This week Becca completed her first week of her new nanny job. It's been a big adjustment for her but each day it got better. The most important thing is she can still stay attached to Connor. At the hip.

Today she texted me and said the family gave her a goodie basket for her first week of work. This is good news. It will be so awesome if this job works out because 1) Becca is with Connor ALL DAY and 2) Connor will have a playmate to grow up with.

It's looking pretty good at the moment.

Today we are headed straight to Fulshear, TX to see Connor's grandparents, great grandparent, uncles, great uncles, aunt, and maybe cousins (??). His great mema Judy is moving into a new home and I'm gonna use my "strong back" to help with the transition. I'm happy for her and I'm happy Connor will get to see her new house. He has lots of diapers to thank her for. Thousands, in fact!

Music and Pictures

Here are a few recent pictures from the last week or so. When did Connor get so cool? Oh that's right, he was born that cool. He just gets cooler everyday.

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We enjoy this kid more everyday. He has quicly become our best friend. We are now like a triangle.

 I've been spending huge amounts of time playing guitar to him. He sits in the swing and I play him Bach, Tarrega, Mozart. Lots of old German and Spanish composers. He appreciates it because he knows they wrote the best music. It's the truth. Oh, AND he is my BEST audience. If I play a bad note he just smiles anyway... What more could I even ask for?

I'm sure music was genetically imprinted on his DNA. But just in case, Becca and I are making sure to imprint it a little bit more. Like pushing a stamp down extra hard. Extra ink.

Becca straps him to her chest and lets him hit keys on the piano. The first note he played was a D, one step up from middle C. Maybe he loves the key of D. Good choice son, good choice.

Mommy and Connor

Can anyone show me a cuter mom and baby? I didn't think so.

Best. Video. Ever.

Okay okay, I might have said that once before. But each day gets better. Each new laugh gets better. Therefore, each video gets better.

Last night Connor was cracking up. Full out laughing. It was the longest most sustained laughing attack he's had yet. It was so so so so awesome.

Here you go. Click here and watch this video. You will love it.

You are welcome.

Bars and Naps

What can I say we had a great weekend. Most of it was centered around a bar. Not the kind you are thinking...

Michael's dad came all the way from Ohio and stayed with us. As always the boys got to wonderin' what kind of project they would take on. They decided they would make and tile a bar above the kitchen sink.

I think it is safe to say they outdid themselves. Here is the finished project:

Afterwards we all rested, and some of us napped.

Oh Snap

Being a parent is awesome. It creates so many conversations that can only come into existence as a result of parenthood. Take last night, for example. Me. Becca. Living room.

Becca is learning sign language to teach Connor as he grows up. Cool, right? Yep.

She likes to teach me what she's learning. "Hey Michael, this is the sign for mom." (see below)

I nod.

She continues, "Oh hey Michael, this is the sign for dad." (see below)

I

I say, "Is that because Daddy is smart and Mommy talks a lot?"

Yes! Game, set, match. Point Michael.

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And I will add, because it's important, this was a rare victory. Becca puts me in my place all the time. That's why I like her so much.

Baby Flips Tractor Tire

Last night the family decided to join my and my buddy Adara for a tractor tire workout. It was a beautiful afternoon and Connor wanted to show off... Here he is- 

As you might recall, this is the tire I picked up about a month ago. For free. I swear people, if you just look around you can find so many great deals out there. It just takes IN-GEN-U-ITY!

Anyway, here is a video Becca made of me flipping the tire... A big sluggish, admittedly, but it was my last rep of a long set! After this we decided to push a car down the street. It was a hard workout.

Video: Tractor Tire Workout

If you're wondering, Connor failed to complete a rep. He gripped the tire and looked strong, but he only got the tire about half way up. Next week I expect he'll surpass me.

Christmas in March??!!

When Connor finally wakes up today (it's almost 9 but you see little boys get tired after PLAYING from 2am-4am) it will be like Christmas morning around here!

When Connor went to sleep last night, Michael and I put together this bad boy:

I expect to hear a few squeals. Or several dozen of them.

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I had no idea how much fun my parents were having all this time. I was so giddy thinking about how much fun he will have with his new toy and we realized how much we love doing things for Connor especially when we know how much joy it will bring him.

