Hello, again

Isn't it peculiar how life changes speeds? Strange. At times it seems to be dragging on at a snails pace and at other times it seems as though we are living in fast forward. From October 15th until now seems to have been a little of both for me. What's more is like it were happening in slow motion and fast forward simultaneously.I had such big plans for my time off. I was going to get our house completely organized, paint some rooms, do some serious blogging (reading and composing), start Stratton's baby scrapbook, and get Campbell's scrapbook up to date. And, of course... get back into pre-preggo shape. The only thing I accomplished off that list was NOTHING!

But life works better for me when there is a routine in place. So, we are back on track.
Week #1 back at work is under my belt and I survived. I have made a to-do list about a mile long and I am experimenting with a to-don't list... I'll let you know how that one works out!
Sorry for the lack of updates but closing out 2009 was pretty tough. Thank goodness for the sunshine and for the love of friends and family.

Peace out from Campbell's House!

XOXO

Deedee and Stratton Hookin' 'Em

Hair hair hair!

What a profile!!

First day of school for Stratton!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Sandy

I racked my brain for the perfect birthday gift for you... high thread count sheets, a top with "nice hand," something made entirely of high end dark chocolate?

Then, I realized that the perfect gift is something you can enjoy time and time again- never getting tired of it. So, this is something I never get tired of. This little girl cracks me up! Don't get me wrong: she is still kicking my ass, but she is the sunshine of my life! Here is a little ray for you to enjoy on your special day.



I love you, I love you, I love you!
I hope you have a fantastic birthday!
xoxoxoxoxoxox!!!!!

Renee, Alan, Campbell, & Stratton

Halloween rocks

I am a huge fan of Halloween! I always have been... I love all of it: Dressing up, decorating the house, going to haunted houses, trick or treaters, and of course the candy. So, even though I did nothing but bitch about being pregnant during the hottest summer on record, how perfect was it for me to have a baby right smack dab in the middle of October? I'll tell you: absolutely perfect! This poor child will have more Halloween themed birthdays than you can shake a stick at. With some TX-OU football themed parties sprinkled in as well...

Stratton may have only been two weeks old, but that did not stop us from dressing him up for his first Halloween experience. No, it is not cruel! It is cool! Campbell and I struggled for weeks over what The Bean would be. We had no idea how big he would be, if he would comply with wearing a hat, if he would have an opinion about his costume, or... say... if he had an aversion to the color yellow. Thankfully, he is a good and cooperative baby. Campbell threatened to use her Fairy Witch powers on him and turn him into a toad if he misbehaved... lucky for us he was on his best behavior.

Top Banana

Mmmmm chocolate

Practicing for the big day

Peace Out from Campbell's Baby Brother

Hello World!
They call me Stratton Alister Codina. I arrived Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 2:15p tipping the scale at 7 lbs 6 oz.

Please don't tell my sister that I've already hacked into her blog...

Much love from the smallest Codina in town!

Peace out from Campbell's baby brother,
Stratton

Almost GO-TIME

The Cake!

Alan successfully made it through his 40th birthday!

He didn't turn "evil," but he was pretty darn close to invisible. I knew it was a good party when he actually asked how the party ended...
Jagermeister, Red Bull, great friends, and an 8 1/2 month pregnant wife to drive you home! What more could a guy ask for?





With that under our belt, we are under a week and counting!
And, I am pleased to report that I am almost ready...

Here is my remaining To-Do List:

1. Clean the house one more time
2. Pack the Bean's bag
3. Pack my bag
4. Buy some bottles. I don't know why this one is such a struggle for me. I just don't know which freaking bottles to buy. I go to Target, I stare at the bottles, I put some in my basket and then I take them out... I know, you've heard the stories... I suck at breast feeding... just pick some bottles already. I will, I will! That is why it is on the list.
5. Get my hair done- simply must be done. Cannot have 1/2 roots documenting the day of the Bean's debut.
   
6. Mani / pedi deluxe spa appointment on Wednesday
7. Nice dinner with Alan and Campbell on Wednesday night
8. Thursday- Have a baby!

Seems like this thing is in the bag, if you ask me. Yeah, right.

I'll have someone, post some pics of the Bean as soon as possible. As I recall, Hootie has successfully hacked in a couple of times to Campbell's House....

Here are some pics to tide you over.
Peace out from Campbell's House!
xoxo
Campbell's Mom

4D sonogram

Who needs 4D sonograms when modern technology can actually PREDICT what your babies will look like?!

Funny what a little "nesting" will drop into your lap.

I found this lovely blast from the past this morning. This handsome lad would be about ten by now... that is how old the picture is... at least!

Don't you just love the Elvis hair? Very fitting for a Vegas vacation baby. (I am talking about the kid's hair!, not mine!! Although, I am not sure what I have going on either!)

Sadly, his "sister" must have been lost in one of our moves. Maybe Lady Luck will drop her in my lap one day, too. I do remember she had blonde (?) curly (?) hair AND a five o'clock shadow!
Ah, good times!

Peace out from Campbell's House!
xoxoxo,
CAMPBELL'S MOM (Thank goodness!)

At least it wasn't cigarettes or beer

or Big Red

or cupcakes for breakfast...

But it was her very own cup of iced tea... at 7:00 a.m.... "just like Mommy- with a straw and ice"

In my defense, I did water it down a little. And, I take my tea straight up, on the rocks. No sugar for me so no sugar for her.

I know I have issues. Need proof?
As I was pouring the tea into her pink cup over the requested ice cubes I was saying (aloud- to no one), "This way ,there is no cross contamination. We each have our own." And then, as I let her choose a straw out of the straw container (she chose purple, btw... same color as my straw) I thought, "There are worse things than tea in a sippy cup..." and the mental list making began.

Perhaps, I should fore go the college and wedding funds and start saving for all the therapy she is going to need.

Peace out from Campbell's House!
xoxo
Campbell'sMom