t-ball.

Brooks started t-ball this weekend! Unfortunately he was mighty sick for evaluations and his team's  first practice got rained out yesterday, but they had a "come if you can" practice this morning so John brought him to the fields to meet his team, the RiverDogs, and get a feel for what the season is going to look like.

We are all super excited about his first season! Let's go RiverDogs!

full lap. full heart.

Out of all of the places to sit and draw in the house, they choose my lap. 

I'm not complaining! 

Also, both Brooks and Ann Bennett went to school yesterday. FINALLY!

chores.

Brooks' class is learning about different countries and missionaries this month so he brought home a collection jar to support the missionary who is coming to school to speak at the end of the month. His teachers asked that we allow them the chance to do chores around the house to earn money to give. Without any direction from me, he ran upstairs this morning and made his bed for the first time ever. I just had to document this milestone as a way to tell Brooks how proud I am of him and his sweet servant heart. 

Not bad for a first-timer! I think that I can get used to this...

laid back v-day.

Unfortunately, Ann Bennett had fever on Valentine's Day so she wasn't able to attend her class party. We had a laid back, lovey-dovey morning despite the circumstances. When I picked up Brooks from school I grabbed her Valentine's bag, so that helped ease her sicky blues.

I love these babies with my whole heart (and Camp and Daddy). Happy belated Valentine's Day!

sick snuggles.

I don't like that my boys aren't feeling well, but I'll take these sick snuggles any day.

hunting with daddy.

Daddy picked up Brooks early from school on Wednesday to take him hunting at Mr. Michael's for a couple of days. They didn't kill any deer, but they did shoot a hog. He had so much fun, he didn't want to come home Thursday evening!

As much as I would have loved for them to stay and shoot a monster buck, he needed to go to school today. However, last night, both Brooks and Daddy developed a high fever, so they are both home with me and Camp today! Praying the rest of the family stays well!

ready to crawl.

This little man is getting ready to crawl!

bug in the buggy.

Camp's first ride in the big boy seat at Target had to be documented! He loved it and was mesmerized by the new view. It was hard for me to get him to look at the camera because he was whipping his head every which way. 

My boy is growing up!

puppy love.

Their favorite spot…

I think it's Sybie's, too. 

campbell: seven months.

I'd say month seven was an "off" month—or maybe it was just a big month for you, developmentally. I'd definitely consider your behavior "normal," just not normal for you...

You were very fussy and very clingy this month. I think that there were several contributing factors:

1. Chest congestion and a mild cough.

You woke several nights coughing like a grown man. Luckily, you were able to soothe yourself back to sleep, but it was still pretty pitiful.

2. Your first tooth!

On December 31st, I noticed your bottom right tooth coming to the surface. That evening you woke up screaming crying in the middle of the night and I had to come up and rock you back to sleep. We discovered the next morning that your tooth officially broke through the gums! I could not believe it. That explains our rockin' New Years Eve! 

3. Separation anxiety

You finally figured out that it's not so great when mommy puts you down or leaves the room. For the majority of the month you only wanted to be held and would lose it when I tried to put you on your playmat or in your activity center and jumperoo. You didn't even like it when I would sit you on the bed for a brief minute so that I could put away laundry. To lose sight of me on top of that?! Cue the REAL tears. Again, it probably doesn't help that you're teething, either. 

4. Developments

You learned so much this month! For starters, you finally rolled over from your back to your front on December 17th. It was kind of a one-time-deal. You are rarely on your back to practice, as you much prefer to sit and play, but it's still a new trick! You also learned how to wave and you love to look intently at your hand as it opens and closes. Practice makes perfect! You added a few sounds and goo's to your vocabulary. You can blow and the rolling g's are on repeat these days.

You have mastered the "no" head shake. I'm not sure if you grasp the meaning of no, yet, but there are times when I am feeding you that you use the head shake to tell me you're all done. 

And speaking of food, you tried veggie sticks for the first time on the 18th and now you are a veggie stick, puff, and teething wafer-loving fool! You also tried some cooked rutabega and guacamole, both of which you inhaled.  

 As far as nursing and pumping goes, I made the decision to stop pumping on Christmas Day. It gives us more freedom during the day, and me more freedom at night. I only nurse you in the morning when you wake up and I don't see us stopping anytime soon. Your bottle intake decreased drastically this month. There were some feedings where you would only take 3-4 ounces. I think that it had more to do with your increased food intake than your preference of breastmilk over formula.

You started sprouting more hair this month! However, you have two spots on your scalp where you developed eczema that are bald. We finally cleared it up with homemade creams and Manuka honey, so hopefully it will start growing back soon. 

We celebrated your first Christmas this month, which was so sweet and special. We also went to the beach with Daddy's side of the family before the new year. You did so well and traveled like a champ. No surprise there!

Daddy nicknamed you BBOP—Best Baby on the Planet. Despite being a bit fussy and clingy this month, you are still the best baby ever. We love you so much, Camp! Happy seven months, precious boy.