New Pictures of Cameron

A couple weeks ago, Erica and I took Brady and Cameron to get some new pictures. As you can see, the two-year-old is noticeably absent from ALL of the pictures. Why, you ask? He thought when we got to the studio that he was at the doctor's office, and he wasn't going to sit on the table without a fair amount of kicking and screaming. We all know he doesn't exactly have a good history with doctors. So, we cut our losses and got some nice pictures of Cameron instead. At least the trip wasn't a complete waste!

Solid Food...Its About Time!!!

Cameron has gotten the chance to experience some "real" food this past week. It all started last Sunday with my blueberry pancakes. This week, Cameron got his first taste of Sal's Pizza crust. Brady used to love it, and Cam does too.

We know this is an important milestone for us, because once Brady started eating this food, he was less and less interested in baby food. We fully expect Cameron to be the same way.

Great job Cam!!!

I Love Smiling, Smiling is my Favorite!

Hi guys, its me, Cameron! Mama and Dada think I am sleeping up in my crib, but little do they know, I snuck a laptop upstairs and I have now decided to blog.

Do you see me in my go-around toy? I love walking around the table playing with all of the toys. I can get some good "air" in my jumperoo too. Sometimes Brady comes over to play with me. Sometimes I think it is funny to scare him by yelling in his face when he isn't expecting it. He usually runs away. Hahaha!

Today, Mama and Dada took Brady and I to KidsFest in downtown Haverhill. Brady and I sat in our stroller together. Brady likes to sit in the back, which means I get the front seat to look out at all the people. We had pizza, we walked through Candyland, and we saw lots of cool things.

This week I have FINALLY gotten the chance to eat good food just like evryone else. For breakfast this morning, I had some of Dada's famous blackberry pancakes. They were great!

Tomorrow, I think I might teach myself how to walk. Just kidding!

So long for now!

Cameron

Getting to be big boys!

The other day I was looking in Brady's baby book and saw that we had started giving him a sippy cup and cheerios by about 7 months. So I pulled out a sippy cup and put water in it and gave it Cameron. He immediately took both handles and started using it as a cup. He hasn't quite gotten the hang of sucking the water out, but he knew what to do with it. This is the same child who refuses to hold his own bottle. when I bring his hands up to hold his bottle he lets the bottle fall out of his mouth, maybe I need to get a bottle that has two handles like the cup. Do they even make anything like that. He also Loves the freedom of being able to 'run around' in his go around table!








Our other Big boy is certainly holding his own. We go outside whenever we can and we are proud to say that at 2 and 1/2 Brady has mastered the rock wall! He's such an athletic kid. We hope this will mean college scholarships, because with the price of gas we just may have to pick our favorite child and that's the one that will be allowed to go to college! (Just kidding)

No More Crib!

Today, dada turned my crib into a big-boy bed because I was playing on top of the railing after my nap. So now, I can climb in and out of my bed when ever I want. Mama and Dada explained to me that I need to stay in my bed when it is time to go to sleep. The ball is now in my court to show them that I can do it.

I'll let you know how it is going on a future post. Bye for now!

Brady

Update by Dad the next morning: Brady was a little confused by the lack of a crib, and at one point, made one attempt to leave the bed and open his door. He was quickly ushered back to his bed and told he needed to go to sleep, which he did. Eat your heart out SuperNany!!!

A Tale of Two Different Kids

Brady couldn't give up his pacifier (aka binky) until just a few months ago. When he was a baby, he just couldn't calm down without it. Other parents always used to tell us that their child never really used a binky, and we just couldn't figure out what we did wrong.

Now we know....it was nothing. Cameron never really took to a binky, ever. We've finally decided to get rid of all of his since he doesn't use them, so our house is officially binky-free. Perhaps this is a case for nature over nurture?

Our Trip to the Museum

Yesterday, Erica and I took Brady and Cameron to the Boston Children's Museum. Check out our pictures:

7 Months

Cameron turned 7 months old this week. The time is absolutely flying by. He can now sit up with very little assisstance, eats 3 meals a day, sleep a good 12 hours at night and takes 2 good naps a day. He loves to go int he swing outside , and is now big enough to go in the go around toy that lets him walk around his table of toys! Next Monday both boys will be going into Boston for kidney check ups and we'll probably be able to schedule Cameron's surgery. we'll keep you posted on that one.

Brady's first sleep Over

Friday night we took Mackenzie for Shanna and Dave because they were moving (Congrats on the new house) Brady and mackenzie had so much fun together. It's so nice that they get along so well. The had pizza for dinner and had cupcakes for desser, took a abth, watched the doodlebops and then went to bed. In the interest of everyone getting a good nights sleep, Mackenzie slept in our room on the futon and Brady slept in his own bed. A fun time had by all!!!

Congrats to you Shanna and Dave on your beautiful new house!!! We couldn't be happier for you!

Family Update: April 2008

We are getting to be really bad at blogging...not because we don't like it, it just seems as though we never have the time. Last night, Erica and I sat down and went through old posts....it was fun to see what Brady was doing at Cameron's age...and it gives us at least some sense of what is next for Cameron. We have to be better about blogging!

Anyways, here is the latest news on each member of the Stack clan:

Brian just returned from a four-day NEASC visit to Raymond. He had to stay at a hotel in Manchester for those days, and it was really difficult to be away from the family!

Erica is recovering from a strained back, this put her out of service for a week. Thank goodness Alyssa and Shanna were able to come to the rescue and help out, otherwise Brian would have been out the entire week from work!

Brady got a really short haircut today (I'm not sure you can really see it in the picture). It looks great...and it is amazing how much older he looks as a result!

