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

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

Growing Up....

Dear Conor,

You are growing up!  You just turned 2.25 years old and I can't believe all that you can do.  Your vocabulary and love for learning is amazing...here is where you are at:

* can sing ABCs and can identify individual letters out of order
* can count to fourteen independently and recognize numbers out of order 1-10
* Can sing "Ring-a-round the Rosie" "Twinkle Twinkle" "Rock-a-bye Baby" "ABC"
* You know your colors and have started learning which primary colors make secondary colors.
* You can spell your name, Daddy (Dadddy), and can recognize Mommy, Colin & Hunter when spelt for you.
* You know your address ("I wive on gawwison oaks") thought its not very clear
* You know what the traffic light colors are and what the colors mean
* You have started "reading" books.....you are able to recite them after hearing them or even before
* You know all visible body parts and are starting to understand differences between girls and boys
* You love to play learning games - we have started matching same items and you often bring me two things and ask "same?" and get excited when I see they are the same. 
* You can put a button through a button hole on a felt board
* You have started learning the names of our individual fingers
* You have started identifying the sex of a person when you speak.  "I see HIM" when looking at a male and "I love HER" when talking about a female.

Conorisms:
* Baby Do-Ro has been replaced with Talwin
* Bibits (Mickey) has been replaced with Mickey Mouse
* Bedopedoop is still what you call your dinosaurs but you are now able to say dinosaur when you want to
* ahhhh......is still what you use for the word drink (though you can say water, milk, juice)
* wawa - water
* tames - games
* Hear dat - "do you hear that?"  usually said when you hear an airplane or Colin crying
* I need it - a recent development (one we don't like)

Potty Training
You are a funny little character.  You know when you have gone to the bathroom and instead of saying you did you walk up to Daddy or I and say "no pee" or "no poop" and we instantly know you need to be changed!  You have used the potty several times and sometimes after several hours your diaper is dry but at other times it will be heavily soaked within an hour so its clear you are not quite ready yet!

BIG brother
You continue to be an amazing big brother.  You are the best diaper changing partner there is.  Always ready to grab a diaper, wipes, and the "butt stick" for Mommy or Daddy.  You often try to share your toys with Colin and your ears are always ready to pick up his cry (sometimes before we do).  You love to point him out to people ("dat Talwin" is what you say) and you always involve him in your play in some way, shape or form.  Sometimes you have to be reminded that he is a baby and that you have to be gentle with him and approach him slowly but overall you are great with him.  You always have to kiss him goodnight and you have recently started saying "I love you Talwin" when you go to bed (or I love him).  He is very lucky to have you Conor!

BIG CHANGES
We have signed you up for preschool!  You start this September and we are very excited and nervous.  Its just a few hours a few days a week but we know you are ready to spread your wings just a bit!

I LOVE YOU

Dear Conor,

It was only fitting that the week of valentine's day you started saying the phrase "I love you".

We love you too little man!

xoxo
Mommy

Conorisms

Conor's vocabulary is growing too fast to write down all the words and phrases but I wanted to take a quick snapshot of some of the more interesting ones before we loose the first attempts to the real words.

Mickey Mouse - "bibits"
Minnie Mouse - "minmin"
Baby Colin - "Baby Do-Ro"
Sarah - "yaya"
Grandma - "mummum"
Nolan - "yolie"
Carter - "RoRo"
Braden - "Bray ray"
blueberries - "bwubewies"
Elephant - "Ella"
Diaper - "diapdiap"
Food - "num nums"
Drink - "ahhhh"
Stairs - "steps"
Dinosaur - "bedoopbedoop"
Elmo - "la la"
Car - "beep beep"
ABCs - "AB9s"

Most used phrases:
"me take baftub with Dada" said every night after dinner
"escuse you baby do-ro" said every time Colin burps, poops, spits up
"me wrest in mama's bed" said whenever the idea of a nap is brought up
"mama dada baby do-ro n me" said whenever he wants the family to do something together
"back to me house" he loves his house and often asks to go back to it when we drive away
"baby do-ro touched me" said whenever he makes Colin touch him
"mama/dadda wread dis book a me" said throughout the day when he wants a book read to him

A Greater Meaning

Dear Conor and Colin,

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words and those words might be  expressive, literal, figurative or meaningless.  During your birth Colin, there were many pictures captured but one holds my heart.

This is a picture of your brother cutting your umbilical cord.  Once the cut was complete you were an individual; you no longer relied on me for your life.  Your blood started pumping of its own accord and your lungs were your only source of oxygen. 

Now, many people might have picture of Dad's cutting cords but this picture is different from those.  This picture says more than just "welcome to the world".  This picture says things that may never have a place being said outloud to anyone.  Because of this, I am writing them down for you boys to forever know how special your relationship is & how special you each are to me.

