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. :)