4th of July Celebration

We had a really nice weekend in Bryan, TX, where my parents have just moved into their new home. They've been building on a golf course for about 2 years, so we are all so happy for them that it's finally complete. They are still mostly in boxes, but they graciously allowed my family and my sister's family to come and break in the place. We sure did that.

Jeff and I arrived with Connor Friday night, so that Jeff and my Dad could play golf Saturday morning. It was supposed to rain all day Saturday and even Sunday, but we only got caught in a few storms. For the most part we had great weather. In fact, Saturday was actually a little chilly. We hadn't expected that on the 3rd of July in Texas.

My sister and her family arrived Saturday around noon and immediately we all realized how much her boys loved the pool. We were all so happy to see them having so much fun. It still amazes me how much fun children have in pools. They can stay in a pool just splashing around all day...and they did.

Connor unfortunately was getting his 11th and 12th teeth, which are both molars, so he was a little out of sorts, but we did our best to have fun despite our crying baby. Sunday he was much better, so he was able to enjoy the pool more and he took a better nap.

During his nap, me, Jeff and my Dad went over to the golf club's tennis courts and played a little tennis. On our way back, we also checked out the club pool and picked up a frozen beverage. It felt like I was at a resort. I can't wait to come back and visit their cool new home.

Every evening after the kids went to bed we had great meals and lots of fun. Unfortunately, Sunday night, which was the 4th, we accidentally missed the fireworks display, but we heard a few and saw a couple in the distance. I guess we'll just have to shoot off fireworks some other time. Thanks for a great visit Mom and Dad and thanks for letting us crash your new pad just days after moving in.

As we were packing up the car, we gave Connor a little snack and put on an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. It's amazing how Connor can just zone out when this show is on.

My parents new pool and our home base all weekend.

It only rained a few times, which was great, because the forecast called for rain almost all weekend long.

This is a good example of Connor's temperament on Saturday...crying and holding his mouth. It was very sad.

Not even his cousins, his grandparents, his Aunt and Uncle, or his parents could make him feel better.

Miraculously, Saturday evening, he started feeling a bit better and happily chased around this plush football. Hmm, will he be a football player like everyone predicts after all?

It was funny, because Connor and Libby were sort of attacking Grandma. It was pretty cute.

It looks like she won.

Connor continues to enjoy his cousins. Here he is trying to play legos with older cousin Martin (5) and Winnie (3). Of course legos are chocking hazards for babies, so I had to be extra diligent with the observing, but he did OK.

The whole gang in the pool.

We had just reapplied sunscreen, so Connor had some funky hair.

Swimming around with Daddy.

I love this picture. Connor looks so cute up on his tip toes trying to get to the veggies and dip.

Eating dinner with his cousin Libby.

Playing with his cousin Libby. Of course he found a ball. He loves balls.

A very patriotic Red, White and Blue family. Although they look a little French since they ordered themselves Blue, White, and Red. Oh well. God Bless America.

Oklahoma Success!

So we got back last night from Oklahoma and I'd say it was a total success. Our trip was not only a success because we had a blast with Grandma Margie and the rest of the Treadway family, but we also successfully made it the ten hours it takes to drive there. We had lots of adventures on the drive and at the hotels we stayed at.

We made the trip in two days on the way out (leaving Thursday around 4pm), because Connor fell asleep at 7:15pm, which we had hoped, because that's when he goes to bed, but then he woke back up at 9:20, which we weren't expecting. Jeff and I were feeling good so we kept driving, the whole time expecting Connor to eventually fall back asleep, but he didn't. So at around midnight, we stopped at a hotel in the nearest big town (Norman, Oklahoma) and put Connor to bed. Unfortunately, he was totally confused about what time it was, because when we got him in the room, he was crawling around and giggling, like he thought he had just taken a nap and it was play time. Oh boy. Then when we put him to bed, he was really confused and screamed bloody murder for 10 minutes straight. It was soooo hard not to go to him, since I haven't let him cry it out in months and he was mere feet from where we were sleeping, but I knew it was for the best. Eventually he settled down and slept until 8am the next morning, but it was pretty rough for all of us.

We only had two more hours to go, so we made it to Grandma Margie's home by lunch time, although Connor was not too excited to get back in the car. We tried to put Connor down for a nap after lunch, but he just wasn't ready to settle down, so we let him power through. By dinner time he was losing it, but he made it to bed OK. Again that night he cried for a while, but we kind of assumed some of that was the fact that he still wasn't totally right from the day before, and he was getting ANOTHER molar. This time, it's on the top. Those molars are nasty teeth for Connor.

By Saturday though, Connor was back on track and he took a great nap Saturday afternoon and fell asleep much better Saturday night. Of course both nights we had to wake him up, put him in the car seat, drive 30 minutes to our hotel, take him out of the car seat, walk through a bright hotel, up an elevator, set the pack and play back up, and put him to bed. Some nights he was better at this than others, but we managed.

