guatemala of people waiting for to adopt. I really wanted to do China in the beginning but they are taking up to 4 years now for a referrral. We looked into Korea and were very excited about it but there is only one agency in Ohio that can handle Korean adoptions. (Korea requires the agency you use be located in your state of residence.) We thought about the waiting children for Korea or China. Then I fell in love with Ethiopia and the fact that there is a large chance of getting a child under 6 months. And there is the choice of do we go ahead and try for one of our own again. We only did mild fertility treatments before but seeing the time & money go down the drain after trying for 2 years on our own was just too much stress. And me on hormones--WATCH OUT!!! I really feel like there is something medically wrong with me but no one will listen. Is everything the same every month they ask? Yes, I say but it just isn't normal. Either way I have to figure out what is wrong with me. How does someone produce 5-6 eggs on just Clomid and still can't get pregant with an IUI. Come on. They wouldn't let me do the shots because the results I got from the pills people usually have from the shots. I really want just one of our own and then adopt any others from there on but it is really what path does God have for me. What is next for me? And why do I bother letting it eat me up inside? Why can't I just live my life and see what happens? Because I am me and this is how God made me. Now just show me the way so I know what to do. Please!!!

Celine Dion concert pictures--Finally

2008-10-03T23:43:00.006-04:00

Unlike most people I forget to take pictures of just Dan or I or the two of us together when we are out on our dates. Here are pictures from the concert. Dan got me these tickets for Christmas but I was just now able to enjoy them. It was an awesome concert if you love Celine. She is just an very gracious person.

Favorite Foto Friday-Summer Memories

2008-10-03T23:01:00.003-04:00

These pictures are from our first weekend vacation as a family. We went to Gatlinburg for a long weekend. Cameron had his first road trip and his first visit to the zoo. If you ever go there go to the Knoxville Zoo. It is so clean and awesome. It was like 99 degrees that day but we still had fun. They even let people go into the elephant exhibit to watch them play. He loved the wax museum which I thought he would be terrified of. He thought it was so neat to touch them. I know the picture with Hef is bad but I just had to. I can't wait until our first big vacation next month. We are off to Grandma's & Grandpa's (Dan's parents) house in Florida. They go down for a month and a half before Christmas, come home in December and then usually go back for 4-5 months. I do miss them terribly when they are away but they love it down there. We usually go every year, drive down (13 hours) with the dogs, hit Disney for a day and just hang out & spend time with them. We didn't go last year b/c I just couldn't do it without Cameron again. I am not looking forward to the 13 hour drive with a toddler and 2 of the 3 dogs but the reward will be awesome. We are going to Disney for 2 days and I can't wait to see the look on his face. Dan isn't sure if he will know what is going on but my boy is so smart that I am sure he will be so excited to see Pooh and Tigger in person. He says their names every day all day along with mama, dada, bubba or sometimes Cameron, Mammy (aka Sammy), Boo (Mariah aka Boo Bear), Loo Loo (aka Louie) and Ri ri (aka Riley). He still can't say Rascal yet but for him to keep 4 of our 5 animals straight is beyond smart. I can't get them right sometimes.

One more update!

2008-09-25T01:23:00.002-04:00

My mom is doing awesome. She had to stay an extra day b/c she had a little pneumonia but it was gone by the next morning. She very proud to say she can fit in her old clothes again. She lost quite a bit of weight (which always tends to happen when gets the loser men out of her life) and the doctor gave her a free tummy tuck while he was in there. I told her to go see the other surgeon when she was ready to get herself fixed up right. I am so happy she is doing good this time and took my advice for once. LOL! Love ya mom. Now if we can find her a good man after this I think things will be good for her. Cameron goes for his 18 month check-up a month late on Friday. I know bad mom. I did try to schedule but their phone was always busy. I did way him this weekend and he weighs 26.2 lbs. I miss my little man. I know he has to grow up but it is so hard. I try real hard to let him do things on his own but at times it is hard to let go. Monday night Dan & I went to the Celine Dion concert in Columbus. He got me the tickets for Christmas. He doesn't really listen to her music so I should have taken Mindy instead but it was nice to get away just the two of us. Aunt Mollie (Dan's sister) watched him for us. The next day I got the rath b/c we left him. The concert was good though so it was worth it. Hopefully he didn't wear Aunt Mollie down so she will babysit again some day. And today I went to Wal-Mart (which I never do since I am an avid Target fan) to find the pumpkin decorating things that Candy & KyKy had. No such luck. All well I only have like 10 other Wal-Marts in our area to check. But we did discover our first tantrum in public. I decided to let him cry it out and just told him to tell me when he was done. People give me the goofest looks when I say that. 30 minutes later he stopped but got a talking to when we got to the car. Cameron never acts like this so it was very hard for me but I make without letting it upset me. Here come the twos. YEAH!!

