Coopy's 3!!

Big day, today! My first son, Cooper, is 3! If you want to get technical, he's 21 in dog years...so should be a little wild today! No alcohol for him, but we did celebrate by chasing lizards in the backyard and digging holes in the yard. Connor decided to make the day even more memorable by standing alone....twice! Once in the yard and once in his room. Caught him in action the second time around. He has also mastered the trick of standing in his high chair, so looks like Mom will be strapping him in from now on. Enjoy the pics from our day!

Connor practicing his standing in his high chair.


Little stinker face with his new trick.


Spitting raspberries and standing...talk about trouble!


Coop enjoying his day with a morning lizard hunt in the yard.


And hole digging...this dog has got it good.


Connor and I were practicing walking through the grass. This is my attempt at walking, holding Connor with one hand, getting him to smile, and taking a picture with the other hand. This would explain the 'blah' face I got. Oh well...I tried!


Coopy eating the grass...


Connor eating the grass...


The best for last...Excuse the face, but here is a picture of Connor standing alone!! He did it for about 5 seconds! We were both very proud! :)

Happy Birthday Coopy!! We love you!! Great job surviving almost a year of being a big brother to your hair-yanking, toy stealing brother!

Happy 11 months!!

Oh, I am afraid that this day has come. The last month Connor is 'zero' years old! My little monster has grown up so quickly. We woke up to a chilly day (actually the first cold day we've had since Connor was about a month old--when I say cold, I mean about 65 degrees). Brought back memories of having to bundle him in sleepers, blankets, and little sockies when he was a wee little boy. Since Connor is somewhat lacking in the winter clothes department, I pulled out this adorable outfit he got from our favorite, Pip, and got it on him before he outgrew it! Goodness, did he look handsome!! We spent the morning at the park and after a long nap, I knew he'd be awake for the rest of the afternoon. Nana and I decided to make a trip over to the mall. Didn't really need to get anything, but thought it would be nice just to get out and have a new place to walk. So we loaded up Connor's cadillac of a stroller (the big one that rarely goes places with us, unless we know he'll be sitting in it for awhile). We enjoyed a nice lunch together, then headed through the mall. Connor wasn't really in the shopping mood, which ended up saving Mommy and Nana money anyway! We did a little walking, browsing the baby boy clothes, pulled Connor out of stroller, tried to keep him off the floor as much as he wanted to be on it, put Connor back in the stroller, more walking, then we were pretty much done. It was a nice time killer and we got to get out for a bit! Here are a few pictures from our day--

**He's actually not throwing a fit, although it may appear that way. This is the new, ham-face he makes. He usually only does it for his Papa, but decided to do it when I had the camera out. He makes eye contact with you, squints his eyes, opens his mouth, and tilts head back. He's such a little goober!


Love this picture of Connor and Nana! They are a pair!


Checkin out Thomas the Train at the mall. He enjoyed having a little freedom from the stroller and being held all day.


Cruising in a boat! A waste of 75 cents, as he didn't even notice it was in motion! All he really wanted to do was play with the floor of it and pound on the hood. Whatever kept him happy!


The squirmist kid alive! When he starts walking, I will need to hook up a GPS tracking device on him, because he will definitely take off! No question!

My little Jack-o-lantern

The face I see about 100+ times a day: Spots me, crawls up my legs, yanks on my pants, and "Ehh Ehh Ehh"s until I pick him up. He has me trained pretty well!


I've been really slacking on my photography lately, but the holidays will help me get back in gear! Here are a few shots of Mr. Pumpkin head in his halloween jammies!


Notice Connor and his pumpkin have the same teeth :)

My attempt at trying to get him to smile and stand still so I could read his jammies! :) Owell- I tried!


Hope the weather cools down about 20 degrees by Halloween, since Connor's costume is made for snow weather!

Happy guy!

We had fun recently at a local inside play place. I got a good taste of exposing Connor to lots of germies, but made sure to keep objects out of his mouth & sanitize him throughout the experience. He love- love- loved the Cozy Coupe car! Lucky Mom got to push him around on her knees for a good twenty minutes while he enjoyed the ride :) My knees were rather warn and shribbled by the end of play time, but I'd do anything for my boy!

