Smart Little Cookie

Over the past two months, I have learned exactly how smart a one year old can be. Every single day, Camp does something new to amaze (or at least amuse) me.

Today (at age 14 months), he grabbed a pair of socks out his drawer and took them to the kitchen to play. He unrolled them and continued playing with the two socks. After his milk and breakfast, I was trying to pick up a little and could only find one sock. I looked for a while for the missing sock. Finally, I asked Camp, "Where is the other sock?" He went straight over to the oven and started reaching under it. Sure enough, right where his little hand was reaching and totally out of sight, there was the missing sock! 

In the last few days, Camp has been going into his room and lying down on his changing pad (it's on the floor because he likes to flail around during diaper changes). I proceed to change him, and sure enough, he's ready for a new diaper! When he was playing in the den yesterday, Jonathan told him he was going to change his diaper. Camp stopped what he was doing, walked back to his "Campground," and lay down on the changing pad. If only it was always that easy. The kid usually despises a fresh diaper.

When we have a particularly dirty diaper, we always bag it up and take it out to the dumpster in the garage. The last few times, Jonathan or I told Camp we needed to take the dirty diaper to the trash, and Camp walked from his room to the laundry room garage door and attempted to turn the knob to go out. From watching us do it so many times, he has even figured out that he needs to turn the lock to unlock the door!

Camp has also learned how to open all the bedroom/bathroom/closet doors. He can sign for "more" and "all done." He says, "Tickle,tickle,tickle," or at least that's what I have decided his is saying. He can go up and down stairs pretty quickly. He likes to help clean up with the broom and rake. He knows that debris goes in the dustpan and pine needles go in the yard bags (both of which he figured out on his own just by observing). In just a few times of showing him how to blow a kiss, Camp has mastered kissing his open hand, and we are working on blowing the kiss to someone. He can show you his head, his toes, and one time his tummy. He has grabbed my nose when I asked him to show us mommy's nose. The list goes on.

Enjoying the warm winter weather

Helping Mommy rake

Waving to his fans

Up and down, up and down

Our little man is such a smart cookie. Can you tell I'm proud?

Workout with Camp

Soon after Jonathan got home from work, Camp sat down on the rug and started this little move. I think he was trying to imitate his daddy's "Ab Ripper X" workout, which Jonathan usually does when he gets home. Let Camp be your new personal trainer!

Camp's First Haircut

A little bit before Camp turned one, he was in major need of a haircut. His hair was mostly business in the front and party in the back. I'm surprised he could still hear with the way that his hair was covering his little ears. I really didn't want his first birthday pictures to show off this not-that-cute-shaggy style. Don't get me wrong: I love a guy with shaggy hair, but it just wasn't working for the Campster. So off we went to get the official first haircut.

Jonathan and I set off to Mount Pleasant with the hairy guy to Bangs and Bows. It's a chic little haircuttery in Belle Hall. I picked it because it got some good reviews from our friends Connor and Caroline (Thanks Krissy D.!), and mostly because they have cool chairs for the kids to sit in while they get the chop.

You'll be glad to know that I took the fancy camera with us. Here's what we got.

TV with cartoons and trains from the train table were key to keeping the little guy happy.

Ridin' in style

Snip, snip

Camp was SO patient!

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This is actually the beginning of a crazy laugh!

Yummy train. Who needs suckers?

All that hair...somewhat of a before shot.

He had all the girls melting at his sweet and fun laughter.

Hey there, Slick!

Starting to feel lighter.

Everyone's happy for a new haircut!!!

I was amazed how happy Camp was during this process. He was calm and still for most of the cut. I was so glad it went well, and our guy is looking sharp!

Tips for a successful first haircut:
1.) Pick a fun place that specializes in children's cuts. It's worth the extra money for the first time to give mama peace of mind, provides good photo ops, and keeps the kid happy with firetruck chairs and play areas.
2.) Take your camera.
3.) Take your spouse/friend/family member to help with picture taking or baby control.
4.) Ask to keep a lock of hair. The stylist put Camp's in a little plastic baggy for our baby book (should we ever get to making it).
5.) Go in the morning right after the morning nap so baby is rested and content.
6.) Have a snack, bottle, toy, etc. handy just in case your little one needs a distraction/comfort item.
7.) Get a great "before" and "after" pic. I kind of failed at the before pic.
8.) For infant boys, you may want to ask the stylist to leave the hair just touching the top of the ears to keep the "baby" look. (Our stylist suggested this, and I was totally on board with it since I was already having a hard time letting go of the baby hair before he even turned one!)


What are your tips for the first or anytime haircuts with children?