two and a half!

Dear Conor,

This past Saturday we celebrated your 1/2 birthday.  I can't believe you are officially 2.5 years old - such a big kid!  You continue to amaze us everyday with your laughter, your kindness, your spirit, your development, and your ability to ALWAYS keep us on your toes.  You are such an amazing little man.

Currently you are wearing a mix of clothing sizes.  Shirts are most often 2T but your pants/shorts are anywhere from 12-18 to 2T depending on brand.  You still have stubby little feet and are wearing a size 5.5W shoe.  You are 33" tall and weigh 28lbs (as per the last check at the doctor's office during one of Colin's well-being checks).  You are in size 4 diapers.

You always sleep through the night now.  Bedtime is a breeze.  We have dinner as a family, you get a bath (this is your special time with Daddy) and then he brushes your teeth, reads you a story, sings you a song, and puts you to bed.  You tend to go to bed anywhere between 6:30pm and 7:30pm depending on when we had dinner and how sleepy you are.  You currently sleep with a pillow and your "ella" blanket as well as a Minnie Mouse and a book.  In order to sleep you need to have your music, your elephant humidifier and your dinosaur night light all turned on.  You are quite the mover in your sleep and I'm never certain where in your crib you will be when I peek in on you via the monitor.  You have spent one night in a toddler bed at Grandma and Grandpa's house when we went down recently but you (and we) are not ready for that BIG step just yet.  You typically sleep until 7am.  You have been taking "rest" time since turning two and more often than not you are falling asleep for at least an hour.  This week its been more like 90 minutes, sometimes even 2 hours so I'm certain you are growing!

so sweet!

You are still a stinker when it comes to eating!  You do not like to try new things.  Waffles, French Toast, Chickie, noodles, fruit, pickles, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, and popcorn are what you will eat.  Mommy tries to get you to experience new foods but I simply won't force you.  Instead I sneak in veggies and other things that are good for you and you take a vitamin twice a day.  I will often mix ground flax seed in with your pancake mix, muffin mix, smoothies.  I put chia seeds in your smoothies and pancake mixes and sometimes in your yogurt (which you still think is ice cream).  I freeze veggie babyfood pouches in popsicle molds and you love eating them!  Its a battle of will little guy and Mommy wins sometimes :)

 

You use a fork or a spoon 90% of the time and you seem to have a preference for your left hand at this time.  Though you still switch during the meal so it remains to be seen which will become your predominant hand.  I have recently started teaching you how to drink from a cup or water bottle.  You still like to keep your entire mouth open when you drink so its a little tricky but you will get there.

 

Your vocabulary is amazing.  There is simply no other word for it.  You have so many words I can't even begin to count them.  You can sing songs, recite nursery rhymes and books, you remember lines to movies and apply them appropriately in your life (your famous line right now is "I can't" which is from the movie Frozen - we can't stand when you say this!).  You can sing your ABCs, you recognize all the letters and you can count to 17.  You can spell your name and Colin's name and little did we know - you can spell FROZEN.  You are slowly learning to use proper words to describe actions and past/present tense (i.e. we went, I did, they did).  Its so much fun to watch you learn.  You know your colors, you know quite a few shapes, and you are able to touch and count up to 10.  Some of your conorisms that are still around are:

"ella" - is your blanket or elephants
"ya ya" - now only refers to Auntie Sarah
"bedopbedop" - dinosaurs
"Talin" - Colin
"Tonor" - Conor
"poppop" - popsicle
"my sings" - my swings
"ahhh" - water/drinks

You also have a funny way of emphasizing certain words, sounds, phrases.  Its hard to put them to paper but the inflection in your voice when you say thing often makes me laugh.  Some of the things you say make me laugh (and others) not only because of what you say but how you say it and when.  You will often blurt out "I so excited" in a high pitched voice when doing something you want to do (this makes Sharon laugh every time).  When on the swings going really high you have started to say "this is Ammmazing" which is from the movie Frozen.  The other night you said to Colin "don't touch my penis baby Colin, I trying to pee on the floor."  Mommy couldn't help but laugh because I was so proud that you knew you were needing to pee but it was funny just the same.  Another famous thing you say is "he so happy" every time you pull Colin's binkie out of his mouth.  We are not certain where you got this from but its cute.

Some of your favorite things are:
(1) to be outside playing - you get so very upset when its time to come in
(2) the movie FROZEN
(3) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Show
(4) playing trains & trucks
(5) going to the mailbox
(6) going to the park/beach
(7) playing "rescue" with your tow truck and fire truck
(8) doing things "all by myself"

You continue to be a great big brother to Colin.  Sometimes it challenging for you because you want so very much to play with all the toys and you don't always want to wait for his needs to be taken care of (and he's a needy guy).  We have had a few moment of difficulty but Daddy and I are trying to be patient and remember that this is new for you too.  Now that Colin is older and actually plays we have noticed you getting a little bit more jealous and wanting to share toys less but its something we are working on.  Despite what might go on at home during playtimes you are still always so proud to introduce him over and over again to your friends and people we meet.  You also are able to make him laugh like no other - he lights up when he sees you and the two of you are hilarious together.  You try very hard to engage in him your play and you offer him toys or his binkie when he is upset.  We have enjoyed watching you grow as Colin has grown, as your role of big brother has changed.

