Happy 11th Month Birthday, Son!

Connor's first day in his helmet (and his provider, Heather, at UNC)

Connor in the wagon at school for Halloween - he sort of slid down here!

The second time the parade came around, his teacher, Mrs. Sarah, had him

Connor's class at the Halloween party... Bring on the cheese puffs!

Surprisingly, it was a well bahaved table

Connor and his other teacher, Mrs. Melinda (and Aunt Angela in the background)

Mommy & Connor on a hayride

Connor in the pumpkin patch

Connor & Daddy by the tractor at the Corn Maze

Mommy & Evil Knievil at the neighborhood party

Let's see what we have here . . .

Say what, Daddy?

This was the Sunday after Halloween & the first time Connor pushed a toy around on the floor!

Daddy & Connor in the backyard, admiring the fall colors

Ugh! But I WANT to read THIS book!

Whose ready for bath time???

Connor playing in the laundry room while waiting for the bath water to run

And my favorite picture of all! Look at that cute little hiney just waiting to get in the tub!

Thanksgiving lunch at Connor's School. The turkey pasta salad was DELISH!

Momma helped feed me so I wouldn't make TOO much of a mess . . .

Daddy & Connor at the Thanksgiving Luncheon

And now that he finished his lunch, it's time for a bottle and then a nap!

Look at our big boy drinking his milk all by himself!

Hmmm. Think they'll notice if I get in the kitchen cabinets?

Mommy decided that Aunt Becca should get on her shoulders and she would take her around the 9 ft tree to put on the lights......Good times!

Like Father, Like Son. NAP TIME!!

Time is just flying by way too fast! Connor is 11 months old today! So hard to believe that in another month he will be ONE YEAR OLD! We can't wait to have his party and celebrate the occassion! It's been quite some time since I was able to update the blog, so let me bring you guys up to speed on what is going on in our's and Connor's lives.

Connor has been in his helmet for about a month and a half full time now. He's made significant progress and as of his last appointment two weeks ago - is over 50% of the way to the goal. Most kids wear a helmet for 4 months, but Connor won't have to go that long. She said at the last appointment to give it another month and see where he is at then. We'll keep you posted on that. Connor doesn't mind wearing it in the least and to be honest, it is GREAT protection! Best decision to put him in the helmet. Come to think of it, I don't think there are any regrets on the decisions we've made for Connor. We're doing pretty good as first time parents, I'd say!

Developmentally, Connor is ALMOST walking. He's letting go of the furniture with one hand, but has yet to let go with both. He's cruising great and moves from object to object without hesitation (i.e. - couch to the coffee table or kitchen table to the cabinet). He is into everything though - loves opening the kitchen/bathroom cabinets and drawers. We made a trip up to Babies R Us today for some more baby proofing items. He's also become very chatty/vocal. As of last Sunday his new favorite thing to say is MA MA! I am so proud! Interestingly enough I think it was Tuesday night he said BEH-CAH - my youngest sister's name. Surprises me because he doesn't see her all that often, but it made her day! He's now saying MAH-CAH - my name! YAY! I just love this little rascal. So - more sounds are coming and we try not to give him his pacy too much so that we can encourage more speech development.

Food wise - this child really does like everything. He's now eating finger foods solely. Rarely will I feed him something out of the jar these days. He loves Momma's cooking too. Some of his favorites so far are spagetti (Momma style - noodles and sauce only - no meat), grilled cheese sandwich, chicken nuggets, oatmeal, and he adores the fruits and veggies we feed him - even asparagus! We are trying very hard to get him to eat what we're having for dinner and not to cook him something seperate - but some nights that doesn't work.

Speaking of food . . . Thanksgiving has come and gone since I updated the blog. For the first time ever - I cooked a holiday dinner! And for 11 people - mostly my in-laws! It came out as a great success. I was excited not only because it was my first time cooking such a meal, but also because it was Connor's first Thanksgiving. I was excited for him to have my food for the occasion. Since it came out so well, we are hosting Christmas Day dinner at my house for my family this time around. We'll see if I do as good as I did at Thanksgiving . . .

