Working at the Car Wash

We decided to make Connor earn his keep around the house by making him wash our cars. Ok, not really. In truth, it was a warm and sunny day and we thought he'd have fun with the water and the bubbles. He was actually willing to wash and rinse, until he realized he could spray me and Jeff and toss bubbles at us. That was the end of that. We were able to get the cars washed, but we had to be wary of the mini assassin who tried to get us wet and sudsy. He laughed and laughed. We did our fair share too. It was fun.

Connor washing Jeff's car. Look at that scrubbing action.

Jeff and Connor working hard.

Get those wheels nice and clean.

Now it's time for the rinse.

Connor started to spray the car, but then accidentally turned the hose on me and Jeff. After that, he thought that was the MOST fun game in the world, well that and flicking bubbles at us. What a dickens.

It's Rodeo Time

One of our favorite times of year is upon us and for the third year in a row, Connor enjoyed the Houston Rodeo to the fullest.

It started with a fun Rodeo themed day at school, where he could come dressed in rodeo gear. For Connor that pretty much only included overalls, but we tried. We also got a fun new cowboy hat as his old one didn't fit his head anymore. I'm guessing big heads run in the family. The poor kid didn't stand a chance with his Daddy and his Grandpa.

At school, they roped "horses", milked cows, made stick ponies, played with horseshoes, and other rodeo themed activities. They also had a rodeo/bbq themed lunch.

That following Saturday, we met Pagger Don at the rodeo. He was there on AQHA business to watch rodeo competitions and meet sponsors, etc., but he also made some time to hang out with us. We started by watching some neat versatility competition, where the competitors had to do multiple skills on their horses like stopping the horse at a certain mark, turning the horse in a circle, containing a cow in a certain area, and roping a cow. We watched the competition from the bleachers, and Connor seemed to really like the show.

Afterwards, we said goodbye to Pagger Don and walked around the Rodeo grounds. We started inside with the livestock displays and then we finished up in the carnival area. This is the first year that there were rides that Connor could actually do. He had fun. We also played a carnival game, but we didn't win a prize. Too bad. At the end, we rode the big ferris wheel. Connor liked it, even at the very top when they stopped it and we were swaying in the breeze.

We met back up with Pagger Don on his lunch break and all shared a funnel cake and some fried oreos. Oh yum. After that, we headed back to the arena where Pagger Don arranged for us to pet a horse. Connor liked the horse and the horse liked him too since he was nuzzling his leg. It made Connor laugh. We left after that.

Since we had a free pass (thanks Pagger Don), Connor and I went back to the rodeo on Monday. It was kind of spur of the moment that morning, because I looked at the weather and realized it was maybe our last nice day of the week, so we drove down to the rodeo and enjoyed another fun time. This time, since it was way less crowded we were able to do the pony rides and the petting zoo. We didn't do this on Saturday, because the lines were crazy. As always, Connor liked the animals. We also had no trouble getting on rides or the play sets. We left around 1:45 and were both pooped. It was worth it though. Happy Rodeo Days everyone!

Connor showing off his new cowboy hat before bed.

Being silly during book time.

Reading his potty book. At one point it asks, "should I go in my diaper?" and Connor always responds, "No!" He is doing really well potty training. Good boy. It's been a full 2 weeks in underwear and we're doing fine.

All set to go to Rodeo Day at school.

Checking out the rodeo competition with Pagger Don.

The Treadway men at the rodeo.

Connor looked cute with his hands in his overalls.

Checking out animal viewing areas at the rodeo. He is still pretty fascinated with seeing the farm animals up close.

Getting a good view atop Daddy's shoulders.

Maybe we should send him to a farm to milk cows this summer. Hmm.

There are always trucks on display and Connor loved climbing in them. Um, buddy, it's gonna be about 14 more years before you can drive that thing.

Climbing on tractors. What fun.

Riding the carousel. Yeehaw.

