Camden and the camera - A photo essay

This is what happens whenever I pull the camera to take a picture of Camden. If he doesn't see the camera, we're ok. But if he does, this is what we get (also known as when bad pictures happen to good babies).

Proof my son is becoming a toddler

Don't let that innocent face fool you. He may still look like a baby, but underneath, the heart of an emerging toddler lurks. I've read several blogs talking about boys and the mischief they can cause. I've secretly sat back and laughed, because my baby boy has been so sweet and mellow and not into impishness of any kind. Now I get to eat my words (or my secret laughs) because Cam is turning into a little rogue. Today I bring you proof Camden is turning from baby to toddler.

1. I think he likes to see how many outfits he can get me to change. Now that Poop-a-Palooza has slowed down, I don't change outfits near as often as I used to. Of course Cam has noticed this and must have come up with a plan to increase my laundry again. On Sunday, after spitting up all over his outfit at church and coming home early to change him, Camden took his nice clean outfit, which he had been wearing for no more than 20 minutes, and crawled over to the dog's water dish while I was getting lunch. He put a hand on either side of the bowl and lapped the water up like a dog. I laughed and then I turned my back on him for a brief moment. He took that moment to overturn the water bowl and splash in the water. Which lead to me changing his outfit again.

2. Yesterday I went to change Camden's wet diaper. As soon as I got the diaper off, he flipped over and crawled off. I laughed for a minute because he does have the cutest lil nakie bum. He crawled over to the vacuum, turned and laughed at me, and then peed on the floor.

3. Cam has developed a way to let us know what he thinks of the food we're giving him. If he's either a) bored with a food, b) full, or c)doesn't like a food, he spits it at us. Repeatedly until he gets the offending food out of his mouth. We're getting used to being covered in spit food on a regular basis. I've even learned to take my glasses off before feeding him so they don't get speckled with little dots.

4. If spitting the food doesn't work, Camden has another method for removing the poison we tried to feed him. Give it to the dog! Wait until Mom or Dad has their back turned, and then feed the puppy. It works superbly!

5. Camden has learned we keep the pacifiers by his bed on a little stand. He will stand up in his crib, reach over his crib bumper to the stand, grab the extra paci's, and then use them to bang against the side of the crib. It makes a lovely ruckus, especially at 5:30 am (the time he has woken the past five mornings).

6. Camden is learning to undress himself. He tries very hard to pull his arms out of the sleeves of his shirt and yesterday he figured out that if he rips at the tabs on his diaper, it will open and he can have his favorite play toy back. I fear for what will happen when he perfects the getting naked routine.

7. Camden loves it when we tell him no. Apparently it means do it more or see how far you can push it. He'll crawl over to something he shouldn't touch, such as a plant or one of Dad's 10 million chess sets. And he'll look at us, smile that innocent smile, and turn back to the forbidden item. We'll tell him "Stop" or "Off limits" and he'll laugh and inch his hand closer and closer. This goes on for a few minutes until he can't stand it anymore and he just grabs the item his heart desires. On Sunday (after the water incident and the 2nd outfit of the day) this involved overturning a plant when Mom once again was in another room.

I realize more and more that the fun is just beginning. My little baby is being replaced with a toddler. It's so much fun to watch him grow and learn, but I miss those innocent baby days where the only trouble he could cause was to poop through another outfit.

The perfect gift

I usually do a "Simple Pleasures Monday", but today my brain is consumed by one topic - the perfect gifts for Camden's first birthday. Yes, in just a few more short weeks, my little baby will be one! The time has flown by!

I put too much pressure on myself to buy the perfect present. I want it to be the right combination of fun, learning, and enduring. I don't want him to grow bored with a toy in a few short weeks. At Christmas time, we went a bit overboard and Cam received a few too many presents. I don't want to repeat that for his birthday (even though we have several things we bought around Christmas time in anticipation of this significant birthday). I discovered that Cam quickly grew tired of some of the things we bought him for Christmas. I don't want that to happen with his birthday presents.

And so, in search of the perfect gift, I check out millions of websites. I talk to friends. I get advice. And I make a list of possibilities. Living on the edge of hell as I do, there is no real shopping in this town, so I must make some decisions soon if I need to order anything. We've pretty much decided on some sort of ride on, some blocks, and some puzzles, but we are unsure of what else to get. What we buy now will be the last big toy purchase before the next Christmas, so it needs to keep his attention and interest for several months. We're especially looking at wooden toys or toys that don't have a lot of flashing lights, noise, and things like that (because we have PLENTY of those).

