NaNa and Grandaddys

We are again at NaNa and Grandaddy's house. Here for Christmas. You are learning valuable lessons in sharing and NOT hitting. Timeouts have been your Moms best friend lately. When you want something, you throw a fit until you get it. However, usually you end up in timeout because you can't have whet you want. I don't believe in spanking this at your young age. You don't understand why mom can hit but you can't. So time out works great for you.

Baby Jonah and Emma have been coming over every day, so you have learned to share with Emma and to 'be sweet' to Jonah. It is going pretty good!

Love you sweet boy!
Mommy

Its coming on Christmas

We have been having so much fun this Christmas season! You are in love with the tree and the lights and ornaments. Actually you have opened Carolyn's gift multiple times. It is pretty funny!

We have also been watching too much TV. But with 10 degree weather we haven't had much choice! You love when I say 'lets watch a movie'. You always say 'mooie, mooie'. Too cute pumpkin! I love you!

Planes and Trains

You currently have an obsession with Trains and Planes. We knew about the trains, because we have been watching a reading Thomas the Train every day now for about two weeks. You just cannot get enough.

But the planes... that was a discovery we made this past Sunday. We frequent the Jeffco Airport (now called Rocky Mountain Airport) fairly often, but this past Sunday we went for brunch and I have never seen you that excited about a plane. There was an older Lear 35 Jet on the runway and you FELL IN LOVE. I think your exact words were "my pane, my pane". Your daddy couldn't have been more proud of your love of planes that day. He is obsessed with planes to say the least. I hope you get to fly with him MANY times in your days.

We then went to eat and sat you by the window so you could see the planes taking off and landing. You were amazed!!! Everyone in the restaurant thought you were just SO cute talking about the planes. Your dad and I were saying "ssshhhh, use your inside voice" but deep down we were loving it and loving your pure, I don't care who is watching or what they are saying, excitement over something you love.

Don't ever lose that! Keep your excitement regardless of who is watching. And I will always be watching and cheering with you!
Mommy

Words and Wisdom

Hi my baby son! You have just turned 17 months old,  and going on 17 years old. Wow, I never thought I would say this, well this soon anyway, but you are so much like me. You hate being told what to do, but you look for my "gentle" guidance. You fight, fuss, and down right get mean when I am trying to make you do something you don't want to do, but if I give you a little space and talk about it, you tend to give in like it was your idea. Sorry kiddo you are just like your Mom.

And you are talking up a storm. I love it! Your little brain is expanding every day. Right now everything is "No". Even when you mean Yes. Do you want a cookie: No. Do you want to go outside and play: No. Do you want a kiss: No. And it is funny how you say it. You say No, like you are asking me a question. When you really mean "no", you say it with force. I think it is funny, but I am trying hard not to laugh.

So those bull headed moments I mentioned above... have driven me to the books. I have yet to read a book on how to raise you. I figured I could just wing it. KIDDING! I just felt like, Until now, you and I have figured things out. Now, I need advice. These parents today think, that they will just know what to do with their children. But I have learned there is no harm in asking someone who has been through it. And by "it", I mean the Toddler years. There is a reason they say, It takes a village to raise a kid. The hard part about asking for advice is that everyone is full of it and they think their way is the only way because it worked for their kid. Well, I think, you take it file it away, if you need it then bring it out and see if it works. If not, move on. You are not like any other kid on this planet and I am not like any other mother. So together we will figure out what works for us. And certainly you will do this when you have kiddos. What advice I give you then, may or may not work. But keep it tucked away and discard when needed. Don't take all advice seriously, but I know that you like gentle guidance (well at least so far you do), so just love your kids to death and you will figure out your relationship and pattern AND keep your santity along the way.

I love you more than words (or advice)!

Mommy

Your first stomach bug

Well, I am not sure what it was. It may not have been a true stomach bug, but you were certainly sick and it certainly broke my heart. I have only felt helpless in a few situations, more when you are hurt or sick, but this was the worst. You have never thrown up before and you didn't even really know how to throw up. I couldn't do anything to help you, but hold you and all of your thrown up on clothes. Spoiled milk is not the best smell.

I always wondered how I would handle sickness with you. Would I throw up to? Would my mommy instincts kick in and I would become super mom? But it wasn't either of those. My compassion gene kicked in and I was able to hold in my supper and hold you at the same time. I was quite proud of myself.

You are feeling much better today. I just hope you sleep through the night. We both could use it!!

I love you!
Mommy

Biscuit Books

You have a set a books that I am constantly buying for you. They are a story about a yellow puppy that looks like a golden retriever, named Biscuit. I just know that one day we will be buying you a "Biscuit".

I love your books. They are just short enough to hold your attention, but are filled with all good things. My favorite one is "Where is Love Biscuit" and it is all about all the ways you are loved or love it shown to you.

The funny thing is you don't really like Biscuit when he says "woof woof". You repeat Puddles, Biscuits friend, when he says "Bow Wow". You are so funny with your mouth when you say it.

