Happy 8 Months!

Dear Conor,

As I sit here and write this post you are days away from being 9 months old.  I have fallen behind a little on the blog because we have simply been having too much fun this summer (and Mommy has had to work a lot) to keep up but I'm going to get caught up and then stay caught up because I want to remember each and every thing you do!

The morning of your 8 month birthday you had an appointment with Miss Erika.  You love visiting her and I think this picture says what you think of chiropractors and their work!

love the smile - you are so relaxed

checking your spine and hips

making cranial adjustments

 Miss Erika is very happy with how your head is progressing and your next visit was scheduled a month out (remember - we started going weekly, then moved to biweekly).  I can see improvement in your skull and so now we have to work on your neck, jaw, and leg.  Your neck and jaw are tight because the muscle in one side of your face was likely over worked due to your tongue tie and therefore your smile and jaw alighnment are crooked a bit.  So we will continue to see Miss Erika for a little bit longer.  Her daughter N (your friend) was awake this time so she got to watch you get worked on and then you guys got to play a bit.

When we got back from seeing Ms. Erika it was nap time and when I went up to get you when you were done napping you were STANDING IN YOUR CRIB!!!  This was the first time you had done this and when I saw it I was so thankful that Daddy and I had lowered your crib all the way to the bottom just a few weeks earlier!

first time standing in crib 8.14.12

Of course, I also had to take your monthly birthday photos - they are getting harder and harder to do because you don't like to sit still so Daddy and I have to do it together.

My happy baby

on the go!

Trying to catch a picture before you take off again

There's a keeper!

And it didn't last long!

At 8 months old you are crawling fairly well - you tend to use your left leg to propel you and your right leg is the 'catch up' leg meaning it kinda just skoots into place after your legs has done all the work.  Your left leg does more a crab type crawl then a traditional crawl on your knee but this doesn't phase you and you move right along.  You tend to go a couple of paces and then you have to stop.

You are wearing 9 month clothes in almost everything and we don't own a single pair of socks that fit you but since its summer that doesn't matter at all!

You are loving swimming lessons and experiencing the outside.  You have spent time in both the sand and grass and you don't seem phased by moving around in either material.

You take at least one decent nap a day (about an hour) but you still don't require a lot of sleep.  You go to bed between 7 and 9 and get up once around 3:30am and are back to sleep until 6:30am.  You typically fall asleep pretty quickly after a snack at 3:30 but some mornings you have wanted to play and Mommy has to let you crawl around on te big bed until you are sleepy enough to go back to sleep in your crib.  We still co-sleep a few nights a week when we feel like it but for the most part you are sleeping in your crib in your own room.

You have started to become nervous around other people - you tend to only want to be with me when I am around.  We know this is just a phase that all babies go through so I am cherishing your longing for me as much as I can because I know that in time, it too will change.

You have started ehibiting a fear of animals that aren't Hunter - specifically Grandma Janet's dogs.  You scream when they come to the door and you pull your legs up into a tucked position.  I used to be afraid of dogs so I know how scary it can feel to have them coming at you when you are afraid so we are accepting this fear and ensuring that you feel safe and secure whenever we visit.  Perhaps one day your feelings about them will change but for now all we can do is continue to show you that we can keep you safe.

You didn't go to the doctor this month so I don't have exact measurements for you but you are close to 20 pounds (I'm guessing just shy of 20) - I can't wait to see how much you have grown at your next appointment.  But your hair is coming in fast and its very thin and wispy and has tints of red and brown depending on whether you are in the sun or not.....so only time will tell!

So, that's about all there is Conor....8 months down and only 4 more until your first birthday.....I love cheering you on with each new skill learned but time is slipping away day by day and my baby is becoming more and more like a little boy.

You make us all so happy little man ..... thank you for letting me by your Mommy!

xoxo
Mommy

PS.  My how you have grown!

Boston Bound!

Dear Conor,

On August 13, 2012 you and I took a Mommy/Son trip to my old stomping grounds (and Grandpa Tom's too) to visit Auntie Cathlin!  She lives just a few blocks from where your Mommy lived after college and where Pops lived when he was a little boy.  We left around 10am so that you would nap in the car on the way down.  You woke up just as I was pulling through Davis Square so it was a good solid nap for you.

When we got to Auntie Cathlin's house she was so happy to see you!  We let you play for a little bit on her carpet (she made sure to tell me she had vaccummed for you so that I would feel comfortable with you on her floor!) but then it was time to head into the city because we were going to the Children's Museum.