P.S. I can't load pictures so tomorrow I will most the concert pics.

Can you say bad blogger!

2008-09-25T00:58:00.005-04:00

I check everyone else's blogs and get upset if there is no new news on their families but look at me. Well, Cameron went to his first Bengals game and of course I forgot the camera. I decided I would take some when we got home. Well, it was very windy and I hadn't kept up on the weather other than it was going to rain later. Hurrican Ike was on its way with winds at 80 m.p.h. Only in Ohio as I always say. We got home to find our big tree in front of the house knocked over. Things were blowing everywhere in the back yard & we had no power. I told Dan to run in and get the door unlocked I would grab Cameron. I grabbed everything I could and headed for the front door. I was starting to drop things running as fast as I could. Guess what?! Dumb dumb locked the front door. I rang & rang the doorbell. No answer. By this point I am mad and trying to not drop him & things in my hands and it is very windy. I ran to the back and yelled for him. He finally came around and I yelled at him for locking the door. As of course he says he didn't. I told him to hold the dogs so I could get in the gate. I walked in the house and guess what?! The front door was locked. Hello! Anyway, we are safe and no damage to the house. We lost the only other big tree we had b/c we had to cut the birch tree down. Dan insisted we go to dinner that night. I tried to tell him that there would be no where to eat b/c there was no power. We adventured out. No stop lights working. Look all the restaurants are dark & CLOSED. Kroger was our only option. We got some food and ran home. No power until late Monday night. Thank God I didn't run to the store like I was going to that weekend. We didn't get phones until Thursday and internet until Friday. Of course Dan had the office all to himself since Todd (his business partner) was on vacation. He got the phones & internet up so his employees could get back to work the next day. It was hard on Cameron at night. He was very testy. The first night he slept in our bed. The next morning I said he had to sleep in his crib from now on. It was easy in Guatemala on P/U because he was smaller and we had no animals in the bed. Now that he is bigger and he turns sideways he kicks Mommy in the neck and then wakes up at 6:00 a.m. Here are pictures of our poor tree. Our neighbor said ours was the first to go on the street.

Naked house with no trees in front. Our neighbor's roof. They just moved a few weeks ago. There was damage all over the roof.

Look at what I went off & did!

2008-09-12T15:46:00.001-04:00

Now!!

Before the chop!

Mommy I love you!

2008-09-08T23:36:00.002-04:00

Right now I should be in bed asleep b/c I have to get up at 5:00 a.m. My mom has surgery tomorrow morning. Dan, Cameron & I are going. I hate to say it but I am really worried. It is actually a pretty simple procedure. She had to have part of her bowel removed last year b/c she had a tear in it. While it was healing she had to have a poopy bag as I call it. Well, she went in to have everything put back together last year and it didn't go so well. She developed pnemonia and had to go on oxygen and a respirator. Then she had an infection b/c her dumbass surgeon had sewn part of her bowel part of her stomach fat. You would think she would know what a bowel looks like. So she had to have emergency surgery to put the poopy bag back on. Then she got MRSA. Yes, the lovely staph infection. It was so hard to watch her be sedated. I would stay with her all day. She couldn't talk or write but she would tell you what she wanted. She doesn't remember any of it. I really wish she would go after that doctor but that is her choice. She missed my baby shower b/c she got so sick but if I would have canceled it she would have killed me. I already went to target and loaded up on lysol wipes, lysol and hand sanitizer. Anyone that steps foot in that room better wash their hands and not touch anything that hasn't been sanitized. She has another doctor doing her surgery. She works at the hospital and has really gotten to know him. He better do this right or he will be in a world of hurt. We all love you very much mom! You will be just fine.

