Colin is ONE Month!

Dear Colin,

You are now one month old.  Your first four weeks of life simply flew by.  The weather was terrible so we were stuck inside most of the time which made it challenging to keep both you and your brother entertained and together but apart at times!

Your first week of life was challenging to say the least.  Your Grandma Mary was here and your Daddy put us to work trying to get some more tasks in the house complete.  We may have pushed a little too hard the first day home (going to 3 different stores) because Mommy was very tired later that day and was useless the following day.  You and I had to stay on the couch and poor Conor got underfoot and Daddy couldn't get his work done.  So, the rest of that week I was careful to take it a little slower.  Your grandma also had to leave a little sooner than we all expected.  We were so sad to see her go, she was amazing with Conor, loved on you so Mommy could spend some 1:1 time with your big brother, she helped keep the house clean and it was simply so nice to have her here.  I'll admit - when she left Mommy felt very nervous because I wasn't sure if I could do it without her.

The next three weeks are a complete blur - the task each day was really just to manage life.  We got up, ate breakfast, nursed, played with Conor, did lunch, took Conor for his nap ride, nursed some more, played more games/toys with Conor and then survived until dinner, bath bed for your brother and you.  Unfortunately, you are not a fabulous sleeper and you prefer to sleep on someone than alone and on your side instead of on your back.  Everyone swore that you would be my good sleeper but I am beginning to have my doubts!

This month we also discovered that you have acid reflux.  You were put on Zantac first but that constipated you and therefore you were changed to Prevacid.  This medication has worked much better for you and I don't hear you gurgle at night in your sleep.  Your reflux is the kind where you spit up a lot so we have burp cloths around the house everywhere because we never know when you might strike!

Conor continues to love you though he has been testing the waters.  He likes to smother you with hugs and rub his face all over yours.  We have tried to be tolerant of this to ensure that we don't create jealousy and you are handling his "love" very well.  However, he has started thinking its a game to run up to you and hit you (lightly but still hitting) to see what reaction you have.  We are working with him on this and you are never alone in a room with him. 

You continue to look a lot like your brother and the photos prove it!  Here are a few from your first month.

One Month Old! 

Wearing the same outfit Conor wore in his 1 month photo

So sweet!

Brothers

Sleeping on your first full day home

Conor wanted to lay in your crib with you while I cleaned your closet.

First nap in crib - lasted 10 minutes

First bath - 2 weeks old

First smile!

Your first month was a busy one little Colin - Can't wait to see what your second month brings!

xoxo
Mommy

TWO

Dear Conor,

Tonight I snuck into your room (as quiet as a mouse for fear of waking you) before I sat down to write this because I wanted to be near you, to freeze you in time.  Today was your second birthday and time is slipping by like sand through the hour glass.  This year has been a year of discovery, growth, frustration, sadness, and challenge but nothing can change that all in all the year has been a blessing.  You continue to amaze me each day with all that you learn, do, say, and feel.  Your independence makes me proud (though it might frustrate me at times) and your stubbornness reminds me of my own.  Your shyness is endearing and your comedic timing is awesome!

This year you have moved mountains.  You no longer stumble but run, you speak in sentences (fragmented as they are) instead of barely understood words.  You recognize your friends and ask for them by name when you miss them or are thinking of them.  You do the same with family (you call all your grandmas "mummum" and your grandpas "papa"  Danielle is "dani" Sarah is "yaya" Nolan is "yoyin") and you are very clear as to whom you are speaking about if we don't get it right the first time.  You have favorite things and preferences.  While you still have chubby hands, wrists, and ankles you have thinned out and no longer have the body of a rolly polly baby but that of a fast paced moving toddler but you are still beautiful.

You are a loving son.  You have started giving great big bear hugs and sweet little kisses.  You ask for "ups" when you are feeling sad, tired, or disconnected.  You amaze us everyday with your knowledge of the world around you.

This year, on your own, you mastered the letters of the alphabet.  You know what each one looks like and you can say them no matter how they are presented to you.  You also know your numbers though not as well.  You are learning to sing the alphabet by looking at the cards hanging on your playroom wall.  You also know your colors and have taken a strong preference to orange ("me wike arrange" you tell us).  You have taken swim classes and music classes and you have regular play dates with your friends.  You see your Jakan grandparents just about every week, your Papa Tom almost every month and you talk to your Trayner grandparents weekly via FaceTime.  Your aunts adore you and call you often and visit when they can.  Your godfather cherishes you and showers you with love and, even now, encourages you to be all you can.

