Learning good habits early!

Connor has found a new favorite hobby... brushing his teeth. Connor brings me the toothbrush about 3 times a day and says, "water". I let him run it under the water and then he gets the toothpaste out for me. It is so cute. I tried to take a little video of him, but it was a little hard trying to be the dental assistant and camera man at the same time. Sorry if it is a little shaky. As you can see at the end, it is a little hard to keep him in the same place for long. What a busy body. Enjoy!

Terrific Tuesday

Here are some pictures from our Tuesday! Sorry I didnt post them sooner, Brad was in TX Monday-Tuesday and we spent our time hanging out with him when he got home. Connor always misses his Dada so much when he travels- Mommy too! We spent the day hanging out at home and had planned to have a visit with Grandma, but Connor decided to take a 4 hour nap! I am by no means complaining about this, however it pretty much means we spent the entire day inside. We did go to the pool that afternoon and I am so proud to say that Connor actually likes the water now! I stood him up on the ledge beside the pool and he actually jumped to me! This is such a huge step forward from where we were just a few weeks ago! He is starting to kick his little legs and loves to splash in the water. He also stopped on the way to the car to play in the sand volleyball court! I was completely shocked since he has been terrified of the sand since he was born. I didnt really like the idea of him getting into it since we were still wet from the pool, but I didnt want to discourage him from it, SO now there is lots of little grains of sand on my car's black interior. I cant believe that I thought I would actually be able to keep a clean car with a child... No matter how clean and organized you might be, its just not possible! Anyway, it was a fun day, ended with a fun night with Da Da on the new and improved deck! As you can see by the pictures, it isnt completely finished yet but until we start on the extension it will be this way for a while. (not exactly safe for a toddler unless supervised, so it will be sooner rather than later)

This next picture is what happens when you let Connor water the flowers, everything gets WET! Including him! He soaks himself!

Modeling his shades in the mirror.
Looks pretty good to me!
I am such a funny guy!
Playing with my new Snoopy golf club set that Da Da got me.
No one said you cant play golf and baseball. I have just never seen it played together.

We havent moved the table up to the deck yet, but are enjoying just sitting up there for a change. Brad has slaved away for the past few months every spare minute he has working on it. Didnt he do a good job?

Our "rigged" crossing across the abyss onto the steps. Can you say DANGEROUS!

Look at all of those curls!

Playing Peek-a-boo with Da Da.

Trying to carry on a conversation with an 19 month old...

Grandy, these are for you!

Suggestions please...

So I am in the market for an umbrella stroller and I need some suggestions. I have done all of the research possible, but want to know if any of you have any advice to add. I have been wanting one of these for a while and have almost bought one of the $10 specials a time or two, but never actually did. I am kind of glad because these things have come a long way since the ones I was use to, and there are some pretty snazzy ones out there. I am hearing they are a must if you travel to Disney, so...which one shall it be? The one that everyone keeps pointing to is the Maclaren, but man is it pricey! They say it is well worth the money, but some of the others seem to be pretty nice also with many more features for less $. I looked at the Combi Helio today, but didnt like how it folded up. However, it had some pretty nice features and cool fabric choices (orange polka dots- alright!) that dont come on the Maclaren Triumph (this is the one I am looking at). The Maclaren Quest has most of the features but is well out of my price range. So if any of you have owned one of these, or know someone who has one, or know someone who has known someone who has had one, please help! Thanks!! I'll let you know what I decide.

Pics coming soon, I promise!

My camera came in today! Yahoo! I have been missing it terribly. When you have a toddler that is changing every day it isnt good not to have a camera around. I promise to do a post tomorrow!

Is my child ready for the potty?

Ok, this is a question for all of you experienced mothers out there. Tonight, I was getting Connor ready for his bath. I took his clothes and diaper off while the water was running and he walked into the hall, squatted and peed in the floor. He looked at it and said, "water". Peeing in the floor is nothing new, because this happens sometimes when he is waiting for a diaper change. I knew that newborn boys did this, but I thought we would be past this by now. Anyway, it seemed like he knew what he was doing. He squatted and everything. I know he has been watching Ms. Betty's son practice going potty, so maybe he is getting a better understanding of it now. My question is... should I get a potty chair and start training? Another adventure!!

Incredible story...you should read!

