My best friend’s wedding

My best, Ashley, got married in November. The fact that I am just now posting is no indication to how awesome the wedding was. Because it totally was.

Ash was the most laid back bride I have ever seen which made being a bridesmaid a cinch. Her and lover boy saw each other before the wedding and romanced each other right up until it was time to say I Do. Seriously, it was the perfect day. I didn’t get many pictures but the ones that I did get, I cherish dearly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley, thanks for letting me be a part of your special day. You made the most beautiful bride and I can’t wait to watch the journey of yours and lover boy’s marriage.

All my love Best.

Instagramed

 

                     

1. Happy New Year. We kicked RSV this day!

2. Play Place is our favorite time of the day.

3. Learning how to maneuver things to our mouth.

4. Love our family of 3.

5. I am cute as a bear. 

6. State fan for life.

7. Does mom want me to be a bear or a crab?

8. Or an owl?

9. Sitting in the big boy stroller for the first time.

10. Tummy time because we need to practice rolling over.

11. Bath time is the perfect time to practice funny faces.

12. Happy baby waking up.

3 months old

I am a little late on this post but I guess that’s how things go when you have a 3 month old in the house. I feel like this has been the month in which I got the hang of being a mom. Bugg (that’s his nickname around the house) has developed quite an entertaining personality these days and we are just so enamored with him when he is awake that we don’t want to do anything but play with him. And when he is asleep, I am either cleaning or asleep also. So here we are, 18 days past due…please forgive me.

In my own mind, I have always thought that a newborn crossed from the infant stage to the baby stage at 3 months. So this month was a little hard for me. I said goodbye to several of his infant things like the boppi, size 1 diapers, and 0-3 month socks. We said hello to rattles, books, and tummy time. Its been bittersweet, but I can say that each day gets more and more exciting with him.

*Length*

Birth: 21.5 inches

Now: 25 inches

*Weight*

Birth: 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Now: (estimate) 14 pounds

*Special Talents*

Rolling over is your newest talent. You have been a little reserved about doing it lately. I think that you think that if you keep doing it I will keep putting you on your belly so sometimes you just refuse to flatter me. But you can’t outsmart me little boy! If you would just do it, then I would let you stay on your back! You are also good at talking. You love to look at your daddy square in his eyes and blab and blab. I love to watch the two of you interact. And if smiling is a special talent, well son, you have that one in that bag.

                         

                       

*Crying*

You have truly become a very very happy baby and we rarely hear you cry. But when you do, honey you cry with purpose. You cry when you are too tired. But you also cry when we try to make you nap. So we end in this vicious cycle. But other than that, you would rather smile than cry!

*Sleep*

This was the month you Big Boy! You did it. You slept all the way through the night. Within the last week, you have made it from 10 p.m to 7:15 a.m without ever crying or needing Daddy or I to come in there and get you Binky or Sock Monkey or Ruff Ruff (3 things that we could not survive without these days!) I am so proud of you. And I think that you getting a whole nights sleep is helping your moods too. You wake up happy and stay happy most of the day. We love sleep!

*Dislikes*

You hate naps that aren’t on your terms. And by that I mean if I can tell you are getting sleepy and I put you in the sleep position with sock monkey and Binky you arch your back and throw a tantrum. I think you are scared that you might miss something but sweet thing you are 3 months old. There is nothing that interesting! You still don’t like wet or dirty diapers. You squirm until we get you changed. We have to keep you on the move or entertained with your play place when you are awake because you don’t like idle time. I could use a little more if it.

*Likes*

You like your Daddy. A lot. And it’s a good think because I think you two are going to have matching personalities. You are so silly already. I think you speak his language! You also like to eat! When we fix a bottle, you watch us shake it up and then stare it down all the way to your mouth. You like to sleep in your swing because of the motion and when it stops, you start to rustle. Riding in the car is one of your favorite past times. You just coo and kick the whole way! Watching TV and laying on the changing table are two things you could do all day long.

Camden Paul,

These last three months have flown by but watching you grow and change has been a blast. I can’t wait to see what the next three bring. You amaze your Daddy and I daily. One day you don’t know that you even have hands and the next you are using those hands to bring to your mouth to chew on. How did you figure that out? You are so smart. Sometimes we fail you Bubba. We get frustrated with you when you won’t sleep or when you cry for no apparent reason, but we never, never stop loving you any less than the day the good Lord gave you to us. I am so glad that I get to be your mama. I wouldn’t want anyone else getting all of your kisses! There are mine all mine until you are 32. At least that’s what I will tell you until you figure out something different.

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was so much fun! The presence of Cam, even though he slept most of the time, just put a whole new perspective on things. I was consumed with thoughts and awe of the birth of Jesus. Only two months have passed since I gave birth to my own precious boy. I wondered what Mary was going through- having to do it pretty much alone. She knew she was carrying the Savior of the world. It was her job to protect Him. I just couldn’t shake my wonder. Not that I wanted to.

This Christmas I was totally in the spirit. Much different than last.

We started the celebration at my parents house. We spent a few nights there and on Christmas Eve morning we opened presents! It was such a wonderful time. I got a video camera, some clothes, and lots of fun little goodies. Nate got an iPhone, some books (such a nerd), some CDs, and little goodies as well. We were showered with way too much but we love it all!

My dad got lots of Papa J time in. And Camden loved all the attention.

On Christmas Eve morning, Camden and Daddy had some good cuddle time. Nate had been sick for a few days before and I wouldn’t let him come around Camden. So when he got well they made up for lots of missed snuggles.

Then it was time to open presents. Camden started off in his playmat.

But soon ended up in Nate’s lap.

I got to open all of Nathan’s presents for him so it felt like a double Christmas for me.

Camden also got a shirt to match his uncle!

We had such a great time.

Next we were off to the Russell household. I was getting very excited because we were inching closer to Camden’s first Christmas day.

On Christmas Eve night we opened one present and then snuggled in for a good nights sleep.

At about 7 in the morning, my sweet mother-in-law came upstairs, knocked on our door, and told us that Santa had come! It was time to open stockings. We took Cam to wake up Aunt Em and down the stairs we went.

And Santa was waiting for us.

Nate’s dad dressed as Santa and I think I peed my pajamas I laughed so hard.

After Santa put on real clothes we opened our stockings and took our annual pajama picture! Who would have thought that this year there would be three people in this photo.

Here are some pf my favorite pictures from our Russell Christmas.

The Russell nieces and nephews love their Auntie Em.

Dawn and Bradley came to share Christmas with us after church that morning. And once the cousins were together in their Christmas gear we knew it was a photo opportunity.

They are adorable.

Of course, once everyone was gathered the family picture Nazi that I am made everyone line up and we took the Russell family picture. Have I ever mentioned how important these are to me.

I love. love. love. these people.

Mammy also got some good snuggle time in with Camden.

 

Overall it was such a great Christmas. I am so thankful that Jesus was born to save me from the punishment of my sins. And I am so blessed that we got to share this Christmas with our sweet Camden.