The Beginnings of being a Big Girl

We decided that it was time to start transitioning Camryn out of her crib. Even though she has not crawled out of it yet . . . Scott decided that she really is ready for a big girl bed. Well it arrived at our door several weeks ago but we had to wait to set it up because when we opened the original delivery there was a one inch paint chip missing from the headboard. Scott reluctantly agreed to wait (I think he was more excited for the bed than Camryn initially.). Camryn used the box as her little stage for two weeks as we were waiting for the new headboard to arrive.

Well it finally arrived and Scott decided a Wednesday night would be a good night to set it up. Camryn was really excited and helped her Daddy put all the screws in the right holes.

She had to go to bed before the new bed was finished which was a very good thing because after it was set up we didn't want it in our living room and thought we could just store the built bed in our guest bedroom (hint, hint, hint . . . that means come visit us). Well it didn't fit through the door. So out in the hallway it sat until Camryn woke up Thursday morning. She was soooo excited for her new "nigh-nigh" bed. As you can see.
Until we made her sleep in it Thursday night. I followed the regular routine - Start bedtime at 7:30, read 2 books, 2 songs and then bed. I laid her down in her bed and left the room. She followed her regular routine and cried for 5 minutes and stopped. We started watching our Lost DVR episode and I paused it a few times because I thought I heard her but nothing came of it. Until about a half hour later (8:00) we hear the footsteps patting down the hallway and Camryn comes out "all done" nods her head "all done." Now, as a parent I am a little worried it took her over a half hour to realize she could actually get out of this bed but I suppose I could chalk it up to her good discipline. (Who am I kidding? I have yet to use a time out.)

So I rocked her a little bit and put her back to bed. She cried immediately so I laid down with her. Scott peaked his head in and informed me the bed states it only holds 60 pounds (I'm only a little over that right?). Well it definitely held more than twice that so thanks Carter's. I left after approximately 15 minutes but it felt like forever (really the bed could collapse at any moment).

She cried again. This time it only took 10 minutes for her to leave her bed. So I sent in the reinforcement, Scott. I don't know what he did when he went in there but he was in there for at least 15 minutes. He left and she cried again but she didn't come out. We finally settled back down to our Lost episode around 9:30 I think.

This is how we found her when we went to bed at 10:30.

Successfully, I moved her into the correct position without waking her and she stayed in bed until 5 AM. A relative success if you ask me.

Grandma & Grandpa Visit

Bruce and Donna came out for the weekend to spend time with Camryn. They decided to help Camryn pursue her current dreams of being the next top chef.
Camryn patiently watched while the chocolate got 'hot' and melted.
She stirred with the wrists of a professional chef.
Then when it came time to do the dipping and the dunking she delegated the responsibility like any top chef would.
And then tasted the final product with much satisfaction.
Honestly, Camryn watched as Bruce, Donna and Scott dipped and dunked over 50 mini pretzel rods in valentines day colors. Scott insisted on making red and white swirled not striped pretzel rods and he did succeed.

Bruce and Donna watched Camryn and took her to Whitey's while Scott and I enjoyed our first dinner out alone in a long time. Okay our first dinner out alone since our fabulous New Year's Eve dinner at Bonsoiree in Chicago. (Seriously if you live in Chicago and want a fabulous dinner check it out, it is in the $$$ price range but dinner is usually a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour affair). Unfortunately, Bass Street Chop House in Moline, IL didn't even come close. However, the ability to converse with Scott without a little munchkin running around was well worth it.

Bruce and Donna helped us prepare for our Super Bowl party before they left. Bruce helped me to convince Scott that yes we really did need to put the couch in the basement.

Snow Day!!!

I had a snow day today so Camryn stayed home with me and Scott didn't have an account visit until later. So we Scott shoveled the driveway (I shoveled the sidewalk). Then we decided maybe Camryn just doesn't know she likes snow and sledding yet. We were wrong.

She didn't mind going down the hill so much or being pulled in the sled. But she DID NOT like walking in the snow. While Scott shoveled the driveway Camryn stayed in the garage.(If you click on the picture below to enlarge you can see how much she enjoyed her sled ride.

One thing she does enjoy is getting ready to go outside. Because as she says "brrr" meaning it's cold and we have to put a "hat" on. This is what she did after being inside for awhile. She took her pants off (I have no idea why) and put her hat, scarf and boots on.

Dress up . . . or under

This winter has been a long and cold winter as we all know. Cam decided that for entertainment she would play dress up. Of course she would go and pull down my clothes off the hanger and try to put on my shirts. This is where it all started. But then, Scott found a deal on under garments at Victoria's Secrets and Cam slowly but surely became obsessed with the offerings of Victoria's Secret.

Now don't think it just involves taking the underwear out of the bag and putting it back on. Oh no . . .

What body part does underwear fit on best? Why the head of course.

Typically, she does not limit herself to one pair of underwear around the neck. Generally, she piles on at least three or four. Quickly, she located my underwear drawer and I never know when she will come out of our room with underwear necklaces. And yes, she will occasionally attempt to put on a bra.

At least she finally realized that Scott's underwear was equal opportunity. But my clothes definitely take the brunt of dress up.

Hmmm . . . Cooking

If there is one activity that Camryn enjoys the most is being in my way helping me cook. Aunt Laura helped her with the obsession with this lovely ensemble. Typically, the hat does not last long enough for a photo op (Thanks Samantha!) but the apron is usually on from morning till night.
Grandma Julie added a tea cart and a battery operated stand mixer. The mixer's inaugural run at scrambled eggs didn't turn out so well.
I figure (after reading Freakonomics) and learning that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to do anything really well we may have the next Iron Chef.



She barely even samples her "numi, numis!" That's probably how she stays so small.

Tupperware Tower . . . or Rubbermaid

Really for the amount of time Camryn spends in my container drawer I should just remove most of her other toys (with the exception of anything related to Baby more on that in a later post). Cam enjoys removing most of the bowls and then searching for the matching lids. She did this when she was home with dad so I am not exactly sure of the sequence but Scott swears he didn't help her at all.
Of course once all the lids are on we then have to make a tower that goes "up, up, up." After we think she exhausted all resources she will use all of her communication effort (sign and verbalization for emphasis) to request "more, more, more." Cam feels the more fervently she bangs her hands together and louder she says "more," at the same time, there is an increased chance she may actually receive what she wants.
I think we may call this one the leaning tower of Pisa.

On a side note I wish these were tupperware instead of rubbermaid. I enjoy the clear nature of my rubbermaid but the lids do not fit snug tight. I should write rubbermaid a letter in all my free time.

(And yes in case you were wondering she is wearing green bay packer pants. Those are her pants that we keep at daycare for accidents. Thank goodness accidents don't happen that often.)

Happy Birthday

Yes it is a little late to post but better late than never. Scott's birthday is probably becoming more like a dress rehearsal for Camryn's. She practiced opening and reading cards.

Blowing out candle(s). Yes she did blow but not enough to extinguish the flame.

And eating her cake . . . or in this case ice cream pie. And as most of us know . . . she thoroughly enjoys her ice cream. So Scott's mint chocolate chip pie from Whitey's was the perfect birthday cake for both of them.

We celebrated on Friday night with our Quad Cities friends. It felt like forever since we last saw them and Grandma Julie, Grandpa Tracy, Aunt Sam and Uncle Trace came out as well. No pictures though because I was busy keeping Camryn from attacking baby Lydia (Alice & Micah's little girl).