We read every night 3 or 4 books and you know that it is time for bed. I tuck you in and say night night. You have just started saying night night back to me and my heart just melts away when you do. You are growing up so fast and I love watching you learn and explore. A part of me misses my baby boy and when we would rock you to sleep at night, but I love all of the new things you are doing to show ME love.

I love you sweet boy!
Night Night,
Mommy

Jonah is Here!!

Connor,
You have a new cousin this week. TiTi, as you call her now, and Uncle Wesley just had baby Jonah. He was born on October 19th at 5:30pm. You were at the hospital when he was born. It was so exciting to see my sister have a baby. It made me miss the times when you were so little. I just loved kissing your sweet cheeks and you slept ALL the time. Which just meant that I got to hold you while you were sleeping. I loved every minute of it. And I still love every minute of it. You are waking up from a nap right now and I can hear you over the monitor. You are back there talking to yourself and practicing saying "Mama". You are probably starving. You fell asleep on our way home from Target and I was able to get you out of the car and into the bed, but it was right during lunch. I decided to let you sleep anyway.

You don't care much for baby Jonah just yet. You aren't real sure why he is so small. I tried to get you to give him a kiss yesterday, but you were having none of it. You give the best kisses right now. And if you give out one, you go around the room and give them to all of us. Its the best and so sweet. Maybe in a day or two you will warm up to Jonah and want to see him. I sure hope so, because I hope to have you a little brother or sister or some point.

I love you bugger!
Mommy

ps. Halloween is next week and you and Emma are going to be Mickey and Minnie Mouse! I can't wait.

A 24 Hour Drive

I have been fussing at your dad ever since you were born about not taking long road trips for fear of how you would do in the car. However, we just got to NaNa's and it took us 2 days to get here and you DID GREAT! We did have a few meltdowns, but it wasn't anything like I expected. I thought we were going to lose our minds, all of us, but I think we all survived very well. Even Abby took the trip with us and did good.

I guess now we will have to take more road trips with you, I don't have any more excuses.

We came to Jackson this trip for the birth of your cousin, Jonah. He is due any day now and we can't wait. You and Emma did really well together last night. Again, you did not want to go to bed. You never want to go to bed at NaNa and Granddaddy's. You LOVE to stay up late and keep playing, but in a few days you will hit meltdown and get a cold. So, as much as you are cussing me for putting you down for a nap, I love you and am doing it for your own good.

You are so cute with Emma these days too. She loves to feed you when you guys are eating and you love to take her food from her. Also, you have started giving closed mouth kisses, like real kisses and not just an open mouth with a tongue sticking out. HA. I love it!!

Hopefully I will a post about Jonah soon. I can't wait to see you give him kisses and how you react. It will give me an indication about your dad and I having you a little brother or sister (I know, yuck!)

XOXO,
Mommy

Simple Living

If one day you ask me why we don't have very much stuff and I am always making you donate your toys and clothes...look back to today. Today I had to clean out Mammaws apartment because she is moving from her apartment to an assisted living facility. After the amount of "stuff" we threw away that she can't take with her to the facility I got to thinking about what we really need as a family. So If you are tired of my simplistic lifestyle at some point in your life, just be thankful you won't have a whole bunch of my crap to clean out when you put me in a home!

Love you!!!
Mommy

Will you ever go to bed??

Let me start by saying that I love you everyday!!! But somedays I am ready for you to go to bed! Like yesterday. We went out to eat and you REFUSED to sit in a highchair and wanted to follow the waitress into the kitchen. Not sure if you were after food or her??!

Then when we got home and dad was giving you a bath you had the biggest poop ever right there in the tub! We actually thought itnmwas funny because it was so big. Not sure how that came out of such a little guy. Of course younlaughed because we were laughing.

And last but not least, dad was trying to get your pjs on and you peed in the floor. Needless to say, I was ready for you to go to bed!

I still love you!
Xoxo
Mommy

Bye Bye Binkie!

Well, what I thought would be one of the hardest things to do has been going pretty smoothly. We have finally gotten rid of your paci. It has been 24 hours and I think you are doing great. I waited until your dad was out of town, because one whimper out of you and he is sticking that thing in your mouth. I can't wait to see how he deals with all of your screaming (in a good way) and bad moods (in a bad way). I think he was more addicted to your paci's than you were.

I was prepared for an all nighter or no naps, but as it turns out you like sleeping more than you like your paci's. That is good news. The only issue we have had is in the car. You are used to getting them on any of our car rides and threw a fit yesterday. I am pretty sure you were cussing me in baby language. I think it is because you are used to having them in the car and there is nothing else to take your mind off of it. You will get it though.

I love you and am so proud of you!!

XOXO
Mommy

I can already see where this is heading...

Today we came home from our time share in Granby. Dad was unloading the car and in true Connor fashion you were determined to help. The only problem with that was that Dad was in the street unloading. You are only 15 months old and I know don't understand why Mommy would not let you out into the street. You threw the biggest fit and looked at me like I was the worse Mommy ever. Of course, as I tried to lead you back to the house on the sidewalk, you were determined to get past me and into the street. Needless-to-say there were some tears and little boy who was drug back to the house...crying.

