Clean Teeth and Sleepy Eyes

Just a few updates on some big accomplishments this week:

CAMERON

My big news is I had my first dentist appointment Monday.  Mom prepared me by having me practice my smile and saying "ahh".  I have been brushing my teeth for almost a year now so I wasn't too worried about having cavities or anything, but I wasn't sure what to expect with the exam.  Thanks to the Buries recommendation, we visited Dr. Kirsten Davies.  I was fascinated with the fish in the waiting room which was good for mom as it gave her time to fill out all the paperwork and soothe Nathan who woke up for a little bit.  As for the exam itself, I sat on mom's lap and then leaned back and laid in the lap of Dr. Kirsten.  I never cried or whined and was very cooperative.  I kept my mouth open the whole time while she counted my teeth (I have both my upper 1-year molars, one of my bottom 1-year molars is visible through the gum line though hasn't broke through yet, and 4 top teeth and 3 bottom teeth).  Then she scraped what little plaque I had (no tartar, gingivitis or cavities), cleaned my teeth with the brush that makes noise and applied flouride.  Mom picked a cherry flavor for me which I liked.  The worst part of it all was I wasn't allowed to eat or drink for 30 minutes after to allow the flouride to set.  Dr. Kirsten said I was very well behaved and she had never had a kid as young as me not cry at some point.  Mom was very proud of me and I got to pick out two toys so I selected a lion finger puppet and a mini frisbee.  I also got lots of stickers, a tattoo, and a new toothbrush.  Thank you Aunt Kali for helping me pick out my first toothbrush and toothpaste to get me started on healthy dental care early!  Though mom couldn't get a picture of my actual dentist visit, she did take one of me showing off my clean teeth.

Other than my dentist visit, not too much else is new.  I got to go swimming in our backyard Sunday.  Unfortunately it was too humid yesterday for mom to let me outside Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday Nathan and I got to go to mom and dad's softball team so that was fun.  Still talking up a storm.  My favorite new word is ant.  I love pointing them out and saying the word. 

I love taking care of Dolly the way mom and dad take care of Nathan as you can see in my picture above.

As you can tell, I love the great outdoors!  This is the tree daddy planted recently and me doing my own planting.

NATHAN

I also have big news - for two nights this week, I slept through the night.  Granted Sunday night I didn't go to bed until 10:30pm as I slept most of the day in anticipation of the Lost finale, but I at least slept until 5:30am.  Then Monday night I went to bed around 8:45pm and slept until 5:15am.  Mommy and daddy seem happy with my current sleep patterns even though I reverted back to my usual one waking around 3am and another around 5:30am before getting up around 7:30am. 

I am also smiling a little more and still doing well with tummy time.  One of my favorite things is to look out our front window from the sofa.  I also love being outside.  In fact, when I get a bit fussy at night, mommy or daddy take me outside and I immediately calm down.  It's a good thing I like the great outdoors as my big brother is a huge fan and constantly asks to go outside.

Love,
Cameron & Nathan

 Here is Jesse helping us get into the baseball spirit.

6 Weeks and Counting

CAMERON
I am still a helpful, proud big brother even now that the novelty has worn off.  However, one of the ways I like to help the most mom doesn't find so helpful - I like to try and pick Nathan up when he is laying on the changing pad or is in his bouncy chair getting ready for his bath.  Mom says I'm not strong enough, but I'm a whole whopping 22.5 lbs (or at least that's their best guess).  I appear to be getting taller too as I can take stuff off the kitchen table and bathroom counters and even off the kitchen counter.

Some of my newest words include belly, milk, please, cracker (used for both graham crackers and rice cakes), more, and bye bye.  I will even use words without prompting if I really want something, especially food.

I just got a fun new toy this weekend - it's a ride-on trike with a long handle so mom and dad can push me until I'm tall enough to pedal myself.  We took it for a spin around the block yesterday and it was lots of fun.  I'm not that great at steering yet though.  I also helped dad plant flowers this past weekend and last night we planted a tree since the weather is pretty nice.  I'm also daddy's handyman helper.  If a toy is broken, I bring it to him and go stand in front of the closet where one of his screwdrivers is stored and then help him fix it. 

Another favorite activity is to push buttons (and not just mommy and daddy's).  I know how to turn the TV on both using the TV and also using the remote.  I can turn my CD player on, flip light switches on and off, and when given the opportunity like to dial phone numbers (I once called my Aunt Kali from mom's phone).  I'm just a busy guy with a lot of curiosity.




NATHAN
I am 6 weeks old today - boy did that go fast!  I'm still a real good sleeper most nights.  I usually go for about 5-6 hours and then after my middle of the night feeding, I usually go another 3 or so hours. Sometimes I will get up at after my 5:30/6 am feeding, but most nights I will go back to bed for another hour.

Many people have commented on my long fingers and toes and think I will be taller than my big brother.  Only time will tell.  I am already around 10 lbs according to mom's best guestimate and a weigh-in here at home on our less accurate scale.

I did have my first real cranky spell Sunday night.  Nothing was consoling me so daddy took me for a car ride so mommy and Cameron could finish dinner.  I was quiet the whole time even though I stayed awake.  I was fairly calm the rest of the night.  I do tend to spit up a lot after some feedings and am pretty gassy at times which can cause me to get cranky, but fussy but usually I'm a mellow guy, especially in the mornings.  Although I am definitely awake more during the day and much like Cameron (though not yet to the same extreme), I like to be in motion when awake.  As a result, Mommy doesn't get much down time during the day anymore and daddy doesn't get much when he gets home as I am usually awake and vocal in the evening.

My current likes include eating my hands, my pacifier, eating, being swaddled or held (I won't sleep for very long unless I'm swaddled, in my car seat or being held), grocery shopping, being outside, and watching people's faces.  My current dislikes include having gas, having skin exposed, getting changed (clothes or diapers - it's the whole skin exposure thing), and baths.

Finally, I saved the most exciting news for last.  I now smile and it's not just when I'm gassy.  Some mornings I smile at mommy several times and even gave her a huge grin one night.  My smiles are still few and far between (just ask daddy), but I am starting to be even more social and show my happiness.  Maybe one of these days mommy or daddy will actually get a picture as proof!

Love,
Cameron & Nathan