First we had to walk to the T station so that you could ride the T for the first time!  Mommy used to go to this T stop all the time when she was living in the area so it was very surreal to be back there with you!  Auntie offered to carry you (we did bring your stroller but I felt wearing you would be safer on the T).  She seemed to be very comfortable and you loved it as always!  You even fell asleep on her back!  Auntie is the first person to wear you other than me.

Its a Baby Wearing Auntie!

Your FIRST T ride!

 When we got to the Children's Museum we found our way up to the Infant area which is a special section of the Toddler area.  It had carpet, tons of toys, soft structures, and plenty of sensory objects for you to explore.

trying to make a new friend

Such a handsome boy!

 On the upper level of the baby area (it was up 3 steps which you weren't quite able to master) there was a waterbead type activity.  I put you on it to see how you would like the experienxe and at first you really were unsure about it.

Mom - what is this?

I don't think I like this - I want to get off

Still unsure - crawling on this is tough

trying to climb out

OK - I'l just stay here till you come and get me.

 I can't say that you loved the waterbed but by the time we took you out of it you seemed much more comfortable and you were even rolling around on it a bit.  The next stop was a spinner that was also on the second little tier to the infant area.  Auntie spun you round and round (very slowly) and you loved it!

We were able to get a group picture when a very nice lady volunteered to take our picture (after we asked nicely of course).

Auntie, Conor and Mommy

 After some more spinning we left the Infant area and let you try out some of the exhibits that were a bit more challenging for you.  This wall puzzle required you to move the little pegs along the trails - you seemed to like this and spent a bit of time in front of it.

Then Auntie took you into the water area.  You had so much fun here.  It was a little tall for you and the stool didn't offer you much support and you wanted to put EVERYTHING in your mouth (Mommy doesn't mind you tasting your environment but she draws the line at museum water toys) so we didn't stay here very long.  Both Auntie and I agreed that it would be an area that you need to be a bit older for us to really get to enjoy it with you.

Water is cold and wet!

 After water time we did some reading.....and puzzels in the quiet section of the Toddler area.

And because you are "so Vain" we spent some time in front of the mirror making faces :)

Then it was time for lunch!  We tucked you into your stroller and took a walk down a few blocks to a neat little eatery where we picked up french fries and a sandwich.  Then we walked back to the Museum and ate outside at the cafe tables.  You were such a good boy while we ate and you even had a little bit of milk yourself.

After lunch we went back into the museum and walked through some of the older kid exhibits just to get an idea of what else the museum offered.  We went to Japan and we toured the Black Market and an Indian exhibit.  Then it was time to head back to Auntie's house.

You slept the entire walk back to the T station and during the entire ride so you were very well rested by the time we got to Aunties and you were ready to play!

On your mark - get set - GO!

LOVE

Piggy Back Ride

Your Auntie loves you so much and she planned the most PERFECT day for us all to enjoy....you are very lucky to have her as both your auntie and your Godmom.

And because I am raising you to be a good boy with nice manners - what do you say to Auntie?

Thank you Auntie Cathlin for taking me to the museum - I love you!

xoxo
Mommy

PS.  you slept about 1/2 the ride home but had a tough time the second 1/2 of the trip.  I'm not sure if it was because of your teeth or if it was due to the hour of day we were traveling - next time we will either have to stay later so its closer to bedtime or we will have to leave earlier so its like nap time (or stay overnight!).

Drive-In

On August 11, 2012 we headed to the drive-in as a family for Conor's first ever drive-in experience.  You may recall that he went to the movie theater a few months back to see the Chimps movie by Disney (you can read all about it here: http://ourbabystep1.blogspot.com/2012/05/movie-baby.html ).

Well, since summer is drawing to an end Josh and I are trying to check off our summer activities wish list and the drive-in was one we hadn't done yet.  So we packed up both boys (Hunter came too) and loaded up the car with a few snacks and drinks and off we went.  The movies were NOT kid friendly but since our plan was for Conor to sleep through the entire experience we were ok with it.

When we got to the lot we found the best spot for our family and then the fun really began.  Conor was not quite ready for sleep so out of the carseat he came and the car became his playground!

It was a little rainy before the show but once the show started the rain stopped!

Pulling up on the back of Daddy's seat.

I sat in the back with Conor so that I could nurse him, change him, and take care of his needs during the movie while Hunter took the passenger seat.  Conor loved pulling up on the driver's seat and peering through the headrest posts at his Daddy and Hunter.  As you can see from the picture below -  pulling up is something Conor spends a lot of time doing.

