Connor turned 3!

How do I have a three-year-old?!  I mean, it's not like I'VE aged three years.  Nope, no way, not happening. :)  The past three years have flown by and I now get that phrase The days are long but the years are short.  I'd add "and the nights are fleeting!"  I don't think I can remember what it's like to feel rested, but that's not Connor's fault so much as it is his brother's.  I'm just not sleeping too well most nights these days.  Might as well get used to it, I guess.

The McHusband and I both took the day off so we could celebrate Connor's birthday on the 15th.  I'm sure he would have enjoyed a party with his friends and extended family in attendance, but he plays with his friends every day.  What he doesn't get is his parents' undivided attention in combination with a fun activity and presents.  I knew we made the right decision when, halfway through breakfast and after only getting three helium balloons and a taxi to add to his car collection, Connor looked up from his waffle and said, unprompted and seemingly out of nowhere, "Thank you, Mommy, for my happy birthday."

(BTW, the surgery to repair my burst heart went very well.)

We spent the morning at a bounce place where always-cautious Connor waited until the last five minutes to finally try a slide, but he had a great time with his other options like shooting foam balls across a bounce house, dodging a wrecking ball, and knocking foam balls off the air they were balanced on.

We gave Connor three choices for lunch: a hot dog, Mexican (the kid loves chips and salsa), or pizza.  He chose pizza so we ended up at Blaze Pizza before heading home for a nap.  After his nap, he got his big (literally) present from us: a hand-me-down John Deere riding toy.  He was hesitant at first (remember, he's no daredevil), but he has warmed up to it quite a bit and now asks to ride it most evenings when we get home.  That night, he had a normal dinner and then he blew out his "3" candle and devoured his cupcake.  All in all, a very good day and one I know the McHusband and I will always remember and cherish.

So a little about Connor at age 3.  He's perfect, the end. :)

Okay, Connor for real.  He is smart, sweet, funny and, maybe most importantly, very agreeable.  We rarely have to resort to anything resembling a timeout and even when he does have a toddler moment, he gets over it quickly.  He still watches very little TV but we've branched out to include Doc McStuffins with Mickey Mouse and the Roadster Racers and Chuggington.  As is typical of toddlers, who get on a kick and stay on it until the next obsession pops up, right now (and new this week) Connor just wants to watch Doc McStuffins.  Thanks to Aunt Jenny, Connor now has some Play Doh to play with at home and he's been having fun with it and the trucks that came with it.

Speaking of obsessions...  Connor LOVES vehicles.  He has a fleet of rescue vehicles, some construction trucks, a variety of matchbox cars, and a few of the McHusband's model cars that he's allowed to play with.  He comes by this preference honestly so we aren't at all surprised that he loves just about anything with tires.

The McHusband and Connor went to the Monster Truck show when it was here at the end of January and Connor loved it. More recently, they went to Cars & Coffee, a once-a-month gathering of car enthusiasts in our area, and they saw two Lamborghinis among other cool cars.  He was adequately impressed.  But his favorites?  The garbage truck and police car that WEREN'T part of the show.

A pic that Heather snapped at the car show.

I expect Connor to learn new things at daycare, or school as we call it, but he surprises me sometimes with what he knows.  This past weekend, Connor was playing in my bathroom while I was getting ready and he just said, out of the blue, "Red, blue, and lello are primary colors."  I had to do a quick inventory in my head to make sure he was right as it's been a long time since I had that lesson.

Connor went to the dentist on the 23rd for a check-up/be familiar with the dentist so he isn't scared when they actually clean his teeth appointment, and he did great.  Like I said, he's very agreeable and is generally happy to just go with the flow.  Plus, he got to wear "gunglasses."

So far, Connor is still a good eater who turns his nose up to very little.  Right now, he LOVES bell peppers and raw tomatoes, his favorite condiments are flavorful ones like mustard (even the spicy kind) and salsa, and I don't think he's met a hummus he doesn't like.  Of course, he has a sweet tooth as well and is partial to Cadbury Eggs.  I feel kinda bad getting him hooked on a seasonal treat...

We have Connor's three-year check-up on the 3rd and I don't doubt that he'll be in the upper percentiles for height, weight, and head size.  3T pants at this point are barely long enough when he's standing and definitely too short when he's sitting, but they are also in danger of being too big around the waist.  Thank goodness shorts season is right around the corner!

