Life as a Lewis

I think this is what being a stay at home mom means: letting your girl eat a messy (and not quite healthy) snack and not caring - just enjoying the giggles and hugs you get in return. And letting her "help" with the laundry. Look at that smile. She thought she was big stuff "helping" me.

As I look back on the weekend, I can hardly remember most of it so apparently it was not that exciting! I did take Camden to see Horton Hairy Who (a.k.a. Horton Hears a Who) on Saturday afternoon during Rory's nap. We had lots of fun, and that is one seriously cute movie! I think I've mentioned here that Camden is having some issues dealing with a new baby sister so we've tried to give him some extra attention. Well, we had so much fun on our little "date" but as soon as it was time to come home, he got very sad and was just a brat (is it politically correct to call your child a brat?) the rest of the day. Not sure if he was sad it was over so quickly or what was going on. I'm quite exhausted from our Sunday. I remember how difficult it used to be when Camden was small to get all of us out the door dressed and ready, and it's just as hard now that there are 2! Rory and I were in the nursery for Sunday School and church, and that job is not for wimps! Lots ...

I've had several people leave comments asking me questions or wanting to email me. Please feel free to email me at camdensmommy @ gmail . com. The other option is to leave your email address in the comment field, and I'll email you!

I seriously cannot figure this child out! She seems to have no rhyme or reason to her day (or night for that matter) schedule! I guess it doesn't matter too much, but I'm very much a schedule/routine girl so I'd love for us to figure it out! She is currently asleep (at 8:30 a.m.!). She did sleep all night again, but was up at 5:30. Good thing we have nothing planned for today except for a quick trip to the grocery store. One of these days, maybe I'll actually remember everything I need and get back to one grocery store run a week. I am a horrible mom - I forgot to mention that Rory was 18 months old yesterday, plus it's been exactly a month since we met her. I still can't believe that it's been an entire month since we were in that taxi in Seoul pulling up to the apartment building to see her little face and pigtails, along with Mrs. Park, waiting for us. In many ways, it feels like she's been with us forever, but it also seems that it cannot possibly h...

Today has been a good day for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Rory slept from 9:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. without waking up one single time! This is the longest stretch I've slept since we left for Korea February 25! She also took TWO naps yesterday, which was nice! We ran a couple of errands in Nashville today and also stopped by the college to visit. We spent almost 2 hours there and thoroughly enjoyed every second! It was wonderful to see my friends. I have really missed being there. There were lots of ooh's and ahh's over Rory, of course. Miss Rory has been in a very good mood today. Not sure if it's all the extra sleep or what, but she has been delightful. She even coerced me into letting her have a packet of Smarties. I'm not a big fan of toddlers and candy, but if you could see her sweet face dissolve into giggles and see all the kisses I'm getting, you'd cave too! As I was looking for pictures to post today, I realized I never ...

So yesterday was pretty rough. I was so tired, and Rory was quite tired as well. The stinker just did not want to take a nap even after being up so much the night before. We made a quick trip to Walmart and then I laid down with her for an entire hour trying to get her to sleep, but she was having nothing to do with it. We walked with Mayme for about an hour, and Rory loved being outside. Finally about 3:15 she climbed up in my lap and crashed. I didn't want her to sleep too long at that point because I wanted her to go to bed early or at least on time, but there was no waking her! We did get more sleep last night and she didn't wake up until 6:15 this morning which is a great improvement! Rory has started this little whining routine. She's not being serious - she's just copying Camden and looking for sympathy. She'll come up to us pointing and whining about a place on her arm, head, belly, etc. and wants us to kiss it and be sympathetic. What a little con artist! H...

A few highlights from yesterday. 1. Camden spent a good 45 minutes scribbling "maps and messages since I have the community idol" (his version of Survivor). 2. Camden and Rory played "barbershop" without real scissors, thank goodness. 3. She then proceeded to try to climb up in his lap (pictures tomorrow) and it was so sweet until he dumped her off completely on purpose. 4. We ordered pizza last night (thank you, Pizza Done Right for $6.99 carryout on Mondays) and I was so desperate to get out of the house that we all rode along to pick it up. Is it sad that was almost the highlight of my day? Last night was pretty rough. I'm pretty sure my hours of sleep topped off at 3-4, and Rory probably got 4-5. How is it possible for an 18-month old to survive with so little sleep? And shes actually pretty happy this morning (has been since 4:30 a.m.). Well, happy as long as she's on my lap; really, really cranky if I put her down. It's a good thing I'm becomin...

Not only was yesterday Easter, but it also marks 4 years since Camden came home from Korea and we became a family. Unfortunately, Easter and the Easter egg hunt took precedence, and he got a little confused as to why we were celebrating. And as for the cake I bought, he said he'd rather choose something from his Easter egg basket because that would be "more specialer and more funner." I had planned to have a video from when we first met Camden as well as footage from yesterday, but Brian was much too busy getting ready to return to school after spring break to work on a video. A few pictures will have to do. By the way, any of my photographer/digiscrapping friends know why my pictures look so bland? In Lightroom they look great, but when I upload them to the blog, they lose alot of color and sharpness. Camden and his cake (yes, his head is cut off but it's the only one I got where he's smiling) What a handsome boy! Family picture Pray for me today. I've got Ro...