Here is a list of your favorites as we perceive them:

Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Song: Wheels on the Bus
Favorite Book: Little Blue Truck
Favorite Character: Mickey Mouse & Thomas the Train
Favorite Activity: playing trains
Favorite Person: Baby Colin
Favorite Food: French Toast & Sausage
Favorite Comfort Item: "Ella" your blanket & Mommy

We no longer nurse and it has been wonderful to snuggle with you hold you close without needing to worry about you wanting milk.  In fact, you rarely ask anymore at all.  You are able to talk about Colin's milk and while I wouldn't say you are jealous you sometimes tell him he's had enough and you try to push him off the breast a little bit.  But you are easily reminded that he needs to drink milk and we often go and get you something to do, eat, or drink.

Speaking of Colin, a wrap up of your second year of life wouldn't be complete without talking about the amazing brother you have become.  Some thought you were too little to understand what was going on inside Mommy's tummy but I just knew they were wrong.  You had a strong connection to my pregnant stomach the entire time I was pregnant.  You kissed it, hugged it, talked to it, read it stories, and were always careful around the big belly.  You never exhibited any signs of jealousy and that did not change when Colin was born.  You were the first to see him and it was love at first sight.  You love him so dearly and while we struggle sometimes with how to safely love Colin I'm amazed at how tender you can be and how protective and proud of him you are.  You have loved introducing him to your friends and you never let your friends hold him without you right there.  His love for you is also very evident.  He smiles for you and tracks your every move with his eyes.  He stops crying when you laugh or bring him toys.  I pray that the two of you continue to be as close as you are now as you grow.

Conor, Mommy and Daddy both are so thankful to have you in our lives and we are so proud of the little man you have become over the last year.  But, no matter how much you grow you will always be our Baby!

Happy Second Birthday Conor Thomas.

xoxo
Mommy

First Birthday

Second Birthday

Adventures at Grandpa Tom's

Dear Conor,

During the time we lived at Grandpa Tom's you developed so much.  Your vocabulary took off and your interests because clearer.  You loved being outside in his yard either running in the grass (chase chase is what you liked to say) or picking up all the rocks in the drive way and putting them into different things (cups, bowls, your bike, your police car).  Sometimes it was a wrestling match to get you inside because you loved being in the yard.  So, when we had nothing to do - we spent as much time outside as we possible could.

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

Sometimes Daddy even gave you a special treat and let you practice your driving skills - Helmets for Safety!

August 13, 2013

 

 

Pooltime was a favorite activity - Grandpa had a lot of great spaces to put your pool depending on how hot it was outside.

08/29/3013

But nothing beats just running in the grass!

09/08/2013

A few days after these pictures were taken we moved into our new house - this was the last time we played in Grandpa's yard!

Conor and Hunter - 09/08/2013

We are so very thankful that Grandpa let us stay at his house while we waited for our house to be ready to live in!  We had a great summer there and having all that space allowed you to grow and develop and have a lot of fun!

xoxo
Mommy

Brotherly Love

Dear Colin,

Now that you have a name its easier to write these posts to you.  Your brother is highly in love with you and I mean that very sincerely!  Back in August he started really wanting to have you with him at all times.  When we sat on the couch together he would lift my shirt and rub my tummy and talk to "the baby".

28 weeks pregnant; 19 months old

A few weeks later (8.29.13) he refused to take a nap unless you were napping too so we all slept on the couch together while Daddy was out working.

30 weeks; 20 months old

He loves to give you kisses!

And relaxes with you every day - already sharing his books, toys, and ipad time with you!

33 weeks; 20 months

No matter where he is or what he is doing your big brother is looking out for you.  He always wants to make sure you are included in everything!

35 weeks; 21 months

I hope that he continues to love you as much as he does now when you are here and making lots of noise!  So far, here are the things your brother is willing to share with you:
* toys
* Hunter
* books
* juice
* beep beep (his police car)
* trains
* blocks

The only thing he says he won't share is milk (your brother still nurses once in a while).  We of course, are working on teaching him that babies need a lot of milk and that he will have to share.  I'm sure it will all work out! 

xoxo
Mommy

False Alarm

Dear Baby Do-rin (what your big brother calls you),

This past Friday we had a HUGE false alarm!  I honestly thought you were coming.  We had all the signs and symptoms of labor and so Mommy rushed out to the store because there were a few things that I didn't have for you that I really needed.  One, I needed a baby book.  I am so sorry to say that between caring for your brother and this move I haven't been as attentive to your needs as I would like to be.  I don't ever want you to feel like second fiddle simply because you were born second.  So, I went to 4 different stores to find you a baby book! 

