Adventures at Grandpa Tom's

Dear Conor,

During the time we lived at Grandpa Tom's you developed so much.  Your vocabulary took off and your interests because clearer.  You loved being outside in his yard either running in the grass (chase chase is what you liked to say) or picking up all the rocks in the drive way and putting them into different things (cups, bowls, your bike, your police car).  Sometimes it was a wrestling match to get you inside because you loved being in the yard.  So, when we had nothing to do - we spent as much time outside as we possible could.

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

August 9, 2013 - rock collecting

Sometimes Daddy even gave you a special treat and let you practice your driving skills - Helmets for Safety!

August 13, 2013

 

 

Pooltime was a favorite activity - Grandpa had a lot of great spaces to put your pool depending on how hot it was outside.

08/29/3013

But nothing beats just running in the grass!

09/08/2013

A few days after these pictures were taken we moved into our new house - this was the last time we played in Grandpa's yard!

Conor and Hunter - 09/08/2013

We are so very thankful that Grandpa let us stay at his house while we waited for our house to be ready to live in!  We had a great summer there and having all that space allowed you to grow and develop and have a lot of fun!

xoxo
Mommy

Brotherly Love

Dear Colin,

Now that you have a name its easier to write these posts to you.  Your brother is highly in love with you and I mean that very sincerely!  Back in August he started really wanting to have you with him at all times.  When we sat on the couch together he would lift my shirt and rub my tummy and talk to "the baby".

28 weeks pregnant; 19 months old

A few weeks later (8.29.13) he refused to take a nap unless you were napping too so we all slept on the couch together while Daddy was out working.

30 weeks; 20 months old

He loves to give you kisses!

And relaxes with you every day - already sharing his books, toys, and ipad time with you!

33 weeks; 20 months

No matter where he is or what he is doing your big brother is looking out for you.  He always wants to make sure you are included in everything!

35 weeks; 21 months

I hope that he continues to love you as much as he does now when you are here and making lots of noise!  So far, here are the things your brother is willing to share with you:
* toys
* Hunter
* books
* juice
* beep beep (his police car)
* trains
* blocks

The only thing he says he won't share is milk (your brother still nurses once in a while).  We of course, are working on teaching him that babies need a lot of milk and that he will have to share.  I'm sure it will all work out! 

xoxo
Mommy

False Alarm

Dear Baby Do-rin (what your big brother calls you),

This past Friday we had a HUGE false alarm!  I honestly thought you were coming.  We had all the signs and symptoms of labor and so Mommy rushed out to the store because there were a few things that I didn't have for you that I really needed.  One, I needed a baby book.  I am so sorry to say that between caring for your brother and this move I haven't been as attentive to your needs as I would like to be.  I don't ever want you to feel like second fiddle simply because you were born second.  So, I went to 4 different stores to find you a baby book! 

Your brother also has developed a love for his old swaddle blankets so I bought you a set of your own.  His are bamboo and remind me of India where yours are muslin and have a cute jungle theme so there should never be any worries that they will get confused. 

Your brother also sleeps very well with a sound machine so I bought you the same one.  Even though you will be in our room for a while having you get used to the white noise will be great.

So, after a monumental shopping trip with contractions every 15 minutes and having to go the bathroom every 5 - I made the decision to call your Grandma Mary up to Maine.  Well - you are a little stinker because while Friday you continued to increase your contractions in both intensity and length by Saturday there were few and now there are none.  We walked and walked all day Saturday in an attempt to get things kick-started again but after a visit to the Chiropractor yesterday I learned you are not even engaged in my pelvis (silly baby - get down there!).  Of course, you might have spend some time down there but since the weekend you have retreated back into my abdomen and have been causing major heartburn and discomfort.  So I am to push on my upper abdomen and wear a little band to keep some pressure there in order to keep you from floating back up and causing me to vomit.

I really want to meet you Colin - you are seemingly every bit as stubborn as the rest of us and now at 39.5 weeks I'm not quite sure you are ready to come out.  No matter when you arrive or how stubborn you are please know we love you (and would love for you to come this weekend so you can trick or treat with us)!  Your brother is so excited to meet you and every day tells you to come play with him.  He loves spending time in your room and talking about all the things in the house that are yours.

Your clothes are washed, your bassinet is ready, your swing is up, your playgym is set up in the playroom - all we need is you!!! 

xoxo
Mom

A Name for our Little Boy

Dear Baby,

Its hard to believe that we are already in our 37th week and that I am considered full term and that means you could come any day and not be at risk for premature delivery issues (though please stay inside just a little longer - we are still trying to get organized in the new home).  Your Daddy and I picked out your name a little while ago but we have been getting use to it before announcing it on our blog.

