Homecoming!

Camden was so happy to see Daddy! Once Camden saw him he wouldn't let Daddy out of his sight! Daddy really got the hero's welcome, unlike Mommy. When I was gone for two days, I got the cold shoulder. Fickle!

Camden's first experience with yogurt. He liked it - even though you can't tell in this picture!

We went to the pool to relax. The water was too cold to get in, but the weather was nice. Brad had a very calming effect on Camden (I think he gave him baby valium!) Camden sat still for almost an hour!

He was content to just sit in Daddy's lap and play.

Later we set up the cabana and Camden actually fell asleep in it!

After a brief nap and a change of clothes, Camden was ready to help Daddy with the grilling.

9 Month Check Up

Camden – 9 months
Sitting up really well
Loves to jump, kick, run in the walker and wiggle his legs if you hold him up in the air
Twirls his hair on the back of his head when he goes to sleep
Favorite toys – stacking cups & rings
Ticklish on the sides of his tummy
Wears a size 3 diaper
Weight: 18lbs 11oz
Length: 29 ¾”
Just starting solid foods
Likes blondes (seriously!) He cries when he meets brunettes
Love to talk: says things like mamamama dadadadada, blahblahblahblah, hi
Also loves to screech as loud as he can to hear his own voice
Has started making duck sounds – sounds like donald duck
Loves electronics – grabs for mom’s phone, remote controls, cameras, video cameras & computer cords
Have 6 teeth – 4 on top & two on bottom
Love to sleep. Camden sleeps 14 hours at night and 3-5 hours during the day
Loves to grab glasses & hats, especially Grandpa’s

9 Month Check Up

We had quite a traumatic visit at the pediatrician’s office today. Let’s just start by saying I woke up to cat puke everywhere and Camden pooped in the bath tub this morning and then cried the whole time he was getting dressed and all the way to the doctor’s office. This was Camden’s 9 month check up. Weight:18 pounds, 11 ounces = 20th percentile Height: 29 3/4” = 80th percentile Dr. Patz said that was fine, that Camden is just tall & skinny. Has he seen those chunky legs?
No immunizations today so no shots. Yay! Or so I thought.
We discussed the marks on Camden’s face and whether he might have a milk allergy. He decided to refer us to a dermatologist since he thinks it might be a sensitive skin issue. We decided to go ahead and do a blood test for food allergies, just to be sure. Not fun. I had no idea that would be 1000 times worse than shots. I should have known when two people came in to do the blood draw. I thought we were doing a simple heel prick, but nooo. This was a rubber tube around the arm, needle stick in the arm & filling up a big old tube with my baby’s blood. All 3 of us had to hold Camden down. The lab techs were amazed at how strong he was. Where was the regular lab guy, a big tall black man? Why did I get the scrawny teenager with peach fuzz and the sweet but petite grandmother today? He screamed bloody murder throughout the blood draw and wriggled and squirmed and twisted. Poor little guy. He calmed down pretty quickly after it was over. We won’t have the lab tests back for a week. It will be 2 months before we can get in to see the dermatologist. Meanwhile, Dr. Patz encouraged me to start Camden on people food and assured me that I don’t need to worry about severe reactions (like anaphylaxis) if he is allergic to something he eats. He did warn me to steer clear of peanuts & eggs. He advised we should start with mushed up bananas, green beans, avocados, mashed potatoes, cheerios & puffs, and yogurt & cheese. So far the few things I have been brave enough to feed Camden (mac ‘n cheese, saltine, bread), he has not liked. We tried a French fry today and he was not interested. I think this introduction to people food may be a job for Daddy.
Camden also had some kind of eye screening which involved sitting in the dark and staring into a camera with flashing lights and beeping noises. At least that didn’t hurt and Camden actually sat still for 2 whole minutes. Unfortunately, the results were “off” as the nurse put it first, and then later she said “he failed the eye screening.” Of course that sent me reeling. She explained it’s probably nothing; we just need to go get a more complete eye exam. Apparently the fancy camera measures how your eyes focus and Camden’s did not focus the same. The lady who did the screening had a hard time getting enough readings on one eye, so that could have been the problem. But we know that Brad’s vision was terrible before he had LASIK, so Camden could have inherited Daddy’s bad vision. Anyway we have not noticed any problems with Camden’s vision and the nurse said he acted like he could see fine, so hopefully it’s nothing.
Overall the doctor said Camden looks great and is healthy. I was surprised he had gained so little weight, but there’s nothing wrong with being skinny! I will post updates as I find out about lab results, eye exams and dermatology appointments. Camden’s next appointment will be his one year! I better start planning the birthday party now!

