A long break... and a new name

The long break doesn't need a long explanation.. I was very pregnant, exhausted and wrangling a four year old and 2 two year olds. Any free moment I was able to squeeze in was spent laid out on the living room couch and most definitely not typing away at the computer. Had I a lap top things may have been a little better for this blog but I probably would have been whining and complaining about my third trimester discomforts so it's probably a good thing I stayed away for the last few months.

Obviously the most important thing to get to right away is the announcement of our beautiful, sweet addition Claire Elizabeth. She came into the world on December 16th at 9:20pm weighing in at a healthy 6lbs 12.5 oz (our biggest baby!) and has been a welcomed blessing in our lives. She is a happy, easy going little girl and has easily adjusted to three loud and overbearing siblings who can hardly stay away  and constantly shower her with kisses and love.

With her arrival we had to reconsider the name of this blog previously A love letter for S.A.M. in order to include our sweet girl in our story. After going back and forth on a few other iterations, none of which worked very well, including A love letter for C.A.S.M. and A Love Letter for S.A.M. & Claire, we  ditched our prior name entirely and decided that C. SAM Grow best fit the purpose of continuing the blog. So here we go. Come with us and see Sophia, Alex, Max and Claire Grow!

June 21

June 21st 2007... Today we were introduced to Baby and Baby B. I'm shell shocked. I'm thrilled. I'm scared of losing one or both. I'm feel sad and guilty for what this means for Sophia. I'm excited that she'll have two siblings to play with one day. I'm unsure about what this means for us financially. I'm feeling tired, nauseous and pregnant. I'm ready to move home. I can do nothing but cry, pray and plan. Today was a big day.

June 21st 2008.. Today baby Alex and baby Max are over four months old. I'm sleepy. I'm running on caffeine and sheer will alone.  I'm madly in love with my three beautiful babies. I'm sore and achy from nursing two babies around the clock. I'm hopeful that Sophia won't be forever impaired by how much TV she's taken in over the last four months.  I'm close to my family again. I'm watching every dollar but am always blessed with enough.  I can do nothing but smile, pray and be thankful. Today was a good day.

June 21 2009. Today Alex and Max are over 16 months old. I'm always running after someone. I'm finding time again to do the things I enjoy. I'm scraping mac and cheese off the kitchen floor. I'm happy that Sophia and the boys can finally play together. I'm in my new home. I'm thinking that one more won't be that bad. I'm madly in love with my wonderful husband and best friend. I'm sweaty, tired and cranky by 8pm. I can do nothing but laugh, pray, and enjoy every day. Today was a great day.

The Move Home

It's official.... The Campos Nelson Family is back home!

In light of our impending "additions" we decided it was time to pack up and head south. We're finally settled into our new home, have met new friends and have rediscovered our love of all things chile... red, green and christmas! While's it wonderful to be near family and friends, we will definitely miss our family and friends in Minnesota (along with cooler, seasonal weather).


Our Minnesota Family


We miss you guys!


A Perk of Life in NM- Year Round Outdoor Swimming!

Guess who paid us a visit?

It seems as though the stork has been extra generous to the Campos-Nelson family this time around! In place of the one baby we were hoping and praying for he left us two! Our new additions are expected in early to mid-January.


Sophia announcing her "promotion" to big sister


Cristal at a little over 3 months. It's gonna get scary by 9 months folks!