Last Friday, our little angel showed a new side of himself.

When we tell him “No” he no longer wants to listen to what we have to say and will sometimes let us hear about it.  In the past, we could tell him “No” and redirect his attention.  Now, if we tell him “No” and it is something he wants to do, Connor shows his attitude.

Our little boy is growing up.  🙁

We have also noticed that he is starting to get frustrated when playing with his toys.  He has some large lego blocks that he knows can be put together.  We put two blocks together and give it to him.  He quickly pulls them apart and then tries to put them back together.  He does not quite have the coordination to put them back together and after a few tries he starts to grunt and get frustrated.

To help him out, I ask him to bring it over and I put it together for him.  Then I take it apart and put it back together.  He watches so intently.  Then I take his hands and pull it apart and put it back together with his hands.  Again, he watches very closely.  He then goes off on his own and soon pulls it apart but cannot put it together.  On a couple of occasions, he has throw the blocks. He will learn soon enough…but it is so interesting/amazing to see how he has grow from being a 6+ pound, unable to move infant to a toddler trying to learn as much as he can.

Some of you are aware that Connor will be having outpatient surgery this coming Friday.  It is not a life threatening surgery, but will require that Connor receive a general anesthetic.

As Friday draws nearer, I am getting more nervous/worried.

The surgery will be at CHKD in Norfolk and will last about 2 hours.  They say we should be on our way home within 1.5 hours after surgery.

So, please keep our little angel in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Donnie

…just post it on your child’s “baby blog”.  After posting about separation anxiety, we had to leave Connor with Grandma today for about 4.5 hours.  I was a bit nervous as this was the first time he has been with Grandma (alone) since November.

The report from Grandma was that Connor did great!  No long crying spells and no vomitting.  He played like normal and only showed a few signs of looking for Mommy and Daddy.  When Grandma noticed he was getting a little anxious, she just distracted him and had him play with something.  From all accounts, Connor was in great spirits this morning and afternoon.  Grandma played peek-a-boo with him and also chased him from room to room.  He loves making laps around her hallway, kitchen, and dining room.  (The dining room that Uncle Danny and Daddy were NEVER allowed to play in as kids — I guess Connor must be special.)

So, as much as Mommy and Daddy would like to declare the “all clear” on the separation anxiety, I think we will hold off for now…

Connor — we are glad you had an enjoyable and stressfree day with Grandma today.

Love,

Daddy and Mommy

Sometimes I wonder where I get the “drive” to write this blog. Well, it is not too hard to figure out where I get it from, my Mom.

My mom (Grandma) has saved some of my favorite toys from when I grew up. Yes, they might be full of lead and probably would not get by today’s federal testing — but Connor has them to play with. From Major Morgan to the Weeble Wobbles, Grandma kept them for her future grandchildren.

Here is a posting on Major Morgan one of my toys when I was growing up and one of Connor’s favorites when he is over Grandma’s house.  Too me (now), it just makes an annoying sound.

And if you want to buy one, it is going for around $90 on ebay here.  (Grandma better keep an eye on those toys…Daddy might start to pay for Connor’s college fund by selling my old toys on ebay.)

Well, Grandma also kept my Christening bib and we were able to use it for Connor’s Christening at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church.  Grandma had it embroided with Daddy’s Christening date and Connor’s Christening date.  That is really special and is something we can hopefully pass down to the next generation.

Thanks Grandma!

Love,
Daddy

Mommy and Daddy worked very hard on making Connor’s birthday cake. Connor just loves Mickey Mouse, so we decided to make the cake and decorate it ourselves. It turned out pretty well and since it did, we are thinking about closing down the photography business and opening up a bakery. (Just kidding.)

Here is Connor’s birthday invitation as well (Mommy worked hard on this one).

Connor’s 1st birthday party was attended by the following people:

Brenna (cousin), Aidan (friend), Daniel (friend), Nicholas (2nd cousin), Sierra (2nd cousin), Uncle Chad and Aunt Catherine, Uncle Danny and Aunt Kristen, Uncle Phil and Aunt Sandy (Victoria’s cousin), Jaime and James (Aidan’s parents), Trish and Ray (Daniel’s parents), Grandma, Mimi and Grandpa, Mommy and Daddy, and of course, Connor

He got a lot of new toys and clothes.  Thanks to everyone as we all had a wonderful time.

All the kids that attended had a great time.  Nicholas (it was Nick’s birthday as well) and Sierra did a great job of keeping all the kids happy.  They all took turns riding around in Connor’s new car and they also enjoyed playing with the balloons (safely).

One quick little story…

Aidan’s Dad (James) told Grandma a story about balloons and how dangerous they can be.  Daddy had to interrupt and tell Aidan’s Dad to stop telling the story to Grandma or poor Connor will never see another balloon in his lifetime!

Happy Birthday, Connor!

WE LOVE YOU!

Daddy and Mommy

Here is a picture of Connor soon after everyone left for the day…

Connor and Mommy have been busy together lately.  She takes him to a playgroup with her friend Trish and Trish’s son, Daniel.  They also go to the park when the weather permits.

Mommy has started to get back to the gym and is slowly introducing Connor to the gym’s nursery.  He has been there twice and is getting better.  (See the Separation Anxiety posting.)

They also go for walks in the neighborhood.  Usually Connor is in his new motorized car and Mommy steers it from behind.

Connor has graduated to eating table food.  About a month ago, Mommy eliminated all “baby food”.  We cut up our food — if it is something he can eat.  (The doctor still wants us to hold off on fish — not until he his 18 months old.)

Connor also switched from formula to whole milk.  The switch to whole milk was a blessing for all of us.  Mommy and Daddy don’t have to prepare formula anymore, we save some $$$, and Connor actually drinks more milk than formula.

Blueberries and bananas continue to rate as his favorite snack food.  Peas and corn his favorite vegetables.  Chicken his favorite meat.  And he LOVES bread!!!!

He is not to keen on sweets but does enjoy the occasional Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie (Daddy and Mommy’s favorite too!).

He has never been a juice drinker and we just give him water.  We would buy juice only to throw it out when he wouldn’t drink it.  He gets plenty of fruits and vegetables, so the doctor doesn’t see any need for juice.

Check out Connor’s photo gallery.  I uploaded pictures from Christmas, his Christening, his birthday, and this past weekend.

Enjoy!

Connor has a case of “separation anxiety” and has had it for quite sometime. We’ve talked to many people about this — people who have been through it, others who have not, as well as the doctor. The doctor continues to reassure us that it is quite normal and that he will eventually out grow it. Our doctor also tells us it has nothing to do with us “spoiling him” or the way we raise him. He says it is instictual and that some infants/toddlers have it worse than others.

Connor has been known to cry for 1 hour (if not longer) and sometimes vomit.

Now for those of you that are alarmed by this or have not gone through it with your child, here is a little more information. http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/separation_anxiety.html

And if you have gone through it or are going through it, we are always looking for suggestions.

One mother (and she and her children will remain anonymous) mentioned she and her child got through it because she decided to volunteer at pre-school and kindergarten. Hmmm…this is the best advice we have received so far. 😉