Camden at 3 weeks old... and Millie too

We retired Camden's newborn clothes this morning. He's officially outgrown them. He slept in a cute monkey suit he got from my Aunt Pam and Uncle Art last night. He's only worn it a couple of times so I figured we'll get one last use of it. Once we got him in it, it was too late to change him again... he couldn't even straighten his little legs, but he didn't seem to mind and he looked too cute in it. Sorry I didn't get a picture... but here are some others taken just a minute ago for your enjoyment. He sleeps so much its really hard to get a photo of him awake.

Camden has also been sleeping in his crib the last couple of nights. He grunts and groans so much during the night that neither Matt nor I were getting any good rest. Although I have to nurse him at least 3 times in the night, I'm happy to do it so at least one of us gets a good night's sleep. Cam's been a little iffy around 4 in the morning as he has a hard time going back to sleep. That's where Matt comes in. Since he's got to get up in an hour or so, he's been great at taking over. You see, Matt's got this awesome trick he does. I call it the "Dance and rock while holding baby" trick. Unable to be duplicated, it lulls Camden right back to Snoozeville every time.

And not to forget Millie, she's enjoying the luxury of spoons and forks these days. Although she hasn't graduated to bigger foods other than yogurt and applesauce and sometimes she digresses to her fingers (probably from watching Dad- Just Kidding).

The first two weeks with Camden

Cam had his two-week check up today. He weighs 8lbs, 3 oz now and is still 20.3 inches long. He's in the 25th percentile all around. Everything went well at his appointment other than the nurse kept calling him a her. Oh well. He is eating like a champ and growing just perfectly. His next well baby visit will include 4 shots (ouch!) in 6 weeks.

Here are some other photos from this week:

Big Sister Millie is 18 months!

Millie turned 1 1/2 years old last Saturday! She truly shines as a big sister now. I don't know if it's me or what, but she has matured so much since her baby brother was born just a couple of weeks ago. She's not showing signs of jealousy or being clingy. She wants to say hi to Camden in the morning when she wakes up and in the evening when she's going to bed. She likes to blow him kisses, touch and point to all his features, and calls him "baby." Her transition to sisterhood has exceeded my expectations thus far.

She's reached some milestones too:
- she can use a fork and spoon but would rather play with them and eat with her fingers.
- she blows on her food whether its hot or not. If it "hot", she'll tell you.
- she loves to look at books
- anytime she sees a star (be it the flag, Macy's sign, you name it!) she'll start singing her rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" all while reaching her arms above her head and opening/shutting her hands like their twinkly stars.
- she now has 6 teeth on top and still only two on the bottom
- she makes animal noises like Moo and Ssss for the snake
- She can say Dora, backpack, Blue and notebook... might be indicative of the month we've had... she's watched way too much tv then I like but with all the events this month we've settled for the tv as entertainment.
- She can say "bubbles" and loves them outside.
- She's taken her diaper off a couple of times and tells us when she's poo-pooed. We brought out the potty seat this week and she stepped in it like it was a stool, then talked in it to hear her self echo... she's not quite ready for the big potty yet. thank goodness, 'cause I'm not either!

She weighs 21 lbs, 6 oz and is 33.19 inches long. Still lingers in the 10th percentile for weight. I have a feeling she'll be there a while.

Last Saturday

We had a full house last weekend visiting to meet Camden. Uncle Leo, Aunt Meg and Aunt Katie came up for the afternoon from Charleston. My mom flew in from FL and will be here for the next two weeks! Yea!

Camden's Birth Story

After an evening of season opening football games, I hit the sack around 11pm feeling just dandy. Lo and behold, at 2:30 the next morning on September 4, I awoke to a gush of fluid without the usual accompaniment of contractions. This was strange territory for me because all I had to pull from was my labor experience from Millie. With her I had contractions all day, followed by water breaking and then active labor. I didn't know what to do other then tell Matt and then try to go get some shut-eye. Well, the sleep attempt wasn't happening... my gut and my early morning googling told me that a birthday would be imminent. Shortly thereafter I called the hospital who urged me to head on over and then my brother who answered the phone without a hello saying "I'll be right over" (to stay with Millie who was sleeping soundly). Andrew took our last pregnant photo shot and, we loaded up the car, again... and again... and again. Poor Matt, took endless frantic trips back and forth before we eventually left the drive way with everything but the kitchen sink.

We arrived at the hospital, discovered I was 4 cm dilated and were admitted to the LAST available labor and delivery room by 6:30am. Superstition of the full moon that night inducing labors came true. The doctor administered some pitocin to move the labor along around 9am. I received a rundown from the anesthesiologist about an epidural which was a part of my birthing plan. She would wait until I requested the epidural and then head right in to give it to me.

Two hours later, I was in some major pain. My contractions had dilated me to 7 cm and the baby's head was "right there," said the doc. I asked for my epidural, but unfortunately, the only anesthesiologist was at work with a c-section patient. After getting that news, Matt and the nurse would probably concur that I responded somewhat inappropriately, blessing out everyone and everything. I might have seemed mad, but I was actually scared. Scared of birthing this baby au natural. My mom had done it (five times), Matt's mom and many moms before me, but I never imagined that would be me. I felt utterly helpless but totally in control all at the same time.

At 11:40 or so, I was directed to move from my sitting position which felt best and lie down on my right side. Only one more contraction followed before I HAD to push that baby OUT. Who knew that doctors had wings? I didn't even notice the five or six medical personnel who were suddenly in the room. One push later...

Camden Matthew Morris was born at 11:54 a.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Camden entered the world with an extensive wail and a head full of dark hair. He arrived 15 days early at the beginning of a long 4-day Labor Day weekend. We had been praying for a healthy baby boy, an early and quick delivery and a smooth transition for our new family of four. God blessed us big time and for that we give praises to Him.

Camden With Family

Millie is more interested in birthday cake than her new brother

D'Amicos checking out their new cousin

Aunt Katie and Uncle Kevin

Sleepy Baby

Camden snooz'n on granddaddy

Introducing Camden Matthew

On Friday, September 4, 2009, at 11:54 a.m. Camden Matthew was born. He weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long with a full head of dark brown hair. Our new family of four is adjusting well with lots of help from family. I'll post later about the birth story for those of you dying to hear it. Here are some photos for your enjoyment in the mean time...

Night Night

Ladies and Gents, Boys and Girls... the time has come!!!

Millie just walked me to her crib and asked to go "night night!" She literally asked me to put her in her crib to take a nap! I've been waiting nearly a year and half for this legend to turn true! Unbelievable! Love her!

37 weeks and counting