Connor is still loving school. When you come in to pick him up - he is so excited to see you. It is such a great feeling! We are really excited about his first Christmas, also. We bought him a few things - not many since he won't really know & since his birthday is right around the corner. We'll be sure to get some pics (maybe even a video if we can) to post to the blog.

Halloween also happened since I updated. Connor was a skeleton for school on Friday and on Saturday, he was Evil Knievel for a block party in our neighborhood. We had to do something to celebrate the helmet!

Connor also had a birthday party to go to today and wouldn't you know Kevin and I BOTH forgot the camera? DUH! His friend Reed (our neighbor's son) turned 2 this week and had a party today at the Little Gym in Holly Springs. Connor had a blast! We may sign him up for Saturday mornings there - get some of that excess energy out!

Other than that, I don't think there is much going on with Connor. He's had a couple of colds in the interim (seems to be an almost ongoing thing) but nothing too serious. I am sure it is just a mixture of daycare and the winter weather. It's been a little cold here lately!

Work has been exceptionally busy for me. I am hoping it slows down in January some. Kevin's been steady with his work, also - foreclosures on the rise again. :( Kevin seems to keep a cold about as often as Connor - so I am hoping that both of them get to feeling better soon and break the cycle of cold passing to one another. The deer are doing great, although my buck has been MIA. Jordan, my oldest nephew, went deer hunting with his Paw-Paw (a big no no according to Aunt Monica), and shot his first deer last Friday and his second one yesterday. Tsk Tsk Aunt Rebekah for letting Jordan do that! Caleb is doing good in school and both boys did great with tackle football. They started practice for basketball last week.

Noah and Laurel are doing great. Laurel got her hearing aids about a week and a half ago, and if I understand things right from Michael, she is able to hear some with the hearing aids! That is great news! They'll keep checking her to make sure this is working for her and if it doesn't, they will try cochlear implants.

That's about all I can think of for now. Connor is napping so I am trying to get the pics posted before he gets up! Hope you guys enjoy!

9 Month Photo Shoot

Such a happy little family . ..

And a very happy little boy!!

Mom & Me

This is one of my favorite pictures! I just love the fall!

Another favorite. This is what he does when he is concentrating. I know who he got this from!

See my two bottom teeth??? I just got a third on top!

Very serious, yet sweet . . .



Here are some pictures we had done of Connor on Sunday for his 9 month photo session. As usual, he is so easygoing that the picture taking is very easy.

Connor received his helmet on Monday and yesterday was his first day wearing it! The schedule was wear it for an hour, remove it for an hour - all day except for naps and sleeping. His teacher said once it is on, he doesn't mind it at all. He did great with it. Today it will be on for 2 hours, off an hour - except naps and sleeping. After 5 days of a schedule like this, we'll be up to wearing it 23 hours as instructed. Yesterday, when he got to school, Kevin put the helmet on him and then a little girl and her Mommy came into the classroom. The little girl walked right up to Connor and started rubbing the helmet. It was so cute, Kevin said. Then Kevin had to go to the car for something and come back and Connor was by the bookshelf and all you could see was a helmet and two pretty blue eyes. It was quite funny! Kev has my camera today, but we do have some pictures of him in his helmet we'll be posting in the next few days.

That is all that is new on our end. Hope everyone has a great week!

First Haircut!

What the heck is this? What does she think she is going to do to me?

Yikes!

Well, now, I have something to play with so this isn't so bad.

Snip snip here and snip snip there . . .

Ooooohhhh - WOW.............

I can probably put this in my mouth . . .

All done! Emily, Daddy and Connor




Wow - October has been an incredibly busy month! We've had such non stop events that I have not had any time to update the blog. So much is going on . . .

