Life Etc

Bob: The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born.

Charlotte: Nobody ever tells you that.

Bob: Your life, as you know it... is gone. Never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk... and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life.

Charlotte: That's nice.

That’s what Bill Murray said in Lost in Translation. He was right about it all, especially the delightful part.  

**

While I do (generally speaking) hate facebook, and by “hate” I mean no one cares what you cooked for dinner and decided to photograph before eating, I do miss sharing pictures and stories about Connor growing up. The first year of his life passed by in the blink of an eye—thank goodness I blogged each day with memories and pictures. I’m so thankful for that little project.

Over the last six months or so I’ve tried just focusing on the moment, which translates into taking less pictures, not blogging, not facebooking, etc etc. And while there is certainly merit to not documenting everyday of your family’s life in a public space, the downside is that I’ve forgotten a lot of events. What’s more, with friends and family dotted all over the map, facebook is sort of a necessary evil that has become a lukewarm panacea to the absence of face to face visits.

And while I do endorse the philosophy of living in the moment, doing only one thing at a time, get off your damn cell phone and look around, I want to try and strike the balance. I want the people I love to be able to see the little one that I love the most growing up. Watching Connor grow has truly been the greatest gift and greatest joy of my life. He is delightful. At least when he’s not wreaking havoc (read: crawling on my head every night and deciding that’s a more comfortable place to sleep than the other ten square feet of open real estate mattress).

So here’s to getting back on the horse and sharing what’s going on with life etcetera.

Uncle Boose and Aunt Maegan

Tonight Aunt Maegan and Uncle Boose arrived in Austin to visit us. We took Con Con down to South Congress, heard some music, ate a gazillion calories of Home Slice, and checked out Lick, which is some fancy psuedo-hipster ice cream place. And then Becca walked around the house pretending to be a ghost while wrapped in a sheet. All in all a pretty good night.

**

Connor had two shots today. Somehow his cough is back but he's doing okay. For some reason he hasn't been gaining too much weight but the doctor said he's fine, don't worry. His weight is in the 20th percentile and his height is in the 60th percentile. We've been told to start feeding him dairy as much as we can to get some calories into him. Which is hard when he doesn't like milk too much...

Anyway, this little guy is a trooper and we're gonna have lots of fun with him tomorrow. I think we're gonna try paddle-boarding down at the lake.

Okay, bed time.

Kickball Hero

Tonight we have kickball. Connor and Becca are meeting me there and since it's the first game, we can practice on the field before it starts. We'll let little buddy kick the ball and run around. Of course he steals the show and everyone loves to watch him go wild. He is the team mascot!

One of my favorite pictures of my favorite heros, Con Con and Becca! This is from our favorite toy store that we usually go to on Thursday nights. It's from a couple months ago. It reminds me I need to find him another cape!

 

Balancing Act

Well it's time to wrap up a great three day weekend. We had many adventures and seemed to be going non-stop. This will be a busy and fun week and then we have guests this weekend. Can't wait!

Oh yeah, we also decided it's time our family started some circus acts. As though things couldn't get any crazier, we started doing this stuff:

Check this out: Balance Beam Video!

Saturday in Austin!!

Weekend At Last

Well after a hard two-day work week I'm off for a three day weekend! No big plans that I can think of, but I would like to take Con Con to the farmers market in the morning. I love showing him all the foods and flowers and music and they have a kids area with enormous blocks to build with.

Today we worked on standing on one foot on the balance beam and tumbles. A tumble is a foward roll/flip thing. Connor can almost do one by himself at this point. Little gymnast star in the making.

My new goal is to learn to juggle. Good thing my little brother John is already a pro and apparently posting youtube videos of how to do it. What's really cool is he can ride a unicycle backwards while juggling. Connor, you've got a talented uncle!


How to Juggle by my brother John

Rainy Night

We took it easy today since little wolf was sick... He started feeling better around 10 tonight so we played outside.

He was wearing a shirt and no shorts, I had on shorts and no shirt. Together we made a properly dressed person. Neither of us put shoes on.... It started misting and drizzling and we just played outside in the rain together. So much fun!!

I also got a haircut and finished his balance beam, which he is doing really well on.

Balancing Act

Tonight, we headed to Whole Foods after dinner at Kerbey Lane. We found this big rock pit by the parking lot and just let him run wild. This kid could not be happier than when he's surrounded by rocks and plants, just playing and building stuff. Total cost to play in a parking lot rock pit: $0. You can't beat that.

