July 30th, 2011

Here is an account of our trip across the country with two kids under two and a Nick and Carrie.

Thursday July 28th
12:20pm Left Phoenix
1:00pm Two sleeping boys
1:48pm Stopped at McDonald's in Payson, Arizona. Kellan awake playing with Minnesota duck. Kinda crabby. Camden still sleeping.
2:04pm Kellan will only sleep if I hold the pacifier in his mouth and rub between his eyes.
3:10pm Camden is eating Kix by the handful and scowling when I smile at Kellan.
3:30pm Kellan sucked down a bottle. Camden is yelling truck at the top of his lungs after every truck we pass. Keep in mind we're on the I-40.
3:48pm Listened to Camden's Mickey Mouse CD for the 1st time.
4:22pm Felt Kellan's soft spot pulsing. Almost passed out.
Crossed New Mexico border.
4:52pm Potty/ snack break in Gallup, New Mexico.
5:03pm Both boys are babbling. Babbly and chatty.
5:04pm Camden had had blood drawn and pointed at his boo boo until I said oh Poor Camden has a boo boo! This went on for several minutes.
5:29pm Kellan is reading the warning label on his car seat. It's a little too close. He is cross eyed now.
5:33pm Mom and Dad are taking a nap in the back. Kellan's pushing the pedals and Camden is steering.
6:03pm Camden realizes Mom's phone can play OSO and Mickey Mouse club video's.
6:40pm Stopped just outside Albuquerque. Got Camden fries and apple juice. Kellan got formula.
7:11pm Two sleeping boyfriends. Camden keeps waking up and whining when the sippy cup falls out of his mouth.
10:16pm Entered Texas. Realized that Kellan stinks to high Heaven. Not a stinky diaper, his whole head and body stinks.
11:34pm Nick explains to me that his Spidy sense is tingling.
11:38 Oklahoma
Friday July 29th
12:40am Kansas. Nick says he already knows what he's going to say when we leave this state. (I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.) Bwa a a a
4:18am Dad finally lets Mom drive
5:19am Dad takes a 6 minute nap.
5:53am Now in Nebraska
6:35am just passed a woman driving with a goat in her car. No joke!
6:49am Kellan is devising a plan to steal Minnesota duck back from Camden. He realizes laughing hysterically isn't helping.
7:43am Mom asked Camden if he wanted to watch OSO. Camden said please and thank you!
8:03am Kellan's ears are sticky.
8:16am Heard Don't Stop Believing on the 80's channel.
8:34am Nick passed a student driver and used his left blinker to get in the right lane.
8:47am Tried to hand Camden a fry by reaching over Kellan. Kellan grabbed the fry.
9:16am Entered Iowa. AC broke
10:03am Tornado siren went off. Nick's trying to tell me it's a test... we'll see.
10:10am I coughed. Now Camden's fake coughing.
11:43am Nick is flipping through the radio stations and actually leaves "Believe" by Cher playing and whistles along! Ugh!
12:04pm None of the things the boys are doing now seem as cute as they did at the beginning of the trip.
1:14pm Did I mention at this point Camden has on a sloppy t-shirt and diaper only?
1:19pm MINNESOTA!
1:46pm Camden is sticking Kix up his nose.
2:25pm Kellan let out a huge toot!
2:33pm Kellan lifted his leg to get a more powerful toot out.
2:34pm We all rolled down our windows.
2:55pm Arrived in Le Sueur, Minnesota safe and sound. Thank God!

Here are the states the Tilley family has been to together.

Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Kansas
Nebraska
Iowa
Minnesota

July 28th, 2011

Well, we're really doing it! We'll be driving to Minnesota with two kids under two. We leave here in a few hours. Please pray for us!

