Wellness Checks

The boys went to the doctors yesterday for their 6 month and 3 yr checkup. I figure some will be interested in their stats....

Blake
Ht. 37 3/4 in.- 50%
Wt. 31 lbs - 50%

Grayson
Ht. 261/2 in. - 50%
Wt. 16lb 2 oz - 25%

The boys are growing well - Blake entertained the doctor while we were there. Surprise, surprise!!! I just need to get Grayson to enjoy cereal / baby food. He turns away, blocks you, and will keep his mouth sealed shut....He liked all these stuff for about a week and then decided that he had no use for it. It looks like I might be making our own version of baby food.....Who knew that a six month could be so hard to please when it comes to food. Blake loved his baby food - not cereal so much but he was happy to try most things.

No daddy!

Quick story - the other night Blake went to the gym with me while "G" stayed home with Billy. I was in class when I was called out for Blake because he "pooped" in his pull up. I was not a happy camper since I had him go before we left the house because I had a funny feeling that this would happen. So we get home and here is our conversation.

Me: Hey dad! Ask Blake why I was called out of class tonight?

Billy: Blake - did you poop in your pants?

Blake: No daddy, I pooped in my pull up.....

Long story short .... Blake knew exactly what he did and was going to prove it....
For all those who want to know - we are making good progress on the potty training....we went extreme and started wear big boy underwear....

The gift that keep on giving

So Grayson is finally feeling better from his RSV but now Blake is down for the count. We have had a fever, cough, and runny nose. All the good stuff, right? Billy has been fighting it off as well. Fortuntely I think Billy is winning this battle. How I have managed to stay healthy spending 24 hours a day with the boys and having them cough, sneeze, and snot all over me everyday is a mystery to me. A good mystery but a mystery to say the least....

So we have had 2 days of being in the house because of the weather but tonight I was finally able to get a good laugh at Billy's expense. So earlier today .... Blake found Billy's old man sleepers in our bathroom and was walking around them saying "papa's shoes". Papa (Billy's dad) has a pair just like them so it was cute that Blake put that all together. So after doing a few things in our bedroom - the boys and I headed downstairs to check on dinner....

Fast forward to bedtime.....we let Blake fall asleep in our bed since he didn't feel well. Billy was trying to be considerate and not turn on any lights since our little man was under the weather. For those who know our house - their are 3 steps that go down to our closests and bathroom from our bedroom. Billy was attempting to go the bathroom when I hear crashing and Billy starting to fall but he managed to catch himself.... I figured he just missed a step but when he turned on the light......he found "papa's shoes" on the steps left by Mr. Blake himself. I guess after a long day - I was tickled and still am laughing at Billy's expense of almost falling into our bathroom by his own shoes. I was laughing so hard about it that Billy couldn't even manage to be mad about it and laughed with me.

Sometimes it is the smallest things that bring the biggest laughter.....

I'll eat you!!!

So our little Grayson can be pretty full of it too these days. Grayson loves to give hugs and kisses all day long. But then he has this other side where he likes to squawk and grab hair, face, or anything that he can. Sometimes he is known for trying to get your nose. Our little one has a lot to say to his mom and dad and big brother Blake. Whenever Blake is within arms reach - then Grayson is all over him trying to grab whatever he can. Today was sweet because Blake decided to share his drink cup with Grayson. Luckily - Grayson doesn't know how to actually get anything out of his cup but would act like he was. Blake wanted him to take turns several times so nothing like passing more germs.... But here is a photo from tonight of Grayson giving his daddy an earful but then he gets distracted by the camera.

First Snow 2009

Finally we had our first snow of 2009. It didn't amount to much but it was enough to bundle up and go outside sledding for a little while. Grayson got to experience his first sledding adventure while Blake moved up to a bigger sled. Our backyard comes in handy once and awhile because it slopes downhill toward the house. The patio is a good stopping point. It was so sweet when we went to the front of the house, Blake decided that he was a big enough brother and would pull Grayson down the driveway and back up the driveway. Blake didn't take in account that Grayson would be a little heavier going back up so I had to give him a little help.

I love my "B"

Brianna and Blake racing cars down the driveway on the 23rd. We had some nicer weather so we were outside playing. Thanks B for always being able to fit on the kid toys. Blake really does love you....

