Summer Lovin'

Dear Conor,

One of the greatest things about living at Grandpa Tom's is that your friend Olivia lives just down the street.  Because of this we have been able to spend some of our late afternoons with her at the local playground or at her house.  Here are some of the pictures from the first time we met them at the playground (8.5.13).  You guys enjoyed holding hands and you ALWAYS walk her to her car at the end of our play.

First time on a big kid swing - you made Mommy so nervous as you kept wanting to do it one handed!

Leading your lady to the playground

Ladies first up the stairs!

It will be wonderful when we are in our new house but I will miss our little play dates with Olivia and her mom and I know you will too!

xoxo
Mommy

Blueberry Picking with Daddy

Dear Conor,

Daddy and I decided to make it a Conor weekend after the fun we had on Saturday and so on Sunday, August 4, 2013 we headed out to go blueberry picking!  We picked a lot of blueberries (we needed to - you and I ate all the ones we had picked with your friends)!

After blueberry picking we came home to play outside as it was a beautiful day.  Mommy is a big fan of naked time for you (less laundry for Mommy and living in Maine we need as much Vitamin D exposure as you can get - the more skin exposed the more absorption) so you played naked.  You have completely taken over Grandpa's deck with your toys and he loves it!  He uses the camera to check in on you and we know he likes seeing you play at his house!

pretending the pool canopy is a tent

all your toys!

As always - all great times must come to an end.  We truly had a great family weekend Conor!

xoxo
Mommy

Twice the Fun - Literally!

Dear Conor,

On August 3, 2013 Daddy and I had a rare day off together and we decided that there had been so much transitioning and focus on other things this summer that it was time to start having some fun!  So we made a trip to Dover, New Hampshire to go to a play place called "Twice the Fun."  How much fun you had there and Mommy and Daddy had so much fun playing with you!

There was a big play structure that was completely enclosed (only one way in/out) but it was big enough for parents to go through as well so your super tall Daddy and your pregnant Mommy made their way inside with you.

how to get through?!

Having lots of fun climbing with Daddy

You made it! 

Checking out the big slide

WEeeeeee......down goes Conor!

The huge trampoline.  You can't jump yet but you had fun walking across it

And you fell in love with the tool box and carried it around a good part of our visit and fixed all the ride on toys.

In the "beep beep" with the tool box.

We played for a few hours (probably about 2.5) before we headed over to Papa Ginos for lunch where you ate an entire large piece of pizza on your own and Mommy's crust before going home to play with Hunter.

You took a pretty good nap on the way home so we decided to head out to Old Orchard Beach for the evening (we took you a few times last year and it was fun).  We weren't sure how you would do as your night routine is far more important now that it was a year ago but we had to try.  We invited Grandma and Grandpa Jakan to come along!

We walked around for a while just taking in the sites and getting some yummy fair-type treats before deciding that you, Daddy, and the Grandparents would take a spin on the Merry-go-Round.  Hunter and I decided to watch!

Hunter jumped in your stroller to get a good view

with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa

Weeeee.....lots of fun!

Grandpa was a good sport and rode an ostrich (I think that's what it was)

Then it was time to go as you were getting very sleepy (it was 7pm) and it takes a little while to get back to Grandpa Tom's house.  So we said our goodbyes and started our drive home.  You fell asleep pretty quickly (about 15 minutes into our drive) and by the time we got back to the house you had been asleep for at least 20 minutes.  Daddy opened the house door and took Hunter around to the back and I got you out of the car and upstairs into your crib without you waking up (I put you in your jammies before we drove home)!  You must have been very tired because that never happens and there were a lot of stairs for Mommy to climb!  You woke up a few times that night but overall it was a good night - I think we left at the right time though - you aren't a late night baby right now!

I'm so glad that we were able to spend such a fun day with you!

xoxo
Mommy

Blueberry Picking 7.30.13

Dear Conor,

On July 30, 2013 we went blueberry picking with your friends and their mommies.  This was the first time either one of us had every been blueberry picking!  I couldn't believe how much fun it was or how quickly you picked up on what to do (it took you approximately 15 seconds to pick a blueberry and put in your mouth after you watched a friend do it).  Here is our day in pictures!

Conor and Carter

Conor and Olivia

Step 1: Locate Victim

Step 2: Pick Berry

Step 3: Eat Berry

I see more over here!

Boys having fun in the sun (Conor, Braden, Carter)

xoxo
Mommy

A Wedding for Apple (and Auntie)! 7.13.13

Dear Apple,

You are already following in your big brother's footsteps by attending your first wedding while still in the womb!  Your Auntie C got married on July 13, 2013 and we were lucky enough to be apart of her special day.

The day started off with some spa treatment - hair and makeup for the entire bridal party.

It was really early and clearly we all needed some help getting pretty for the BIG day and all the pictures that would come.  After getting made up it was time to go back to the house and hang out while we waited until it was time to get dressed.  All the bridesmaids got dressed first so we would be ready to help Auntie!

