5 weeks and counting...

So I'm getting to the point in pregnancy where I'm really uncomfortable.  I'm 35 weeks and have 5 weeks left until we meet the newest Kamm addition.  This weekend we've started to get the bassinet ready, the bottles washed, and the hospital bag somewhat packed.  In my mind, if I pack this stuff it means I'm ready and the little guy can come at anytime.  Preferably not on Feb 26th or Feb 29th.  I would love for Harleigh and her brother to have their own birthday's and since it's a leap year I would prefer it not fall on the 29th (although Zak says if he's born on the 29th we won't have to buy as many birthday gifts). If he came around his due date that would be ideal as I'm not able to be induced with a VBAC and they don't want me to go more than a few days past my due date.

This time around I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.  Which means that because of the hormones the placenta is producing during pregnancy, I'm not able to produce enough insulin to break down sugar.  I'm on a diet that has me eat 5 small meals vs 3 larger ones and I have to monitor my blood sugar with 4 daily finger pricks (which is annoying).  Everything is checking out fine now and I've got it under control.  As soon as baby is born I should be back to normal.  Well, minus the sleepless nights and breastfeeding and everything else that comes with a newborn.

Chicken Enchilada Dip

I got this recipe from a friend of mine so I can't take any credit.  This is always a hit at parties and I've never been able to go home with any leftover.  Plus, it's super easy, cheap, and quick.

Chicken Enchilada Dip:


2 cans white chicken, drained
8 oz. cream cheese
6 oz. mayo
1 can rotel, drained
1/2-1 cup shredded cheddar or mexi blend
sprinkle of taco seasoning


In a skillet mix chicken and cream cheese. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Once cream cheese is melted, add mayo and rotel. Put into a casserole dish and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 min. Serve with fritos, tortilla chips, and celery sticks.

23 Months Old

Harleigh,

We can't believe you're almost 2 years old!  You're such a big girl and have learned so much in such a short amount of time.  It's obvious, you got your momma's smarts! haha....and hopefully her sense of humor and sarcasm;)  We want to jot down a few of the phrases you use on a daily basis that make us laugh or smile at one another.  You're such a little talker and it's so much fun for us to listen to you.

Our favorite Harleigh Phrases:

-"Bless you, Mommy or Daddy" (you say this when someone sneezes, coughs or make a sound like that)
-"Big Muscles" (as you flex your arms and hold you breath and talk in a deep voice) Daddy has also taught you that if anyone asks "who has big muscles" you say "daddy has big muscles"
-"Landon did it" (this is what you say when you know mommy and daddy are upset about the way we found something i.e., the blinds, the airflow covers, etc). 
-"I don't like it" (usually this is about food.  You tend to say it quite a bit even if we know you like it.)
-"Daddy Funny" (another phrase daddy taught you, and you say it at the appropriate time which makes it hilarious)
-"I love you, Mommy or Daddy" (my favorite)

We look forward to seeing how you grow and develop over the next year.  We love you!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Meet Brooks Matthew Dean

Here are some pictures of the newest family member born Jan 16th at 4:07am.  Congrats again Dean family!

Dean Family table for four, please.

L: "Wait, did you just say he's coming home with me?"

Ginger is going to shoot me for this, but this just cracks me up.  The Dean family not ready for the picture at all (except Brooks)

Landon was in shock for a little while

Gigi and Papa with Brooks

Momma and her boys!

Christmas 2011 at the Kamm's

These are about a month late, but I wanted to share what Christmas was like at the Kamm household this year.  Santa was very good to Harleigh and her brother.  Harleigh loved opening gifts and would open her mouth and suck in a huge gulp of air each time she opened a gift!  It was awesome!

Our lopsided Christmas tree, I guess you get what you pay for

Stocking time

Mr. Claus delivering gifts

Someone loves Mommy's memory foam bath mat

Bubbles!!

Santa went all out this year!

Harleigh finding her kitchen by using her clues

Gigi and Papa came over to check out the gifts and accessorize H's hair

Someone loves puzzles!!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!  We hope to see you in 2012!

Welcome Brooks Matthew Dean!

I'm an aunt for the 6th time!  Ginger and Dean welcomed their second baby- Brooks Matthew Dean into the world on 1/16/12 at 4:07am.  He was 7lbs 15 oz and 21 in long.  Ginger is quite the trooper and didn't have time to receive an epidural.  I'm sure her "cool, calm nature" didn't really hit nurses that she was in labor and that the baby was coming.  If I'm able to go the more natural route with a VBAC this time around, everyone in the hospital and surrounding Charlotte area will know that I'm in labor, and I need an epidural ASAP.  I don't care if I'm 1 cm dilated, get the anesthesiologist here STAT!  Ginger and baby Brooks are recovering well.  He's so cute and little.  He doesn't look much like Landon did, he pulls more from the Dean side.  I personally think he looks like Dean's brother, Ryan.  I look forward to seeing his little personality unfold and I'm super excited that our little guy will have a cousin his age that he'll be close to like Harleigh and Landon.  Congratulations again Dean family! Pictures to come as soon as I can upload them.

