Happy 8 months Connor!

This handsome fellow is 8 months old!

Big 8 month boy!

It's amazing how big he is getting and how much he is learning - He's like a little sponge! He's been such a blessing and source of fun and laughs for the past 8 months.

"Are you shrinking monkey?!"

Connor has been working on his sitting and is getting better and better. He still topples over occasionally, testing our reflexes. He loves sitting at his xylophone or piano and making music. He also loves to be sung to. It always soothes or entertains him (despite my questionable singing voice and small repertoire of songs - I'm working on it!)

Baby Beethoven

Other new "tricks" include reaching for his toes:

Sitting up in the big kid part of the grocery cart:

Picking up food for my puppies

Playing in his jumperoo (it helps that his feet can reach the ground now and he can turn himself around in it:

Jumperoo fun!

And using a high chair at restaurants:

At chipotle - "where's my burrito?!"

Connor had eye surgery in late September to straighten his eyes, improving his vision and depth perception. He was a champ for the surgery and recovered very quickly. He was a very good (and super adorable) patient. His eyes were a little red for awhile, but he's doing much better now.

Eyes are a little red, but he's happy as ever

We've seen a noticeable difference in how he sees, which is awesome. We often see him "inspecting" things that he may not have been able to see well before.

"Hmmm, interesting..."

He's moved up a size in diapers, to 2, and is quickly outgrowing his 6 month clothes. He is tall and skinny, so a lot of his pants are short, but big around the waist. Luckily, he's a fantastic eater so we can bulk him up a little. We have yet to find a food that he doesn't like. He will happily eat anything we give him, even mushed green beans, which don't seem very appetizing to us. His favorite food right now is bananas (these get a lot of "mmmms" while he eats them.). Honorable mentions include sweet potatoes, apples, and carrots.

"Mommy, take my picture in front of my favorite food"

Connor recently got 2 new teeth - his top 2. His bottom 2 came in with very little problem, but we weren't quite so lucky with the top 2. These seemed to give him a little more trouble and kept us up at night sometimes with the poor little guy. We seem to be almost through it now, however, and he is back to his ever happy, sleeping through the night, self (hopefully I didn't just jinx us by typing that - knock on wood)

Little angel

The little guy always makes us laugh! He is currently in love with ceiling fans and laughs hysterically at them. He is also ticklish, so it's fun to play and find his ticklish spots while he giggles (don't tell him I told you, but his armpits usually elicit a laugh)

tickle, tickle

In other recent exciting Connor news, he rolled from his back to front, a skill we have been working on for a while that he finally did himself (I have to wonder if his indifference toward tummy time made him not too interested in learning this, but he did it none the less). I came in to get him from his nap the other day to find this:

First back to tummy roll!

I witnessed the rolling first hand later that day during playtime. He rolled, lifted his head and gave me the biggest "did you see what I just did" smile. Little stinker :)

the little stinker himself

Connor has been busy cheering on the Browns with Daddy on Sunday (sorry Pittsburgh friends, he inherited his Daddy's football taste, poor kid) and got to see his first Browns win against the Bengals the other day. Father and Son were both excited!

Go Browns!

Happy 8 months Buddy!! We love you to the moon and back!

<3 <3 <3

 

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High Five!

Celebrating his first Browns victory!

Just a quick update (again). Today, Connor is eight months old! Elle will be putting up a post about that tomorrow, but we wanted to share this video of Connor playing his new favorite game

 

 

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Happy 7 months Connor! (and a long overdue Connor update)

Long time no post! Apparently babies keep you pretty busy as we have been blog quiet recently. No fear, Connor has had a lot going on!

Yesterday, he turned 7 months old!

Who keeps shrinking this monkey?

His stats at his 6 month doctors appointment (which actually took place when he was about 6.5 months) were 16 lbs 12 oz (24th percentile) and 26.5 inches (46th percentile). Our little string bean! He seems to be going through a growth spurt recently. He's been getting up in the middle of the night (yawn, although no complaints we have been blessed with many restful nights with this little boy) and scarfing down a big bottle. Who doesn't want a midnight snack?! (although formula wouldn't be my first choice)

Connor had some 6 month pictures taken with a local photographer. They turned out great and I think they captured his cuteness and beautiful blue eyes.

6 month professional pictures

During our staycation in August, Connor got to go swimming for the first time and he loved it! He was a natural little fish in the water. We put him in and he immediately starting kicking his feet in his raft and moving himself around - 2032 Olympics, here he comes!

A natural in the water!

On Labor day weekend, we all went to Pittsburgh for a welcome home picnic for Connor's Uncle Eric, who had been studying for his Masters in England. Connor had never met him before, so it was exciting! Connor also got to meet/see a lot of his extended Pittsburgh family and had a lot of fun.

