Here's to Michael Jackson

Even Connor got into the spirit of honoring Michael Jackson's legend. Aunt Stacey helped him dance to "Thriller" over the weekend.



Also, I should note that today was my follow up Ob-Gyn appointment and my doctor cleared me of all activities including working out. Her advice was just to take it slow. Look out ten extra baby pounds. I'm coming to get you. It still amazes me that I could have had major surgery 5 weeks ago and feel basically fine today. Our bodies are so resilient.

I should also note that Connor came with me to the appointment and did great. He just sat in his stroller and looked around. Him being quiet in a non-moving stroller is not the norm, so I almost wonder if he recognized the place somehow or the voices. It was pretty cool. I'm not sure why he was just a perfect angel, but I'll take it.

Grandma Robbyn leaves today, which is sad. She has been a big help and Connor will certainly miss the snuggles. I guess I'll just have to take over in the snuggle department. Oh darn, that's a shame. Hee hee.

Treadway visit nears an end

I don't want to jinx it, but we are going on 5 days now where Connor has been a really good boy. I don't know if it's because I've been soooo conscious about what I'm eating (we think Connor has a sensitive tummy) or he's just starting to grow up and out of his really fussy stage, but Connor has been a dreamboat since Wednesday. It makes me so happy. Maybe we needed to get to the 5 week mark. Who knows.

During this time, we have had Jeff's parents and sister visiting. They have had lots of opportunities to sit with him and laugh at his cute and funny faces. He's more alert every day and it's just so cool to watch. He is also cooing and grunting and making other non-crying noises too.

The best news though, is that we think he is really close to smiling on purpose. He is smiling so much more now, but we can't pinpoint one thing that makes him do it, so we're not sure if he means to or not, but we don't care. It's just the best thing in the world to see him smile.

Aunt Stacey finds it particularly hilarious when Connor toots. I'll admit, it's hard to believe a little baby could make man sized farts, but he does. It's pretty funny. She says she's going to give him a hard time about it when he's older.

Enjoy some photos of our adventures this weekend.

Connor turned 5 weeks old on Friday.

See, I'm trying to smile. I've got the side smile working.

Ooo, look at this rattle Connor. Very cool.

Connor has his hands wrapped around Grandma's hand.

Peering over Grandma's shoulder.

Ahh, so much activity. I need a nap.

Hello again Aunt Stacey. He's looking right at her.

Aunt Stacey got to feed Connor Friday night.

Taking a morning stroll Saturday morning with Daddy, Maizey, Grandpa, and Momma.

Relaxing on the patio with Grandpa.

Smiling for Grandpa.

Hanging out with Aunt Stacey.

Good morning Daddy.

Grandma Robbyn has arrived!

Jeff's Mom, Grandma Robbyn arrived today from Amarillo. Connor and I successfully picked her up at the airport and he was a good boy all day. Grandma has already been to the grocery store and made us a delicious peach cobbler. What a welcomed visitor. Aunt Stacey and Grandpa Don come tomorrow. It should be a fun weekend.

Hi Grandma Robbyn. I'm a good boy.

Success!

Well, there is not much to report, but I did want to mention that Connor and I had a big success today. In the past, Connor has not liked the baby bjorn carrier. This is disappointing, because it allows Mommy to be hands free. I have been able to get him to fall asleep in it, but only when I'm also running the vacuum cleaner.

Today however, we made major progress and when I put Connor in the bjorn, he didn't cry. I figured I'd have to vacuum but he stayed content and then eventually as I went along tidying up and stuff, he fell asleep. It was a beautiful thing. Good boy.

He also had some fun on his play gym. He lied down and seemed to really enjoy looking up at the toys hanging down and batting at things. He eventually got a bit overstimulated and I had to pick him up, but it was nice to see him becomming more engaged in toy-like items.

Connor was basically a perfect angel today and it makes it easy to forget the past three days where he was a bit difficult. Today, he was my darling baby boy.

Connor in his swing. He still doesn't quite know what to think of this, but he's getting a bit more used to it. We shall see.

Making new friends?

So, I had my first "mommy with a baby" experience yesterday. After the pediatrician's office, Connor and I stopped by Target. While waiting in line at the deli, a women came up to me asking about Connor.

Now I will say that I am not typically the type of person that likes making small talk with strangers. This is sort of odd, since I am traditionally a very friendly person, but I figured that when it came to someone wanting to talk about my son, I would be more than willing to chat. I am a very proud Momma.

However, that was not how I felt. When this lady leans around my cart and gets within about an inch of Connor, I was a little put off. She says he's cute and then talks on and on about her own children and offers me countless pieces of "priceless advice."

I know I should have been flattered, but in all honesty, I was thinking to myself, "Um, lady, my son is only a month old and he has a very weak immune system. Please stop breathing on him. Plus, I'd rather you just place your deli order, because the longer my cart isn't moving the closer my son gets to a meltdown."

