Connor has a thing with remotes and some how knows what buttons to press to completely reprogram the thing.  Then it takes Daddy 2 days until he can get it reprogrammed right.

Here is the “mischievous Connor” with Uncle Danny’s remote.  Caught in the act!!!! Look at the smile he gave me…he knew he was “busted”.

We surprised Grandma a few weeks ago by heading up to Richmond and surprising her while she was visiting Uncle Danny.

Connor — please remember that Grandma does not like surprises but since Uncle Danny, Mommy, and Daddy brought you along that made everything PERFECT (and accessible)!

Uncle Danny and Grandma were out at Home Depot shopping as Mommy, Daddy, and Connor arrived at Danny’s house.  He left the key under the front mat and we let ourselves in.  A few minutes later Uncle Danny and Grandma pulled up.  Thankfully, Grandma didn’t see our truck sitting in front of Uncle Danny’s house.

Now Connor was on center stage and had to “surprise” Grandma.  She walked up his sidewalk and I opened the front door.  Grandma could see a little boy standing in the door but thought it was one of Uncle Danny’s friend’s children that might have been visiting.

I heard Grandma turn to Danny and say, “That little boy looks like Connor.”

Uncle Danny says, “Because it is Connor.”

Then Daddy and Mommy appeared from behind the door and Grandma had one of the best birthdays she has ever had.  Be sure to check out the photos as I just got around to uploading them.

Here’s one of Connor and Grandma enjoying each others company on Uncle Danny’s back porch just before we had cake.

Not very happy early on…

But he warmed up to Santa a few minutes later (that’s our boy)…

…but Connor helps me “slow it down”.

I have always been the type to get things done, be on time, plan ahead, and try to stay organized.  At times in the past and even now, I find that makes my life “too busy”.

Well, one thing I have learned since having Connor is that I need to find time to slow it down.  Connor helps me slow things down by simply just being a toddler.  Whether it is walking into Target while he is holding my hand or being inquisitive with a puddle of water along a trail at Sandy Bottom Park, I have learned to slow it down and enjoy my time with him.

I will never have the opportunity to spend the previous minute, hour, or day with Connor so I try my best to enjoy the present.

So Connor, when you are much older and begin to have gray hair and a family of your own please be sure to “slow it” down and enjoy those little moments.  They come and go so fast…heck, just the other day I was holding you with one arm and letting you sleep on my chest.

Love,

Daddy

…and Connor heads over to Mimi and Grandpa’s house.  This marked the first weekend that Mommy and Daddy were away for Connor for more than one night (together).  We missed our little boy, but he was in good hands with Mimi and Grandpa which allowed us to relax and enjoy a weekend together.

While we were gone, Grandpa decided to put the “full court press” on Connor and teach him something so that “he could make it on the blog”.  Ahh, Grandpa wants to make it on the blog.  Well Connor, tell him that Daddy is going to start charging for “appearances” on the blog — we have to pay for your college tuition one way or another.

Back to the story….Connor and his cousin spent the night at Mimi and Grandpa’s house (a first for that) and had a great time!  So much so that when Brenna left on Saturday morning, Connor was upset.  On one of his trips out, Grandpa taught Connor how to say “up we go”.  He was at Lowes/Home Depot (Grandpa let me know which one so I can get the story correct) and Grandpa was taking him out of the basket.  He said “Up we go” and kept repeating that to Connor.  Soon there after, Connor was saying, “up we go”.  When we arrived at Mimi and Grandpa’s house, Grandpa had Connor demonstrate what he could say:

Grandpa said, “Connor…up we go.”

Connor said, “Up we go.”

Connor was thrilled and let out a big smile, Grandpa was proud, and Mommy/Daddy were surprised.  Great job Grandpa and Connor!!!!

Here is a picture of the farm we stayed on…it was gorgeous even though it was mostly cloudy and overcast.  This picture was on our Saturday morning walk and as you can see, the sky/sun were cooperating.  We stayed just in the back of the barn, near the swing set.  Next time we can take Connor and so he can see the cows, goats, geese, and deer.

Check out the gallery, there are a lot of new pictures that I added.

Grandma went up to New Jersey to visit her sister for a week.  So, it has been nearly two weeks since Grandma had seen Connor.  During that time, Daddy decided to go “all out” to teach Connor how to say “Grandma”.  I was teaching him in the car, in the living at night, and in the bathroom during his baths.

Today we went to Grandma’s for a little while.  I was hoping Connor would be able to say it and surprise Grandma.  So, as we were driving over to Grandma’s house I must have said, “Grandma” a hundred times…  “We are going to Grandma’s house.”  “We are going to see Grandma.”  “Grandma”.  “Grandma’s house.”  “There’s Grandma”, etc…

We were having lunch at the table and that is when I decided to give it a shot with Connor.

So I said, “Who is that? (as I pointed at Grandma)”

Connor looked at Grandma a smiled.  Grandma sat there quietly as I think she realized what Connor and I were up to.  Again, I said “Who is that?”  and then I mouthed “Grandma”.  He watched my lips and I mouthed it a few times.

Then he said “GraMa”.  Grandma was happy, Daddy was proud, and Connor was as excited as I have ever seen him as we clapped and were very excited he said it.  I gave him a little fist pump, kissed him, and asked him to give me a “high five”.  He began to laugh, scream, kick, and clap.  That was probably the most excited and proud I have seen Connor get to date.

It was something else.

There you go Grandma…a “late birthday” present.  (I was trying to teach him for your birthday but he wasn’t quite ready.)

Love,

Donnie

Grandpa and Mimi stopped over the other night and had dinner with us.

At the dinner table, Grandpa taught Connor how to say the word “top”.  He said it a few times that evening.

Thanks Grandpa!

Daddy and I went to the airport to pickup Mommy, Grandpa, and Mimi.  I kept saying “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” when we were at the airport.  I had a beautiful sunflower which is Mommy’s favorite flower and I gave it to her at the airport.

I am glad Mommy is home!

Love,

Connor