Your brother also has developed a love for his old swaddle blankets so I bought you a set of your own.  His are bamboo and remind me of India where yours are muslin and have a cute jungle theme so there should never be any worries that they will get confused. 

Your brother also sleeps very well with a sound machine so I bought you the same one.  Even though you will be in our room for a while having you get used to the white noise will be great.

So, after a monumental shopping trip with contractions every 15 minutes and having to go the bathroom every 5 - I made the decision to call your Grandma Mary up to Maine.  Well - you are a little stinker because while Friday you continued to increase your contractions in both intensity and length by Saturday there were few and now there are none.  We walked and walked all day Saturday in an attempt to get things kick-started again but after a visit to the Chiropractor yesterday I learned you are not even engaged in my pelvis (silly baby - get down there!).  Of course, you might have spend some time down there but since the weekend you have retreated back into my abdomen and have been causing major heartburn and discomfort.  So I am to push on my upper abdomen and wear a little band to keep some pressure there in order to keep you from floating back up and causing me to vomit.

I really want to meet you Colin - you are seemingly every bit as stubborn as the rest of us and now at 39.5 weeks I'm not quite sure you are ready to come out.  No matter when you arrive or how stubborn you are please know we love you (and would love for you to come this weekend so you can trick or treat with us)!  Your brother is so excited to meet you and every day tells you to come play with him.  He loves spending time in your room and talking about all the things in the house that are yours.

Your clothes are washed, your bassinet is ready, your swing is up, your playgym is set up in the playroom - all we need is you!!! 

xoxo
Mom

Week 31 & a New House

Dear Baby,

Notice the name change?  Since we found out you were a boy I've been having a hard time calling you Apple and since big brother calls you "baby" about 1000 times a day I think I'll stick with that.

Do you have a name you ask?  Yes, you have a name but Mommy is not ready to announce it on the blog (or to most people for that matter) and therefore "Baby" you will be.

So, we are at 31 weeks, 9 weeks to go.  You are so incredibly active I don't know what to say.  You move and shake and punch and kick for what seems like 85% of any given 24 hours.  You have just started to give Mommy heartburn about once a day and you are still sitting pretty low.  Our doctors appointments have increased to every 2-3 weeks and I booked all of our final appointments with the last one being on October 31st but of course, you will be arriving on schedule therefore this appointment will not be needed - correct?!?

Mommy has gained 21 pounds this pregnancy which is now right on track.  Your heart rate continues to be strong and while you still are able to do full flips in my uterus you spend a lot of time head down (this is a good thing).  My pregnancy app. says that you are about 3.3 pounds right now and the midwife said you are likely to be just as big as your brother was give or take a pound (he was 8lbs 10.6 oz) so you still have a little growing to do.

So I have some big news baby - as of today you are no longer homeless!  Mommy and Daddy signed all the paperwork for your home.  Since you are going to be living in hand-me-downs the least we could do was get you a new house right?!?  Just kidding (on the hand-me-downs) - Mommy has bought you a few brand new things just for you because you are special and deserve it. 

We love you and can't wait to see you!

And I was doing well

There was a point where I was getting caught up on this blog and now another whole month has gone by. 

Since the last time I wrote so many things have happened that it would be a shame to forget them all - thank goodness for iphones and FB or no one would have any idea what was going on in our lives right now.  Baby #2 is growing beautifully and we are hoping he will wait just a little bit longer before making his debut because we are trying to settle into our new home as quickly as possible.  Conor's room is as done as it needs to be and the nursery, guest room (where my mom will stay), and our bedroom are between 50-85% there.  Bathrooms are functional and the living areas are as done as they need to be (minus the clutter as we use them for staging areas).  Conor has settled into the new house and calls it "me house" and has met many of the neighborhood children and developed a friendship with the 5 year old boy who lives next door.

Josh and I are both scrambling to get caught up on our jobs, finish the house, and spend special moments with Conor these last few days where he is our one and only.

My mom has spend a weekend and really helped to get the move-in ball rolling, friends have been amazing - coming to spend time with Conor each week so that I could get house projects done, and Josh's parents have helped with both playing with Conor and helping us lug things around the garage since my days of heavy lifting are over.  We are truly thankful for the help!

Once we are more settled I promise a house tour :)

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