As many of you already know (and have seen first hand), Connor has mastered walking around with his push cart/walker.  He loves this and can turn on a dime.  He has gotten so good that he knows when he is getting close to bumping into something and will stop and whip it around in the other direction.  I really need to take more video of this, but it has become so “routine” for him that we just forget how amazing it truly is.

Well, over the past week he has learned to start to balance and stand on his own.  It might only be for a short few seconds, but it is the next skill he is developing.  I counted him standing for nearly 6 seconds tonight.  He kind of gets distracted by what he his holding (pacifier or toy) in one hand and then takes his other hand off of his cart or the couch to touch the item with both hands.  He stands there for a second and then usually loses his balance.

Our little boy is growing up…

Connor is cutting his 3rd and 4th teeth (the upper two front teeth).  One of them has just barely broken through and the other one is just about ready to.  He has not been too fussy with them as of yet.

He is chewing on just about anything he can get his mouth on…

crib, coffee table, end table, tray table on his high chair, Mommy’s shoulder, Daddy’s leg, and many toys.

Uncle Carl, Aunt Liz, Chris, Wendy, Adeline, Ellie, Aiden (hope I spelled them right) all came over to have dinner at Victoria’s Grandmother’s house this evening.  We all had a wonderful time and we snapped some pictures of Connor with his relatives.

Connor took right to Aunt Liz right away and had a friend for the evening.  Aiden, Ellie, and Adeline played the big cousin roll and showed Connor a few new toys.

We all had a wonderful time and here are some pictures from this evening.

Today, Connor turned 9 months old and Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 5 year anniversary.  Here are some pictures on how we spent the afternoon.

We flew down to Florida to spend sometime with Connor’s Great-Grandmother (Victoria’s Grandmother).

There were some “Connor doubters” out there that were concerned our “perfect son” would cause our airplane to be redirected to Atlanta in order to deal with a uncontrollable baby. I cannot believe anyone would say this. (I thought maybe we wouldn’t even make it out of the state and they might divert the plane to Norfolk.)

Anyways…Connor was “perfect”. Just before we started to board the plane Connor began to get a little fussy. He hadn’t take a nap all morning, so Victoria and I were holding the “wildcard” in out pocket. As soon as we got on the plane and settled in, Connor settled down and began to get tired. A couple of minutes after take off Connor was asleep in my lap. Twenty minutes before we landed, the pilot came on the speaker and said he would like to thank “Mr. Blues Eyes” for a quiet and cry free flight. (Just kidding.) Twenty minutes before we landed, Connor woke up and pleasantly played with Mommy and Daddy until we landed. There were no crying issues — Mommy and Daddy breathed a sigh of relief and started to enjoy their vacation (except for the rental car problem…see that posting.)

Before any “new grandparents” get upset about this posting, remember this blog is suppose to be fun and enjoyable.  With that disclaimer… 

Connor’s Great-Grandmother is offering “free grandparenting lessons” for those new grandparents who cannot seem to calm a crying Connor down.  I hear the first lesson is being offered in late November.

Great-Grandma is great with Connor and Connor is great with her.  He has showed her how he can walk with his walker.

At one point after a nap (we all know how Connor does not like to be bothered after a nap), Victoria handed Connor over to Great-Grandma so she could go make his dinner.  Well, Connor started with “the face” and began to cry.  Grandma quickly turned him around and started to talk to him.  He quickly stopped crying and I was able to go into the kitchen with Victoria.  Connor turned around and watched TV with his Great Grandma for about 5-10 minutes and we got his dinner ready.  Not another peep out of him.  Amazing!!!!

Something Great Grandma does is she puts her forehead against Connor’s forehead.  He loves that and usually gives her a smile.

Anyways…I think Great Grandma has a few years of experience on those new grandparents — so if you guys need help in being a grandparent, don’t hesitate to call her.  I am sure you all will be as willing to listen to her advice just as I am so willing to listen to your advice.  😉

Love you guys!

