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

A Wedding for Apple (and Auntie)! 7.13.13

Dear Apple,

You are already following in your big brother's footsteps by attending your first wedding while still in the womb!  Your Auntie C got married on July 13, 2013 and we were lucky enough to be apart of her special day.

The day started off with some spa treatment - hair and makeup for the entire bridal party.

It was really early and clearly we all needed some help getting pretty for the BIG day and all the pictures that would come.  After getting made up it was time to go back to the house and hang out while we waited until it was time to get dressed.  All the bridesmaids got dressed first so we would be ready to help Auntie!

This is me (mommy) at 25 weeks pregnant with you!  And below is Auntie waving goodbye to our house for the last time as a single woman.  When she returned the next day she was married!

Someone's going to the chapel and she's gonna get married!!!  While Auntie is beautiful every day - she looked simply stunning the actual day of her wedding - truly a beautiful bride!

This is Mommy and Katie.  Mommy used to babysit for Katie and Auntie on the weekends.  Katie got married in May.  It was fun to see them all dressed up and "grown up" and also sad because it made Mommy feel a little bit old :)

Mommy and Auntie - sisters through the good, the bad, and the ugly and friends for life!  I am very lucky to have a sister such as Auntie - she and Mommy are not super close in age (we are 6.5 years apart) but as we have grown up the gap in age has seemed smaller and smaller.  Auntie is truly a friend now and not just my baby sister.  She's an amazing auntie and I can't wait for you to meet her!

The newly married couple!  Apple, meet Uncle Jarrod!  He's got lots of brothers so I am sure he will help Mommy figure out what's brotherly "love/play" and what you and your brother should get in trouble for.  He takes great care of Auntie (and she of him).  Mommy especially likes some of the sacrifices he has made to keep himself and Auntie local for the sake of family!  Mommy isn't rushing them but can't wait for the day that we can take a BIG family vacation with them and your cousins!

These were the gold shoes that Mommy wore for the wedding (Mommy's feet have coral nail polish on the toes).  They hurt so badly that as soon as pictures were over I threw them and Grandpa Adam's car and said I never wanted to see them again!

And lastly, a picture of you with Mommy and Daddy.  You were a great wedding guest.  We danced the night away and had so much fun with our family.  Thank you for allowing me to enjoy Auntie's wedding as much as I did!

25 weeks

We wish Auntie and Uncle Jarrod a lifetime of happiness and thank them again for inviting us to be a special part of their day!

xoxo
Mommy

Papa Boat?

Dear Conor,

As I said before you have really settled into Grandpa Tom's house and I find you looking at his cameras saying "hi Papa hi Papa" throughout the day and always at bedtime.  Every night before we go into your room you wave to the camera just outside the door and blow it a kiss.....you are so sweet!

This week I was cleaning up the kitchen/hallway area and had your lifejacket by the door (I had washed it due to it getting a little mold on it as it didn't dry out all the way the last time we used it).  Well, you saw that life jacket and immediately tried putting it on and doing up the buckles.  When I said no you looked right at the camera holding your little life jacket and said "boat papa".  I nearly died from how funny you were being (and of course, texted and called Grandpa).  Clearly you had a GREAT time earlier this summer boating with Grandpa!

Here are some pictures to recap that fun time (6.17.2013) - we stayed on the boat for about 2 hours before you had clearly had enough and were ready for a nap.

a little snack as we head out

making sure Grandpa is boating properly

conferring co-captains

Daddy and Conor filling the boat with gas (and Conor with snacks)

Teaching Daddy to drive the boat

Grandpa said he might be back this month and if so then hopefully you can go out on the boat with him again before its time to store it for winter!

xoxo
Mommy

Oh Conor

Dear Conor,

You have spent the last few months growing both psychologically and physically.  You have 5 new teeth (3 of which have come through in just the last 2 weeks) and you are almost out of the last of your 12 months clothes.  You have begun sleeping through the night more often than not and you are slowly weening from nursing as you build up your appetite for solid foods (though you are still picky).

While you aren't growing inches you are learning so many new skills.  You can almost run and your vocabulary is amazing.  You are able to climb almost anything (much to my dismay) and you have gotten very strong and can hold onto something with a death grip at times!

