Dear Connor,

My oh my have you grown!  You are such an amazingly good boy, that I can't seem to find myself doing anything but playing and laughing along with you.  You are quite the character, dancing to any music you hear, wheather it's from your mickey mouse airplane, or off in the distance at a store, or your favorite, 'One, Two, Buckle my shoe' CD in the car...I might add, you love to clap your hands and stomp your feet while you dance.  You are walking around everywhere and getting into everything...which I don't mind, because I know you are exploring.  This morning, I let you open my underwear drawer and laughed hysterically as you flung my undies across the room.  Sometimes, you are so funny, that you cover your mouth and laugh right along with us.  You love car keys and cell phones.  When it's time for a nap or bedtime, we sing to you, 'Jesus loves you, this I know...' After that song, we lay you down and play your favorite, "Scout" bedtime music...you're such a good boy, you go right to sleep all on your own.   You play so well on your own.  You also LOVE to scream...some say it's "finding your voice", but I can't wait for this stage of screaming to be over with. You still love bath time....it's part of the nightly routine, and when you hear the faucet come on, you go running and squealing knowing it's your time to play in water. You're learning to say a few words, mama, dada, nana, ball, bye-bye, more and occasionally no, but lots of "ya's". 

I couldn't imagine my life without you in it.  I honestly, can't remember my life prior to you.  You are such a great baby and I love you with all of my heart!

Love, Mama

11 months

I can't believe how fast time is going by for our little man!  I love spending time with him...and am so lucky to be able to do this.  Connor has such a little personality that he now strives to make us laugh.  Just the other night, it was past 10...Connor goes to bed at 10.  Well, since it was past 10, I was thinking he was over tired.  I was trying to get him to calm down before I laid him down to bed....so, he and I laid together in my bed and he kept touching my nose then belly laughing.  Clapping his hands...being a tiny lil comedian that he is.  Sean came home at that point and crawled in with us; and of course, Connor then repeated his little jokes to Sean, indeed making him laugh too.

Connor is officially finally crawling with his belly off the ground- geesh! Then again, we are told to look at Connor as not an 11 month old, but now he'd be 9.5 months old.  Mentally, Connor is so smart.  He is so social, etc.  But, his desires to move around....not so much.  It took him a while to finally roll over, then crawl, so I can only imagine that walking will be a bit delayed as well....but most say that's an ok thing.  I am loving watching Connor get into things.  I think it's funny that he continually goes for the things we say "no" to, such as our fireplace that he loves to climb so much!

It's been such a wonderful 11 months.  I really do hope to blog a bit more about this wonderful journey of parenthood.

Hope all is well with you all!

My First Mother's Day

Tomorrow will mark my first Mother's Day!!  Last year, I was pregnant with Connor and well, low and behold- even all the sacrifices you give to your body- I was told...not Mother's Day quite yet (Although, at brunch the guy did give me a rose and wished me a Happy Mother's Day). 

This year, I can see how I wasn't a 'Mother' last year, this year, I'm still sacrificing just about as much with my body since I'm nursing and well; I get even less sleep and feel just about the same tiredness...but this year; I have smiles given to me every morning when I approach the crib.  As I sit here at the computer; I get a little glare just to make sure I'm still here and I haven't left.  I get belly laughs just by being silly- This year, I get to be called "mama" by the most precious little voice learning to talk! 

Being a Mom isn't one special day- everyday he has brought me such joy and happiness that I can't explain.  I love being a Mommy and I wouldn't trade a full nights sleep or anything for him- he's the best!

Love you Connor!
Love,
Mommy

Toys

First off, I know, I'm a huge slacker with this blog, but I'm off enjoying every moment with Connor that's humanly possible....I can't get enough of that little boy! He makes me so happy to be a Mom!

So, onto the posting.  Connor has a new thing where he could care less about his toys.  I lay him on the ground surrounded by the coolest toys ever...and he wants any of the following...

• remote control (total boy in him)
• my cell phone
• one of his spoons...yes, he loves to chew on them
• the wet wipe container
• my feet....has a fascination with toes...maybe he will be a podiatrist one day
• the cup for the bath time
• my hair ties (yes, I need to be careful as this posses a chocking hazard)

Well, those are just to name a few, but I really think it's funny that he would rather these items about 100% over the coolest, flashing lights, loud sound making toys! MMMM....LOVE that boy! 

He's such a BOY!

Yesterday, on our way home for story time, Connor said his first word, "Dada". Of course, no matter how much I've done with holding him in my womb, birthing him, nursing him....he says, Dada! He's got to stick with the guys already I guess! He's such a boy!

