Christmas Morning 2011

Dear Conor,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  This is your first Christmas and while each Christmas will seem to get better and better as you grow - there is only ONE first Christmas. 

Before you were even born I made a promise to myself that if I ever had children I would do all I could to ensure that they awoke each Christmas morning in their own home.  I realize that for your first Christmas you are only 11 days old but it was still important to me that I stick to my promise - even if it meant celebrating my first Christmas morning without my family.

We woke up Christmas morning pretty early for a feeding but decided to stay in bed just a little bit longer.  We finally went downstairs around 8am to find that Santa had come!  We took a picture with you in front of your first Christmas tree filled with gifts from Santa!

We started with our stockings - in this family you can open your stocking anytime you want but you have to wait till everyone is ready to begin opening gifts from Santa and the family.  Your first stocking contained a stuffed Santa toy, some binkies (two kinds), and a very special card from Santa that contained a key.  Santa's card said that each Christmas you were to put the key under the doormat so that he could come into our home without using up all his magic because we didn't have a fireplace for him to enter.  I will keep your key in your stocking so that we never lose it!

Santa also left you a few presents.  You got a whale toy for the bathtub/pool and a hammer toy that makes noise!

Your full stocking

Santa stuffy & Binkies

Your first present from Santa

It's a whale toy for the bathtub!

Your first Christmas gifts

See the telephone in the picture?  That is from Dad and me.  We both had one when we were little and so we wanted you to have one as well.  The superman onesie is actually the gift that you bought for Daddy but he wanted to have it in the picture with you!  Once you get a little bigger you will be able to wear it!

After you opened your gifts it was time for Dad and I to open ours.  Santa usually brings us each one gift and then we give gifts to each other. 

Dad and his Superhero pint glasses

Me and my VV flipflops

Daddy got me an ipad!

And I gave Daddy a new Iphone!

Another picture of you with all your toys!

It was a very Apple Christmas here in our home as well as a Fisher Price Christmas!  Now, next year you will have to be goo for 365 days (and not just 11) in order to have Santa visit our home - but I am sure you can do it!

After we had our little Christmas we all got dressed and went over to pick up Grandma Janet and we went to the Center to visit GG Irene.  We opened gifts with her there (my camera died so I don't have a ton of photos).  She got you some cute clothes as well as a musical seahorse!

GG Irene giving Dad a Christmas Kiss!

And giving you some Christmas Love!

 After visiting with GG Irene we went over to visit with Grandma Janet and Grandpa Dennis at their house and exchange gifts with them.  It was a good afternoon and you received some wonderful things (as did Dad and I).  You slept the entire visit but seeing you sleep was enough for everyone because we were also thankful that you were healthy and happy this Christmas!

When we got home we filled your tummy and then you chilled with Dad on the couch in your Christmas jammies until it was time for bed.

You had a wonderful first Christmas Conor but you were the best gift that we all received!

Merry Christmas Little Man!

xoxo
Mom

Christmas Eve 2011 - Round 2

Dear Conor,

Christmas Eve didn't stop when we left Grandpa Tom's house.  First we went to the Rehabilitation Center where Great Grandma Irene is currently living.  You and Hunter were both welcome there and everyone stopped to meet you both.  GG Irene was so excited to show you off to her nurses and the other residents there.  She just glowed when sharing you with them.  We kept you in your carseat for the majority of the visit until you woke up a bit and I asked GG Irene if she wanted to hold you (of course she did!).

GG Irene loves you so very much and she was thankful to have you visit her and asked that I bring you back again.  I promised her that I would bring you back the next day for Christmas but that I wasn't sure when we would bring Hunter back because he was very excited because of all the food!

After visiting GG Irene we went to Grandma Janet's house for a short visit.  Grandpa Tom and Uncle Justin met us there and we all visited for an hour or so before everyone went home to go to sleep so that Santa could come.

This was a very busy first Christmas Even and you did such a wonderful job handling all the visits - I am certain Santa will see that you have been a good boy this year!

xoxo
Mom

Christmas Eve 2011 - Round One

Dear Conor,

Merry Christmas Eve!  Today you are ten days old and it is your first holiday!  This year we spent Christmas Eve with Grandpa Tom and the rest of the O'Reilly clan at Grandpa Tom's Maine house.

