Boy oh boy a lot can happen in one month's time! We arrived back to Jacksonville with the help of Nana when Cameron was 5 1/2 months old. We have been doing great settling in here. At first, strangers, the crib, and this house were all very unfamiliar and unsettling to the poor little guy, but he warmed up quickly. He now is back to his usual flirting self at the grocery store, the Naval Hospital, on walks in the neighborhood, at church, and with friends.
Cameron is now almost 28 weeks old and weighs in at 14.6 pounds (35%) and 27.5 inches (85%). That's a little less than a pound gained and an inch and a half grown in two months.
Cameron is beginning to sit up with the support of one or two arms for a few seconds at a time but quickly topples over. He has been rolling much more! Shortly after our arrival here he began solid foods and he also began napping longer (2-3 hours) 2 or 3 times a day instead of his 5-6 1 hour naps. He has learned to like many foods! So far we have tried: Oats, barley, rice, apples, bananas, avocado, nectarines, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, and asparagus. The only vegetable he has been hesitant with is asparagus, however, he definitely opens his mouth wideset for the breakfast cereals and dinner time fruits! He is becoming a foodie at a young age gladly accepting his oatmeal with cinnamon or his barley mixed with apples. I have been making my own food and when some gets on my finger I am actually willing to lick it off my finger instead of going to get a napkin like I might with processed baby food- so that says something! It is delish!
Cameron has discovered that he loves to swim! Pulling him out of the bathtub is not a happy time ;). Cameron also continues to love the outdoors- whenever he fusses a bit, that's right where we go and he calms.
Cameron isn't the only one who had some adjusting to do upon our return. Teddy began (or should we say "I began") training with Ms. Lisa within days of our return. He has made a lot of progress but also has a long way to go. We are working towards him becoming a Canine Good Citizen. If he passes, I would love to begin ministering with Cameron and Teddy by visiting seniors in our church or in nursing homes locally. That may be a ways down the road yet for Teddy, but I believe we can do it! He is a great pup and I am learning new things about him every day that help me to make him feel less anxiety and like more of a follower than a leader.
In addition to Cameron and Teddy having adjustments, I have had many adjustments as well! I was planning on returning to work 1 day a week in order to keep my foot in the door, however, long story short- Cameron wouldn't take a bottle. I recently turned in my resignation and it has been something I really have struggled adjusting to. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE being home with Cameron. I honestly don't really want to go back at this point, but I struggled deeply with a.) my plan not working out like I planned b.) not contributing to our family in the same way I used to c.) wondering when/if I will re-enter my field. Right now, it has become very clear that my "field" is being a mommy and I am loving it. Life with Cameron has really caused me to grow deeper in my walk with the Lord- nothing is predictable or planned!
Laura Schlessinger (from "In Praise of Stay-at-home Moms") wrote, "you notice that in hurricane-level winds, it's the tree that gracefully bends that doesn't break. You have to become that graceful tree." While this is a secular book, this quote struck me as a new mom and in my spiritual walk. I do not always want to bend gracefully- I want it my way! I have also really enjoyed attending a new mom Bible study at our church which has been incredibly rich and encouraging.
We are enjoying life as we know it right now- daily runs/walks the three of us, naptimes, shared mealtimes, training times, Bible studies, quiet evenings, get togethers, and much more but we long to enjoy these things as a family of "four" very very soon!!
(I included this picture just in case anyone thought Cameron never cried ;). How sad. Poor guy was WAY ready for a nap and I was trying on some silly hat)
submitted by Karla 
