Josh's Birthday Surprise!

Conor and I had been working on a special surprise for Josh's birthday for a few weeks and this past Sunday we got to present it to him!  We woke Josh up early and then we all jumped in the car for a little ride to an undisclosed location.  Josh was tired because he had been out the night before so he wasn't paying as much attention to our travel which as perfect because I wanted it to be a BIG surprise!  When we were almost at the exit I told Josh where we were going. 

Conor and I arranged for Daddy to have a nice massage and man pedicure at the Wentworth by the Sea Spa in New Castle, New Hampshire.  While Daddy was getting his massage and pedicure Conor and I had to find things to busy ourselves with.  First we had breakfast in the dinning room.  We ordered a small breakfast because we also planned on having lunch with Daddy when he was all done.

Playing Peek-a-Boo

I see Conor!

Conor sees Mommy

After breakfast we decided to bundle up Conor and take a nice walk and see if he wouldn't take a nap for me.  I had his little stroller which is great for shopping trips but he doesn't like it as much as the other and so he got close to sleep a few times but never let himself drift off.  So, since it wasn't too bad out I figured maybe we could spend some time playing outside since the hotel was very busy inside and the places I would have brought him to play were either occupied by a function or closed off.  So, we went to the back veranda to play.

Playing on "Truth" the boat on the veranda

A natural sailor he is!

Nothing like crawling on chilly slate :)

Hi Mom!

After playing with the boat and some toys for a while we decided to take another little walk to put the toys back in the truck and then head inside to warm up.  When we rounded the side of the hotel we saw Daddy just getting out of the hot tub.  So, we went inside to get ourselves cleaned up so we could all enjoy lunch together.

Conor was getting tired towards the end of our lunch and so we let him out of the high chair and under the table to play a little bit.  Josh was upset because we were "those parents" but Conor didn't disturb anyone and the tablecloth was so long no one knew he was under there (there were also about 6 other people in the whole dinning room.

After lunch we went outside to take some pictures of Daddy and Conor as the Wentworth has beautiful grounds.

This was Conor's second time at the Wentworth little man (the first time was when your Auntie came with us) and you were as well behaved at 9 months as you were at 2!

When we got home it was time to love on Hunty (Thank you Grandma Janet for watching him for us!) and relax and play until bedtime.

Conor was having so much fun playing and he was actually showing me his teeth so I had to pull out the nice camera and snap a few pictures while I could.

Teeth!

Practicing walking with my new toy

Determined steps

cherub baby

Happy Birthday Josh!  Thank you for being a wonderful husband, an amazing Daddy and an overall good man!

xoxo
Erin

Return to Storyland

Dear Conor,

On September 8, 2012 we returned to Storyland.  The reason we went back was that when we went with the Fillip Family back in July we were able to get tickets for another full day because we arrived within 3 hours of the park closing.  Since we were in need of some family time (Mommy and Daddy had been working too hard at their jobs and taking shifts with you and family time is very important) we decided to reconnect as a family by going to Storyland with you and leaving the working world behind.  Grandma Janet was nice enough to watch Hunter for us so that we could go because he can't go to Storyland (thank you Grandma!).

You napped on the way so Daddy and I talked and listened to the radio.  You woke up as we were putting your stroller together so I changed you, put on your sunblock and off we went!

Mommy brought her new camera to practice taking pictures with - and our first stop was your first character meeting.  Curious George was sitting down greeting visitors and we decided to give it a try.  When it was your turn to see C.G. Daddy carried you up to him.  Daddy said that you grabbed his shirt real tight and held on - he didn't think that you were going to let go.  You didn't want to really look at C.G. nor did you want to get too close to him but you did NOT cry and that was a BIG plus!

Daddy - I'm not so sure about this

Mommy!!!!

Holding CG.'s hand

I was so proud of you for not crying and so were the people standing in line behind you!  The mommy even said she was shocked that you did not cry given it was your first time!

After C.G. we went for a little walk around the areas that we had not really visited when we were there last.  We saw Heidi's Grandfather's house in the mountains, visited the village where Cinderella was having tea with some young ladies, and took a back path into the rides area.  There we slowly made our way to the tractors that you had enjoyed so much on your first visit.  I did not get any pictures but Daddy did take a video of you driving!

