Potty Time, Excellent!

Max is officially out of diapers! We started down the ONLY undies path on Memorial Day.  Max wasn't ready (by book standards) but I think the kid would have never been ready if it were up to him. Once we started the 3 day program, I was ready to give up at hour 3. Max should be thankful his more patient father was home. I know I was thankful. 

First day back at school following 3 day program - NO ACCIDENTS

Most of you are aware we started potty training, as you may have been on the "I went potty" bragging call list. We also went all out with toys, stickers, fun undies, candy, and special trips for ice cream. Whatever did the job! Lucky for us the only thing he expects is a sticker for his chart and all the initial incentives are a thing of the past. And occasionally I still reward him for a full day of no accidents at school because this mom wants to celebrate too! 

Big toy = Poo Poo in Potty

Potty training is expensive (even excluding rewards) with all the undies, Clorox wipes for flying boy pee, potty seats that he used for an extremely short period of time, matress covers / extra sheets, plastic shoes (ie ugly crocks) for school, and a host of other products that make our life easier but aren't necessary (flushable wipes, potty covers for public bathrooms, car seat waterproof pad.) I am also thankful for my cloth diaper knowledge during this process. Our house always has Rocking Green detergent on hand which is our saving grace for pee/poo soaked clothes. 

Showing off his sticker collection - so proud!

We have had some frustrations along the way. For instance, what ruins nap time better than a bout of IBS from CiCi's pizza?! That would be 7 trips to the potty which is not exaggerated since I have the stickers to prove it. I couldn't be upset because he was recognizing he had to go. Although we missed a nap, I at least wasn't having to soak undies and hose him down because we were going IN THE POTTY!  We still have our occasional accidents but they are few between and he seems to be doing better at school than at home. It's pretty rewarding as a parent to hear teachers commend you on your training skills. Now to get Cami potty trained ...

Trip to Bama - Part 3

What trip to Alabama would not be complete without a little fishing. Max, Tyler, and Boompa went out for a boat ride and then did a little fishing off the pier.

Tyler said Max was a pro in casting.  He must take after his mommy.

Tyler said the boat ride was a success and that Max loved it but all I heard about from Max was the fishy he caught. I am so glad that Max is getting to experience a little bit of what makes our childhood home so special, and soon so will Cami. 

Boompa & Max

Max got so into fishing that he was even watching it on tv with Boompa. We might need to sign this kid up for the junior rodeo (that's fishing rodeo for all you Texans). 

Max enjoying bass fishing.

Cami was not as entertained by the fishing on tv.

At the Faison house we enjoyed the theater room and all the doggie action. At one point in our trip there were 5 dogs staying at MiMi and Papa's along with all of us kids. 

Faison size bowl of popcorn

Papa with the pups

Papa & Cami

We wrapped up the trip with a celebration of me turning the Big 3-0! Tyler & Kate threw Laura and I a surprise birthday party. *Laura and I have celebrated our birthday together every year (minus 1) since 2003.* It was a definite surprise and I was in shock throughout the entire party.

Shocked with the fact that Kate and Holly love me enough to fly in from Charlotte and Denver, Tyler could plan and keep it a secret (probably helped that he was traveling with Catfish and then we had a baby right before the event), and that I am that lucky to have such thoughtful friends and family.

The party was perfect in that it had old friends (some of which I haven't seen since our wedding in 2006) and was filled with lots of life memories (thanks to Kate). Oh and did I mention it was 80s themed and Tyler had my favorite childhood birthday cake there (Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip cake). Everything was a huge hit with Max from all the cake and balloons to the jumpy house. Max still thinks every birthday cake is for mommy's birthday and all presents are for Camille, it's been over a month now. Little does the kid know that the next big event will be his birthday where the cake and presents will be all for him. 

High School friends

Holly, Courtney, Laura, & Kate

Trip to Bama - Part 2

Other than having Camille meet the family, we also took her home to be baptized in the same church that we were married and Max was baptized.

Rev. Thack Dyson holding Cami

St. Paul's Episcopal Daphne, Alabama

Cami's godmother is Nicole Pierce (or Miss Cole to Max), our dear friend that we have known since our days in Tuscaloosa. 

