The Camp Family

We had an amazing Christmas this year....how about you? Jameson was so excited and had so much fun opening all of his gifts. We actually had to wake him up on Christmas morning. Yes, I said wake him up. Any other morning we are up at 5:30 or 6:00. Christmas morning he decided to sleep until 7. When we woke him up, he said, "Sanna Taus Tom"? We told him he did and he was so excited. I don't have many pictures because I was helping open gifts and Russ was video taping. However, I do have a few to share. He was so adorable all morning. Just take my word for it.

I love Christmas!!!  Two more days and it will be here. Listen to this.....I am at work today. Yes, Thursday before Christmas I am at work...ALL DAY!!!!! How horrible is that? I know, I know, at least I have a job right? Anyway, I am going to make the best of it. I am getting so excited about Christmas. Jameson is going to have so much fun this year. He tells everyone that Santa is going to bring him toys. He doesn't want anything in particular....just toys. He says the funniest thing right now. My child loves Wal-Mart. Everytime we go to town he says, "I NEED go to Wal-Mark". Yes my child puts a "K" on the end of Wal-Mart. His mommy will be correcting him as soon as he understands. It's almost as bad as when people make it plural and call it "Wal-Marts". Anyway, he will throw a fit to go to Wal-Mark and when you ask him what he needs, he says, "I just want to look at the toys".  He says it so funny. I guess you have to be there. So anyway, I know he is going to have so much fun waking up on Christmas morning to see what toys he got.

Did I mention that he has been sick for the entire month of December??? Oh I didn't, well he has! You got the whole story of the mysterious strep throat rash thing. Well a few days after he got well, his asthma kicked in and we started breathing treatments for the 100th thousand time. He got better for about 4 days and Tuesday night we stayed up all night with an ear ache. So yesterday we headed to the "docker" and it was confirmed that Jameson has an ear infection and his asthma is once again causing him to cough, wheeze and not be able to breathe! So, we are on aggressive breathing treatments with an addtional steroid thrown in there, some antibiotics and a cough syrup. Thank goodness Russ is off today and can stay at home with him. I am super happy that he gets to take more steroids this time too (insert rolling eyes and sarcasm). If you child has never had to take steroids, good for you. If you child has, you know that it transforms them into a child that you have never met or talked to before! It's like they have an inner steroid personality that comes out. It is amazing to watch. However, since this occurs in our household more than 10 times  a year, I welcome my little steroid baby and know how to handle him now. So I say all of this to ask you to pray for my medicated child this Christmas. Pray that he doesn't throw a fit and tear the tree down  or doesn't hit and bite his cousins. If we can make it throught the family gatherings without injury it will be great!

On another note, I am 25 weeks pregnant and doing good. I have a doctors appt next week. Of course I weigh in again after eating 40 lbs of dressing and turkey, but hey someone's gotta do it right? I can't believe I only have about 3 more months until he gets here. It is unreal how quickly the time has passed. Jameson got to feel him kick the other night and he thought it was so fun that baby brother was kicking him. His little face was so cute when he felt it. It was one of those moments that you can't help but thank God right then for blessing you so much. I have my sweet baby boy touching my tummy with his little hand and baby kicking him from inside my stomach. It was such a fun moment.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great Christmas and Happy New Year. Don't forget to thank God for sending his son to be born and save our souls. How amazing is that?????!!!!

Merry Christmas from The Camps!

