Double Trouble

Jaxon and Camren have recently discovered how much fun they can have with each other. They spend the majority of their day playing with one another. Sometimes it's a game of chase up the hall way, other times it's playing on the "Aaarrr Matey" and every night after bath it's jumping on Jaxon's bed and wrestling a bit. (thank goodness Camren's tough!)

A few days ago it was playing in the truck. We put Camren in the bed of the truck--even though Jax was very worried about her lack of seat belt--and watched as they cracked each other up playing peek-a-boo around the blind spots in the truck. I pray that they continue to find delight in each other in the years to come.

Here's the video that I was able to grab of my silly monkeys.

Splash Park Fun

Last week our good friends, Adam and his mom Jenny, joined us as we checked out a great new park. It's called a splash park. This water fun is located in a public park here in town so it's completely free! (bonus for Fresno!!) We had so much fun on our first visit that we went back again the very next day!

Jax and Adam being brave boys in the middle of the fountains.

Camren got in on the wet fun for a bit to cheer Brother on as he ran under the water falls.

Jax loved these water balls. They only squirt out water if you grab the handle and spin the ball in a circle. Fun stuff.

Right next to the splash zone are 2 great play structures. Jax and Adam easily maneuvered the large one solo and Camren tried her hand at jungle gym-ing on the smaller on. All of the playgrounds are covered with awnings and have the soft mats underneath.

But Camren thought that digging for Adam's teeth was the most fun of all. He was such a good boy just letting her dig all around in there!

Jenny and I are both stay at home mom's and love that we've added a new location to our list of outing options!

10 months down, 2 to go!!

Over the past 2 1/2 years, I have had my share of, um, shall we say "challenging" photographic experiences. From jumping On the chair, to jumping Off. Rolling and spinning around. Turning backwards and refusing to smile. Oh and please don't forget melt downs galore by the King himself. But none- NONE- of those minor speed bumps compare to the antics of Camren Grace Marie during this 10 month shoot.

It started out as all Red Chair shoots go. Grab baby. Put baby in chair. Make ridiculous noises and dance around to grab attention and induce smile all while maintaining cat-like reflexes to hit the button at just the correct moment and capture The Smile. My 1 mistake...I didn't move the chair away from the window. So no matter what I did, the window held more appeal. And then, she started climbing...up the back of the chair.

And then up ONTO the window seal. She did all of this completely solo. (while her mother stood closely by in a stupor. Seriously...who climbs like a spider monkey like this?!?) Luckily, I shook off the shock and was able to grab pictures and video, because she did her climbing act multiple times. Time to rearrange the living room furniture?

So besides climbing like a bad vine, Camren is the silliest little goof. Above is her favorite smile. (which is why getting pictures of her is so dang hard!!) She loves to dance (picture wild arm flailing while bouncing on her knees) chase Jax around and screech like a true girl. Tricks include clapping and waving, making truck noises (I know...right?) and blowing kisses (this is a work in progress)

Meal time has become a true adventure. Smearing food on her face, in her ears/eyes and in her hair seems to be the main goal lately. Purees are complete history and if Cam can't feed herself-she won't eat. But she's obviously doing a great job feeding herself because 2 weeks ago she finally made it to the 70% for weight (20lbs even!!) and 90%!!!! for height at 29 3/4 inches! woo hoo!!!

While still in an fierce "momma phase", Camren seems to have no fear. She is curious and greets new situations head on. Between her "I can do it" attitude, her sparkly eyes and lack of fear--I am excited to see what this little girl has in store for the world!

Swim Lesson GED?

So, I'm not sure if there even is such a thing...but IF there is...that's what we are doing this week! Getting our Swim Lesson GED. Some of you will remember that Jax is--well--he's a swim lesson drop out. Last year we researched the surrounding schools, bought the correct (and cool) swim gear, arrived at first lesson ready to rock! And that lesson made up half of Jaxon's professional swim lesson career for the season. Life happened, swim lessons did not.

So this year we are trying a new approach. A 5 day boot (swim?) camp. Jax and his teacher (private lessons for our shy guy this year) will meet each day for the next 5 days and then we will go to regular intervals. Most of our first lesson with Mrs. C was about trust building, which is so important for Jax' cooperation. He was in the pool alone--Mommy and Daddy sat this one out!

Jax proved again to be quiet the athletic kid. He practiced kicking, using his arms to swim, monkey walking (using the wall) and getting his chin wet. Mrs. C did her best to get him to blow bubbles in the water today but was shut down hard! On the bright side, Jax seems to really like her and they worked well together. Let's all keep our appropriate appendages crossed in hopes that Jaxon comes out of these lessons a swimmer (they are too darned expensive to be a sinker!!) ;-)

Jax-ism's

Jax is a talking machine lately and I thought (what with my lack of memory and all) that it would be a great idea to start writing some of them down...here are the most recent "Jax-ism's"

"What are you doing?" and "why?"...true to 2 year old form, these 2 phrases are heard all day long. I kid you not, he probably says each about 50times a day. Cute, huh?

