A Day on the Farm

Dear Conor,

On September 13, 2012 we went to the farm in New Gloucester; Pineland Farms.  There we visited with the cows, calves, pigs, chickens, and enjoyed the company of some of your friends.  This was the first time I had ever taken you to a farm and you weren't quite sure what to think when it came to all the animals (especially the cows who were much bigger than you). 


We decided to bring your wagon instead of your stroller as I wasn't sure what the grounds were like and knew that we could rinse off the wagon much easier than your stroller in the event that it got animal poo on it.  But, everything was very clean so there was really nothing to worry about!

Baby S checking out your wagon......

Entering the cow barn with Baby A in your wagon......neither of you were too excited about the cows

Visiting the cows with Mommy.....and Mommy kept you safe!

After visiting the big cows we walked over the the nursery where they keep the baby cows.  You and I had a hard time visiting these baby cows because it upset Mommy to see that they were not able to be with their Mommy's but the farm had its reasons - we just didn't like it so we didn't spend a lot of time with the babies.

Baby A peering at a baby cow

shhhh......this baby was sleeping!

There were some yearlings in the nursery and Babies M and S enjoyed giving them some hay.  You tried to help Mommy give them some hay but you were very nervous so you just watched me do it.  One little yearling was very curious and licked Mommy's hand!

M & S feeding the yearlings

 After visiting the cows we climbed the big hill to the other barns to see the pigs and chickens and relax in the shade of the big Willow tree.  There was a slide and a playhouse for some of the older kids to enjoy.

Piggies

Baby S with her Grandma Linda who was our Tuesday Group Leader

Conor & Joyce with Baby Q and her Mom Dakotah relaxing in the sun

 After enjoying the outdoors we all headed into the beautiful marketplace to look at all the fresh and organic foods that were available for purchase and to also get lunch.  We shared a fruit salad and Mommy also got a small sandwich.  It was a lovely lunch and you even ate a little bit of a strawberry!

After lunch playtime!

Beautiful Baby Q

After you played in the market place for a little bit and then you and Baby Q played outside while the Mommies talked it was time to go home.

We had a lovely day on the farm and I am certain that we will go back again in the spring unless we decide to check out their snowshoeing trails!

xoxo
Mommy

Fall is in the Air

An early evening family walk required a NorthFace and blanket for Conor, a shirt for Hunter & sweatshirts for Mommy and Daddy - fall is certainly in the air . . . . . but we're still having fun!

9.10.12

Smiling at Hunter

Rosy Cheeks from the chill

Even Hunter and Daddy needed layers!

I actually love walking with my family in the early fall evenings as there are no bugs and the cool air feels good on your skin and lungs!

xoxo
Erin

Return to Storyland

Dear Conor,

On September 8, 2012 we returned to Storyland.  The reason we went back was that when we went with the Fillip Family back in July we were able to get tickets for another full day because we arrived within 3 hours of the park closing.  Since we were in need of some family time (Mommy and Daddy had been working too hard at their jobs and taking shifts with you and family time is very important) we decided to reconnect as a family by going to Storyland with you and leaving the working world behind.  Grandma Janet was nice enough to watch Hunter for us so that we could go because he can't go to Storyland (thank you Grandma!).

You napped on the way so Daddy and I talked and listened to the radio.  You woke up as we were putting your stroller together so I changed you, put on your sunblock and off we went!

Mommy brought her new camera to practice taking pictures with - and our first stop was your first character meeting.  Curious George was sitting down greeting visitors and we decided to give it a try.  When it was your turn to see C.G. Daddy carried you up to him.  Daddy said that you grabbed his shirt real tight and held on - he didn't think that you were going to let go.  You didn't want to really look at C.G. nor did you want to get too close to him but you did NOT cry and that was a BIG plus!

Daddy - I'm not so sure about this

Mommy!!!!

Holding CG.'s hand

I was so proud of you for not crying and so were the people standing in line behind you!  The mommy even said she was shocked that you did not cry given it was your first time!

After C.G. we went for a little walk around the areas that we had not really visited when we were there last.  We saw Heidi's Grandfather's house in the mountains, visited the village where Cinderella was having tea with some young ladies, and took a back path into the rides area.  There we slowly made our way to the tractors that you had enjoyed so much on your first visit.  I did not get any pictures but Daddy did take a video of you driving!

After the tractors we went to your first theater production called "Farm Follies" it was all about what plants need to grow (water and sun and no bugs).  You really liked the animated puppets and all the lights and colors.

The stage

Posing with some of the 2-D characters

After the Farm Follies we went over the the nursery rhyme/fairy tale section of Storyland where we rode both the Swan boat AND the Merry-go-round.  The Swan Boat ride was very relaxing and you seemed to enjoy watching the butterflies get their color back as we participated in the story about Butterfly Island.  You liked the Merry-go-Round but not as much as the first time.  Both Daddy and I felt that it went a little faster this time - almost TOO fast!

Such a good Daddy - making sure you are all buckled in and ready for the ride.

Giving you a chance to do it youself but still there for support

Daddy and Conor

After the Merry-go-Round we looked in the shops and then played in the grass a little bit before it was time to go home.

I had a wonderful time at Storyland with you and Daddy my little man - you are a joy to spend time with and you bring out the BEST qualities in your Daddy!