The other night we played in the yard and took some pictures.....you are growing too fast little boy!

Looking like a teenager

and complaining like one too

But never too old to snuggle with Mommy - my favorite thing to do with you!

Smiles for Daddy!!!  We love you!

You have become such your own little person and you seem to understand concepts far beyond your years.  When you wanted to sit on my stomach I said that you had to be careful of the baby.  Since that day you love to hug my belly and kiss the baby and blow raspberries on my stomach.  You talk about babies all the time and you love being able to hug our friends' new babies.  You are such a special little boy and you are going to make an amazing big brother!  But just remember - you will ALWAYS be my baby boy!

xoxo
Mommy

Chinese Food and Cookies for Santa

Dear Conor,

After brunch with the Jakan Grandparents it was time to jump in the car and drive down to the Cape to get ready for Santa!

We arrived just in time for our annual Chinese food dinner.  Everyone got to go - except  Grandpa Adam but we made a special plate just for him!  The food was yummy and despite it having been a long day and the restaurant being full with a lot of stimulation you did really well!  Cousin Nolan also did really well and it was so much fun to have both you boys this year for Christmas!

After dinner we went back to the house and we let you open one present.  You opened a pair of Christmas jammies!  Mommy helped you get dressed in them and get ready for bed and then there was only one thing left to do.....leave some cookies out for Santa!

Cookies for Santa

Family Picture - Christmas 2012

Hey Santa - these are for you!

 

First Ever Christmas Cookie!  The official Santa Cookie Taste Tester!

After you went to sleep Conor I took a picture of Grandma's tree all decorated and light up just waiting for Santa!

Before Santa

Then, when you woke up early in the morning and Mommy needed to go downstairs and get some extra wipes Mommy saw that Santa had come!  So I took a picture with all the lights off - I didn't want to peek at what Santa had brought until everyone else was awake!

Clearly everyone had been good this past year because Santa not only came but he piled lots of presents under the tree!

Merry Christmas Eve!

xoxo
Mommy

Jakan Family Christmas

Dear Conor,

On Christmas Eve morning Grandma and Grandpa Jakan came over to have Christmas Eve Brunch with us and exchange gifts.  Mommy found a vegan Belgium waffle recipe so Daddy could have some too and I bought Veggie sausages so you could have a little protein with our waffles.

You started the morning in Christmas-y jammies but a leaky diaper meant you had to be changed just before they got here :(

 

Grandma and Grandpa were so excited to see you and to be celebrating Christmas with you!

Christmas 2012

We decided to open presents before having brunch because you tend to get sleepy during the mid-morning and we wanted you to have a nice time exchanging presents with your grandparents. 

Its Santa Conor

 

Hunter trying to help you open presents

Selecting a present to hand out.

Daddy always yawns when opening presents

Conor is not sure why Daddy is yawning

Pajamas!

Grandma and Grandpa LOVED your plate!

Grandma also loved her new purse!

Good Job Grandpa!

Even you thought it was great!

My sweet and silly boy

So loving

Who is making you laugh so hard?

Its Silly Daddy!

Daddy opened a special present - the mug that you painted for him

Taking a rest with Mommy - before a diaper change!

Hunter helps you open your first gift.

Its music class instruments!

Grandpa opens our present - James Bond!

Daddy's popcorn maker

Super Friends!



What is this?  Its to the whole family.

Red Claw Tickets! (and a tee shirt and basketball)

Playing with the basketball

Sweet Boy and his little curls

Grandpa bought you a rocking horse.  You weren't sure about it at first and then it scared you.  Mommy and Daddy put it away until you are bigger!

 

What a GREAT Christmas!

We had such a nice Christmas brunch with Grandma and Grandpa.  The waffles came out really yummy and Grandpa liked the sausages even though they were made with veggies and not meat!  After brunch you were 100% ready for a nap so we said Merry Christmas and Goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa so that you could get a little rest in while Mommy and Daddy finished packing the car for our trip to the Cape.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for such a special Christmas Eve Brunch!

xoxo
Mommy