My little lady

Camille's one month appointment was today. She now weighs 8 lbs 15oz and measures 20.5 inches and is 50% percentile in size. She's really a lovely baby. She isn't nearly as fussy as Russell was and only cries when she is bothered by a hungry tummy or burps. She certainly can work herself into hysterics, though, when we let her cry-it-out but promptly falls asleep when comforted. We are completely in love with our little princess. I love to lay down and let her fall asleep in the crook of my arm and listened to her sleepy breathing and feel her warm body. Every tear we shed was worth these moments.

Three Weeks Old

My friend Sue (a Victoria native) came to visit today- with camera in hand! Her husband is a professional photographer and she loves photography as well, and she asked to take some sweet pictures of Camille. Of course, I said yes:-) Sue and her husband and two boys are moving to Victoria in two weeks. I'll miss them but I'm so glad I'll get to visit when we are on the Island!

Making Time for Russell

Russell adores his little sister but I find that he's acting out in other ways that show he knows that the family dynamics have changed: he trys to talk over me when I'm on a phone call (he used to NEVER do this) and pesters me (i.e. hit) when I am trying to feed Camille- as he knows I'm not going to jump up and discipline him immediately. Grrr. He's had ample discipline lately and we'll preserver but I also want to make sure that I am giving him special time during the day that is interactive and not just co-existent.

One thing Russell loves to do is help with the baking. He can already operate the stand-mixer and follows directions closely when I show him how to scoop ingredients. Today we made chocolate chip pumpkin cookies. Yes, they tasted as good as they sound! The apron Russell is wearing was a take-home party gift from another child's birthday party. It was nice to have some positive time with Russell instead of feeling impatient with him and worn out by repeated warnings. I wonder how families with so many children function??

Big Brother, Little Sis

At the same time Camille was born, Russell came down with a head cold. True to form, with the cool days and cold winds, his cold turn very quickly into croup (we'd seen the ped that afternoon and she said he was fine). Dan ended up taking Russell to the ER since it was the worst case of croup he's had so far. Since then, the croup subsided into a barking cough and head congestion- enough to be banished from Sunday School and play dates for two weeks now:-(

Needless to say, we've tried to keep Russell from loving Camille too closely but he just adores her and likes to be up close and personal. Amazingly, Camille has stayed healthy despite the germs being blown her way. This is the first picture of the kids together, this afternoon, as it was the first time I let Russell hold Camille. He was SO excited, he actually sat down for a picture!!