LOVING the talking!

Cameron has been saying many words for several months now, but he has just recently started to use sentences and REALLY communicate with me. It is so FUN! (Even though he usually only does it at home.) Our most recent conversations went something like this:

Cameron woke up early--while Wes was still home. Not wanting to be up yet I asked him, "Do you want to come sleep in Mommy's bed?" to which he replied "I want Daddy." clear as clear. I was flabbergasted because normally he would have just said "No-- Daddy" and pointed out of the room.

Later that day I went to get him after waking from his nap, and he obviously needed his diaper changed. I said "Are you stinky?" and he said "I poopoo. It's kuh-kuh." I laughed and laughed. It's probably not as entertaining to anyone but me, but it has really caught me off-guard to have a little talker.

Other new words I LOVE to hear him say, "Tank you", "Peas" "Cheese" "Tree" -all sound about the same but mean please, cheese, and three. He insists he is three years old.

I tried to catch a little talking on camera, but he was in a bad mood--being sick and not very cooperative, but I'm going to try to put it on here anyway--just so I know how to do videos.

As you can see, I was working really hard to try to keep his attention. Maybe I can catch him in a better mood another day. By the way, Robbie is my 14 year old brother and Cameron absolutely adores him. He loves watching Robbie play on the freshman basketball team and yells "Robbie!" Well it sounds more like "Raahh-bee" throughout the WHOLE game.

My Little MONKEY!

I was watching Cameron do the usual...climb onto our (unusually tall) toilet, stand-up, reach high into the air to his toothbrush on a shelf on the wall, then lean over the garbage to the sink to try to brush his teeth. This has been happening several times a day for several months now, so it didn't alarm me at all. However yesterday after looking into the washing machine ONE second, I looked up to see he didn't do the usual after all. He decided to go one step further! My child is a MONKEY! I can't keep anything out of his reach! He's very determined. I don't know what his motivation for this was, but he succeeded, then was a little stuck. (And yes, I was quite alarmed when I looked up!) My mom's house has been through 2 kids and 2 other grandkids, and Cameron gets into things NO ONE else has ever dreamed.

Fun with Friends

We were so lucky and got to spend time with a couple friends last week. We went out to eat with Jenny and her daughter Ashley. They currently live in Baltimore, so this was a rare occasion. It was so fun to catch up. You know you're with a good friend when after about 7 years of not seeing each other you can just chat away for 2 hours--even when freezing cold in the parking lot. Thanks Jenny.

We also got to have another playdate with Brooke and Britton. I must say these occasions are probably more fun for me, but good for the boys as well. I know Cameron really enjoys getting to play with someone else's toys. Thanks, as always, for letting us come to your house Brooke. (Also, I stole this picture from you because it was better than mine.)

Highlights of 2007

These are just a select few of my highlights for the year -- in no particular order.

Wes and I had our 5th Anniversary this year. I can't believe we have been married that long. That must mean we're getting old! It's so wonderful to be married to your best friend!

My baby turned 1! I guess he's not my baby anymore. He's actually only 3 1/2 months away from his second birthday. Time flies when you're having fun! He's made this last year such a joy, an exhausting joy at times, but a joy.

We made our first rather large and rather grown-up investment. We bought an acre in Kamas East ( AKA Marion - the east hillside). We are very excited to hopefully begin building as soon as our building permit comes through and weather allows us to get everything up the hills. The views of the valley are absolutely spectacular up there.

Clint's miraculous recovery was definitely noteworthy. He's doing so well! It's amazing how much we take health for granted until it's gone or at least diminished. For those of you wondering what happened to Clint: The closest diagnosis they've established is MS. However, he had an extremely abrupt and severe case which he has been slowly recovering from for the past year thanks to the amazing drug Tysabree. Here is a photo of his family from this Christmas. At his worst he required a breathing and feeding tube with no intelligible language, and no real use of his body. He has come leaps and bounds! We all love you Clint!

This year has caused a renewed sense of gratitude for health, family, friends, beliefs...my list could go on and on...life in general. Don't waste a SINGLE minute -- keep everything in perspective. This is my mantra for the new year.