Donnie

Here are a few of the latest pictures from our visit with Grandma.

Enjoy…

Well, we arrived at Orlando and went down to get our rental car.  Prior to our reservation for the car, Victoria and I discussed getting a car seat instead of taking our car seat down there.  I voted for taking our car seat and Victoria just wanted to rent one while we were down there.  My reasoning for taking our car seat is that I knew how to install it and is one of the easiest latch systems to install.  Victoria’s reasoning for not taking our car seat is it would lessen the amount of luggage we would have to take.

Well, I gave in and rented a car seat.  Big mistake…

As we approached our car, there was a mother and grandmother loading their car up with luggage.  The mother quickly saw we had an infant and asked if I could help her install her rented car seated.  I said sure.  Her child was a bit older than Connor, so I hooked that car seat up as “forward facing”.  I quickly had her on her way and she was very appreciable.

I then started to install the 1st of 4 car seats for us.  After about 10 minutes of trying to install this first car seat in a “rear facing” position, I realized one of the straps was broken.  I turned this one in to the counter so they could take it out of the rental pile.  I started to install car seat #2.  Before I even got started, I realized it did not have any of the “latch system belts”, so that one we back to the car seat rental pile.  #3 was an infant car seat/carry.  This was similar looking to the one we still use for Connor because he still fits in it and is less than 25 pounds.  Well, I couldn’t figure out how to get this one in either.  So, finally I inspected and installed seat #4 and we were finally on our way.  After I finally got it installed, I turned around to Victoria and Connor.  Victoria was trying to hold back the tears because she was laughing so hard.  Needless to say I was not too happy, but I took a deep breath and started to laugh at myself.  Next time, we take our own car seat.  😉

If anyone needs a car seat installed from Alamo rental car, call me — I have done 5 car seat installations and know all of the tricks of the trade.

Uncle Danny (my Daddy’s brother) visited me tonight. Well, he was attending a Baptism class with Daddy, Mommy, and Ms. Trish (Victoria’s friend). Uncle Danny and Ms. Trish are going to be my godparents. I am not too sure what that means, but Daddy tells me he will explain this to me in the future.

Anyways, Uncle Danny stopped by. Mimi and Grandpa were watching me and put me to bed in my pack-n-play as they waited for Daddy and Mommy to come home. I was sound asleep and Daddy normally does not wake me for any reason, but since Uncle Danny hadn’t seen me in almost 2 months he decided to wake me. I was a little tired at first but soon warmed up to Uncle Danny. Uncle Danny gave me 3 very soft and small balls. Daddy says they are a soccer ball, football, and basketball. He also gave me a Redskins tee shirt (but Daddy says I cannot wear it).

Uncle Danny started to play football with me and soon had me laughing and giggling. Then Uncle Danny was getting ready to leave but Daddy wanted me to show him how I can walk with my walker. I was full of energy by then and started making laps in the family for my Uncle Danny. I was so very happy that I was going the fastest I have ever gone with my walker. Uncle Danny was smiling and laughing with Daddy and Mommy. He could not believe how fast and strong I was. I had such a GREAT time with Uncle Danny. I didn’t want him to leave!!!!

Daddy told me that him and Uncle Danny were wondering if I thought Uncle Danny was Daddy because they look and sound alike. I told Daddy, no. I knew who Uncle Danny was and I was so very happy to see and play with him. Come back soon Uncle Danny.

I love you — your soon to be Godson,
Connor

Yep, we have been quite busy lately and I haven’t had a chance to update the blog or post any pictures.

Connor continues to move around at great speeds and amazing control with his little walker. He is just starting to stand for short (very short) periods of time. No attempted steps as of yet.

He loves to grab handfuls of hair from Thomas our orange tabby cat. Thomas is so easy going, he just stands or lays there as Connor does this. We have been trying to teach him how to pet Thomas nicely, but he has not got the hang of it yet.

Check out the picture gallery, I added a lot of pictures.

Click here