So today, I ask you dear internet world, to share with me your children's favorite toys. What are ones your children have loved over the years and keep using again and again? Share with me your favorite places to buy toys (especially online), your favorite brands of toys, and anything else you think a first time perfectionist mommy needs to know about toys.

Picture it

We've had illness in our house lately. Even the dog threw up on Wednesday. So today, I leave you with a picture one of my colleagues took last week.



Mrs. D thinks to herself, "How shall I torture my students today?"

And now you can see how messy my desk area is. Let's see what weird, off, or unusual things you can find in this picture (besides me of course). For example, notice what I am working on. Not grading, but a Kakuro from math week.

My Deliciously Thoughtful Book

A few of my loyal (crazy? insane?) readers asked what book I was referring to in my post yesterday. Before I reveal it, let me explain a few things first. I'll admit it. I am a literary fluff, escapist, entertainment reader. That is what I call books that are purely entertainment value. Sure they might teach you a lesson or two, but for the most part, they are just to tell a great story. I spend most of my time reading entertainment, escapist, or literary fluff, mainly because that is what I am looking for in a book - a break from reality. So when I list my favorite authors or favorite books, they usually fall in one of those categories. For some strange reason, people think that because I teach English, I must read classics or the great literature all the time. I do enjoy that too. I love a good classic, a thought provoking book, nonfiction, history books, and so many others. But I love the fluff. I guess I tell you this so you don't expect great book recommendations from me all the time. :) I do, however, try to read at least one thought provoking or other kind of book every few weeks. This book falls in that category.

Ok, so the book is (drum roll here) . . . My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. (I tried putting up a pic, but Blogger is being dumb and won't do it). A description on Amazon.com describes the book this way:

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

I didn't know what to expect from this book. I keep a list of books recommended from others. Somebody mentions liking a book and I write it down. So when I went to the library last time, this was on my list and I checked it out. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I do. I find myself thinking of it during down moments at work, or while I'm giving Camden a bath. I wonder what is going to happen next. Being a person who does not deal well with surprises, I've already read the end, but now I want to see how we get to that ending.

It also raises so many questions in my mind. The parents go through in-vitro to conceive the best genetic match for their daughter Kate, who has leukemia. Anna is the result. Anna then undergoes many procedures for the benefit of her sister. Is it fair to create a child for this reason? Is it fair to keep using this child again and again? What is fair to the sick sister? I've pondered these questions, and many others, and haven't come to any conclusions.

If you have read this book, share your thoughts with me. And if you read it at a later date, come back and share your thoughts. And today, share with me the book that has been a thought provoking one for you.

Simple Pleasures Monday -A Good Book

I have a love affair with books. I can't help it. From an early age, I have loved to read. And I read voraciously. I always have. I am never without a book. I have books in all levels of my house. I have books in my car. I have books in my classroom. Even Camden has a ton of books. If I don't have a book, it's like being without air. I suffocate until I find something to read.

I discovered a love for reading in grade school. My mom tells a story of coming to my classroom as room mother to a holiday party. At home I was very talkative and never shut up, so it surprised her to no end to see me sitting in the corner of the classroom, noise and chaos surrounding me, while I ignored it all and just read.

As I became a teenager, I volunteered at the local library. I loved prowling around the library, shelving books. My favorite was the children's section. It brought me no end of pleasure to crawl among the children's bin, caressing well loved books as I put them away.

I love everything about books. I love the covers - the designs and descriptions. I love the pages - some yellowed with age, others crisp and untouched. I love the smell of books - the binding and glue, mixed with age. I love to hold a book and inhale its distinct fragrance. The new ones smell deliciously new and older ones have hints of aromas that tell a story all their own.

I love to dog-ear a book. Yes, I am one of those people. To me there is no better sign to show the love of a book than pages that have been turned down to mark a spot to return to at a later point. Books that have many dog-ears speak of treasured pages, stories that were meant to be continued. They show somebody cared enough to mark their spot and finish the story later.

I love to reread books. They are like old friends. After an absence, it's like returning to a treasured summer memory. In its pages are characters I've come to know and love, even though we have been apart for a few months or even several years. These old books welcome me back with open arms with their settings and stories that never change.

