Connor was really animated and laughing a lot tonight here is a video of us playing. I don’t have a clue on who the crazy person behind the camera is, so don’t ask…

Last week, we noticed that Connor was starting to grab and hold things. Of course he does not quite have it perfected yet, but he is definitely making friends with his little baseball all-star bear. He loves to hold it and chew on its ear.

Connor also started to drool about 2 weeks ago and is beginning to drool more and more now. Mimi thinks he might be teething, so we are on the look out for his first tooth (the books say that it normally comes between 3 and 7 months of age).

Connor is also developing the necessary muscles to sit up. He is not quite there yet, but is getting close. We use the boppy pillow and the bumbo seat.

Sponge Bob Square Pants continues to be his favorite T.V. show. He is not too interested in the Baby Einstein DVDs just yet, but will sit and give Sponge Bob all of his attention.

Connor is no longer being swaddled. For the past two weeks, we had been alternating taking an arm out each night and then late last week, Victoria put him to bed without the swaddle. The past 4 nights he has done a wonderful job without the swaddle.

He continues to sleep through the night (approximately 9pm until 7am) — something he has done for quite awhile.

He still does not like being on his stomach.

Connor is taking formula 2-3 times a day and Victoria is now breastfeeding him in the morning and at night (before bed). Probably another week or so before he is completely weaned off of the breastfeeding.

As a young boy, I was fascinated with the Loch Ness Monster. I can remember writing a report on the Loch Ness Monster and how many people claimed to have seen her but there was no scientific evidence that she really existed.

Here is a story of the “Loch Ness Connor”…

Last Friday, Grandma (my Mom) babysat Connor as we shot a wedding. I called her a couple hours after we dropped Connor off just see how things were going. She told me that Connor had been crying quite a bit and did not want to drink his milk. She was having a hard time feeding and comforting him. I couldn’t understand why. For 3 months now, we have never had a truly bad day but “it” finally was happening (at least Grandma was reporting it). Maybe this was a case of “Loch Ness Connor”. Reported by few, but no real evidence that “it” exists.

Not that I didn’t trust my Mom (I love you, Mom), but I just figured something was not quite right. Maybe she wasn’t holding him the way I hold him, maybe she over stimulated him, maybe she didn’t hold the bottle the right way, maybe the milk wasn’t warm enough, maybe, maybe, maybe. We picked Connor up that night and all seemed to be normal after we got home. I chalked it up as a “Loch Ness Connor” sighting. I mean come on, Connor would never be like that. Remember, his is our “perfect son”.

Well, 8 days later (see the Happy Birthday, Daddy! posting below) “Loch Ness Connor” was sighted by Mommy, Daddy, Chad, Catherine, Brenna, Mimi, and Grandpa. Grandma was there too, but she had already seen the “L.N.C.” so she was not too phased by it.

So, Grandma — you are still the “all knowing Mother”. You have not lost your touch.

Love,

Donnie

Today was my Daddy’s birthday and it started out great for us. We woke up like normal, Mommy fed me, and then she made breakfast for Daddy. Mommy gave Daddy a card from me, a card from her, and a present from me (a golf shirt). My birthday card to Daddy was a Sponge Bob Square Pants card and the wrapping paper on his present was Sponge Bob and his friends. Daddy and I watch Sponge Bob together (that is my favorite cartoon).

Later, we went to Lowe’s to look at grills (Daddy’s birthday present), flowers, and some other things. Daddy explained to me that Lowe’s is his favorite store. To me, it was not all that great.

Daddy and Mommy worked outside while I watched them from my bouncy seat in the garage. Daddy planted flowers and Mommy helped him.

Soon after that we all went over to Mimi and Grandpa’s house for Daddy’s birthday dinner. Grandma came over too. Chad, Catherine, and Brenna also came over to wish my Daddy a happy birthday.

To make a long story short, Daddy turned 1 year older today and he is already showing signs of losing it. See, normally Daddy has the “magic touch” and he can pretty much stop me from crying. Well, I showed him who is boss today. I was very tired and made my presence felt by crying a lot. Daddy tried on two separate instances to quiet me and I was not having any of it. I had to show him that I run the house now and let him know that his skills are slipping in his old age. Mommy finally had to come and rescue Daddy. Thankfully Mommy had the magic touch today.

Well, I wanted to say Happy Birthday to you Daddy and I hope you enjoyed it.

Love,

Connor

We went to our second baby massage class. Connor is absolutely loving the extra face time with Mommy and Daddy. He loves being the center of attention (go figure).

We are beginning to wean Connor off of breastfeeding with Victoria.  From what we have read and heard from the doctor’s office, it is a 3-4 week process and requires some patience.

The 1st night:

• Connor did a good job of taking the formula.
• He drank about 6 ounces which is a good amount for him.
• We put him to bed and he woke up about 2 hours later fussing a little bit.
• I held him tight and rocked him back to sleep.  He slept the rest of the night.  Seeing he never wakes up at night, I can only imagine it had to do with the formula and maybe some cramping or gas in his stomach.

Good job!  That’s my boy!!!!

The 2nd night:

• No so fast there proud Papa.
• I put the nipple in Connor’s mouth and after a few sucks, he promptly wrinkled his nose, opened his mouth, and began fussing.
• I tried the “bait and switch” technique.  I let him suck on my pinky for a few seconds and then gave him the bottle again.
• Again, suck, suck, wrinkled nose, opened mouth, and fussing.
• I tried for 10-15 minutes and he would not take it.
• So, we “punted” and I passed him off to Mommy — super milk!

Hmm, “Houston we have a problem”…

The 3rd night:

• This time, I warmed the formula like I do with the refrigerated breast milk (Jaime suggested this — THANKS!).
• I gave him the bottle and he took it without any problem.

That’s Daddy’s overachiever!!!!

Today turned into a beautiful Spring day. Mommy washed the truck and I cut the grass. As we did this, our perfect little boy watched us and enjoyed the sights and sounds of a Spring day in Virginia.

Has anyone noticed how Daddy’s grass has been getting quite a bit of camera time lately. A few weeks ago, he had Mommy take a picture of me and Daddy “picking weeds” from the front yard. I think that was just a ploy to show off Daddy’s beautiful grass.

Then today was the ultimate. Daddy filmed his grass for about 10 seconds and I don’t think I got that much attention from him on the video.

Hey Dad, do you think you can start taking more video of me — I am feeling a bit neglected!

Uncle Danny and Uncle Tony already know you have the best grass in Virginia!!!!

Love,

Connor

Alright Connor…

We ruled the house before you got here and all of a sudden in the past 3 months we are now 2nd rate felines. Let us tell you how our lives have changed:

1. We have a noisy roommate now (you).
2. Our roommate eats more often than we do (every 4 hours with Mommy) and gets FRESH food!
3. Daddy plays with you more than he plays with us.
4. Daddy feeds us now, instead of Mommy. We liked when Mommy fed us because she called for and talked to us. Daddy just puts our bowls down and that looks to feed himself.
5. We don’t get to go outside on the deck anymore because Mommy and Daddy are too busy watching you.
6. There are no more pictures or videos of us.
7. Other babies (Aidan and Brenna) come over the house and Mommy, Daddy, and their company just ooh and aahh over you guys. We really dislike it when you guys cry together!

So, we are here to tell you that you better get use to not being the star of the show. Especially, if Mommy and Daddy decide to have another baby boy or girl.

Love,

Kuddles, Maggie, and Thomas

Check out the photo gallery for 04-19-2008.  There are some pictures of Connor and his cousin Brenna that were taken at Mimi and Grandpa’s house.