Rewind...

I think Cameron's shirt says it all. On October 5th, we got the positive test we had been waiting on for 4 months. The day was bitter sweet. I waited to test on that day because it was also the 15 year anniversary of my mother's passing. I figured it would make the day better or just as crappy. Turns out it turned out to be a GREAT day. After trying without success, we FINALLY discovered we will have another bundle of joy. I tested in the morning and had to wait ALL day to tell Michael. About 5 p.m. I put Cameron in his Big Brother shirt I had purchased several months earlier. We waited impatiently for Michael to come home. Michael came in and Cameron ran up to him. Michael said "Is that a new shirt?" and then realized "Really?" I told him that I had tested earlier and the test was positive. We are both really excited!

We are now almost 10 weeks and due on June 13th. We have opted to have another c-section and hopefully will go in the week of June 7th to deliver.

Cameron goes back and forth on whether he wants a baby brother or sister. We know he will be a fabulous big brother to a baby brother or sister.

I have had morning sickness from morning until night which is VERY different from my pregnancy with Cameron. In addition I am finally getting over a sinus infection of some sort which has made life the last 4-5 weeks almost unbearable.

We were able to tell our families last week and everyone is very excited.

We'll keep you posted on our progress. Any guesses on boy or girl?????

Best of intentions

While I always tell myself that I will get better with updating the blog, it always seems like it is about a month before it happens again. Here's the few weeks. More to come soon. Enjoy!

10/25 ~ Michael and I joined some friends at the Texans game against San Fransisco 49ers. We had a great time. The Bush's attended and we did not sit far from them. It was Honor the Military day and they did an outstanding job.




10/21 ~ First Pumpkin Patch.
I found one...


Or maybe this one...






Nope, this one...


Finally, he settled on this one while daddy picked out one a little bigger.





Such a handsome little boy at his first pumpkin patch!




10/19 ~ Michael came home for dinner this evening. While home he enjoyed teaching Cameron how to balance a spoon on his nose.



10/17 ~ Ma and Eliseo, my grandparents, came down for our neighborhood garage sale. Here Ma is showing Cameron how to hit his knee so the reflex makes it "jump," Cameron reading his new English/Spanish book, and laying down watching television with Eliseo. We had a great time over the weekend.



10/11 ~ Cameron and Mark in their hockey helmets.






10/11 ~ "Out with the old and in with the new" Cameron said good-bye and gave a thumbs up as he got rid of his toddler bed. Here Cameron is helping Michael put together his new bed. He had the hammer in one hand and the donut holes in the other hand. Notice he handed over the donut holes rather than the hammer. A boy serious about his work! He also helped dad put up his curtain rod and new curtain. He's growing up.










10/10 ~ Cameron being his silly self after a bath, helping mom make jell-o, and posing with the chapstick and mommy's school lanyard. Do I see coach in his future? We'll have to have a talk if he even thinks about it!



10/8 ~ Normally I am the one with the camera. This particular morning Cameron got the camera and was taking pics of Michael when he turned the tables. Pardon the messy closet!

October is already here!

Here's a few pictures from this weekend with Cameron.

10/4 ~ While we were making dinner Cameron insisted on playing in a box that I brought in to store some of his toys. Notice he already had his plate and was ready to eat dinner.



10/4 ~ Today Cameron decided he didn't want to take a nap. After about an hour and a half we thought he had finally fallen asleep I went to see where he had laid his head. Well, let's just say he wasn't sleeping. He had made his way into my office and found a marker to graffiti himself. He was VERY proud as you can see.


10/3 ~ After his second bath of the day Cameron had some spiky hair. He showed off his new cup that has a straw which he loves.


10/3 ~ Cameron took a nap, yet again in our bed, which THIS time proved to be a good thing. I took the opportunity to clean out his closet and drawers of clothes that were too small. Man, there was a lot of clothes that needed to be put away. Michael was really getting tired of going through several outfits before finding one that fit. Now I see why.


10/3 ~ After the hair cut we went to the park, covered in hair and all. Cameron had a good time. He's such a big boy these days and I forget just how much he can do by himself now.



10/3 ~ We had an 11:00 appointment with our favorite barber, Steve. Our last visit was VERY smooth and Cameron got in the chair and had his hair cut with me sitting across the room watching. I KNEW that was too good to be true. Today was totally opposite. I had to hold him and he cried waterworks the ENTIRE time. We both had so much hair on the two of us when we were done. If you know Cameron you know that having hair all over him absolutely drove him crazy! I was never so glad for us to be done.


10/3 While waiting on our barber appointment we dropped by CVS. On our way out someone was all laughs and didn't want to get in the car. So instead I pulled out the camera.


