Cam is Commando!

A long weekend sounds wonderful and luxurious, right. Where did it all go?

Thursday: Allergy attack. For those of you who know me, these attacks take me down for the day. Also, Cambria only took two 30 minute naps, which for those of you who don't remember, that equals no fun. We did manage to make it to the toy store where in my allergen-induced weakness I bought her a big box of wooden blocks like the ones I remember playing with when I grew up. On the drive home I was worried that I had just bought a gift for Cam which was mostly meant to feed my own nostalgia, but she LOVES THEM! She picks up the blocks and clutches them to her chest like they are gold. She also loves to knock down whatever I've built.

Friday: I had the day off - furlough, thanks dysfunctional CA government! - and used Zulda for the first half of the day to get some things done in my classroom. When Cam got up from her afternoon nap, she was crying... really crying. I know the difference and this was the "something hurts" cry. I smelled something was wrong too and Zulda had said that she had had diarrhea that morning. I opened her diaper to discover a diaper rash so painful that she would tremble when I touched it. Ow! Poor little baby. I was crying for her and she was crying for her. I decided just to ditch diapers for a while and let that stuff air out. We kept diapers off her this weekend whenever we could.

We think that the diarrhea may be attributed to teething and she has been gnawing something fierce, so maybe some teeth will make an appearance sometime soon!

Saturday: Cam and I went to the park to swing, teeter and watch Joel get crushed by a 6th grader on the tennis court. I saw the kid, Sean, at the drinking fountain, and he was smiling so big... I'm sure it made his week.

That afternoon, Cam wowed me. After her afternoon nap she was enjoying some diaperless play–something she may get used to–and she picked up her hair brush and started moving it over her head as if to brush her hair. What?! Baby girl is smart! She is picking up objects and using them in a purposeful way. Man. That's cool.

We met the neighbors along with some others and had a beer at Bobby G's prior to the Ducks/Bears game. Marnie and Patrick are doing so well. I remember how hard it is to be out and about in those early weeks but they handle it like old pros.

And that Graham is one fantastic little man. What a pumpkin!

Marnie didn't get to go to the game, but Pat and Steve went. It's hard to be left out because you're a mom. I know all too well. I wouldn't say we get the bum end of the deal though-those kids adore us.

Sunday: We took a hike in Fairfax to see Carson Falls. It was a great hike for someone carrying a 17 lb. baby on their back. (That someone was Joel) Cam is now a much better size for the hiking backpack and prattled on happily for the 3.5 mile hike.

She also was a happy camper for our lunch at Iron Springs Brewery. I ordered from the menu for her! That is a first. I ordered her a side of black beans, her new favorite food. She'll take down quite a few of those beans.

And Joel wants everyone to know that he rebounded from his loss to the 6th grader in order to crush his opponent this week in Fantasy Football. Who is his opponent you may ask? None other than his beautiful wife. Ah Yes.

One full week of work until I get a full week of vacation for Thanksgiving. I love that week. We will also be getting a visit from Auntie Jen! Yeah! We're hoping that Jen will once again, forget enough of her stuff in our house to justify coming for a return visit as soon as possible. :)

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I can't wait to roll out my pie crusts and make a new recipe for ginger snap streudel sweet potatoes I've been sitting on. I'll be you all wish you were going to be in Berzerkeley for T-day.

I'll be sending all my love and marksmanship to the hunting buddies who'll be in the cabin the night before opening day this weekend. Oh how I wish I could hang out and listen to the old guys fart and share jokes while I sit in the corner, catching up on reading for school and feeling so lucky to be included. Those were the days.