Merry Christmas!

What an exciting time of the year! It has been even more fun to have Connor around this year to share in all the excitement and to start new traditions as a family. One of those traditions that we started was baking a cake to remind us why we celebrate this special day each year. I wanted to go ahead and start this year, even though Connor doesn't understand yet. I knew it would be fun!

Ready to bake a cake!

Helping mommy read the directions.
Still checking out that box.
Pouring everything in the bowl.
Connor trying to take a closer look. He was very interested in helping bake this cake!

He loved the mixer!

Wishing he could get just a little closer!

Yay! It's ready to bake!

After church we spread the frosting.

Helping Mommy knead the icing.

Finished product! We never could get Connor to look at the camera because he was so intent on getting a handful of that cake!

"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth"

Luke 1:14

More pictures coming soon from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas!!

Who knew shopping could be so much fun?

Shopping Cart Adventure

Thursday was a big day in the life of Connor Hayden. During our weekly trip to the grocery store Connor made his first appearance sitting in the cart. The smile on his face sums up how he felt about the ride!

When I have to go to the store I usually wait until Cole or my mom can watch him because it is almost impossible to shop with him in the Baby Bojourn. I don't know who was happier about this new accomplishment... me or Connor? :)

When we got back to Mimi's house Connor got to practice his sitting up some more while looking at his new toys.

Peek-a-Boo

If you are around Connor for more than a few minutes you will quickly learn that he loves playing peek-a-boo! For the past few months this game is always a sure bet for some smiles and laughs. The older he gets the more he loves it. He has now figured out how to hide his own face to play.

While my mom and I were cooking in the kitchen today Connor ripped off his bib and used it to play peek-a-boo.

We gave him a towel so he could cover his whole face, but he soon lost interest. He decided playing with his seat belt and foot looked like more fun.

I Wish I Could Crawl!

Here is a video I took last night to show you how much Connor wishes he could crawl. Right now he has figured out how to get where he wants by rolling, turning, and twisting. The past few days he started trying to move himself forward more and it has been so much fun to watch. It is amazing to see how much they change everyday!

Kathryn Elizabeth Mitchell

On Friday morning (12/12/08) at 7:20 Kathryn Elizabeth Mitchell was born. She weighed 8lbs 12oz and was 21 inches long. She is absolutely precious!!! :) Cole and I are so excited to have a new niece and Connor already loves his cousin so much! David, Amy, and Kathryn are all doing great!

Kathryn with her proud mom and dad. What a sweet family!

When we first arrived at the hospital Kate was in the nursery. The nurses had just finished taking her foot prints in this picture.
Cole and Connor taking a closer look at baby Kathryn.
Connor with his Poppa and Nana (and Kathryn in the background) :)

Amy and Cole with the babies.

They were able to all go home on Sunday and are enjoying being home with their sweet new baby girl. Here is the latest picture with have of Kathryn that Amy sent us this afternoon wearing an outfit we gave her. Isn't she adorable?!? It is amazing how fast they change.

We love you baby Kathryn and can't wait to see you again soon!

Books, Books, and More Books!

Connor's recent new discovery is that he can empty out the toy basket and choose the toys that he wants to play with. He loves the freedom to decide what he wants to do and when. He has a few toys that he always stops to play with as he takes them out of the basket, but his favorite thing to look at are his books! He loves turning the pages and looking at all the pictures. Playing on his tummy has never been so fun!

I took this video today of him "reading" one of his books. He is becoming very vocal and has a lot to say! :)

Happy 6 Months Connor!

I am 6 months old!

Can you believe that Connor is already 1/2 a year old? :) Today we went for his 6 month shots. He did great! As soon as he felt the first shot he cried, but when it was over I picked him up and he immediately stopped crying and gave the nurse a huge smile! I don't think the nurse had ever seen someone get over it so quickly! :) Connor was 28 inches and weighed 22lbs and 11oz. He is still off the charts!

Here are some things Connor can do now:

-Roll from one side of the room to the other

-Sleep on his tummy

-Enjoys playing on his tummy more

-Getting a lot stronger

-Can grab toys from basket to play with

-Loves to eat! (Especially oatmeal)

-Loves to smile!

-Drink water out of a sippy cup

-Sit up with very little support

-Learning to reach when he wants to be held

-Talks/babbles all the time

-Recognizes his name

-Still loves peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake

On another note:

Last night we had the chance to go have dinner with our good friends Lee and Sally Armstrong. We met up with them at Duke's in Georgetown for some great Bar-b-que. Connor loved getting to see them as much as we did!

Connor with his buddy Lee.
He couldn't stop smiling at Sally.
All the boys together again! :)

More Peas Please!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have been very busy lately and have not had much time to update. We had a great holiday weekend with family and loved celebrating Thanksgiving with Connor. We all have a lot to be thankful for!