Most importantly, Kevin & I have made the decision to put Connor in a helmet. Connor has torticollis (or did have rather) which really equates to having a stiff neck in adults. Due to this, Connor liked to lay his head to the right when sleeping (and not to the left), so his head flattened some in the back. We worked extensively trying to get him to turn to the left and we have done an excellent job - his range of motion is pretty much normal now. However, despite how hard we worked to keep him off the flat spot so that his head could round out more in the back, the plastic surgeon recommended that we go ahead and do the helmet so that we have 100% certainly that it will round out. It may round out more on its own over the next three months, but it may not. Better safe than sorry. So on Monday (the 26th), we will go to pick up the helmet from UNC and start wearing it. Personally, I think he will be just adorable in it!

In other news, Connor has also started a new classroom at school. The ages used to be 6 weeks up to 12 months and then 12-24 months. To help keep the children closer in respect to gross motor skill development, they have now changed it up to be 6 weeks to 9 months, 9 to 15 months and 16 to 24 months. Connor has two new teachers - Mrs. Melinda and Mrs. Sarah. He has done really well transitioning into the new class. They try to get the kids to all snack and nap at the same time - which is a small adjustment for Connor. He can adapt very well to new schedules! He really has blossomed since entering the new classroom. We now are crawling on all fours (previously was the commando style), pulling up to standing, enjoy walking while holding his hands, becoming much more vocal, and he has started new foods! We're now on stage 3 Gerber's - a little chunkier and the introduction of meat. He is also eating finger foods - Cheerios, Gerber Puffs, Animal Crackers, mashed up bananas and noodles, etc. He is LOVING the new food. And he drinks his water out of his own little sippy cup - so cute! Dinner has now gone to a 35 minute or so affair - which is good. He can munch on his finger snacks while we eat and then one of us feeds him the jar food while the other does the dishes. Works out well.

He still has just his bottom two teeth - no top ones yet. Developmentally he is right where he should be, according to his pediatrician at his 9 month check up. He also had a seasonal flu shot, so that should keep him healthy. To be honest, I am a little surprised that he has only had one major sickness since birth and that was shortly after starting school. He has the occassional cough or runny nose, but to be formula fed - this kids is pretty healthy! So are his parents, so that is not really a surprise . . . .

We go this weekend for our 9 month pictures. I'll try to post those next week. Oh yes - and the haircut! He did SO well with it. Emily, who is our good friend and stylist, trimmed Connor's hair up for me around the ears. I know everyone loves his hair long - it's getting some of Mommy's curls - but truly - the kid needed a haircut. Mommy knows best! It had just gotten way too long over the ears. Emily did a great job, as usual.

In other news, Uncle John got married last weekend (17th) to Sarah. What a beautiful wedding - and bride! We couldn't be happier for them. We also have about 6 birthdays in October, so we're busy with parties. Next week is Halloween & Connor was going to be a lobster but since he will now have the helmet, I think we're going to switch it up to be a football player or something like that. He has a parade at school next Friday where they get to wear their costumes, so I will post some pictures of that as well. Our little boy is growing so fast!

That's about all for now. More to come soon. Enjoy the cool, crisp, fall weather. It is my favorite time of the year!

Laurel is here!

Baby Laurel sucking her thumb. That's Aunt Kathy behind her.

The Evans Family - from L to R - Laurel, Michael, Noah & Martha

Michael & Laurel just coming in from their 18 hour plane ride!

Noah while he was waiting for his Da Dat to come home.

As many of you know, my cousin Michael and his wife Martha (who kept Connor until he was able to go to preschool) have been in the process of adopting a little girl from the Ukraine. On Saturday September 19th - after almost six weeks of traveling - Michael and Laurel finally arrived back home in the US! Everyone is doing well and settling in just fine. I know this was a long journey for both Michael & Martha and very difficult to leave their son, Noah, behind while traveling to the Ukraine to get everything in order. We are glad that the process is behind them and that they can now enjoy their new daughter.

Congratulations, guys! We are so very happy and excited for you! We lovingly welcome Laurel to the family and can't wait to get to know her better!