As I mentioned in my last post, Connor is fully daytime potty-trained and for the most part handles all of that himself.  He is still using a training potty most of the time, but he gets it assembled and can empty it without any assistance from us.  I typically just let him handle things then go behind him to check for any lingering messes, but I think it's important that he feels a sense of accomplishment for taking care of business beginning to end.  Plus, soon enough, I could be otherwise engaged for a lot of his potty breaks so he needs to be somewhat independent in that arena.

Connor's Corner o' Toys

Connor often tells the McHusband and me, "Mommy/Daddy, you my best friend."  He also likes to dole out compliments and if I'm wearing a dress, he'll tell me how much he likes it.  Just the other night he told me how much he liked the flowers on my pj pants.  Connor also understands that he needs to use good manners.  He's really good about "please" and "thank you" and he even has us basically role-play with him where he tells us, "Mommy say 'Please I can have the car?" if he has one and he wants me to ask for it essentially just so he can ask for it back just as nicely.

Okay, I guess it's obvious, but I could go on and on about Connor.  He is a wonderful kid, and the McHusband and I are grateful that he's happy and healthy.  We are definitely trying to soak up these last two months with him as our only child before he becomes a big brother.  Pretty sure I'll need another heart surgery when I see him in that role...

PS  Happy Birthday to the McMom today!  We hope you have a fabulous day!

My baby is 2!

I’m starting this post on Friday the 12^th.  Two years ago exactly I went to my last weekly check-up at the doctor before embarking on a five-hour drive home through snow and ice.  Thank goodness Connor didn’t decide to come a little early because he would’ve been on the news as a roadside birth since it took me less time to actually HAVE him, from the time real contractions started to his arrival, than it took me to drive home.

I could go on and on about this toddler of mine.  He is funny, sweet, talkative, curious, smart, and every other adjective you want your two-year-old to be.  He loves washing cars with the McHusband, watching Mickey Mouse and Chuggington, reading books, and putting his puzzles together.  We bathe him every other night but he loves baths so much that he asks for one every night.  I think we’ll definitely have to get him a pool for the backyard this summer.

Connor is still a good eater and has been loving oatmeal lately.  Broccoli too!  The one thing I know he isn’t a big fan of is chicken nuggets.  When I mentioned that to friends, they asked, “Has he had Chick-Fil-A nuggets before?”  Because, come on, who doesn’t like those?!  Yes, he’s had them and they just aren’t his favorite.  Dipping sauces, however, are a different story.  He loves them all.

It amazes me how much he takes in from the world around him.  One day recently the McHusband was out of town for work and I said so and said, “Daddy is on an airplane.”  Now when I tell Connor, “Dada has to work,” he says, “Airplane!”  I love when my little sponge wrings himself out and I get to see everything he’s absorbed from us and school.

Speaking of…  Connor will move up to the next classroom in March so he’s been spending a little time over there just to get acclimated to the new room, people, and teachers.  On the first day, the assistant teacher told me that he was the only one who didn’t cry and that he was one of the best listeners.  #proudmom  I wasn’t really surprised.  He’s fairly “go-with-the-flow” in general although he certainly has his terrorist toddler moments.

Luckily Connor is still happy to go for long walks in the stroller, and I hope he continues to be content as the weather improves.  We will also have to get the bike and…I don’t know what that kid-carrying-pull-behind thing is called but you know what I’m talking about.  Anyway, we’ll have to get that out so we can ride through the neighborhood across the street.

Connor still sleeps in his crib in a sleep sack.  That keeps him from climbing out, should he decide to try, but also keeps him warm.  Anyone who knows us in real life knows the McHusband and I like the house pretty cool for sleeping.  Connor actually asks to get into his bed to hang out with toys or books and in the mornings, he doesn’t want to get out right away…or for an hour after waking up.  So weekday mornings can be a bit of a struggle if he wakes up later, but it works out great for us on the weekends. He still has his two blankies and a pacifier and his stuffed dog – and yes, if he has one of those, he has to have them all.  He has started calling his paci a “pal.”  So it’s going to be that much harder to make him give it up since he’ll be asking for his pal.  We should probably do that sooner than later before this friendship gets even stronger…

We won’t go to the doctor for his two-year check-up and shots until the 26^th, but my at-home measurements have him weighing 34 pounds and standing 35” tall.  So he’s petite just like me.

