I had the sad realization this evening that despite various attempts to throw something helter-skelter on my blog, I have written very little about what has been happening in our lives since we have been back from Christmas vacation. Yes, that's right. It is now April, and I'm that sad and pathetic.
In truthfulness, I have tried to blog several times, but it always seemed that whatever big event we were in, it would finalize the next week and would make for a better post, so I waited. And waited. And waited. (And I'd like to tell myself that you waited too.) Well, my friends, the wait is over. Brace yourselves because this one's a doosey.
I don't enjoy wallowing in sorrows (often) on my blog, so indulge me in my attempt to sum up the last few months. Suffice it to say that life has been crazy for us. If I had an hour, I might be able to give you an update--or a downdate, as it involves LOTS and LOTS of sickness and medical bills. But since I've decided that being negative gets you nowhere, here is a short synopsis of our troubles, followed by my sunny-side update.
The "DOWNDATE"
Camden got sick right after Christmas and is FINALLY better. Yes, that's right, its been 3 months. It seemed like every time he'd start feeling better, he'd come down with something completely different and as equally horrible. He had a double ear infection twice, about 4 colds, a horrible fever, a suspicious rash, and somewhere in there he started teething. It was a whirlwind and to be honest, I don't remember much of it--I think I've tried to block it out. I've never been one to want to relive horrible moments. On the lighter side, spring is here and I hear that kids get less sick in the spring and summer. I am completely content with his permanent runny nose right now, as he seems unaffected by it.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that, Camden started tilting his head weirdly to the left. We stretched his neck frequently, but he had full movement in it. Our Pediatrician sent him to the eye doctor, and gratefully, there is nothing wrong with his eyes. Additionally, Camden has had a flat spot on his head since birth and it recently stopped getting better so somewhere over the last month he saw a specialist, who sent us to another specialist to get him fitted for a helmet. He now has his helmet and will be wearing it through the summer. (Can I admit that its hot and sweaty and after 10 days it is already starting to smell despite how often we clean it? He gets his sweat glands from his father, not me.) Unfortunately, Camden's a go-getter and had a growth spurt after having it for a week, which put friction burns on the side of his face and is now trying to heal from that. Not fun to have to still wear the helmet and heal the burns.
Mat was in the heat of Biochemistry in the middle of all of this, but despite being SUPER busy, he made time to help out with "sicky" from time to time. Mat got sick somewhere in there too. He survived biochemistry and did really well on his shelf exam for it, so that is encouraging. :)
As for me, I survived those few months by watching LOTS, and LOTS, and LOTS of movies. (Please don't judge...I can only console a crying child for so long on my own.)
Not only did we watch Baby Einstein over and over again, to which Camden will stay glued for at least an hour or so, but I almost have the entire Harry Potter series memorized (Not joking...) Somewhere in there I was also diagnosed with papillary conjunctivitis in my eyes.. I spent the month of February restricted from wearing contacts. I have never been so grateful to have peripheral vision before in my life.
We recently found out we might be moving. The run-down development across the street from us is trying to get the ok to house 120 ex-convicts there. (Not sure who dropped the ball on that one...I believe everyone deserves a second chance, but who in their right mind would put them all together?!) Anyway, it's still up in the air whether or not we will be moving.
Whew... I think that's close to everything.
Now, for the "UPDATE"
During all this madness, Camden has grown up a ton! He started crawling, and standing while leaning on things. He now shimmies along the couch and just a couple days ago he started taking steps while only holding one of our hands. He will stand frequently on his own now, but Mat and I are guessing he will just keep crawling for a while as he loves it too much. Then again, all major events in his life have been out of the blue, as if he wakes up one morning and says, "I think I'll crawl today..." So I may repost tomorrow with a video of him walking. Don't be alarmed. :)
Cam has also started to love "real people food," as we call it. He'd eat all day if i'd let him. Among all the normal baby food, he has ventured into more "exotic" foods like...
Whole Carrots,
Slurpees,
Pumpkin Pancakes,
Pasta with red sauce,
pickles, olives, and a recent favorite: burritos. That's right folks, he is truly a Taylor.
Camden has been a dream when it comes to his helmet. I was super nervous about it, thinking it would be a nightmare to get him to sleep in it especially (I mean, I wouldn't want to sleep in that thing!), but he has exceeded my expectations. He is an absolute angel and does just fine with it. I will admit I will be so glad when its over. He cries when it rubs across his burns, but other than that, he does ok with it.
Cam has been on several antibiotics butthe ear infections are finally gone! His last appointment a couple days ago would have decided if he needed tubes in his ears, and we are tube free! And now that his ears are cleared up, I feel like he can finally hear us. He has been experimenting so much more with is voice and he's just a hoot to listen to. He has also started signing to us a little, which is so nice. It's nice to finally know what he is thinking.
Mat is enjoying neuroanatomy--which is actually news to me! He had mentioned to me a few times that his classes were boring but just the other day he clarified by telling me it was not the material but the teachers that were boring. He does love medical school so much and is doing quite well. His calling is also fun for him. He was recently switched to the 8-year-old scouts and they think he's the cat's pajamas. Mat does so well with them.
As for me, I'm still teaching Sunday School, and I definitely feel like I learn way more than my class does. But it's a great opportunity. My testimony has grown a ton, and I enjoy learning at a new level in the scriptures. I have been training to run a half marathon, which will be in a couple weeks, and I also ran a half marathon relay with some friends Last weekend. It was a blast. I love to run, and I love having something to work toward. I have also been working on some fun projects for Camden, which I'll probably post about later.
The weather has been so nice over the last month and Cam and I have had some fun outside:
We visited thoroughbred park, where Mat gave Cam a taste of his mad horseback skills...
We went to the park...
again...
and again...
and again...
And again...
We blew bubbles...
and played in the grass...
We went for walks, ate outside, and a million other things in the nice weather. Mat even went running with me!
Cam got his first haircut back in February. He was super cute. This is the best pic i have of it.
Then he got a second haircut when I buzzed his head last week--the helmet was just too hot.
All in all, we're doing just fine. We love Lexington, our ward, our apartment, and our little family.