July 26th, 2011

What a day!
The day started off with Camden having more energy than I've ever seen. He was everywhere! And running (and tripping a few times) as fast as he could. He pointed to each of our butts this morning and said butt. We couldn't be more proud. He rolled from one end of the bedroom to the other. I think he definitely got a good night sleep the night before.
The other day Miss Veronica informed me that Camden likes to take off his shoes and chew on them. Didn't surprise me. I can hear him pulling his shoes off in the back seat while I'm driving him. When I go to get him out of the car he's usually shoeless. Turns out he likes other kids shoes as well. Miss Veronica couldn't find Josiah's shoes. She jokingly asked the entire class of 1 and 2 year olds to stop what they were doing and look for Josiah's shoes. She went about her business and around came Camden with Josiah's shoe and handed it to Miss Veronica. She cracked up and couldn't wait to tell me.
Today school called me to tell me that they weren't too concerned, but Camden looked a little blue around his mouth and fingertips. I immediately went hysterical. The teachers honestly just thought he was a little cold or had some bad circulation. I freaked out and called the pediatrician right away who proceeded to tell me to take Camden to the ER. I called school about 5 minutes later to check on Camden and they said all his color was back to normal and he was running around playing.
I rushed and got him and Grammy (thank God) came with me to the ER. It was a pretty good experience there. From start to finish we were only there about 2 hours. They checked all his vitals and his oxygen level was 100%. Can't get better than that. They then decided to do a chest X-Ray to see if there was anything abnormal with his heart. The X-Rays came back completely normal. So they did some blood work. All the tests came back normal, there are just a few more tests that will take 48 hours to get the results on. They sent Camden home saying he as perfectly healthy thank God. I hate putting him through this, but there was no way I was going to not take him to the ER today. What mother in the world wouldn't? Now I have a little more peace of mind, and maybe he was just a little chilly and thankfully the teachers at the school are keeping a close eye on our baby boys.
They are both sound asleep right now and hopefully mom can get some sleep tonight too. We head out on our road trip on Thursday. Driving across country with two kids under the age of two. Stay tuned for what I'm sure will be very entertaining stories to come!

July 25th, 2011

Thank God for Grandparents. Nick and I had a normal weekend as if we were just a married couple with no kids. It's so nice to be able to do that once in a while. I miss the kids like crazy of course, but we're lucky to have Grandparents that will put up with our kids. We plan on dropping them of with Nana when we get to Minnesota as well. :)
I don't know if Grammy and Granfy Gall are going to take the boys anymore though. They took Camden to get a haircut on Sunday and they were more traumatized by it than Camden. I guess he was a tad reluctant (to put it lightly) to get his hair cut that day. Then I called Granfy while he was on his way to take the boys to school this morning and heard Kellan screaming bloody murder in the back. Poor Granfy was so traumatized. When they got to school Kellan stopped crying and innocently cooed and smiled at Granfy. Little stinker!
We went swimming at Grammy and Granfy's on Sunday before the concert. Camden was floating around the pool in his turtle with a piece of pizza in each hand. This kid should weigh 50 lbs!

July 22nd, 2011

I was out in the kitchen this morning and Nick yells- Do you see this? I didn't have my contacts in so the answer was I can't see anything. Then this white streak raced past me. I looked closer and there was a butt naked Camden running around the living room. He had nothing on him but what God had given him. He had taken his diaper off himself and was running around the house at top speed. So... good to know... we're at this phase in our lives now.
Miss Veronica stopped me this morning to tell me that yesterday Camden was so hungry he had taken his shoe off and begun to nibble on that. Once again- yay! The little guy knows how to take articles of clothing off. I wonder if school will call me to take Camden home because he's a nudist?