Last night, I was on the phone trying to get some contacts for photography, when Sean thought he would help me out and change Connor's diaper. It indeed was the WORST poopy diaper Connor has had....which included poo all the way up to his neck! A bath was in store....after a shower! Of course, he had a "baby shower" with a cup of water acting as the faucet. He's such a boy!

This morning for Connor's morning nap, I could hear him babling up in his crib, so I went to get him out.  When I got to his crib, he stretched his arms up high over his head and then let one rip!  I couldn't help but burst into a laugh!  He's such a boy!

While sitting in his car seat playing with his toys and looking out the window...I thought; let's play him some Mozart music.  So, I hit start and a few blocks later- my smart little baby more than likely hit the world record for "the wettest zerberts".  He was spitting all over himself.  He's such a boy!

I love my boy so much! 

He's such a wonderful joy!!!

Photo Shoot....

And, Jen...this is what I created....

7 months

I can't beleive my baby is seven months old....his first birthday will be here before I know it!

Connor has been such a wonderful blessing and is so incredibly happy.  He belly laughs at his Dad, just by Sean walking into the room.

No matter what I've read and done, I always thought "my baby will sleep through the night right away" I mean, I LOVE my sleep, I would be damned if my baby didn't sleep.  Well, low and behold, he's seven months and STILL not sleeping through the night.  The past two nights were pretty good; BUT, the prior two weeks have been very rough!  I even, in the middle of the night with snow coming down; I put him in the car for a car ride.  You would think he would fall asleep, instead, he blew raspberries and coo'd.  I laughed.  I do try to treasure these middle of the night wakings, knowing he won't be waking up in the middle of the night forever.  I've just come to realize that he's going to be a very active boy!  Even when he's awake from 1-4am, he's still such a good baby the next day.  Ohh, and you may be thinking; try not to give him naps during the day...he doesn't nap either...he's always on the GO!  I lay him down and he may sleep for 45 minutes.

I love being a Mom.  It's been such a wonderful feeling and I am so proud of everything Connor has accomplished.   He's on the smaller side still; about 17lbs, in the 25% for weight.  I am also aware that indeed he will do things on his own time...we are still waiting for him to roll from back to belly.  I will say that I am happy that he does get on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth...too cute!  I never knew how much love I could have for him.

Yesterday, Connor had his second series of the flu shot.  The Dr put it in his thigh and Connor gave a furrowed brow look a tiny whimper no longer then one second and then gave this look like "hey, buddy, what the heck are you doing?"  He then looked at me, and then...smiled!  I told Sean this story and Sean laughed and stated, "our kid is the best, we better try not to compare the next babies to Connor, because we don't think we could get another kid like Connor, he's amazingly funny!"

His newest trick: shakes his head "no"!  It's hilarious!  He also claps and talks up a storm...we are waiting for the first words to start to come.

I think I've rambled enough for now....off to teach this kid to roll!

6 months

Connor turned 6 months on Christmas Eve- he's been sitting up like a champ- and just so cute I could eat him with a spoon! (But, since I'm his Mom, I'm a bit biast!)

I'm still lucky enough to be home with Connor, but feel that will be coming to an end soon....so, I'm soaking up as much as I can; and looking for that darn pause button as I am loving life.

Connor's top 3 favorite things...his Daddy! Baths! Jump-a-roo! In that order!

He still HATES getting into his car seat- it's quite funny we have toys dangling; and I sing, make silly faces and guess what Connor does? He cries like Chewbacaca (sp? from Star wars!) rolling his tounge in a high pitch tune! So, we simply now laugh as he screams! We're horrible parents, I'm sure!

He is still having a bit of trouble sleeping through the entire night! On a lucky night-about once a week, we will get him to sleep 8-5, wake up, eat, then sleep again until 830 or 9! But, I think it's because he needs to catch up on sleep from all the other nights he's up for 2-3 hours! But, I treasure the nights, because I know one day he won't be waking up at that time- so I'm soaking it up while I can. He just wants to cuddle during that time.

I'm so happy Connor is now 6 months- sad the time is flying, BUT, now I get to sign him up for fun things like swim lessons and story time! It's amazing how quick he is growing. I was looking at pictures from August when we went to D.C. and I thought- wow- he was so tiny! It's weird to look back at those pictures and think it's the same baby!

I LOVE him so much; he brings so much happiness to both Sean and I. I can't imagine my life without him...he is such a joy to me!

We're here...

we've just been busy- will update you all later- and hope that everything is treating you and your family well!!!