After the tractors we went to your first theater production called "Farm Follies" it was all about what plants need to grow (water and sun and no bugs).  You really liked the animated puppets and all the lights and colors.

The stage

Posing with some of the 2-D characters

After the Farm Follies we went over the the nursery rhyme/fairy tale section of Storyland where we rode both the Swan boat AND the Merry-go-round.  The Swan Boat ride was very relaxing and you seemed to enjoy watching the butterflies get their color back as we participated in the story about Butterfly Island.  You liked the Merry-go-Round but not as much as the first time.  Both Daddy and I felt that it went a little faster this time - almost TOO fast!

Such a good Daddy - making sure you are all buckled in and ready for the ride.

Giving you a chance to do it youself but still there for support

Daddy and Conor

After the Merry-go-Round we looked in the shops and then played in the grass a little bit before it was time to go home.

I had a wonderful time at Storyland with you and Daddy my little man - you are a joy to spend time with and you bring out the BEST qualities in your Daddy!

Just one more because I love your little face!

xoxo
Mommy

Fillip Family Playdate @ Great Island

Dear Conor,

On August 23, 2012 you and I drove down to the New Castle/Portsmouth ( area to have a playdate with the Fillip clan!  We met at the same park as last year (when you were still in Mommy's Tummy) call Great Island.  They have a playground (well, really two - one for Bigs and one for Littles) and there is a large sandbox, lots of grass and a beach!  So many things to do that its easy to spend the entire day there!

When we first arrived it was sandbox time!  Sophie loves to play with you and calls you "Baby Conor" and treats you a little like I imagine she treats her baby dolls.  She is so sweet and was making little castles for you to knock down.

Sophie 3; Conor 8 months

After a little while Ryan decided to join in on the fun in the sand and the three of you got quite sandy before deciding it might be time for the swings.

You love to swing.  You actually prefer to go a little faster and a little higher than I am really comfortable with.  There are two baby swings side by side at the park which meant that you and Ryan got to swing at the same time.

See that little person behind you?  Sophie loved pushing you and Ryan and pretty soon she figured out that she could hang off the back of your swings and "swing" herself.  She did this for quite a while and alternated between your swing and Ryan's.

After swinging I took you and Ryan for a wagon ride in the Fillip's wagon while Sophie played on the big kid playground.

You are so smitten with Wagons - first Meo's and now Ryan's.  I think that you might need a wagon of your own!

After some playground/wagon time and a little lunch it was time for the beach.  I had not brought your beach things because I had forgotten there was a beach but that didn't stop you from trying out your new crawling skills in the sand.  This was the first time you ever crawled in the sand and at first you weren't so sure about it but pretty soon you were taking off and Ryan was having fun chasing you.

8.23.12 First time crawling in sand

After a little bit of beach time it was time to go home.  You were covered in sand from head to toe and there was an outdoor shower so I stripped you down and held you under the water to rinse as much sand as I could from your sensitive skin so that you would be able to nap in comfort on the ride home.  You didn't seem to appreciate this and you cried and cried and cried!  But some kind older ladies and a little old man tried to tell you that you would appreciate it later and that I was a good mommy for hosing you down. 

A quick dry off in your muslin wrap and a fresh diaper and clean clothes and you were asleep shortly after we drove through the gate to the park.

Thank you Fillip Family for a GREAT playdate and we will see you all again soon!

xoxo
Mommy

Story Land 7.30.12

Dear Conor,

I never thought we would be taking you to Story Land USA when you were only 7 months old but when we found out that the Fillip Family was going to be in North Conway on vacation at the same time Mommy and Daddy had some time off we decided that it would be a fun place to visit with them.  Jill knew that there were a few things that you and Ryan could do and there would be lots of things to look at so we said "why not" and off we went!  (A big Thank-You to Grandma Janet who came to play with Hunter so we could take this trip).

We went for the last three hours of the day as we didn't want to commit to an entire day and if you really liked it we would be able to go back again as you get a free pass to come back another time in the season if you arrive within the last 3 hours.

