We're still alive!

Even though it seems as though time just instantly stopped on our blog, the truth is that I've been extremely lazy. I (Toni) went back to work in mid-November and got distracted from my motherly IT duties. We have, however, been able to keep up with our picture site, so be sure to check out: http://mcewanfamily.shutterfly.com/.

So here are some of my most recent favorites in our adventures with Camryn.
The second week of November, Cami got to meet Aunt Stephanie for the first time. We had lots of fun playing, going to the Zoo, and Steph even got to go to a Notre Dame football game!

Right before I had to go back to work, we had the chance to get together with all the other moms and babies from Clarian to celebrate our time together. We tortuted the kids with our silly photo ops!

The 3rd week of November, all 3 of us went on a retreat in Brown County, Indiana with our marrieds class at church. Cam was the only kiddo there, but she behaved extremely well and was a perfect angel for her first night away from home. In this snapshot, she and daddy-o are hanging out in the room.

Camryn also had her 2nd "official" photo shoot for her 3 month pictures. We got a few good ones even though the portrait studio was running behind while Cam ran out of patience. Our favorite is the one with her tongue out - very true to her personality.

Thanksgiving was a blast as we celebrated in typical "Fasone fashion" with 3 days of feasting with the Holders. Gloria and Gina loved spending time with Cami and we loved having them over.

In December, Camryn got to meet Santa at the Trader's Point Creamery just down the road. After meeting the "big man" we had lunch with the breast feeding gang. It was so much fun to see all the kids again!

The Christmas season was filled with lots of adorable outfits, books, parties, and food. We had a chance to celebrate Christmas a few days early with the Priest family. It was fun for us to see all the little Priests interact with Cami. Wes & Melanie's little boy, Keegan, loved all over Cam-Cam. And Audrey and Emerson couldn't get enough of the little baby. Below is a picture of Cam with Great Aunt Mimi, Cousins Audrey and Bailey.

Christmas morning we opened presents at home, and Camryn loved the tissue paper! We enjoyed a delicious french toast breakfast followed by presents in our new pjs! Cam made out really well with a whole library of new books from both mom and dad. We also got a baby food maker from Grami & Grampy which will come in handy in another month or so!

We also had the opportunity to travel to New Jersey over the holidays to see the McEwan family! Our visit was short but filled with quality time with "G" and "Pops" McEwan (Sharon & Bob) as well as "Pop Pop Pop" (Great grandpa Neil). We also enjoyed spending quality time with Stephanie (Toni) and Jimmy (Rob). We're excited to bring Camryn to Ocean Grove next summer so that she can begin to develop a love for the beach.

Our January has gotten off to a great start and we are looking forward to seeing how our lives will continue to be blessed in 2010!

So many "1st"s...So little time

It's been awhile since we last updated you on our family adventures! I had, in fact, completed a post a few weeks ago and then it deleted itself just before I was ready to hit the "go" button. So I'll do my best to update you on all the things that have happened in the last few weeks.

Little Miss Camryn decided a few weeks ago that I wasn't feeding her fast enough, so she took charge. Here she is holding the bottle all by herself. We were quite impressed I must say!

We've also had a chance to cheer on the Irish as a family. She got all decked out for the ND v. USC game a few weeks ago. Unfortunately our lucky charm wasn't quite lucky enough as the Irish failed to pull the upset in the last few seconds of the game. But Cami was quite adorable, nonetheless. Here she is in her best Heisman pose.

We took our little pumpkin to the patch on a glorious Sunday afternoon. We decided the corn maze, hay slide, and apple cider donuts will be much more appealing when Cami can appreciate them all. In the meantime, mom & dad enjoyed the afternoon and got our fill of all things "Fall" and delicious.

One Month and Then Some

I realize that we are quite overdue for an update on Camryn! She's been growing like a weed in these last several weeks. She'll be 7 weeks on Monday and is already 10+ lbs! We've been having a blast recently. Here are some of our most recent family adventures.

