First Professional Haircut 6.23.13

Dear Conor,

Mom finally got around to emptying all the pictures off her camera and iphone and so now I have to back-track a little bit because you have had quite a few big moments the last 60 days that I want to make sure are documented.

One of those things is your first professional haircut.  Mommy was taking some fun pictures of you one morning while Daddy was working and when he saw the pictures he said it was time for a hair cut (ignore the fact that to keep your hair out of your food I had put you in a ponytail a few times).  So, we headed to "the city" to the kids shop called "Snip-its" for your first haircut.

The picture that launched a haircut

Snip-its was amazing to walk into.  It reminded me of something you would see at a theme park (such as Disney).  It was 100% geared towards children and capturing their attention and perhaps lowering any boredom while waiting.  Conor had a ton of fun walking around and checking out all the buttons he thought he could push (they weren't functioning buttons).

Checking it out with Daddy

 A few minutes into our wait time we saw a familiar family walk through the door - it was Conor's very good friend Carter and his Mommy and Daddy!  Apparently Carter's Daddy said it was haircut time too!  How fun for two friends to share their first professional haircut together!

Before haircuts - friends playing

 When it was time for your haircut I think Mommy was more nervous than you.  They had bubbles which were your current obsession of the week/month and so you were doing just fine.  Mommy just didn't want the to take too much off.  We blew bubbles and played trucks to keep you entertained while your hair was trimmed.

Bubbles - the smock didn't last long as you didn't like it.

And off comes the smock!

trimming the mullet

a little off the sides

And just a smidge off the top please!

 Carter came by your "station" to watch so that he would be less nervous.  You were also getting a little antsy so seeing your friend really helped!

One of the options at this place is to purchase the "first haircut" package.  The package includes the haircut, a special first haircut certificate, some of your locks, and a picture!  The picture came out a little cheesy because you were ready to go by the time they took it but we were so proud of you anyways!  Here we all are - post haircut!

You were such a good boy we took you out for "linner" after your big moment.  You already look so grown up - no more ponytails here!

After!

Its been 1.5 months since your first haircut and Daddy and I were commenting that it might almost be time for another one.  Mommy isn't so sure but one thing is certain - I would have no problem bringing you back to Snip-its!

Here's to your beautiful hair little man!

xoxo
Mommy

ER Trips

Dear Conor,

It is my hope that Apple is as healthy as you are!  You have only been sick twice but both times have landed us in the ER at night (we got there around 11:30pm).  The first time was in February when you and all your little friends caught a vomiting bug that was going around and you weren't keeping down any liquids and weren't having enough wet diapers.  You were not admitted (thank goodness) but they did give you medicine to help get rid of the vomiting which allowed you to keep liquids down!

Well, the second time was on June 18, 2013 and we were at the ER just after the close of normal business hours because we missed your peds office by a few minutes.  This time you had been running a fever for the greater part of the day.  Daddy had been taking care of you and had been talking to your doctor's office all day to help get your fever under control but no matter what he did (and what we did once I got home) our thermometer was regularly over 103 so off to the ER we went.

Trying to sleep off the fever after a dose of Tylenol

Driving to the ER - we had just given you a cool sponge bath and your fever was still 104

Laying on Mommy waiting for relief to come - temp was 102 at the hospital

We were at the hospital for a little while and a few different people came to check on you.  We did a strep test just to rule that out and you were given a heavier dose of medicine than we could give you at home (per dosing instructions) and were instructed to bump you up to the next dosing level as you were on the cusp and less medicine never helps but more can and it wouldn't have any bad side effects. 

Daddy and I hate seeing you sick and were glad when you did not have a temp by midday.  We kept you calm and continued dosing for the following 24 hours to ensure you were ok.  As I said, I hope Apple is as healthy as you are (but I hope he has better timing with his sicknesses - ER visits are not fun and are expensive!).  But, Mommy and Daddy are also still learning and we will do anything to make sure you get better :)

xoxo
Mommy

Papa Boat?

Dear Conor,

As I said before you have really settled into Grandpa Tom's house and I find you looking at his cameras saying "hi Papa hi Papa" throughout the day and always at bedtime.  Every night before we go into your room you wave to the camera just outside the door and blow it a kiss.....you are so sweet!

This week I was cleaning up the kitchen/hallway area and had your lifejacket by the door (I had washed it due to it getting a little mold on it as it didn't dry out all the way the last time we used it).  Well, you saw that life jacket and immediately tried putting it on and doing up the buckles.  When I said no you looked right at the camera holding your little life jacket and said "boat papa".  I nearly died from how funny you were being (and of course, texted and called Grandpa).  Clearly you had a GREAT time earlier this summer boating with Grandpa!

Here are some pictures to recap that fun time (6.17.2013) - we stayed on the boat for about 2 hours before you had clearly had enough and were ready for a nap.

a little snack as we head out

making sure Grandpa is boating properly

conferring co-captains

Daddy and Conor filling the boat with gas (and Conor with snacks)

Teaching Daddy to drive the boat

Grandpa said he might be back this month and if so then hopefully you can go out on the boat with him again before its time to store it for winter!

xoxo
Mommy

Hanging Low!