The morning started with Auntie Cathlin coming into the room to get you and she spent the morning loving on you while I got dressed and packed up everything we would need to take with us.  Then it was time to dress you up, load up the car, and get a move on!

Once we got to Grandpa Tom's then it was time to unpack.  We had the gifts to bring in, Hunter's things, and then all of your stuff.  This was your first planned afternoon away so we brought your bassinet as well as your diaperbag with two changes of clothes!

Auntie Cathlin came out to the car to get you so that your Dad and I could carry all the other stuff.  By the time we got inside you were already in the arms of your Auntie Lindsay.  Shortly after you were in the arms of your Uncle Sean.  I think you look a little bit like him.

First Time Meeting Uncle Sean

Once you finally fell asleep I put you in your bassinet and captured what I think is my favorite picture of you so far!

Santa Baby Conor

 At one point your Dad was holding both you and Hunter.  You are both decked out in your Christmas outfits.  I tried hard to get a good picture of you and Hunter but he is still a little weary of you and so he doesn't want to be too close to you just yet.  I am sure this will change as you get older and he gets more accustomed to you.

 While you slept we opened presents.  Auntie Cathlin really liked the ornament you gave her!  She also loved the tree skirt that I made her.  She began pestering me for it last year and I had convinced her that she was not getting it this year but that was just to trick her!

Auntie Cathlin's tree skirt

You also got some gifts this year from the O'Reilly clan.  Grandpa Tom started you a savings account (well, he will start it once you get your social security number in the mail) and he also bought you some Christmas books.  Auntie Cathlin got you a sign that says "Baby's First Christmas" as well as some clothes (0-3 and 3-6 as well as a warm jumper).  Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Sean got you a Summer Play Pack.  It had sunglasses, a swim diaper, sunblock, a beach tent, sand toys, and a bib.  I know it will be well used this summer!  I had a lot of fun opening that present because we have been opening so much winter things that it was refreshing to see summer fun!

You did really well at your first holiday event and it was fun to see your family interact with you! 

xoxo

Mom

Day 9: 12/23/2011 Part 2

Dear Conor,

Tonight was the night you met your Grandpa Tom.  As I said in the post about your name, this is the man for whom you were named (your middle name).  Grandpa Tom became very sick in early 2011 and your Mom's heart ached thinking the worst.  Thankfully, your Grandpa Tom got better and is far healthier now than he has been in a long time.

Tonight he arrived in Maine to celebrate Christmas and came to meet you for the first time.  I can't tell you how happy he looked holding you and how special the moment was for me.  When things were up and down back in May I was really worried that things might get bad again - or worse before you were born; so seeing your Grandpa holding you - I can't even describe what that felt like.

Grandpa meeting you for the first time.

Moving the blanket to get a better look at you.

Telling you a story

And listening to you tell your own!

Grandpa Tom wanted to much to meet you at the hospital but when you arrived later than we all expected and only a week before Christmas he simply couldn't make the trip up twice.  So, we had been sending him pictures of you at least once a day (and sometimes more than that) so that he could watch your little features change (mostly the swelling go down) until he was able to get up here to meet you in person.

He also brought your Uncle Justin with him.  Uncle Justin was also excited to meet and hold you.

You and Uncle Justin sharing a look.

Grandpa and Uncle Justin stayed for about an hour or so and then they went home to get some sleep and get ready for our Christmas celebration the next day.  Once they left your Auntie Cathlin grabbed you and held you again - she really loves you!

You and I slept in my office on this night because Auntie Cathlin slept in your room and we didn't want to wake her everytime you needed a diaper change.....which is many times at night right now.  You did great sleeping in my office and we both slept like babies (until you had to eat!).

xoxo
Mom

Day 9: 12/23/2011 Part 1

Dear Conor,

Today you had your first bath.  You had your first bath because your Auntie Cathlin is arriving today and we didn't want you to be stinky!  Prior to today I had been giving you little sponge baths because your belly button and penis needed to heal before you could be 100% in the water.  Because we hadn't given you a bath I simply wasn't sure how you would react.  But - I should have known you would LOVE the water because both your Dad and I also love the water!

Your first bath experience.

Having a great time splashing your feet in the water.

All wrapped up after your bath.

The whole time that you were in the bath Hunter sat down at edge of the tub waiting for you to be done.