Just one more because I love your little face!

xoxo
Mommy

Music Class #1

Dear Conor,

We signed you up for Music Class.  Now, I know you are wondering why Daddy and I seem to always be taking you places and signing you up for activities.  Truth be told its because you enjoy them!  You loved swimming (so much so that you are signed up for the next session) and you love when we sing to you and any toy that has a sound component to it so we thought music class would be a great fall activity.

We are taking your class through the Little Music Maker and we had your first class on Friday, September 7th.  The class is held in Portland so you took your morning nap on the way to class.  You have several friends in class with you which seemed to make you very comfortable with the class right from the start.

When we arrived you went straight to the drum which was in the middle of the circle and your friend Baby C was banging on it.

The music teacher is very nice and she had lots of songs for us Mommies to sing and lots of things for you babies to do!  She had a bucket of music eggs.  They must have little pebbles of sand in them because they make a sandy sound when you shake them.  You participated in that a little bit but what you really wanted to do was EAT the eggs!  You have started teething aggressively again and the poor eggs didn't stand a chance!

Passing out the shaking eggs - Mommies were supposed to shake the eggs to the beat of the music and encourage babies to mimic.

No shaking by you Con-man - just chewing!

Hoarding the eggs from your friends Baby C and B!

After the egg shaking there was a basket of musical instruments brought out for all the babies and Mommies to experiment with.  There were bells, shakers, noise sticks, and so many other things....

maracas and a penguin tambourine were just some of the things in the basket

bells

and a whale clacker!

After the magic basket was put away we danced with silky scarves to different types of music, read a musical story about the Mother Duck and her ducklings, and then it was time for a goodbye song.

Baby G watching Miss Ellie sing the Goodbye song

Conor listening to the Goodbye song

 Of course, we couldn't leave until you had tried playing the guitar - just once!

You seemed to have a great time at music class so I can't wait to take you again!  Daddy is also going to take you on some Fridays so we will both get to experience music class with you!

xoxo
Mommy

A Pickle off the Old Block

Dear Conor -

Somedays I simply don't know what else to do but laugh.  You have been giving me a very difficult time with solid foods.  You just don't seem to want to eat.  You cry and want my food but then when I try to give it to you I get a scrunched up nose and you shake your head.  You refuse to open your mouth for pureed food and anything I put on your high chair tray ends up as a snack on the floor for Hunter.

So, today (9.6.12) I was sitting on the floor playing with you and eating a deli style dill pickle.  I love pickles.  Your Auntie Cathlin loves pickles and so does your Uncle Sean.  As kids we used to eat a jar a week and always wanted the pickles off our parents plates.  I'm not sure about your Uncle Sean anymore but Auntie and I still love us some pickles!  Funny thing is though - when I was pregnant with you I didn't eat that many pickles even though they say all women crave them!

So, back to our day.  I was sitting on the floor just munching on my pickle when your little face popped up in front of mine and the next thing I know your little mouth is closing in on my pickle!  So what's a Mommy to do?  I let you have it!

Going in for the bite

I admit - I was a little shocked when I did not get a sour face from you and you went back in for more pickle.  You simply kept sucking the juice from the pickle and munching a little bit on the core of it.

Yum Yum!

So, there is no doubt about it Conor - you are a pickle off the old block (ha ha ha)!

xoxo
Mommy

Cousin Love

Dear Conor,

While were were on the Cape for Labor Day we went and hung out with Baby Nolan.  He has grown a lot since we last saw him and he even smiles a little bit here and there!

We tried to get some pictures of you and Nolan but you just wanted to give Nolan kisses or crawl away and lay with the few toys that were on the ground!

playing with the toys

Sweet Nolan

Cousins!

Wanting to love on Nolan

Mommy with Conor and Nolan

We stayed and visited with Nolan for a little while and then we all went to Mashpee Commons to eat lunch and look around the stores.  Grandma and Daddy had fun with you at the Pottery Barn store.

I love the basket that they put you in but Daddy said there is no room in our home for it so we had to leave it at the store.

We had a great time visiting our Cape Cod Family and we can't wait to see them again later this month when Great Grandma comes to visit!

xoxo
Mommy

Friends

Dear Conor,

On our way back home from visiting our family we stopped in and saw your good friend Little Gordon.  We didn't have a chance to visit for a super long time but we stayed long enough for the two of you to enjoy some time together both inside and outside.

Little Gordon has some toys that you have never seen before so you really seemed to like playing with them.  He had musical instruments as well as blocks and an activity table that none of your friends have.

Playing Blocks (or eating them)

Little Gordon - 11 months old

Conor - 8 months old

learning to share toys

After playing inside for a little while Little Gordon took us for a walk down to the playground/splash park near his house.  The splash park was closed because all the kids went back to school but the playground was open and we had lots of fun swinging on the swings.

And then of course there are the required photos - I love taking pictures of you and LG every time the two of you get together because several years from now his mommy and I will be able to look back and see how much you grew.

Add caption

I also let you crawl around a bit - or I thought I was letting you but you had other plans - you wanted to get to the Hunter!

You decided that you would walk him back to the car yourself......of course, that was not going to happen but you held onto his leash for a bit at the park until it was time to go.

"walking Hunter"

Next time we go to visit LG we plan to be able to stay longer so that the two of you will have more time together...but anytime with friends is time well spent no matter how short :)

xoxo
Mommy