My Little Artist

Dear Conor,

Sensory play is very important in development.  Unfortunately, you like to put lots of things in your mouth so a lot of the sensory play ideas that I have must be put on hold for a few months while you learn to not taste everything :).  So, mom likes to have you paint.  You get to feel the cold paint, how oozy it feels between your fingers, and you get to see the colors change shape and blend together. 

As Christmas was coming we decided to spend the day (12.11.12) making a Christmas gift for Miss Denise.

First we had to select the paint colors....and then you dictated when you needed more based on how you felt your painting was progressing!  You seem to love touching the paint bottles as much as you love the actual painting!

xoxo
Mommy

Mall Santa

Dear Conor,

On December 9, 2012 we took you to see the mall Santa for photos.  Now, we had been walking my the mall Santa near us for a few weeks and letting you observe him from a distance you were comfortable with.  You even approached him at one point but when you didn't turn a smile and walk right up to him he basically shooed you away.  I was a little concerned about the behavior of this Santa and apparently so were many other parents.  Complaints were filed and the Santa was replaced.  However, I knew that the Santa at the mall near Grandma and Grandpa's house had always been wonderful and the setup around him had lots to see and it was much more open and inviting then the one at home.  So, since we were down for Uncle Sean's party we figured "why not"!

Grandma and Grandpa came with us to get your picture taken and we also met up with Uncle Sean, Aunt Lindsay, Nolan and Grandpa Tom.  Your second year of Santa photos was a HUGE family event!

We got there before Santa arrived so Grandpa did what grandparents do and he spoiled you a little by letting you ride one of the rides.  Of course - you picked the police car!

Than Grandma spoiled you by taking you on the merry-go-round!

Then it was time to visit with Santa.  Nolan went first and he did a great job!  Then it was time for you to get your photos taken.  Mommy backed you up to Santa really slowly and talked to you the whole time.  You did pretty well for your photos (but there was a LOT going on in front of you)!  You many not have the biggest smile and you may not be perfectly positioned but that's what make these photos fun - they are such a snapshot of you in that exact moment.  Here are some that Grandpa Adam took with his cell phone.

After taking photos as a family we thought it would be fun to take pictures of both you and Nolan with Santa!  But, at this point you realized that you were no longer with Mommy and you looked up.  Once it registered that you didn't know who the man holding you was you started to get so upset and then you started crying and trying to get down.  It's a classic photo Conor and I love you for it!

So, Auntie Lindsay and I jumped in the picture and both you and Nolan were much more comfortable!

After these pictures it was time for Grandpa Tom to spoil you a bit so back into the police car you went!  Then, you were clearly getting tired and we still had to get back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to pick up Hunter, pack the car, and head home.....

You ended up falling asleep only 10 minutes before we got there and I was able to transfer you right into your carseat in Daddy's car so we said our goodbyes very quickly and started our drive home.

We had a great time visiting with our family and getting the chance to surprise Uncle Sean!

xoxo
Mommy

Happy Birthday Uncle Sean & YEAH Auntie Danielle

Dear Conor,

On December 8, 2012 we made a special trip down to the Cape to celebrate your Uncle's 30th birthday.  We hadn't been to the Cape since Great Grammie visited in September so this trip was LONG overdue!

You did really well on the ride down and you slept a better part of the way.  We did make two stops.  The first being in NH so that I could change your diaper and feed you as you were struggling to fall asleep and then another at Exit 5 for the same reasons (you woke up hungry and wet).  Since having you join our family the ride to the Cape has taken longer but your comfort is important because when you are comfortable we travel easier!

When we got to the Cape we drove to Grandma and Grandpa's house where you were able to play for about 30 minutes before we had to get back in the car (I know - we felt terrible about that) and off to the British Brewing Company (BBC) we went.  Uncle Sean did not know about his party so we had to hide in the back room until it was time to shout "SURPRISE".

The party was a lot of fun but after about an hour and a half you were stating to show signs that you needed some down time.  Uncle Sean had wanted everyone to go bowling after and Daddy and I knew that if you didn't have some down time bowling would not be an option for us.  So we drove back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

When we got there you ate, napped a little on Mommy, and played and played.  You had so much fun walking around Grandma's house and touching the Christmas things that she had put out.  We were home for about an hour or two when everyone else came home and asked if we were going to go bowling.  Mommy & Daddy felt that we should give it a try because, after all, it was Uncle Sean's birthday and we don't see him often!

