Happy 18 Months!

Connor turned 18 months on Sunday. That makes him a full year and a half and that means currently, he is closer to 2 years old than he is to 1 years old. Wow, I can't believe he's such a big boy.

We had our 18 month well baby check up Tuesday and he seems to be right on track. He is still measuring pretty large. He didn't gain any weight since his 15 month, as he still weighs 30 pounds, however I guess other babies don't normally gain weight at this point either, so he still measured in at the 90th percentile. He also grew a few inches. He is now almost 34 inches tall. That also put him at the 90th percentile. At least he's proportional right? Hee hee.

He seems to be on track as far as his development too. She asked about if he says 10 words and I could easily say yes to that. Before we had our appointment I thought about it and I figured for the sake of posterity I'd write out a list. Here it goes (I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but this is a start): Momma, Dadda, Daddy, Mommy, ZeeZee (Maizey), Ball, Duck, Ba Ba (sheep sound and word for most stuffed animals), Sound for an elephant, Roar sound, Bubble, Book, Moo sound, Eye, Noo Noo (noodle), Nigh Nigh (night night), Bye Bye, Hi, Bubble, Football, Bird, Choo Choo, Duh Duh (basically any big truck, farm equipment, or construction equipment), Nan Nah (this started as banana, but has morphed into meaning "snack."), Baby, Whoa (which he says every time he sees a cool truck or tractor. It's really cute.), Die (outside). That's about all I can think of right now. It's a pretty good list for now.

He has also started sitting in our laps to read stories at the end of the day. It's super precious, although he still struggles at getting into our laps. He usually needs a little help with that part.

He is also getting a lot better at climbing on playground equipment and sliding down slides all by himself by going backwards on his belly. He likes the swings a lot too.

He is still eating pretty well, although he can be picky at times and has started to even be picky about fruit. We're trying not to just give him what he wants, but it's so easy to fall into the trap of just fixing foods you know he'll like just so he'll eat happily. I have started feeding him earlier on some days and that seems to help him fuss less while I am fixing his dinner, but he still is not very patient when it comes to that.

He loves trucks and balls best as far as toys go. He really seems to like pushing around trucks of all sizes, either big, medium, or those small matchbox cars. He also still likes shooting hoops. Maybe basketball is his sport. He is in the 90th percentile for height after all. He can be the next Shaq.

He is still pretty shy around new people and recently we've had a few incidences where he had serious separation anxiety. He never really experienced that before, so I am thinking it's more what they call "stranger anxiety" which is just being nervous around new people. I left him with the church daycare for my MOPs group a few weeks ago and he screamed bloody murder. It was soooo sad and I was totally not prepared. They said he settled down pretty quickly, but it was still difficult to leave him crying like that while he was trying to cling to me. Poor guy.

While I don't think we are in the full swing of terrible two's he certainly does throw tantrums from time to time. He's got the arch his back on the floor thing down. He gets over things pretty quickly though, so we're managing together. For the most part I still think he's my sweet little boy. Let's see how I feel a few months from now. Ha!

Happy Birthday Little (Big) Man! Mommy and Daddy love you so very much.

Happy 18 Month Birthday on December 19th!

We finally turned the study into a game room and here he is playing in his tent/ball pit (notice the bandaid from the two shots he had to get at the doctor's office).

We had our friends Kahn and Ann over Sunday night for a visit and Connor just loved them. Here he is reading a story with Ann.

Newly engaged Ann and Kahn with Connor.

Checking out pictures on Kahn's phone. They were fast friends. I have seriously never seen Connor be so comfortable with someone so fast. He loved them. Come back anytime.

Holiday Happenings

We've already been full swing into the holiday season at our house. We started decorating soon after Thanksgiving, although, I will admit, we've gone a bit "understated" this year. Yes, you may read that as we got a little lazy with our outdoor decorations, but we just didn't have it in us this year. They still look alright, but we didn't do house lights or wrap the bushes like we normally do. Oh well, blame it on the toddler. Hee hee.

Inside we also downsized...quite literally. Our tree is only about 6 feet tall. Even though we'll be gone for both Christmas and New Years (Amarillo and College Station) I still wanted to get a tree: a real tree so I had Jeff and Connor go to Lowe's one Saturday morning and pick one out. We agreed that smaller would be good, because we weren't sure how interested our curious toddler would be and a big tree might really do some damage if it fell over, plus it would save us some money since we won't actually be here on Christmas.

When he brought it home, I couldn't help but laugh. 6 feet doesn't sound small, but when I stand next to it and can give it a hug it really seems tiny. It was very proportionate and lovely so it really was the perfect tree for us, but it's just so little and cute. It only took one and a half strands of lights. I had to double back the second strand. It still fit all of our ornaments and I had no trouble putting the star on this year. I didn't even need a ladder. Ha!

We also got into the Christmas spirit this past weekend when we went to my parent's house to celebrate my Dad's birthday and to attend a brunch with Santa at my parent's country club, Miramont. My sister's family was there too, so Connor got to see his cousins again, which is always fun and my Mom had decorated her house since Thanksgiving, so it was definitely Christmasy.

The brunch was on Sunday and right away it was clear that Connor was not going to like Santa. When he saw him, he sort of him behind a chair. As I picked him up to take him over to his lap, he started whimpering in my arms and then on his lap he was full on crying. He reached for me after two seconds and I ended the misery. Poor guy.

The rest of the brunch, Jeff and I swear Connor was frightened of a "Santa attack" because Connor had severe separation anxiety like I had never seen before. If I walked away, Connor would start wailing and the same with Jeff. We both had to go everywhere with him. It was bizarre. I do think he was partly overtired, but I am convinced he was also just really scared. So sad.

