Sitting is fun

Connor has really started to improve upon his sitting skills. He has now started to lift his hands, instead of just keeping his hands directly in front on him in the tri-pod pose. He'll even grab for stuff occasionally. His balance is getting so much better. He can look around and you can even touch his arms, legs and head without him falling over. He'll sort of readjust himself. I guess he's got a very strong core.

Anyway, I took some pictures of him today practicing his major sitting skills and he was happy to show off for me. The facial expressions rock. Enjoy!

Look at me, I can lift my hand and sit at the same time. I've got skills.

Part of God's Posse

Connor is now officially a member of God's crew. He was baptized Sunday, without a hitch. He even had a cheering section. Saturday night, Grandma and Grandpa Roach came in for the big event and Sunday at church our friends the Papio's were there as well. We even made Don Papio run the video camera. Thanks Don!

The whole baptism process is pretty straight forward and only a few minutes long, but it was still a special moment for our little guy who took it all in stride.

Jeff held Connor at first as the minister asked us some questions to be sure that we would raise Connor in a Christian home. After answering yes to everything (the pressure's on now), the minister held Connor and blessed him as he put the holy water on his head. When the minister's wet hand touched his head, Connor didn't even seem to notice. He's probably so used to being wet from spit up, that he didn't even bat an eye.

After the actual baptism, the minister walked him up and down the aisle for the congregation to see as the congregation said a response promising to love and support Connor as a new member of the Christian and church family.

It was hard to see, because the minister had his back to us, but apparently Connor kind of squirmed and the minister had to sort of hang onto him. It got a laugh when the minister said, "I haven't dropped one yet."

Throughout all of this Connor just hung out in his arms with his typical Mr. Serious face, until the minister showed Connor to the choir and he started to pout. It was actually pretty cute and the minister said, "Ok, I guess we don't like the choir."

The minister passed him back to us and gave us an official certificate saying he was baptized on November 8, 2009. I'd say it was a complete success.

Afterward, we went out to brunch and celebrated his big day. Congrats Connor. Mommy, Daddy, and Jesus love you.

Practicing our sitting Saturday night.

Look at me sitting like a big boy.

Grandma and Grandpa got to read stories Saturday night. As you can see, we make our guests lay on the floor beside him. Sorry.

Grandpa and Grandma are giving Connor a last minute pep talk before the baptism.

Heading to church Sunday morning. I'm smiling, but a little nervous at the same time.

Proud Mom and Dad and their "angel" baby.

Chilling in the pew before his baptism.

Dad gets him out and ready for the big event.

Connor's name in the bulletin.

Answering questions saying we promise to raise Connor in a Christian home and to love Jesus.

The minister putting water on Connor's head and blessing him.

Immediately after the water. See, he doesn't seem to notice or care.

We watch as the minister walks Connor down the aisle showing him to the congregation. I'm praying he doesn't cry at this moment.

Connor's nearly done and he starts to pout, but he made it. Good boy.

Daddy enjoying some well earned coffee and brunch after the baptism.

Grandpa gets to hang out and watch football with the baptized boy after brunch.

Fun times were had by all.

After a long day, we tuck Connor into bed. Ok, not really. Sorry buddy, you don't get to sleep in a real bed for quite some time.

What a big boy and some weekend adventures

We had a very nice weekend, which included Connor's first Halloween. To be honest, Halloween was pretty uneventful for Connor, because he was only awake for about 3 sets of trick or treaters. After he went to bed, we put up a sign telling people to just knock so they didn't wake the sleeping baby, and that worked just fine. Connor slept through the festivities like a champ.

For living in the suburbs, we don't actually get as many trick or treaters as I would have thought. We've said that every year. Oh well. At least this year, we knew not to go overboard on buying too much candy. We had just enough and a little leftover for us.

During the day on Saturday, which was Halloween, Connor did sport his "My 1st Halloween" onesie and for bed, he dressed in a spooky Halloween sleeper (thanks Don and Jen!).

The weather was perfect on both Saturday and Sunday, so it was fun to take advantage and hang outside when we could. Jeff and I even snuck in a few beers. Connor was in good spirits all weekend and that always helps make Mommy and Daddy happy too.

In reference to why I put "what a big boy" in the title of this blog post, I should share a few big boy moments Connor had this weekend.

First off, we decided to wean Connor off the swaddle and by that I mean, basically remove it cold turkey. We swaddled Connor every time he slept. Connor liked it, because it kept him very snug and his arms were at his side so he didn't wake himself up by flailing his arms or whacking himself in the face. Babies have a kind of reflex that makes them startle easily, so the swaddling helped with that.

Anyway, he was getting stronger every day and each time I'd come to pick him up in the night or at naps, he'd be out of his swaddle, so I knew he didn't really need it anymore, but he liked to fall asleep in it.

So we started on Saturday night by putting Connor in what they call a sleep sack. It is a safe way to give babies a little more warmth, instead of providing a blanket, which they can choke on and increase the risk of SIDS.