Birthday party at school

With Blake going to preschool this year - he gets to have a special day and the parents take in a special treat for the whole class. So Blake doesn't typically like cupcakes, cake, cookies, etc. Strange as it is but it is true. We took 2 items in and he ate his rice krispy treat while everyone enjoyed the cupcakes and cookies. Oh well.... but I wanted to share his little man outfit that he wore that day to school.

Dive right in!

We gave Blake a ball pit for his birthday and he dove right in....Literally

Swimming Party

We had a swimming party for the 2nd year in a row for Blake's birthday. Blake loves to go swimming and it works out well for a party. This year was less stressful than last. The kids all swam before the party and then we had pizza and cupcakes. The kids were wore out for everyone so hopefully they all took good naps afterwards. We had the party at Claude Moore Rec Center which has a great indoor pool for all ages. There is a great area for the kids, a lazy river, whirlpool, and then a great big slide for adults. Blake has great friends and then they have great parents who all came to help us celebrate his special day. Claude Moore was great with having the room all set up and everything there as promised. It made it so nice to be able to enjoy the pool with Blake and all our friends and family.

Happy 3rd Birthday Blake

Warning - this blog might have some feelings in it..

So 3 years ago, our lives were changed forever with the birth of Andrew Blake Conner. Being a parent is everything and more than anyone ever described to us. Having children changed us and made us look at the world differently. It is hard to imagine that Blake is already 3 years old. The time has gone by so fast and he is changing every day. Blake is my sweet angel that took our lives by a whirlwind. We had a scary start on Jan 25th, 2006 and one we will never forget but are so thankful for the precious gift we were given. I honestly still get teary eyed when I think back to how scary it was when Blake was born and having him taken from us within seconds of being born. We are so thankful to have 2 beautiful boys now and we count our blessings because we are very fortunate people.

I can remember being asked by people about the amount of love that we felt for Blake. Billy and I also agreed that we love each other very much but it was a different love that we have for our children. It is truly not comparable because the love is very different.

Happy Birthday Blake - you truly have changed our lives and we thank you for it everyday. You have big green eyes (just like Billy's) , blonde hair, unforgettable laugh that tickles us all, a pot belly that is too adorable, and little skinny chicken legs that are fast as lightening.

Here are pictures of each year....

Hotel for Dogs

Blake has become a movie going kid with my parents. He went to see Hotel for Dogs and really enjoyed yet again. It is cute because when he see the previews on TV, he immediatly says doggies/mommom. He remembers each movie that he sees with them. It is always a nice break when he goes to the movies and they seem to enjoy taking them. It has become their thing to do. Billy and I are able to get a few things done around the house when Blake goes off for his dates. It is hard to keep track of everything that he has seen already.

So that was the good part of the day. Here is the downside to that day. I must say that I have a lot of patience with the boys and always have but that day my patience was a little thin for good reason. So we have been doing this potty training thing for a very long time. Blake does well as long as we remind him to go but he will never (I mean never) say that he needs to go. This story will probably be funny at some point but I was not laughing this afternoon at all. I have this funny feeling that Blake is not sleeping so I go to open his door and there is Blake getting ready to open the door. Fortunetly no picture for this moment.....

Blake is naked and is holding poop in his hand. He had pooped in his bed and then decided to bring it to me. Thank god the bathroom is right by his room. So needless to say - he had a bath and everything in his bed had to be washed. All Blake kept saying was that "he pooped in his bed". So I am sure he was glad that after his nap that he was going to the movies and could forgot about the earlier incident.

I would like to say that our kids are wonderful and sweet but they are kids so we have many of those kid moments. Hahahahaha.

Yesterday was a long day

We started out with Grayson going to the doctor for a nasty cough. He just got over the croup cough but this was different. So we found out he has an ear infection and needed to be tested for RSV which is a respiratory virus. So off we went to the old hospital for that testing. It took me a few minutes to figure out exactly where we needed to be but eventually I found it. Nothing like walking everywhere with Blake and Grayson in his carrier, diaper bag, etc in the 20 degree weather. So when I turned out to sign us in at the hospital - you never believe who it was. It was April Bell - a friend I have known since Kindergarten. I always run into her at the oddest times but I love it every time. April is one of those people that you never stop loving as a friend no matter how old you get and how long it has been.

I have to pause for a minute......

Blake needs milk and Grayson just had a dirty diaper...... Good reason to stop, huh?