Imaginon = Day of Fun

My friend, Katie, is a super mom.  She knows what's going on with kid activities all the time.  Since I typically take some days off for the holidays Katie mentioned doing a mommy-daughter day with her daughter Julia (25 months) and Harleigh and myself.  We took the "choo-choo" (aka Lightrail) to Imaginon to listen to Storytime and then went to Founder's Hall to see the Christmas bears sing.  Harleigh and Julia had a great time and wore each other out.

Fun on the lightrail

Playing with trains at Imaginon

BFF's

Storytime- look at Julia.  She's just like her momma!

Listening so attentively

Bears singing in Founders Hall

Thanks Hoos' for a fun afternoon!

Bradbury Family Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent at Gigi and Papa's house.  My mom made ham (my fave) , then the kids opened their gifts, and finally my favorite holiday tradition the annual Christmas present hunt.  We've been doing this for years and it's something Zak and I have added to our Kamm traditions.  You hide the gift, and give 5 clues leading to the gift.  Whoever is stuck with my dad writing the clues, just give up, you probably won't find your gift until next Christmas!  Below are pictures of Harleigh and Landon opening their gifts- I didn't do a good job of getting anyone else in the pictures of opening their gifts.  Christmas is for the kids, right?

Dinner time

I don't think Landon could smile any bigger or  his eyes would pop into his head

Har and Gigi- mom  you should print and frame

opening gifts

more opening

I still have lots more pictures from the holidays I'll be updating.  Stay tuned!

Aunt Again?

As I've mentioned, my sister and I are pregnant together again!  The amazing thing about it is that we don't plan it.  It always "happens". The difference this time around is that time instead of our due dates being 3 1/2 weeks apart we're 8 weeks.  Ginger's due date was Jan 6th, and no baby has come yet or sign that they want to come out and meet their favorite aunt.  Ginger's one of those crazy mom's that waits until the baby's arrival to find out the sex. It will be nice to have our two kiddos close in age like Harleigh and Landon.  It's been such a blessing to have had that experience and has really allowed my sister and I to become even closer, lean on each other, and to enjoy being mom's together.  I look forward to meeting baby Dean and am guessing it will come 1/12/12 and will be a boy!  I'll be sure to update the blog with pictures as soon as we meet him/her.

It Wasn't Me

As Zak and I were getting Harleigh ready for bed, we asked her to grab us a book.  When we opened the book, we noticed a large tear on a few of the pages.  Harleigh also would point out the tear and say "Landon broke it".  However, Zak said he noticed Harleigh playing with the book and pulling at it, and there was evidence of the ripped pages on the floor (where Harleigh was playing and Landon hasn't even been over).  It's amazing how at such a young age Harleigh has picked up the ability to throw her cousin under the bus.  Poor Landon, it looks like Harleigh may blame quite a few things on you!

Landon is a Brave Boy!

I only have pictures of Landon sitting on Santa's lap this year since Harleigh was too scared to even get an arms length away.  Landon was hilarious, he was a little nervous about old Saint Nick and didn't move his head- only his eyes!  We had to move in order to get a shot straight on. We hope you enjoy the pictures below:

The B-I-B-L-E

It's been exciting to see Harleigh really get into wanting to read the Bible lately.  She loves her Bible songs and her Children's Bible (complete with pictures and short stories).  It's encouraging as a parent to see your child really take interest in Jesus.  We continue to pray for Harleigh and her faith along with her future spouse (which Zak has been very clear she won't meet until she's able to start dating at 40).  It's times like this that are so refreshing and make parenting worth it! 

Harleigh's School Friends

After Harleigh's Christmas performance they had a little party for her class.  Below are some pictures of her and her friends from school.

Xander, Harleigh, and Julia

Rhyan, Julia(super happy), and Harleigh

Eating- this is a rare thing so I try to capture it when it does happen

Rhyan and Sadie

Xander and Aaron (the little boy Har used to put in a headlock and kiss)

New Year's Goals for the Kamm Family

Each year Zak and I sit down and write down a few goals for our family for the year.  Here are a few:

1- Harleigh to be potty trained by summer
2- Bring a friend to Elevation
3- Read a book on disciplining children
4- Zak to get involved in a sports team (basketball, softball, etc). Heidi to sign up for a running race
5- Sell home
6- Survive baby 2

These are short and sweet.

Happy New Year's!

Wishing everyone a Happy 2012 from our family to yours!