So last week was so tough that I thought I would blog about it. You know it's bad when you blog about it!! So it all started last MONDAY: when my sweet as pie little J woke up with a fever, a weird rash on his legs and saying, "my neck hurt". He then pointed to his throat and I immediately thought, STREP THROAT (insert gasp and hand sanitizer here). There was no going to work or getting him out of my lap that morning. Little did J know that mommy HAD  to go to work that day since mommy has to interview people on Mondays. A quick call to Russ and a mad dash to work and all is well. Rusty took him to the doctor or "docker" as J calls it and it was somewhat determined that he had strep throat (doctor didn't actually do a swab because Jameson was in panic mode). Given his rashy legs and saying his neck hurt, he was given an antibiotic and sent on his merry way.
TUESDAY: Jameson once again woke up with a fever and saying, "my neck hurt". The rash has now made it up his back and arms. (insert panic mode for mommy here). Everyone kept telling me that the rash was a symptom of strep throat, but I was not convinced. Mommy decides to stay at home today and take care of her little sick baby...some things are just more important than work!
WEDNESDAY:  Guess what...we still wake up with fever, but we didn't say "my neck hurt". Good news for mommy. Rash is now covering our mouth, ears, and nose. He looks like a tiny Rudolph. Thanks to my wonderful mom, she kept Jameson half a day and Russ kept him the other half. I decided that I needed to take Jameson back to the doctor because he is still running a low grade fever, has a rash and now has diarrhea. The story just keeps getting better. Rusty later calls me and says, "they THINK it might be hand, foot and mouth disease". I immediately say, "THINK"??? That is such an odd disease and he hasn't been to daycare in over 8 days, where could he have gotten that? Rusty then calms me down and says, "it is treated the same way as strep and he is going to be fine".  I hang up the phone and tell myself, "this is exactly why I fear germs!" My mind is now racing and trying to think where he could have picked up the germ. When I get in this mode, I use no logic. We all know germs come from anywhere. Why do I always try to pinpoint where he gets things? Part of the OCD in me. Anyway, Jameson had not been to daycare since before Thanksgiving and his teacher said that no other children were sick. I then found out that some of our family members had had hand, foot and mouth a few weeks prior and we saw them at Thanksgiving. For some reason, it made me feel better to know that he possibly picked it up from relatives! Anyway.....by that afternoon, he had no fever and his rash looked much better.
THURSDAY: No fever, no diarrhea and very little rash! HOT DOG! I still didn't feel comfortable taking J to daycare. I would hate if he got any of the other children in his class sick with strep or hand foot and mouth (which ever he had), so he stayed at home with his Pop and Gigi. Thank goodness for them too. By the afternoon he is doing great! I am actually starting to breathe again. My baby is going to be ok!
THURSDAY NIGHT: I am so happy that Jameson is feeling better and getting his things ready for school. I am coming down our stairs at home  and fall as hard as I possibly can on my right side. I thought I had broken my elbow or possibly my hip. I was scared to death that I had hurt Levi. Rusty and Jameson came running over to check on me. Jameson said, "what doin momma?". He later kissed my boo boo's. I laid in the bed a while praying to feel Levi move and I finally felt a little kick. I was still nervous, but that made me feel better.
FRIDAY: Jameson is all better and actually goes to daycare! He had a great day and I loved the normalcy again. I on the other hand am sore and have bruises on my hip and elbow. I called my doctor to ask what I should watch for and the nurse freaked out on me and told me I had to be seen by my doctor. There was no swaying her either! Me: Can I see..
                             Nurse: No
                             Me: but I am not feeling
                             Nurse: No, can you be here by 2
                             Me: Well, I am at work and I am not sure I can leave
                             Nurse: Ok, how about 2:30 then.
                             Me: Well...
                             Nurse: Ok see you then.
I had no choice. So Rusty and I headed to the doctor's office. My mom rescued me again with Jameson and I had to take off again from work. I thought I would see the doctor, have an ultrasound and leave. Boy was I wrong. I should have known it would be the most difficult process ever. Things are just hard for me. They always have been. We can talk about that another time though. Anyway, I see the doc around 2:45 and she says, "we'll send you downstairs and monitor you for about and hour". At my docs office, "downstairs" is labor and delivery. Yes you heard me right. I was admitted to the hospital and hooked to monitors. The nurse comes in to take my blood and says, it shouldn't be long. A few minutes later she told Rusty it would be 1 to 1 1/2 hours before they could get my blood work done. Jump to the end.....3 hours later, we were leaving the hospital and everything was ok! The good thing about it was I got to hear my sweet little babies heart beat for 3 hours and got to see him on the ultrasound machine again. No one ever looked at my elbow or my hip either! So what if I broke something....right?
By Saturday, we are all feeling much better and had a good weekend. I know this was incredibly long, but I needed to share with you just how special my week was. Oh and today has been so rosey already (insert sarcasm here). Not a good Monday so far. At least my babies are healthy and I have a job right?