Now we are back. It took a few minutes longer than expected but what doesn't these days. So back to my story - we then had to go to 2 pharmacies to fill a prescription and get a Nebulizer and the meds that go in that. We experienced a few different sicknesses with Blake but this one is new to us. Never a dull moment - winter is hard on these boys....we need to move to warmer weather so we can have some sunshine. So when it was all said and done - I left my house at 9am and never saw it again until 130pm.

Grocery shopping with Mommom

So last night we had a big night out to Winchester. Aunt Dot and Uncle Ralph were in town for a shoot so we went to have dinner with them and figured we would hit the Super Walmart. We are way to exciting for a Saturday night, huh? So we went to Super Walmart and got a few things and Blake helped my mom shop as well. We had Grayson with us and Blake took off with Mommom and Bob (poppop).

I guess I never realized how much Blake takes in while we are grocery shopping on our own. But he told Mommom what kind of cookies (Nilla wafers), Ritz crackers, Brownie mix (which we never get to buy anymore....diet), goldfish, bananas, etc. My mom enjoyed her shopping trip with him and was amused by how smart he is with shopping. He knew certain brands and all. Who knew that he was really paying attention when I go to the store.

But for the funny part of the story..... There was a motorized Corvette near the check out and Blake saw it from a 100 ft at least. Blake got in the car and hit the gas pedal. If it wasn't for my dad standing in front of him - he would have been racing around Walmart. Needless to say - I got a call my cell phone to come talk him out of the car so we could finish shopping. Luckily right now - he totally believes me when I say that we have to leave things so other kids can play with him and that it is nice to share and take turns. One day - he will wise up to that theory. I am just glad that we didn't come home with the Corvette in the back of the Suburban. It is shame that I don't have a picture but sometimes the cutest moments just happen.

I see you!

A budding photographer....Blake was given a camera for Christmas from Billy's mom and he thinks it is great. We are still trying to teach him to move his finger but it is a learning process.

Grayson 1st trip to the pool

Grayson has his first swim at Ida Lee with big brother Blake. It was so sweet because he just splashed around and has absolute no fear. I believe that we have two water bugs. Blake has never had any fear so it seems that his little brother doesn't either. We love to go swimming and it wears Blake out. Which takes a lot.....

Winter is so hard around here because there just isn't enough to do in the evenings for the kids to get rid of some of their energy. Swimming has proven to be a great way so we typically go on Friday nights. The best part is that the smaller pool is heated so it nice and warm. That is my favorite part because it stinks to be cold and wet.

Little Shorty

The photo should explain it all to my family when you see Blake hanging out in his pull up and socks. Some of us say that Blake resembles my grandfather who everyone called "Shorty". Blake has skinny chicken legs and a pot belly which matches my grandfather. There has been a few things that he has done that reminds us all of my grandfather (who is no longer with us).

I am going to try and tell this story but it could be one of those things that you just have to been there. My grandfather was famous for sitting at the kitchen table in his underwear after coming in from milking the cows. Growing up - I never thought it was strange because it was so normal. The funniest part is that my grandmother decided to fight fire with fire at one point and came to the table with the equal amount of clothing. I wish I would have been there for that one but I can only imagine that reaction.

So it was ironic yesterday that Blake HAD to take his nap in only his pull up and socks and then came marching down the stairs with elephants in hand. Blake could run around naked or partially naked all the time. I finally got him dressed in time for dinner but Billy was welcomed home with Blake running around half naked.

Shortly after Blake was born - Billy started calling him shorty one day not ever knowing that is what our grandfather was called. I guess we had always talked about my grandfather as PopPop so it was one of those Ahha moments when I heard him calling Blake "Shorty". There has many other moments but too many to list but I thought my family would enjoy this Little Shorty post.

Coming home after Midnight

So Blake went for a movie, dinner, sleepover with my parents the other week. Blake is usually good to go and loves doing his thing with my mom and dad. They took him to Blue Ridge Grill (nice restaurant but luckily it is kid friendly) and then they saw Bedtime Stories. Meanwhile, Billy, Grayson, and I went to the mall which was a nice change of pace because we never get to just walk around and look around but Grayson was happy to stroll around and sleep for the most part. Blake watched his movie and was good as gold. Most people would find it surprising that Blake could sit still that long but he loves to go to the movies and we have never had a problem with him in the movie theatre (knock on wood). He loves to eat popcorn too but I think he has become spoiled and only wants the movie popcorn because he doesn't like my kettle corn that I pop at home.

