Outing at the mall

We went to the mall one day to kill some time and decided to call up my friend Madelyn to come play since she lives nearby. We played there for more than an hour before our parents finally made us leave. We were not deterred by the big kids running us over nor the steep climbs or slippery slides. We even had a friendly kiss! I'm sure we'll be back there again soon!

Happy 4th of July!!

It was a very busy Independence Day weekend. We traveled to Minnesota to visit Grandma and Grandpa...and we got to see Leah and Andy and Laura a whole bunch too! Daddy and I went ahead so Daddy could pick out the new minivan I get to ride in now!! I have so much more room to spread out in back and the ride is so comfortable. My parents argue over who gets to drive it. Mommy came up later on a bus since she had to work.

On July 4th, we had an outdoor barbecue at Grandma's house with yard games and great food. Grandma even put up a swimming pool for me and my second cousin Katelyn. We got to see Alexa and were so happy to see that she is feeling better!!

We watched the fireworks from a hill in town to avoid the traffic, then came home to an encore with the neighbors in Grandma and Grandpa's cul-de-sac. I liked to watch the faraway ones, but the noise of the "screamers" up close put me over the edge since I was so tired, and I didn't want to see anymore!

Then I hung out with Grandma while everyone else went golfing the next day! That night we went to Ang and Heath's house to have some of Heath's excellent cooking and play more yard games with them, Missy, and Roger and Judy. It was great fun. Of course, I stayed up the whole time!!!

On Sunday, we went to the lake on Leah and Andy's boat. The wind and noise and speed scared me at first, but only for a second. After that, I loved it. I even got into the water. It felt cold at first, but then the rocking waves almost lulled me to sleep. A few runs around the lake while Aunt Laura was tubing and I was down for the count. Thanks for the fun outing Leah and Andy!!

Some of Conor's favorite things!

Conor loves to read!!!

And he loves to be outside!

home alone

Conor and Daddy are in Minnesota right now to get a head start on the July 4th holiday weekend while I work a couple more days and hold the fort down around here. I will be heading up there later on, but in the meantime, I am trying to keep myself busy. I am trying to remind myself to enjoy these rare moments of peace and quiet, of eating what I want when I want, and of the fact that when I clean a room and leave it...it actually stays that way. I must admit, I really do miss my boys, but hey...gotta look on the bright side right??

Happy Father's Day

Conor is learning all kinds of new "tricks". Sometimes we feel like he is a circus animal because we are always trying to get him to "perform" for us. We actually caught "so big" on camera! He is now standing and climbing up the stairs on his own. He has figured out "high 5" and waves hello and goodbye! Oh yeah, and a third tooth has popped through (a top one now, something new).


Conor's first father's day weekend was...in a word...exhausting.
It started with a trip to Rockford on Saturday to meet Laura and Mom (who was visiting Laura in Madison). We spent the afternoon having lunch, then walking around the mall. Naturally Grandma spoiled Conor with some cherry slushee and a new pair of shorts. In the meantime, Daddy got to have a little break and spent some time golfing with friends.


Then on Sunday, we spent the day at the White Sox game. Despite rain all week and threats of scattered thunderstorms, the rain held off during the game. The Sox lost but we had a great time. The seats were awesome and Conor even got a game-hit ball.

We sat in the front row beneath the left field foul pole, just next to the White Sox bullpen. We made conversation throughout the game with the season ticketholders next to us, so when a ground-rule double bounced into left field then into the bullpen, our "neighbors" spoke to one of the pitchers in the bullpen, telling him it was Conor's first game and asking if he could have the ball...so next thing we know, Conor has an official game ball...see how he carefully holds it with 2 hands!! :)


I promise, I only wear the White Sox jersey if they are not playing the Twins. I don't get to watch many Twins games here, so I need a local team to cheer for (I know they are rivals, but hey, what can I say?)


We went to dinner after the game. Conor sure does love his daddy...who takes such good care of him.

Countdown to 10 Months (less than a week away)

Hard to believe Conor has blessed us outside the womb, longer than he was ever in it. Time sure does fly. And babies sure do grow up fast. We are at a very fun stage where he is changing and developing and seems to be learning something new every day.

Conor loves to stand up and cruise along the furniture. When he's not doing that, he is crawling everywhere and has figured out how to get through the smallest openings to get to the places he's not supposed to be (like squeezing between a 6-inch-wide space between the couch and chair to get to the dining room where he likes to pull up on the chairs and barstools which are not bolted to the floor, of course). He is just starting to get brave enough to let go and stand on his own, if only for a second. He also loves to clap and give "5", although we're still working on a "high 5"...he's close (Aunt Laura started teaching him when she was here last). He is clapping a lot and is very good at showing you he's "sooooo big" (by raising his arms up over his head). He loves to be outside and loves to eat...he has quite an appetite and we've yet to find a food he doesn't like. Enjoy a few more of Conor's smiles to get you through another week!

Memorial Day Weekend

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Laura came to visit over Memorial Day weekend and helped out a lot around the house...put in a new water softener, painted the kitchen, and babysat so Mom and Dad could go out on a date. I'm not sure who put who to sleep here! :)


Loving the warm weather so we can be outside again. We try to take walks and go to the park and play in the grass as much as we can.


I am getting better and better at taking naps and sleeping at night. If only I wasn't such an early bird on Saturday mornings, Mom and Dad would like to sleep in past 6 once in a while!


Full of smiles and giggles!!