You had a GREAT time at the bowling alley!  First you played with the bowling balls with Grandpa Tom.

 

While Mommy and Daddy took their turns lighting up the lane everyone got a chance to spend some time with you.

A sleepy Conor with Grandpa Adam

Fun Family Photo!

Auntie Cathlin

Picture Time with Mommy but you were too busy watching everyone else!

Soon it was getting late (later than we anticipated) and while you were holding yourself together very well (I was soo proud of you) Daddy and I knew that it wouldn't be long before you would be too overtired and there was still a 20 minute car ride back to Grandma's house. So, we said goodbye to Uncle Sean and the rest of the party and brought you home. You went to sleep without too much fuss that night as you were tired from your VERY busy day! The next day we had to pack up to leave. While we were getting things ready Auntie Danielle checked the mail. And guess what - she got an acceptance letter to college! You have such a smart Auntie!

Reading the letter carefully

I got into college!!!!!!

We are very proud of your Auntie and we know that whatever school she goes to will be lucky to have her! Thank you again for being such a good little traveler Conor!

xoxo
Mommy

Happy Early Birthday!

Dear Conor,

On December 6, 2012 it was time to get serious about your party planning!  You and I decided to make a trip to Target and some other surrounding stores to pick up supplies.  While in Target we strolled by the Giggle Gang Display and you became overly animated.  Because you had been so good and we had time to kill I decided to let you touch and hold all of the little stuffies that you have so much fun watching on their app on the iphone.  It was fun to see you laugh and point to each one on the shelf until I pulled it down.  Each has a different texture and you enjoyed exploring them - touching their eyes, mouths, and ribbons!  Of course, being so close to your birthday we didn't buy you one but it was a nice way to spend a few minutes of our day!

Checking out Kiwi, Sunny, and Curly

And there's Fuzzy!

When we got home a rather LARGE package was waiting for us.......your birthday present arrived early!  Because the box was so large there was no where for it to go so Daddy and I decided to open it right then and let you have your present early.

We bought you a chair from Pottery Barn Kids because you love to read and you have no where to sit and relax to do your reading. Plus, you won't be able to climb onto the furniture for years to come and we wanted you to get as much use out of this as possible. We bought the regular size to ensure that you didn't grow out of it too quickly.

Climbing up

Oh - that's my name

Climbing down

You LOVED it! At first you loved climbing in and out of it but once Daddy brought you a book you cuddled right into the chair for a story and as the night went on we found you in the chair with your beloved books!

Reading with Daddy

Hunter enjoyed the story too

There's nothing like a good book and a comfy chair!

You didn't just love the chair though Conor - oh no! Remember I said your chair came in a rather LARGE box!

Where's Conor

Thank you for my Box Mommy and Daddy!

You loved loved loved that box and we played with it for several days until Mommy just had to take it to the dump because with Christmas coming there was going to be no where to store it!

xoxo
Mommy

Peek-a-Boo

Dear Conor,

On December 1, 2012 we really saw you blossom in the way of communication.  I don't exactly mean verbal communication but through gestures you started showing us what you wanted to do and truly emulating activities. 

For example:

That morning as we were getting ready for the day (we were going to go to Christmas Prelude and meet up with some friends) you clearly didn't want to be in our bedroom and kept banging on the door.  When I opened the door you crawled down the hall to your room and took a book from the shelf and began looking through it.  So, I brought you and the book to Mommy and Daddy's room and you were content to read while I finished getting ready.

After our busy day and your long nap (Christmas Prelude wore you out!) we were playing in the living room and you spontaneously started hiding your face behind the curtain and when you showed your face you would make a vocalization and smile real big.  It took Mommy a second but I realized you were trying to initiate a game of peek-a-boo!

Getting ready to hide

 

Can't see me now!

 

Peek-a-Boo

Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you and once we started saying Peek-a-Boo when you would show your face you got all silly and it was clear that you were very happy we knew what you wanted! 