Hunter enjoyed seeing you in the bath and was thankful that he didn't have to join you (he does not always love the bath).  He followed us into your room after your bath and stayed there while you were getting dressed.

After your bath you fell asleep and stayed that way until Auntie Cathlin arrived.  Auntie Cathlin was so excited to meet you and couldn't wait to hold you.  She also loved taking your picture!

First time being held by Auntie Cathlin

She loved you from the first moment she saw you!

Having Auntie Cathlin here was a great help.  She held you and loved on you so that I could get things done.  I got all the laundry done, the dishes done, the last of our gifts for family wrapped and thank you cards written for gifts you received since you were born.  I tried to get your Aunt to move in with us and be your Nanny but she said she had to go back to Boston and to her school - but I did try :)

Auntie Cathlin reluctantly had to give you up later at night because your Grandpa Tom and Uncle Justin came over to visit with you for the first time!  More on that visit soon!

xoxo
Mom

Day 8: 12/22/2011

Dear Conor,

Today was another busy day for our family.  We had to get up and get squared away (all of us) and be out the door pretty early because your Dad needed to take some pictures for work before we dropped Hunter off at the groomers.  We were very successful in getting everyone out of the house by 8:30am (a miracle if you ask me).  You did your part by waking up at 6:30am in eating without needing to have too many diaper changes!

Then we went to Portland but because Hunter's appointment wasn't until 10am we were a little early.  So we went to Back Cove and did some walking.  This was a surreal moment for us all because the last time we were there you were still in my belly and we were walking because I was a week overdue - and now we were there with you a week after you were born!  The walk went well, we did about 1/4 mile before Hunter wanted to turn around (the ground was very cold and there were some slick spots that we don't think he liked very much).

Next it was off to the groomer to drop off Hunty.  He didn't want to say goodbye to us - but we know he is in good hands with Michelle and the other ladies of Planet Dog.  After dropping off Hunter we went to Whole Foods to get some breakfast (your first trip to your Dad's favorite grocery store) and then it was off to the mall.

We went to the mall so that we could get your picture with Santa!  We did not have to wait too long in line for your picture and Santa was very excited to see you.  Santa was shocked to see how little you were and said that you beat his record because the youngest visitor he had ever had was 11 days and you were only 7 days old!

We were very excited to be able to get your picture done with Santa (though a little sad that Hunter couldn't be in the picture - but we will get that one done next year!) as we got enough pictures to be able to give both your Grandmothers and Grandpa Tom a picture for Christmas as well as have one for us too!

After we did your Santa picture you needed to eat so we fed you in the car while Dad ate the rest of his breakfast.  Then we went to go and get Hunter!

Hunter was almost done when we arrived at Planet Dog and he was very happy to see all of us and Michelle was very happy to see you!  We paid for Hunter's grooming and bought him a few treats and then it was time for us to head home.

The rest of the day was spend hanging out at home and trying to relax a little bit.  Then you spent some time alone with Dad while I went to the store in order to get frames for the pictures with Santa.  Your first time alone with your Dad went very well (you slept the whole time he said).  When I got home we took your daily picture:

You might wonder why you look naked - well we had just done a diaper change and you had fallen asleep again so I just wrapped you up in your blanket and let you sleep a bit before we dressed you back up and got you ready for bed.

Day 8 was a good day Conor and tomorrow your Auntie Cathlin arrives and we are very eager for her to meet you!

xoxo
Mom

Day 7: 12/21/2011

Dear Conor,

Today you are one week old and its the first day that we had NOTHING to do and had no visitors!  You and I spent the day at home just relaxing and bonding.  We slept, did some laundry, played, read a book, watched a movie, and wrapped some presents.  Your Dad was gone a big part of the day as he needed to be with Great Grandma Irene.  We missed him a lot and when he came home he was very tired but he spent some time with you playing after he showered.

Because it was just the two of us we also spent some time taking pictures in front of the tree.  You were very happy to entertain my silly picture taking (probably because I had just bribed you with yummy mommy milk!).  Hunter didn't want to be in the pictures but he sat next to me while I took your photo.  Here are a few of my favorites!

You have had a very busy first week little Conor and I hope that things calm down a little bit so that we can relax and enjoy this time together before I have to go back to work.

xoxo
Mom