July 21st, 2011 Part 2

I was so excited to take Kellan to his 4 month check up. I thought Dr. Schaffer was going to tell us he was in the 100th percentile for height and weight. But no... he weighs 11 pounds 9 ounces and he's not on the chart at all. We need to up the calories on his formula. He's not too far off which is good news, but I really thought we had a good sized kid here. His head is in the 25th percentile. Ok... that's pretty funny right there. Not height or weight, but his round head makes the chart! We weighed Camden as well and he is 18 pounds 2 ounces.
Dr. Schaffer also said she's pretty sure Kellan's going to have blue eyes. I can't believe I'll have a blue eyed kid! I guess the eyes don't fully take on their pigment until 6 months, but she said she'd be shocked if they don't stay blue. That's Kellan's gift from Grampa Dick right there. Beautiful I mean Handsome blue eyes.
When we got home tonight I was drawing Camden a bath. Ha! They say "drawing a bath" in books and I've always wanted to say that! Anywho he was standing outside the tub and reached for the cup I use to rinse him off with. He filled it with the running water while I was multi tasking. He then proceeded to dump the entire cup of water over his head. Remember, at this point he was still OUTSIDE of the bath tub. He, I , the bathroom floor, the bathroom rug, my iPhone, his dirty diaper, his clean diaper, etc. were all soaked by a 32 ounce cup of bathwater. My first thought was, do I still need to give him a bath? I smelled his stinky Nike shoe feet and realized the answer was yes. Anyone know of a good cheap cleaning service?
Then after both boys were in bed, Nick was brushing his teeth like a good boy. I came in the bathroom quietly and caught him flexing in the mirror. I've never laughed so hard nor have seen him turn so red. He tried to explain and deny it and finally admitted that yes he was watching himself flex in the mirror. Hey I would too if I looked like that!

July 21st, 2011

This morning I did something I never EVER do and I tooted out loud. Camden was standing right by me and pointed to my butt and said "poo poo!" I laughed so hard. I was going to say it was Nick that tooted since he doesn't follow the blog anyway, but better to be honest.:)
Later that morning, Camden had a blow out. It was everywhere! I had it all over me and was screaming, he had it all over his arms and was screaming. The blanket needed to be put in the wash immediately. It was a very scream-y diaper change.
When both boys were dressed, we put them on the couch next to each other to get a couple pictures. Camden was a little whiny since he had been pointing at the door saying "GO!" for the last 20 minutes. Kellan was sitting on the couch next to him and Camden reached over and shoved him as hard as he could and pushed Kellan right over on the couch. Little Cowbell was all smiles and laughs and of course, so was Camden after doing this. After 2 more times of this, we finally decided to nix the nice brother picture for the morning.
When I dropped Camden off at school he never even looked back. He went and checked out what each kid was playing with. Must not have been any of "his" toys because he seemed fine with it. He acknowledged both teachers then went and sat at the table and pointed to the Cheerio's. I told Miss Sue that we do honestly feed him at home, but I don't think she believes me.
This morning we were watching Baby Einstein's and they kept telling jokes. Camden kept cracking up and he was laughing at exactly the right moments. I have no idea if he understood what was going on or not, but it was pretty funny. Then they ask you to pat pat pat your knees to help the spaceship take off. He sat up and immediately began patting his knees. I think he understands a lot more than we give him credit for.

July 20th, 2011

So I've been really bonding with Kellan lately. When I hold him he'll look at me and then break out into the biggest grin I've ever seen. It just melts my heart... or it did. Then I was 3rd in line at the door to pick him up from school. While one teacher was handing out kids, the other one was holding Kellan up. He looked at every single teacher, parent and child in the vicinity and gave them to same goofy grin that I thought was especially reserved for his dear Mother. That boy! He goes to the doctor tomorrow. Can't wait to see what he weighs!

July 19th, 2011

Kellan screamed the whole way to school today. When we got to school, there was a new little boy, Lucas, who was joining the class. Miss Allison explained to Kellan that he had to be a big boy and show Lucas the ropes. Kellan was then all smiles and coos. Miss Allison said she was going to put Kellan and Lucas on the floor to play. Miss Allison told Lucas' dad that Kellan played on the floor and held hands with Colton the other day. Lucas' dad kind of looked at her funny. I said- don't worry- they're not holding hands, they're arm wrestling. Lucas' dad laughed and laughed. I didn't want him to get the wrong impression of Cowbell :)
Camden was in rare form this morning. He was throwing stuff at Mom and cracking up. When I was changing him he said "Butt" about 87 times and just thought he was hilarious. Should I count butt as one of the words he can speak clearly? Sigh...