Her "One Month" Birthday

Hanging out with mom at home in the kitchen

All bundled up at the University High School 5K Spirit Run/Walk

Quality time with Pop Pop who took a last minute flight from New Jersey to meet our little Princess

Four Generations of Family: Neil DenBraven (Great Grandfather a.k.a. "Pop Pop"), Sharon McEwan (Grandmother), Rob McEwan (Daddy-O), and Camryn McEwan

Meeting the Yoder boys - Colin and Evan were fascinated with her little fingers and toes

Cami's first trip to the Indianapolis Zoo! We LOVED watching the giraffes.

To Sleep or Not to Sleep

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous these last few weeks! So we have taken full advantage of the sunny days. Cami had her first trip to Holliday Park with her new buddies Charlie & Elise. We walked around the park and then had a wonderful picnic lunch outside the nature center. The kiddos weren't quite as alert, but it was a fun day nonetheless!

Elise is on the left, Cami's in the center, and Charlie on the right.

We're also learning the value of staging sleeping stations around the house. Our new favorite place for Cami to rest is in her Lamb seat. It's the sweetest contraption you've ever seen, especially when it sings lullabys and puts her to sleep!

Cami's First Favorites

"First Lunch Date" in Broad Ripple with Kelly and Charle (boyfriend) Barnes!

The matching green striped onesies are an early indication that these two are going to be together for a long time.

(Although totally unplanned by their mothers).

Cami also made her first debut at a University High School home volleyball match last week! She was quite a hit! We tried to hide out behind the bench to watch the match, but our favorite parents found us and couldn't put her down. Rob's team ended up coming back from behind for a big victory over a competitive team!

Mom & Cami just wished they could've been there for the end. Darn bed time!

Later that same week the UHS volleyball team and parents planned a surprise baby shower for us...and "surprised" Rob was! He couldn't understand why the girls were not willing to change into their practice clothes when the party suddenly was sprung on him. We have been so blessed by this community of players and parents over the last several months! Thank you to everyone at University for the lavish love and generosity you have poured out on us.

Rob and "The Girls"

Last, but not least, Cami got to witness her first Notre Dame win last Saturday! In fact, she must be a little Irish good luck charm as ND had their first shut out in 7 years beating Nevada 35-0. We are hoping for a repeat performance this weekend against Michigan.

Cami & Dad are all smiles after the big win!

Family, Friends & Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Our first week at home has been filled with smiles, great food, and fellowship! After Cami was born, Rob's parents made a last minute drive from New Jersey to see their new grandaughter. They were a HUGE help to us while we were learning how to balance our new parental responsibility with every day tasks like dishes and dinner. Thank you so much Bob & Sharon for making the trip to Indianapolis!

We've also had so much fun sharing Camryn with the Fasone's! My mom has helped me keep my sanity amongst the lack of sleep! Grandpa Jim and Aunt Leslie have been competing for cuddling time with Cami. And I must say that she isn't complaining one bit.

Cami had her "first" bath at home on Saturday afternoon. She wasn't a huge fan at first, but after it was all said and done I think she secretly enjoyed it. Here are a few of our favorites which capture the essence of the whole event. This little one has more facial expressions that anyone I've ever met.

Lastly, we want to thank all of you for your prayers in the last week. As many already know, Cami left the hospital with jaundice at a fairly high level. While it's an extremely common condition our pediatrician has kept a close eye on it with multiple blood work tests over the last few days. On Sunday afternoon we were EXTREMELY delighted to hear that God answered our prayers as the jaundice had already peaked and was on it's way back to an acceptable level.

While this was a minor health issue in the grand scheme of it all, the last several days have been an emotional rollercoaster and we've learned as first-time parents the importance of relying on the Lord to manage through things we can't control. Through this whole experience, God has blessed us with phenomenal medical professionals (nurses, lactation consultants, doctors, hospital staff) who have provided the help we need exactly when we needed it.

We are blessed beyond measure!

Camryn Grace McEwan

On August 24th at 4:53 pm, our little blessing arrived! We are so excited to share our daughter with all our family and friends. Our time at the hospital has been filled with family visits, feedings, smiling faces, and little sleep. We will be heading home on Wednesday afternoon and introducing Cami to Jersey-dog for the first time. We're expecting he'll be in a for a little surprise!

We are so thankful for all your wonderful thoughts, prayers, and love. We look forward to introducing you to Cami soon!

Our love,

Rob, Toni, Camryn, & Jersey