2009 In Pictures

I figured with 2010 inching closely up on us, I would do a "year in pictures" for our family, and things that turned out to be important to us....

Starting out in January.
While some may not be happy Obama was elected or whatever, it was a huge piece of History, and Camden was completely fascinated with Obama being sworn in.
In February... My husband got Shingled, and we had no idea what it was for the first couple days. Needless to say, it became panic in our house with Camden being so young, and me being pregnant. But magically, we all survived.
In March, Camden got a big boy bed. Maybe some day he will start sleeping in it? LOL
He loved it at first, he didn't even wait for us to get the sheets and blankets on it before he jumped in. Apparently he decided to get up and read mid nap too.

In April, my friend Julie, and her 4 boys came to visit from NY! It is always exciting to get together with them when they come down for various band events. We got to check out a parade and had a grand old time.

May brought a couple important events in the lives of the Elwood family, so I will start by going in chronological order.
My husband joined the Shelton Fire Department as a Volunteer, which has been an amazing opportunity for him, but it has also brought great friendship to our family.
I must say, the birth of our second child, Benjamin Emil Elwood was probably the highlight of 2009. Well at least him joining our family. His birth sucked as I labored for over 26 hours in attempt for a VBAC and we was born via cesarean section anyways. It was the way he was meant to come, but it was a great disappointment not only to myself, but also to my husband.

And then there was June! We had our real first outing with both children, and we went strawberry picking. Camden ate his first, real fresh strawberry, how cute it was!

July brought a lot of stuff... Camden & Ben's first fireworks display, a visit from "KiKi and BoBo" who Camden will never forget, and the first smiles from our little Benjamin.

August brought Birthdays for Mom and Dad (Ole and Momo) and Ben starting to "talk" nearly as much as Camden. It also brought the hope of a new beginning through my husband getting a new, secure job!

September brought Camden & Ben's first September 11th motorcycle benefit for the victims of 9/11 and their families. It also brought their first Indian BBQ with Grandpa Momo's friends.

October brought Benjamin's first Halloween, Camden's first Halloween that he could walk and trick or treat, our family pumpkin picking, but sadly this year we didn't make it apple picking! Though I did perfect an apple crisp recipe!
November brought Ben's first Thanksgiving, Camden's first when he could actually pig out with us all, his first real leave pile to jump into, and of course, we put up the Christmas Tree and Christmas lights, they became the newest obsession in the household.
And then there was Christmas! Camden's 3rd Christmas, but first one where he semi knew what was going on, and Benjamin's first. We also had Camden's first real snow where he went out and played and actually had fun!

Soon enough we will be making New Years Resolutions and moving on into a whole new decade. It is hard to believe it has been 10 years since the "millennium" when everyone thought it would be the end of the world. How far we have come huh?
Maybe tonight I will get my husband to sit down and we can write out a couple 2010 goals and resolutions to share.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Well, as sad as I am that it is all over, boy am I glad! It was tiring to say the least, but the first Christmas where Camden really understood what was going on was nothing short of magical.

We started our festivities on Christmas Eve at Will's sisters house which was a nice evening with a great meal like always! I always look forward to going over there because it seems like it is our time of the year to have ham. LOL
Benjamin sitting with Grammie AKA Will's mom before dinner.

Benjamin again, hanging out in his carseat while we were opening presents. I just put this picture because it was SO cute! I can't believe how old he is already!
Camden and his new best friend, Uncle Tim. He was all over him like flies on crap! He walked him around the house, climbed all over him, and anything else he could con him into doing.

We had a lot of fun, and we all got beautiful gifts, including several hand made gifts. The boys though made out like bandits! But what else is new? They are beyond spoiled by the families.

We didn't even make it home and Camden was out like a light. I got him changed into his Christmas PJ's even though he had no desire to get in them, and off to bed we went. I am kinda bummed because we didn't get a chance to read Twas the Night before Christmas this year, but he was out of it! Daddy was going to try and head to midnight mass, but he had the times wrong, and he got there and the service was ending. :(

Christmas day was a mad house in our house, and it only continued when we headed to my parents house for the day. We got to share time with Camden's two favorite ladies. My Aunt Cindy and cousin Courtney. So cute!

Camden digging into his presents. He was a pro at opening them this year!

Ben decided that presents were for eating...

Camden opening his Elmo Kitchen set.. boy was that a hit!!

My Dad AKA Grandpa Momo dressed up as Santa, and Camden really wanted nothing to do with it. He was beyond confused. Is it Santa? Or is it Momo?

But best of all, Camden got to spend time with Courtney, who is like his favorite person ever.

I love the holiday season, and I love spending time with family. It is so important for the children to really get to spend time with their extended family. I can't wait to see what 2010 brings for The Elwood Family!

Maybe a paying work at home job for Mommy?
Or a raise for Daddy?
Maybe home improvements?
Or how about diets because I certainly could use one!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow!

