5 months

Connor is 5 months old now! Wow! Crazy that he's getting so big and doing so well for his early arrival. He is still loving bath time and still hating going into his car seat- although, he's gone into it twice today...both times; no tears- so hopefully he is growing out of the crying as he gets into it. Connor's new achievements are:

• Scooting...well; so far about 7 inches...
• Sitting up...so far for about a minute- getting close
• Rolling onto his side from his back...
• and, of recent it seems like I'm always pulling his thumb from his mouth!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being Connor's Mom! It is such a rewarding feeling everyday knowing that he depends on me. I LOVE waking up in the morning to walk over and see his excitement when I approach him and simply say "Good morning!". I love watching him watch me or Sean as we walk through out the rooms.

And, low and behold; Connor LOVES the Christmas tree. He stares at it...loving the lights. I'm looking forward to some goals by the end of this month; I hope he is sitting up on his own, rolling over back to belly, and scooting a bit more. I can't wait to encourage him to do all of this and watch his face when he figures it all out! Have I mentioned I love being a Mom? Boy, it is great!

**I'm not able to type below each picture- so note:
Pic 1: Notice no clothes- sorry about that- he just finished eating some green beans. This picture he looked at the tree; then had this face as he turned to look at me! Pure excitement caught!
Pic 2: Can I touch this? Well, we let him since I think he is still young enough that I don't think we have to worry about it toppling down on him. So, I let him touch it for texture feeling.
Pic 3: Yes, I had to dress him up already...I was hoping to capture something for the Christmas card; but I don't think this is the picture quite yet; it was bedtime; and we were lucky to get this in between many pictures of fussiness!

Jumping machiene

Connor loves to stand....Connor loves to jump! My Mom and nephews came over this evening and my Mom captured this video and I thought I would share it with you. Connor is getting soo big!

TV exposure...

Well, let it be known, that I don't really like watching TV. One day, a few years ago, I, all of a sudden realized how much TV consumed my time....having to be home at a certain time to watch the show, or fretting over if the tape would work, etc. So, I caught onto this "time waster" and decided I was done, no more Grey's, no more ER, done! Now, don't get me wrong, I still have a few shows that I LOVE to watch, 'Friends' reruns and 'The Biggest Loser" are both by far my favorite! However, I have limited my TV watching time.

Well, now that I'm a parent, I also want to limit TV to Connor; of course when he's older he can enjoy an episode now and then of Sesame Street, and a few other good quality educational shows. But, a few weeks ago, I found this article and have become more aware of Connor blankly starring at the TV. I try to limit it as much as I can, if I have it on for background noise, I simply turn Connor away from it. Of course, you can't avoid the TV all the time, especially when Sean comes home....actually, Connor is always in a trance when the two boys cuddle up and watch football and it's cute! But, it does concern me. I know that when I was younger, my sisters and I always watched TV...and 1 of the 3 of us, indeed as an adult, was diagnosed with ADHD. She though, was the one always up at 6 am, and outside playing. So based on us three girls, I'm not sure how effective this study is.

So, is it 'Amish-like' of me to want to turn off the media and spend time exploring through with hands on material? I read to Connor daily, we play together daily...and I let him explore and play on his own (because independent play is always good too!) Anyways, what are your thoughts about limited/no TV watching for kids 2 and under?

Splish, Splash....Connor's taking a bath!!!

(Plopping back down, concentrating!)

(Take a look at the sides, and in the mirror- water was pouring everywhere!)

As I've mentioned before- Connor LOVES his baths! He's such a happy baby- and I'm loving spending my time with him....and cleaning up after him...even for bath time. The above pictures was the last time he will be bathed on the counter top...because it made such a mess on the floor....but look at that face, how could I stop him!?! I love in the last picture how he is so happy and smiling right at me...as water is flying out everywhere- the way I see it is...he's thinking..."Thanks Mom for letting me play". I know one day when he's around 2 or 3 years, I will probably yell at him for splashing, but now it's just so cute how he arches his back...then plops it right back down to see water fly. It's amazing to me that he's figured this technique out. I am still shocked that this AMAZING, smart little boy was growing inside of me...boy, God is certainly amazing!

4 months & Halloween

4 months! (okay, a little late for the update!) But, I'm so happy! Connor is so happy! We are just plain a happy family! At 4 months, Connor is...

• belly laughing
• reaching for items...that go straight to his mouth!
• He recognizes Mom & Dad
• talking/cooing up a storm
• Every morning when I get him from his crib, he simultaneously flaps his arms, kicks his legs and smiles at me!
• Likes to cuddle from time to time, literally snuggle up with me nestling his head on my shoulder and neck!
• He LOVES his baths still; and now splashes like a fool (of course I let him)
• Eating cereal at night; but only if I add something for taste
• He falls asleep on his own (he's done this from the very beginning, but I have failed to share how proud I am for him doing this; makes my life so easy!)

Connor's FIRST Halloween!

For Halloween, we took him around to local relatives and did some trick or treating. Connor was a little tired and slept through some of it; but all in all, he again, won the hearts of the family members! He had two costumes (Nana Denise's doing; she loves Halloween) and sported the pumpkin costume for the actual event! The above pumpkin was from when we went pumpkin picking; it's "Connor's pumpkin", he carved it himself....okay, Dad helped!
Here was Connor when we went pumpkin picking...this is him sticking out his tongue which he loves to do!

Motherhood is so much more than I thought it would be; but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I know that this blog started out about pregnancy and then went into a blog for Connor, but I still want to make a mention of this post partum for me. I am happy to have "my body" back so to speak, but I would love to have my clothes back! I'm really trying to lose this extra weight so with the next pregnancy (in future years) I can start out at a better weight....but not only that, I want to be able to do silly things with Connor; be healthy enough for him. So, since I'm nursing, I must focus on gradual, slow weight loss; which is so far successful, but stressful because I would like to blink my eyes and it all be gone! I will say with future pregnancies; I am going to make a goal to gain as little as needed!! (Sorry, I had to share that; so in the future when I refer back to this, I can remember how I feel!)

I LOVE being a wife & mom...I am rewarded everyday with kisses & hugs from Sean...and smiles from Connor...In my wildest dream I never thought I could be this happy and I am so wishing I could hit that pause button, but soaking up as much of this as I can. Now...off to do laundry!