He was a little confused at first, but he fell asleep in it, and Jeff and I were really happy. The rest of the weekend, went great. Unfortunately on Monday, he realized he wasn't getting his swaddle back and on the first nap of the day, he cried and cried for almost an hour, so I had to go get him. It was so sad. He had real baby tears streaming down his face. Monday was a hard day, but yesterday and today were so much easier. Today, he maybe cried 5 minutes before falling asleep during each of his naps and tonight at bed, he didn't make a peep. I'd say the sleep sack is a hit. What a big boy.

In other big boy news, we started facing Connor forward in his Bob jogging stroller. Instead of having him sit facing me/backwards in his infant car seat with an adapter, we had him sit directly in the stroller facing out. He seemed to do just fine. He actually fell asleep facing out yesterday. I was very proud.

Also, I took Connor's snuzzler out of his infant car seat. The snuzzler was this extra padding that helped support Connor's neck and body in his infant car seat. Well, he was already starting to grow out of the car seat and his neck strength is so much better now, so I gave it a shot. He seems to be doing just fine without it.

I don't know why I have so much nostalgia for the snuzzler, but I do. I remember registering for it at Babies R Us and thinking how cute of a product it was and how I couldn't wait to put my baby in it. I also remember when Connor first sat in his car seat with the snuzzler and how tiny he looked. Now, he's busting out. I guess it just made me realize how much he's growing.

Now, the biggest news of all...last night, Connor slept through the night for the first time. We put him down at 6:45 PM and the first time I heard him make a sound was 6 AM this morning. I was shocked when I saw the clock. Lately he's been getting up around 3 or 4 to eat and then he goes back to sleep until 6 or 7. Today, he slept right through that. I was so happy. I am not sure if he will make it a habit, but at least I know he has the capacity to do it. Good job little man.

Here's to a growing boy. May I try to cherish every moment. Now, enjoy some photos from this weekend.

Connor sporting his "My 1st Halloween" onesie on Saturday.

Connor was in good spirits on Saturday.

He was in good spirits, but he was still spitting up a ton. He obviously doesn't seem too upset about it, but Mommy is a little frustrated, because I have the burp cloth in prime spit up position, yet Connor still managed to miss the burp cloth and spit up directly into my shoe. See the evidence below. Man, he's a hazard, I tell you.

Connor managed to spit up directly into my shoe. He's very "talented."

Saturday afternoon, I put Connor in the bjorn, and me, Jeff and Connor hung out on the back patio, enjoying the nice day. As you can see, I've upgraded his winter "bonnet" for a more suitable and manly winter hat. It was a little chilly in the shade, so the hat kept him warm. (Oh and if you click on this photo to make it bigger, you can see his two bottom teeth pretty well. They still have more to grow, but they are definitely visible and sharp.)

The hat's a little big unless I fold it up several times, but Connor doesn't seem to mind.

Just a cute shot of Connor in his towel after his bath Saturday night.

Connor's spooky Halloween jammies complete with pumpkins, bats, ghosts, and candy corn.

On Sunday, Jeff and Connor started off their days reading the paper. In this photo, Connor is checking out his stock quotes.

Since it was such a nice day, we decided to wash our cars. Connor got to ride around with me as I manned the hose. He stayed dry though, I assure you. Although Jeff hates the "girly" bonnet, it kept the sun off his now balding head, so it was worth it.

Washing our cars on a beautiful 70 degree day.

Later on Sunday, we hung out in the backyard. Again, it was a bit chilly in the shade so Connor sported his cool flannel shirt.

Jeff thought he looked like a carpenter so we posed him with a wrench (top right pocket) and measuring tape.

It's our very own Al from Tool Time.

I can't fix too many repairs, but I'm darn cute.

Jeff and Connor enjoying a nice Sunday afternoon together on the patio.

Connor doesn't seem to mind sitting facing out in the jogging stroller like a big boy.

Sleeping like a baby after our morning jog.

Happy Halloween little pumpkin.

As is customary for parents with little ones, we just had to take photos of Connor in a pumpkin patch. I had originally planned to just put him in something cute, but I was at Carter's returning some stuff and they had these pumpkin costumes on clearance so I just couldn't resist. Based on the photos below, I think you'll agree it was worth it. He's one cute pumpkin.

Happy Halloween one and all!

We tried on the pumpkin costume at home and took some jolly photos before we went to the pumpkin patch.

Now we're at the pumpkin patch. Nice cheeks buddy.

Our favorite pumpkin.

We tried to get one of him looking up but he was too fascinated by the hay to do it.

He took some hay with him in his hand.

Connor got called a girl a couple of times while wearing his pumpkin outfit. How could you look at this face and think he's a girl? Ok, maybe I see it.

My favorite!!!

Trying to eat the pumpkin.

Nice buddy, but it's a little too big for you to eat.

A snuggle with Mommy after a long photo shoot. Thanks for being so patient and cute Connor.

After the pumpkin patch we all went to Mission Burrito for dinner to refuel. He was a big hit. Happy Halloween.