July 18th, 2011

Camden is wearing size 12 months shorts today. Woo Hoo! Kellan has his 4 month check up on Thursday. I can't wait to see how much he weighs.
Right as we were getting in the car this morning Camden did a stinky. So it was everyone back in the house for a changing then pack up our 85 kids and get them in the car again. Camden holds his stuffed dog Lucy the whole way to school. He's going to be so confused when he meets his real cousin Lucy next weekend!

July 17th, 2011

Well, I really thought I wasn't going to have much material for the blog today. Turns out I was wrong.
First, I saw Camden give his little brother a dirty look for the 1st time. Camden was pushing his mail center around and got stuck on Kellan's swing. I just happened to catch him look at Kellan with a super dirty look. Aw! Their first fight! Sigh...
Next, I thought I smelled something stinky so I asked Camden if he had poo poo in his diaper. Camden shook his head no and once again I believed his answer. About 3 minutes later Camden screamed POO POO at the top of his lungs and ran into his bedroom. I could not figure out why he went to the bedroom but sure enough he emerged holding a diaper. And as an aside, this was not poo poo. It was a massive explosion.
Lastly for today, (fingers crossed) I took Camden into the bathroom while I took a shower. He sat at the shower door looking at the bubbles as usual. Right as I was getting ready to get out, I noticed he wasn't sitting by the door anymore. I was calling his name as I was drying off and didn't hear a peep. The bedroom door was closed so I knew he couldn't have got far. I looked all over our huge and glamorous Master Suite and no Camden. He wasn't making a sound either. I can usually at least hear his snotty nose going. I started panicking. I didn't have my contacts in, so it probably looked like a pretty funny sight. I was looking everywhere up close because I'm blind not to mention I'm butt naked. Finally I heard a little giggle. Camden was hiding in our drapes. And he was hiding too because that little stinker was being as quiet as a mouse and laughed and laughed when I found him. Oh and to make things even better- he had put my nightgown on over his onesie. I should have got a picture but I was busy popping Xanax because the kid scared the cap out of me...

July 15th, 2011

Little Cowbell is 4 months old today! I had a long talk with his teacher Miss Allison this morning. She said he is doing so well and really coming in to his own. She said she put him down for tummy time by his friend Colton. They talked and talked and ended up holding hands! Miss Allison said it was the cutest thing and she couldn't wait to put Kellan next to Colton this morning.
Funny thing about the name Colton. Last Valentine's Day Camden got Valentine's from a bunch of girls and one Colton. I guess Colton's just like the Tilley boys!
I picked Camden up from school around 11:45am for his AZeip appointment. The poor kid was bit by another kid at the bite mark is huge! Miss Jennifer said that a kid got bit by someone and was so frustrasted that he bit Camden. I just feel awful :(
Miss Tricia was holding Camden when I got there. She was trying to keep him awake because of course the appointment had to be during nap time. She had set Camden at the table and she said he fell asleep in his chair there.
The appointment went well. They do think Camden should do speech therapy. They said he's so intelligent, it's just not coming out in words.
I called school to let them know that Camden was going to stay home with Nick. I said I would be by to pick up Kellan and then I laughed and said obviously, but I don't think Miss Angela thought it was very funny. :)

June 14th, 2011

I woke up to Camden screaming Walk! Door! this morning. Nick had asked him if he wanted to go for a walk, and I take it he did. Now that Nick knows Camden will do this, he's going to use it as a tactic to get me up every morning.
On a similar note, I have learned not to ask Camden if he's ready for school unless I am ready to walk out the door that minute. I made the mistake of saying school and he ran to the door and screamed what sounded like School! and Car! at the top of his lungs. I'm trying to change a pee filled Kellan, get him in his car seat (he struggles) turn off the Mickey Mouse Club, turn down the air (or Nick will freak out) and in the background is a 21 month old screaming School! at the top of his lungs and mad he is not in the car right that second. At least it was peaceful on the drive to school this morning once we were on the way to "School!".

