Grandparents and Old Orchard Beach

Dear Conor,

While Pops was visiting we decided to take a trip to Old Orchard Beach to have some fun times at the amusement park.  Because Grandma Janet and Grandpa Dennis weren't busy they also came along for the fun!

Riding the Merry-go-Round

A Rooster!

Pops and Grandpa

Riding all by Yourself

Family Photo!

Loving on Pops

 After the Merry-go-Round we decided to take you on the Ferris Wheel - this would be your FIRST time!!

So pretty with all the lights!

Hi Pops - we are ready to take off!

Grandma and Grandpa

Mommy and Conor - Conor is kept safe in his Ring Sling

Looking over the edge at Pops!

After the Ferris Wheel it was time to take this very tired little baby home.

Sweet Baby in his Stroller

 Until Next Time!  Thanks for the fun OOB!

Pops said that next time he comes to visit we will have to go to the park just one more time :)

xoxo
Mommy

4th of July 2012

Dear Conor,

We went to your Grandma Mary and Grandpa Adam's house on Cape Cod for your FIRST 4th of July.  We had planned to go to the big parade in town with some of our family but when the weather couldn't decide what to do we decided not to chance getting stuck in a downpour.  So instead - your Grandma, Auntie Sarah, you and I went to breakfast at Marshland Two!

July 4, 2012

This was only your 2nd or 3rd time sitting in a restaurant high chair and you did so well!  I ended up having to nurse you towards the end of the meal but you were very quiet and discreet about it (which had not been your style at that time) which was nice.  I think the fact that we were in a booth and there was not a lot of things to distract you really helped you focus on eating.

After breakfast your Aunt and Uncle came over with your new cousin "Baby N".  N was born on June 13th so this was the first time that we got to see him.  You were very much in love with him and kept wanting to touch him.

You were very vocal when looking at Baby N.  I think you wanted him to play with you.

Hunter wanted to sniff him too (Mommy is fuzzy)

Mommy loved holding Baby N and made sure to get her picture taken with him too.  After Mommy then we took a picture of Grandma and her two grandsons.

You love Baby N

You really love your Grandma and being at her house....we keep a bunch of your toys there and we brought a few of your new favorites.  Grandma played with you all morning!

And what holiday or FIRST wouldn't be complete without an adorable outfit and some pictures!

Happy 4th of July!

At the end of the day we watched the fireworks from the back porch but you were already asleep!  So next year we will still have a FIRST if your Daddy and I decide it will be ok for you to go to the fireworks :)

Happy First 4th of July!

xoxo
Mommy

The White Mountains - A Summer Escape

Dear Conor,

We love to visit the White Mountains!  There are so many things to do there.  As we hadn't been in a while and your Daddy and I were bored we decided it was time to take a trip up to North Conway and have a little escape!  So I fed you, changed you and we packed the entire family up (Hunter too!) and off to Settler's Green we went!

It was a beautiful day for a drive and the weather was perfect for walking around and enjoying each other's company.  The shopping complex has a little splash pad (which we didn't use) and a swing for toddlers and babies - we decided to see how you would like it (your first swing ride)!

First Push 6.28.2012

Again Daddy

What are you looking at - I'm not giving this swing up!

 You loved the swing and had such a great time in it.  You smiled and held on tight while Daddy pushed you higher and higher.  Hunter watched you the entire time to make sure that you were safe and he got a little treat for being such a good boy.

The plaza also had kid sized Adirondack chairs so we decided to see if we could get a 'fram worthy' photo - well, this was the best we could do :)

All in all our little afternoon trip to the white mountains was just what the doctor ordered for our little family.  We can't wait to take you back this fall for leaf peeping and maybe some hiking!

xoxo
Mom

A Weekend at the Wentworth

Dear Conor,

The second half of your first February vacation was to be spent with your Auntie Danielle.  She arrived Wednesday afternoon and stayed until Saturday.  She was going to be your Nanny while Daddy and I worked but Daddy had other plans for us all.  He said that he was tired of feeling stuck at the house because we were so used to being on the go and that he needed a little break from the day to day.  So, we packed up our things and headed to Portsmouth New Hampshire for a little rest and relaxation.

While at the hotel we did so much!  The first night we had dinner in a fancy restaurant where we had to get all dressed up. Daddy wore his nice suit pants and a tie while Mommy wore some nice gray pants and a black shirt.  Auntie Danielle also looked very nice in khakis and a button down shirt.  As good as we all looked - we forgot to take a picture!  You wore the outfit that you came home from the hospital in.  After dinner I made some time and took you into the lobby to take a few quick photos of you at your first luxury hotel.

Shall we call you Mr. Conor?!?

While at the hotel you went swimming in a pool for the first time. We went on Friday and on Saturday. Friday night you weren't so sure what to think. The pool as a little darker as it was night and I think you may have been tired. But, on Saturday morning you had a great time. There were lots of kids around and one other baby in the pool. It was much brighter as the sun was shinning and I think that might have helped make you feel more comfortable as well.

Friday night swimming

Family Photo in the pool

After swimming you were very happy to lay in bed with Auntie

Saturday morning swimming with Daddy

Saturday morning - after swimming- snuggles with Auntie.