There were these small playgrounds that you could use tickets to "ride" and Connor had to go in by himself. I was a little nervous, but he luckily made it out the other side. He did have one incident in the ball pit, where he couldn't find his footing to get out, and believe me, I was sort of freaking out since he would be practically stuck in there, but he persevered and made it out. I had a mini heart attack, but he seemed OK.

Riding the big Ferris Wheel.

Meeting the silly horse.

Then on Monday, Connor and I went back to the rodeo and we got to take a pony ride, because the lines weren't long.

Connor atop Dolly the pony.

Connor was a bit stone faced during the ride, but I think he just wasn't quite sure what was going on. He said afterwards that he liked it.

We also got to go to the petting zoo. Connor is still so gentle with the animals and just walks up to them and gives them a gentle pat-pat. It's really cute and I hope he will be that gentle with the new baby.

He especially loved all the baby animals in the petting zoo. He'd say, "It's a baby goat. Awww." It was funny.

We got to go on this farmyard scavenger hunt thing where he gathered items along the way featuring different farming activities like feeding chickens, milking cows, planting vegetables, picking fruit, riding tractors and then at the end, he went to the market with all his goodies and bought a treat. It was cute.

Here he is planting a pepper in the garden.

Climbing through a different playground, one without a ball pit for Mom's sanity.

Riding a cool pirate ship.

He really liked the flying "Dumbo."

Of course what Rodeo day would be complete without a funnel cake. What a fun time.

A Quick Trip to the Zoo

First, I should probably draw your attention to the new layout. I basically just added some photos. I also officially changed the title to "Treadway Chronicles" instead of "Connor Chronicles" since the new addition will be here soon and we want to share the love with him or her.

Second, I wanted to post some pictures from our day spent with Pagger Don and Gigi at the zoo. They were flying home from Florida and extended their layover at the Houston airport so they could have a quick visit with us.

We picked them up from the airport, went to the zoo, had lunch and drove them back to the airport. Considering they had gotten up at 4:30am that day to make their first flight, I'd say they were total troopers for taking the time to walk all over the zoo with us. Connor had a great time and I know he was really happy to see them, even if it was brief. Enjoy some photos from our day at the zoo.

When we first got to the zoo, we realized that they were displaying the elephants taking a bath, so we went over to the elephant exhibit and watched. It was pretty neat to see them getting a bath and eating and doing some tricks. There were some big elephants and a few babies. Connor was very intrigued.

Checking out the lions. Is that Simba?

Scoping out the monkeys. Here is also a nice shot of my protruding belly. Oh boy.

After lots of animal sitings, we headed over to the carousel. Gigi rode with Connor and had a great time as you can see from these pictures. Every time he rode by us he was laughing and smiling really big.

Connor and Gigi, both laughing. Riding a lion is awesome!

"This ride is great!"

We left the zoo and had lunch right in the same Hermann park area. Connor worked up an appetite walking all over the zoo and checking out animals. There was a lake there too and here he is running over the bridge. It wasn't a particularly beautiful day, but it wasn't too cold or too hot, so we made it work.

Here we are checking out the birds in the lake and throwing rocks.

Daddy and son bonding by the lake.

Here is just a random picture Jeff took of Connor. It is a common site for him to be throwing footballs around our house.

Connor is not all that into legos yet, but we did have fun one day building a "structure." It's a little lopsided, but I still think it's wonderful. A building only a mother could love. Ha!

Also, I should give a little potty training update. This weekend we decided to go all underwear, all the time. It was a little daunting when we were out and about, but Connor was a champ. He did have a few accidents, but overall he did great. Sometimes he vehemently resists us taking him to the potty, but even so, he usually goes most of the time and other times, he is more than happy to cooperate, so we are just following his lead. Also, it's now three days in a row that he has pooped in the potty, which I know for many kids is a really difficult step to overcome. I am very proud of my little potty training buddy. He's officially on the potty train...choo, choo.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. We had a nice, low key day but it was filled with lots of love. Connor gave and received Valentines at school and of course he got some candy. Lucky boy. He loves Valentine's Day now that he knows candy comes with it. Oh boy. Anyway, here are just a few pics and one video of Connor saying "Happy Valentine's Day."

