Happy Birthday Campbell and Carter!

Last month (yes, I'm very late posting) we celebrated Campbell and Carter's birthdays together. I figure it won't be much longer that we can have one party for their day-apart birthdays since they're different sexes, so we made the most of it this year! We are so blessed to have so many family members and loved ones that love our kids endlessly!!
I know I'm partial, but how cute is she?!
And my oh my, what a handsome three year old Carter is!!
Our sweet baby girl right before she dug into her birthday cake. Now, every time she sees cake, she literally dives for it and will scream and point until she gets some. She definitely inherited my sweet tooth!!

Carter and Campbell, you bless our lives more than we could ever express. We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents - we cannot possibly fathom the fact that the love we feel for each of you is just a fraction of what He feels for each of us. The way you love each other melts our hearts each and every day. Thank you for being the greatest kids we could ever ask for!!

Our Baby's Growing Up...

For months now we've avoided (or at least tried to...) the comparisons between Carter and Campbell in terms of when he did this, when she did that, etc. We know our kids are unique and exactly how God designed them to be. Carter just happened to be our early bloomer, and sweet Miss Campbell is content with not rushing things. She was nine months old before she started crawling, and now at 11 months old, she has perfected her version of army crawling and is one fast moving little gal! She has had no desire at all, in any way, shape, or form, to put weight on her legs. Until this week. And now, watch out. She wants to stand all the time! Balance is still an issue, but she's quickly improving. Last night she was at LifeKIDS while we were at LifeGroup and she pulled up for the first time...twice! She did it again today for my Mom. I still haven't seen her do it. Maybe tomorrow...

Here she is showing off her new skill:

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

This week we celebrated Matt's 31st birthday. Carter worked very hard decorating Daddy's cake - footballs and football helmets are sprinkled on the top. And he picked out the candles himself and couldn't wait to blow them out for Daddy.

Of course I wasn't successful in capturing a picture that was good of all three of them at once, so here are a couple where at least 2 of them are looking at the camera!

Matt will not be happy with me for putting this picture on here of him, but I love the way Campbell is admiring him. She lights up when she sees her Daddy. I am so thankful that my babies have a Daddy that loves them more than life itself!!

Our New Cousin, Chesney Ann

Yesterday, January 13, our first cousin, Chesney Ann was born!! What a fun day we had at the hospital...seeing Aunt Brookie and Uncle Chris as they prepared for the birth of their baby girl, playing with Gran and Papa, eating you name it...cookies, apples, gummy worms and starburst, and much more!! It was so fun!!! But the best part was seeing Miss Chesney for the first time. She is such a perfect blend of Brooke and Chris. She has his gorgeous dark hair and eyes and has her mommy's chin and lips. Carter is so very excited to have a cousin and I'm thrilled for the kids to have a buddy so close to their age to grow up with!! I didn't have my camera handy last night, but we got to see them today and I got some cute pics.

Here she is:
And here is Carter talking to her:
Reality is sinking in...my baby doesn't look much like the baby any more!!!
I have to tell a story with this last picture. Brooke was changing Chesney's clothes to get her ready for her newborn pictures. The sweet baby didn't care much for that and was crying that sweet baby cry. Carter was really bothered by her crying and wanted to help her stop, so I suggested he sing her "Jesus Loves Me". She was laying on Brooke's bed and Carter was standing at the end of it facing her. About halfway through him singing, she stopped crying and just stared at him. My precious boy was so excited that she stopped crying when he sang that he went on to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and the "ABCs". I think he's going to be as protective of Chesney as he is of his little sister. Oh how I love that boy. Here she is right after he sang to her:
Chesney Ann, your Uncle Matt, Aunt Katie and cousins Carter and Campbell love you more than anything and can't wait to get to know you better! We have so much fun ahead of us!!!!

A Christmas Picture...or documentation of sibling rivalry!

On this day, the kids were dressed and ready to go with Pops and JJ/Janer (my parents - and yes, my mom's name changes back and forth depending on the day) for the annual OPUBCO family Christmas party. While we were waiting for them to pick the kids up, I decided I would capture a shot or two of them in front of the Christmas tree. The shots I got were not quite what I had intended, but our life captured, nonetheless. I will narrarate (and think) for the kids as we go:

Me: "Carter, please scoot closer to your sister so I can get you both in the picture."
Carter: "I not want to, Mom."
Me: "Well then would you please at least put your toy down for the picture?"
Carter: "Not a day, Mom." (translation: Not today, Mom)
Campbell: Why should he get to have all the fun with the toy?? What about me?! After all, I'm the one with the giant bow on my head...
Campbell: Look, Mom!!!! I got it and I was so fast he didn't even know what hit him!
Carter: "No sister!!" You just think you've got my toy. Maybe if I smile while ripping it from your hands Mom won't get mad...

Me: BUSTED!!!
Carter: Way to go sister, now we're in trouble for fighting.
Campbell: Way to go bub, had you just shared with me from the start we wouldn't be in this predicament. She's not going to get mad at me, look how cute I am!
Carter: "Mom, sister's on me." Get off my leg you little thing!!
Me: "Carter, do not push her. I'm coming to help."
Me: "Now sit still for just a moment longer. Hey there...look at me!!"
Carter: "CHEEEEEESE" (When do they stop saying this for pictures?? And who taught him to say cheese in the first place?!)
Campbell: You want me to do what?! I think this bow is cutting off circulation to my brain...
Campbell: He's finally gone! Now I'll ham it up for you, Mom!

Edited to add: Notice all the ornaments hung in a giant cluster above Carter's head? He was such a good helper when we decorated the tree!!

Dear Santa

We had a wonderful Christmas that stretched over several days. Lots of time with family and wonderful memories made. I've got plenty of pictures to share, but they're still on my camera. I will get them downloaded soon. And I'm hoping that in 2009 I will be much more faithful in keeping this blog updated! The kids are growing up so very fast...I can't believe it. So until next time, Happy New Year! May God bless you and yours beyond measure.

Here is a picture of Campbell and Carter with Santa. My parents took the kids to Opubco's family Christmas party and they got to sit on Santa's lap. Matt's mom and I tried to make it to the mall for pictures with a "real" Santa, but here we are, on December 31, and that never happened. Next year for sure!

Mr. Independent

Recently Matt was out of town and my sister came over to spend the night and hang out with me and the kids. On Saturday morning I had somewhere to be and Robyn was taking the kids, along with my parents, to visit some dear friends in Enid. As usual, it was a crazy morning and we were running behind... Carter took it upon himself to get dressed. He didn't realize it was cold outside and not raining, but I still need to give him credit for taking the initiative!
Now...look a little closer:
My sweet boy went the extra mile and put his clothes on backwards and even had his rain boots on the wrong foot. I like the fact that he is growing more independent, but even more, I love the fact that he still needs his Momma every now and then...