The Blessings of Life: 01/01/2011

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Connor's 1st Hair Cut

Today was Connor's 1st haircut. Yes, I know, I waited WAY too long. I realize that "shag" is an understatement for what his hair looked like prior to the haircut. But I can tell you, this Mommy was very sad that her baby was old enough to get his hair cut for the first time (of course 14 months is a little old).

This is the "before" picture. Keep in mind, he and Caleb had found some lotion this morning and smeared that all over themselves, so even a bath did not completely tame the "water-resistant lotion" hair.

Big Brother Caleb went first to show Connor how things work...I am so proud of Caleb! He did a great job--followed directions, stayed still, and didn't act like a typical 2yo during the cut.

Post hair cut play time is in order for the Big Brother

Connor seems unsure about being put in a "moo-moo"

The long bangs got cut first, so all of our pictures have those wonderful big blue eyes in them! He did such a fantastic job!!! Kym Casey cuts Jeremy's hair and has also cut Caleb's hair this past year. She does a great job keeping the boys entertained and cutting quickly. Connor found her spray bottle and that was his entertainment for the cut. He played with that the whole time and we never needed the bag of toys and snacks that Mommy brought.

"Is it almost over Mommy?"

"Oh, my. All the pictures...of course I know I am terribly cute, but stop it you all. You are embarrasing me!"

We now have a "Big Boy Cut" and he has aged in the span of 20 mins to look to me like he is at least 18mo. What a difference getting rid of the "mullet" makes!!

Both my handsome boys...Caleb sharing his Cheerios, Connor sweetly saying please. All was right with the world in that moment.

Leisurely Saturdays

I decided to take pictures over the past month or so of activities around our house on Saturdays. That is the only real "lazy" time we get to have, so we often spend mornings in our PJs enjoying the respite from the crazy week.

Early mornings, before Daddy wakes up (and sometimes before the sunrise), the boys get the special treat of "chillin" in Daddy's chair. They think they are such BIG boys and love to just lay back...they even pose for the camera from time to time.

BREAKFAST TIME

Caleb blesses the food with "God Our Father"...unfortunately, as you can tell from the mouthful of food and cream cheese on the mouth, he often forgets this important part of the meal until after he has had several bites. But hey, at least most of their food is blessed right?

Caleb thoroughly enjoys his bagels for breakfast...or at least the cream cheese on top of them.

Connor enjoys cereal for breakfast...Mommy hasn't been brave enough to let him have milk with his cereal just yet, so he eats it dry; but since he eats 3-4 helpings and Caleb feeds him some of his breakfast, I don't think he will starve.

After breakfast, this is one cool dude!!

Caleb is a big help "cleaning" the kitchen after meals...of course, this vacuum doesn't quite pick up all the bits and pieces that Connor throws to the floor when he decides he is done eating.

PLAY TIME

"Um, exactly what do you plan to do with that bowling pin, Caleb?"

"Oh, nothing, Connor..."

Aren't they a handsome pair? And they look like they love each other too :)

OUTSIDE PLAY

Connor is getting so big. He can do many of the things at the park by himself...which is good because he is the most independent child I know about some things. He doesn't want ANY help getting up and down the stairs or moving around on the play equipment (which has led to a few falls).

The only person he lets help him around the park and playground equipment is Caleb. Connor adores his big brother, and Caleb is a fantastic brother teaching Connor about toys, helping him over steps, and holding his hand and leading him to the swings.

This is not the best picture of Caleb...he was mad at Connor because of the squealing Connor was doing. "Hush, Connor" could be heard screamed all across the playground.

And so besides naps, temper tantrums, scattered toys, and general chaos, this is a typical "leisurely" Saturday.

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year's Resolution

I hate New Year's Resolutions...why you may ask? Because I seldom follow through with them! However, I am only making one at this point: I will attempt to update my blog on a regular basis. This is for those of you (and you all know who you are!!!) who give me grief about not showing off my kiddos. But also this is of course to show off my kiddos!!! So I will start with an update on our New Year's weekend.

Jeremy and I took a bit of time off and had a "staycation" this past weekend. This means that I did some much needed things around the house to feel much more and spent some much needed time with adult friends; Jeremy vegged out with his news radio, NPR book, and generally relaxed in the way he chose to (organizing the house does not relax him like it does me!). That is not to say we did not spend quite a bit of time together; we actually had a kid-free lunch and dinner each day, sat on the couch next to each other with no 2yo in between us, and had adult conversation that sometimes was not about the kidlets. All in all, it was a wonderful time! (In an aside, a HUGE thank you to the grandparents for keeping the kids for us to give us some much needed rest and time together!)

So for the first time in years, the blog is up-to-date...I have added pictures since Connor's birth and will try to do better. For others who know me well, you can also click on the Yah-Yah King Xanga link to see more frequent updates!

Christmas 2010

Playing with the Jr. Workbench that Santa brought...do we see a woodworker in the future?

Snuggling with Mommy on a soft blanket hand-knit by his Aunt Tracy

Ready and waiting on a ball to be thrown from Papa

No more pictures please!!!

Post dinner with his big belly...

Gotta love that smile

Barney, really?

Yeah! I can tear it apart!

Brothers playing together for a brief moment. Notice Caleb holding onto a ball that was to Connor from Santa and Connor playing with a racetrack from Santa to Caleb. Hmm...maybe Santa learned a lesson this year and all toys will go in a big pile next year :)

Here Comes Trouble...

While doing laundry, I went to put up some clothes and was gone from the dryer for 90 seconds, came back around the corner and this is what I found...I believe I have a LONG road ahead if these two can do this now! Caleb pulled a basket in front of the dryer, climbed in, and also convinced his brother to follow in that short period of time. Again, Oh my!!!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Connor's 1st Birthday

Connor's 1st birthday was spent at my mom's home with family and friends and Connor had so much fun with all of his "people" giving him so much attention

He LOVED the cake!

Big Brother Caleb loved his too, but ate his in a slightly more orderly fashion...

Oh, my! For obvious reasons, a bath was in order shortly after this picture was taken.

Halloween 2010

Caleb was Superman for Halloween and was ready with his giant bucket (no small pumpkin for this guy!) to get loaded down with candy.

Connor was Elmo for Halloween and enjoyed tasting his first piece of chocolate. Having just learned to walk, this was a short lived ride in the stroller at "Boo at the Zoo"

Summer 2010

Connor sporting his "Red, White, and Blue"

Caleb's Car Wash

Caleb's 2nd Birthday

For Caleb's 2nd Birthday we went to TreeTop Family Adventure in Chelsea, AL and let the kiddos bowl and play in the indoor TreeHouse. It was loads of fun and even the adults had fun with the bowling and arcade they have. Connor enjoyed watching the festivities and tasting the pizza and cake as well.