You slept the entire ride there so you missed out on the sights but it meant that you were very refreshed when we arrived.  After a quick diaper change in the car and some sunblock you were ready for the park.

Our first stop once in the park was a visit with Humpty Dumpty who welcomed you to Story Land and told you all the important things.  You weren't so sure about him but you were safe with Daddy.

After meeting Humpty we went to the nursery rhyme section of the park - there was so much to see and do there!

We visited Mistress Mary

You saw the Old Woman in the Shoe - but we didn't let her keep you!

This was a special tree in the Nursery Rhyme Area where you could leave your name to show you had been to the park - so we did!

You should always get a little education while on vacation - we visited the little red school house and saw the teacher (who made us miss Auntie Cathlin)

Then it was time to visit with Baby Beluga.

Posing with Baby Beluga

Touching BB - he was cold to the touch but very smooth

One last picture!

 Then it was off to the live animal part of the Nursery Rhyme park.  This was Peter Rabbit - his sisters were real rabbits who were minding their mother at the front of the garden.

We also saw the three little pigs and their houses of straw, sticks and brick and then it was off to see the 3 billy goats and the scary troll from under the bridge.

Conor watching the goats and being watched by the Troll!

Two of the three goats

You became a leprechaun!

We also saw that the three little bears had gone out into the woods so we stopped to see their home.  We only went on the first floor into their kitchen where you tried out Baby Bear's chair and declared that it was "just right"!  We thought we heard the bears coming back so we hurried out of their home fast!

This chair is "Just Right"!

Then it was time to meet the Fillip Family......

First we decided that we had to go and see Cinderella.  She was taking up residence in the castle.  It was a little bit of a walk to get there.  First we had to go over the bridge past the swan boats and then up the long driveway.

walking over the bridge

and past the swan boats

 Once we arrived at the castle you were able to sit on the Throne.....

And then you got to meet the Princess Cinderella!  You really seemed to like her.  You touched her dress several times and crawled right up to her.  She was a little nervous about picking you up as she was afraid you would cry but you sure showed her that you were not scared....but that she should consider you her "Knight" in shinning armor!

After visiting Cinderella we went back down the driveway and over the bridge to the Merry-go-Round.  We found three empty horses all together so you, Ryan and Sophie could ride side-by-side.

Riding Your Horse like a Pro! (Mommy is ducking behind it - can you find her?)

Sophie and Ryan

Mommy and Conor

 After the Merry-go-Round we went to the bigger rides section of the park where Sophie, her Daddy, and Mommy went on a Roller Coaster.  Then it was time to find a ride for everyone.  We ended up at the farm tractors.  While we waited in line - Sophie tickled your feet!

tickle tickle Conor

tickle tickle Mommy

Conor's tractor has arrived!

 What we didn't know was that you would be able to sit up front in the tractor and drive it yourself (they had a seatbelt and your sitting skills were solid - a few weeks earlier and you would have had to ride in my lap).

Farmer Conor

Driving the Tractor

Beep Beep

This picture is adorable but it also makes me sad because in it I see you as a teen driving your first car :(

Your happy passengers!  We were sitting directly behind you.

Approaching the Barn - careful on the turn!

Pulling back into the parking area - thanks for the ride Conor!

We went on the tractor again with just Jill and Ryan while the Daddies took Sophie on a big girl ride - then it was time for a snack while she went on another fun ride.  You and Ryan played and watched her ride.  It was fun to watch you watch the big fishes fly through the air and smile when we pointed out Sophie to you.

We had now been at the park for a while and it was almost closing time so we all decided to ride the Ferris Wheel together.  But, the man in charge said that we were too many people (apparently it goes by people first, weight second) so we had to split up and ride in different balloons.  Here is a quick picture of Sophie from when our balloon passed hers!

It was a very long day but it was a good day.  We hope to be able to go back again this year before the park closes so that we can have some more family fun.  Next year maybe we will even get to go with the Fillip Family again and make it a summer tradition until you guys are too big for the park!

You slept most of the ride home Conor and then when we got home you played for a bit before going back to sleep - you were one worn out baby but I hope you had a  lot of fun!

xoxo
Mommy