"I'll be right back"-this is said with 1 finger held in the air to emphasize his point. Generally said while I am trying to get him to do something he isn't on board with...like bath time.

"Umm...I don't think so"--this was his response when I asked if he wanted to go to the park. When I asked why not, he told me "it's too hot mom!" Uh...no it's not kid...the windows and doors are open--it's beautiful outside!

And my current favorite. I was sitting on the couch with both kids. Jax was playing with a truck. I asked him "what color is the truck" He correctly responded with "Red. Red Truck" We celebrated the correct answer and he went on playing. Then stopped and looked long and hard at Camren. "Mom...Sister White?" is what he came up with!! Choking I said..."Yes...yes bub, I guess you're right...Sister is white." He wasn't convinced and so we tried out a few different colors...brown, pink, purple...but no. Jax came to the conclusion that Yes...Camren is indeed white!

Oh that kid.

9 months old

Seriously...where does time go? I feel like I just finished writing about Camren being 8 months old!! Ok...well here we are a month later (thank god for this blog or I would swear it was still April!) so time for a Red Chair update!

This past month has brought us more Teeth!! Unbelievable but yes...there are more. Little's now has 7 teeth. Her 2 front top and bottom and the top 2 I teeth. She also has her bottom left I tooth and the right is going to make its appearance any day now (according to her grouch forecast)

The past month has also brought many firsts for Cam. She attended her first pool BBQ and has since been swimming many times. She loves the water...as long as the water is warm and the outside temperature is HOT. Sister is not a fan of cool water. Definitely a Central Valley Baby. (and no, that isn't her beer...she prefers a darker beer. lol)

Her first 4th of July was celebrated with a mud bath. The girl loves that stuff! She plopped down in the puddle but decided that rolling, swimming and eventually tasting it was much better than just sitting!

At 9 months old, Camren doesn't show any signs of slowing down. As a matter of fact, she is in fast forward all day long. Her crawl has hit Mach 1 speed and will actually chase Jax around the house (much to Jaxon's shrieking delight) Most recently she's been practicing standing solo taking her yet another step closer to walking (do you hear my silent screams??) Little's favorites of late...Food- all of it? No seriously. She loves to eat. ummm well she loves to feed herself. I am no longer a welcome food delivery system. Avocado still ranks #1 with blueberries a close 2nd.

Toys- Jax. or anything that Jax has. She is infatuated with her brother and NO ONE can make her laugh like Jax does. She gives up her giggles and smiles up for Jax more readily than any other person. She also has her "baby"...a doll that her Aunt Becca made for her. It's the last thing she holds before falling asleep and the first thing she finds upon waking. (it's what she's holding in the top pics)

Camren's personality is shining through more and more each day. She is definitely a girl of passion. She either loves it or hates it. Is totally entertained or totally bored. And boy oh boy a temper is beginning to show. One thing I know for sure...life will never be boring with Little's in the house!

Camren's 1st Camping trip!

It has been a year since I was camping. The logistics of naps/eating etc with both kids in the trailer just kind of intimidated me. Justin finally wore me down and convinced me that it was time to get the trailer moving and Camren in the sand. The trip was a blur...the weather wasn't the best (too windy)...but the company was great and it's another trip for the books!

Jaxon (as per tradition) helped Daddy drive the truck and trailer out onto the sand in search of a good spot to park.

Camren had a great time. She loves the sand and spent a lot of her time doing a belly crawl with arms spread wide so as to have as much contact with the stuff as possible. Much of the sand that made it into her hands also made it's way into her mouth--the girl ate so much sand I am surprised she didn't poop a sand castle!

Blue painters tape was Daddy's idea of keeping Cam occupied enough to make her forget about eating sand and charcoal (yeah...did I mention she liked that too? ugh)

In a pleasant change of events, Little's did a great job of keeping her hats on! She generally is not a fan of my favorite accessory, but the chilly wind probably helped convince her to keep her paws off!

MeeMaw and Mamoo were making a road trip to visit CA Missions and took a pit stop with us for a night. They brought out their kite and Jax had a blast flying it! Actually I'm not sure if Jax was flying the kite or if the kite was dragging Jax...either way it was fun to watch!

Daddy and Meemaw were also able to convince Jax to play in the ocean for the first time!! "Jumping" the waves was his favorite thing that day. Once he got started he didn't want to come out...all three came out soaked clothes and cheesy grins.

Jax and Meemaw entertained the crew by singing Old MacDonald around the campfire. Ok...my mom sang and Jaxon cracked up.

Our camping buddies, The Ognibene's (as were the Patterson's) were with us again this trip. Jaxon and Oliver spent a lot of time digging, digging, digging. This night they got to help dig out a deeper fire pit with the Daddies.

A tired Camren drinking out of a water bottle like an old pro!

Jaxon (2) Mia (6) Camren (9mo) Oliver (2)

Taking a surf board picture has become another camping tradition (like Jax driving on the beach, ordering Splash cafe to the gates and making breakfast burritos). The first picture was taken when Jax and Ollie were about 6mo old. We hope that we can remember to keep taking these pictures as our kiddos grow up together!