Adventures at Grandpa Tom's

Dear Conor,

During the time we lived at Grandpa Tom's you developed so much.  Your vocabulary took off and your interests because clearer.  You loved being outside in his yard either running in the grass (chase chase is what you liked to say) or picking up all the rocks in the drive way and putting them into different things (cups, bowls, your bike, your police car).  Sometimes it was a wrestling match to get you inside because you loved being in the yard.  So, when we had nothing to do - we spent as much time outside as we possible could.

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

Sometimes Daddy even gave you a special treat and let you practice your driving skills - Helmets for Safety!

August 13, 2013

 

 

Pooltime was a favorite activity - Grandpa had a lot of great spaces to put your pool depending on how hot it was outside.

08/29/3013

But nothing beats just running in the grass!

09/08/2013

A few days after these pictures were taken we moved into our new house - this was the last time we played in Grandpa's yard!

Conor and Hunter - 09/08/2013

We are so very thankful that Grandpa let us stay at his house while we waited for our house to be ready to live in!  We had a great summer there and having all that space allowed you to grow and develop and have a lot of fun!

xoxo
Mommy

And I was doing well

There was a point where I was getting caught up on this blog and now another whole month has gone by. 

Since the last time I wrote so many things have happened that it would be a shame to forget them all - thank goodness for iphones and FB or no one would have any idea what was going on in our lives right now.  Baby #2 is growing beautifully and we are hoping he will wait just a little bit longer before making his debut because we are trying to settle into our new home as quickly as possible.  Conor's room is as done as it needs to be and the nursery, guest room (where my mom will stay), and our bedroom are between 50-85% there.  Bathrooms are functional and the living areas are as done as they need to be (minus the clutter as we use them for staging areas).  Conor has settled into the new house and calls it "me house" and has met many of the neighborhood children and developed a friendship with the 5 year old boy who lives next door.

Josh and I are both scrambling to get caught up on our jobs, finish the house, and spend special moments with Conor these last few days where he is our one and only.

My mom has spend a weekend and really helped to get the move-in ball rolling, friends have been amazing - coming to spend time with Conor each week so that I could get house projects done, and Josh's parents have helped with both playing with Conor and helping us lug things around the garage since my days of heavy lifting are over.  We are truly thankful for the help!

Once we are more settled I promise a house tour :)

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

New England Aquarium

Dear Conor,

This summer we have made two trips to the New England Aquarium.  We certainly are getting a lot of use out of the family pass that Grandma and Grandpa Trayner gave you for Christmas (2012).  The first trip was on 7.2.13 with Auntie Cathlin.  You and she had a lot of fun and it was nice that Mommy got a little rest because Auntie loved walking around with you and you loved your time with her!

This was one of the last times that we got to spend with Auntie all by ourselves before she got married.  It was a fun day for all of us.  After the Aquarium you napped in the car while Auntie and I had a picnic of Panera.  Then it was off to the dress shop for fittings!!!  Hard to believe that as I type this now Auntie is married and has a new home!  Thanks for a GREAT day Auntie!

Your second trip to the Aquarium was when we met up with Grandpa and Grandma Trayner (and Danielle) to bring Auntie Sarah back to them on 7.27.13.  Again, it was a great day with family and you had so much fun being with your family that Mom got a lot of rest.  You held everyone's hands but mine and spent time with each person.  We got lunch at Faneuil Hall and then walked around the waterfront before it was time to head back home.

Looking for the BIG turtle

Holding the side of the stroller like Grandpa taught you

Mommy, Conor, Auntie Danielle (& Baby Brother - 26 weeks)

Daddy didn't get to go to the Aquarium so we have to plan another trip or two so that he is able to see the new tank and spend some time in Boston with you!  Maybe next time we can bring Little Gordon and his parents!

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

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

It's a Grandpa Tom Christmas

Dear Conor,

You are one lucky boy because you got to celebrate Christmas 3 times this year!  The first Christmas was with Grandpa Tom on December 23, 2012.

We went to Grandpa's around noon with the hope that you would take a short nap on the way over (which you did and so you were a happy baby!).  Uncle Sean and Auntie Lindsay couldn't make it because Nolan wasn't feeling well but everyone else was there to celebrate.

While we were waiting for Grandpa to set the timer on dinner you enjoyed dragging a paper bag around the room.

Once Grandpa was done Daddy and some of the adults opened gifts until it was your turn.  Auntie was itching to have you open hers first so you did!  Her gift will be so much fun to play with for years to come!

Opening gifts is HARD work!

Leaving with your new soft sensory blocks

Then it was time to open the gifts from Grandpa, Andrea, and Uncle Justin.  Grandpa got you a LOL Elmo!  He was so excited to see you open this gift.  You weren't sure at first but once Elmo started moving you thought it was the funniest thing.

Auntie look!

Grandpa also got you a neat train.  When you press the smoke stack it makes all kinds of train noises and each cart has a different challenge for you!

After dinner and some more visiting you were getting pretty cranky - it had been a long day - so it was time to head home but not until you gave Grandpa some Christmas LOVE and then some extra hugs because it would be a while before Grandpa came back up!

Merry First Christmas Celebration!

xoxo
Mommy

PS.  You also loved the box that was under the tree!

PPS.  We also had to celebrate Auntie Cathlin - she and Jarrod got engaged on December 22, 2012....which means Auntie also got you an Uncle for Christmas :)