Yay for parenthood! I think I will need to reread this post when Connor is a teenager!

Wake up wake up little boy!

Things Connor Loves

Click to watch: Connor and His Birds

As you can see from the above Connor loves his birds. There are other things he loves.

In no particulart order...

mom

smelling new spices

playing super baby

bath time

classical guitar

earthquake game

colors

lights and shadows

vists from family

blueberry muffins

talking

being read to

watching his own videos

she shoots she scores

And I'm pretty sure he loves me, his dad, too. I certainly love him!!

Weekend Fun

This weekend we took Connor to hear some Scottish music. He loved it but wasn't sure about the bag pipes. Which makes him smart. No one is sure about the bag pipes.

Later he got to see his uncle Andy. I do not have a picture. This is a shock.

He also had a play date with his buddy Alexander on Sunday. Not sure which activity he enjoyed more...

Happy St Patricks Day, Almost

I don't even know who took this picture or typed the birthdate on it. But I like it. So there it is.

Friday has come again. Tonight we are having some friends over for dinner. Tomorrow, I'm really excited about, because we are seeing Ed Miller for St Patrick's Day. He is my favorite singer songwriter from Scotland. In fact, he is the only singer songwriter from Scotland that I know about.

Connor will be coming with us. We have always brought him everywhere, from one week old to now. I don't understand people who keep the baby home, like they can't be out and about. The only place he IS NOT ALLOWED to go to is daycare. That's where babies get sick and don't see their parents for 40 plus hours a week.

So we will strap him on and hope he likes Celtic music. We'll see...

XX or XY? XY.

Ahhh, the Gender Reveal Party. Yes, it is capitolized. What a day that was. I remember us being SURE it was a girl. We just knew. Strangers would approach pregnant Becca, starry-eyed, saying, "Oh, a girl's in there." It was a done deal, game set match.

We opened this big box that was wrapped like a present. For some reason the pink balloons looked... blue. Oh wait, they WERE blue. Hmm. Looking back at the picture above you have to ask if really, deep down believed a girl was cooking in there. We are both wearing... a lot of blue.

Of course now there's way more blue around the house than ever before. No pink, not even a pigment. And it becomes hard to even imagine it any other way. We are so happy to have a boy. So happy to have a little Connor.

One day we might have a girl. That'd be great. No, I mean it, really. I'm sure she'd have me wrapped around her finger. That experience seems so similar and so different to having a boy. It'd be great of course, but who could beat a little boy like Connor? Ser-i-ous-ly.

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(Note: Apologies in advance to any potential-future daughter who is reading this in the year 2031 and saying, "Ah, it finally makes sense!! I knew they loved my brother more!!! I knew it all along!!"

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PS-I added a new blog below from a couple days ago titled "Withdrawal Symptoms." I thought I had published it but forgot.

Neiner

Today, Michael took Connor and I to get some soup at Jason's deli (are any of you surprised?). Well, I had soup, Connor stuck with his boring old milk.

While we were sitting there, a table behind us was occupied by 4 young boys and their father. I would guesstimate that the ages of the boys were 6, 4 and 2 year old twins.

This is what we heard repeatedly, and by repeatedly, I mean at least 40 times. This number is not an exaggeration.

"Eat your Neiner."

Now this was said one of three ways each time. One was a nice and positive suggestion. One was a sympathetic plea. And one was an angry growl through gritted teeth. I don't know if he was really angry, or trying to sound very mean and threatening, but either way, Michael and I did everything we could to not laugh - to no avail.

Eat your Neiner. EAT YOUR Neiner. PLEASE EAT YOUR NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEINER

Oh, "Neiner" means hot dog. Also, we are pretty sure this man is the same voice of the "Honey Badger" narrorator.

I'm still laughing.

Michael and I both thought quietly to ourselves, this is NOT how we want to parent when Connor is two.

Because, you know, Connor will obey the first time we ask. <---Yeah. Right.
AND we won't say words like "Neiner." <---Yeah. Right.
AND he won't be eating hot dogs. <--- That part is true.

I've heard however, that when parents say "I will NEVER do that," they end up doing exactly that which they would not like to do.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Connor and Becca are still in Dallas. Here is Connor with his Mamaw today. This picture is not alleviating my withdrawal symptoms. I miss him more than ever!!