Pulling up on the couch after swim class 8.11.12

About 1/2 way through the first movie (THE WATCH) Conor was out cold.  So I placed him back in his carseat and did the buckles loosely in case we had to leave suddenly.  He didn't stir again until just as the second movie (TED) was ending so he did very well!  Of course, we were prepared to leave at any time either of our boys needed to head home.

So, one more 'summer fun time' item crossed off the list and another new 'first' for Conor!

xoxo
Erin

PS.  Both movies were pretty funny but both were a little more inappropriate than we expected - I honestly am not sure I would let my young teen (if I had one) watch either movie.

Thank You Conor!

Dear Conor,

On August 7, 2012 Mommy had a VERY long day at work and she even had to work late into the night visiting other kids (one of the babies was born only 1 week after you).  I was so sad to leave you right before dinner time when I had only gotten home an hour before.  I knew you would be in good hands with Daddy though!

What I didn't know is that you and Daddy couldn't wait until I left because you had been very busy during the day and you had lots more work to do before I got home.

When I got home I noticed there were little prints on the floor - they looked like this:

You and Daddy told me to follow the trail........

Hunter helping me follow the trail!

 And when I got to the end of the trail this is what I found:

You and Daddy had gone to the craft store to get supplies to make me a beautiful picture in the morning and you had also stopped to get Mommy some of her favorite treats!  Then, when I left for the night you got busy making such a special trail and setting up the suprise!

I love you little man and after you went to bed Mommy did have a nice soak in the tub to wash away her difficult day!  You are one special little guy to want to give Mommy this nice relaxing treat!

Thank you again sweet baby!

xoxo
Mommy

Playdate at Stella's House

Dear Conor,

On 8.6.12 we drove up to Brunswick to go to Stella's house for a playdate.  arrive.  We had never been to Stella's house before so it was fun to see her room and where she lives.

A Fuzzy Baby L

Baby C - his big sister came to play too!

you and Baby D

Miss Stella

 After everyone had arrived and all babies were covered in sunblock it was time to head outside and play in the grass and go visit Stella's chickens.

You held some bread for the chickens

Here come the ladies to get the bread

After playing hard at Stella's you needed a good scrubbing so when we got home you went straight into the bath!  You still love your bath time and I am still very thankful that bath time is NEVER a struggle!

Your crawling is getting better and better every day and tonight you were crawling around much faster - every time we go and play with your friends you come home with more skills!  I love watching you learn from them!

xoxo
Mommy

Happy Birthday Meo!

Dear Conor,

I have said it before but you are very lucky to have made so many good friends in this, your first year, of life!  One of those little friends is Meo - he actually lives just a few minutes away from us and that means that if you both still live in this area when its time for you to go to Kindergarten that you and Meo would be at the same school (he will likely be one year ahead of you because of your birthdays).

Meo invited you to his home to celebrate his FIRST birthday (8.5.12).  It was themed from the book "Brown Bear Brown Bear".  Meo's Mommy got so many great decorations and she had food themed to the book like green gummy frogs, goldfish, teddy grahams and a few other treats!

We arrived a little late because you took a much longer nap than expected so your friends were all there when we arrived.  You get so happy when you see your friends and you all played very nicely together with the toys Meo had put out to share!

Playing with Meo's musical instruments

Baby L & C

Drums with Baby L and B

Baby C

After some play time it was time to watch Meo blow out his birthday candle!

Meo certainly knew how to take a BIG bite out of his cupcake!  He was eating it like an apple!

After cupcakes (you didn't get to have one - no cake until its time for YOUR first birthday) Meo opened some of his presents.  One was a cool Radio Flyer Wagon.  All his guests were getting ready to leave so he asked you if you would go for a wagon ride with him.

This was the second or third time you had been in a wagon and you simply loved it!  You had a great time celebrating Meo's first birthday with him.....we can't wait to see all the great things Meo does this year.

xoxo
Mommy

Trouble!

Dear Conor,

On 8.1.2012 I walked into the livingroom to find you in an interesting position:

After seeing this it became clear that Daddy and I needed to figure out a way to block you from this table and so now your Boppy Pillow is wedged between the coach and TV cabinet creating, what we hope, will be a little wall that you won't try to breech!

Before you start climbing things - can you figure out crawling a little better please!  You are still crawling with your right leg tucked under your hip....we are slowly working on this but I think you should perfect it before trying a new way to move around the room (furniture surfing!)

xoxo
Mommy