All hands on deck

It's official ... Caitlyn has arrived in Texas! We survived the time period between June 15 - Aug 1 which is when we leaned on friends and family to help care for Miss Camille until we awaited Caitlyn's arrival. Caitlyn, Tyler's sister, just graduated from college (Yay!) and made the move out west. Until she lands that dream gig, she will watch Cami for us.

My mom ("B") flew out for my first couple weeks back to work. 

Cami was confused by her brother dancing
behind the photographer.

B got some good quality grandkid time.

Then Tyler did the four day week of July 4th. 

This is how I left them in the morning for work.

Apparently, Cami eats meals in Tyler's work space.

Nicole, Cami's godmother, came into town from Alabama for a week. 

Ms. Forrest (Max's name for him) singing to Cami

Learning how to play golf

Lastly, my cousin Toni from New York flew in to finish off the remaining weeks. She was a trooper since she arrived in the early morning and we basically threw her a baby with post-it notes all over my house. 

We made our way to the zoo one Saturday

We are so blessed that people wanted to come out here and help in the transition. It was best for our family that our littlest one get that same love and devotion that Max got in his early months. All and all it was a parade of the best eats in Dallas. Pretty sure I gained 10 lbs but it was all worth it to spend time with all the people mentioned above. So thanks again and I'm sure Camille has changed significantly since you were here last; she seems to be growing at a rapid pace these days. 

Wienermobile

Errands with mommy aren't too bad when you get to see the Oscar Mayer  Wienermobile up close and personal. We stopped by the grocer (2nd grocer of the day, to be exact) and there it was at the entrance. We didn't even make it all the way into the parking lot when Max began to squeal in excitement. I know he had zero clue what it was but he knew it looked like fun. My friend Kate reminded me that I've seen the Wienermobile a few times in my life, let's call that luck or maybe it just stalks me.

Max became a bit disappointed when he realized it was just a bonafide trophy vehicle for picture taking thus his face of excitement below. He perked up though when he got the infamous whistle. 

With the TX heat on him, he was a hot dog/boy

They also gave us a sticker which I very lightly placed on his back without him knowing. It was great to see him surprised by people asking if he saw the Wienermobile. He was definitely a bit confused and gave the whole "how did you know" look when people asked. And his look could have easily been "are you referring to that weird car I couldn't touch at the grocery store?" 

Sneaky Mommy

Typical night

Max and his bestie Harrison hanging out like they always do. 

Setting new fashion standards together

We are truly blessed to have such great neighbors and live the dream of our kids growing up with close friends near by. 

Nothing is more fun than jumping off the electric box

Can't wait till we will start having photos of Hadley & Camille playing in the front yard together. 

Happy Birthday America!

We started celebrating the 4th with a little pre-party cake on Thursday night complete with candles (football themed, of course) and singing of "Happy Birthday to America."  Tyler was a sucker at the grocery store with Max when he saw the red, white, and blue cake.

The morning of the 4th, the first words out of Max's mouth was "you are both here." It felt like a little stab in the heart but made me really want to spend some good quality family time together over the three day weekend putting all errands aside. We got the kiddos dressed in their patriotic gear and headed to Highland Park for the parade/festival. Max and Mommy went to the parade the previous year and had a blast so it was a must-do again this year. 

Not even a parade will interrupt
Cam's beauty rest 

Following the festival we went home for a group/family nap. After we were rested, Tyler had a special treat in store for Max ... a slipping slide. Tyler was right that Max was ready.  

Max loved it!

Camille did not!

We hope you had as great of a 4th as we did. 

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")