It was great catching up with Jeff's Dad's side of the family. At Margie's house were Jeff's cousin Kelly and her two daughters Camille (8) and Lauren (6) who came in from Columbus, OH, Jeff's cousin Cinde who came in from San Francisco, CA, Jeff's Aunt Vickie who came in from Phoenix, AZ, and Jeff's parents and sister. Kelly's girls have gotten so big. It's amazing how they grow from year to year. They are really sweet.

Both days we basically did whatever we could to have fun, but not overheat. It was in the upper 90's both days and there is unfortunately not much shade on her property. Jeff and I did bring our awning and a baby pool and those were both a big hit. As you'll see from the pictures, the girls found turtles, so we had turtle races. We also got to ride Smokey the horse. Alot of the time though, we sat on a picnic blanket or inside with some toys for Connor and watched him play. We also watched the dogs run around and sometimes chase the barn cat.

Stacey, was nice enough to drive both her dog and our dog to Oklahoma, so they could get a chance to run free for a change. It seemed like both dogs really took to farm life. They never got too far from any of us, but ran free and enjoyed it. It was nice to see Maizey in her doggy element and luckily she really likes Stacey's dog Max, so they made a great team.

We grilled a yummy meal at home Friday, but we went out to dinner Saturday night. It was this really homey steak place and we had a room all to ourselves. Connor did just fine. On Saturday night we also lit some fireworks.

Sunday, we headed back up to Margie's place for a few hours and then after lunch we started our trek back to Sugar Land. We were hopeful we could make it in just one day this time and luckily Connor cooperated on that front, so by 11pm Sunday night, we were home safe and sound. What a great trip!

A picture of Connor at the beginning of our trip.

We stopped at this place called Woody's Smokehouse on the way up Thursday night for dinner. Connor wasn't a huge fan of the barbeque, but he ate the other stuff we packed in the cooler. Can you see the sign in the back that says "Jerky Capital of the World." How cool.

We couldn't resist buying Connor this miniature cowboy hat and then pose him with this gun shaped grill. Only in Texas.

Cowboy Connor.

Cruising along the table at the Hampton Inn before starting our second day of travel. We tried to get him moving a lot so he wouldn't hate being put back in the car. It kind of worked.

Not a happy camper being back in the car seat.

Yay, we made it. Jeff is pulling down Margie's driveway.

Grandma Margie meeting Connor for the first time.

Setting up our awning and the picnic blanket, which would be our home base.

Maizey and this cat had a very rough relationship. Sometimes Maizey would just pass her by, but other times, she would get Stacey's dog Max to corner it and they would fight. The cat always made it out alive and she kept coming back for more, so we figured she had it coming. It was kind of funny most of the time.

Connor and Gigi playing.

Lauren, Stacey, Connor, and Gigi playing.

Jeff sitting with Max and Maizey, our loyal farm dogs.

Practicing some walking inside with Pagger Don.

Jeff grilling some fabulous pork tenderloin and chicken legs Friday night. Oh and Aunt Vickie is in the front of this picture too.

Farm dog Maizey enjoying her freedom.

The dogs chased the cat up into the car's wheel well.

The moon was gorgeous on the farm. You can see the cows in the distance too.

We hung out on the porch for a while, but we had to move our chairs into the yard eventually, because we were all getting scared of the monster spiders we could see building webs over our heads. Ugh, I have never seen so many spiders and bugs in my life. I guess that's country life for you. It was still fun though.

Connor chowed down each morning at the good breakfast buffet at the hotel.

On Saturday, we stuck Connor's hat back on. I think he was impressing his second cousins Lauren (6) and Camille (8) and their Mom, Kelly.

Cruising all over the living room in his cowboy hat.

A close up of Mr. Chunky Cowboy.

Gigi and Connor watching people ride Smokey the horse. I think she's giving him pointers before it was his turn.

Connor and Pagger Don on Smokey. He seemed to enjoy it.

Yeeeehawww!

They came up near the porch so we could all get a closer look.

Connor got a kick out of touching the cat. I am not sure if the cat felt the same way.

Rehydrating on the porch. It sure was hot.

For Father's Day, I got Jeff a Papa Bear shirt and Connor a Baby Bear shirt. They wore them on Saturday and before Connor's nap they were playing together on the bed, so I took some pics.

Connor loved Great Grandma Margie's bed. Every time he'd get on it, he'd start crawling around and giggling.

Lauren, Aunt Cinde, and Camille showing off their turtles before the turtle race.

And their off. Lauren's turtle was speedy and ran right off. Poor Camille's turtle was kind of scared and stayed in his shell. We got him out, but Lauren's was still much faster.

Camille's finally came out of it's shell, but Lauren's turtle was way ahead.