Huge difference between Camden in the snow last year, and Camden in the snow this year, that is for sure! We had to bring him back in the house to warm up 2 times and boy was he pissed off about it! First he went out with Auntie AKA La La and then Daddy brought him out for a little bit, but we got some cute pictures. In the mean time, Benjamin and myself stayed in the house and kept warm while I got some laundry done, cleaned the bathroom, and took care of all the cats crap. Literally...

Santa Claus!

I brought the boys to see Santa today, and I must say it was an.... interesting experience to say the least. We got to the mall a little after 9am, and when I noticed the Santa stand was still all packed up, I asked the customer service desk what time Santa got there, 10:30... AHHH! So I had to waste an hour, with two small kids who were currently HAPPY which is why I made the trek to the mall.

Ok so I did my shopping for Will, and got Camden's last minute stocking stuffers, and we had a slice of pound cake, and went on our way back to Santa and there was already a line, and still no Santa. We got in line, mean while Ben is sleeping and Camden is just hanging out. We were about 3rd in line and when it came time for Camden to go up to Santa, it went from "Camden are you going to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what you want for Christmas... YEAH!" to .. "No no no no no!" But once I got Ben into Santa's lap, he realized, oh well I guess this guy isn't too bad anyways... So he cautiously sat in his lap. He told him he wanted a fire truck, Santa gave him a Candy Cane, and we got a WAY better picture than we did last year!!

Camden's 2 Year Well Visit

Today Camden had his Two year well "baby" visit at the Pediatrician and he is doing awesome!
His vocabulary skills are advanced, his height is in the 86th% and in true Elwood male fashion, he is in the 9th% for his weight. Tall and skinny!

Party Time!

We had Camden's birthday party yesterday despite horrible weather, and a 50+ car pile up in our town due to the icy roads. When we left our house and started heading towards Mom's, we literally slid straight down the hill we live on, it was the scariest thing ever!

When we finally got there, we had a blast. Here are a couple pictures that kind of sum up the day.

Opening Presents, Camden got a Build A Bear from his Best friend Michael. Dressed up as a fireman... How cute is that?

Singing happy birthday, apparently we are all really bad singers because Camden started to cry. LOL Poor kid.


Mmmmm Cake.... He ate that like a champ... Much less messy then last year though!Since Daddy gave him a small piece the first time around, he wanted more.

Overall it was a nice, tiring, quiet, and laid back party. We had LaLa (Auntie) watch Ben after she offered, so that it could really be Camden's day. Camden and Michael are just so cute together!

Time Flies!

When you have two kids that is....
Today we celebrate the second birthday of Camden, I really cannot believe that he is two years old already. It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital holding him and meeting him for the first time. It has been quite the journey and he is such a ham. What a personality for such a small little person, but then again, look at his parents.
So, what is Camden into thes edays....

Favorite Food : Mac & Cheese.... "Mommy Matt Cheese"
Favorite Character : Mickey Mouse, although Handy Manny and Elmo are close seconds.
Favorite Things to do : See the Fire Trucks, Play with Ben, Go in the kitchen and play with the dogs, Spend time with Ole (Grandma) and Lala (Auntie)
Favorite Things to do that he isn't supposed to do : Climb on the TV speakers
Favorite Movies : Cars, The Santa Claus, Elmo Potty, Elmo in Grouchland, and Finding Nemo.
This year, he isn't scared of Santa Claus either!

A Sad Day For The Elwood Family

Yesterday, December 9th, 2009 the Elwood family laid Grandma Dorthy to rest. Better known as Snorky to many, she was the matriarch of the Elwood Family and she will be amazingly missed. My husband and her were incredibly close, but she is in a much better place now.

Here Comes Santa Claus!

I must say, The Elwood Family is starting to get into the Christmas Spirit. Last Sunday we went to the Trumbull Christmas Tree Lighting and saw Santa, who Camden is NOT afraid of this year. Last year he thought Santa was some kind of ax murderer that was going to kill him and he would never see us again. This year, he is totally obsessed with him.

We took a couple pictures of Camden and Ben when we went to the tree lighting. They were adorable in their Christmas apparel.
Before we left the house, I attempted to take some kind of a Christmas card picture, and I come to the conclusion it is next to impossible to do this with two children under the age of two. Camden wanted nothing to do with it unless he was literally sitting ON Ben which was not going to happen.
Camden and Will were pretty comfy while we were waiting for Santa. Thankfully it wasn't very cold or else we would not have waited as long as we did for the Big guy!