Nicole and Camille

Camille wore the gown and bonnet that I came home from the hospital in (30 years ago.) After the ceremony, we gathered at B and Boompa's for a meet/greet and cake.

Camille Daphne Faison
Baptized May 18, 2014

3 generations

Elli & Melissa came down from b'ham

Faison clan

All the Faison girls (with their name starting with a "C")

Trip to Bama - Part 1

We made it to Alabama to show off Cami. We have had many adventures and experiences along the way.

Camille has been growing up before our eyes. At one month, she is officially out grown newborn clothes and is starting to talk.

Max has been experiencing new things from the beach to riding Papa's lawn-mower. 

Building sand castles at Fort Walton Beach

Helping PaPa mow the lawn

We spent some time in Florida visiting Max's godmother (Laura), Robert, and Mark. It was great getting to see their new home and our boys play together. 

Max & Mark

Cami being inspiration for Daddy

We are playing hard and the trip isn't even complete.

Lucy makes a great seat-back

Max got into Uncle Adam's tractors

Max's Ellie went for a ride in the tractor

Camille meets Dr. Sherrod

We made our way to the pediatrician office today for Dr. Sherrod to reiterate what we already know ... that our little girl is perfect!

In just 5 short days our girl has returned to her birth weight and is advanced in her age (must be all that extra cooking time she got in the womb). Her days consist of her being snuggled against someone's chest sleeping or eating. It's a rough life. 

Camille's D-Day

After everyone's predictions of when Camille would arrive, she finally came at 41 weeks and 1 day.  I got the "holy crap, I'm in labor" experience that I wanted since Max was induced, and then some.  The following is a timeline of what went down in the 48 hours before her birth.

• On Monday, Tyler & I went to see the chiropractor again to make sure that Camille was ready and engaged.  She was in proper position and the chiropractor indicated that it would just be a waiting game.  My doula was also present at the appointment so it was good news heard all around.  I cried on the table with excitement that not all my babies would be OP (facing sunny side up) like Max which caused for the induction and forceps.  I went home, took a walk, and waited for my doctor's appointment the next day at 41 weeks.     
• On Tuesday, we went to visit Dr. Gunby who said we were still not showing any progress and that we would need to schedule an induction date at the hospital before 42 weeks.  It was all set for me to come in on Easter Sunday night to start the process and plan for a delivery on Monday, April 21st but Camille had plans of her own just as the clock rolled passed midnight.
• On Wednesday, the progression of labor was tracked thanks to my my handy iPhone stopwatch and the L&D nurses.
• 12:12am - Awoke with the first contraction
• 2:15am - Called my doula who indicated she was actually on her way to the hospital with another momma and to see if my contractions slowed down after a warm 30 minute bath
• 3:00am - Woke up Tyler after my contractions actually got faster while in the bath at 4 minutes apart
• 4:36am - After the most painful 30 minute car ride of my life, we arrived at the hospital and got examined.  I was 4cm and not in the best of spirits thinking that we were going to be at this for a long time (but little did I know).
•  5:58am - Contractions were close together and very painful which led to me telling Tyler that I didn't think I could go natural.  As I was doubting my capabilities, my water broke and they examined me again.  We were 8cm and I was given hope that maybe I could do this but before I could even process that thought we were 10cm just 11 minutes later.
• 6:19am - Pushing 
• 6:27am - Camille entered this world naturally and at her own pace (super fast and efficient like her momma)

It's now Thursday night and we are all three still at the hospital awaiting some lab tests until we can be discharged. Max came by with my parents to visit us today and really wanted to hold Camille. We are sure he now knows exactly what we're getting him into. Stay tuned for more pics and updates.

Getting Closer

Well, all this waiting is leading up to one big event. And a little after midnight this morning Camille made her presence known. We are at the hospital and things are moving quickly. Courtney is having painful contractions, but she's courageously fighting through each and every one. I'm very proud of her and her efforts to deliver Camille as safely and naturally as possible. More to come later...