July 13th, 2011

Camden has a 6 month onesie on this morning, but it's a little tight. We'll have to retire this size to wait for Kellan... which shouldn't take long.
Camden pulled the picture of Grammy and Granfy Gall off the fridge and carried it around all morning. It's torn and wrinkled now, but I'd like to think it's torn and wrinkled with love.
Kellan's nickname has made some progress "Double Dimples SussBucket Bigger than his Brother at 4 months Tilley.
Of course, Camden's is Cama Lama Log Jam Chick Magnet Thunder Thighs Poops in da Tub Mad Scientist Hair MacGyver Tilley.
Camden has a new bedtime routine. He walks to his bedroom and points, then he puts his sippy cup on the bottom shelf of the fridge. He then proceeds to ask for tape so he can tape the picture of Grammy and Granfy Gall back to the fridge. Then he runs to his bed and smiles and flops on his belly and off to dreamland.
In the morning he'll get his sippy cup out of the fridge and take the picture of Grammy and Granfy off the fridge and cart it around all day.

July 12th, 2011

I think Kellan is part Hispanic. He loves being wrapped like a burrito.
This morning, Camden went around to every door in the house and screamed DOOR until Nick or I would say, yes Camden, that's a door. One doesn't realize how many doors there are in their house until a 21 month old points them out.
I think Kellan has a crush on Miss Allison. He did a big grin when he saw her and then turned his head shyly.
We just showed Camden a picture of Grampa Dick and he said Grampa as clear as day! That was a really cool moment.
When I picked Camden up today I looked all around the room for him. Was he sitting at the table... no. Was he playing on his mat... no. Then I looked at the teacher because I started to get a little nervous and there was Camden in her arms. I said oh geeze do you have to do this every day? And the teacher said Camden gets a little fussy at the end of the day because the door keeps opening and every time he thinks it's for him. As I was picking up Kellan a mom (of an ugly kid) commented on how much Camden and Kellan look alike. I still don't see it but everyone says that. We went to leave and Camden just through a fit! I couldn't figure out what was wrong with him! Then Miss Susanna said I know. She ran and handed him a cracker and he was all smiles and waves again. I guess every time we leave for the day each room is going to have to give him food.
Every time I buckle Camden in his seat and go to close the car door he waves at me. I don't know how he thinks he gets to his destination and how I always seem to magically appear there.

July 11th, 2011

This morning I had to be a single mother. Nick left early for a dentist appointment and I had to get two monkey's and myself ready for school/ work. Kellan finally stopped eating long enough for me to put Camden's high chair in the bedroom. Camden ate oyster crackers and oatmeal while watching The Mickey Mouse Clubouse. Kellan was fascinated with his monkey mobile and I took a shower with the relentless pain of a major ear infection. We sang and said every word we know on the way to school. Fish and Shoe sound a lot alike coming out of Camden's mouth. By the time I dropped them off I realized, once again, that it was 8am and I still had a full day of my daytime job ahead of me.
I picked up the boys after work and I brought Camden down to Kellan's room. Camden took one look at his old teacher Miss Susanna, batted his eyes and grinned at her with his dimple grin. She ran faster than I've ever seen anyone run and came back with a cracker for Camden. He snatched that cracker out of her hand and looked at me and giggled. He knew exactly what he was doing.
The teacher had to pull the bottle out of Kellan's mouth to hand him to me and he still smiled when he saw me. I think he's taking the Tilley 101 Basics of Charm School.