Cameron seems to learn new things every day. He now eats three solid meals a day, he loves to play in the go-around toy, and he LOVES spending time on his belly (which he always has). Before we know it, he'll be crawling. Ahhhhh!!!!

New Cars!

This will be the first of many "double" purchases for toys! We are so excited that the weather has finally gotten nice!

Happy Birthday

Okay so I'm 2 days late but I wanted to wish my hubby a happy 29th Birthday!!!!! We are looking forward to night out tomorow night with no children. We are looking forward to actually sitting and enjoying our meal and then we're going to the movies to see 21. We haven't been to the movies in I can't tell you how long! So Happy Birthday Brian/dada, We love you!!!!!

Happy Birthday Kenzie!

It is hard to believe that today, my niece Mackenzie turned 4! In my life, Mackenzie's birth ushered in a new era, that of "parenting." Erica and I used to take Mackenzie overnight so we could "practice" parenthood. I remember taking her to stores, restaurants, and even the Portsmouth Children's museum. A year and a half later, we had Brady. Then it was all down hill from there. Hahaha....just kidding!!!

6 months

weighing in at 18lbs (50%) and 90% for height is Cameron Stack! He got a clean bill of health from the Doctor the other day when he went for his 6 month check up. I can't believe that he is already six months old. He rolls both ways, is VERY close to sitting up, sleep about 12 hours at night, eats 2 "solid" meals a day and takes 2-3 naps a day. He loves to blow raspberries and chew on his hands. He really doesn't take a binki, he would perfer to suck on his index and middle fingers.

Brady and Cameron seem to have this brotherly bond that Brian and I don't quite get but are thrilled to watch. Brady loves the fact that cameron will reach out and grab his face and take his hand. It is so wonderful to see the interactions between the two of them. We hope their brotherly love lasts a life time.

Fun in the tub

Cameron is now big enough to sit in the tub (his small tub that is) ,But we put it in the big tub so Brady and Cameron can take baths together. As you can see from the pictures Brady decided to join Cameron in the little tub.

We've Been 2nd Class Citizens for Some Time...

We went to breakfast after church this morning with our friends Dustin and Elizabeth. They noticed that we got "rolled eyes" and whispers as soon as we sat down with our two boys. I guess we are so used to it, we don't even notice it anymore. Its not that Brady and Cameron were disruptive in the restaurant...in fact they were quite good. But, this is not uncommon. It happens almost every time we are seated in a restaurant, and it has been going on ever since we started going out with both boys. It is not uncommon for us to be seated in a corner, which I don't mind...as long as there are other families in the same section.

People can be down-right rude. Two weeks ago at Texas Roadhouse, a middle aged-couple were seated right next to us (Cameron was asleep and Brady was quietly playing with the crayons). The woman looked right at our table and said to the waitress, "Can you put us somewhere else where it will be a little more peaceful?" Yesterday at the supermarket, Cameron was having a rare crying moment because he was trying to fall asleep. I had stopped to rock his carrier and get the bottle. A young couple walked by and looked at Cameron, started to shake their head, and as they walked by me, they said to their one-year old.."Good thing you don't act like that little boy." I wanted to go over and punch them in the face.

To all you people who pass judgement...get a life! My kids are EXTREMELY well behaved. I can take them just about anywhere and they are very polite. If for some reason they are not having a good day and start to become disruptive, I would leave. I am NOT one of "those" parents who lets them ruin a meal for everyone else in the room.

I HATE people who have no clue.

A Great Easter!

Easter 2008 was a success! We had Erica's Family over for a late lunch. Everyone pitched in so we didn't have to do it all which was very nice! It was a nice relaxing day. the kids played the adults talked! All in all a fun day!

The Easter Bunny Came to Town!

Oh Brady.........No!

It would appear that Brady is officially potty trained. At this point, he is able to tell us when he needs to use the bathroom to do his "business." Now we just have to get him to use less toilet paper! We still have him wear a pull-up at naptime and bedtime, although it is rare for him to wake up from his nap wet.

Nice job Brady! Erica and I are thrilled that we don't have to buy diapers anymore for him...although we still have Cameron's to buy.

The many faces of Cameron

Cameron has been eating solid food for about a month now, here are some pictures of him enjoying his squash!

Hippity hoppity Easter's on its way!

On Friday I only have one daycare child so, although it is a tight squeeze I can fit all three kids in the car and we go to play gym in hampstead. This week the Easter bunny was there. I didn't think that Brady would sit on his lap but to my surprise he did. Twice no less. Cameron had no problem with it, he really liked how soft Mr. Easter bunny was.

Tubby Time!

It amazes us because it seems like just yesterday, Brday was taking baths in the kitchen sink. Now it is Cameron's turn. (In case you were wondering, Brady is the shot with the rubber duckie, taken in March of 2006).

The Boys

They are starting to play well together...

Family Update March 2008, by the Stack Boys

Mama and Dada asked us to write the family update for the blog. Here's what's happening in our family right now:

Dada is just finishing his school vacation. He used the time to finish up the bathroom, and he also moved his computer from the basement into the closet upstairs (to give us more room to play). Mama went for a job interview at Imajine That in Lawrence. If all goes well, she will be teaching some group classes at night for special needs children and their families, and she will be a preschool teacher for their new integrated preschool in Haverhill next fall. Brady is still working on his potty training, which has its ups and downs. Finally, Cameron is fighting off another bronculitis attack, complete with coughing and wheezing. Cam has learned to roll over and is getting quite good at using two hands to play with toys. Next stop for him: sitting up!

That's all for now. Talk to you soon,

Brady & Cameron

Welcome to the Jungle!

In order to make the playroom a little safer and kid-friendly, we dressed up the columns by turning them into jungle trees with some brown carpet and ivy garland. We might actually turn the entire basement into a jungle theme at some point.