It was too bad too, because the brunch itself was FABULOUS. Not only was the food divine, but there was food specifically for kids and a crafts table for kids so they could be entertained. It was a perfect setup and everyone had a wonderful time. Connor was a bit fussy because of the trauma of Santa but he did have one amazing moment. He discovered jello. Man, he loved it. It was really funny. He gobbled that stuff down and almost giggled as he ate it. It was really funny.

I can't believe there are only 11 days until Christmas. Stay tuned for more holiday adventures.

Connor helping Daddy put up the lighted deer decorations outside.

He's had enough of that. Now he wants to run around the neighborhood.

As it got dark out, we went back outside and checked out the deer all lit up. He liked them. Also, note the new inflatable snowman.

Connor loves the new tradition of a chocolate advent calendar. Only 11 nights left. He's going to be sad when he doesn't get a piece of chocolate every night after dinner.

This is our sweet little tree before I decorated it. Isn't it precious.

Here is the tree all decorated and lit up. Connor has been amazing and really doesn't seem to disturb it. Occasionally he'll point at it, but that's about it.

The other day it was so warm out that we played with his water table. I had to take a picture, because I thought, "Man, how many toddlers still get to play with their water table in December."

Connor got sick AGAIN. It was another runny nose, that lead to a terrible cough that lead to fever and an infection. Before we put him on antibiotics again, we tried breathing treatments. You have to put this mask on his face for 15 minutes while he sits still. We thought, no way, but after the first night, he did OK. We put on TV and he got used to it. What a trooper.

Back to College Station, all the cousins were amazingly on the couch at one time. We had to take a picture.

On Sunday, Connor sees Santa for the first time and tries to hide behind a chair.

Connor's visit with Santa did not go so well.

Connor checking out the small buffet table that was filled with kid friendly fare. It really was a fantastic brunch.

Connor gobbling down his jello.

The gang at brunch.

Birthday boy Grandpa and Uncle Arthur.

Cousin Winnie actually really liked Santa and had a good conversation with him. It was really cute.

Happy Thanksgiving

Connor lucked out and had not one but two Thanksgivings. That's twice the turkey, twice the dressing, and twice the pumpkin pie. Ok, unfortunately a nasty stomach bug earlier in the week prevented him from eating any of these items with the exception of the pumpkin pie, but we still managed to have a ton of fun.

We began Tuesday through Friday in Amarillo with Gigi, Pagger Don, Great Grandma Margie, and Aunt Vickie and then finished off the weekend in College Station with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Erin, Uncle Arthur and cousins Martin, Winnie, and Libby.

As I've said before, a picture speaks a thousand words, so enjoy the shots of our fun times.

Connor looking good in Jeff's high chair from when he was a baby. The Treadways saved it and pulled it out of the attic for him to use. How cool.

Great Grandma Margie was the perfect teacher to show Connor how to ride a horsey.

We went to the park on Wednesday although there were 40 mile an hour wind gusts as a front was coming through, so we couldn't stay long. We were all getting blown away. Connor didn't really seem to mind though.

Here he is at the top of the playground about to go down the slide.

Here he is safely sliding on his belly.

Having fun in the swing.

See, Connor didn't seem to mind the crazy winds. It was pretty cold though. We needed to put on his hat.

The Treadways collect golf balls that come onto their property and Connor always loves playing with them when he comes to the house. "This is so much fun!"

"I got them all out. Now you pick them up, Ok Dad."

Connor unfortunately got to bed late, because our plane didn't land until 8:30pm and then he didn't take a great nap, so he was a little tired and cranky before Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, so Gigi gave Connor a little pre-dinner pumpkin pie snack. He LOVED it!

Connor did great at dinner. His tummy was still a little tender from his stomach bug the previous Sunday, so he didn't eat great, but he sure loved the rolls and he tried some other things too, but the rolls were his favorite for sure.

Connor eating his yummy roll. "Mom, white bread rules!"

Of course after dinner, Gigi had some more pumpkin pie filling baked just for him. What a lucky little boy.

On Thursday, Connor and Gigi watched some of the Thanksgiving Day parade. Very cute.

Connor was a lucky little guy, because there were so many Treadways around to give him love. Aunt Vicki, Pagger Don, Daddy, and Great Grandma Margie.

On Thursday, a front had come through and it was in the 30's, so we really had to bundle Connor up to be outside.

We walked down to the pond and checked out the ducks. I had to keep a hold of him though, because he wanted to walk right into the water.

"Ducks!!"

I guess Connor is fascinated by golf holes just like his Daddy.

Enjoying a brisk sunset in Amarillo.

When we were leaving Amarillo on Friday, Connor thought it'd be really fun to push around my suitcase like a push toy. I guess everything is a toy to a toddler.

We flew back from Amarillo on Friday afternoon, came home, unpacked, repacked, and then drove to College Station to my parent's home that night.

On Saturday morning we got up and went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. There was a wait so we
took Connor over to look at some construction equipment. He sure loves trucks and tractors or as Connor calls them, "duh duh."

Connor sitting atop a "duh duh."

Connor chowed down on pancakes at breakfast. Yummy!

After breakfast we went to a nearby park. Grandma and Daddy are having fun playing too.

After Connor got up from his nap, his cousins Martin, Winnie, and Libby had arrived. It was a cold day, but my parents warmed up the spa so Martin and Winnie took a dip.

It's always fun to see Connor and Libby hang out. They are just 6 weeks apart.

Grandpa having fun with his two littlest grandkids.

We fried a turkey and as is tradition all the men help out with this part. As you can see, all the men helped out, even the little boys like Connor, Martin and Winnie.

As the sun started to set, it got chilly, but Connor was still having fun hanging out with his turkey fryer box.

It was fun to see Connor play trucks with his cousins like a big boy.

Connor cracking Uncle Arthur up.

Having a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner part II on Saturday night.