Connor also got to enjoy some yummy, cold ice cream at Mickey D's. Being outside + food + lots of new sites to check out= one happy guy! Despite the fact that Connor only has 3 teeth still (with swollen gums with about 3 teeth just waiting to pop through), he masters the art of chewing pretty well. He enjoyed chomping down on the ice cream cone for the first time.

And no, I did not put Connor in the ball pit at McDonald's. Never realize how dirty things are until you have a baby there! But we did enjoy some good ol' clean ball pit time at home! :)

Wordless Wednesday!

#1 Dad

Happy Birthday Dad!!

You have always been there for me.
You have the best hugs.
Always call when you're in the car.
Are never too busy for a good talk on the dock swing.
Can laugh out loud when you're sitting by yourself watching TV.
Never get tired of being splashed by Connor.
Still wash my car or fill up the gas tank 'just because'.
Can make me laugh with your corny jokes and dorky cards.
You're just the best Dad :).

Have a wonderful birthday!!
I love you very much!
(and Connor and Coopy do too!)

Kreativ Blogger Award :)

Danielle over at thelutzs.blogspot.com nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award! I'm flattered to have my first 'blog award' :). I actually met Danielle online a little while ago, as we both had many things in common. She also is a new Mommy to a little boy, Ryder, who is just a few months older than Connor. We stay in touch quite often and I am amazed at how well I feel I know her and can relate to her in so many areas! She does more than I could imagine, traveling ALL OVER with her family (hubby, son, and zoo of animals!) all year! She is quite the 'wonder woman' and I'm so glad we have been able to get to know one another!

Be sure to visit her blog! With this award, comes the rules:

1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated.

So with the rules in place...here ya go!

7 things you may not know about me:

1. I have an obsession with taking photos. No, I do not think I am photographer material by any means. The reason why I enjoy photography is because I like having pictures of the ones I love. I'm not one to take pictures of a bug or flower or sky line. I like pictures with people in them...and really, only people I love! :) Guess that's why it is so easy for me to take 10 pictures a day of Connor & capture Cooper in his most mischievous states. I may need to figure out just where I am going to store all these photo albums that I keep filling (I'm at the rate of about one full album a month!).

2. I am 'the list' queen. I have a hard time carrying all my duties in my head, so I am constantly writing things down. I have sticking notes at work, a dry erase board on my fridge, and random daily notes-to-self on the counter! It helps me stay focused and get things accomplished. I've realized that once I had a child, you get through each day as a major accomplishment. Every time Connor does down for a nap or down for the night, its an accomplishment. Although its momentarily-rewarding to me, I get through some days and feel like "What do I have to show for myself today?!" My 'lists' help me remember what I have to get done (for the very rare moments in the day I have time to do them) and when I can 'cross items off', I feel accomplished! :) I know...its pretty sad...but it works for me!

3. I'm nursing. Yeah, I know. May not be new-news to some. Not sure many care or want to really imagine it. But does anyone know its not just a 'beautiful bonding experience with my child?!' Yes, I have to admit that I am 100% glad I was able to nurse and be successful at it. Yes, I do love the moments where I can have quiet time cuddling my little boy. Yes, I do think that nursing has helped Connor remain un-sick since birth (knock on wood). But its not always 'a bed of roses'. Many days I would like my body back as solely my body! I would like to throw away all of my nursing tank tops that I live in 99% of the time. The moments where my squirmy little boy pokes, prods, pulls, bites, pinches...while I sit there trying to remain 'untense' and calming...are often moments I count down until "weaning day!"

4. I am extremely excited to carry on the tradition of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy in our home, now that Connor is here! Those memories of leaving out cookies for Santa, sneaking out at 5am with a flashlight to see what Santa left us kids, hunting for Easter eggs in the yard while all the neighbors peered out their windows to see little children bouncing around the yard in their jammies, and the unsuccessful attempts of holding the Tooth Fairy 'tooth pillow' in my hand while I was asleep in hopes to see the Tooth Fairy sneaking money under my pillow in the middle of the night...I just can't wait to start all those fun traditions for Connor now!