In another 6 months you will be three and 1/2 way through your first year of school.  I know all to well that day will be here before we know it (and we will celebrate with a Mickey Mouse theme according to you) because time moves so quickly these days.  Happy 1/2 birthday little man - we love you!

xoxo
Mama & Dadda

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

First Birthday Letter

Dear Conor,

Just looking back at this blog reaffirms my feeling that this past year has been full of so many firsts, an incredible amount of love, and the growth of a bond between you and I that simply can't be explained in words or measured in any way shape or form.

For nine months and 2 weeks you grew inside me.  I gave you shelter, kept you warm, and kept you safe from the world you were not ready to enter.  Now, 365 days later, I still give you shelter, keep you warm and safe.  I wrap my arms around you when you are hungry, tired, overwhelmed, or in need of reassurance.  My arms provide you the comfort you desire and act as a barrier to the sometimes overstimulating world we live in.  When my arms encircle you I feel your body relax, your tears subside, and your breathing become calm and consistent.  In that moment I feel like the most powerful woman in the world.....it is in these moments I understand a mother's undying desire to always ensure the safety and security of her children no matter how old they are.  As I hold and rock you at night I know that one day my arms will no longer encircle you and you will no longer fit in my lap.  So, on this night - more so than others I will hold you just a bit longer before putting you down to sleep.

In this last year you have taught me more about myself than I ever knew before.  You have shown me that I am strong and I am brave - but most importantly you have taught your mother what it means to love unconditionally and without hesitation.  You are my greatest accomplishment Conor - the thing in life I am most proud of.  For this I will always be grateful. 

While your Mommy has spent the last year learning about herself - you have spent the last year growing!  You entered this world at 8lbs. 10.6 oz and one year later you are weighing in at 20lbs 5oz.  You have grown roughly 8.5 inches.  You spent your first week in newborn sized clothing and you are now wearing mostly 12 months and some 12-18.  You have a size 4.5W foot that is no longer covered in cute little booties but wears Stride Rite shoes.  You were born such a little round ball of pudge but now - you are lean.  There are very few rolls left to be seen - your ankles, wrists, and knees are still undefined but the rest of you looks less and less like a baby and more and more like a toddler by the day. 

Your blue eyes have grayed but your hair remains a ruddy brown.  Many people marvel over the fact that your hair has the same highlights and lowlights that mine does and I love that we share that trait.  Some strangers consider you to have auburn hair as it appears quite red in certain lights - your eyebrows have yet to come in so your true hair color remains to be seen. 

You have your Grandma Mary's nose and at times your Grandma Janet's smile.  You hair texture comes from your Grandpa Dennis but your profile and mannerisms are 100% your Grandpa Tom (you could be his twin).  You are stubborn (like your Daddy) but smart and you are kind.  You are a perfect combination of all the members of your family and they all love you so very much. 

In one year you have learned to hold your head up, to push up on your arm, to sit, to crawl, to stand, to walk and to run.  You have learned to eat with a spoon (though you sometimes miss) and therefore you have gone from just milk to sharing meals with Mommy and Daddy (sometimes).  You drink from a straw and love water.  You are a social butterfly and love eating in restaurants.  You are not a napper and not the best sleeper but I know it won't be like this forever so for now, I cherish the extra time late at night or early in the morning that I get with you (though sometimes even I forget this when I am really tired).

You don't have a special comfort item or a favorite toy but you LOVE books.  You are an avid reader and always want to bring books every where you go.  You love your wagon and most recently your sled.  You observe the world around you so carefully I always wonder what you are thinking and can't wait for the day when your words come easily and fluidly.  When you were born you could barely utter a sound other than a strained cry and now you laugh, yell, and have an ever growing vocabulary (dad, hunter, mamma, read, book, duck, quack, moo, yes, this, up).  You are learning to sign "more" and "milk".  You communicate by pointing and waiting for us to follow you.  You still love baths.

One of the memories I will never forget from this year Conor is when you were learning to walk.  You would hold my fingers so tightly and in the other hand you would hold a tiny leaf, stick, or little treasure - as though it was helping you to keep your balance.  It reminded me so much of the moment in Dumbo when he is learning to fly and he holds tight to a feather.  Now, barely a week later you have taken flight and you have left my fingers and your "feather" behind.  But not matter how far you go you will always be that "Baby of Mine."

Happy FIRST Birthday to my Sweet Baby Boy.......thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy!



12.14.2011 - 11:47pm seconds old.

12.14.2012 - 11:42pm - Happy Birthday Conor!

 

12.15.2011 - 2:15pm (not even 24 hours old)



12.14.2012 - 10:30am  Birthday Boy!

12.14.2012 - 1 year old