I get lost in books. Really and truly, I become so involved in books that it is like I am part of that book. I often call it "coming out" after I finish a good book. I step out of the book and back into my real life. I often find myself talking or acting like a certain character after finishing a book because I became so involved in their life and their character in the book.

Since becoming a mother and returning to work, my reading time is limited. I do make sure I read every day because a day is just not complete without it. But I cannot spend the hours I used to just reading. My "must read it" list is becoming longer than my "I read it" list because of my limited time. It's more important for me to spend time with Camden and Mark when I get home, rather than read. But once Cam is in bed for the night and Mark is gone to school, I read. And it's almost more enjoyable now, because I can't do it as often I used to. It becomes more meaningful. I choose what I read more carefully. If I get bored, I don't force my way through. I give myself permission to put a book away.

I am reading a deliciously thoughtful book right now. Not only is the story intriguing, but it makes me think, which is always a good combination. I am enjoying this book thoroughly. I find myself searching for moments to read it. Now is one of those such moments. I'm going to close now and go read my book. Reading - that's truly one of the most simple pleasures there is.

Count along with me

At our school, each department gets to highlight their curriculum sometime during the school year. This week is Math Week. We've been doing all sorts of guess the candy in the jar contests (which I won on Monday) and all sorts of Sudoku's and Kakuro's (which I am addicted to both). As a result, I have numbers running through my head. So today I invite you to count along with me.

1 - The number of poopy diapers changed already this morning - and not by me!
2 - The number of tries it took me to get my new contacts into each eye.
3 - The number of times Camden woke up last night.
4 - The number of almost empty toothpaste tubes currently sitting on my bathroom counter.
5 - The time I got up this morning because I just couldn't sleep anymore.
6 - The number of opened lotion bottles on my HUSBAND's night stand - not mine.
7 - The day and month we got married. It represents completeness, wholeness, and eternity. Seven is also the day in August my stepson passed away almost seven years ago.
8 - The number of throw pillows on our couches - which I hate because there are way too many.
9 - The number of opened cereal boxes in my cupboard and I am the only one who eats cereal.
10 -The number of Girl Scout cookies I have eaten already this morning.
11 -The number of auctions I am currently watching on ebay, hoping to win for Camden.
12 -The number of the Janet Evanovich novel I am waiting anxiously to come out.

65 - The number this post is on this blog.

22,500 - The amount of money I dreamed last night my ward gave me for having a baby. Yeah, one of those bizarre dreams that make no sense, but the money sure would be nice.

Five hundred twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes - The song from "Rent" that is still going through my head. I watched that this weekend after many recommendations and really have to say, in spite of loving musicals, this one is definitely not on my favorites list.

Immeasurable - the stink one of Camden's poopy diapers can produce. Also the amount of love I have for him and my husband.

Join me for math week! Share a number from your life with me today.

Pure evil

My diet has a new nemesis. My stomach problems jump started my diet. I'd been meaning to start one for months now, and I did start several. Then somebody would bring a treat to school, or my favorite junk food would be on sale, or my will power took a vacation, and I'd be back to eating junk. And then I'd start another diet and the cycle would repeat. You know how the cycle of righteousness - prosperity - pride - sin - downfall repeats several times in the Book of Mormon? I could write a book like that on the diets in my life. But after taking 4 Percocet in 8 hours, I decided I really needed to cut out any junk. And I did. I'd been so good for a few weeks now. I'd been able to pass up any sort of sugar, fast food, or other fatty or not good for you food. And then these purely evil things came back into my life. They'd been absent for almost a year now. And I had forgotten all about them. What are these evil things? Girl Scout cookies!

One of my teacher friends from school is very involved, along with her young daughter, in the Girl Scout program. So to support her daughter, each year many of us teachers buy several boxes of cookies. I placed my order back in January and forgot all about it - until this week when they came in. I thought, "I'll pay for them and put them in the freezer. They won't be so bad if I dole them out a few at a time. I can do that." Well, it turns out it doesn't work that way people. These things are pure evil! They have powers I never dreamed of.

