Double Whammy

Not only did I have to come to terms with my baby turning 1, now I have to deal with the fact that I have a 4 year old! How can that be!? 4! Cameron seems just too little to be so big but yet he is. He is a ball of high energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, go get 'em, tender moments, smiles, laughter, imagination and adventure. And behind it all is my first born baby who has a special place in my heart no other will ever take. I love that he would rather be outdoors than in, that he loves his little brother, that he pulls me on a sled behind his snowmobile, he never wants things to just be ordinary, he seeks to be around others and yet can be content playing by himself and that he is all boy, through and through. I can see the light of Christ burning in him and my prayer for him is that he will let that light burn so that others can see what a life with Christ can be. His goofy smile makes us laugh and shows us he will never be seen blending in with the crowd but rather doing his own thing, being true to himself all the while. It's amazing what you can see in the eyes of a 4 year old.

We celebrated with a family fun party at a hotel with yummy food, cake and swimming. Tomorrow when he wakes up I can't wait to see his eyes light up from the house decked out in birthday decorations and presents just waiting to be tore in to. We are going to celebrate with just us 4 for dinner tomorrow night. I love that he really understands what his birthday is all about and can't wait to make traditions with my boys! Happy Birthday, Cameron J!

May all your wishes come true, Cameron.
Cake, candy AND ice cream...life is good.
Tractors just like Grandpa and Grandma Roby..cool!
Just me and my boys.
A genuine smile of my boy. Sigh, he looks so big, He IS so big.
We love you, Cameron.

How is it.....

How is it, almost to the minute of typing this, that this precious baby boy.....

...turned into....
a 1 year old big boy who is one of most precious gifts I have ever received, who makes our family complete, who makes my heart smile and my spirit happy, who is growing up to be an image of Christ, blessed to do great and mighty works that his daddy and I cannot even begin to imagine the happiness and good he will bring to others. Saying good night to this big boy tonight brought tears to my eyes as it's just one of those moments you want to freeze in time and hold on to forever. Each and every day Haiden gives us so many smiles, is soaking up everything we can teach him and loves his big brother more than any other little person.

Haiden is 1 year old today. I am so thankful for the snow day we had so I could spend the whole day with him, love on him and enjoy all the new things he is learning and doing. I could type on for hours about him, but I will share a glimpse of why this little boy captures my heart at any given moment.
Ha! How can you not smile at that! Happy Birthday Haiden, boy!!

Such a Face!

Haiden has been sporting this scowl of a face for a while. When you tell him no, when he is looking for a laugh, when you take something away...pretty much anytime. I have tried for a while to capture it with my camera and I finally got a good one that is just about as close to what we see in person. These were taken in the morning(maybe that is why he was scowling because mommy and daddy were not quite ready to play at 6:30 in the morning!) Milk drool and all it is just so cute, sometimes we do things just to see his face ;)

What, did you just say to me?

On the Mend

Cameron for the past 6 days has been fighting a fever, achy body and restless sleep. He is on the mend and fever free but we kept him home again today(after being very well taken care of yesterday and G and G Vruggink's) just to get some good rest and more down time. So we basically have been playing, resting, watching movies and enjoying just being at home.

Showing little brother the ropes. When there are motorized vehicles involved nothing can stop Cameron!


Pretending we were at Cran Hill Ranch roasting smores by the fire
Haiden now will put the phone up to his ear like he is talking


I haven't taken a picture of Cameron sleeping in so long I just couldn't resist, even though he has fire engine red ears and cheeks from his fever

Random

Nothing specific lately has been happening. We have been busy, but I guess I can't say for sure at what. Haiden has finally gotten the swing of crawling and has developed his own style of getting around. One knee stays down and the other leg goes up so his foot can help get him to where he wants to go faster. He has figured out how to crawl up the step from our living room into the dining room. Before he would just sit there and scream at you to move him. He LOVES to be by his brother and crawl all over and and even tries to play what Cameron is, especially trucks. Once and a while we'll even here him saying a little brrmmm, brrrmmm sound. He is pretty much on all table food and has not turned his nose up at anything, even chowing down broccoli and corn. He knows the sign for more(clapping, really) and will clap and clap at the dinner table for more ;) I love that he is still a cuddle boy. After his naps or in the morning he is content just sitting by mommy, so snuggly and warm. Less than a month and he will be one year old. He is still my baby. And Cameron has been so happy out and about on his 3 wheeler and snowmobile, sledding or playing in the yard. We have tried to play some board games(with our own made up rules, of course) but he is a boy that loves to build things, tear them down, build them again and ram around with trucks. I love that about him. Life will never be boring or sedentary with him. I looked at him today and I was taken back by how BIG he looks. He is still my baby, too. So here are some random pics of just good ole family fun.

When Cameron is pulling me I always giggle! It's just funny to see my not quite 4 year old driving a snowmobile that he knows more about than me. We had to bring Haiden along for a bit to get him used to what life will be like next year.
Who needs to vacuum after dinner, Haiden has it covered!
Haiden trying to play trucks with the big boys.
A little play time after bath. Cameron usually likes to show Haiden how it needs to be done.
It's hard to see in this picture, but his hair is CRAZY in the mornings. One side is usually sticking straight out. I just can't bring myself to have it cut yet.
I introduced Cameron to spraying whip cream in his mouth. Now I have to put the can up higher in the fridge so he can't reach it!
My baby.

No, No Haiden

No, no Haiden. Keep your food on your tray.

Haiden, Mommy said no, no!

No, you may not have your waffle back.

Kiddie Version

It's funny how things take on a new perspective once you have kids. Like New Year's Eve. Instead of thinking of what to do for Tor and I to celebrate, the focus was how to set up a fun night for Cameron and try to start some family traditions. So we opted for going sledding with cousins, Subway and our own New Year's Party. And honestly, it couldn't have been better. We had our own count down(about 7:30 so we could still get a bath and video in!)

Getting ready for our toast.
CHEERS!!
Now Cameron wants to clink glasses every time we drink.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
The dollar store had great little party favors that made the night a huge hit for Cameron. I'm not forgetting Haiden, he just sat back and enjoyed our party parade, cheers and chewing on his hat.
There wasn't anybody to take a family pic so we gave Cameron the camera and this is what he came up with. Not bad ;)