This was one of the fire trucks that brought Santa Claus in. There were two of them, and they were completely beautiful!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this week. We were able to celebrate with my parents, Will's father, My aunt Cindy, Cousin Courtney, Uncle Steve, and later on in the evening a good friend of the family Al, and his friends stopped by. I feel like holidays are my social hours. Others help watch the children, and it is almost like a mini break for me, and I loved it! It makes me excited for Christmas.
Camden got one of his birthday presents before all the company showed up from my Parents, we figured it would also give him something to do while we were there at my parents even though he has a whole collection of toys there too.Camden got his first Motorcycle. LOL! My parents found it online, it is a red Indian. My father also rides an Indian, so to put him on one of those mini Harley's that you can find at Toy's R Us would have probably put my father over his Holiday edge. LOL We ended up dressing him up, this picture is missing mom's leather bike vest though, we were surprised he even kept the do rag and glasses on.
Ben also enjoyed watching a portion of a movie with Grandpa. Aren't they so cute together? You can also see one of the places that Ben get's his big blue eyes from.
Grandma let Camden re-arrange the place settings before anyone got to the house too. There are tons more pictures, but I am still getting used to our new Camera and sometimes the pictures turn out crazy blurry. I am not sure why, but I am still working the kinks out!
Happy Thanksgiving!

What a Week!

Well, all in all, I guess it turned out better than I thought it would. Our new second car passed all the tests that an out of state vehicle needed to and now we are fully registered and ready to rock and roll. That is one huge relief on my part at least.
Everyone is over "the flu" but now we have this lingering cough from hell, we all sound like 90 year old women who have been smoking for 65 years. Not cute to say the least.

We are working up to Thanksgiving on Thursday and then shortly after that is Camden's birthday party. I feel so unprepared for that as I have continued to push the invites to the side, over and over again. I am getting to the point where I am just going to e-mail out an invite and whoever comes, comes....

I am slowly giving up on internet forum's. I never realized how ignorant, one sided, and flat out mean some women can be, and these are not just your run of the mill internet idiots, some are college educated career women. It really is sad when they try and compare apples to oranges and not even try to come out of their box to realize there is another world outside of their own narrow one sided opinion.
The more I read, the more anti-main stream I become.

I am really looking forward to Christmas. I want to put our Christmas Tree up but Will said I have to wait until Friday to put it up. OH! Camden saw Santa in the mall last night, it was hysterical to watch the look on his face. It was almost like.... "Uh.... that guy belongs on TV....."

Flu Everywhere!

Well my husband has come down with the flu. Just as we thought he was getting better, he went to work, and returned home yesterday with a high fever, which he had not had a fever since Friday night. So I am forcing him to go to the Doctor today which he hates.

I did some work on my etsy stuff yesterday, and took some better pictures in hopes of people looking at my listings more. It seems as though all the people on etsy have these professional looking pictures for their listings.

Etsy

I have recently decided I am crafty and started making things and selling them on etsy. The problem is, they aren't selling. LOL
I am trying to figure out at this point what I am doing wrong and go from there, but everyone keeps telling me it is all about networking and patience, which everyone who knows me, knows that I do not have patience at all, and at the same time, my husband is becoming increasingly frustrated at the amount of money going into it, while none is coming out. But all husbands would be.

So I am going to just keep working on it, posting about my shop, and really just try and make more stuff, maybe more than people would want.
So I figured I would post a couple things I have made...

Neglected Blog

Today when I read my best friend's blog about her daughter being a month old, I realized how much I really neglect this blog. I am not sure how many people actually take the time to read our blog or even care, but I figured that I should at least make a valid effort.
I changed the background, and added a couple little personal touches in order to help revive the blog itself, as it has been pretty boring in the past.

This week, myself, and my two boys are battling some kind of stomach bug. I am sure we picked it up over the weekend. It has been festering in Camden, but today it struck me and Ben like a ton of bricks. While the kids are still in semi good spirits, I am not. I was not happy about being awakened at 3am by a toddler throwing up on me. Good times!

This past weekend we brought Camden to his first real "friend" birthday party for his best friend Michael. We met Michael through his father who is also a fireman at Echo Hose.People tell us all the time that they could be brothers and sometimes, we can really see it!

What else is going on in the wonderful world of Elwood? Benjamin had his first solid foods this week. We started with Squash, and he loved it, ate the whole serving and got it all over himself. I can't believe he is 6 months old already, it seems like yesterday he was born.

Doesn't he look like he really enjoyed that? Heck, I would probably enjoy anything if I was given nothing but liquids, and you would too!

I have been thinking back to Camden and Benjamin's births a lot lately, so I decided to put my thoughts, feelings, experiences, and emotions into a video project after finishing the What is ICAN national video which was published last week.
If you want to watch the below video, make sure you have 9 minutes and some tissues, its sappy to say the least.

My Birth Journeys from Danielle Elwood on Vimeo.

But all in all, not a lot of exciting stuff is going on with our family. The Holidays are coming and I am trying to coax my husband into letting me put the Christmas tree up and I am failing miserably. Maybe I will update again when we have the tree up and I can post some cute pictures of it?