Loon Lake Photo Update

We've had lots of fun in the past couple of days. Here are some pics that sum up our adventures.

We've had some scattered showers, so we had fun inside as well as outside. Here, Connor is reading a story with Grandpa.

Since Connor loves throwing his food off his plate when he's not interested in that particular offering, we thought we'd let him dine outside. That way, the forest critters could eat his droppings.

He seemed to like it.

With the addition to our house coming too close to our old fire pit, we had to dig a new one. Here, Grandpa is going to town.

He is a fire pit master, because it only took him 30 minutes to create it. It's a beauty.

We even got to try it out later that evening. It made for a great campfire spot.

We still had opportunities to go down to the lake though, despite the occasional showers we've had. Here though, you can definitely see the sky was pretty dark. At one point it did rain on us a little but the sun was brightly shining through the clouds and I jokingly said, "So here I am, in a rain storm, getting a sun burn." It was a strange moment.

This is what you'll see if you put Connor down on the ground here. He doesn't like the feel of either pine needles or sand/dirt, so you put him down and he just freezes, not wanting to touch the ground. I'm working on him, because for a boy, this is a bit too dainty for my liking, but I can't help but crack up every time I see it.

He is enjoying getting attention from his two Great Aunts that are here and his grandparents. Here Great Aunt Linda is tickling his chubby little legs.

He won't play in the sand box, but he'll play near it. Hee hee.

It was a warm day (high of about 80) so we tried out his floaty. He liked it at first, but all of a sudden he started crying. We aren't quite sure why. So he went from this...

...to this. Even though we've had some showers, we've also had plenty of sun and when it's sunny, this climate just can't be beat.

Connor still likes cruising. No walking yet, but give him something to pull up on and he's on the move. We're working on one handed walking and he's getting better at that, but he still hasn't tried to take that brave first step.

We've had chilly mornings, so I was glad I packed him two tracksuits. It's hard to crawl on hard wood floors with pants on though, because it's so slippery, so he's had a few tumbles as a result. They look so precious though. Also I can't help but think he's trying to harness his Mom's New Jersey roots, by rocking the guido look. He could totally be Tony Soprano's son.

He's really been so well behaved since we've been here. I have been such a proud Mommy. He has even been a trooper out to eat a couple of times. Here we are again at the Deer Crossing Cafe for breakfast. We have been taking 50 minute morning walks with lots of hills, so we figured we earned some pancakes. Hee hee.

It was so cute, in the play room/Connor's bedroom upstairs, my Mom had an old bouncer. Connor was sort of poking it, so I set him in it. He actually was quite entertained for a few minutes. He is a little big though, so it didn't really bounce. His buns completely touched the floor. It was funny.

This isn't really an pretty photo, but I wanted to take a picture of the Chestertown dump. There is no organized trash pickup for our cottages, so we have to take our trash to a dump. I always remember going on dump runs as a kid, so I wanted to document Connor's first trip to the dump.

"See Connor, not everyone has garbage men come directly to their house to get the trash. We should appreciate how good we have it little man."

Last night, we had my two Aunts over for dinner and a campfire. This time, we even had s'mores. They were sooooo good.

I took a few pictures of Connor this morning, because he was sporting his Colorado State shirt in honor of his Aunt Julie. I also wanted to say that he is officially weaned off of breastfeeding. Yes, that's big news.

We had gotten down to just twice a day before Loon Lake and then the first week we stopped the after nap feeding and then this week, we worked on skipping the wake up feeding. The afternoon feeding was no problem at all. He didn't really even seem to notice. The morning feeding though was harder. He was cranky and confused and I felt terrible. By the 4th day though, he seemed to have adjusted and I felt a lot less guilty.

Today was day 5 and he's still good to go. I just make sure I have some cereal and a cup of milk ready when he wakes up to fill his belly and sort of distract him.