Dear Apple,

Since there are 80 days or so until your arrival your mom would like to request that you move up a little bit.  I swear baby boy, you are hanging so low that some nights I don't think I can stand up after rocking your BIG brother to sleep!  Your position also means that Mom's back has been hurting and sitting in Grandpa's comfy reclining couch has become a problem - well, sitting in general is a problem!  So, be a good boy and mind your Mommy!

I can tell how busy you are growing and making a name for yourself already.  My stomach is in a constant state of movement and this afternoon while Conor was laying on my tummy you up and kicked him!  He was shocked and wasn't sure what to do (he ended up pushing you back and laying his head back down - I hope this isn't foreshadowing of what's in store!).

Besides trying to bust out early and kick your brother, you are growing.  We had a check-in the last week of July and weight we have gained (finally)!!!  Combined we weigh a healthy 148 pounds which I am happy to report is smack in the MIDDLE of the range of where we should be.  Blood pressure is good (despite all the stress of July) and swelling is minimal!  My belly button has already popped out but there's nothing I can do about that.

What's in a name?  Well, Daddy and I are almost sure we know what your name will be but until we are 100% sure we aren't sharing with anyone!  You seem to respond to the final contenders and Conor still wants to name you Elmo (sometimes he says E for Ernie - but don't worry we won't entertain those names).

Glucose and Iron testing was today and while I am sure that both you and I are good to go I always get worried when tests are taken (call it the perfectionist in me but I always want to get a good report!) so we shall see in a few days.  We have an appointment in two weeks to check in (31 weeks - YIKES) and then it will be visits every 2-3 weeks until you make your arrival.  I can't believe how fast time is flying!

Hope you are cozy and comfy (but not too comfy - you need to move up a bit remember?)!

xoxo
Mom

Moving Update

Dear Conor,

You are a champion and while we certainly have had our moments (which I will detail below) you have really tolerated this transition better than I could have hoped for.

In hindsight, having you sleep in 3 different places in 4 days was certainly not ideal - though it was unpreventable given Auntie's wedding and then our need to get you out of the house for the movers.  The first few nights at Grandpa's were terrible!  You required a lot of nursing to get to sleep, you woke up several times a night crying and the first night (Tuesday night) you vomited, the second night (Wednesday night) you pooped through your jammies, and the third night (Thursday) you decided that sleep wasn't necessary and were awake for several hours in the wee hours of the morning.  I know it was just you trying to understand why we were sleeping at Grandpa's house but spending the days at our house and our house was getting so empty!  I was very thankful to have your Auntie here visiting - she really helped to keep you busy and calm while Mommy was trying to get everything ready for the big day.

As the nights went on you started sleeping better and getting more comfortable at Grandpa's house.  You learned what you could touch and what you couldn't.  Mommy learned what needed to be locked up and what could be left alone and what of Grandpa's just had to be moved until we are gone.  We settled back into our regular routine and while you still were struggling to sleep more than 10 hours and you abandoned all naps - things were getting better.

The first weekend we lived in "the country" we went to a little village field day type activity where you got to pet a lot of baby animals - you had a lot of fun with the baby chicks and goats - but you did not love the miniature horses!

Chicks!

Chicks Momma!

Goats

"Baaa" to the goats

After visiting the animals we went down to the lake for some digging in the dirt and water play.  You had fun splashing in the water once you felt comfortable with the sand under your toes.  You were not so sure of it squishing between your toes!

When we got back to Grandpa's (which we have started calling home now) you played with your toys that Mom had put together for you with Daddy and Auntie while mom rested a little bit with baby Apple. 

Auntie stayed for 2 weeks and we had so much fun with her.  We went to Aquaboggin (a local smaller waterpark) and you and Daddy took her to the pottery place.  Every morning when you woke up the first thing you did was look for "ya ya" or call her name throughout the house. 

Wave Pool with Daddy 7.21.13

Waiting for Daddy and "Ya ya" to be done riding rides

After swim snack

Some of the best times we had with "ya ya" were just hanging out in the yard or the house playing.

Playing with Auntie 7.25.13

These were a special two weeks.  Special because they triggered the start of a new beginning for our little family but also because the time you got to share with Auntie helped to mold the relationship you will have in the future.

As of today (August 5, 2013) you are sleeping better (6:30pm - 7:00am) though you still wake at 5:00am with a little cry; you now roll over and go back to sleep.  You still are nursing to sleep and often need a little extra hug or rocking if you can't fall asleep after 10 minutes in your room, and because you are nursing you often have soggy diapers in the morning.  But, despite all this I still think you have done an EXCELLENT job with this transition and I only hope that the next one is a little easier on you.

Hugs to my sweet baby boy!
xoxo
Mumma

Nineteen Months

Dear Conor,

You continue to be the focus of every minute of every day in our lives.  We have tried in the last month to give you as much of us as we could because of all the changes that were coming your way.  Since I last wrote about your progress we have moved out of the house that truly became a home the day we brought you home to stay.  It was a difficult day because that little house was the place where you took your first steps, said your first words, and where we learned to be parents.  We left our driveway for the last time on July 19, 2013 at 8:45am....it was bittersweet because the new owners were already there so there was no last photo of us in front of the house and our last image of the home had their car in the driveway - in a way it already felt like it was long gone.