I know this is just the beginning of me saying "no" to something that will hurt you, but you not understanding it until you try it for yourself. However, in this case, I was NOT letting you get hit by a car and I am sure there are more instances where Mom's No will be the "end of the world".

I love you pumpkin!!!
Mommy

Letters to Connor

Hey my baby! I started this blog a LONG time ago, before you were born and before your dad and I got married. I wanted to use it for the family back in Mississippi to keep up with us and what was going on in our lives. However,  I have now decided that I would rather write letters to you for you to one day read. So the first 50 posts on this site are from your Mom and Dad's past. Going forward it is all about you! Maybe one day I will even share this with your Dad so he can write too.

I love you with all of my heart!!!
XOXO,
Mommy

ps. You are 15 months and 2 days old and are currently sleeping upstairs at our condo in Granby. We are up for the week. You and I are staying the whole week and Dad is staying until Tuesday and then has to work in D.C.

Mother's Day

I hope everyone's Mother's Day was as wonderful as mine. Not that we did anything out of the ordinary or super special, but I think having a low key 'do whatever you want' Mother's day was the best route. By the way, I have a ton of pictures to upload from Easter and our anniversary in Aspen, but I couldn't decide where to start, so I thought I would start more recent and work backward.

What a great day...we started out going to church. I had to put Connor in this new Jon Jon that his NaNa bought him while we were in Jackson. However, I didn't realize it was a little big until I obviously got it on him. Now for any of you that have tried to dress a 10 month old, big or not, if you get it on them they wear it. I was not about to change this baby's clothes after that ordeal. As you can tell from the picture above he was a little tired and ready for his nap.

After church we had a little cookout with Chef Joey, Master of the Green Egg. We had picked up Mammaw on our way home and we all hung out on the patio for a while. For those of you that are a part of the Slater clan and in our weight loss challenge, SHE BOUGHT ME A CAKE! And not just any old cake, a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake. How in the world am I supposed to lose weight with an ice cream cake! YIKES! I had a slice and it is resting nicely in the freezer.

After Joey took Ms Ann home we decided it was such a nice day that we would end it in City Park with a little picnic. Connor is not so sure about the grass. I sure hope he grows out of it. The only good thing about his grass phobia is that I can put him on a blanket and he isn't going to move off of it.

 'Don't mess with me, I am eating'

 Silly Boys!!!

 Not so sure about the grass

Last but not least - BIG SMILES!

Most of you have already heard the news that I am going to be a stay-at-home Mommy, so I hope to have more time to update you on pictures and such on the blog. It's amazing how time flies. Connor is already 10 1/2 months. 8 short days away from being 11 months old.

As always lots of love from,

The Kellums

9 Months

Well it has been a while since we posted and Connor is just moving right along, literaly!  He is now crawling, pulling up, and "couch surfing". Today he was playing on a stool that has his name in Blocks on it. He picked up the "O" in his name and just stood up and stood there for probably 30 seconds. I know walking is coming soon. I am just not sure I am ready.

With Spring & Summer coming we decided to get him and "outside toy". I am not ready for a walk behind toy on the concrete, so we opted for the walker style Jeep. He loves it.

Hanging with his BFF, Abby. Although she still isn't too sure of him.

Just a little Connor...

Beware, it's a lot of little man!!!!

7 Months and a Little Snow

My baby turned 7 Months old this week. I can hardly believe it and boy has things changed in the last month. Let's start with his stats from his 6 1/2 month check up. Can you say, 85% for height and weight. He was 20 1/2lbs and 28 inches long. And that noggin...well he takes after Cousin Emma. 96%!!

When we were in Jackson for Christmas, Connor started leaning to one side to reach something. A few 4 weeks later and he is trying to crawl. He can pretty much get anywhere he wants to go and is getting faster by the day. He has been "army crawling", but he is now getting up on his hands and knees and rocking back and forth. It's just a matter of days now and we won't be able to let him out of our sight. Did I mention he is into EVERYTHING. The true boy is coming out. He crawled into the laundry room and tried to pull up on the dryer while the door was open. One day I am sure I will find him IN the dryer.

Talking...really. He even cracks himself up now. He has learned how to get a reaction out of us. He will "fuss" and wait for us to look at him and then he smiles because it worked. He knows exactly who Abby is and is in love with her. If you say, "Where's Abby" he will look until he sees here and then smiles. He liked to try and pet her, but she is having nothing to do with him. He makes this noise actually an "Ooooooo", but the funny thing is I think he relates it to Abby. Abby doesn't always barks, she kind of howls and I think he is trying to copy her.

His little personality is coming out every day. I can't wait to see who this little guy is going to be.

So, in addition, it finally started snowing in Denver. New Year's was the first "real" snow we had and we couldn't wait to get Connor out in it. Here are some of our pics from the day.

Two Babies, One Christmas Photo

All their mommies wanted was one cute shot of the two of them. You take a one year old and a six month old and you have a whole lot of cute shots. Just see for yourself...if they would just stay still.

But first a little Connor Man kisses...

And here we go...

Even NaNa couldn't control them =)

More Christmas to come!