Date with Daddy

Dear Conor,

On October 3, 2012 Mommy had to work and so you and Daddy had a day to spend together.  He said it started off pretty rough because you refused to nap (which has been our pattern for some time now).  Daddy tried everything.  He gave you a snack, you had story time, and he let you exercise your body and mind by helping/watching you climb the stairs.

Apple Snack

Story Time

Stair Climbing

When all that failed he plopped you in the car and drove you up to Portland (so you would nap in the car) and so you could play at the Children's Museum.  You love it there and we love that its a 100% safe play zone for you.  Daddy sent me these pictures while I was working.

Daddy & Conor

Conor in the measuring tube - the first time you played in this tube it swallowed you up - now look at you!

A little milk for the ride home!

You had a wonderful time with Daddy and I missed you very much but its important for you and Daddy to get out and do fun things!  He really is a great Daddy and he loves you so very much.....plus when you boys were out having fun - Hunty and I got to spend some time together!

xoxo
Mommy

Lake Swimming (AGAIN)

Dear Conor,

The weekend of July 20th we traveled to the Cape for your baptism and to spend time with your grandparents and aunts/uncle.  The drive down went well (despite a bit of traffic) but your stay on the Cape was a little difficult because you were going through a growth spurt of some kind and so all you wanted to do was eat (and not sleep).  To take your mind off food we tried to do a lot of different things.  Once of those was going to swim in the lake.  This time your Auntie Cathlin and Sarah joined us and you had a new float made just for relaxing!

Auntie Cathlin

My sweet baby

Swimming with Daddy

You have a true love for the water.  You love to drink it, splash in it, and just be in it!  We are so thankful for a baby who enjoys the water because it has made bath time a fun experience and it has made for great memories this summer!

Unfortunatly, our fun day on the lake ended with your first bug bites :( just in time for your Baptism and pictures....I guess this is what having a boy will be like :)

I love you sweet baby - bug bites and all!

xoxo
Mom

Growth Spurt & Baby Class

Dear Conor,

Wow!  And we thought Friday and Saturday were tough.  Sunday (01/08/2012) and Monday (01/09/2012) were your worst days yet.  You spent the majority of the day screaming and fussing and doing everything but being quite.  Because of this you spent the majority of these days in my arms - the only place you seemed to be content and nursing.  You went from eating every 2-2.5 hours on Saturday to eating every 30 to 60 minutes.  It felt like you and I did nothing for that 48 hours stretch other than feed and change diapers. 

On Sunday your Dad took care of you for a little bit so that I could get a little break from you (and your BAD attitude).  What did Mom do?  She took a nice long HOT shower and I cut my finger and toe nails - nothing spectacular I promise!  I guess this is my official "welcome to mom-hood". 

You might look like a sleeping angel in the above photo but I assure you - you really did spent the majority of the two days screaming your little head off.  Of course, what kind of a mom would I be if I didn't carefully document this growth milestone!

The face of a growing boy!

Your Dad and I also found you to be suffering from extreme gas which only added to your pains and troubles this past weekend.  We ended up having to purchase you some tummy medicine (Little Tummies) which we give to you a few times a day after you eat.  After talking with some of the other mommies from the baby class we go to and reading online and watching you eat I believe that I have an overactive milk supply and a forceful let-down which means you have to work twice as hard to keep up and therefore you gulp a lot and air gets into your little digestive system.

To help with the gas you and I are feeding in particular positions, I am giving you the tummy medicine, we are rubbing your belly after feedings in a clockwise motion and exercising your legs in a bicycle motion.  All of this is to help the gas make its way out of your system - one way or another.  And come out of you it does!  Your burps and toots rival your Dad's!

My nautical boy!

 On Tuesday we took a risk and went to baby class despite your behavior over the previous few days.  Of course, you were as good as gold there!  Of course, I put you on the scale - you weighed 9lbs. 14oz.  This as an increase of 10 oz. from last week!  You are my growing boy!

Because you were SO good at class I thought we both deserved a little shopping trip.  I needed to purchase some pants (your mom is officially out of maternity clothes but not quite into her pre-pregnancy size) and while we were at the mall I noted that The Children's Place was having a sale and they had a preppy nautical line.  Of course, that meant that I needed to purchase something for you so I did!  I bought you the outfit above (in 6m-9m size) as well as a navy blue polo shirt and Nantucket red pants.  I can't wait for you to wear them this spring/summer!

Hopefully we are over this growth spurt and you will go back to my wonderful and good natured little boy :)

xoxo

Mom

PS.  After we got home from shopping we moved you up to a SIZE 1 diaper!

A Growth Spurt

Dear Conor,

Week 4 started off pretty well.  It was the first week since your birth that didn't include a holiday celebration of some kind and therefore we were able to just relax and get to know each other better.  We took advantage of this new found freedom and went to visit GG Irene at the Rehab Center.  This was your second visit there.  GG Irene was so happy to see you and she loved your little blue mittens!

Conor and GG Irene 01/04/2012

Conor & Dad 01/04/2012

You enjoyed your time at the Rehab Center.  We went for a walk up and down the halls with GG Irene and you were simply the star of the show.  All the residents (and nurses alike) came out to greet you.  When we got back to GG Irene's room you spent some time hanging out on her bed.

On Thursday, January 5, 2012 your Dad had to work so it was just me and you.  You were a little grumpy and wanted to be held quite a bit.  But you did spent a little bit of time on the couch in your Boppy right next to me while I did some blogging and catching up on paying bills.  The cute little turtle toy you are looking at was your Christmas present from your Aunts Danielle and Sarah.  You love this little turtle and it is usually on your carseat if we go anywhere!

On Friday, January 6, 2012 I had to go to work for two hours and so you stayed home with Dad all by yourself.  Dad sent me this picture of you waving to me.  I missed you very much while I was at Court and I hurried home as quickly as I could to get back to you all!

Saturday morning started out with a nice warm bath.  We splished and splashed until you had wrinkles on your fingers and then it was time to get dressed.  You had a very touch day on Saturday - you didn't spend much time sleeping and that made you even more grumpy.

Loving your Saturday Morning bath!

After a lot of work I finally was able to get you to rest for about 15 minutes - just enough time for Mom to take her own shower and switch the laundry.  This was your first little rest in your crib.  The sheets were very chilly and I was afraid that the change in temperature on your back would cause you to wake up so I put the blanket Grandma Mary made for you under your back.

It is clear that your growth spurt has begun because you are very cranky and you are wanting to eat all the time.  You used to eat every 4 hours and all weekend you ate every 2.5 hours during the day.  You used to sleep quite a bit during the day but this past weekend you barely slept - something that was very tough on both you and us!  But, we will get through this one and the ones that follow.

xoxo

Mom