Since no one believes how hard big momma fell down the stairs, including my husband who heard the whole thing, here is  a picture of my hip. My elbow doesn't look near as bad which is a shame because I really thought it was broken. Oh well.

     

Well I have made it to the half way mark in my pregnancy and really can't believe it. It goes by so much faster with your second one. I am doing great. My nausea has gone away completely and my headaches have stopped. He is now the size of a carrot and another website says a cantalope. It is funny trying to picture your baby as a vegetable or fruit. The only complaint I have, which I hoped this time around I wouldn't, is restless leg. I had it horribly with Jameson and it has already started with this one. If you don't know what I am talking about I hope you never do. If you do know what I am talking about, you know just how miserable it can be. It usually happens at night when I lay down to go to bed. I just can't keep my leg still. I have to move. If we had a water bed I know Rusty would be motion sick! I know it is only a small inconvenience compared to what I will soon hold in my arms. Did I mention that I have a belly now. I am so afraid I will be huge by the time he gets here. I love feeling that little man kick and move and like that I actually look pregnant now and not just fat !

Rusty painted the nursery for me yesterday and it looks great! I am going simple this time with the bedding and color scheme and sticking to the classic baby blue wall color. 

Jameson talks about his baby brother now and seems to be understanding a little better. He looks at my belly and says, "Baby broder in mommy tummy".  It is so cute.

We have decided to name the baby "Levi". I am having the hardest time deciding on a middle name though. All my blogger buddies please leave a comment and give me some ideas. If I chose your name I promise I will give you credit on my blog. I need suggestions.

I have a doctors appointment on Saturday and I am dreading, dreading, did I mention dreading stepping on the scales. I will beg the nurse to take off at least 3 lbs for turkey and dressing. It is not fair that I have to weigh in after Thanksgiving. My next appointment will fall right after Christmas and I'll have to beg for another 3 lb decrease. 

Speaking of Thanskgiving, I have so much to be thankful for. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be a mom again. I don't deserve the happiness and joy that Jameson and Levi bring to my life. I am thankful for my husband who loves me for who I am and will never leave me. I am thankful for my parents and inlaws that love me and help so much with Jameson. I am thankful that I have a job and can feed my family. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and a car to drive. I am thankful most of all for my salvation. I pray for the day that Jesus reaches down and touches my little Jameson and Levi and saves them. I pray so hard for that day and pray that I can be a mom that is a Godly example for them. I have so much in life to be thankful for and take it for granted every day. I don't deserve the life I have, but I am so greatful that I get to live it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'll keep you posted.

BOY!

We are having another sweet little boy. I was a little surprised because my pregnancy this time has been completely different, but not disappointed at all. I think having two adorable little boys will be so much fun. Rusty was convinced it was a girl. I kind of thought it would be a boy just because that seems to be all the Camps know how to make.

He is just perfect too. My doctor's appointment went great. As always, it was amazing to see that little baby moving around. He was kicking and bouncing all over the place. He weighs 7 oz (big boy) and his heart rate was 141.

I have been feeling him move around for several weeks now. I just love that feeling. There is nothing like it. He is extremely active. Jameson moved around a good bit, but I feel this one every day.

We haven't decided on a name yet, but I'll let you know when we do.

I think Jameson is finally coming around a little bit. We told him he was going to have a baby brother and that he would get to show him how to play trucks and tractors. That seemed to make him a little happy. A little progress is better than none.

We are super excited and I can't wait to see my little boy. I wonder if he will look like J or have curly or straight hair, or sleep!!!!

Please go ahead and join me now in praying that our newest addition will sleep better than Jameson. He still wakes up pretty much every night. So please pray that God blesses us with a sleeping baby. I don't think I can get up every night with both of them.

Thanks for reading.

No I am not talking about the Duggar's..even though if they keep going this could be the title of their show one day.