Colin, Conor will always take care of you.  He is your protector, your friend, your brother.  He will make certain you are always safe, warm, loved, and given the chance to be who you want to be.  He will not require you to walk in his shadow but will step aside when needed to give you room to grow and spread your wings.  However, he will be quick to put you in your place if you stray in the wrong direction.

Conor, Colin will forever look up to you.  He will want to mimic your actions, words, and beliefs - so proceed with caution but not so much caution that you hold back who you are and who you were meant to be.  Colin will be your sounding board, your protector, and your scapegoat - just don't get him into too much trouble please.

I am your mom.  And this picture says to me how lucky I am to have two loving sons.  Two boys who will see each other through the best and worst of time.  Who will potentially serve as the others best man at their respective weddings, who will comfort the other when times of sadness and hurt surface, and who will jest and cheer the other on when the time is right.  I love you both so very much and this picture captures the moment when one (Mommy & Colin) became two; but when two (Conor & Colin) also became one.....and together we are a team of three. 

First Glance

First Hug

Mommy and her Loves!

I love you boys!

xoxo
Mommy

PS.  Grandma Mary is also in this picture (that's her red fingernail) and so this picture also captures three generations bringing a new individual into the world.

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

Happy Birthday Colin!

Dear Colin,

You came into this world in your own special way.  At 4:15am on October 31, 2013 you woke me up by creating a hole in the bag of waters.  I honestly thought it was urine leaking so I got up and went to the bathroom.  There, I peed, and then went back to bed only to have more liquid exit my body.  At that point I woke your Dad up by saying "I think my water broke."  He was very calm (actually - overtired as he had only come to bed an hour earlier as he was working so he would be free to trick or treat) and said to me "don't over-react you could be like those ladies that don't go into labor for days after their water breaks" and then he rolled over and went back to bed.  More water came out and so I called your Grandma Mary to let her know what was going on.  Then I woke your Daddy up and told him that I was sure my water broke and why didn't we just start getting things ready.

Your Daddy got up and started to get his things together and I jumped in the shower.  While in the shower my contractions started getting closer together and within minutes I heard your brother waking up (it was about 5am at this point) and so when I got out of the shower he was in my bed playing on the ipad while Daddy was downstairs putting food together for Conor.  The contractions were getting really strong at this point so the midwives were called and I was told to head to the hospital.  While waiting for Daddy to make sure Big Brother's things were packed (we had just unpacked all his snacks the night before in order to replace the things we felt should be eaten or switched up) Big Brother was helping Mommy to stay calm.  He touched my hand and said "Mamma" a few times.  He also kept talking about "baby heartbeat" because we had told him the night before that we would be hearing your heartbeat the next day at the doctor's office - and Conor does not forget things!

Daddy finally got everything loaded into the car and got Hunter settled and we drove up to the hospital.  Daddy took care of Conor while Mommy focused on getting into the hospital and up to the correct floor.  I was admitted immediately (it was once again shift change - both you boys liked to start things at shift change) and we spoke with the midwife who was just getting ready to come off her shift (Jerri).  Unfortunately, we had some bad news for her - the midwife who was coming on was one that we had said we did not want to work with and she checked out a few things and ended up staying with us.  I felt terrible because I didn't want to be a pain but I could not deliver you with that other woman.

The first thing Jerri did was make sure we were settled and then she checked me.  I was 6-7cm dilated which was far more progress on my own than I had ever made with your brother and I was not in pain so I was very hopeful that maybe I wouldn't need any medications and/or wouldn't need them until the end.  Grandma was on her way and called because she had gotten lost in town and needed help getting back to the hospital.  She finally arrived around 9:30am and was very thankful that she hadn't missed anything!

Before Grandma got there Daddy was focused on caring for Conor but since nothing was really going on with you this was perfectly fine.  But, then Grandma got there and it was her job to focus on Conor so Daddy could focus on you and me!  Around 10:30am I was checked again and had dilated further (7-8) without the need for medications but the pain in my hip was getting a lot worse.  I had been working with a chiropractor  issue in my hip that I first discovered when in labor with your brother.  I had seen the chiropractor after his birth and things improved but as the time came to deliver you the pain reappeared if I walked too far or was on my feet too much.  It was believed that I have a nerve/tendon issue and that is also why the epidurals all fail (more on that in a minute).  So, back to the story. 