So on with the story - Blake started asking for his mommie and even got some tears at the end of the movie so Mom called just to see where we were. We were just leaving the mall so it worked out fine so we paid him a visit at their place. We hung out and Blake said he was good to go with spending the night, told me bye, blew me a kiss, and off we went to come home. At 12am - the phone rang.....

Blake had a change of heart and wanted to come home. Mom and Dad were nice enough to put him in the car and head to our house. Of course, he fell asleep on the way and was knocked out. I am sure there will be plenty more of coming home after midnight as the years go by.....

Internet Issues

Sorry that I have not been posting lately but we are having some internet issues. For some reason lately - we have been having trouble connecting even though it says that we have an "excellent" connection. It has been frustrating because I don't have a lot of time to log on but when I do - I would like it work properly. So I promise to keep trying to blog. I need to upload some new photos. I promise that I will blog about Grayson's first trip to the pool, how Blake came home after midnight, etc.....

Old McDonald had a farm....

So I can't sing and I usually spare Blake and Grayson from having to hear me but not tonight. Billy had to go to the airport so I was getting the boys down for bedtime and I was rocking Grayson to sleep when Blake wanted to join us and sit on my lap. I never mind have both boys sitting on my lap. Blake had his elephants and Grayson had Tower (Giraffe) and I started singing nursery rhymes. Let me be the first to say that I don't know many at all but I found myself singing Old McDonald. I can always think of new animals and Blake helped me out a little bit. Either it worked like a charm on Grayson or he was trying to simply trying to put himself out of his misery of listening to me. You choose.... either way - it worked and he is sleeping very peacefully. Although Blake is still awake. He isn't as easily convinced that he should be sleeping. I try to be stern by making him go back to his bed every time he gets out but there times that I am hiding my laughter because he thinks he he is so slick and sly. :)

Welcome 2009

So I can't believe that it is 2009. Time goes by so fast with 2 small little boys. I feel like time goes even faster because we want to cherish all the little things. I am so thankful that I have started this blog because it allows to remember some of the small things that happen each day. Granted it is hard to write every funny story but it is better than nothing. There are moments that I wish everyone could be a part of but would probably not happen if we were all standing waiting for it to happen. I am sure that the boys will grow up saying "oh gosh, mom". But I'll take it.....

Here are some flashbacks from 2008.....

Grayson Max was born on July 24 at 403pm. A healthy 9lbs and a welcome joy to our lives.

I turned 30 on July 1st....Wow I can't believe I am no longer in my 20's. Where did it all go?

The Ya-ya's (Shelley, Kelly, Ashley, Jen, and I) went away in May for a girls weekend to Florida and had the most relaxing weekend ever. I am thankful everyday for great friends.

Jeff and Chrissy welcomed Cooper Hannah on July 22nd. They were checking out when we were checking in. Oh yeah - Courtney started middle school this year making us all feel a little bit older.

The whole family went to Aunt Dot's in September for a camp out in Pa.

Donna Lynn (cousin) had her first little boy in October. She has 3 beautiful little girls that will be great sisters.

Billy's stepsister (Brianna) got married to Jason in June. We were not able to attend because I was too far along in the pregnancy.

We traveled to NC for Thanksgiving this year and had a very nice time and then picked our beautiful Christmas tree from a farm that Billy grew up going to. He would never say it but I know that it meant a lot to him to take the boys there.

I know that there were plenty more but that is what I can think of right now. Have a happy new year. Best wishes to all.

Grayson's 1st trip to the ER

So Grayson took his first trip to the emergency room at 12am this morning. I was up watching a movie (which never happens) and I heard him barely catch his breath so I went into his room and immediately recognized that Grayson had croup. Blake had it when he was 15 months old but little Grayson is only 5 months and it can be pretty dangerous because it closes his airways. We can thank Blake for the learning curve on what to do. So I took him while Billy waited for my mom to come up and stay with Blake. Thank you mom for driving up late and sleeping at the house. It is always nice to be able to call you in a pinch like this. Grayson was treated last night and then went back to his regular doctor this morning. The biggest problem that they were worried about was that his oxygen levels were very low but once they got him on the meds and cool mist - then he was able to breathe much better.

Blake has been battling a sinus infection along with a nasty cough whereas Grayson had stayed clear from it all until last night. The scary thing with croup is that it sets it very quickly and typically at night so we are always thankful for the monitors because that is how I heard Blake and now Grayson. So my saying in life is that it is always something.....never a dull moment in the Conner household. Sorry no pictures to document this "first".