I am so proud of Connor and what a wonderful kid he is.  And I’m proud of the McHusband and me for doing a good job with him for two whole years!  I have several friends with new babies and when I think back to that time, it’s amazing how short it was in the scheme of things.  Not at the time, of course.  Some days I thought we just weren’t going to survive.  But we did!  Not only survived, but we flourished!  I sometimes miss those snuggly infant days, but I mostly love Connor being this age.  He makes me smile and laugh every day and, as trite as it sounds, I love seeing the world through his eyes.

Unfortunately Connor is spending his birthday at home with me (my office is closed today) because he has pink eye.  He woke up yesterday with his right eye swollen and red.  As time passed, both eyes got kinda watery and by the end of the day they were, to use a very scientific term, "gooky."  He acted okay yesterday so fingers crossed he doesn't get a bad cold or an ear infection, which would be his first, to go along with case of conjunctivitis. 

Happy Birthday, Connor!  We love you more than you can imagine and we can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for you.

{Recipe Recap} Brownie Bars Two Ways

I wanted to make sure to share these two treats with you this week but I won’t be going on and on (and on) about them like they deserve.  This mom-wife-employee-friend-exerciser is tired!  After approximately 5.5 hours of broken sleep Sunday night, I got up at 4:20 Monday morning and went for a 30-minute run that started at 4:35.  The upside is the morning was very nice and the roads were empty (as they should be!).  But it was a long day because I didn’t get home from dinner with the girls until 9:15. (Totally worth it!) 

Then yesterday was a normal workday but it was the McHusband’s turn to have a social evening since he had concert tickets.  So I tended to Connor then headed out to the driveway for my own boot camp where I kicked my own butt.

So don’t take my lack of words about either of these treats to mean that they aren’t good.  Both are decadent.  Delicious.  And one is decidedly gooey.

Heather requested some caramel marshmallow brownies that I made once before.  When I made them the first time, I used a boxed brownie mix and chocolate-covered pretzels as my topping.  This time, I made the brownies from scratch according to the recipe and used Crunch Bites as the topping.  I thought they were much better: the brownie was fudgier and I’m a fan of the Crunch Bites.  Heather, however, preferred them the way I originally made them.

For Vanessa, I chose these Butterfinger Brownie Bars and they were a hit with everyone!  I shared one with our waiter and even he loved them.  I didn’t use any dark chocolate chips, just the minis and more peanut butter chips than the recipe called for.  I will definitely be making these again.

You won’t go wrong making either of these treats, take my fewer-than-usual words (and pictures) for it.

{Butterfinger Bars very slightly adapted from here}

{Marshmallow Caramel Krispie  Brownies barely adapted from here}

PS  Heather’s birthday was yesterday so a happy belated blog shout-out to her!

All about me!

Well, me and my little family, that is.  But today IS my birthday so when better to bombard you with pictures of the McHusband, Connor, and me?  At least they are really good pictures and not from my cell phone or my version of good picture taken with our nice camera.

Kelsey Jones of Kj Photography was our photographer and she was wonderful to work with.  I had to reschedule because the weather turned frigid the morning we were supposed to get together and she was so accommodating.  I got way more pictures than I expected, and she told me that if she had edited any and I wanted something different, just let her know.

She is very affordable, and I loved that I was able to download all the pictures so that I can do what I want with them.  If you are looking for a photographer in the Raleigh area, please consider Kelsey.  Check out some of her work on Facebook.

So back to that milestone I mentioned way up at the top.  Yep, today’s my birthday.  The big 3-6.  That seems so much older than I feel or imagine myself.  In my head, I’m stuck closer to 30 or so.

I’m celebrating by taking the day off work, dividing my time at home as evenly as possible between productively and couch potato-ness, getting a haircut, picking Connor up early, and enjoying one of the best white pizzas I’ve ever had (from Garibaldi Trattoria) for dinner.

Oh!  Did you guys see the new blog header?  It was so far overdue for an update.  Neither dog is still with us, Connor is over a year old, and the McHusband hasn’t had a bare chin since maybe the Christmas after that picture was taken.

The end(s)!

SC + Henley’s first birthday

The McHusband and I each worked about half a day last Friday before packing up and hitting the road just before 2:00. Our destination?  Clover, SC, where the McInlaws live now.  We spent the evening visiting with them and the next morning around 9:30, we headed further into SC to Anderson for cousin Henley’s first birthday party.