Zoom! Zoom!

How cute is this baby in a matching hat, bib & sleeper outfit?

Last day of Gulf Shores. Camden wasn't very happy. Off to naptime. Thanks to Grandpa, Mom then got some chill time at the pool.

Camden can really maneuver out of tight spots in the walker now.

Here is running to me! Look at him go! Right after this I raised the seat up a notch.

Banana Puffs

This is one of Camden's first experiences with solid foods. These are banana puffs from Gerber graduates. Camden has teeth on the top and the bottom in front so he was crunching down on the puffs. He liked that part, but once he got it on his tongue he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. He kept making the funniest faces.

Gulf Shores Day 2

Waiting to eat at Gulf Steamer & Grill, Sara plays with Camden in the back of the car.

The flip flop bandit strikes again.

Granddaddy

Susan & Melissa

Camden loves to have his face tickled.

Camden loves to bounce in the pool.

Gulf Shores - Day 1

Playing in the condo
Dressed for the beach/pool!

So excited for his time in the pool!

A little apprehensive now...

We made it to the pool! ( After much struggling & schlepping on Mom's part)

Impossibly Cute!

Sam puts toether the Cabana

Kicking it Poolside

Camden & Sara in the pool

Camden loves the water!

"Let me open this for you Mom!"

Camden in the Cabana

Sara & Katie entertaining Camden

" Mmmm, this foot is yummy!"

"Forget the bottles, give me the good stuff!"

Superman selects a nice Red for Bath Time

2 Handsome Guys
"You can call me Superman!" I don't know how he does it, but Camden always manages to turn his bib around backwards! It drives me crazy!

"Hmm, this looks like a nice bottle of red wine." Day 2 of Camden's walker adventures and he took off. No slow poking around this day! When I realized he had been in the same spot in the kitchen for several minutes, I decided I'd better investigate. Camden was trying with all his might to pull out this bottle of wine. Thank goodness he didn't go for the wine glasses! Maybe he couldn't reach them. The wine rack has been moved. Let the babyproofing begin!

This was Camden's first shower. We were improvising bath time. He seemed to like it.

Camden's new Lizard towel.Such a cute little lizard!

Camden's hair is so long now. This was supposed to be a mini mohawk, but it looks more like the little boy with a curl in the middle of his head. Or some nursery rhyme along those lines. Guess I need to study up on Mother Goose and such.Happy Baby! Thank Goodness. Camden went through a phase where he hated bath time and would scream nonstop the whole time he was in the bath. Fortunately he got over it. Now he loves it! He really loves kicking his legs and splashing Mommy & Daddy. Jaspers has to supervise Camden's every move. He was thoughtful enough to warm up Camden's towel for him.

Blowing Razzberries.

Future Race Car Driver or Just Call Me Mr. Slowski

Through the kitchen...
Around the corner into the den...

Turning...(he had a little help with this one)

In the home stretch...

Snack break, yum, yum!

Now for the videos:

Warning! Don't blink or you will miss the speed demon flashing by!


But wait, there's more riveting footage:

Camden has a walker that he enjoys sitting in and playing with the toys, but not so much the walking part. Today I put Camden in his walker and before I knew it, he had disappeared into the kitchen! This is the first time he actually went walking in it. He started out in front of the sofa, went down the hall, into the kitchen and around the corner back into the den! Then he continued on to the staircase where he decided he'd had enough.

No More Green Beans!

I
DO

NOT

LIKE GREEN BEANS!

Today Camden is 9 months old! Today he also started asserting some independance. We have given him all kinds of baby food and he has never protested before. But today he decided he does NOT like green beans! Bananas are still okay, thank goodness!