pump free!!!!

I am pump free at work and loving it. This is the ONLY part of Camille turning 1 that I am enjoying. Now don’t mistake my happiness for being pump free as being happy about weaning Camille. I am in no way happy about that and will continue to nurse her at night and in the mornings until it no longer works for us. I love that time with her and it is in no way a burden on me, it is easy and it is cuddle time for us. I hate the thought of giving it up. I will though because I know it is part of her growing up. Just not yet.

What I was doing this time last year

Trying hard to calmly wait but not doing the best job. I was so excited to bring you into the world Camille. To hold you and love you and to teach you. To give Avery the gift of being the big sister and you the little sister! To give you each a live in best friend (even though it may not always feel like it). To make sure Av was not alone when having to deal with her crazy aging parents someday. I was so anxious and ready. I had no idea that in less than 24 hours was when you would decide to make your appearance. It was a grand entry into the world. When you decided to come there was no stopping you. I had you 7 hours after labor started. I was not even sure I was in labor for the first 4 hours. Only 2 hours from when we got to the hospital you were born. We were the last ones in labor and delivery and the first ones out. It was one of the best days of my life.

This is what I feel like doing today

Throwing a tantrum. No, no, no!!! My baby is going to be 1 tomorrow. It doesn’t even seem possible. She is growing way to fast. I was just noticing last night it is time to change out her sleepers again. Her little toes are busting the seams of her 6-12 month sleepers. She is really starting to talk too. Mamma, Dadda, dog, more, she tries Jack, and today Av and I were talking about what our last name was and I was repeating Hoekstra for Av to say it correctly and I swear Camille was trying to say it. It sounded pretty close and she was saying both syllables too. She cruises everywhere. Today I left my coffee on the coffee table and before I knew it she had it. She didn’t spill it but she was putting her little hand in it and then licking her hand. She was mad when I took it away. She was also sitting on the floor watching Sid the Science kid and eating dry cereal next to Avery. It was so cute. Again she got very mad when it was time to go and I had to take it from her. She stands now too. She will pull up to something, grab a few toys and then stand there not holding onto anything but the toys. She tests it as well. If you are lying on the floor she will crawl over, stand herself up using you and then let go and stand up the rest of the way. She will kind of bounce and shift her weight testing it all out. She will not take a step yet though. If you try to get her too she will drop down and crawl to you. She is impossible grocery shop with. All she wants to do is stand up in the cart. That safety strap they have on those things is a joke. Instead of sitting in her little chairs she wants to stand in them. She eats everything. The more flavor the better. She ate a quesadilla last night with beans, ground turkey, salsa and cheese. She also had sugar snap peas and cooked carrots. She wants to be eating EVERYTHING I eat. She could have just finished a meal but if she sees me with something she will crawl over and beg until she gets it. She is just like a little doggy. Recently too what she has on her tray is not good enough. She has to be eating the food off my plate. She used to want to eat everything herself but now she wants me to feed her off my plate. She also likes to bite off things instead of having small finger food sizes given to her. I gave her whole spinach ravioli last night and she came back for thirds. Her favorite in the morning are mini bagels with soy butter on them.

FYI that pic of Av throwing the tantrum is old. It was taken in Jan 2008. Just liked the visual.

Avery with Mickey last year

last years family balloon glow picture

once a bull, always a bull

Camille has learned early on how to make the other kids run from her. Heheheh She is such a bully as we call it. As of right now we find it funny and cute but she will have to learn to control herself soon. Not sure if she does this at day care but she has taken to crawling/plowing into new walkers. From what I have observed she only does it to kids she is around a lot. Like Stella and Max. She does it to Stella during music class on Fridays but doesn’t do it to any other kids in that class. Stella has learned and practically runs from her. Max seems to think “bring it on little girl!” I think she just wants to snuggle. Who knows though?!?!? I hope she keeps this assertive personality and just learns to control it.

yesterday was one of the best days ever

We woke up and saw AA and UM off. That part was sad but after having breakfast we decided to go on an early morning walk. It was the first day that felt like perfect fall weather. The air was crisp and cool but it was sunny out. The leaves are starting to change and are so pretty. We walked to the park, around the loop and then home again. Of course we stopped to let the kids play. They swung and went down the slides. Camille is really starting to love the park just like big sis. All and all it was about a 2-mile walk. Then we got out the Halloween decorations. John did a great job putting them up as always. Av was so happy and excited. Seeing her that way always makes for a good day. We ran some errands and grilled out. Nothing fancy but a perfect family day. I am so lucky to have my beautiful girls and wonderful husband. I love spending the day with them. The fall activities are also making me think about what I was doing this time last year. I was so eagerly waiting Camille’s arrival. Not knowing when she was going to join us and no matter what else I was thinking, “is it time?” was never a far thought away. The fall pictures from last year all have Camille in them one way or another. I can’t believe it has already been a year.