I wanted to stop nursing, not only because he's 13 months and it is no longer necessary, but also because I was prescribed a new daily migraine medicine that I couldn't take while still nursing. My cycle came back two months ago and so did my migraines. Ugh. So last night was the first night I took my new daily migraine stuff and I still have my prescription pain reliever too when I get one. I'm hoping to see some improvements.

Here is Connor in his play room. It's really great, because I can close the door and leave him in here for a few minutes to go to the bathroom and things since it's totally babyproofed. I don't even have a room like that in my own house.

In this picture he's biting the poor stuffed Shamu. Whenever he gets a plush toy he tries to bite it. I am not quite sure why. Sometimes he doesn't bite it, he just smooshes his face into it. Maybe he likes to feel the softness. I am not sure.

Be nice to Shamu buddy. That's better.

This was before our walk this morning. See what I mean about the hands up. I think it's so funny. He does seem to be considering giving it a chance though.

Here he's even touching the ground. Good boy. See, it's not that bad.

This was a view from our walk this morning; sometimes we do a route that goes up a big hill and sometimes the route is all in the woods. The beauty of walking here is not only getting the extra workout of the hills, but also the cool weather. It's been in the 60's every morning. It's so refreshing.

As I said, Connor has been a really good boy and adjusted really well to our lake life. Here he is, keeping himself busy in a kitchen cabinet. "Just give me a few pots and pans and I'm a happy guy."

Connor is Regressing

Connor regressed a bit back into his baby days. Enjoy!

Peek-A-Boo Connor

Connor sure does love a good game of peek-a-boo.

Connor Learns a New Sound

Connor learned how to sort of blow out through his teeth and he thought that sound was pretty funny. Watch and see.



Here are also a few other pics from our adventures.

We went to pick my Mom and my Aunt up from the airport and we stopped by to see my Grandma/Connor's Great Grandma Janet in Saratoga Springs. This picture was taken in the beginning when he was still a bit shy. Soon enough though, he was happily babbling and cruising all over her room.

Last night, we had a welcome to Loon Lake dinner with my Aunt Linda (in pink), me, my Dad, my Mom, and my Aunt Joan (in orange).

Unfortunately this morning, Connor decided to get up at 6am, but it was raining so we couldn't go for a walk. Instead I dressed him in his A&M tracksuit and we went to a local convenience store for some coffee and donuts. There is not much to choose from in this small mountain town.

The rain stopped so we walked down to the little beach on the lake and noticed how calm the water was.

Hanging out on the dock at the little beach.

Connor likes to grab me and laugh. I'm laughing too.

Walking around the coast of the little beach.

A happy little stroller rider.

Since he got up so early, he was a little tired before his nap. Here he is snuggling with grandpa.

Connor is so cute. He loves crawling around with stuff and hiding whatever he's carrying in different places.His favorite locations are in cupboards, unattended garbage cans, behind pillows, under couches, and in drawers. Today he was crawling around with one of his socks and for the first time ever, put his item in a decent place. Here his sock rests in the washing machine. Thanks for your help buddy.

Getting Settled at the Nest

So we're 3 days in, and Connor and I have settled into our life at the Nest. Mountain living sure has its perks. Although it rained for a while yesterday, we've had some awesome weather and we're doing our best to be outside to enjoy it. Unlike Houston, the temps aren't soaring into the 90's. Instead it's closer to 80 and much less humid. It's so refreshing. This morning, I actually felt chilly and put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

Even during the rain yesterday, my Dad and I worked on putting in one of our docks. It's kind of fun to be in the rain, when you have a bathing suit on. It doesn't really matter. We let Connor nap at my grandma's house, so we could get some stuff done at the lake while he napped. Due to the rain though, we mostly read and then put in the dock.

Man, there have been so many moments when I've been completely relaxed. This place does that to you. The pace is just slower up here. Of course we're still on Connor time, but he's been great at adjusting, so even he has just rolled with the punches. What a good boy. He's back on his sleeping schedule and is eating well too.