July 8th, 2011

This morning we were all laying in bed and Camden was playing with Dad's eyelashes. I guess it was time to get up because he then plugged Dad's nose so he couldn't breathe. Camden thought it was funny.
Every time Camden hears the Hot Dog song on Mickey Mouse he just dances and smiles.
Kellan is talking up a storm. He was in his swing this morning and I thought he was crying, but no, he was having an entire conversation with himself.
Kellan smiles all the time now too. I'll get my face really close to him and he'll look and look and then break out into the biggest grin. If you tickle the dry patches on his face he belly laughs. That reminds me, I need to stop at Walgreens and pick up some lotion.
Nick left early this morning so I loaded up the kids, bottles, diaper bags- drove to school. Sang the alphabet song- commented on each car that Camden saw. We got to school and we all got out and into our classrooms. By the time I got back in the car I was dripping with sweat and mentally and physically exhausted. I looked at the clock and realized it was 7:30am and I still had a full day's worth of work to put in. Wouldn't change a thing though.
Camden and Kellan are going to spend the night at Grammy and Granfy's tonight. We're excited... I mean I'm sure they're excited. :)

July 7th, 2011

Camden's been kind of whiny lately when I drop him off at school, but today he immediately looked around the classroom intently to see what all the kids were eating. The teacher and I laughed about it. Come to find out, Nick fed him an entire packet of oatmeal this morning and a ton of crackers, but Camden kept pointing to the pantry saying "more!". He was excited to get to school because he had eaten us out of house and home.
Miss Allison commented on how talkative Kellan is. She said after she feeds him he just goes on and on about his life story. I hope he's not commenting on our parenting skills!
Camden through a fit today because he couldn't have his bottle in the tub. I finally distracted him with his monkey loofah. Then he refused to put the book away or brush his teeth. How is it the one thing he is way advanced in is the terrible two's?
I take this all back. Camden was whining so I looked up and he was standing by his bedroom door pointing to the crib. I put him there and thought there was no way he was going down. Sure enough he closed his eyes grabbed his sippy cup and went off to dreamland.
Gave Kellan a bath tonight and he just smiled and excercised. He loves his bath! Not like his brother at this age at all!

July 6th, 2011

Kellan and  I had major bonding time this morning. He was cooing and laughing at me and grabbing my hair. He's such a sweet boyfriend. I love his little voice.
And then in stumbles Camden with his arms stuffed with every toy he could find. I wonder if he's going to have a problem sharing with his brother.
Kellan's got a little cough and has been spitting up. I hope he's not coming down with something. His 4 month check up is on the 21st. We might need to pay Dr. Schaffer a visit before then.

Camden made a drawing for me the other day. It's hanging on my wall at work. I wonder if I can attach the picture here?

Why, it looks like I can :)

I just called to check on the boys at school. Miss Christine said they are both having a fabulous day today. Camden is currently sound asleep and Kellan is babbling away. 

This morning Nick thought Kellan was 12 weeks old. I yelled at him for not knowing his child is actually 15 weeks old. I went and looked at a calendar and it turns out our son is 16 weeks old. Poor 2nd kid... Sigh!

July 2nd, 2011

Camden is sound asleep with his stuffed hippo in his hand right now. We had a busy day. We went to the Hartman's going away party and then the Hedstrom's for our first supper club. Camden had a ball with Madelyn and Kendall. He played hungry hungry hippos. He would manually lift the hippo's mouth and put the marble in. He got the concept of the game... just not the mechanics. The boys were dressed alike today. I love doing that. Everyone thought they were so cute!

July 1st, 2011

We weighed Kellan on our scale at home this morning. Not sure how accurate this is, but he weighs 14lbs. Camden weighed 17 1/2 lbs at the doctor last week... sigh...
The boys are wearing red white and blue for school today. Camden's shirt is 3-6 months. Kellan's is a 0-3 month. Double sigh...
Camden ate a whole packet of oatmeal this morning and then looked around for more food. I think he realizes Kellan is catching up to him very quickly!
Miss Veronica said that Camden was playing with the kids at school and then noticed the teacher was setting out napkins and forks. He immediately went to the lunch table and sat. He waited there patiently for about 10 minutes until lunch was served. Why is this kid not huge?!
We are at Grammy and Granfy Gall's tonight. When we were all going to bed, Granfy noticed a scorpion. He immediately ran like a school girl to put his sandals on. Nick came in barefoot and crawled on the ground looking for the beast. He found it and put it outside. Granfy is currently sleeping with his sandals on. Ahahahaha!