29 Years ago today my sweet, loving, handsome husband was born. Thank you Jesus! I am so thankful that he made Russ. I know He made him just for me. I have never doubted that fact. I really can't believe we are getting this old. Next year we hit the big 3-0! I don't know where the time goes.

Anyway, about 17 of these 29 years, Rusty has been mine. We have been inseparable since birth practically. Each year I love him even more. He is an amazing husband and an even better dad. I could list all the great things he does for me, but it would take all day and who has the time?

I am so thankful for you Russ. Thank you for being so awesome and treating me like a real man should (insert Carrie Underwood's song here). You are the joy of my life and one of the reason's I wake up each day (you know Jameson usually wakes me up first). I love you so much and appreciate all that you do. I hope you have a wonderful day. I can't wait to spend many more birthday's with you. I love you!

I do need to give some credit to Rusty's mom for sharing him with me all these years and for bringing him into this world. Thanks GiGi. You did a good job!

Halloween is one of my favoirte times of year. The weather is great, the leaves are gorgeous and I love to breathe in the fresh air. Every year I share my very corney, but funny halloween jokes with everyone. You are about to read one of them. How lucky are you???? Try not to laugh to hard.

What did the boy jack-o-lantern say to the girl jack-o-lantern????

"Hey Punkin'".....I love it, don't you. If you are lucky, I might even share another one with you before Halloween.

We went to the pumpkin patch last weekend. Jameson had lots of fun. It was nice to see him run around and really get to enjoy himself. His favorite thing of course was the tractor ride to the pumpkin patch. Here are a few pictures.







Pregnancy update:
My pregnancy is going great. I am not near as nauseated anymore and my energy levels are finally starting to come back, as much as they can when you're chasing around a 2 year old! I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and got to hear the heartbeat. That is always amazing and just a reminder at how real God is. I have only gained 1 pound, but we will see how that goes at my next weigh in. I go back to the doctor in 3 weeks and they will do my sonogram and we find out what we are having!!!!! I can't wait. Time is flying by so fast. My pants have officially become tight. I will be glad when I look pregnant and not fat! I will also be so happy when I can feel my little monkey moving around in there. Just keep us in your prayers that this pregnancy goes by smoothly and without any complications.

Oh...Rusty found Jameson's Auburn jersey somewhere and managed to put it on my child. I feel it only fair to show you the picture so you can see that my child obviously looks better in Crimson and white.

If you have young children, you know how to pronounce the title of my blog. If not, it is off of The Wonder Pets cartoon. Jameson is loving some Wonder Pets right now. We watch it every morning going to daycare. The same video....over and over and over. I know every song they sing. Anyway, Ming Ming always says, "this is serious". All day long I sing that song, "the phone, the phone is ringing......there's an animal in trouble......well you know how it goes. If something ever goes wrong, I say to myself, "this is serious". It consumes me! I don't really know why I just explained all of that to you, but I felt the need. Of course, now I am singing the song again.

Anyway, things are good. Jameson is so fun right now. He throws his little 2 year old fits, but he's not really that bad. Hopefully, he won't be too terrible. He can talk so well now and I pretty much know everything he wants when he asks. He has very good manners too and I am most proud of that. He says "tank too" and "pease", he even says, "I love loo momma". That melts my heart every time. He is a sweet boy! he still doesn't want a baby though. We ask him if he wants a baby brother or sister and he still says, "no".  Potty training is still in the works, but not going so well. I don't want to push him if he is not ready though. He went to his first foot ball game this weekend and loved it. He keeps asking if we can go back. He grows and changes every day. He is an amazing little boy.

My pregnancy is going well. I have been very nauseated the whole time. I go a few days and will be fine, and then it hits me and sticks around for several days. I have also been having terrible headaches. I had a migraine last week at work. Not fun, but I know it is all worth it. I am almost 12 weeks and can't believe it.  When I was pregnant with Jameson, I thought my first trimester would never end. This time I haven't had time to focus on being pregnant. I haven't even looked at baby items. With Jameson, I think I had the crib picked out by this time. Funny how different things can be. I am still so excited to see this new baby. I can't wait to see what it is. I go for a check up on Sat. and can't wait to hear that every thing is still ok.