5. I could easily spend $1000 a visit each time I go to Target. Between housewares, clothes for me, anything for Connor, etc etc etc...it's definitely possible. Oh, I love that store!

6. I am not rushing Connor to grow up by any means, but can not wait until he is old enough to enjoy Disney World! I am so excited to see Disney through the eyes of a little child and just enjoy him enjoying himself! And...I'll just hope that Connor does not get frightened by all the characters in costume. I guess we'll have to wait and see! :)

7. I've never had a pedicure. Yep...probably the only woman alive thats never had one. But, the thing is...I really could care less. If I receive giftcards to a spa, for instance, I would much rather get my hair done then treat my feet. I say, "I would hope people would notice my head before my feet", so always opt for my hair instead of a pedicure! :) I do pretty well painting the french tips onto my toes and can scrub and do all the other gunky stuff needed to keep my feet from looking like they're 90 years old. One day I will do it. You'll know because I will enter each room feet first since my hair will be a mess! :) haha!

That was a lot harder than I thought! Not too much exciting stuff to share about myself...that people would want to read about, anyways!

7 Bloggers I Notimate for the Kreativ Blogger Award

1. ourlittlemiraclekyliemarie.blogspot.com
2. ivfinfertility.blogspot.com
3. bradandbrittneynelson.blogspot.com
4. thehobbsfamilyof4.blogspot.com
5. afewgoodsperm.blogspot.com
6. channingmakes3.blogspot.com
7. melissaandluke.blogspot.com

Silly boy

Here's a little blip of Connor yesterday morning...nothing too exciting. Just him being him :) He was on 'nap strike' at the time, so he was tired but wanted to stay up and play more! He has been doing A LOT of talking lately and his new favorite thing--loves to move his mouth without saying anything. With his two bottom teeth, he resembles a blowfish! Either that...or he looks like he's chewing gum.

Prayers Needed

I do not know this family, but you don't have to know someone in order to pray for them. I came across their story from a friend's blog page and wanted to do what I could to help. This family is going through more than a family should go through. They have a 2 week old daughter that just got out of the hospital and now the mother is in the hospital. The Dr.'s are saying she may be suffering from "brain death." The extremely touching blog is written by her husband. Please please just say a little (or very big) prayer for this family.


http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/

New stuff!

Mr. big boy has been trying out some new things this week.

New trick #1: holding sippy cup on his own.

New trick #2: Playing peek-a-boo. This time, Connor is the one popping out! Was too cute this morning. I'd say "Boo" then he'd hide behind the wall...then poke out again for another "Boo" from me.

New trick #3: Showing signs he's ready for a nap. Connor will be playing and then suddenly spread out on the floor and lay down as if he's ready for bed. He's like little toddler roadkill.

Not really a new trick, but new!

I put Connor in his cute little sunsuit with matching hat today for our walk. It's been awhile since he'd let me keep a hat on his head, so had to get a picture! So handsome!

P.S. The hat lasted about 200 feet on our walk...

Growing boy...

I noticed that a picture I took yesterday looked similar to one I took when I first had Connor. Scary how fast my boy is growing...

Florida State! Florida State! Woo!!

Ever since football started up again, our weekends kind of revolve around it in one way or another. Yesterday, the Florida State game wasn't airing on 'regular cable', so we made a day of it & went to Nana & Papa's to watch the game. We had a great time just hanging out and pretty much just watching Connor be the funny little man he is! Connor was talking more than I have ever heard him yesterday. He loves to open and close his mouth, almost like he's chewing gum! I'm just waiting for the day that his jibberish turns to full on sentences! The night ended on a great note, as Florida State WON! Yay! Great game (even though I caught bits and pieces of it while keeping an eye on my little explorer)!

Laundry basket rides with Auntie Katie


Splashing around with Papa!


Yay! Florida State! :)


PEEK-A-BOO!!


Where'd Nana go?!?


There she is!!


My snuggle bug getting ready for bed


If only he would lay this still all the time...I would hold him like this forever :)