Yesterday we tested him as we went out to both breakfast and dinner. My Mom left to go help my sister in Colorado, so it's just me and my Dad until Sunday evening and we didn't feel like cooking. Hee hee. My Dad was amazed at how well he did at both meals. I told him, usually, as long as you keep him eating, he does pretty well at restaurants. Sometimes he makes a mess, but for the most part, he's a champ, or as my Dad kept saying, "You're being an Angel."

Yesterday, as I said, it was raining in the afternoon, but the morning was clear so we went to breakfast at the Deer Crossing Cafe. It has all the rustic charm of this place. Connor enjoyed the pancakes the best.

Then, in the afternoon, we packed up all of Connor's stuff and fed him lunch and put him down at my grandma's house. Their house is so small and cozy so after Connor took his nap, my Dad and I both closed our eyes for a bit. I noticed the rain had stopped briefly so we decided to take the monitor down to the lake and install the little dock. It was kind of fun and although we got some sprinkles, we mostly stayed out of the rain.

That evening, we took Connor to The Place for dinner. Yes, that is the name, "The Place." It is this amazing Italian restaurant that has all the charm of a down home eatery. We love it and we frequent it often during the summer. It was exciting to take Connor there for the first time. He was a trooper and despite throwing the bread basket on the ground a million times, did great.

Today was another fun day. We got up and had breakfast at home while we waited for my parents' new king sized bed to be delivered. After it arrived, we went over to the Loon Lake Water Carnival. The water carnival is basically an event that has 10 or so kids games designed so they can compete and eventually crown a winner. They had events like an obstacle course, bowling, pontoon boats, bean bag toss, burried treasure, and on and on. It was really cute. They divided the kids into their particular age group to make it fair of course. Connor was a little young, so he couldn't get much out of it this year, but next year we will be ready. He will soooo rock the two and up division. He did learn one valuable lesson while he was there...if you bite on a water balloon, it will pop in your face and scare you. Yeah, he didn't like that. Hee hee.

After Connor's nap, we went down to the lake and continued what has almost already become a tradition; that is, happy hour down at the lake, while Connor sits and plays in his kayak. Again we set him in his kayak and then had some crackers and dip and Miller Lites and he seemed just dandy. He played with his toys while we enjoyed the water and the lake atmosphere. Of course we're standing by his side laughing at his silly games and at the ready in case he throws his toys overboard, but for the most part, he just chills. It's been pretty nice. Around 5:45, we pack up and head back home so we can get his dinner ready. Not so bad.

Tomorrow we are heading to Saratoga to pick up my Aunt Joan, who is arriving and also visit Connor's Great Grandma Janet for the first time. After that, we'll pick up my Mom at the airport in Albany too. Enjoy our pics from the past couple of days.

Connor gets to hang out in just a diaper a lot more here than he ever did at home. What a lucky guy.

A pretty shot of Loon Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Enjoying a lovely evening as Connor hangs out in his kayak.

Connor giggling away. Nice Mohawk buddy.

You probably can't see it, but there is a black spot in the middle of this photo. Yeah, that's a loon. It's a really cool looking goose basically.

Grandpa hanging with Connor.

Connor has been eating like a champ lately. Thank goodness. This is his new high chair for the next 5 weeks.

Playing with Grandpa in Grandpa's room.

Friday morning, we went to Deer Crossing Cafe for breakfast. It was yummy.

Connor seems a little embarrassed that I set him near this deer.

Oh my goodness, there are literally deer crossing on the walls.

"I like the Deer Crossing Cafe."

Despite the rain, my Dad and I put in our little dock for the season.

Connor enjoying dinner at "The Place" Italian restaurant.

I set Connor down for a photo op when we first arrived at the water carnival.

There was a very good turnout. Tons of kiddos and their parents.

Connor had fun putting bean bags in the whole. Maybe he'll be throwing them next year.

There was a string of inflatable animals that he liked grabbing.

Grandpa was trying to encourage him to dig in the sand with the other kids, but he didn't really like the touch of sand.

Next year, Connor will totally win this trophy.

As you can see, Connor still has a bit of a wet face. I think this was taken shortly after the "water balloon incident." Oops. We're having a great time.