Work is horribly busy and I never have time for anything during the day. I think that is why I have been having so many headaches. I wish we had lots and lots of money so I could just stay at home.  Maybe God will open up that door for me one day! Enough rambling.......here are some really cute pics of my sweet boy.

I'm Pregnant!!! 

I am 10 weeks(according to the doctor) and 9 weeks (according to the sonagram). The doctor kept my due date at 10 weeks.....but i don't want to get my hopes up. I am due April 3rd (doctor) and April  9 (sonagram). It is all very confusing. The doctor said it didn't matter because there were so few days between the two dates. I say a week makes a difference....but who am I ????? We are very excited and Jameson keeps telling us he DOESN'T want a baby. Boy does he have a surprise coming!! We ask him, "Jameson, do you want a baby brother or sister?" His response, "No". 

I have been feeling pretty good. I have been pretty nauseated this time around. I was never sick with Jameson, so it is something to get used to. As long as I don't lose my cookies, I am good! I have started a new love affair with saltine crackers and sprite. They are my best friends right now.

Keep us in your prayers. I know my life is really about to change again, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so glad I have a blog family to share the news with.

Until next time,
Hugs, Kisses, and Saltines

Well, we took our last beach trip of the year. Last Sunday we left for Gulf Shores. Rusty has a Safety Conference every year at this time in Gulf Shores, so me and J always get to tag along. We had lots of fun and ate lots of good food. Jameson was so cute. He loved the beach and pool and shockingly, the room. I figured we would be outside from sun up to sun down, but I was wrong. J really liked sitting out on the balcony. He would take his trucks out and sit and play. It really suprised me. Once we did hit the beach, it was over. He was running in every direction. It was really fun to watch and see how big he has gotten. It really makes me sad. We took lots of pictures and in some of them he looks so grown up. I love my baby! Here are the pics from the trip.

So I am a horrible mother.....My first born turned 2 two weeks ago and I am just getting around to blogging about it. So here it goes.

Jameson turned 2 on Aug. 5. He is so amazing and brings so much joy to my life every day. Two years have flown by. I know I will blink and he will be starting school. He is your typical 2 year old boy. He runs, screams, demands and throws fits. He is also sweet, loving, happy, and will make you smile on any given day....I don't care who you are. He can speak in sentences now and can pretty much get across to me what he wants. We have started potty training (going pretty good) and he has been transitioned to a "big boy bed" to which he says "Hey big bed" everytime we walk into his room now. We had a birthday party a few weeks ago. It was a truck theme because we live and breathe trucks, bulldozers, and tractors. He had a blast. I would love to show you some pictures, but to my disgust, I lost the memory care out of my camera and all of his picture were on there. I also have no pictures of his new room. You remember my last post where I explained that my brain no longer works.....well, this is a perfect example. I have misplaced the memory card to the camera . We have turned our house upside down and had no luck. So, you will just have to imagine how wonderful and cute the party was.

I could go on and on about how amazing God has made my child, but you would get tired of reading. Just trust me, he is the most adorable, sweetest thing you have ever met. I am so thankful that I have him in my life. I don't know what I would do or be without him. He is truly my little blessing.

Jameson,
You are my sweet boy and you know that. Even though you still don't sleep through the night, and you demand so much of mommy's time and energy, and you always want mommy to "seat" when she is very busy cooking supper, I still love you more than life itself. You will always be my angel baby....even if you do continue to wake up every night until you are 20. :)I love you so much Jameson. Thank you for making me so happy and for loving me.

Love,
Mama

Here is a video when J is about 1. He has changed so much!

Do you ever feel like life is chewing you up and spitting you back out over and over again? That is me right now! I feel like I am spinning in circles and I keep spinning and spinning and spinning and gaining no ground. Sometimes I stop and think, "self, when will I ever spring back". I know I am not the only one who thinks this way, but it just gets old, you know what I mean?