9/30 Look who found some candy that was WAY too old. I thought they were just jelly beans but instead they were GUM. So here is Cameron's first taste of gum. It only took him about 10 seconds to swallow even with me telling him not to swallow.


9/28 ~ This seems to be a regular sight lately in our house. Cameron has decided that our bed is more comfortable than his own.

The end of September is rapidly approaching

We've been busy with school and life. I hope to get better about updating the blog. I know several have visited regularly so I do apologize for not letting you see our handsome man lately. Start reading from the bottom.

9/27 ~ Happens to be the day 48 years ago that my mom was born. I thought of her often today and wondered what we would have done today if she was still with us. Oh how I wish Cameron and Michael could have met her. The picture was taken, I think, in 1987. I bet you couldn't tell we were related could ya? Happy Birthday Mom!






9/27 The folks got a new tv so Cameron had a new toy to play with! Then he headed outside to enjoy the fresh air and still VERY hot temperatures. I tried to get him to go to the park but he has more sense than I do on a hot day. Then he headed back inside to admire Nana and Papa's new downstairs bathroom. He was checking to make sure they just hung the light correctly.


9/26 ~ After our errands we headed to the park. Cameron enjoyed it and had lots of fun watching some of the "big" kids. Once we got home and had lunch Cameron decided to get into our bed, instead of his own, for nap time.












9/26 ~ I'm trying my hand at cooking more and today Cameron and I enjoyed some blueberry waffles before heading out for our day. I cherish the weekend mornings with him and actually miss being awakened by him when he stays at Nana's every once in a while.

9/25 ~ Cameron is sporting his first pair of goggles. We took a pair to Nana and Papa's but hasn't had a chance to try them out just yet.

9/24 ~ Cameron posing with Mommy before bed time and brushing his teeth!




9/10 and 9/12 ~ It's hard to keep yogurt around if Cameron knows it's in the fridge. He's gotten pretty good at making a really big mess and opening it himself.

9/1 ~ Cameron helping mommy clean the kitchen up. He loves helping unload the dishwasher. Hummm, maybe that can be his first chore...



8/22 ~ Cameron and I headed to Dallas to meet up with Aunt E and cousins J, E, C, A, and E. We went to The Magic Time Machine for a VERY interesting lunch and then headed to 300 bowl for some bowling. We had a great time but definitely a long day going and coming back in the same day. Some how I managed to ONLY get pictures of the 2 little one's. They had fun and even tried their hand at bowling.

8/21 ~ Cameron's First Master Piece ~ We knew it would happen but just not this soon. Cameron decided to take a pencil to the bathroom wall. Luckily for him, it's something that came off pretty easily. However, not before he thought it was such a master piece.




8/16 ~ Swimming for Aunt C's birthday and showing off Cameron's new floaties. Hope to see you soon Aunt C!




8/15 ~ Kroger had SUPER doubles for 1 Saturday. I stayed up late the night before until 2 AM, slept for 3.5 hours and then headed out the door for some great grocery shopping fun. I purchased about $200 worth of food for about $35! Great fun and savings.


8/13 ~ Mommy had to put together a new cabinet for her room. Cameron decided he would test it out to make sure it would hold up.


8/12 ~ Enjoying some Oreo cookies with mommy and daddy!


8/10 ~ Back to school meant finishing some last minute school projects that lingered through the summer. Cameron decided he wanted to learn a little something too. The great news is he must have a knack for math, he skipped right over course 1 and went to course 2!


8/4 ~ We let our friends M & C and baby B borrow Cameron's activity center. Cameron decided that he needed to take it for a test drive for old times sake and to make sure it was okay for baby B. He was in and out of it all evening.



8/4 ~ On Mommy's last official day before heading back to work we went to McDonald's for breakfast and fun on the playground. I went through the play area with Cameron the first time but then luckily there were two boys that were more than willing to take Cameron down the slide over and over and over again. (Thankfully - those things are NOT made for adults even one's as small as me!)


8/3 ~ Cameron was eating some ravioli's and managed to make a HUGE mess. It thought it would be hilarious to get it all over mommy. Always laughs and never a dull moment.






7/31 ~ We've been trying to find a way to say thanks to the folks for taking care of Cameron on an occasion and a nice evening out. I subscribed to Benihana's Chef's Table and was emailed a certificate for $30 off a meal during the month of my birthday, July. We had a wonderful dinner and evening. Too bad Michael had to work.