How did we arrive at your name?  It was a long process.  There were so many names we could have picked but none of them seemed right.  Your Daddy loved the name Garret and its a strong and handsome name but it simply didn't seem right to me.  I loved the name Keegan but it didn't work well with our last name.  So, we made a list of names that we liked and went through them trying out different combinations until we found one that we really truly felt was just right for you - our littlest prince.

I knew I wanted another Irish name to compliment your big brother's and so we arrived at Colin for your first name.  Your name has many origins but the Gaelic once means: "cub" or "young pup".  This goes nicely with your brother's name which means "lover of hounds".  Hopefully this means that you two will get along very nicely!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_(given_name)

Your middle name is Patrick.  This is Mommy's most favorite boys name in the entire world but neither I nor Daddy like the nickname Pat and didn't want you to ever be teased by someone who thought it would be funny to call you Patty.  This name is very special to Mommy and I hope that you wear it well as it means "nobleman." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_(given_name)

So, Colin Patrick J.... - we have given you a name - a name we believe is strong and will serve you well throughout your life.  But for right now, we have taken to calling you Baby Colin and your brother calls you Baby Doro.....he'll get there someday.

Hugs and Kisses and lots of anticipation,

Mommy

Week 31 & a New House

Dear Baby,

Notice the name change?  Since we found out you were a boy I've been having a hard time calling you Apple and since big brother calls you "baby" about 1000 times a day I think I'll stick with that.

Do you have a name you ask?  Yes, you have a name but Mommy is not ready to announce it on the blog (or to most people for that matter) and therefore "Baby" you will be.

So, we are at 31 weeks, 9 weeks to go.  You are so incredibly active I don't know what to say.  You move and shake and punch and kick for what seems like 85% of any given 24 hours.  You have just started to give Mommy heartburn about once a day and you are still sitting pretty low.  Our doctors appointments have increased to every 2-3 weeks and I booked all of our final appointments with the last one being on October 31st but of course, you will be arriving on schedule therefore this appointment will not be needed - correct?!?

Mommy has gained 21 pounds this pregnancy which is now right on track.  Your heart rate continues to be strong and while you still are able to do full flips in my uterus you spend a lot of time head down (this is a good thing).  My pregnancy app. says that you are about 3.3 pounds right now and the midwife said you are likely to be just as big as your brother was give or take a pound (he was 8lbs 10.6 oz) so you still have a little growing to do.

So I have some big news baby - as of today you are no longer homeless!  Mommy and Daddy signed all the paperwork for your home.  Since you are going to be living in hand-me-downs the least we could do was get you a new house right?!?  Just kidding (on the hand-me-downs) - Mommy has bought you a few brand new things just for you because you are special and deserve it. 

We love you and can't wait to see you!

And I was doing well

There was a point where I was getting caught up on this blog and now another whole month has gone by. 

Since the last time I wrote so many things have happened that it would be a shame to forget them all - thank goodness for iphones and FB or no one would have any idea what was going on in our lives right now.  Baby #2 is growing beautifully and we are hoping he will wait just a little bit longer before making his debut because we are trying to settle into our new home as quickly as possible.  Conor's room is as done as it needs to be and the nursery, guest room (where my mom will stay), and our bedroom are between 50-85% there.  Bathrooms are functional and the living areas are as done as they need to be (minus the clutter as we use them for staging areas).  Conor has settled into the new house and calls it "me house" and has met many of the neighborhood children and developed a friendship with the 5 year old boy who lives next door.

Josh and I are both scrambling to get caught up on our jobs, finish the house, and spend special moments with Conor these last few days where he is our one and only.

My mom has spend a weekend and really helped to get the move-in ball rolling, friends have been amazing - coming to spend time with Conor each week so that I could get house projects done, and Josh's parents have helped with both playing with Conor and helping us lug things around the garage since my days of heavy lifting are over.  We are truly thankful for the help!

Once we are more settled I promise a house tour :)

Summer Lovin'

Dear Conor,

One of the greatest things about living at Grandpa Tom's is that your friend Olivia lives just down the street.  Because of this we have been able to spend some of our late afternoons with her at the local playground or at her house.  Here are some of the pictures from the first time we met them at the playground (8.5.13).  You guys enjoyed holding hands and you ALWAYS walk her to her car at the end of our play.

First time on a big kid swing - you made Mommy so nervous as you kept wanting to do it one handed!

Leading your lady to the playground

Ladies first up the stairs!

It will be wonderful when we are in our new house but I will miss our little play dates with Olivia and her mom and I know you will too!

xoxo
Mommy