"I have no idea" is one of my most used phrases right now. The ONE and ONLY thing I hate about motherhood is my lack of thinking skills. It's like once J was born and laid on my tummy, the doctor said, "ok Candice here  is your brain and I am about to throw it in the garbage." I can't remember anything and I find it very hard sometimes to multitask. I misplace things, forget memories pre-baby, and can't focus for long periods of time (I sound like a commercial for bad side effects to a certain drug) I am completely blown away that I can't remember things. My brain is working in over time. I wish I could write down all the things that pass through my mind in 10 seconds. It's amazing. Of course, every single one of those thoughts are concerning Jameson....and Rusty.....but mostly Jameson. :) Rusty can take care of himself.

I say all of this just to let  you know why my blog has slowed down. I don't have time and my life is running in circles and I am sure you don't want to hear about the latest poop, pee, or snot bubble! Ha. However, I do LOVE  my life and wouldn't have my brain back for anything.  Well, maybe just a little bit of it.

J is still battling with asthma and allergies. That is an endless cycle in itself. He has been sick all summer. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I feel much better now. Anyway sickness=no sleep. No sleep=cranky tired mommy. Cranky tired mommy=bad mommy! Do you see how this is not good.

So, J, do you think you could start sleeping and grow out of your asthma and allergies and let mommy think of other people for a while? Please......

Sorry I have no exciting news to share, but to me, it is exciting and fun. Everyday is a new memory I will soon forget! Ha Ha. ;)

Hugs and kisses.

Summer has been a blast so far. We basically stay outside all the time and play....HARD! Life is grand isn't it.







Spreading some hay for daddy.

I think Mother's Day should be renamed, "Children's Day" because if it weren't for them, there wouldn't be a Mother's Day. Just a thought.

Anyway, this was my second Mother's Day and it was very special. On any holiday, I always wake up on the verge of tears. Anyone else???? Why is that? Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, childs birthday. I am always on the emotional side. One wrong word or sweet kiss and I am done. So, Rusty had written me this letter that verified once again how much he loves me and what a lucky woman I am. The very first, "Dear Can", the tears began to come. Then, I read Jameson's card and opened my gifts and tears still came. It was a great start to my very special day.

Mother's Day is just a reminder to me of how blessed I am to have Jameson. He is my life and the joy of my day. It is also a reminder of how lucky I am to have a mom. I love my mom so very much. She is my best friend. I guess I get so emotional because I know how blessed I am. God gives us these days to remind us just how much He has given us. I am so very thankful that he allows me to celebrate Mother's Day.

Now, on to the advice part. Jameson has started biting at daycare. He has bitten a child all three days this week and once last week. Any moms been through this or going through this? Give me some pointers on how to stop it. We have tried everyting. Im afraid I am going to start receiving hate mail from some moms if it doesn't stop soon. Help!

Saturday was our 6 year anniversary! On Friday, Rusty took me to a cute little bed and breakfast. We are lovers of b&b's. We laughed Sat. when we left because we were by far the youngest one's there. We are old at heart. Anyway, J stayed with my mom Friday night and was a perfect angel according to my mom (who, by the way, would say that even if he had burned her house down). Russ and I had a great time together. It was nice to relax. It seems like the years pass by more quickly now. Could just be me.

The past six years have been amazing for me. I know that Russ is my true mate. Who else could put up with my mood swings and demands. I am so very thankful that we fell in love so many years ago.  (most of you know we fell in love in elementary school) so I won't bore you with that story again. If you care to hear it again, just leave a comment and I will be happy to share! Anyway, lots of things have changed in the past 6 years (for the better). The one thing that brings me the most happiness is, the way our love changes each year. I truely do love Rusty more today than I did when we got married. There is so much love and respect in my heart and in our marriage. The only way to keep that love growing is through God. I know this is the only reason we are still happily married as well. You can't make it without Him. I love you Russ. You are an amazing, Godly husband and father. I love being your wife and love going to b&b's with you even though we are the younest one's there. Happy Anniversary! I love you. Thanks for making me so happy. You're cooler than the flip side of my pillow baby.

So, here is where we went. It was the neatest little place.