Look at all the cards we got this year. Some were even handmade by Connor. We feel the love.

A helium balloon is instant fun for any child. He loves using it like a punching bag and when it flies up in the air he laughs. Also, check out the flowers that Jeff got me. Very nice.

Connor wearing red for Valentine's Day and playing with a new sticker book from Gigi and Pagger Don. Valentine's Day is great...opening cards, getting cookies and candy, and gifts. What fun.

http://youtu.be/ozqMqNyAk5U

Happy Valentine's Day from the Treadways.

Oh and big news, you'll notice in the video that Connor is wearing underwear. At home we've been trying to wear underwear and go in the big boy potty. He has done really well with this tactic and has only had a few accidents. He seems to be really getting it. It is still mostly me asking him if he has to go or making him try, but occasionally he will ask to go. We are on our way.
Also, we had a big success today as I asked him if he wanted to try to go poo poo on the potty after lunch and he actually did it. He got a special treat for that one. What a big boy.

Plus, he is also asking to go in public restrooms if we are out. Public restrooms are a little stressful and I hate when he touches things, but it's got to be done. I am so proud of him.

We'll keep you posted on his potty training success.

Just Some Miscellaneous Fun

I realized it had been over a month since I last blogged. Sorry everyone. We did so much over the holidays, I guess I have just been enjoying having a few weeks in there that have been a bit more relaxing.

On a Connor development note, as Connor has become more and more communicative, he has also started becomming a little bit more bossy. For example, he likes to say, "Mommy, stop doing that" or some variation of that. He will also tell me and Jeff to "stop talking." I know it will only get worse, but we are trying our best to tell him not to speak that way.

His bossiness is not welcome, but other parts of his language development surely are. For example, I can't help but laugh when out of the blue he'll use some type of exclamation. Today in the car we drove by two trains and he said, "Oh my goodness, look at all the trains." It was so cute. He will also say, "how 'bout that" after something he's excited about. Like when we are leaving school he'll say, "We can go and meet our friends at the play place. How 'bout that," and he'll usually have a big smile on his face. It's heart melting. He also says, "I'll be right back" and "hold on." It's funny too, because sometimes I'll grimace or act frustrated while driving or wherever and he'll say, "Mommy, what's wrong? What's wrong Mommy?" I'll usually tell him that someone is driving too slow or whatever and he'll say OK. Other times I'll say, "Oh nothing's wrong honey" and he'll usually say, "Mommy you're not sad, you're happy Mommy. You're not crying, you're happy, right?" It's just funny how much he talks now.

Since we didn't do anything out of the ordinary, I don't have many pictures to share, but I will post what I do have for now. Enjoy!

Connor cooking in the kitchen. He makes all sorts of things. It's cute, because he is really starting to do more pretend play. For example, at the park, he'll often give me pieces of mulch and tell me that it's chicken or ice cream or something else and I'll pretend to eat it.

We decided to stay in for the Super Bowl this year. Connor liked playing football and watching football. We moved the dips before this picture was taken, but we had a nice little spread of food and then after Connor went to bed, Jeff and I made meatball sandwiches. It was a nice, low key Super Bowl.

Connor had picked out football cupcakes at the grocery store, so he got to have one that night.

Check out those blue lips and teeth. We needed a good tooth brushing that night.

Last week, Connor got to wear pajamas to school for pajama day. Nice dinosaur jammies buddy. He is officially into 4T jammies. 3 T is too short and tight.

Horsey rides with Daddy. Yee haw!

I also wanted to include one recent (30 week) baby bump photo. As you can see, this baby is really starting to show. It is kicking a ton now too. Unfortunately, I am starting to have some lower back pain and I'm having trouble sleeping, but this baby will be here before we know it. I am 31 weeks now and just 8 weeks from my scheduled c-section on April 5th.