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Soon it will be time to head home. We are having a new washer delivered today. It was much needed as our last one was on it's last leg, or spin-cycle.

After that it's softball and kickball game tonight. I've gotta try and stay busy until my family gets home and I can squeeze Becca and Boy. Last pnight I put in (more) flower beds just to keep moving. You know the old saying: Idle hands idle mind. So I'll keep busy, for now...

Easier. Than. It. Sounds.

Family Vacation. Without me. Sad Face.

Becca's parents came to spend the weekend with us. Things started out great as they gave us some date $$$ and we headed out to the Cactus Cafe to hear some awesome music. Of course we had to leave Little Wolf (read: Connor) behind. I'm not sure if this was a good idea or not...

Consider: What's more distracting to the audience at the performance::

-Crying/laughing/squirming baby      

OR     

 -Love sick mom constantly saying she misses Connor and checking her phone for theoretical text messages that in theory could have been texted

The jury is still out. Either way, we missed Connor. While I do play guitar for him all the time at the house, the California Guitar Trio had a few, how to say it, dimensions that I can't provide for him. They were awesome and make my version of Classical Gas seem like child's play. BUT my child thinks I play awesome.

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Sunday brought heart shaped biskits and alas, an impromptu departure as Becca and Connor headed to Dallas with her parents to see her paternal Grandparents, Mamaw and Papaw. I'm really happy they get to see Connor. However, I'm selfish and want my baby back!!

They left about 6pm. The house was so quiet. Too quiet. I miss them so much and can't stand being away from them. They will be back tomorrow, but seriously, I am almost having panic attacks not being able to hold my Little Wolf. Until then I have my youtube videos and blog to tide me over.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I HATE that saying but it's true.

Night out

Mimi and Papi drove up today and kissed on Connor while Michael and I set out on the town for a date. We went down to the Cactus Cafe and were wowed by the California Guitar Trio. World. Class. Musicians.

Here is a world. Class. Cutie. See for yourself here.

Basket Balls and Belly Laughs

This should start everyone's weekend off with a few smiles. We caught Connor's first laughs on camera tonight!!! Link below...

  real laughs 

This is how we roll

It's been a fun day but I am exhausted! And so is this dude! This is how we roll when we are tired and when we got over heated. Connor is such a tropper and joined me as we had lunch with our friend Brittany, stopped by Babiesrus to get some new toys and then presented on what a Social Worker does to a high school class. I'm pretty sure the class didn't hear a word I said. But who could blame them? They were all so enamored with what a cutie Mr. Connor is.

The picture above describes our activities at this point.

You say tomato, I say grow!

Yesterday we woke up and immediately decided whatever we did today, it would have to be outside.

Well, ok not immediately. We spent the first hour of the day playing with Connor in bed.

But then God spoke and said it would be sinful not to take advantage of the beautiful day. We set out for another hiking trip, only to get side tracked by a by sign that said "plant sale" at the high school near our house. We pulled in to find all plants were just $1.

And this is what we bought:
Morning glory (lots of it)
Chamomile
Sweet Basil
Cilantro
Green beans
Tomatoes

The first two were Michael's choice. The last four were mine. Michael is convinced that I will not be diligent enough to see my plants come to fruition. Well folks, I am on a mission to prove him wrong.

But then again the only successful thing I have grown was a baby. And that is quite different. Or is it more similar than one would think? Water (breast feed), prune (change diaper), sing (sing).

I got this!

Here is a Video of Our Efforts

Up, Up and Away

Shall we have more adventures today? I think so, weather permitting!

This was yesterday's adventure.

Make your heart smile

This picture was taken after he ruined TWO back up out fits at Barnes and Noble. A naked baby might mean it's time to go home.

Despite the fact that I've been feeling pretty awful most of the week, Connor and I have still managed to have quite a bit of fun while we wait for Daddy to come home. Here is some evidence... watch BOTH videos!

Connor gets his first raspberries

Connor watches himself get raspberries

So while I am achy with a headache and scratchy throat, my heart is full and happy.

Morning Video

Here is a video of Connor waking up this morning that Becca made... She is singing him the monkey song. He is now pulling himself up if you grab his hands and grabbing at toys. Little new things everyday---it's amazing to watch.

Watch Video Here