Our party animal kicked the trip off with an hourlong nap, which was exactly what I wanted.  For him.  I mean, sure, I would’ve liked to have napped as well, but…

Kevin and Jenny grilled burgers, brats, and hot dogs, served chips, pasta salad, and fruit, and also had mac and cheese, which is one of Henley’s favorite foods.  I gave some to Connor and he promptly spit it out.  I don’t know if it was the texture or the taste, but he was not a fan of the birthday girl’s beloved noodles.  I haven’t ever given it to him so maybe it’s just that he’s not familiar with the flavor.  But still – noodles and cheese?  What’s not the love?!

Henley had her cake outside. 

Or, I should say, we all watched Henley NOT have her cake outside.  She wasn’t really into it, but later when she was given a couple of cake pops?  Those she devoured!

It was such a beautiful day that we spent the majority of the afternoon either all the way outside or on the screen porch.  Connor checked out the decorations on Henley’s high chair,

Waved to everyone from the middle of the room,

Talked on the “phone,”

And practiced his climbing skills, ones he has worked very hard to perfect this week.

Connor then took a good afternoon nap while we visited a while longer and we rolled out at 6:30, getting back to Clover at 8:15.  What a wonderful day of celebrating sweet Henley’s first birthday!

(I apologize that this post doesn’t have more pictures or better pictures, but I forgot to pack the real camera.  Doh!)

Friday Friday Friday!  No big plans for us this weekend.  I finally made it to the Y last night for my first exercise besides walking in a week, and I hope to keep the momentum going with my PHX class on Saturday and then being back on track next week.

PS  Happy day-after-your birthday, Shannon!

“Sugar is good!”

We went out to dinner for Jennifer’s birthday this past Saturday.  The restaurant brought her some sopapillas with three sauces: chocolate, whipped cream, and warm honey.  Connor had already eaten a small dinner at home and then he ate some quesadilla and refried beans and fajita chicken so he deserved a little dessert.  As you can see from the video, he was a big fan of the chocolate sauce.

(See the video bigger here)

He had done the “Yeah!” plus the hands and throwing himself back three or four time without any prompting when I finally decided to record him.  And then, of course, he needed a little encouragement to keep the act up, but once he was in his groove, he was feeling good.

I sure love this kid!

A day to celebrate

Can you believe that I know four people whose birthdays are today?

• An old schoolmate
• The kid I used to babysit
• An ex-boyfriend
• And the McMom!

I hope they all have great days full of everything that makes them happy.

Especially that ex.

Just kidding, McHusband.  We are sending lots of love to the McMom today.  Hope your day is wonderful!

Connor’s Party: The People

We had a HOUSEFUL for Connor’s party.  Both of our immediate families (even my dad from Kansas City) and their immediate families came plus so many of our friends.  It was really great to have everyone with us on Sunday to celebrate Connor’s first birthday and, to be honest, our first year as parents.

Kevin, Jenny, and the kids came up from SC with a pit stop in Charlotte to see Jenny’s parents.  We really appreciate them making that long drive. 

Aunt Jenny with Henley and Connor.

Kim and Sara traded babies.  Sara had her miracle twins, Cora and Deacon (that’s him below), two weeks before Connor – and they were due the beginning of May.  Kim just had Kaitlyn on January 29th.

While Connor was eating cake, I played Pin the Tail on the Donkey with some of the kids.  Our old-school game was a hit.

People were everywhere and anywhere there was space.

Connor wasn’t too sure about all the people in his house, but he was very happy to see Ashley, his sitter.

Okay, who wants to see some people in sombreros?  Unlike in the pinata game, let’s go oldest to youngest.

Terry.

Maxie and me.

And Henley.

Vanessa and I needed a couple more pictures for the slideshow we’ll have at the kids’ rehearsal dinner.  Connor has a thing for other babies’ heads.  I remember he “petted” Henley’s head at Christmas, and he couldn’t keep his hands off Karis’s noggin on Sunday.

It’s not too easy to get a one-year-old and a one-month-old to look in the camera’s direction at the same time, but at least their moms are pretty good at it.

All right, I think I’ve probably dragged these party posts out about as far as they’ll go, but I had to make sure I fully documented my little boy’s first birthday.  We had a wonderful day celebrating with everyone, and we really appreciate everyone taking the time to spend part of their Sunday with us.