And we have a winner.

Our set up, complete with a baby pool, that Jeff and I also enjoyed.

Dinner Saturday night was at this place called the Rusty Barrell Supper Club. At the main entrance there was a bell you had to ring. I guess this was a prohibition place back in the day.

Connor made the rounds to everybody before dinner at the Rusty Barrell.

We even got to see Robbyn's sister Shelley and her husband Mike, who were in town for the day. The last time we saw them was at Christmas.

Connor hanging out with Great Grandma Margie on Sunday morning. He looks so big sitting on her. Ha!

After a diaper change, Connor got to play around pantless, so everyone could experience his thunder thighs. They are quite a sight.

We tried to get a picture of 4 generations of Treadways, but Connor just wanted to move or put his hands in his mouth.

We put him down and he was better, but Margie didn't look. Oh well. You get the idea. It's still pretty cool.

We stopped for dinner Sunday night and Connor got to play around his first McDonald's Playplace. There were three little girls playing on it, and he found them very fascinating.

He fell asleep around 8pm and stayed alseep the rest of the trip home. Thank goodness. Thanks for being a good little traveler buddy. He sure is happy to be back in his own bed though, let me tell you.

Connor riding Smokey the horse.

1 Year Check Up and Update

Monday, we went to the pediatrician's office and had Connor's 12 month appointment. He was still not totally himself and seemed extra tired, so he was a little grumpy and unhappy to be there. We did get some size updates though. He weighed 25 pounds 2 ounces, putting him in the 75th to 90th percentile. He was 31 inches long, also the 75th to 90th percentile, and his head had an 18 inch circumference, which is the 50th percentile.

Unlike his 9 month appointment, this time he seemed to be right on track. The only things we had to say "no" to was whether or not he could point, and if he said both Momma and Dadda. Since he's not even really close to Dadda, that had to be a "no" and he doesn't seem to do much with his hands at all. He doesn't point, clap, or wave bye bye yet.

Since I didn't get a chance on his birthday, I should update you on his current activities. Not much has changed as far as his sleeping, although he is officially on one nap a day after lunch around 12:30 or so. If he goes down then, he should wake up close to 3pm, which is nice.

He is eating pretty well, although he is starting to boycott veggies a bit. I'm having to get a bit creative to get him to eat them. He seems to scarf down spinach and cheese in his eggs at breakfast, so I'm hanging my hat on that success for now. We have fazed out the purees, so now he's only getting table food. There is a lot more pressure to give him balanced meals and actually make him meals now though, so it's getting hard.

I have transitioned to nursing him just twice a day and the best thing ever happened this month...I STOPPED PUMPING EVERY NIGHT. For those who understand this, please give me a cyber high five. For those of you that don't understand the weight that has been lifted, just believe me, it's awesome.

As for his movement, he is cruising over everything. He can now even pull up on walls and flat surfaces. He has also mastered getting down and squatting. He can pick something up off the floor with one hand and pull back up with the other, while holding the object.

He also loves crawling around with a ball in his hand and then placing it somewhere. This makes for a very fun game for Mommy called, "Find the Ball." I swear, we have lost so many balls already. He is a very good hider. It is cute though that he can place objects in different containers. He loves to do it. He also can take your commands to put a ball in a certain container. Sometimes he doesn't get it, but when he does, it's totally adorable.

He has also found the wonder of doors and drawers. Man, that's not so fun. We had to do some on the fly babyproofing earlier this week. Sorry buddy, you can't get into everything.

He is still only saying "Ma Ma", but he babbles a lot and sometimes it seems like he is trying to say something. It's really cute.

So as I eluded to earlier, he got his 9th tooth/his first molar this week as well. I officially hate molars. He has been grumpy for weeks, and had a bad diaper rash. Then finally when the tooth broke through the skin he woke up from his naps crying and he cried in the night. It is really sad. Oh and the doctor noticed that the molar on the top right is coming too. Oh great. I have already noticed the same symptoms as the last one, so it seems like it will be here in a week or so. I guess the sooner we get them, the sooner teething will be over. I'm certainly in favor of that.

He is still quite shy at first and a little timid, but once he warms up, he's a jolly little guy and actually pretty mellow. I constantly find myself being proud of him. He grows and learns so much every day. I love my big 1 year old.

After his pediatrician appointment, he was just so tired. It was so sad. I didn't get a picture, but he actually laid his head down on his cart cover and sucked his thumb. He pretty much only sucks his thumb right before bed, so it was a little sad to see.

Last night, his teeth were bothering him, so Jeff had to go in at 9pm and sooth him. It was really sweet seeing Connor rest his head on Jeff's shoulder. Connor doesn't snuggle much anymore, so even though we know it's because he doesn't feel quite right, it's still a special moment. Sorry your teeth hurt little man. It'll be over soon.