Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day 2014

It seems that we have started a tradition of sorts for Mother's Day and hopefully it is one that continues for a while because its a nice alternative to a luncheon in an overcrowded restaurant (at least that's this mom's opinion!).  We head over to Funtown as moms get in for free (both our boys are free currently) and therefore we only have to pay for one Dad!  We also spend the day with Grandma Janet and Grandpa Dennis.

This was Conor's second year riding the rides and while Colin is still pretty little he was able to go on a few things.  Mostly though, he hung out with Mommy in the carrier and took a nice long nap before taking in the sights and there was a LOT to see!

The first thing we did was the Merry-go-round.  Conor has not wanted to ride the horses at the mall so we weren't sure how this would turn out.  But, there was a dragon and he was very excited to ride the dragon and have me take a picture for his friend Lachlan who had celebrated his birthday with a dragon theme the day before!  While Conor rode the dragon with Daddy standing close by, Colin rode a horse with me.  Of course, he was safely tucked in his Kinderpack while we were on the horse.

First Amusement Park Ride EVER!!!  6.5 Months Old!

 After the Merry-go-Round, Josh and Conor went on the race track cars.  Conor was allowed to drive and he seemed to have a lot of fun.  It was hard to capture pictures because the driver seat was never near any of the viewing areas.

Then it as time for the Ferris Wheel.  Conor had seen it while on the cars and asked if we could go.  We had one person too many for the ride so Conor went with Grandma and Grandpa for his first amusement ride without his parents.  Colin rode with Mommy and Daddy - this time he fell asleep in his Kinderpack.  Babywearing is such a wonderful thing - it allows us to do so many amazing things while keeping Colin on his schedule and safe from harm.  I'm so glad that I learned how to babywear and all its benefits early on with Conor because both he and Colin (and Josh and I too) have reaped the benefits!  Conor spend a good part of his ride looking up and down for the balloon Josh and I were in.  It was fun to watch his face as he realized we were above or below him.

Colin experiencing life as an only child; even if just for one ride

Looking for Mommy and Daddy

After our ride we ventured to the other side of the park where the children's rides were.  First we ate a little bit of lunch because everyone was very hungry.  Conor immediately wanted to ride on the swings.  He did these a few times.  Its great because there are never any lines and there are so many swings that he can ride a few times in a row.  I do believe they are his favorite ride at the park.

Colin had to sit most of these rides out so he enjoyed spending his time with me!  We found a nice spot to sit and nurse once he woke up.

And then Conor came over after his swing ride to say hi (Daddy was waiting in line for him at the helicopters).  These two little guys are my world and I hope I am the best mother to them that I can be!

Helicopters are so much fun!  Conor was big enough this year to push the bar himself which enabled him to decide if he was up high in the air or down low on the ground!

Seeing Conor spend time with Grandma and Grandpa is always nice (Colin spends time with them too of course - but he's not mobile yet!).  I have a picture like this from last year too and its sweet to look back and see how much he's grown in just a year.  Last mother's day I was pregnant with Colin when we were at the park!

This year Conor was big enough to ride some of the rides himself.  He went on two water based rides and LOVED them.  The first was a small ride where the parents are always within arms reach of the boat but the canoe ride was like a lazy river.  He was very good about keeping his hands in the canoe and holding the little rope they gave him.  The current pushed him along and he was so excited to see us every time he rounded a corner.  During these rides Colin was in the stroller watching and interacting with the family.  Maybe next year we will let him ride with Conor.

It was such a busy day that the boys were very tired when they got home.  Everyone went to bed very early and feel asleep hard!

Perhaps Colin went to bed a little too early or maybe he just wanted some alone time with his mommy on this, his first mother's day, because he was bright eyed and bushy tailed around 11pm.  So after some snuggles and some warm milk he went to bed with me.

It was such a wonderful day with my little men and my extended family.  I can't wait to do it again next year!  Happy Mother's Day!

xoxo
Erin

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

Swimming Lessons

Dear Conor,

We are now participating in your second session of Water Babies through Kennebunk Recreation.  This session is held at Quest Fitness every Saturday morning at 9am.  You continue to LOVE the water and the ability to bring you to a pool on a weekly basis is enjoyable for both Daddy and I as well.  Often we both get in the pool with you but on this particular day (October 20) I sat out so that I could take some pictures and videos of all you have learned!

swimming towards Mommy

Participaing in Circle Time

This session you have really started to blossom in class.  You are very vocal when we do singing in a group and you LOVE to splash your hands in the water.  You are trying to blow bubbles but you haven't quite figured it out so you often get a little sip of the water with each try.  You are kicking your feet when you swim now - SO excited about this!  You no longer have to be lifted off the wall as you freely fall forward into the water each time.  You also have adopted a special toy at swimming lessons that you play with each class - its a sea captain.  Daddy or I throw him into the water and you jump in after him!

Showing Mommy the Captain

Swimming after the Captain

Kicking your Feet

I was able to get a little video of you jumping off the wall and swimming - its not the best quality but you are able to see your little legs moving under the water!

Happy Swimming little man!

xoxo
Mommy

Josh's Birthday Surprise!

Conor and I had been working on a special surprise for Josh's birthday for a few weeks and this past Sunday we got to present it to him!  We woke Josh up early and then we all jumped in the car for a little ride to an undisclosed location.  Josh was tired because he had been out the night before so he wasn't paying as much attention to our travel which as perfect because I wanted it to be a BIG surprise!  When we were almost at the exit I told Josh where we were going. 

Conor and I arranged for Daddy to have a nice massage and man pedicure at the Wentworth by the Sea Spa in New Castle, New Hampshire.  While Daddy was getting his massage and pedicure Conor and I had to find things to busy ourselves with.  First we had breakfast in the dinning room.  We ordered a small breakfast because we also planned on having lunch with Daddy when he was all done.

Playing Peek-a-Boo

I see Conor!

Conor sees Mommy

After breakfast we decided to bundle up Conor and take a nice walk and see if he wouldn't take a nap for me.  I had his little stroller which is great for shopping trips but he doesn't like it as much as the other and so he got close to sleep a few times but never let himself drift off.  So, since it wasn't too bad out I figured maybe we could spend some time playing outside since the hotel was very busy inside and the places I would have brought him to play were either occupied by a function or closed off.  So, we went to the back veranda to play.

Playing on "Truth" the boat on the veranda

A natural sailor he is!

Nothing like crawling on chilly slate :)

Hi Mom!

After playing with the boat and some toys for a while we decided to take another little walk to put the toys back in the truck and then head inside to warm up.  When we rounded the side of the hotel we saw Daddy just getting out of the hot tub.  So, we went inside to get ourselves cleaned up so we could all enjoy lunch together.

Conor was getting tired towards the end of our lunch and so we let him out of the high chair and under the table to play a little bit.  Josh was upset because we were "those parents" but Conor didn't disturb anyone and the tablecloth was so long no one knew he was under there (there were also about 6 other people in the whole dinning room.

After lunch we went outside to take some pictures of Daddy and Conor as the Wentworth has beautiful grounds.

This was Conor's second time at the Wentworth little man (the first time was when your Auntie came with us) and you were as well behaved at 9 months as you were at 2!

When we got home it was time to love on Hunty (Thank you Grandma Janet for watching him for us!) and relax and play until bedtime.

Conor was having so much fun playing and he was actually showing me his teeth so I had to pull out the nice camera and snap a few pictures while I could.

Teeth!

Practicing walking with my new toy

Determined steps

cherub baby

Happy Birthday Josh!  Thank you for being a wonderful husband, an amazing Daddy and an overall good man!

xoxo
Erin