This is me (mommy) at 25 weeks pregnant with you!  And below is Auntie waving goodbye to our house for the last time as a single woman.  When she returned the next day she was married!

Someone's going to the chapel and she's gonna get married!!!  While Auntie is beautiful every day - she looked simply stunning the actual day of her wedding - truly a beautiful bride!

This is Mommy and Katie.  Mommy used to babysit for Katie and Auntie on the weekends.  Katie got married in May.  It was fun to see them all dressed up and "grown up" and also sad because it made Mommy feel a little bit old :)

Mommy and Auntie - sisters through the good, the bad, and the ugly and friends for life!  I am very lucky to have a sister such as Auntie - she and Mommy are not super close in age (we are 6.5 years apart) but as we have grown up the gap in age has seemed smaller and smaller.  Auntie is truly a friend now and not just my baby sister.  She's an amazing auntie and I can't wait for you to meet her!

The newly married couple!  Apple, meet Uncle Jarrod!  He's got lots of brothers so I am sure he will help Mommy figure out what's brotherly "love/play" and what you and your brother should get in trouble for.  He takes great care of Auntie (and she of him).  Mommy especially likes some of the sacrifices he has made to keep himself and Auntie local for the sake of family!  Mommy isn't rushing them but can't wait for the day that we can take a BIG family vacation with them and your cousins!

These were the gold shoes that Mommy wore for the wedding (Mommy's feet have coral nail polish on the toes).  They hurt so badly that as soon as pictures were over I threw them and Grandpa Adam's car and said I never wanted to see them again!

And lastly, a picture of you with Mommy and Daddy.  You were a great wedding guest.  We danced the night away and had so much fun with our family.  Thank you for allowing me to enjoy Auntie's wedding as much as I did!

25 weeks

We wish Auntie and Uncle Jarrod a lifetime of happiness and thank them again for inviting us to be a special part of their day!

xoxo
Mommy

19 Month Check-Up 7.25.13

Dear Conor,

Because you were born so close to Christmas your check-ups are always a little later than typical.  So, we had your 18 month check-up when you were really 19 months old.  Because Auntie was here visiting she got to go with us to your appointment (this was your FIRST time having someone else there besides Mommy and Daddy - in fact, Daddy stayed at work this time).

We arrived with just a few extra minutes (its a lot different driving from grandpa's house than our old house just up the street).  The nurse first had to take your measurements.

You have not grown that much little man!  You are still growing but only by the tiniest bit each time.  Nolan is as big as you now!  But, good things come in little packages and you are a VERY good thing!

As a reminder - here are your prior stats:

While waiting for the doctor to come in your played with the paper on the table.  You enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with Auntie and ripping the paper to shreds!

You did have to get one shot this time around (Auntie did not like watching that) and because she was such a good girl and you were a good boy (no nursing and you only cried for a minute) I took you guys our for ice cream.  This was your first ice cream cone.

You got so messy the owner asked if we wanted extra napkins or a bowl.  Nope - I just let you go to town and you rode back to grandpa's house in your diaper and sweatshirt and your clothes went right into the wash :)

Our next appointment will be in January for your 24/25 month check-up - that's a long way away so I can't wait to see how much you change!  Just think - at your next appointment you will have been a big brother for at least 2 months!

xoxo
Mommy

New England Aquarium

Dear Conor,

This summer we have made two trips to the New England Aquarium.  We certainly are getting a lot of use out of the family pass that Grandma and Grandpa Trayner gave you for Christmas (2012).  The first trip was on 7.2.13 with Auntie Cathlin.  You and she had a lot of fun and it was nice that Mommy got a little rest because Auntie loved walking around with you and you loved your time with her!

This was one of the last times that we got to spend with Auntie all by ourselves before she got married.  It was a fun day for all of us.  After the Aquarium you napped in the car while Auntie and I had a picnic of Panera.  Then it was off to the dress shop for fittings!!!  Hard to believe that as I type this now Auntie is married and has a new home!  Thanks for a GREAT day Auntie!

Your second trip to the Aquarium was when we met up with Grandpa and Grandma Trayner (and Danielle) to bring Auntie Sarah back to them on 7.27.13.  Again, it was a great day with family and you had so much fun being with your family that Mom got a lot of rest.  You held everyone's hands but mine and spent time with each person.  We got lunch at Faneuil Hall and then walked around the waterfront before it was time to head back home.

Looking for the BIG turtle

Holding the side of the stroller like Grandpa taught you

Mommy, Conor, Auntie Danielle (& Baby Brother - 26 weeks)

Daddy didn't get to go to the Aquarium so we have to plan another trip or two so that he is able to see the new tank and spend some time in Boston with you!  Maybe next time we can bring Little Gordon and his parents!

xoxo
Mommy