As I was continuing to labor the pain was getting so intense that I was unable to feel you descending and when instructed to give little pushes was not able to isolate the muscles needed to complete this task because the pain in my hip was overpowering.  At some point I threw up - just once though - like I did with your brother.  I attempted to push on the area where the pain was but, in the end, I had to request the epidural.  After an hour we realized that it had not worked.  My RIGHT hip was still incredibly painful and I could not focus.  At this point I was 10cm dilated but needed to thin out and therefore needed to push a little to help you drop but still couldn't push.  A new doctor was called in and a booster of some sort was given and my left leg went completely numb and the pain in my right hip was dulled enough that I could focus on the task at hand - getting you out so that we could meet you! 

I was instructed to rest and Daddy went to take Conor for a car ride to give him the chance to nap.  Grandma offered to take you but we didn't think he would sleep for her and Daddy knew the area better and so could get back faster.  He wasn't gone more than 20 minutes when Jerri came back in and said if I felt ready to push I could.  So, Grandma texted Daddy and made him come back.  Poor Conor had only just fallen asleep and so Daddy got him all the way into the elevator before he woke up.  He was handed to Grandma and Daddy came to my bedside and held my hand while we started pushing. 

You were a great partner in this delivery - you let me know when you were ready for the push and when it was time to stop.  Once again, I felt that the actual pushing went very quickly.  There was a moment when you were crowning that I felt like I was too small for your big head and Jerri wanted me to pause but I simply couldn't because I felt like I was tearing in two.  So, two more pushes and your nose was out and then came the rest of you!  (Mommy didn't tear in two - she didn't even tear!).  You didn't cry right away but you were immediately laid on my chest and the nurse rubbed and rubbed you until you let out a big cry. 

You were just perfect and neither Daddy, Grandma or I could get over how much you looked like your brother when he was born.  Despite looking like Conor you clearly are a little boy with your own personality.  You did not want to nurse right away but you wanted to be held.  We waited for the cord to turn white before Daddy was asked to cut the cord.  As with your brother he did not want to and so I asked Grandma if she wanted to.  Once she was given the scissors Conor wanted to help and so he did.  Seeing you there on my chest was just as surreal as it was the first time I laid eyes on your brother.  There was an instant bond and a desire to protect you and not let you go - not even to Daddy.  It was also very special to me to have your brother there.  He was one of the first people to see you and to hold you and I hope that is a bond that the two of you never lose.

Conor cutting the cord

Cutting Colin's Cord (Conor and Grandma Mary)

Baby Colin is his own person.

Colin, you were born at 1:24pm on Halloween Day; my little pumpkin baby.  You weighed 9.25 oz and were 20.5inches long (just as long as Conor but 8oz more).  While you were bigger than your brother you looked so much smaller.  You had a blood sugar imbalance so you were subjected to pricks every few hours so that your blood could be tested.  Finally you got 2 tests that were in the appropriate span of time with the appropriate numbers so you could stop being tested.  This was a little stressful because Daddy wasn't here when I learned what was going on but we (you and I) made sure that we took care of things!

Why was Daddy not there?  Because he took Conor home for dinner and bed while Grandma stayed with us until it was time for her to leave and be with Daddy and Conor.  That left just you and I at the hospital (well, until your first visitors arrived).  Daddy also didn't stay when Conor was born so it wasn't your brother's fault that he left.  I encouraged Daddy to go both times because he's bigger than the couch/bed he would have had to sleep on and I knew you and I would get more sleep without Daddy in the room (which we did!).

Your birthday is a holiday and one that kids love.  I made a promise to you before we went to sleep for the night that no matter what your Daddy and I would make the day special for YOU and not just the night we trick-or-treat.

We love you very much little man and your birth has completed our family.  Happy Birthday Colin!

xoxo
Mommy

Your Late!

Dear Baby Colin,

It appears that your brother has influenced you already because you are officially LATE.  I, your mother, am never late to ANYTHING!!  I am chronically at least 5 minutes early and I like it that way.  You were supposed to come on Sunday - its now Tuesday.  I understand in the grand scheme of things this is not that late but to a mom who is carrying a lot of weight on a little frame and chasing a toddler and who has a grandmother on stand-by.......every hour counts!  Please baby Colin for the sake of all of us who are just dying to meet you and cuddle you and hold you and shower you with love....come out!!!

xoxo
Your tired Mom

Summer Lovin'

Dear Conor,

One of the greatest things about living at Grandpa Tom's is that your friend Olivia lives just down the street.  Because of this we have been able to spend some of our late afternoons with her at the local playground or at her house.  Here are some of the pictures from the first time we met them at the playground (8.5.13).  You guys enjoyed holding hands and you ALWAYS walk her to her car at the end of our play.

First time on a big kid swing - you made Mommy so nervous as you kept wanting to do it one handed!

Leading your lady to the playground

Ladies first up the stairs!

It will be wonderful when we are in our new house but I will miss our little play dates with Olivia and her mom and I know you will too!

xoxo
Mommy

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