Later I set up a balance beam. I'm gonna work with him on it first starting on the ground and tomorrow probably raise it about 6 inches up. We are starting gymnastics early in order to train up a super athlete!!! He will be like a young Drago in Rocky IV.

Another way to expedite his development is to get him drinking some milk. This kid only will drink breast milk. If you put regular milk near his face he will get violent and hit it away. We've been disguising it with hersey's chocolate lately.

We call this Lolo milk, which according to my mom and dad is what I called it as a kid. Easier to say than chocolate I guess. He also calls bananas BaBa which is pretty cute.

Okay, here's a video of some gymnastics training tonight on the balance beam: Balance Video

And finally, an old pic:

Dos Problemas

Hmmm, I'll start this blog by highlighting two problems I'm facing.

Numero uno: My hair. This is my mohawk. There is not a drop of gel in it. Just some good old fashioned sweat after a good workout. I have a sister who is my official stylist and I need her to come visit me ASAP ASAP ASAP. Three ASAPs means thrice-style emergency.

Secondly: My living room has turned into downtown Beirut. I use the term 'downtown Beirut' to describe any scene of disaster and bedlam that involves a huge domestic mess. The worst is when I step on Connor's toys, which happens at least once a day. Bless Becca's heart, the girl works so hard to pick up, but the kid is a machine. He will tear up a room in two minutes flat.

We have the next two days off together. I'm thrilled. No huge plans, just hang out time with the family. 

I'm so thankful for simple things such as that. 

Socks in My Yogurt, My Crazy Wife

   Today was my Thursday but it feels like a Friday but it's actually Sunday. I am completely lost in time with my new work schedule and I actually love it. I feel like everyday is just a fun day. There's no long week just waiting for the weekend. It boils down to lots of play time with little wolf and Becca...

**

  It's getting harder and harder to get this kid in his PJs before bed. Tonight I was trying to get his robot PJs on him and he kicks and laughs and rolls and ducks and flips all over while giggling. He loves watching me struggle to dress him for bed. I love that he loves watching me struggle... 

  You know what else is getting harder??!! Finding some peace and quiet to eat my yogurt and watch History Channel. At 1130 Connor was about to head off for bed and I, for the first time today, sat down to watch some History Channel before bed and eat some Greek yogurt. Becca came in holding a pair of my socks that I left in the living room. 

Now she had warned me several times to not leave them in the living room. Now our living room looks like an atomic bomb went off in a toy factory. A measly, stray pair of socks in there is the least of my concern. Anyway, Becca said, "I should hurl these at you for leaving them in there again!" 

I said, "Go ahead," thinking she wouldn't do that. 

Well she did, and they landed right in my yogurt. She can't shoot a basket to save her life but she's a bulls eye with a pair of ankle socks. Well, that's my life I guess. And I mean that in a good way. 

Oh yeah, Connor is a S-T-U-D!!!

Saturday

I think every parent fantasizes about what they'd do with a whole might to themselves. Movies, Starbucks, the gym, etc etc. At least I do sometimes.

Tonight becca is visiting her parents in San Antonio (I had to work) and I'm home alone.

Turns out, there was no movie or Starbucks. I am actually just waiting for my family to get home! Hmmmmm.

Hanging With the Fam

I've been off the last couple days. We've had a great time just taking it easy. Lots of play time with Connor, fed the ducks, played indoor soccer with him, late breakfasts at Whole Foods, playgrounds, Catan, etc. It's been nice just hanging with him and Connor. We always find fun things to do!

Tonight Becca decided, at about 11pm, it's time to teach Connor some dance moves...

Craziness ensuded. See here:  Dance Party

Sleepy Time

We are up at 1am watching movies... And we have little bug with us, sound asleep.

Goodnight Sweet Prince

Connor seems to live in a perpetual state of fear that he might miss something. That means sleep. Of course, the only thing he misses is a) us sleeping b) us watching downtown abbey or c) us picking up his massive pile of toys in our destroyed living room that resembles DOWNTOWN BEIRUT, LEBANON! 

Anyway, today he just couldn't fight the fatigue much longer and this happened:

Sleepy Time Video

As Michael Caine said in Cider House Rules everynight to the orphans, "Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England."

Tell Me...

Why it's 1130pm, wild child is wide awake, and becca was just trying to teach him to pee in the sink???

This is crazy but I like it.

Dance Party

We've had a super busy weekend! Yesterday we went to a baby expo thing where there were kids activities and such. Connor got to ride a pony and try baby yoga. Then we had some super good Kerbey Lane, went to the bookstore, and then a wedding. Becca and Connor got a little wild if you can imagine that.