7/31 ~ We've been potty training for the summer and now into the fall. Boy was our little man proud when he went #2 in the potty chair for the first time. I know you are glad I spared the picture of the "gift" in the potty. :)



7/31 ~ Cameron was due for a hair cut. So we headed over to our favorite barber, Steve. He has a shop a few miles from our house and we stopped in. Normally I have to hold Cameron while Mr. Steve cuts his hair, but not this day. Cameron walked right over and with Steve's help got in the chair. He looked so handsome when he was finished. Mr. Steve ALWAYS has a piece of fresh fruit for Cameron when he is finished.

July is winding down summer!

We have been busy, busy during July. Typically July is our time to wind down, but it was just the opposite with July being filled with activities and trips. Cameron and mommy only have 2 weeks left before starting back to our regular routine and mommy has several days during the next 2 weeks that involve work and Cameron going to a sitter. Here's our update of the last month.










7/27 ~ Meeting Papa in New Caney ~ Cameron and I met my dad in New Caney for dinner. He was picking up a truck and then headed back home. We didn't have long but Cameron and I enjoyed seeing him again. Cameron loved getting in his truck and "driving." The right picture is of Papa putting $2 in Cameron's pocket. Cameron carried that money around for days before putting it on the kitchen cabinet where he picks it up every day and says "Papa!"

7/24 ~ 5 year Anniversary










Michael and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. I planned for Michael to get off work early on Friday. When Michael got home we headed north on I-45. Michael still unaware of where we were going I gave him directions to our old neighborhood. On our way we stopped by Texans Barbeque on FM 830. After picking up dinner we went to Harbour Town to visit the Outrigger, where we had our reception 5 years ago. We enjoyed a barbeque dinner (same as our wedding night) and enjoyed the boats going by and the breeze coming off the lake (UNLIKE our wedding night.) We strolled down the water to the lighthouse with Cameron riding his 4-wheeler and enjoyed the sunset. Afterwards, we went back up to the Outrigger for exchanging of our gifts. Michael received a new wedding band and I received a new laptop battery. Yippee!






We had a wonderful anniversary that continued into the next day with dinner at Jason's Deli and a movie, The Ugly Truth. Michael was a real trooper going to watch the "chic flick" with me.

On Sunday we were able to sleep in and then pick up Cameron from Nana and Papa's. While there we took a swim in the pool where Cameron was being a real dare devil jumping off the sides and going under water. Before we know it he will not need floaties at all. After swimming we headed to the Cotton Patch for Mark's birthday, Michael's brother. Mark turned 25 a few weeks ago and we enjoyed going to dinner at a restaurant where they THROW you the dinner rolls.

















7/18 ~ Trip to Longview
Cameron and I headed to Longview to visit family. When we arrived we went to a friend's house to go swimming. Cameron had fun in the sun with Papa, cousins Donovan and Skylar, and aunt Bobbie.


















After swimming we headed to the fair grounds for some extra special fun - MONSTER Truck Races! Cameron's uncle and aunt, William and Bobbie, along with his cousin, Donovan as well as Papa and Nini and Cameron's uncle Michael enjoyed a great night of races. The only problem was the noise so Nini had to cover Cameron's ears. Even though it was outside it was still pretty loud. Afterwards, Cameron was so pooped he fell asleep in Papa's lap.










I should have known that a peaceful Sunday around the Shaw house was NOT going to happen. Upon getting up my step-mom, Susan, told my dad that there was a tree limb on the house. My dad got on the house and decided the tree had been leaning and getting closer to the house for some time so he decided the tree had to come down. My brother, Michael, we to a friends to get a chain saw. While doing that my dad hooked up his tow truck to the tree to "HELP" keep it away from the house and pull it down. Let's just say that the tree didn't have anything anchoring it. While my dad was securing the chain and tightening it the tree came tumbling down. Fortunately it only took out a small part of the porch but it almost took out Susan's dad who was sitting on the porch almost right underneath the broken section.

We spent the day watching dad cut up the tree and cleaning up. Later we all met for dinner at Pappasitos for a farewell dinner. Here's Michael holding our niece, Skylar.








7/15-17 I spent 3 days in Houston at the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching. I spent 3 days learning lots of new information and taking lots of ideas back for use in my classroom. In addition, Thursday I went to a reception for a 'Camtership.' I was selected as 1 of 16 people for a scholarship by Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Yippee!


7/10 ~ Michael and I visited Austin for a friend's wedding. Michael enjoyed golfing on Friday while I met up with Scott, Michael's brother for breakfast tacos's at Juan-in-a-million which was DELICIOUS. Then I met up with the bridal party and her family for a pedicure.
Later on Friday we met up with Scott. It was finals weekend for Scott so while we getting ready to see the bats come out from under the Congress St bridge Scott was busy studying. In the third picture all the little black specks are the bats. There were between 2.5 and 3 MILLION bats that came out from under the bridge. Advice - Don't go under the bridge when they are coming out...you get bat GUANO (aka BAT POOP) on you.
On Saturday, we had a relaxing day followed by the beautiful wedding. On Sunday we gathered our things and headed home. We had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed our time just the two of us.

