We have had fun at home though. Jeff and I attended a concert and Grandpa babysat. He was a bit nervous at first, but apparently everything went off without a hitch. You're hired! We also attended a gala benefiting my old non-profit organization, Child Advocates. Grandma babysat that evening and the best part about that was it was the evening before Mother's Day, so the next morning I actually got to spend Mother's Day with my family and my Mom.
Jeff let me sleep in and then we all went to brunch. I got some great cards from Jeff, Connor, and my Mom and then Jeff surprised me with a trip to see my sister Julie in Colorado in June. It brought a tear to my eye. What a special gift. When Connor went down for his nap, my Mom and I tried to get a mani/pedi, but everywhere was full. Either way, it was a FANTASTIC Mother's Day! I felt like queen for the day. Thank you everyone.
I also think I owe my blogger fans an update on Connor's developmental progress. We've been traveling and doing so many things that once I get through all that, it seems like there isn't time left to update you on the little man.
So I should tell you that Connor is really turning into a big boy. Of course he turns two next month, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised but it does seem like he's really starting to try more and more full sentences. Of course we can't understand most of them, but he'll repeat full phrases now. It's so cute. If I say, "Mommy's folding laundry." He'll repeat something back like, "Mommy fo lawnry."
He is also trying to identify colors. His go-to color is "blue." He usually says that first for almost everything, but occasionally he'll surprise you and get the color right on the first try. He actually is pretty good at identifying pink as well. I guess they jam those gender specific colors home pretty early. The way he says yellow is so adorable. It's more like "yayo."
He is still a pretty picky eater. His favorite meals are chicken nuggets or noodles and tomato sauce. He hates cheese, which is a child staple, so that's pretty difficult. He definitely has a sweet tooth, but we are trying our best not to just give in. It's hard to watch your kid not eat though if you fix something he doesn't like. I end up going back to the stuff I know he'll eat. It's a vicious cycle. Ugh. I'm hoping it's a phase.
His sleeping is still about the same, although we have been putting him to bed closer to 7:30 versus 7 lately. The sun is out longer and ever since daylight savings it seems like he talks in his crib some nights until nearly 8pm anyway, so it made sense. Also, just this week, we let him sleep with a blanket that he starts out using sort of as a pillow. He seems to like it and he looks so cute snuggling with it. We want to transition him at some point to a big boy bed and having a pillow we hope will help him get the idea that one end is for sleeping, not like how he just rolls all over the place in his crib.
He really is a happy boy. His personality is really fun. He is definitely shy around new people, but once he warms up he loves to play. He definitely likes being mischievous. Much to my chagrin, his biggest belly laughs are usually when he's causing trouble or being naughty like when he throws a ball at someone or kicks you or splashes water. He doesn't do it because he's mad or angry, he does it because he thinks it's hysterical. Um yeah, that's a problem. We're working on it, but there are moments when its hard to keep my resolve, because he is laughing his adorable gafah laugh.
This does make him sound pretty bad, which really he's not. He is a very good boy and I should feel lucky. He is very good at helping when I ask and he still is really good at playing with other kids. He is never the bully. He also is really good at letting go of toys. For example if he's holding something in the car and it's time to get out and go to school or wherever, if I tell him, "OK Connor, say Bye Bye to the truck. The truck stays in the car. Say Bye Bye." He actually does it without a fuss. Sometimes I need to repeat myself a couple of times, but usually he hands it right over and there is no problem at all. Now if I just pulled the truck out of his hands without asking him to say Bye Bye...oh boy, he would have cried and cried, but for some reason he is pretty good at coming to terms with it so far.
As for when he's actually naughty (throwing things at me, hitting me, etc.), we have been doing time outs on a much more regular basis lately. I would say he gets about 2 or 3 a day lately. Usually its for throwing something at Mommy. I am trying to break him of that habit, so I am trying to go a pretty zero tolerance approach on it. The problem with throwing, especially for boys, is that there are so many mixed messages. Most times when a boy throws a ball or something we say, "Good throw." When he throws a truck or a block however all of a sudden we say, "No sir, do not throw that at Mommy." I can see why he'd be confused.
Anyway, when I ask him not to throw something at me and he does it anyway or if he just launches something at me, it's time-out time. I take him into the dining room immediately and slide him into the end chair that has sides and slide it back into the table so he's confined. Then I set the kitchen timer for 3 minutes. I tell him what he did and then I walk away. At first he fusses, but then he calms down. Towards the end he starts getting fussy again, but not really crying. When the timer goes off, I tell him what he did again and ask him to say sorry. He does and then I pick him up and we can go play again.
I do think he is beginning to get the message, even though he still throws things. I often catch him with his arm in the throwing position and I can give him a look and he'll sort of throw the item to the ground, not at me. He knows he shouldn't, but sometimes he either forgets or he just can't help himself, because it's just too funny. When he does do it, he immediately comes over and gives me a hug. He knows he did something bad, before I even have to say a word. I still take him for a time-out, but that at least makes me think something is getting through to him.
Connor still isn't too bad when it comes to tantrums. Now I have a couple of friends who have kids who when they turned 2 they swear a light turned on telling them to be extra naughty, but we'll see. So far Connor is really pretty well behaved. He is starting to be a bit more demanding though. For example, if you are sitting down and he wants you up and playing, he may come up to you and grab at your shoulder, trying to pull you up and start kind of whining. I am trying to get him to say, "Please" instead of just grabbing at me, since that is not very nice, but I guess 2 year olds don't really get common courtesy. Hee hee. We are working on "Please" and "Thank You" for everything too, but that hasn't really sunk in yet either.