Connor spent the ENTIRE night trying to run on the dance floor and dance with people. He stole the show as usual!

Here is a video: Mommy and Connor Dancing

Today we headed to (the obligatory "where else" comment here) Whole Foods and then walked town lake. From there we headed home to meet up with an old friend and then out to eat at (again, where else) Jason's Deli. Connor's grandparents came by for a short visit, he ran around, built a car garage with a coke 12 pack holder, and called it a night.

Here are a ton of pics from the last few days. He's our little wolf!

B - BALL

Connor had a wild day. He stabbed a stranger in the butt with a fork, bought a taser with mommy, went to hear some jazz music with dinner, and, oh yeah, DID THE MOST AWESOME THING I'VE EVER SEEN!!!

WATCH THIS!!!

Best Video Ever

I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW PROUD THIS MADE ME!!!!!!!!

Nipple Stars

"Why are there stars on my nipples?" Yes, this is what I yelled out at Becca tonight during dinner. I forgot what happened earlier.

Speaking of earlier, that reminds me the other thing I yelled out: "Why are there stars on Connor's nipples?"

It turns out that today Becca taught Connor to put star stickers on his nipples and run around naked. Then Connor put stickers on my nipples. I forgot, saw them about two hours later, and almost freaked out.

As I'm writing this I'm thinking two things:

1) This is really not that strange considering all the silly stuff we do...

2) This is awesome! I'm glad I have a crazy wife and child!

Bunny

Well Connor and Becca officially have bronchitis so I'll stay home tomorrow to help out, especially since she still has to nanny. 

Here are a few pictures from Saturday at the Farmers Market downtown. I think we're gonna head there this weekend again and keep going before it gets too hot this summer. There's always music, good food, and apparently, Easter bunny pictures! 

The bottom picture is my brothers, who are enormous six foot plus 14 year olds. They are great Uncles for Connor to grow up with!

Last Few Days, Baby Numero Dos

Another few days have passed since my last post. Connor and Co is MEANT to be a daily blog but my family was in town for a three day weekend. We had a great time with them… ate at Curras, played Catan, went to the farmer’s market, played golf, built a fence, did some plumbing work, boxed, and went to Belton. Oh, and watched some Downton Abbey.

Connor has been feeling sick these last few days. It seems like he got a cold/runny nose like seven weeks ago and it won’t go away. We have tried hippy stuff like oils, spices, honey, and traditional stuff like Doctor and Doctor’s offices filled with germs. Neither has helped too much. Anyway, we’re at a bit of a loss in regards to getting this kiddo better.

Last night Becca took Connor to the doctor. She was in the office and held a Kleenex up to his nose and said “blow.” The doctor said, “That’s a little too advanced mommy”, thinking Connor couldn’t do it. Man, Connor has been doing that for months! Clearly they need to get out his chart and write in big letters AD-VANCED!

Yesterday we went to our first appointment at the birthing center for baby numero dos. It was so nice to go back. It feels like a second home and the midwives/nurses all remember us and are so cool. I love Austin Birthing Center!

We had our first appointment to get the ultrasound at a regular ob/gyn. The wait was long, the people were scary, and it was no fun. At the birthing center, you walk in, grab a cup of coffee, chill out in the living room area, have a snack… it’s great! I really think Becca will have success with this baby. The odds of the second birth requiring a hospital trip is 1 in 300. Her body knows what to do this time and she’ll do great. Of course, she did great last time as well.

Becca and I have a lot of emotions about this new baby. Mostly we are excited and thrilled, a little nervous, a little bit of lots of other things. Connor will be a great big brother and it will definitely open up yet another chapter of our lives.

In eight months our family might look something like this, with adjusted ages of course!

Where the Wild Things Are

Yesterday we went to the zoo. I was struck by many uncandid similarities between the animals and Connor. The monkeys seemed to jump and run with no discernable pattern, acting wild and silly. Much like Connor at night around 10pm or so.

The pigs splashed in the mud and had no concept of cleanliness. This is Connor when he eats. Each and every meal.

The lion seemed to roar whenever something did not please him. Just like Connor screaming out when he wants to watch Baby Einstein.

After the zoo we headed out for a late lunch. It was a great Austin day where we just randomly decided everything we were going to do.