Home in the U.S.A. for 6 months

2008-09-04T21:41:00.002-04:00

I have been thinking all day what I was going to say today. It has been 6 months since Cameron has been home in Ohio with us. He was so happy all day even after getting up at 5:00 a.m. to catch the shuttle to the airport. Every girl that worked in the airport was in love with him. It was a little different taking a little one through the airport security 3 different times. Note to everyone you cannot carry them through with the carrier. I told Dan but he kept forgetting in Guatemala. He slept most of the 1st flight to Houston. Finally in Houston we got to go through immigration with our son. I was so happy to finally say "Yeah he is OUR son." We only waited for about 4o minutes. Amy, Andy & Mayna who was with us (they used our agency as well) went before us. Poor Amy was so sick and almost didn't make the flight home. Then it was our turn. He smiled & laughed the whole time. We ate after going through security and Cameron had his first chicken nugget. He was in love!! LOL! When we landed in Dayton it was pooring down rain. My dad was the only one meeting us. We kinda asked everyone to meet us later b/c he wasn't doing good with attachment. My dad picked the luggage & us up at the front door. He was so happy to be a grandpa and to finally see his grandson. He did pretty good in the carseat as long as I was back there. When we pulled into the driveway I have to say a weight was lifted from my shoulders. He is finally here. He will finally sleep in his room, in his crib that has been there for over a year. He loved his room. He was checking everything out. Especially the diaper pail. That was his favorite. Then 2 days later on March 6th he started walking and hasn't stopped since. I did have some hard times at first. I loved his so much but part of me was so afraid someone was going to take him away. It took so long to get him home that is just didn't feel real. Then one day it all went away. He know tells me he loves me before bed every day. Although in Cameron language it is "I lub you". That was the one thing I couldn't wait to hear from his lips. That & Mama but he started that in Guatemala. He is so smart and so happy even though he has been through so much. He was in 2 different foster homes before coming to us. I love looking in those big brown eyes every day. He is a gift from God that we are so grateful for. I love you baby boy!

Just some Cameron cuteness!

2008-08-28T01:32:00.001-04:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Update on us!

2008-08-28T01:25:00.002-04:00

The Saturday before last Mommy got to have her first official day out by herself. I have only been away from him twice. Once to get my hair cut & once to go to the grocery. I went shopping at the outlet mall with my best friend Mindy. She is 6 months pregnant. Yes, I am jealous. This is her last one. We went shopping for our kids (she has 2 already) and we both actually got ourselves something which we rarely do. I was gone for 7 hours and not one phone call from Dan. I actually called him to see if everything was okay. Then last Sunday we went on our first date since Cameron has been home. My mom (Nana Amy) came down to watch him while we went to the Melting Pot. It is the best restaurant ever. If you love fondue that is. It was to celebrate Dan's 35th b-day and our 4th wedding anniversary. We haven't been there since my 29th birthday when we decided to go on the adoption path. And don't you know Dan asked me the same question again. "So do you want to adopt again." Well, some day just not right now. I would really like to be pregnant once if God is willing to let that happen. Then off to China. We have to wait one more year since you have to be married 5 years since Dan was married once before. Anyway it was a blast. Thanks Nana!

Holy Cow!

2008-08-28T00:48:00.004-04:00

Who are these strange people? My poor baby.
First bottle from mommy!

First nap on mommy's chest.
First smile for mommy!

6 months ago on February 27th, 2008 we landed in Guatemala sick to our stomachs & checking our watches every 5 minutes. We were finally going to get to meet our son!! We couldn't believe we were finally bringing him home. We decided to pursue adoption on my 29th birthday. We were at dinner discussing whether to proceed to the next step of infertility treatment or maybe adopt from Guatemala. We knew we wanted to adopt internationally we just never thought it would be our first child. That night we decided that I just couldn't handle any more pills, shots or IUIs and jumped on the adoption train. When we signed our contract children where coming home at 6-8 months of age. Our social worker decided to have us take 13 weeks of classes rather than just do the homework. This also put us back 13 weeks b/c of the classes. But if we wouldn't have done them then we would have never received the referral of Edwin Rodolfo. We had actually requested information on a little boy that was in the e-mails we would receive daily of children available. After hearing we would have to travel in 2 days to do a POA and that there was another family paper ready that wanted him we decided to just wait. Well Sunday February 25th, 2007 our phone rang. It was a call from Medina, Ohio. I immediately knew it was Building Blocks. There were flying 2 people in from Guatemala to get some POAs done b/c there was a chance that if you didn't have a POA filed in Guatemala by the end of that week that you would be cut off until they re-opened. They e-mailed us a referral for Edwin Rodolfo. I just looked at him smiling & making faces in those pictures. I looked at Dan and said "That's him. That's our son." We tried to visit but when we went to schedule our agency said it was too dangerous right now so we decided to wait. Well by the time it was safe again we were PINK! So one year and 12 days after our son entered the world we finally got to hold him. He was terrified of us and we of him being first time parents. But mommyhood kicked in and I have never regretted anything. He is the most awesome, goofy, loving, entertaining, intelligent, gorgeous son I could ever ask for. He really looks like Dan and snores like him too!! We love you Cameron and look forward to so many more wonderful memories with our son! Now if you would just stop growing for mommy?!

FFF-Friend with stuffing

2008-08-22T17:28:00.003-04:00

This is the first Favorite Foto Friday I have ever done. Cameron doesn't really have one particular stuffed friend he loves. Whatever he is in the mood for is what he grabs.

Cameron & Tigger
Sleeping with his build-a-bear dog dog.
This is just one of my favorite pictures.