He also still loves to be outside. We spend a lot of time in our backyard playing with balls, shooting in the basketball net, which he can now reach, or pushing cars around. We also spend a lot of time at parks. He still loves baby swings, pushing his trucks, and just running around and climbing on the equipment.
He also still loves basketball and all balls really, but if he sees a basketball goal at anyone's home he will call it out to me if we are walking in the stroller or in the car. He also asks to play basketball multiple times a day and often basketball "hoop hoop" is one of the things he mumbles as he's falling asleep at night. I am pretty sure he dreams of basketball.
Well, next month is his big 2 year old birthday and check-up, so I'll have more to report, but I wanted to give you an update on all things Connor. I bet a lot more will change even in a month.
This is Connor's 2nd school picture for Christ Church School. I decided to get a CD of the picture this time so I could put it on the blog and make whatever prints I wanted in any size instead of getting a certain order. (If anyone wants one, let me know). I'm glad I did, because surprise surprise Mr. Shy Pants didn't smile yet again. It's still cute, but I wouldn't say it's the best picture of him there ever was.
Here is the picture of his actual Toddler I Class. From Left, you've got, Connor, Miss Hilary (his favorite), Jason, Dylan, Reagan, Miss Cheryl, and Nick (Wyatt is not pictured). There are only 6 kids in his little class and 5 are boys! I swear this is the trend I see everywhere. Where are all the girls?
Next week is the last week of school and I am already feeling depressed. I don't know what I'm going to do until September when school starts back up again. Man, I am going to miss some time to myself that's for sure and I know Connor is going to miss his buddies and his teachers. He really loved school. When I'd tell him we were leaving for school he'd run to the car and when I'd pick him up at the end of the day, he often wouldn't want to leave. They took such good care of him and I know he learned a lot and really came out of his shell thanks to the socialization and structure it provided. Plus, I got some adorable artwork. I am really glad we chose Christ Church School, that's for sure.
Last week, when Connor got up from his nap, we went over to Gymboree for their open play time. Connor had a lot of fun climbing around on the equipment.
Him and some new friends were practicing their hoola hoop skills. Move those hips Connor.
Climb Connor, Climb! It was pretty funny, because Connor is still pretty timid and while we were at Gymboree there was this line of 4 kids climbing this ramp up to this tower, and then jumping off into this soft mat beneath. Connor followed them, but instead of jumping off, he would turn around and gently step down backwards onto the mat. When he got there, he would do his little happy dance and yell like everyone else as if that was a big thrill. Then he would go again. It was very cute to watch. I am sure our next kid will be a daredevil, but I don't mind Connor playing it safe for now.
Connor always finds the balls. This time, he actually wanted to sit with them.
Two weeks ago, we went to the Houston Children's Museum. We recently got a membership and my playgroup was going, so we thought we'd check it out. It was voted the #1 Children's Museum in the country by Parent's Magazine and I would say it was worth the rating. It was really a fun place and Connor had a blast. Here he is in a mini ball pit.
Sorry, the pictures aren't very clear, I forgot my camera and I just had my phone. Here Connor is playing with some sort of ramp.
It was a hot day, so it's pretty neat because there is also a splash zone outside. I have a feeling we'll be coming back here a lot this summer.
Connor had another silly cold recently, so after a breathing treatment I took this picture of his "little" belly sticking out of his shirt. What a growing boy.
Connor was very shy with Grandpa at first, when he came in town to babysit so that Jeff and I could attend a concert in Houston, but soon enough they were playing and having a blast. Grandpa said Connor was a joy. What a good report. Thanks so much!
Now we're onto Mother's Day. Here we are, ready for brunch Sunday morning. Connor got a haircut on Saturday, so he's looking extra dapper and extra old with his short hair.
A sweet Father and Son shot. Aren't they cute. Too bad they aren't wearing matching polos.
On the way to brunch, Grammio was making Connor laugh.
That Grammio is soooo silly.
2 Mommas and a little baby. We certainly felt like lucky moms this Mother's Day. Brunch at Riverbend Country Club was tasty and dining with Connor, Jeff, and my Mom was a delight.
Happy Diners, complete with Mimosas. Yum. Jeff certainly made two Moms feel very special.
Connor was a lucky little boy and got to eat a chocolate covered strawberry for dessert.
What a happy day.
Back home, Daddy and Connor swing in my glider.
Another "development" was Connor drew his first picture and I had to document it for posterity. So we were outside playing with sidewalk chalk and usually I draw pictures and he'll color them in (sort of) or he'll just make markings on the ground wherever. In this instance where those yellow markings are on the ground, he made them and then he turned to me and said, "Tree." I said, "My goodness Connor, yes, that does look like a tree. Did you just draw a tree?" He pointed at it again and said, "Tree." It was really cute. I don't think he necessarily meant for his scribblings to look like a tree, but once he stepped back, he realized it did look like a tree and described it. So anyway, I'm calling this as his first real drawing. He's brilliant. :)
The other day at the park, he asked for my sunglasses. He proceeded to put them on. Here are the results. What a cool swinger.
Connor snuggling with his "blankie."
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