Meeting Uncle Eric for the first time

Speaking of Uncle Eri(c)(k)s, Connor's Aunt Krissie and Uncle Erik came to visit last weekend from their new home in Cincinnati. What a lucky little boy to have 2 uncles named Eri(c)(k) - we just need a way to distinguish between the 2 when talking about them - we are working on it :). Connor had a lot of fun hanging out with his aunt and uncle and is looking forward to road tripping to go visit them soon!

Connor with his other Uncle Erik and favorite aunt, Krissie

In other exciting news, Connor got some new wheels (well, maybe mommy and daddy really got the new wheels). We are officially a minivan family now and we are loving it! Lots of room for babies, baby gear, our 2 wet nosed children, and all of their stuff too. Now I just need to sign Connor up for soccer..

Connor's new ride

Connor has been very busy at home too, playing, practicing new skills, and eating! Some of his favorite things recently include:

Bouncing in his door jumper (possibly his absolute favorite thing at this point. He is ALWAYS trying to jump!)

He loves music and being sung to. His current favorite song is "Little Ducky Daddle". If you're not familiar with the tune, Connor highly recommends it. This duck song is magic - it soothes him, makes him laugh, and entertains all at the same time. He stops in his tracks whenever you start singing it and waits in anticipation for the "quack quack" that comes at the end. It's his jam.(for Seinfeld fans, it makes me think of that boyfriend Elaine had that loved "Desperado" - this is Connor's Desperado")

Connor has been practicing his sitting and still needs a little work, but is getting better at it every day.

Sitting is fun!

Getting a little sitting help from the Boppy

He was practicing sitting today at the grocery store too, like a big boy!

Helping Mommy grocery shop

He is doing lots of tummy time

So thoughtful...

Loving tummy time now (never used to be a favorite!)

Playing with his toys

Chillin'

And still definitely sucking his thumb

Little Linus

He's always trying new foods and we haven't found anything yet that he doesn't like - even prunes!

Aftermath of eating prunes and sucking his thumb at the same time

Can't believe this handsome little guy is more than half way to his first birthday!

Our little bluestreak

He's such a happy baby, always smiling and having fun and he sure brings endless joy to our lives! Happy 7 months buddy! Love you!

So handsome

 

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A 6 month letter to Connor

Dear Connor,

Yesterday, you were 6 months old (on Mommy and Daddy's 4 year wedding anniversary!)

Connor is 6 months old - the monkey is getting smaller and smaller

Looking back over the last 6 months, you have grown so much!


We are so proud of all of the things that you have been learning and doing lately! You are expanding your culinary repertoire past rice cereal into fruits and veggies. So far, you have liked everything you have tried, although sweet potatoes are your definite favorite, with bananas and peaches not far behind. You are a great eater, opening your mouth wide for the next spoonful.

Opening wide even for green beans

You also tried a sippy cup for the first time the other day with some water in it. You still need a little practice with it, but we know you'll get it. You look like such a big boy drinking from it!

Hmm, this isn't milk

You love to play, whether it be on your play mat, in your door jumper, or sitting on our laps.

You are great at lifting your head up during tummy time and love looking around.

You are playing more with your toys. Your current favorites are funny bunny and your rattle. You love to shake your rattle and you are now able to pass it from your left to right hand for optimal shaking.

We put you in your door jumper the other day for the first time and you love it! You are a big fan of bouncing and will play happily in there for awhile. You are so smart and figured out quickly how it works.

We are practicing sitting with you while we play. You are doing great with it, but still need a little help

Getting pretty good at this sitting thing

You have 2 little bottom teeth that came in recently. Being the laid back baby that your are, they gave you a little trouble one night but didn't really seem to be bother you otherwise (hopefully that trend continues with all of the others!)

2 little bottom teeth poking through

You are becoming more aware of the dogs and reaching out to pet them (they've been licking you since the very beginning). You reach up to "pet" Graham and Guinness by grabbing a handful of their fur. They love you so much and patiently let you do it. They always want to see what you are up to and what you are playing with (Graham is still holding out hope of getting a hold taste of Sophie).

Divers brothers

You are going to be an avid reader because you're already showing a love of books. We love snuggling with you before bed with a good book and reading to you.

Reading with Daddy - this picture makes Mommy's heart melt

Connor, you are such a laid back, easy going baby. You've been sleeping through the night since 8 weeks (although I imagine we will pay for this with your siblings) and you greet us with a smile every morning when we come into your room to get you. There are so many wonderful things about you, buddy, and you make us smile and laugh everyday. Whether its the way you try to drink your bottle and suck your thumb at the same time, the way you blow raspberries and chat to yourself in your swing or in the car (you often laugh at yourself too. To be fair, you're funny!), or the way you always suck your thumb throughout your entire bath, there is just so much to love about you.

Chatting away on my mat

Speaking of thumb sucking, you are still definitely an avid thumb sucker. It's pretty adorable.

Thinking deep thoughts

These past 6 months with you have been such a blessing and we can't wait to see what amazing things the future holds. We love you so much, Connor, and we thank God every day for the gift of you. You have brought so much joy to our lives, buddy, and we love you so much! Happy 6 month birthday Connor!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

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