First Snow of 2012-2013

Dear Conor,

On November 8, 2012 we awoke to the first falling snow of the season.  As soon as I had wiped the sleepies from both our eyes I bundled you up and tossed you out in the snow because the weatherman said it was going to rain all afternoon.

You weren't sure what to think of your snow suit or the fact that you didn't have your hands free but one thing is certain you were very curious about the actual snow!

Checking it out for the first time.

Copying Mommy and trying to catch snow on your tongue!

I think I like snow - at least the taste of it.

Little do you know Conor that snow is a wonderful thing.  Mommy loves when the snow comes because it means that we can go sledding, skiing, ice skating, and snow shoeing!  This winter I hope to take you snow shoeing with Daddy and I!

Hmmm....I can't pick this stuff up with this green hand.

Thanks Mommy for putting some on my hand - it tastes good!

Hunter checking out the baby in the snow

First snows are lots of fun and I'm glad that we made time to get out in it because the rain came down within an hour and so much of the snow was gone by the time Daddy got home from work.  But we weren't sad because we know there will be lots more snow in our future this winter season!

xoxo
Mommy

Big Stepping

Dear Conor,

And so it begins - your love for pushing and pulling things around the house.  Only yesterday you were taking your first steps and today you were pushing and pulling toys all over the house.  Daddy sent me this video while I was working so guess what I had to do on my way home - I had to go and buy baby gates!

I love that you are so adventurous but please be careful!

xoxo
Mommy

First Steps

Dear Conor,

On November 6, 2012 you took your first steps.

You walked between Daddy and I and we were so excited.  You were also very proud of yourself.  We know that walking will open many doors for you and will further your independence but we are also sad because each step is one more step away frm the baby that we brought home and one more step towards the toddler you are becoming.

No matter what - we love you and we were so proud to share in your first steps!

xoxo
Mommy

First Election!

Dear Conor,

On Tuesday, November 6, 2012 you accompanied your Daddy and I as we made our way to the polls to cast our vote for the President/VP and various other political figures. 

While your Daddy might feel that a single person's vote does not count this Mom truly feels differently.  There were people generations back that fought very hard for the right to vote and it is privilege that each person should take advantage of.  However, that being said your Mommy feels that people need to be making EDUCATED choices and not simply voting along party lines, for friends, for whatever name sounds better, or for whomever is already in office (or alternatively who is not currently in office). 

As an example.  Your Daddy and I truly like a specific politician for our district.  He was termed out of his current seat and therefore was running for a federal position.  We had some questions for him and through those questions learned that while he was in favor of some things we were there were others that we felt even stronger about (that were not included in his platform because they are controversial) that he was against.  Therefore we could not vote for him.  Had we not checked into his website and followed up with questions we might never have learned this information.

I hope to raise you to not just be a voter but to be an educated voter......

Your first trip to the polls was a great one.  We went when there would be no lines and therefore we breezed right in.  I wore you in our Kinderpack on the front so that you would be able to see all the action.

Once we cast our ballot we even got some information on a community garden that is being started up.....we put our names on the mailing list for more information about getting a little plot of land!  It will be fun to meet some neighbors and get some gardening help :)  You received a sticker on the way out that said "Future Voter" I saved it for you in your baby book!

I hope you will continue to come with Daddy and I to vote and as you get older perhaps you can participate in the process of learning about the candidates!

Election Day Hugs!
Mommy

PS.  President Obama won the election and will continue as President for another 4 years.

Finger Foods

Dear Conor,

You haven't been much of an eater of solid foods but this month you have moved leaps and bounds and you are starting to really be interested in food and wanting food.  On November 5th as I as eating my dinner you started pointing and so I dropped some veggies on your tray and using the pincher grip you picked them up and starting eating them.  I was so proud of you that I had to grab the camera!

And of course, like always, when you were done you let me know by dropping everything off the tray to the awaiting Hunter.  He is simply your BEST friend when you are in your high chair!

Mommy and Daddy are both so proud of your development!

xoxo
Mommy

Last Swim Class of 2012

Dear Conor,

On November 3, 2012 you attended your last swim class of the year.  There was one more session but because of the holidays and your birthday we decided to skip that session and we will resume swimming in January of 2013 when you are ONE!

Daddy got into the pool with you and I stayed dry in order to take pictures to document this special day.  You have now been swimming almost every Saturday for the last fourteen weeks and you have become very comfortable in the water.

walking to the steps

ohhh....this water is chilly but I'm ready for class!

Class always starts with songs in the circle.  This time requests were taken and so Daddy asked for Baby Shark.....it starts with small bobs in the water with the Baby Shark and by the time you get to Daddy Shark there are big splashes - you just love the big Daddy Shark Splashes!

Baby Shark..do do dodo dado....Baby Shark

Daddy Shark doo doo do do doodooo......Dadddy Shark

Then its time for blast offs and mountain tops.  During this the teachers give out toys to encourage the babies to jump into the pool and swim.  You have always gotten the Captain to play with and yo get so excited when you see him at the pool.

It's Captain Time!

Blast Offs!

Daddy - look I swam to the Captain!

The whole class practicing Blast-offs and Mountain Tops

Swimming for Captain after jumping off the wall.

Kicking to the Captain

When swimming was over the instructors had a big surprise for everyone.....they had certificates!  Here is your certificate!

My little water baby November 2012

 And because we are taking a break we asked your teacher for a quick picture. You weren't thrilled (it was chilly) but she was very happy to give you a big hug - she said you are a GREAT swimmer!

I can't wait for us to return to the pool in 2013 but for now its showers and the bathtub :)

xoxo
Mommy

Lucky Mummy?

The day after Halloween someone decided that he had so much fun that he wanted to make his own costume and trick or treat all over again.......

Gathering materials

Someone got caught by Daddy!

Being a mummy is a lot of fun Mommy!

After we cleaned up your 'creativity' we headed off to the grocery store.  Mom was feeling the kid in her and grabbed a box of lucky charms.  You pulled the box from the back of the cart and proceeded to laugh and kiss the leprechaun.

'Dis'

Kisses for Lucky

Shake Shake Shake

Attempting to eat the cereal through the box

Since you were so good at the store when we got home I gave you some of your own puffs.  I usually just put them on the floor or on your tray but for some reason I felt compelled to put them in a bowl and just give you the bowl (probably because Hunter had gone to work with Daddy so he wasn't there to steal them from you).  You surprised me by eating them from the bowl and NOT dumping them out!

First time eating from a bowl.

You are getting to be such a BIG boy Conor - we love you!

xoxo
Mommy