Today little wolfie got sick. His temp hovered around 103, flirting with a too high 104 which would mean a trip to the ER. I think this family has a one ER weekly trip maximum. He knew we had already reached it this week, gulped down dose after does of tylenol, and is doing a little better. Should pull through by tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I actually have to go to work. It's been like five days since I've been. After I work tomorrow and Friday, it's a three day weekend and my parents and brothers are coming to stay with us. It will be great for them to see Connor. It really seems that in the last week or two he has grown up so much. Usually it's gradual, but something clicked or changed last week.

It's such a joy to watch.

Room to Breathe

Where has the blog been? Seems like it’s been forever, but I guess it’s just been a few days. Turns out I fell on hard times on Thursday when I was poisoned by some evil shrimp at an evil restaurant. So one $150 ER co-pay, a ton of gatorade, and 48 hours of gastro upheaval later, I’m ready to write another blog.

A lot has happened in the last couple days other than my illness. On Wednesday Connor’s great-grandmother Norma passed away. Connor got to visit her on several occasions and spend some quality time with her. Most recently the whole family was able to visit her in Fort Worth about five weeks ago. Connor fell asleep towards the end of our visit and we laid him in her lap and he slept there for a while. We got to give Mamaw hugs and kisses and knew that it would be the last time we saw her. She was the sweetest lady with a wonderful smile and beautiful hair who thought the world of Connor. She always assumed the best about everyone.  There are definitely some traits that Connor and her share. We will always have good stories, especially Becca, to tell Connor about her as he grows up. We will always cherish our memories of Mamaw.

Becca went up to Fort Worth on Friday night with Connor and her parents. Saturday morning our wild child decided that the end of a plugged in iphone charger looked like a good breakfast treat. He put the live wire in his mouth, electrocuted himself, and flew off the bed. I can hardly suppress a smile, much less a laugh, as I type this, because I know it’s something that only Connor would do. Anyway, there were some obligatory tears but he cheered up and bounced back like a champ. It actually makes me sort of proud.

Now he’s been skydiving, kayaking, skateboarding, hiking, riding on a motorcycle, and electrocuted.

Becca came home late last night. We stayed up talking at about 11pm and Connor was so happy to be out of the car and back home. He was literally running in circles laughing and dancing. I thought I knew how much I loved him before they left but now I know it’s even more after being away for two days.

Other than that, life should be getting back on track tomorrow. I’m almost over my stomach bug and Becca was able to spend today recovering from the emotionally/physically taxing weekend. Oh yeah, AND MY KANSAS JAYHAWKS BEAT UNC TONIGHT! Rock – Chalk Jayhawk!!

It looks to be a good week. Tomorrow our old friend from Germany is visiting us, Tue and Wed I’m off, work Thu and Fri, and Friday night my parents and brothers arrive from Ohio for their spring break. Anyway, it’s been a long few days but I feel good and I think we’ve all made it through in one piece, thank the Lord!

 

So, here's a video and a bunch of pictures:

video: Connor Laughing Video


pictures:
Me and little guy....

laughing with mommy....

 

 

 

The hair continues to grow...

 

My team won again tonight!!! Go Kansas, number one seed!!!

St. Patty's Day

Those are some pictures from yesterday. We had a great St. Patrick's Day. As usual, we went to see Ed Miller perform. We even got a picture and talked with him before the show. He's a great singer-songwriter from Scotland.

Later that night Connor and his little buddy had bath time together. They are becoming good friends lately.

Then we took a picture to see who had the bluest eyes. I think I would have won if not for my brown spot!

**

We have a farm behind our house. Here's a video of Connor meeting the donkeys the other night... What a stud!

Video Here

Big Day

Today Connor got to attend his first kickball tournament. It was such a long day... I ended up playing seven games! Connor was a big hit, big surprise.

We headed home and Aunt Anna came over for board games. We've been playing Life for the last hour. Whatever happened to Catan??

Anyway, it's been a busy day and we are looking forward to a children's hippy show in the morning and then off to the pub for Irish music!!

Not sure if I've posted this video yet... Anyway, here it is:

Spin Spin Spin

Smooches Galore

Tonight we headed out to have dinner, hear some live music, and play at the toy store. We had a blast. Connor was SOOOO happy all day/night long. He was handing kisses out like candy on Halloween. I got about 50 smooches. He really would not stop kissing me and Becca!!

Here's a picture at dinner...

Here's another picture at dinner...

And if you're wondering why I have my hand in a cup of ice water, then watch this video of me splashing our baby with water. And we wonder why he's so wild... 

Tonight's Video at Dinner

Just watching the bachelor finale with becca... Looking through recent pics of Connor bear. Man I love this little guy!