Goodbye Home

The week prior was incredibly busy for us and, of course, it was a week that you started saying even more new words and I found it challenging to keep up with you.  Ice, bowl, cup, bear, box, okay, pee, elbow, and knee I think were the new words for you in just a few days.  You have such wonderful friends - they came over to play with you on both Monday and Tuesday so that Mommy could focus on packing.  Monday night was your last night in your room because Tuesday morning Mommy drove your crib to Grandpa's house and that night you slept in Uncle Justin's room.  I know this transition time will be a challenge for you but just know that Mommy and Daddy are here for you and we are doing everything we can to help ease the stress and strain on you.

So, before the big move we spent the weekend on the Cape because Auntie Cathlin was getting married!  You attended the rehearsal but we made the decision that you would skip dinner because you were getting tired after the long drive down and we didn't want to start you off the next day with a bad attitude.  SAturday you spent the day with Daddy while Mommy got ready with the girls.  You came to the wedding (and you were pretty good too) before getting dropped off with Auntie Ana for your first babysitting at night.  You have been watched for short periods of time during the day by a few people but this was going to be a lot different and Mommy was nervous!  But Auntie sent Mommy these pictures to show what a good boy you were being!

Eating Dinner for Ana

Playing before bed

Auntie Ana did a great job with you and I am so thankful that we had her because I couldn't imagine having left you for the first time at night with anyone else.  You even went to bed for the first time without any milk and you did great!

This month you have also sprouted lots of new teeth!  You now have 4 bottom fronts, two top fronts, and one chewing tooth on each side both top and bottom coming through. You have been such a champ through all this and I'm hoping that with these new teeth you will start to expand your food interests!

You are now able to blow on hot foods, you picked blueberries for the first time, you identify secondary body parts (chin, neck, chest, elbow, leg), you know which grandparents we are talking to you about and you confirm this by talking about things related to them (boat, bobo, dog), time-outs are effective with you now and you sit for them 99% of the time, you still struggle with teeth brushing but we are working on that.  Lastly, you are able to express choices and wants with words and gestures.

We are constantly surprised by you little man and I can't wait to see what the next month brings (and its time for some new professional pictures!).

xoxo
Mommy

PS.  new words this month are: Pee, ice, rug, Carter, Braden, train, blueberry, rice, bike, stroller, bus, bag, alligator, step, jump, bowl, plate. 

Apple Update

Wow!

Apple you are growing and growing and I have to admit that I haven't been as diligent at writing up your progress as I was with your big brother (curse of being the second child I guess - but you are not loved any less)!! 

Currently we are at 26 weeks and we had a check-in with the midwives this week after a long 6 week break from them.  Why the break you ask?  Because we were very busy the month of July.  You and I had a few trials and then we had to attend a Bachelorette Party, Nolan's first birthday and finally, Auntie Cathlin's Wedding!

Your first and (likely only) Bachelorette Party 6.15.13 - 20 weeks 

Aunties!

You weren't a big focus at Auntie's single night celebration but by the time her wedding came around a month later you wanted the world to know you were here!  You are a BIG time mover and shaker and together we shook up the dance floor and had a wonderful time celebrating the newly married couple!

Wedding Day Bump - 24/25 weeks

Auntie's going to the chapel and she's gonna get married!

Mommy, Auntie, and Sweet Apple

Auntie and the new Uncle!

our first picture with Apple!

You are growing quite well.  All tests are coming back with great results and while I am on the lower end of the weight spectrum right now I am certain that you will catch up to your brother in those last few weeks.  Your heartbeat is quite strong and your Auntie Sarah got to hear it this week as she is up visiting and went to your appointment with me.

Your brother is in love with you and often wants to touch you and talk to you through my belly button.  He likes to blow raspberries on my stomach and I can only imagine what you are thinking when you hear that noise.  He talks about you a lot and thinks there is a baby in everyone's tummy which is really cute. 

Giving you kisses - 23 weeks

Loving you - 25 weeks

Right now we have moved out of our home in E.W. and are staying at grandpa's house while we wait to see if we can move into our new home in K.  I hope that we are able to move soon so that we can slowly get things ready for your arrival - we have one more appointment in August and then after that we move to every 2 weeks because your arrival will be in less than 100 days now!!  YIKES!!!!!

Besides moving around a lot (which Conor didn't do) you are so different from him in almost every way.  You constantly put pressure on my skin with your body and your moving (sometimes I swear your foot or knee is going to pop right out) but I have far less heartburn than I did with your brother.  You are sitting much lower than he ever did and I find it harder to get up from sitting down because of how you like to settle right into my pelvic area when I have been sitting too long.  You are active the most in the evening hours (which worries me that you are going to be as difficult a sleeper as Conor) and so I have had trouble sleeping at night because all your moving around causes heartburn at about 2am every morning.

Keep growing strong in there little man because we can't wait to meet you (and pick a name for you)!

xoxo
Mommy

PS.  Conor wants to name you Elmo or Ernie or Grover - how do you feel about those names?