19 Month Check-Up 7.25.13

Dear Conor,

Because you were born so close to Christmas your check-ups are always a little later than typical.  So, we had your 18 month check-up when you were really 19 months old.  Because Auntie was here visiting she got to go with us to your appointment (this was your FIRST time having someone else there besides Mommy and Daddy - in fact, Daddy stayed at work this time).

We arrived with just a few extra minutes (its a lot different driving from grandpa's house than our old house just up the street).  The nurse first had to take your measurements.

You have not grown that much little man!  You are still growing but only by the tiniest bit each time.  Nolan is as big as you now!  But, good things come in little packages and you are a VERY good thing!

As a reminder - here are your prior stats:

While waiting for the doctor to come in your played with the paper on the table.  You enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with Auntie and ripping the paper to shreds!

You did have to get one shot this time around (Auntie did not like watching that) and because she was such a good girl and you were a good boy (no nursing and you only cried for a minute) I took you guys our for ice cream.  This was your first ice cream cone.

You got so messy the owner asked if we wanted extra napkins or a bowl.  Nope - I just let you go to town and you rode back to grandpa's house in your diaper and sweatshirt and your clothes went right into the wash :)

Our next appointment will be in January for your 24/25 month check-up - that's a long way away so I can't wait to see how much you change!  Just think - at your next appointment you will have been a big brother for at least 2 months!

xoxo
Mommy

New England Aquarium

Dear Conor,

This summer we have made two trips to the New England Aquarium.  We certainly are getting a lot of use out of the family pass that Grandma and Grandpa Trayner gave you for Christmas (2012).  The first trip was on 7.2.13 with Auntie Cathlin.  You and she had a lot of fun and it was nice that Mommy got a little rest because Auntie loved walking around with you and you loved your time with her!

This was one of the last times that we got to spend with Auntie all by ourselves before she got married.  It was a fun day for all of us.  After the Aquarium you napped in the car while Auntie and I had a picnic of Panera.  Then it was off to the dress shop for fittings!!!  Hard to believe that as I type this now Auntie is married and has a new home!  Thanks for a GREAT day Auntie!

Your second trip to the Aquarium was when we met up with Grandpa and Grandma Trayner (and Danielle) to bring Auntie Sarah back to them on 7.27.13.  Again, it was a great day with family and you had so much fun being with your family that Mom got a lot of rest.  You held everyone's hands but mine and spent time with each person.  We got lunch at Faneuil Hall and then walked around the waterfront before it was time to head back home.

Looking for the BIG turtle

Holding the side of the stroller like Grandpa taught you

Mommy, Conor, Auntie Danielle (& Baby Brother - 26 weeks)

Daddy didn't get to go to the Aquarium so we have to plan another trip or two so that he is able to see the new tank and spend some time in Boston with you!  Maybe next time we can bring Little Gordon and his parents!

xoxo
Mommy

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