Because of this development I decided it was time to start working with you on some basic sign language to increase your ability to communicate.  We are going to start with waving, the sign for milk, and more.  These are signs your older friends seem to use often and so we will start there!

xoxo
Mommy

Christmas Decorating

Dear Conor,

On November 30, 2012 we put up the Christmas Tree!  Mommy and Daddy decided to put a gate around the tree to protect both you and Hunter from getting hurt because you both like to climb under and over things and the space between the tree, chair, and doors is a tiny and dangerous little spot for two cuties like you guys!

You LOVE the tree and all its beautiful twinkling lights.  As soon as the tree was plugged in you went "ooooooo" and starred at it until we picked you up so you could get a closer look.

Mommy also brought out some of the Christmas decorations so that you could get used to all the holiday changes little by little.  One of those is a plush Santa and you took to him right away!  Christmas is going to be a lot of fun this year - I hope we can teach you how to say "Ho Ho Ho" in time for Christmas!

xoxo
Mommy

Twink arrives

Dear Conor,

On November 24, 2012 your special Elf who we named Twink arrived to start monitoring your behavior at the request of Santa.  We named him Twink because its a 'word' that you are able to say and it reminded us of the beautiful twinkling lights of Christmas that you and Daddy and Mommy love.

That first day we found Twink in the dinning room hanging out on the sconces that Jim made for Mommy a long time ago. Below him was a book all about the reasons he is here and a page for us to write down when the important information such as his name. 

Welcome to our home Twink!

We found you!

I am certain that Twink will have nothing bad to report to Santa and that when/if Santa checks in on your himself he will find that you are a perfect little guy.....but know that Twink is watching when you get the urge to plunge your hands into Hunter's water bowl!

xoxo
Mommy

Painting a Cookie Plate

Dear Conor,

At Christmas 2011 you were only a few days old and therefore we simply put a few cookies out on a plate for Santa with a promise that the following year there would be a special set of cookies and a special plate. 

Well, on November 20, 2012 we headed to the pottery painting place "Get Fired Up" to paint a special plate for Santa.

We used your adorable little foot to make the plate extra special for Santa and so that we would always remember just how little you were when you made that special plate.

everyone working hard

the final product

so proud of our plate

Baby O's ornament

Baby A

Baby C's Tree

It was so much fun to paint with friends!

xoxo
Mommy

He Walks!

Though he had been walking assisted for sometime and taking little steps here and there on November 19, 2012 Conor took his first walk unassisted from the bathroom doorway to 1/2 way into the living room.....we were so proud!

Grandpa Tom & LL Bean

Dear Conor,

Grandpa Tom came up in November (11.18.12) for his monthly trip.  He came alone and so we decided to go on a shopping trip to Freeport.  Before we left you and Grandpa had a little playtime at our house.  You love laughing and playing with him and he LOVES you - his little "mini me"

Impersonating Dr. Evil and his Mini Me

You and Grandpa had a great time walking around the town. You held onto his finger with your little hands and walked up and down the main street and through the farmer's market that was set up in the parking lot.  You were so tired that you were asleep in the car before we even left the parking lot!

Thank for a Great day Grandpa Tom!

xoxo
Mommy

Playdate with Gordon

Dear Conor,

On 11.17.12 little Gordon and his Mommy came to visit.  The two of you had so much fun playing together - it was as though you played together on a regular basis when the truth is you see each other about once a month, sometimes only once every other month.

Let's play Gordon!

Yeah Gordon - that's how it works!

Now let's try this one

You guys played in the living room for quite a while.....even Daddy got in on the action and made you both bucket heads!

 

After a little buckethead fun it was time for lunch.  First we had you boys eat and then it was time for the 'grown-ups' to eat.  While we were eating you and L.G. made your move.  I had put Hunter's pen across the dinning room entry so you couldn't escape but by working together the two of you managed to push it out of the way and gain access to the kitchen.....

L.G. escaping!

Before we knew it the time had come for our friends to leave.  Before they left we posed for pictures....you were exhausted by this time and not interested in saying "Cheese" but I think we got a few cute ones.

I love you Ana!

You did not want your Ana to leave but she promised to come back and play another day!  We are so thankful to our friends for coming to play!

Love
Mommy