Camden channels his inner Danny Tanner.

Yesterday afternoon I got to hold Camden while he slept. That is a rare, rare occurence in this household (read: it has not happened since he was 4 months old). As I looked down at his long, almost one-year-old body stretched across my lap, I realized that he is so much more toddler than baby these days. It was both a sad and happy realization. I'm excited for all that's to come, but I'll dearly miss the baby we'll be leaving behind as we continue down this road towards Toddlerhood.

But this route we're taking to get there? It's so fun. Just when I think that the age he's at is THE BEST EVER, another month passes and I'm convinced, once again, that we've reached the golden age of childhood. Like today? I was cleaning the kitchen with some Janet Jackson playing in the background (there's nothing like the '90s music channel on Direct TV to take me back to middle school & high school). Camden was sitting in his booster seat, having a snack. I looked over at him and watched as he shoved a graham cracker into his mouth while simultaneously dancing to Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation.

Also, the older he gets, the funnier he finds his father. Which, in turn, makes Matt want to make him laugh every minute he's home. Sometimes at the dinner table, I feel like I'm scolding two children ("Eat your dinner! No laughing while eating; someone might choke!"). Take one guess who the disciplinarian in our family will be.

Here are the two partners in crime a few nights ago:


Camden has also developed some very strong opinions lately. He has a passionate love for the vacuum cleaner. One of his favorite hobbies is for Mommy to vacuum while holding him (a habit that started when I was trying to rid him of his fear of the vacuum cleaner a few months ago. Mission accomplished, I'd say). He squeals and kicks and grins the entire time I'm vacuuming. But the second I turn it off? Look out. His face immediately crumbles. The bottom lip comes out. The screaming begins. And when I set him down? His body goes limp like a rag doll and he lays on the foor, crying. BUT I LOOOOVE TO VACUUM! He gets over it in about 45 seconds when another toy catches his eye. But, without fail, I'll always catch him sneaking over to the vacuum cleaner later just to pat it and admire it. I love you so much. I can't wait for our next rendezvous. I think it's practically my moral obligation as his mother to remind him of this phase as often as possible when he's moping around the house after being asked to help with chores as a teenager.

Ah, parenthood. It's never dull, that's for sure.

(Bonus points to anyone who gets the Full House reference in my title. )

The Beach in Pictures

Our beach trip consisted of sunny skies (every day!), a beautiful (but cold) ocean, lots of family time, daytime naps with the sound of the ocean in the background, homecooked meals, playing with cousins, Camden cutting his first 2 teeth, football watching, baseball on the beach, Camden taste-testing sand, beers on the deck, & watching Camden splash in the ocean.

Is there something on my head?

This is exactly how I found Camden when he was eating his breakfast this morning. Remember how I mentioned a few posts back that he doesn't always have the best aim when feeding himself finger foods? Case in point: