Where did the time go?

Your dad and I got a new vacuum for the pool and you decided to do some exploring. It took you a while to climb into this box - but you did it! I guess a child's love for boxes starts very young.



You are almost 8 months and yesterday, I came to the realization that you are no longer a little baby. I was watching you climb on our bed and you just looked so big and so grown up. Your second tooth is visible now and should be sprouting up any day. You're eating lots of big people food and you LOVE to feed your self. I can't believe that in a few short months you will be a one year old. The only good thing about that is that I get to plan a party for you. I am truly enjoying watching you grow up. Every day is something new and exciting with you.




Also, did I mention that I love having a baby because I get to lay by the pool and read while you nap spend my days watching you learn? 


Life is good.

Dresser climber

Your new favorite pass time is to open up your dresser drawers one by one and climb your dresser. This is rather annoying for me because 'your' dresser actually belonged to your Grampy B about a zillion years ago so it's not the most intact piece of furniture in our house. The drawers slide in and out a little too easily and if I don't hold them for you they would jam up on your sweet little digits. So, I spend the better part of my days holding on to the drawers of your dresser while you grunt and growl your way up it. Fun, fun! The look on your face however, when you get to the top, is priceless!

Get outta my dreams, get into my car.

We were so excited for you to wake up this morning to play with this new toy. It got us talking about how fun Christmas is going to be with a new baby. We figure we should probably start shopping now!! 

Those cheeks don't lie

Okay, I know how much you look like your dad - I notice this fact every day. The way you two sleep, yawn, rub your eyes, your identical! But honey...in this picture, those cheeks don't lie, you look like your mama!

In the nude

This is you this morning, playing for the first time with a flap and pop up book. You loved it. You kept opening and closing the flap and you would yell every time something popped out. I think I have found a new toy that can actually keep you sitting still for a few minutes. Or at least seconds. Maybe.






Below is another picture of you playing in your room this morning. I had all of those bibs and towels nicely folded before you got your destructive fingers on them. I had to rearrange your change table right after this picture was taken in order to organize things in a way that you won't be able to throw everything on the floor. I know you think I love doing laundry because that's what I do all day long, but you are sadly mistaken.




Yesterday, you taught yourself how to fall when standing in your crib. Of course, you did this while naked. You love playing in your crib naked for some reason. What is it with  men and the desire to be naked? Anyways,your dad had stripped you down for bath and let you play in your crib while he got your bath ready - I walked into your room and you were holding onto your crib bar with one hand and you were bent over, looking down at your mattress - contemplating the fall. After a few slight bounces you took the plunge and plopped down on your little bum. You thought that was awesome and you laughed like I have never hear you laugh before! Perhaps a new ride at Disney? 

You can buy my love

Look at that face...we are going to go broke next Christmas trying to re-create this joy.

Baby Love

You got your first kiss yesterday. You and your lady friend were laying on a blanket at the park next thing we know, you two are lip-locked and lovin' every minute of it. Unfortunately, the 3 seconds you kissed happened to be the 3 seconds that the camera was not in my hand - go figure. But I reacted quickly, grabbed the camera and got the aftermath of the kiss.

I thought I would take this opportunity give you some relationship advice:

-Always treat your girlfriend with respect. Don't do anything that makes her uncomfortable. For example; when you grab her hair and try to yank it out. She doesn't like that, sweetie.

-Take things slowly. I wouldn't have suggested going in for the kiss quite so early, but she seemed ok with it. The important thing is that you were a gentleman about it - short and sweet.

-Never become physical with her. I noticed that you whack her in the face sometimes and other times you bite her. To your defense, she bites you too (I have the pictures to prove it) but you shouldn't have the 'eye for an eye' attitude with your girlfriends. I realize boys tend to be rough with girls when they like them but this isn't the most productive way to show someone you care. Try being sweet instead of rough - offer her one of your rice puffs. She'll like that.

-Compliment her wardrobe. Just because you don't like something she is wearing, doesn't give you the right to try to yank it off of her body. Yesterday, you kept pulling her hat off her head. Personally, I thought the hat was really cute. If you don't like something she is wearing, compliment her anyways. Trust me on this one!

And one more thing...NEVER NEVER EVER tell her you can see her 'baby fat'. She'll dump you faster then you can say baby Einstein.

You know how to pick 'em!

Proof you get more physical then you should.

Goin' in for the kiss. 

Giggles

You're from Canada, eh?

Today was an exciting day. You had another first. You stood yourself up in your crib! You're probably going to steal my car any day now... 

We met your dad at the park for lunch again today. Here are some pictures that we took. We tried to get a good family picture but you can only do so much with an automatic timer. You look so cute with that tilley hat. If only you had a canoe and some maple syrup, you could be a poster child for tourism Canada.

Psst...meet me at the park behind the slide and we'll...play with our kid.

You and I met your dad for lunch today at O'Dell park. We ate, played on the swings and the slide, watched the ducks and walked through the trails. We all had a great time.

Oh, and you had another first today: You went from laying down to sitting up for the first time this morning when you woke up from your nap.

Stop. Growing. Up.

Kisses

Dear Connor,

You officially stood up all by yourself for the first time yesterday. I put you on the floor in your room to crawl around while I was tidying up and next thing I know - you crawled over to your change table, pulled yourself up to your knees with the first shelf, then you reached up and grabbed onto the second shelf and pulled yourself to your feet! And from that moment on, you have been trying to use everything in sight to help you stand up. It's like you have an internal radar that draws you to everything that I wouldn't want you getting into. It is certainly entertaining watching you, bound and determined, climb up everything you can get your hands wrapped around. The best part though, is that big proud smile you get on your face after you accomplish a climb. Due to your very keen interest in standing up and trying to walk - I'd like to get you a walker toy. Maybe that would free up my hands a bit and I think you would lose your mind if you got one!! Maybe I could forgo a Mothers day present in trade for a walker toy...or maybe I'll just tell your dad that and then he'll see how giving I am and he'll buy both of us something. Soon enough, my child, you will learn from your wise mother how to get the most out of your father! Oh, if dad asks you - tell him I want the book 'Baby Proof' by Emily Griffen...but only if he asks.

Since you are such a busy baby now, your dad had the brilliant idea of setting up your play pen in the kitchen so I don't have to watch you 24-7.

You loved it! 

For about 5 minutes. 

You hate it now. 

But in those glorious 5 minutes, you were giving me kisses through the screen sides. I don't care that you were doing it because of the mere fact that you liked the way the screen felt on your tongue and not to show affection to your Mama; I got kisses and that's all that matters! I loved every second of it!

Your dad and I also figured out why you have been sucking your lower lip like it's going out of style...you got your first tooth Buddy! I was feeling your gums this morning like I do everyday and BAM there it was! My excitement for this tooth was right up there with Christmas morning! Why do parents get so excited about their babies teeth coming in, anyways? An inexplicable joy.

This past Tuesday, you and I went for a walk and you played in the grass for the first time! You LOVED it. You mainly loved putting grass and dirt in your mouth but all babies do that, right?