The Phamily Blog

Nervous...

but not about what you think...

Tonight I came home from a fro-yo date with my girls and noticed that Cameron was coughing an awful lot while watching Spongebob (insert dark, ominous tones here.) Sure enough, by bedtime he was coughing A LOT and the nose was dripping to boot.

I wonder if I bring this on myself. These past two weeks I have been so worried about Gabby staying healthy and I just knew this would happen. Granted, Gabby is still healthy but I can't help but be a little pessimistic right about now. I feel like we're doomed. Sigh.

We have a pre-op appointment with her pediatrician on Wednesday so we'll see what develops (or hopefully doesn't develop.) Fingers crossed.

If we get lucky and Gabby avoids these snifflles, we'll be heading out to S.F. on Wednesday evening and we'll be checking into the hospital on Thursday morning. I will be sure to update the blog frequently as well as Facebook so be sure to check in.

Look who we got to play with yesterday!!

Only our favorite boys ever!!

We decided to take advantage of the heat and have a playdate at the splash park.

Though, there wasn't a whole lot of splashing going on by these guys.

Instead, the opted for a little relaxation and conversation on the blanket.

This is Gabby's new favorite expression.
She reminds me of a puppy dog trying to process what's going on.

Cameron wasn't too fond of splashing around yesterday either...it was a little breezy and he kept telling me he was "fffrrrrrreeeezzzing!"

He opted for the regular ole' playground.

And sweet Joaquin was obviously tuckered out by all of the activity...

I think the only one to partake in the water fun was John Michael...

and his mama!

Eventually, temper tantrums got the best of someone...

and someone else was looking a little worn out...

so we called it a day.

We had a great time with our friends and hope to do it again

soon!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

Wordless Wednesday! Gabby beating up her brother...seriously!

11:26 PM Posted In cameron , gabby , wordless wednesday 5 Comments »

Gabby (sort of) crawls for banana cake!

8:36 PM Posted In banana cake , crawling , gabby 13 Comments »

I am not above bribery! And yes...it's really that good!

Peanut Butter Banana Cake

courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup milk

Frosting

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup milk

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Beat in bananas and vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.

Transfer to a greased 13-in. by 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

For frosting: In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, milk, and vanilla until blended; gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over cake.

Yield: 12-15 servings.

**sheree's note**

If you're a badass like me, you'll add chocolate chips.

(ps...gabby did not have peanut butter!)

lookie what Cam did today!!

5:00 PM Posted In cameron , dentist 12 Comments »

He had his very first trip to the dentist!

(I know I should have had him in like two years ago...sue me)

He was a bit apprehensive this morning as we were getting dressed and preparing for the appointment. He kept saying, "But I'm scared." I just kept reassuring him. We brought along his new "Spongebob Goes to the Dentist" book to ease his mind on the car ride there.

Once we got called back, the technician took xrays of his teeth and told me she would only do the "easy" ones for this visit (meaning, no xrays of the teeth in the back) and so she did, and they were done with that in less than a minute. Cameron seemed to be doing great.

Just after the xrays, he hopped onto the "magic chair" and "took a ride." You can tell he is a bit nervous at this point. Sweet guy.

The tech was really really good about not scaring him. She gave him some cool shades to wear since she was shining that big bright light and also gave him some headphones so he could watch Ice Age which was playing on the TV in the ceiling (shoulda got a picture of that...it was cool!)

She cleaned and scraped and Cameron did awesome. Never even flinched.

He really liked the water squirter and the suction tube. He told me that was his favorite part :)

I don't think he was quite ready to be done. He was so relaxed.

He was so proud of his freshly cleaned teeth. He wouldn't stop saying "Ahhhh."

His little souvenir...it's goin' in the scrapbook.

On the way home, Cameron told me he want's to be a dentist when he grows up so he can shine a little mirror in people's mouth.

Friday and Saturday in a nutshell

10:47 PM Posted In cameron , gabby , physical therapy 6 Comments »

Since I suck at updating, I thought I'd update via pictures from this weekend so far...

If I have ever mislead anyone to believe that Gabby is short on clothes, never fear! We did some organizing on Friday. See?! Clothes make her happy, I swear!

Miss Gabby also participated in a little Physical Therapy with Miss Heidi on Friday. She was hysterical. She isn't usually all too pleased when Miss Heidi comes to play...you know...because she makes her work and do things she's supposed to do. This visit was quite the opposite though. Gabby had a great time and showed Miss Heidi a thing or two.

If anyone knows where I can get this toy, let me know...Gabby was infatuated.

Miss Heidi and Gabby worked on some container play and she was doing a fantastic job!
oh, and a side note-Gabby is definitely army crawling as of today. Who knew she just needed a little incentive such as her brother's toy fire truck to get her moving?! Video to come!

I took this yesterday shortly after we got out of the pool. Wish I could tan like this.

Today, G-Ma came over to participate in some water activities and she did NOT come empty handed. Yummy!! Thank you, G-ma!

It seems that Cameron is either hit or miss with his naps lately. Combine the lack of napping with the constant swimming he's been doing lately and the result is an EXTREMELY tired boy.

Nguyen, myself, and some friends have been hanging by the pool all evening and Cam was found like this only minutes after getting out of the water. Sweet boy.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Stay cool!

I have been RIDICULOUSLY lazy...

7:17 PM Posted In cameron , fourth of july , gabby , swimming lessons 8 Comments »

sorry! I'm a slacker...I know. I wish I could say that I have been super busy and THAT is why I haven't posted anything in forever but, well...that would be lying.

Anyway, I have some news to report. First off, Gabby's surgery has been pushed forward (I know) to July 31st, so two weeks from tomorrow. This should be a for-sure thing, that is, the doctors know not to mess with me (the cryer) or my husband (the curser) so I think it's for real this time, thank goodness!

What have we been up to? I hate this question...I always feel like we're busy but really, we're not. I just remembered I never posted any fourth of July pics so here they are:

This was a very "last minute" fourth for us. Gabby and I had decided to spend the evening relaxing while the boys went to a FOJ/Birthday party at one of the neighbors houses. I figured it was the safest bet being that Gabby was scheduled for surgery soon and would be going to bed by 7:30 anyhow. However, Nguyen and Cam came home earlier than expected and I was forced to turn off my tivo'd episodes of Real Housewives think of something patriotic to do.

Thank goodness I had leftover sparklers from last year! That was our SUPER exciting fourth of July! No seriously, it was fun. Gabby missed out, but there's always next year!

What else, what else...I'm going through my pictures this month to remind myself of what we've been up to.

Oh, how could I forget!? Gabby got a new apron!

They make it in my size too. I have to order one for myself pronto!!

okay so now for some REALLY exciting news! CAMERON started swim lessons last Monday and just finished his first session today. We are SO proud of him.

He started last Monday and would not dare put his face in the water. By the third day he was exploring the bottom of the pool with ease. By the Thursday he was swimming. Like really swimming!

He is an amazing little dude.

Well, that's all so far for the month of July thus far. I hope to be better about updating. I'm taking this summer relaxation thing pretty seriously ;)