Camdyn Elizabeth @ 3 months

To us, there is nothing more beautiful and sweet than our Camdyn Elizabeth....

 

 

 

 

That's my boy!

 

There is a switch that happens when you become a mother, I believe...something that makes life no longer just about yourself. An undeniable want for your child’s life to be better than your own becomes present. A relentless effort to provide, nourish and love beyond belief; an emotional need to protect your children from even the slightest form of pain or disappointment, and then the pride. Oh Pride.

I wanted doodle to test into the Gifted and Talented program so badly for a multitude of reasons. I want him to reach his highest academic potential. I want him to have a hunger for learning. I want him to know that the “smarter” he is, the easier life can be. I am an educator….I VALUE education. Sure, my bragging heart wants him to be on the all-stars and make the A team in every sport. But…. BUT, my true desire for him is to be equipped with the strongest education possible. I also wanted to protect him from the failure of not getting into the program.

He tested a couple of weeks ago. He felt confident in his performance but this child never lacks confidence, so that was hard to read. Every day I tear into his travel folder like it holds a million dollars, never once mentioning that I was frantically awaiting the letter from the school. Daddy and I both assured him that just being nominated was an accomplishment and that there were no expectations on our part. Yesterday the letter came. As I’ve been doing for the past two weeks, before even pulling out of the parking lot, I was tearing through his folder. It was there. With the letter in my hand, I faced a huge parenting moment. Do I read it right now, here in the parking lot? What if it is a denial…can I hide my disappointment in front of him? What will I say to him? Before I had a chance to process the information, from the backseat…..

“Ha, ha mama. I didn’t tell you the GT letter came! Are you surprised?” How did he know I was waiting on THAT letter?” “yes, baby you tricked me (he usually tells me what is in his folder on the walk to the car)…do you want me to open it now?” “Sure”

And before I got past the first sentence, I was in tears. “Are those happy tears, mama?” “Yes! I am so proud of you!”

While I know this is not his golden ticket into Harvard, I am proud as I can be. I have a Master’s degree in School Psychology. I’ve tested hundreds of children’s IQ on both ends of the spectrum. I 100% understand this opportunity for him.

Dear CMW,

You have made your mama proud, son, as you often do…may this opportunity challenge you to new heights and beyond. You have the world at your finger tips with all that you are. I pray that you always use your god-given gifts to the best of your ability and never, ever take them for granted. I am blessed to be your mother.

Love,

mama

My new toy!

 

I have wanted a Flip camera for a long time now. A quick and easy way to video our life without the hassle of a bulky camera, mini-dvd's and a hassle to charge, etc... MSW got me one for my birthday and I am in love with it! I have already shot more video this week than I did all of last year! It shoots awesome video in HD.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Natalie's Birthday Party

At some point, we became adults. Women with husbands, babies, jobs, a mortgage, etc... I don't feel 34. We live very charmed lives and would not change one thing about being women and having those beautiful responsibilities. However, every now and again- it is time for some "daddy up" while mama let's her hair down and hits the town with her girls.

We celebrated Nat's 33rd birthday in style. We had a wonderful night and shared some great times with some wonderful girls. I could write a total sappy post on Natalie and how amazing, wonderful, beautiful, and so on....she is. How much better my life is with her in it. At some point I'll write that post but for now, a little photo video of the night....

Natalie's Birthday from Dee Wallis on Vimeo.

Big Times

I almost feel like I have been living the life of someone else for the past two weeks....possibly a rock star's life?!?! While this blog is public domain and I will only share a few of the details let's just say I have had more going out fun in the past two weeks than I have had in the last 10 years. It all started last weekend with Nat's "Girls Gone Glam" birthday party. It deserves a post of its own but I will share now that we had an amazing 14 hours long party for her!

Come Thursday, it was time to start up my birthday celebrations! Thursday night was spent at Versi with Nat and Crystal (along with about 50 other people.) Manicures were the lowlight of the night and I will stop with the Elvis impersonator. :)

I spent my birthday in perfect style. A morning of a pedicure and massage (Camy went along too!?, an afternoon playing with the most precious two littles, dinner at Acenar and a night at the Valencia with my love. It was the perfect birthday!

I have so many pictures of Nat's party, Mani & Martini night, my b-day and of C&C! I hope to get to them soon. I had Camy dressed up for church this morning so I snapped a couple of pictures for her 3 month album. Poor baby is still scratching herself! If she will ever be scratch-free I can go ahead with a full shoot of her!

 

Camy turned 3 months old and found her voice (has not stopped babbling since)

 

MSW and I (thanks to mimi) spent the night at the Valencia to celebrate my 34th birthday.

 

I spent my birthday morning at Versi. Pedicure and massage...heaven. Look close, see my cute necklace??? Nat had that made for me for my birthday! I love it!!!! Camy went along for her first Spa day! Lots of benefits since Crys is the manager :)

 

Spent the night before my birthday with some of my favorite girls at Versi's Martinis and Manicures. Crazy night but oh so fun!

Bath time with Camy

My 11 week old beauty....who loves her bubble bath, is beginning to laugh and coo at us all the time.

 

Precious love....pure love.

 

She scratched herself....darn paper thin finger nails.

 

and then she spots the baby in the mirror, no clue it is herself, she talks and talks to the baby in the mirror.

 

She makes us all happier people and we were really happy before. ~Baby Love~

Parenting, it's a tough job!

Parenting is tough work. It takes patience, consistency and a whole lot of energy. Doodle, for the most part, is a good kid. I know that. However, I also realize he can be wild at times and bossy. Tuesday night was a struggle. He had been at his friend’s house all afternoon and he came home tired and worn out. He bossed me through dinner. For the record, dinner time is serious time at our house. I take great pride (time, dedication, etc…) every evening to prepare a healthy, good meal. We do not eat any processed food and I cook mostly organic. The rule has always been that we all eat the same thing. No alternative meals for anyone. He is a great eater. The problem with your child going over to other houses is they learn “new ways.” He came home to a meal of grilled fish, cabbage salad, Texmati rice and black beans. Ok…so probably not the dream meal of a 5 year old but this is how we always eat and he usually loves it. But, his friend was having mac&cheese and chicken nuggets. So, he could not understand why he had to eat “healthy.” He was fighting a losing battle with me and he knew it.
The rest of the night was just as argumentative about homework, bath time, etc… I did not stand for his sass and this only made him angrier. He went to bed mad. I went to bed proud of myself for keeping calm through it all but also standing my ground on our rules. I also went to bed worn out.
These times are few and far between for us, but when they happen I second guess our parenting. We don’t spank, we are fairly lenient about some things and not about others. Are we making the right decisions? At the end of the day, we do what is right in our hearts. It is hard work but it is my most important work. And just when I think I am losing the battle, he comes home with this….
To the parents of C.W.,
Your child was one of two in his class, to be chosen to test for the Gifted and Talented Program at school. Testing will happen in the next three weeks and permission must be obtained before C.W. can be tested, etc…….
And I swell with pride because despite it all, we are raising an intelligent, well-rounded, awesome kid!