Hi world!!

I mean, where do I even start? The plan was all along to blog for the first year of Ireland's life to make things fair since we also documented Connor's first year. But then the baby girl entered our world and wow! The beautiful baby girl and wild two year old have given us a run for our money. And we are OK with that.

But here's to some more stories of the fam. First things first: need to update the name of the blog! Not all about Connor anymore! (But don't tell him that!)

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."