Summer fun

This summer has been quite a blast, lots happened and even more precious are all the memories we made as a family of three.  We traveled, saw some new places, and we did  it all together.
As it winds down I look and see this big boy, walking and babbling.  Smiling at everyone that talks and  works him down.  Thankful that he still wants me to rock him to sleep and is ready to play at any time, that giggle and cackle makes the day so much sweeter.

Helping water plants ended up watering the lawn.

Ferry to Alcatraz, a sweet moment.

 A nice nap during the race.

 First soft serve on a hot day.

 Preparing for lift off.

Plane seats are made for napping.

 Before a 6 mile run in the early morning.

Water can be the best for this little guy.  Entertainment that leads to naps.

Nectarines for the win.

Dress up fun.

Some adult time before another school year starts.

Rides on the cans have been a new thing.

This bean bag is one of Conor's favorite spots. Grandma made it for dad and its still getting some great use on a daily basis.

Family reunion meant some Tegan hugs, not too many as she was busy playing with all the kids.

There are so many other things that happened and we documented it as best as we could.  Conor may not remember it all and we may have to do the trips a few more times I am thankful that we enjoyed ourselves and seeing him move and lead us on new adventures.

Uno

This guy turned one year old over a week ago.  And let me tell you, he loved it, but he was not as excited about the cake as I had been.  Conor was moving and grooving and he showed us all his stuff as he walked around following everyone and keeping up with his friends.

Just over a year ago I had this guy…

The only thing that has not changed is how busy we have become since we got to bring Conor home.   Our adventures are much more memorable with our little guy who brings laughter and more joy to each day.  Running around is just a diaper bag away with car seats and take along toys.  Working on keeping shoes on and keeping Conor in sight as his need to explore becomes a priority.  

6 days from turning One, Conor had his first race with rain.  We had to Macgyver a rain suit for him as there were none in his size, sometimes we have to improvise but Conor is always up for something new.

Surviving

And by that I mean, with little sleep and much less free time during this busy tax season we are very much thriving and not just surviving.  I did not know how this tax season would go knowing that I have had to feed and be gone more than at home while Conor is awake but thankfully we have all come together in the home to make each day the best it can be.  And of course having a supportive workplace makes it that much easier to be away when I begin to realize that I miss being home with Conor and enjoying the day.  I am glad we are not just surviving this busy time of the year, Darren, is as he has been the past couple years, getting us ready for dinner and fed before the hangry side shows up.

This is what Conor has been up to recently.

Loves his baths.

Darren snapped this one while I was at the office.

8 months on Left, 9 on Right.

 Because sometimes we have to shop and underestimate how much we have to purchase.

Going to be as cool as daddy.

He loves swinging, finally nice bough to take him out for some fun in the backyard.

Cannot keep his socks on.

Before he got mad at me for taking pictures.

He needed me to hold his bottle so he could shop.

Crawling under the table while the rest of us finished up dinner.

Too blessed

Conor has been growing so fast.  Since Christmas so many new developments have occurred as each day passes.  He is now eating at the kitchen table and enjoying new foods, from baby quesadillas, veggies to fruits but strawberries are by far his favorite.  We slowly introduced a food then finally he has had all parts to make a quesadilla that he can enjoy.  He definitely goes for the berries first if they are in front of him but we tend to hold them back when possible.  I am getting close enough to finish my entire meal while he sits in his booster and eats his.  Less and less food is hitting the ground and teaching to put hulls on his mat instead of the floor is not easy but slowly I know it too will cease and the floor will once again be clean at all times.  He even had edamame last week and it has to be one of his favorite beans, that he has had so far.  We are definitely getting closer to a complete meal, consisting of a carb, protein, veggie and fruit but still working on adding a new item each week.

We are making it through tax season, very close to my one year goal of nursing as this month nearly ends.  As a family we do not get much time to hang out between getting home and nightly feed but the time we do have is filled with dinner, talking and playing before bedtime.  We are also counting down to a few trips and gatherings we have coming up but mostly getting through this first tax season is a big accomplishment.  I am very ready for my 3 day weekends

Conor saw an apple, after being washed and on counter he went right for it.  Had over a 1/3 of it but not a fan of the skin. Those 8 teeth definitely help.

His fluff sticking out while he napped in my arms/lap.

In his Christmas/Valentines Day PJ set from Grandma D.

Most days I cannot believe he is ours.  Conor has brought us so much joy, his giggle is contagious and his curiosity can make for a mess but one day he will be the one cleaning.  

.

As if..

We were not busy enough with Conor our big test is about to happen.  We are entering a busy season in life between tax season and everything else we have already been juggling.  While also preparing for all the things that are planned right after a short breather of 2 weeks when we enter into May and all the things planned that month that lead right into June when our little man turns 1.  Yes the party planning has begun, because it can.

Conor has been up to a late in the last month.  He is crawling on his terms and for the things he wants, whether they are his or not, he will get to them.  But he enjoys standing a lot more, he will side shuffle himself to get items that he sees and of course our phones and the remotes are usually what he has his eyes on.

We moved Conor into a big boy car seat, no more pumpkin seat in mom's car.  He is getting long and of course has put on the weight that comes with being a growing boy.  He is finding that he likes musical toys as his collection has grown from Christmas gifts.  He has 8 teeth and it seems like there might be more coming as he has been drooling a lot lately.  Those teeth have certainly helped him in chomping down on his favorite snacks of veggie straws, crunchers and organic animal crackers.  If Conor sees our dinner in sight he will not stop until he has a strong hold on the plate.  We have decided to do some baby led weaning, definitely see him interested in everything we eat so as long as they fall in certain categories I do not hesitate to let him try but it has been mostly veggies with some fruits and tastes of other things.

Trying on his sunglasses from his friend Anna.  Loves the camera and seeing his photos.

A few days before Christmas wearing his gift from Tia Luz, Uncle Tim & Tegan, Grandma D snapped this photo.

Christmas Day, a big day for Conor with more family time.

 Checking blood pressure, we both enjoyed the giggles.

We always say Conor has my features and Darren's bone structure, this proves to me just how much he looks like his dad.

Because he can stand on the bed and hold onto the head board.

Waiting for doc, but tore up the exam table paper first.

Crib was dropped as he was getting too happy in pulling himself up to stand.

As of recent Conor likes to chew on apples, all those teeth help in getting the juices.

 Our new shopping position, no more pumpkin seat he can now see everything and everyone.