Happy First Birthday, Son!

Dearest Connor,

Happy First Birthday, Son! It's hard to believe that just one year ago today, you came into our lives just as smoothly and calmly as your good natured personality is today. You did just what you were supposed to and made labor very easy for Mommy! We are so very proud of you, sweetheart, and couldn't have asked for a better little boy. We promise to always love you, take care of you and support you for as long as we both shall live. You are our life now & we are so very blessed to have you! We love you, Connor!

Love,

Mom & Dad

PS - You had an excellent first birthday! We only sang to you about a dozen times (which you thoroughly enjoyed!), daycare sang to you & served you cupcakes that Mommy made for you. We picked you up a little early and took you to Monkey Joe's - which you loved and then out to a nice dinner where you had Penne Alfredo and applesauce! Such the big boy!

Connor's First Birthday Party

Connor with his Great Grandparents (Kevin's Grandparents)

Mommy helped me open ALL my gifts. Next year it is Daddy's turn!

As you can tell, I was more interested in playing than the actual opening gifts part.

The bib Aunt Becca gave me says it all.

This is one of my all time fave pics. Cousin Jordan isn't usually so calm and sweet as he is in this pic, shows a different side of him . . . to me anyway.

All right. Down to my birthday suit (sort of). Where's the cake??

As you can see, I did NOT like getting messy.

Connor with one of his favorite Christmas toys. Mom & Dad got him this one.

Practicing my baseball skills early.

Mom & Connor hanging out in the playroom.

Hmmmmm. Now how does THIS work?

Connor cruising the log at the mall, on a playdate.

See, Mom, I can do it!

Another favorite picture. He looks a little wistful here.

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier!

Connor's playmate, Chase.

This is how Mr. Connor likes to fall asleep. My precious angel.

Connor does NOT like his new winter coat, as you can see!

Got me some new kicks! Stride Rites - they'll help me to walk!

Connor on Christmas Morning.

The tree (the pink pigs are for the dogs).

He did not like the messy cupcake on his hand.

Connor at his school Christmas party. Munchin on a cheese puff!

Are Mom & Dad watching me?

Yesterday was Connor's First Brthday Party! He had a good time, but was very tired! He only napped about an hour in the early afternoon yesterday and he finally went to bed about 8:45 last night. Slept good, though. Have to admit - we did too!

He must take after his mother though. He did not enjoy making a mess with his cake. He played in it for a few minutes and then was crying to get away from it. :) He was like that at his Thanksgiving party at school also - he put his fingers in his cupcake and then was waving his hand all around trying to get if off of there!

He wasn't too into opening his gifts, as suspected. He is visually stimulated by them once they are open though. He loves all of his new toys and most definitely his new clothes (of which we are very appreciative). Got several new books, which is always good, and some money to go towards the TV we'll be buying for his playroom (that's our present to him) and some to go to his college education fund. He got a new BIG Tonka truck, which seems to be his favorite (good job, Uncle Tim!), a monkey puppet (soooo cute) that goes with his 5 Little Monkeys book, a sippy cup with his name on it (LOVE IT), a birthday boy angel, a guitar, a push mower, a construction equipment puzzle (my favorite - reminds me of cousin Jeff) and more. Thanks to everyone who came and thank you for all of the gifts.

In other news, we find out tomorrow whether Connor has 2 weeks or 4 weeks left in his helmet. She added a patch at the last appointment to be even more aggressive in getting his head to finish rounding out. Wwe are hopeful it is only 2 more weeks. I have to admit that I will miss it when it is gone, but Kevin will not. It gives me great relief to know that he is protected with it on. Yesterday, he went without it at his party and ended up with two bumps on his forehead, a scratch on top of the head and a scratch on one eyelid! POOR THING! I felt so bad. He kind of looked like cousin Caleb by nights end with all the bumps and scrapes.

Connor also has 6 teeth coming in. He's been really good about it, but sometimes he does get a little fussy about them. He is drooling like crazy! They include his front two teeth and his left canine, so they aren't easy ones. The left front tooth has broken through and is coming in nicely, the right front is still breaking through the gums. He is also going through some separation anxiety lately. He had tears streaming down his face when Dad dropped him off at school a couple times this week. Better him than me. I'd have to take him back home and call in to work!

He's also very close to walking. He got his first pair of hard soled shoes a couple of weeks ago, but has really been wearing them for about a week now. He's trying to adjust his balance from going from soft soled to hard soled shoes. Any day now he is gonna let go and take a few steps. He will take steps between us and between items (couch and table) if it is within arm's reach. He can cruise down the wall easily and LOVES to climb the stairs. We put a gate at the top of the stairs not long ago so I don't know if it is the gate or the challenge of the stairs that attracts him the most.

Tuesday is his 1stbirthday, so we'll probably do something special with him that evening & probably send cupcakes or something to school with him so he can celebrate. Thursday we have his one year check up and shots, so that is always fun. He is such a good sport about everything. He cries for just one second after the shots and he's over it. Such a trooper, our little man.

That's about it for now. Hope everyone has a great week!

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!