We'll miss you, Grandpa

I have been extremely fortunate in growing up as I got to spend many wonderful summers and weekends with my grandparents. My first experience in a boat, baiting a hook and wading in the ocean was all courtesy of my wonderful grandfather, Grandpa. Sadly he passed away last night but I will remember him for his dry sense of humor, work ethic and pride in his family.

When does vacation become that magical time I remember so fondly?

Despite the title of my last post, my two week vacation wasn't exactly everything I imagined it would be. Why? Because about 80% of my waking time was still spent being a mom. Now, don't get me wrong. I love that I was able to spend oodles of time with little Cameron. But every day was a bit of a grind in making sure she was fed (still having some breastfeeding stresses) and napped and in a good mood. Have I mentioned lately I'm not cut out to be a stay at home mom?

I think part of the problem is that Cameron is still so young. At only 5 months and still nursing she is much more dependent on me than my husband. Is it sad that I'm already looking forward to our next long vacation next summer when she will be 14 months old and I can nudge DH out of bed to handle her and get some precious, precious sleep? Even when we were alone at the wedding I still had to get up around 6 AM to pump. Sigh.

The other big challenge to being a mom on vacation is that no longer can I be spontaneous. One day we went to a family friend's house and I was able to get Cameron to nap there so I got to spend more than 1-2 hours in a spot other than our house. Jumping in the boat to take a cruise? Not unless Cameron has just woken up from a nap and been fed. Otherwise I will just stress when she starts getting tired and fussing. I've discovered that her crying is like nails down a chalkboard. I'd rather be a bit more housebound than deal with that. Oh, you want to go shopping? Well, is it at a mall or some other location that accommodates a carriage and place to change her? No? Well, then it looks like I'm out.

So, please, please, please tell me that vacation gets easier as they get older!!

A wonderful, relaxing vacation

I landed in Charlotte just a couple of hours ago and already feel behind. Isn't that always the way? It's like I'm being punished for taking a two week vacation! While my 300+ work emails download I wanted to share a couple of snapshots from our trip. More to come throughout the week...

Ned screeches his heart out at Charlie. I have a feeling he will be asking for his very own puppy as soon as he learns how to talk.

Cameron chills on the Boppy while her cousins zip around her.

I get a little cuddle time in with Penny and Ned.

Cameron lounges while taking a boat ride. She loved it!
DH and I had a weekend away while Grammy and Bumpa watched Cameron. It was our first weekend without her and I did surprisingly well. Need I even say that there was a lot of alcohol involved?

Cameron: Five months old

Dear Cameron,

Right now you are napping while we spend a wonderful two weeks in Maine on vacation. This month you met your cousins, your paternal grandparents and charmed everyone. Of course! Mommy and Daddy even had a weekend away from you but you were in good hands with Grammy. I think Charlie missed us more than you did!

This month you have discovered your feet and will spend long periods with them in your hands. You are thisclose to rolling over but your daddy and I are in no hurry to have you start becoming more mobile. We love how much you are laughing now. We never know what will set you off but it makes us laugh right along with you.

This month you toyed with sleeping through the night but are back to a middle of the night feeding. It was nice while it lasted! You are slowly learning to nap better at school but it's still a work in progress. Twice you have had rice cereal and the jury is still out on whether you want to keep eating it.

While in Maine you went on your first boat ride and got to splash in a kiddie pool and a hot tub. Both were so warm you probably thought it was just another bath.
Daddy and I love seeing your smiles when you wake up from a nap. We can't wait to see what you will do next!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Oops! Who knew water could do that?

Duh. I could. I had a slight accident with the digital camera today while splashing in a kiddie pool with Cameron. Need I write that it involved water? The camera wasn't submerged but it did get wet so it is hanging out in a plastic bag with some rice. If anyone else knows of other tricks and tips, please send them my way!

If the rice doesn't work we might need to place an emergency order for another digital camer. I am really liking our camera so I would want to get the same one. Even with the (gulp!) $250 price tag. I just hope either it dries out or we can get a new one before we head out for a wedding on Friday morning. Please send your driest thoughts out to our camera!

In the meantime DH is spending some quality time with some of his old friends. They coincidentally rented a house about 3 miles from my parents' house in Maine. We brought Cameron over for some oohing and aahing earlier and now DH is back to get some drink on. Ah, I vaguely remember those days!

More pictures (I hope!) to come in a few days.

New state, new adventure for Cameron

Cameron and I had a decent trip to Massachusetts. She slept through the entire flight except for the first ten minutes or so. Our biggest challenge? A diaper blowout and no changing table in the airplane bathroom. She ended up flying in just a diaper, ensconced in the Moby wrap. Fortunately these flight attendants didn't tell me I had to take her out when we were landing. I feel like every airplane bathroom should have one of those Koala changing stations. Or something similar. It's not like I can change her in my lap! Anyone else have similar experiences while flying?

DH and his dad (henceforth to be called Papa) picked us up at the airport. Cameron got to spend a couple of hours with her cousins and serenaded them with a complete and utter meltdown. I've never see DH so frantic! I was pumping and he brought her in wailing at the top of her lungs. A big bottle and some TLC from her mommy and she was out for a nice long nap. She is struggling a bit to get used to the heat. Yes, Charlotte is hotter but we have air conditioning everywhere. Tomorrow we drive up to Maine were we settle in for the remainder of the vacation. I'm looking forward to unpacking!

I feel like all in all we packed pretty light! Ha ha ha ha ha.Three Sweeney generations

Cameron spends some time with her cousins. I can't believe she will be as old as them one day!

The green monster strikes

Yesterday DH and I went together to pick up Cameron from school. She was chillin' on a Boppy when we arrived and was all smiles when we greeted her. While DH puttered around pulling her stuff together and putting her in the car seat I chatted with her teacher who was changing one of the other babies. Miss Tanya commented on the poop smell not being from her current charge so I picked up one of the other babies for a sniff test. Cameron saw me and immediately started crying. She often cries a bit when I pick her up from school if I walk away and she can't see me. She is usually tired at this point and ready for a final nap. But I was in her line of sight, as was DH. The only explanation we could come up with was that she was jealous. Cameron did not want her mommy holding another baby. Cute, but I'm sure it could get old quickly.

Speaking of always needing her mommy...Cameron has decided that I am the only person she will take her bedtime bottle from. DH has been a trooper but she will cry and fuss while he gives it to her. He'll put her down, walk away and then come back. It usually takes him several tries and even then she won't finish the bottle. I end up having to go back in (bad form I know!) and get her to drink the rest. I would normally not bother but Cameron is more likely to wake up in the middle of the night if she doesn't drink all her bottle. She better snap out of it because Mommy wants to enjoy her vacation too! Plus my mom will be watching her for two nights while DH and I attend a wedding.

Any advice on how to get Cameron to take her nighttime bottle from someone other than me without all the hooting and hollering?