We had our annual Good Friday service last night. Everyone commented on how great it was, but I'll be honest and say I couldn't really pay attention. It's hard when you've got a wiggly toddler on your lap who wants nothing more than to sing along, clap, and in general make lots of noise! Last night was my first chance to dress her up, and it was as much fun as I imagined. However, I did learn there is a delicate balance to the timing. Getting ready too early risks messed up hair and wrinkled clothes. Waiting until the last minute risks cranky kids as you try to rush them out the door. We took Rory and Camden to the park yesterday afternoon, and they had a blast. It confirmed what we've been thinking. Rory is going to beat Camden up one of these days. She is totally fearless while he is a bit of a baby. You should have seen her heading down the big slides with no fear whatsoever. She was so fearless that she was scaring me a bit! We're going to have to keep our ...

We're keeping it low-key today. We might make a trip to the park later since it's nice out, and we do have a Good Friday service tonight, but other than that we're staying home. Dinner went well last night. Rory had a good time with the grandparents and got really wound up. She did not go to bed until WELL past her bedtime and then woke up several times during the night so we're all tired this morning. Here's a page I scrapped using pictures from our kite-flying day on Tuesday.

Not much to say today since we've spent most of it cleaning and doing laundry. It's so exciting. (can you hear the sarcasm in my voice?) I know, didn't I say we spent several hours doing that on Monday too? Somehow, the house just doesn't stay clean with two kiddos running around. Brian's parents, grandparents, and aunt are coming over for dinner tonight. It will be nice to have company. His grandparents live far away in Virginia so we do not get to spend much time with them. I'm taking Rory for her first haircut in a few minutes. The mullet is getting to me. I have no idea if this is her first official haircut, but it's her first with us anyway. Brian finished up our homecoming video. I think there are still a couple of Korea videos still in the making, but he's way too busy for videos these days!

Today was a very wet spring day! Water and rain are everywhere. I think that playing outside is out of the question for several days since I'm not sure we have any sunny days in our forecast for quite a while. We dropped Camden off at Gram and Gramp's house this morning at 9:30, and we headed to Nashville for doctor's appointments. I had my regular 6 month appointment with the breast specialist (all clear) and Rory had to get blood drawn at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital (just regular tests). She did really well right up until the point that the phlebotomist actually touched her! She screamed and screamed, but the lady did such a good job and found a vein the first time, and was very quick. Rory calmed down quickly and has been happy the rest of the day, which surprised me a bit! I forgot this scary Camden story. Monday afternoon we were playing outside, and Camden found a worm. He thought it was the best thing to have a "worm friend" (this is my boy who back ...

This is how out of it I have been. I realized yesterday that my watch was still set on Korean time. And I've been wearing my watch. Every day. And thinking that I was using it. Today we went to a new shopping center that recently opened. I finally got Camden an Easter outfit (it coordinates with Rory's) and we just browsed. Camden was finally able to fly his new kite - he's been begging to do it every day! Camden is having some adjustment issues. He is just over the top loud and obnoxious competing for attention. We've tried talking to him, telling him that we love him just like we love Rory. He's having potty accidents (two days in a row now), doing lots of babyish things, disobeying, etc. I sure hope this doesn't last long!! Rory had a pretty good day. I made chocolate chip cookies and she had her first one last night. They were a big hit! She's clearly feeling more comfortable with us. When I have to tell her "no" about something, instead of sob...

It's been an exciting spring break so far. We've done laundry, cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed, dusted and fixed a broken toilet. Doesn't get much better than that! Maybe tomorrow will be a bit more exciting! Camden would tell you that his day has been exciting. He pinched his thumb in the closet door (and it looks quite painful) and he thinks that arm is just completely incapacitated. I've tried to hide my smiles from him, but his reaction throughout the day has been pretty funny. Rory reached out for Brian today and kissed him for the first time today. She has kissed him before, but not without alot of coaching and examples by Camden. Today she did it all on her own. It made him feel pretty good! We went to church yesterday for the first time and stayed in the nursery for Sunday School and church. Rory was pretty quiet and solemn, but did well. It bothers me that she immediately left me and wanted to go straight to Liz as well as one other girl at church. That shouldn...

I'm convinced Rory's first new English words will be "Oh, dude" since Camden says it at least 3 dozen times a day. Said in a southern accent, of course. Rory slept from 8:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. and also took a 2 hour nap today, so she was a much happier little girl today. No biting going on! Camden was a bit of a stinker today, but I'm sure it's all just normal as he adjusts to a new sister. We braved the mall and Wal-Mart on a Saturday, and it was crazy! Of course, we forgot the stroller, which did not make things easier! So many things to remember and get back in the habit of doing! Rory was great even after we arrived home, which made me feel much better since she had so much trouble the last two days. And, in Chick-fil-A, she reached over, hooked her arm around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. I didn't even mind that her mouth was covered in food. Here are a few pictures from our playdate yesterday. Caden is the sweetest little guy. He has the bes...

We have had a busy couple of days! Thursday I decided to try to run a few errands in Nashville. It was our first extended trip out and about, and it went well. However, I paid for it when we got home because Rory was just C.R.A.N.K.Y. and very clingy. I'm not sure if it was just too much for her or what. Brian's mom and aunt came to visit, and she was very pleasant with them, and we went on a walk with Mayme , but with those two exceptions, it was a difficult afternoon and evening. It took 2 hours to get her to sleep last night, and then she was up multiple times between 2:00-5:30 this morning and up for good at 6:30 a.m. That is just not enough sleep! And this was with only a 30 minute nap yesterday too. We met up with Terra and Avery as well as Gina and Caden. Caden was in the same foster home with Rory as we've discovered after sharing pictures. I will post pictures tomorrow. I am glad that we went to see them, but it may have been too much. Getting out the door this mo...