You were very well behaved at the hotel and it was not that hard to travel with you.  We set up a changing area on the desk and we brought your Rock n' Play for you to sleep in.  You did not cry that much (which was a huge change from just a few days ago) and we believe that it was simply good timing and that your medicine had started to work!

When we got home you spent a little bit more time smiling and loving on your Auntie before she had to leave.

I LOVE YOUR SMILE!

One last picture with Auntie!

We were very sad to see Auntie Danielle leave and are so thankful that she was able to join us on our mini vacation.  Because she was there your Daddy and I were able to relax a bit more, get a bit to eat together (without you) and have an extra set of hands to help with you and Hunter.  Thank you Danielle for coming along!

xoxo
Mom

PS.  Your dad was awesome and surprised your Auntie and I with massages on Friday morning - they were awesome! 

Hosting a PlayDate

Dear Conor,
On Thursday, February 23, 2012 you hosted your first playdate.  You had many friends RSVP but everyone kept coming down with colds and they didn't want to get you sick.  Because of this, only one friend ended up coming and that was Carter.  Carter is a few months older than you and was showing off his new skill of sitting while he was over.

You watching Carter sit unasissted

Carter watching you play

Both of you trying to reach for the same toy

Good Friends

Even Hunter joined in on the fun!

After Carter left you took a little nap while I packed because that afternoon we were all headed for an adventure!

xoxo
Mom

ROAD TRIP

Dear Conor,

The snow couldn't stop us and we were up early on Friday to make sure we had everything packed and ready to go for your first ROAD TRIP!  Before you arrived your Dad, Hunter, and I would travel almost every weekend in the winter to Waterville Valley and we spent many summer weekends on Cape Cod (where I grew up).  Well, we decided that it was time for you to take your first road trip to the Cape and to visit Grandma and Grandpa Trayner (and your aunties).

We learned that packing the car to take you on a road trip required a lot of planning.  We essentially had to pack up an entire nursery because you don't sleep in a crib yet.  So, you had your own little bag with lots of extra clothes in it, a full package of diapers, a box of wipes, some toys, blankets, and your bassinet.  We also packed the stroller (just in case we went shopping) and then you and your carseat of course!  I also had to bring the breast pump (to maintain supply) and we had your diaper bag for the actual trip (PHEW - that's a lot of stuff)! 

On the Road - ready for your first Road Trip!

 You traveled really well.  You slept almost the entire way to the Cape - even with a few stops added in which increased our travel time to 4 hours instead of 3.  But, none of those stops were for you -they were for your Dad (he had some work pictures he had to take).  You woke up about 40 minutes from Grandma's house and I jumped in the backseat to give you a bottle as I didn't think you could hold out till we got there.  You really didn't want the bottle - you drank about 1.5oz before falling back asleep.  But, when we got to Grandma's house you were HUNGRY!  So I fed you and then of course, you fell back asleep.  We set you down on the couch and you took your first nap on the Cape!

Napping on Cape Cod

 Friday night we stayed in and had pizza with the Grandparents and Auntie Sarah and despite your travels and being in a different place you were able to maintain your normal schedule (which I was very thankful for)!

The next day was your 1/12 birthday!  You started the day in the arms of Auntie Cathlin who came to the Cape to visit with you and was very happy to see you (and you were happy to see her).

What a cute face!

 After you had your time with Auntie Cathlin it was time to go for a ride!  We packed you up and put you in Auntie Danielle's car.  This was your first time being driven by anyone other than me or your Dad!  I was in the car and we both think Auntie Danielle is a GREAT driver so we were very comfortable with her driving you.  We took you to Mashpee Commons where you had your first visit to Vineyard Vines and Mashpee Commons.  It was also your first shopping trip!  We tried to get you a cupcake to celebrate your 1/12 birthday but Cupcake Charlie's was closed :(

In Auntie Danielle's car - ready to go!

When we got back Auntie Danielle held you (after you ate - look at that belly) and Hunter jumped in for the picture!  He loves being at Grandma's house and was very happy to run around and get love from everyone that was there!

Auntie Sarah spent some time with you each day learning how to change diapers and how to burp you!  Here she is on Friday burping you - you were not very thankful to her for getting the gas out!

Your Great Nana came over to meet you.  She loved on you the entire time she was visiting.  She couldn't believe how big you were!  You nuzzled up to her and loved on her but you also gave her a good listen to your crying!  Right before she came over you opened your Christmas gift from her and Great Dar - they got you a soft and fuzzy teddy bear (which we put on your bed in your room). 

Great Nana and Conor!

Then it was Grandma's turn.  She loves you so very much and wanted to spend as much time loving on you as possible because she can't see you as often as some of your other family.  She held you while I got ready for dinner.

We took you out to eat (this was your third trip to a restaurant) and you did very well!  You slept the whole time.  At the end of dinner I joked that we needed to get you a piece of cake to celebrate your 1/12 birthday.  Well, Grandpa Adam went beyond that and bought you a WHOLE cake!  The cake was so yummy!

1/12 birthday cake

Your piece of cake - I ate it for you and it was yummy!

 The next day you spent some time with Grandpa.  You were very happy to hang out with him at the counter.

 It was very sad but we had to leave on Sunday so that we could get back to Maine and so that both Dad and I could get back to work (and you had a doctor's appointment the next day).  We had such a great time on the Cape and you did such an amazing job traveling that it won't be long before we take another road trip!

xoxo

Mom