7/5 ~ Here's Cameron getting ready to help mommy blow our her candles on her birthday cake. Notice there's ONLY three candles until my next decade birthday. Yippee!














7/4 ~ Fourth of July ~ We went to a local elementary school to watch the fireworks this year. We were soooo close that it was REALLY loud. So much so that Cameron was scared of the noises and I don't blame him. When we first got there Gary and Cameron went exploring. Let's just say that people got a little more than they bargained for when they saw them from behind. While waiting on the fireworks Cameron was chilling with Nana on a blanket.

7/2 ~ Today we went to the local library to hear some Mother Goose stories. It was fun and Cameron actually sat attentive. Here Cameron was playing in the school bus before we heard stories.




7/1 ~ Cameron and I had the opportunity to watch our friend Cheryl's baby, Caitlin today while her mommy went to an appointment. She was so fun and Cameron proves yet again he will be a great big brother.


6/30 ~ A few posts ago I mentioned getting some tomatoes from Christy's garden. Well Cameron and I were able to put them to good use by making some salsa. It was REALLY yummy and none of it went to waste.

6/30 ~ Cameron had his first dentist appointment today. He did excellent. He went into a little room that had toys and windows and a full glass wall that looked out into the larger area where other dental hygienists were working.

The first visit was to get Cameron acquainted with the office and the idea of someone looking at his teeth. Dr. Offutt came in and looked at Cameron's teeth and his front chipped tooth. He said he was 99% sure that we didn't have anything to worry about with the chipped tooth unless we had problems later. He also was VERY pleased at how clean Cameron's teeth and gums were. He said we must be doing a good job. It's nice to get a compliment like that every once in a while. Cameron will go back in 6 months for a check-up and his first cleaning. Let's keep our fingers crossed that everything is as perfect then.

6/29 ~ Bo-Bo...Cameron has his first major (kind of) bo-bo. Cameron took a dive into one of Nana's flower pots on Sunday afternoon. He made a pretty loud thud and we all jumped up. Here he is with his band-aid on his chin. Surprisingly he left the band-aid on, unlike other times he has had band-aids.




6/25 ~ Today I got a few tomatoes from Christy's garden. Christy is a dear friend and whose daughter, Eleanor, Cameron loves to play with. Christy also has a daughter who they named Barbara - not after me though. Cameron and I LOVE tomatoes and we enjoyed them immensely. Since this picture I received a few more. Don't they just look yummy?!?

Up-To-Date...Finally

6/19 ~ In the last few weeks I, along with Michael's help yesterday, have spread 2 full yards of dirt. For those unfamiliar with a yard of dirt...it is about 2/3 of a regular truck bed full of dirt. So that's 2 truckloads full of dirt. The dirt was needed to fill in the holes and trenches our lovely dogs dug over the last year in our backyard and in preparation for grass. Today I picked up a pallet of fresh grass. Along with Gary (father-in-law), Bobby (friend) and Cameron, we managed to get it placed in the backyard. Without their help I would still be hauling dirt well into the evening.

Afterwards, Cameron was quite pooped. He managed enough energy to eat most of his lunch but couldn't stay asleep any longer.




6/13 ~ Cameron on his first 4 wheeler ride. We were at some wonderful friends, Angela & Joe's, for their son, Brandon's, 1st birthday. Cameron doesn't look to excited here because it was such a HOT day but he enjoyed himself.




6/5 ~ We went to the blueberry farm with some friends. Here's Cameron with his bucket and here's are yummy 5 lbs. of blueberries. They are frozen in the freezer just waiting to be enjoyed.


5/31 ~ Michael cutting holes in our ceiling??? It was for a good cause - Michael, his parents and I were finally able to install our surround sound speakers that we received for Christmas. It took some work but it was worth it. Now we are preparing to install them in other parts of the house. Guess we have to save up for them...


5/24 Relaxing after a long day. The picture on the right is after Michael rolled onto his back and Cameron FELL OFF the couch. OUCH! He kept sleeping. (Sorry it's a little blurry)

5/22 ~ My two favorite men doing what they LOVE to do. I have nice quiet time when they are outside. Look at the intent looks on their face and then smiling at their accomplishment!


5/15 ~ Cameron posing and having fun at my cousin, Erica's graduation from University of Texas at Arlington. Cameron with his cousin Ethan, with my cousin Justin and his wife Erica, and showing off what's to come before we know it...Cameron in a graduation cap! We both had a great day and can't wait to visit Dallas again.