White Fang

It was really hard to get a picture this close up without Cam grabbing the lens. Forgive his messy, snotty face...

Have you ever known a baby to get his canines before his top front teeth? I don't think it is really common so we've nicknamed this little man White Fang until his front teeth come in. It perfectly reflects Cams tenacious, gritty personality (and wolf-like eating habits). 

Cameron is now 10 months old but I just barely got him in for his 9 month check-up (oops). His stats were a little off because he has had a stomach bug the past week and dropped a lot of weight. He was 20 pounds 6 ounces and 29.5 inches tall. I think normally he is more in the vicinity of 22 pounds. Luckily I took some pictures of him when he turned 9 months (but forgot the doctor check-up...I guess I have my priorities in the right place).

I have been so eager to blog about Cams because there is finally more for me to say other than, "he cries a lot" (although that is still sort of a feature of his personality).

Dear Cammy,

You can pretty much devour this monkey now. You are a big boy with a hefty appetite. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. Please always eat! I need at least one child who loves food! 

You are crawling now. For a while you were just dragging yourself everywhere because as strong as you are, it is difficult to get that big belly off the floor. Watching you crawl was like watching a wounded soldier struggle to pull himself to safety. Now you are much better at crawling normally and even like to stand and walk around a bit while holding onto things. This has absolutely changed your life. I always have had the impression that you hated being a little infant. You have always been ready to explore the world and move more independently. Mediocrity drives you crazy. You have become much happier with these new-found skills under your belt.

I wouldn't venture to say that you are sweet and content all the time though. Maybe because all your teeth seem to be coming in at the same time, but you are still a little temperamental and only sleep a total of about 1 hour spread across 1 or 2 naps a day. This makes you tired and a little cranky but I think once teething is done you will be much more comfortable. PLEASE let this be the case.

We live for you smiles. Much of your personality comes out when you are around Luke. I can see your competitive drive already in place. You want to play with everything that Luke plays with and do the same things he does. Even though he is your hero, you are quite feisty when Luke takes your toys away. You scream and get so angry when he teases you or grabs something from your hands. I keep warning Luke that one day very soon you are going to fight back with a vengeance. I can see it in your eyes. Sometimes I worry that you two won't be very good friends because Luke has been hitting you a lot lately (sorry, we're working on that). But then there are moments when you both figure out a way to play together and I can see that you have a deep brotherly bond. Your personalities compliment each other well. He loves you more than you will ever know. Hardly 5 minutes ever pass without him mentioning you or bothering you in some way :).

You like to clap. You also sign "more" and wave bye-bye with some coaxing. I'm shocked at the words you are using too. Of course they are really just sounds right now with little articulation but you say, "uh-oh" (your first word) "mama" "dada" and "ah da" (all done).

Have we talked about sleep? You aren't the greatest sleeper in the world. You are doing much better at night and only wake up once usually. However, you are the LIGHTEST SLEEPER EVER! You sleep in the basement because we need two floors between you and us so that you won't wake up at the slightest cough. Last night I had to walk across the main floor to get a drink for Luke at about 3am and you woke up from hearing my footsteps on the floor above you. We have a white noise machine which helps but really we need a room with 3 foot concrete walls on all sides. Trying to get you down for a nap is the worst. I know that in order to sleep train you I am supposed to only comfort you without picking you up. Still, you scream so much and for SO long that in desperation I have begun to crawl into your pack n play with you (yes, uncomfortable, but being short has a few advantages). I know this is probably a bad habit to get into. After you finally calm down and fall asleep, I try to make my escape.

I feel like Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment..



No joke, I am sweating bullets as I try to get out of your bed and up the stairs without nudging you or the bed or stepping on any squeaky floorboards. I usually end up crawling out of the room on hands and knees because for some reason you wake up more often when I'm standing. I also have to make sure not to breath too loud. It is absolutely ridiculous. But as any sleep-deprived mother would admit: totally worth it.

I can't tell you how often I think about how fun it is going to be to raise you. You have a confidence about you that is so attractive and endearing. You don't have any easy laugh, but when you do laugh it is a deep belly-laugh and we all stop what we're doing to hear it. I am excited to teach you new things because I know how much you soak knowledge up. I always see a lot of your Dad in you. Maybe it is because you have his build to a tee. Or maybe it is because you never hesitate to share your strong opinions with the rest of us. Whatever it is, there couldn't be a greater person to be like.

You also have a tender side to you too. I have talked about your confidence and independence but you are also such a Momma's boy. Much more than Luke ever was. You cry when other people try to hold you and I am always nervous to leave you with a babysitter because I know you will be so upset when I leave. I am enjoying this time in your life when you want me close. I'm glad that I can comfort you and make you feel safe (but if you could work on comforting yourself at 5am that would be great :)).

We couldn't imagine life without you little White Fang.