I was good. I took them home and put some in the freezer. But of course, I had to eat a few first. So I opened a box of each of my favorite kinds, intending to eat only one or two. Several cookies later, I realized my plan was failing miserably and that I had eaten Camden's weight in cookies. Ok, not really, but it seemed close. In the middle of the night, I could hear these things calling to me from the freezer. During the day, they taunted me. There was only one thing left to do. Eat them all so the temptation was gone.

So that's been my new goal - eat them quickly and rid my home of the evil. It's working well too. The cookies are almost gone - except for the box that has managed to stay in the freezer. The only down side? I can no longer button my pants.

The post in which you are glad your child is not in my class

I love my job. I really do. I love teaching. Even though my college professor said junior high students don't think, they just run on hormones for two years, and even though she is mostly right, I love teaching this age group. I am a pretty casual teacher in that I joke with the kids, tease them, and basically have fun with them. I teach them English, but more important than even that is letting the kids know that I care about them. If I can teach them a life lesson, that is more important than just the content. Don't get me wrong, we work hard in my class, but I also like to keep the atmosphere light. Maybe it's because I never have grown up. Sometimes we get a little off track and have a little too much fun. That happens rarely, but it does happen. Last week was one such occasion.

Last week we were making little books for the students to take notes in (see, we do work in my class). The students were stapling their books together and drawing on the covers. Knowing how much students love taking notes, I told them they could title their book anything they want, as long as it was school appropriate. They could even call it "Mrs. D.'s torture book" if they wanted. As they were stapling, several commented on the power of my staplers. (As a teacher, finding a good stapler that will stand up to a hundred plus students in a day is essential. And these staplers are the best. Seriously. I have a love affair with office supplies and these are awesome.) Now did you read the description of those staplers? Able to deliver 30 lbs of power with the touch of a finger. Keep that in mind. It's semi important to this story.

So the kids were stapling the books, drawing on the covers, and talking about the staplers. And some of the boys started to ask, can you shoot staples with these things? I said no because with the way this stapler opens, I didn't think it was possible. But being teenage boys (they often do dumb things), they have to try and see if they can shoot staples with these staplers. Guess what? It turns out you can. And boy, can these suckers shoot a staple! You can get a good ten feet or more. Being fascinated with that 30 lbs of power, I had fun testing the range of these staplers. I could stand at the back of the room and peg the bulletin board at the front. That's good distance! And these things are a blur! You cannot even see them shoot out of the stapler. You only hear the ding as it hits the surface you are aiming at.

Of course, the boys in the class were fascinated. They wanted to know the sting factor of a staple shooting across the room with such force. So a few of them stood up and say, "Shoot me Mrs. D." And I oblige. Who am I to deny a teenage boy the knowledge of such power? So they would stand with their back to me and I would shoot them in the back. Each one of them gave a small yelp and wanted to do it again (yeah, that's the way teenage boys work). Through this process, I became enamored with the power of my staplers. I could be like a wild west gun slinger. I could tear those staplers out of their holders (my pockets), pop them open, and start shooting like no tomorrow. It was like guns blazing or something. And so, for the rest of the day, I had fun popping the boys who wanted it.

As the day ended, one of the boys showed me the picture he drew on his book. I loved it so much that I had to share it with you. Notice all the fine details. See my mullet? No I really don't have one in real life. And you gotta love my horns. The devious look in my eyes is surprisingly realistic. And you have to love the helmet head on the boy. I'm not quite sure what the black blur behind my butt is, but I can promise you I was not farting as I did this.

So, this is a day in the life of a student in my classroom. Aren't you so glad your child isn't in my room? And to let you know, the fun ended when I stapled myself in the finger. Apparently I didn't move my finger out of the way and used that 30 lbs of power to shoot a staple straight into my pointer finger. After that, I put the staplers safely away until the next time I feel the urge to be a wild staple-wielding slinger.

Simple Pleasures Monday - My new bed

I am in love with my new bed! It's pure heaven. It's big, thick, and luxurious. We added this gorgeous bedding to it and now it is like a nice hotel bed. We're talking Marriott quality, not Motel 6 quality here. Mark and I look for reasons to climb into that bed. Read a book? Climb into that bed. Watch TV? Back to the bed. Hang out as a family and read stories to Cam? Go to our room and sit on our bed. I ran home real quick today on an errand. Cam was down for a nap. Where was Mark? Sitting in bed. I wanted to join him, but I had to get back to work.

What's your simple pleasure for the week?