Lots of Updates

Uncle Tim & Connor

Aunt Rebekah & Connor

My first wound! You wouldn't believe me if I told you how this one happened!


See the skinned nose? Accident #2 last week. Connor did a face plant on the playground at school. Oh yes - those are prunes he's eating and yes, Daddy was feeding him.

Ahhhh - it's bath time!

Rubber ducky you're the one . . .

Huh? What's that?

Jailbird. :) He actually really enjoys playing in here at dinner time.

This was Connor while we were singing Happy Birthday to him yesterday.

You want some of this???

Just wouldn't be a post without a pic of my other family . . .

Big poppa and two of the little ones.

Wow - lots has happened since our last post.

In good news - Connor has his two bottom teeth! They are so adorable. Of course, he doesn't like to open his mouth and show them to you, so the only time we can see them really well is at night when he falls asleep. I then get out the little flashlight and open his mouth so we can look at them. Soooo cute!

Our little boy is also crawling! He does a really good job of the army crawl and the teachers at school say he is keeping up with the older kids. I'd say he started the crawling about a week or so ago - around seven and a half months. And let me just say - this is a whole new change for us. Now that he is mobile, he is in to everything. You can't just sit and watch him any longer - you're trying to get ahead of him, anticipating what he might reach for next. It's tiring, but so much fun. I did try to upload a video of this but it just will not upload! Sorry!!

On a note so good note - poor Connor had his very first illness last week. Silver lining - at least he was 7 and a half months before he ever really caught his first cold. On the not so bright side, it was a viral infection that lasted several days (that he passed on to Mom) that turned into a double ear infection! We went to the doctor three times last week and I am confident they knew I was a first time Mom. I didn't know what to do with a sick child! At least we will know what to do should he get sick in the future.

My grandmother used to say that when we were sick, she'd stay up with us all night. And even now, at the ripe 'ole age of 31, she still will call me several times a day if I am sick to see how I am feeling. I never quite understood that. Until now. Amazing what experiencing this on your own can do for you. Kevin and I make quite a good pair as far as this is concerned because I panic over everything where sickness is concerned and Kevin is very nonchalant about sickness. Brings us to a good medium.

But to make matters worse last week - not only was Connor sick, they also gave him a flu shot, he was teething with that second bottom tooth and he had his first couple of accidents and wounds last week too. My poor little boy!

In other news - Martha is back home!! YAY!! Michael (my cousin) is still over in the Ukraine finalizing the adoption of their little girl. He and Laurel are expected home next Saturday. Please pray for a quick and safe trip home for him and Laurel and that she will adjust nicely to this change in her life.

School is going well for Connor and he has adjusted well. I do think that he was a little overstimulated at first because he would wake quite often in the night and you'd have to go in to comfort him and get him back to sleep (Dad's job for the most part). Once he had been in school a couple weeks though, this went down to maybe once or twice a night - just having to give him his pacy back.

Mom & Dad went to Uncle John and soon to be Aunt Sarah's couples shower a couple of weekends ago, which was alot of fun. Aunt Rebekah kept Connor for a few hours while we did that. We also got to see Aunt Krissy and Uncle Wes as well as Uncle Tim that weekend too since they were visiting from out of town.

Speaking of family . . . Kevin's Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jim have just moved here from the DC area. Kevin's grandparents moved here from the DC area this weekend also. Ironically, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jim have not visited our house before, but their realtor took them to look at a house on our street - not knowing that is where we lived! Small world. They ended up choosing another house though, but we would have been happy to have them as neighbors!!

Cousin Jordan and Cousin Caleb are now playing football. They are practicing now, but should have their first games in a couple weeks. We'll try to make it and get some pics to post on here.

I think that is all that has been going on lately, but there could be some things I missed. Its late at night (since I don't have alot of free time to update the blog) so if I forgot to mention something, family, I'm sorry!

Hope everyone has a great week. More to come soon. And Happy 8 Months to our darling baby boy!