Hello blog world...we're back!

Oh, to think that I used to be able to blog everyday with new stories and photos to share with family and friends.

Although I appeared to have fallen off the blog world these past few weeks, I am still here!!

Through some crud that has been my life (AKA time I've had to spend away from my baby and focusing on legal matters with Mr. Narcissism, himself, and now, CROUP!), blogging has been pushed to the back burner.

I used to never cry. Well, I used to never let people see me cry to make it appear as if I never cried. When you have a child, your emotions seem to magnify. I had never happy cried until I had Connor. I had never cried for someone else's pain until I had Connor. I had never felt so strongly about fighting for what's right until I had Connor. It's funny how the power of Motherhood comes over you. I understand what my Mom always tried to explain to me now that I can relate as a Mom myself. The strength of Mama Bear must not be messed with!

I will not pollute my blog with negative thoughts, but that was my brief vent to help me move on. I deserve one of those every once in a while! :)

So with my sick baby trying to nap between the coughs let out every 10 minutes or so, I figured I'd update everyone with new pictures of the latest happenings around here. Connor has been great---spitting out new words here and there (or at least his spin on what the word should sound like!). Connor seems to become more like a little boy and less like a baby these days (except for the precious moments of Connor wanting to cuddle with me lately since he's had the 'croup funk'). He's venturing out on new obstacles on the playground and he would rather play with boys twice his age than the little guys his age! :) Here are some pictures from the past few weeks...

We don't really experience seasons here in FL, but the park we went to seemed to think otherwise! The beautiful "Fall" leaves left mounds to play in...Mr. Smirf would pile them high then run full speed and plop right in the middle of the stack! Cheap entertainment at it's finest!


We've officially become bored with the 'baby playground' and have graduated to the 'big boy playground'. The big boy play ground should come with bungee cords and net apparatuses to catch falling children!! Don't be fooled by the picture--this was the only time I was more than a finger's length away from Connor while he was on this climbing contraption. It was about 4 feet from the ground and gave me a severe heart attack every time he took a step!




Connor's newest buddies--Carter & Cameron--Yes, All "C" boys make it somewhat difficult to call them out when they're in trouble together! Carter, who is a year older, weighs 11 pounds less than Connor! I always get a kick out of Connor's 'giantism' when he's around other little boys! These kids play great together & Connor tags right along as if he's just as old as they are!


After spa time, the men played cavemen and built a nice fire in the firepit outside. Connor and I practiced saying "Hot" as we sat on the swing.


As the days went by, my little smirf became more and more congested. Since I have never seen him sick (aside from a running nose here and there), I kept a close eye on him. He woke last Thursday with the famous "barking cough," so my Mommy instincts told me to take him to the Dr. Sure enough, my barking seal has croup! Within a day, Mommy and Matt both had symptoms as well. The worst part for Connor and I are our nights. The past week have consisted of Mommy sleeping on Connor's floor, Nana sleeping on Connor's floor (on the night's that Mommy has to get up for work the next day), Connor getting up several times in the night, Connor sleeping in Mommy's bed, and introducing the good ol' humidifier to Connor's room (which coincidentally makes his room all humid-sticky-hot like a sauna...who woulda thunk?!!). I try to be firm on the whole night time routine to keep Connor from getting used to sleeping in my bed or needing me to help him fall asleep at night, but the past few weeks...I just don't care...if it means we both get our sleep, then that's all that matters right now! In a few weeks, Connor will be promoted to a double bed! Big boy bedding is here. Safety siderail is here. We're just waiting for the perfect time to make the transition. When that day comes, we all better be sleeping in our own beds all night long again!! :) Let's all pray for an easy, lovely transition! I'll try to think positively...instead of realistically!

Hello Mr. Sleepy Croup! Notice the pile of used tissues on the night stand...ever tried to blow your running nose without trying to wake a sleeping boy next to you?! After retiring a good 3 boxes of tissues this week, I'm quite the professional now.




So as we were stuck in the house with a rainy, foggy mess outside and sick, croupy funk inside, we decided to try coloring! Connor has never shown an interest in coloring, but he got these adorable Mickey Mouse character crayons for his birthday, so I thought we'd give them a try. A success, it was! The only problem was that I pulled the crayons out too close to nap time, so when it was time for a nap, Mr. sicky pants didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to cuddle with his crayons in bed! Connor has developed a deep joy in taking his newest, favorite toys to bed with him. I envisioned crayon doodles all over his bed and walls, so I stood my ground with a firm "NO". About an hour after giant tears and tantrums from my sick child, I tried to regain my sanity and caved to let him cuddle with one crayon for bedtime. Connor and I both needed nap time and I wasn't about to sacrifice the 'nap window' with a power struggle over a crayon. After he woke, Mommy hid the crayons for now. :)

My sick little guy is still napping (after 2.5 hours) which is the longest stretch of sleep he's had in about a week! Praise God! Not sure why I'm not taking advantage of the nap time myself, but my bloggy friends deserved an update. Until next time....xoxox