After she left us, I kind of smirked and thought to myself, wow, that is not how I expected that to go. I guess though my Mommy protectiveness overshadowed my friendliness on this particular moment.

I guess I better get used to being stopped by perfect strangers, now that I'm carting around a cute little baby. I guess I can't go incognito anymore. That's OK. The trade off is totally worth it. I'll just have to factor in 5 minutes of stranger chat time to my outings.

Now, a few photos from yesterday and today.

Connor in the middle of tummy time. I liked this photo, because you can see the cute whale on his little booty.

Connor always looks so cute in his jammies.

Just some close ups of Connor in his bouncer. This is a sly face.

Almost a smile.

Something over there is interesting.

I'm cute.

I'm serious.

Are you still taking pictures of me Mom?

Ok, that's enough. I'm going to bat at you.

Our baby boy is one month old

It's been a few days since my last post, but I assure you that we haven't forgotten our loyal fans. Connor has just been keeping us rather busy.

On Friday, Jeff had to wait for the landscaping guy to come by so Connor and Jeff got to bond a bit before he went off to work. That was nice and I'm glad that in the brief time Jeff had at home during the morning, Connor showed him what an adorable little son we really have.

On Saturday, Connor had more visitors. Our friends Anthony and Lindsey came over for dinner and even a few drinks. (Thank goodness Connor takes a bottle). We had a great time and although Connor wasn't interested in going to sleep, with the help of a pacifier he stayed pretty calm and happy all night. Jeff grilled terrific steaks, I made sinfully delicious apple pie, and the conversation and togetherness was just as good.

On Sunday, the visits continued with our friends Clete and Janna and their 17 month old daughter, Emme. They brought us delicious lunch and we hung out for about an hour. Connor wasn't quite as personable on this visit, but Clete and Janna understand, having a young child of their own. It was still really nice to have them come by.

The big news on Sunday was that Connor officially turned 1 month old. I know that is still very young, but it seems like a rather big milestone, because although we will still keep track of weeks, when people ask us, we will probably start going by months from now on. He is such a big boy that now he gets counted in months.

The photo below is one of him napping, because unfortunately Connor didn't ring in his birthday with too many smiles. He was a bit fussy most of the day. Don't worry, we still love you buddy. You just wanted to rock it out on your birthday. It's OK.

On his birthday we experimented with a few new "quieting" techniques. One that seems to work is vacuuming with Connor in the baby bjorn carrier. He seems to really like the white noise of the vacuum. I've also turned on the hair dryer and the bathroom fan while he was in the room and he likes those sounds as well.


This morning, Connor had his one month doctor's appointment. As always, I was extremely curious to see how much he weighed, to make sure he was on track and his eating was good. You just can't really tell if they are getting all they need. Well luckily, he is gaining appropriately. He weighed 10 pounds 12 ounces, putting him right around the 50th percentile. His head size was in the 50th percentile too, but his length continues to be long in the 95th percentile. So he's still long and lean.

The doctor examined him and he checked out great. She said he had good head control, he's very alert, and his coloring looks great. He's got baby acne, but that should just go away on it's own in a few weeks. He is also "talking" a lot more. He coos and grunts and is just slowing finding his voice. It's pretty neat.

Sadly though, Connor did need one Hepatitis B shot. The nurse came in and gave him a shot in his chubby little thigh. He cried, but calmed down soon after. He was very brave. It was probably harder on me and Jeff than it was on Connor. All in all, he's still doing great.

Now here are just a few random photos from the past couple of days.

Over the weekend Jeff and Connor bonded in dream land.

Luckily, Connor was in great spirits before we headed off to the doctor's office this morning.

Hello everyone!

Happy little boy

Connor was very happy today, which makes Mommy very happy too. He slept well and when he was awake, he was content and non-fussy. Here he is looking happy and relaxed laying on the bed. Soon after we did tummy time and he didn't even cry.




Later in the day, Connor and I did our first work out tape together. Ok, maybe that's a stretch. We did this ten minute segment of baby yoga moves from this DVD my sister got me. The moves were basic and mostly just me moving his little arms and legs, but it was fun and Connor seemed to enjoy it. It was really cool to have that time together.

We've luckily convinced Connor to like his bouncer and actually it seems to soothe him now, which is more great news. Set him in the bouncer, put it on vibrate and rock him with your foot and you've got a happy baby for the most part. He has become much more aware of his surroundings too and he seems to actually see the little toys that are dangling from it. They sort of mesmerize him. He can also follow a toy with his eyes and his head like a champ. What a big boy.

Connor played his first joke on Daddy today. Soon after Jeff got home from work and changed into casual clothes, he held Connor in his arms. Within seconds of me passing him off to Jeff, Connor had a poop blowout that ended up on Daddy's shirt. Jeff was less than amused, but both Connor and I thought it was hilarious. No harm done, as both parties got new outfits, but secretly later, Connor and I high-fived each other. Good boy. Sorry Jeff, but the look on your face when you realized you got pooped on was priceless.