Connor has recently become so interested in what Cole and I eat and definitely knows what goes on when we all sit down at the table. I think he sometimes wishes we would just make an extra plate for him! He had been doing so well with oatmeal we decided to try some baby food. I started with green beans. As soon as he tasted them his face looked like he had just tasted the most horrible thing in the world, but for some reason he kept opening his mouth for more. I don't know if he was trying to like it or this boy just likes to eat! :) We will give them another try later on. So far he has tried green beans, peas, carrots, and squash. Oatmeal and peas are definitely his favorite, but he also likes the carrots and squash too. We are going to try some sweet potatoes next.

This little boy is the happiest baby you will ever see. It is so easy to get a picture of him smiling now because he does it all day long! :)

Here he is being so sweet and still trying to like the green beans.

We have loved getting in the holiday spirit at our house so I will leave you with a little early Christmas gift. :)

A Few Updates

I thought I would start off with one of Connor's sweet smiles that can turn any day into a great day! :)

Connor has mastered rolling over to his stomach and decided that it is much more comfortable to sleep that way. Every time I put him on his back he immediately rolls over. He has been sleeping even better than before, so Mommy and Connor are both very happy!
Well, from my previous posts you can tell that Connor is not a fan of rice cereal. After many tries we were still unsuccessful. However, we moved on to oatmeal and he loved it! I can't wait to try vegetables and fruits next!
I tried to take a video to show you how quick Connor is at rolling over. He usually takes a few breaks to chew on his fingers. :) He is still working on that tooth that has barely made its way through the gum.

This is a short video I took this morning after he had his oatmeal. I love all of his different facial expressions! He keeps looking at the empty bowl of oatmeal and I think he was wishing he had some more!

P.S.- We already have the Christmas pajamas out because they are some of the only ones that fit! Connor is in between size 12 month and 18 month in his pajamas!!!

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Last night we had a great time celebrating my mom's birthday (a day early). Today is her actual birthday, but she is off to Houston for a fun girls weekend to celebrate some more. We had a great dinner at Pei Wei and then went back to her house for cake and gifts. We are all so thankful to have this wonderful woman in our lives and loved being able to celebrate her!

Connor is very lucky to have such a wonderful Mimi and loves every minute he gets to spend with her.
Happy Birthday Mom! We love you!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Today was another first for Connor when he met Santa at the mall. It may seem like Christmas is far away, but it is really right around the corner. We decided that it was better to take our picture now then wait in a long line later. Santa was so nice and Connor didn't seem to mind him at all. Santa loved Connor and even wanted us to come show him the picture once it printed.

The mall also had a fun train ride for kids. Connor loved to watch his friend Caroline ride the train and ring the bell. Maybe next year Connor!

Connor had a full day of shopping after meeting Santa, but was such a trooper through it all. Here is our little "dear" helping us get into the Christmas spirit.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Happy 5 Months Connor!

I am 5 months old!

What I can do now that I am 5 months old:

-Make lots of new noises!

-Love to play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake

-Laugh out loud

-Hold my toys and move them where I want them to go

-Sit up with very little support

-Move around in my crib by rocking, twisting, and rolling

-Hold my feet

-Focus and closely observe new situations

-Eat cereal (or at least try it!) :)

Connor's personality is starting to shine through and he has been so much fun to watch. Some days he just loves to sit and take everything in and others he can't sit still and babbles all day! He also is becoming a lot more independent. Sometimes he would rather just be left alone to play or lay down than for me to hold him. He even sometimes gets upset with me for taking him out of the exercauser. :) Cole and I are thankful yet again for another happy and healthy month.

Here are a few new pictures of Connor that Rachel took this weekend. She did such an amazing job that I will have to make another post later with some of my favorites.

I was so glad to get some pictures of the 3 of us.
What a cutie!

Here are a few pictures from when we let Connor try cereal. Let's just say he is not the biggest fan of using a spoon and cereal yet.

Very excited about being in his chair.

Not so excited about his first bite of cereal.

Trying again...

Still not sure what to think.

Here is a video of Connor trying his first cereal.

Happy Halloween!

We had a great day today celebrating Connor's first Halloween. Our "little bear" was the cutest thing you have ever seen! There are tons of pictures in this post (for several of you who requested) and it was just too hard to choose!

We first put his costume on while Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rachel came to visit. Look at that cute grin!

Big boy sitting in Daddy's chair
He wasn't quite sure what to think about his costume.

After we took TONS of pictures at home we headed up to church for the Fall Fest. I LOVE this face!

Daddy and Connor

(Notice his really cute pumpkin bag that Mimi got him)

After church we headed to our neighborhood park for another Halloween party. They even had a costume contest that Connor took part in. Here is a picture of Connor on the stage showing off. (I love the paci with the costume. My little baby bear!)

And the winner is... CONNOR! YAY!! He won a $50 gift card to Babies R US for looking so cute!

By the time we got to our drive way Connor was already fast asleep.

While he took his last bottle of the day, Minnie Mouse came for a visit. How darling is she?

Finally, everyone got their pajamas on and were ready for bed.

Cole and I are so thankful to share this fun times together with Connor. We love making new memories together as a family. We are so blessed and thank God for such a sweet baby boy.

One more thing... Here is a cute short video that I took of him with his costume. Sorry it is sideways, but I couldn't figure out how to turn it around. :)