As Brad and I were watching the home run derby tonight, well really Brad was just watching and I was playing with Connor. I started watching after a guy named Josh Hamilton nailed one to the wall of Yankee Stadium. He kept hitting one home run after another, it was unreal! He now has the record of the most home runs hit in the first round of the home run derby and he has only been back in MLB for a year or so. Actually he is still hitting again as we speak so I dont know what the outcome will be but he might even win it before it is all over. I was intrigued by his story when the announcers were talking about how he was a recovering drug addict. I found this story and thought it was so amazing. A true example of how God can do ANYTHING, and he gives him all of the glory! Here is the link, it is worth your while to read it!

Happy Birthday Cooper

Another birthday to celebrate... some of you are probably saying "give me a break, all of this for your dog!" but if you know us, Cooper is a part of the family! Sure we get a little frustrated with him from time to time, but we still love him the same! It was 5 years ago that we became "puppy parents" to our little Cooper. Here are pics from along the way...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Birthday shout outs!

First I want to apologize for not doing this first one sooner... Its not that I forgot, because I sent a card in the mail but forgot to put it on my blog. Sorry Darbs! Anyway, Happy Belated 28th Birthday Darby! Darby's birthday was on July 5th!! I hope you had a great day! Love ya!

Me, Connor and Darby at his birthday party

Happy Birthday to Pete who turns 34 tomorrow (Saturday)! We love ya, Pete and are so glad you are part of our family. Wish we were there to help you celebrate. We will see you real soon! Enjoy the cake, little guy! LOL (inside joke)

Amanda and Pete at my brothers wedding

This picture isnt very good of Connor, but I can assure you he isnt upset at Pete. He loves him and Pete, you are too good to our Connor!

And lastly, Happy Birthday to my friend Courtney on Sunday! Courtney is my fellow UT classmate and college roommate. Court now lives in the Big Apple so therefore, I dont get to see her near enough! Love ya Courtney and I hope you have a wonderful birthday! We are going to come to the big city to see you one of these days. Maybe we can see the Yanks in the new stadium next year. Brett is talking about making a trip, we will see... Happy Birthday!!!

Carrie, Me, and Courtney

This picture was taken 3 Christmas's ago at my house. Wow, I cant believe it has been that long since I have seen you Court! We must plan a visit soon!!!

A little of this, little of that

This post is going to be very random. I just thought that I would throw a few things out there and share what we have been doing lately. The truth is, that we havent been doing much. Brad has worked a lot this week, so it has been me and Connor hanging out mostly. Tuesday was my off day and I just stayed at home and cleaned and played with Connor mostly. I have worked the rest of the week. Today on my lunch break I went and got him some goodies to play with tonight and got him his very first coloring book and crayons. He has some markers that are made for small hands, but cant really seem to grasp the concept. So I thought crayons might be a little more self explanatory. I think I had more fun with it than he did! I found myself getting a little carried away. I had colored a full page and then Connor came up and started scribbling all over it and I had to catch myself before I got a little upset. Ha! This was for him by the way! He is changing so much every day! I know I have said that before, but now it is definitely true. He says a new word every day (sometimes two words together!) and in a week has learned most of his body parts (which he had no interest before) and has become quite the little comedian. He is always making funny faces just to get a smile/laugh out of us. It ALWAYS works, of course! Last night, he did a George W. Bush laugh impersonation. We were in the car on our way home and I wished I had a camera so bad! It was hilarious, and I was laughing so hard I was crying. This made him do it more and more. He even had the shoulder thing down pat!!! Oh the things kids do...as if he even knows who George W is! LOL

This brings me to another point- I dont have a camera right now. The flash quit working and since we havent even had it a year, we called and they told us to send it in. I was bummed, but we need to get it fixed before we go on vacation so I needed to bite the bullet and get it done. Therefore, I wont have any pics to post for a few weeks. Bummer, I know...

Next thing is something that you might care nothing about, BUT I was pumped when I heard this! They are going to have a 90210 spin off this fall!!! I was a die hard fan and watched it until it went off the air (and yes, I did cry). I have actually gotten addicted to Tori Spelling's new reality show (corny I know) but I have always liked her for some reason. I saw something online about her signing on for the show and got so excited. Jenny Garth is also going to star as Kelly, but I think those are the only originals so far. I really hope the show isnt a flop, although I am pretty much expecting it since most spin off's are. Just thought I would share!

Thanks to Kristy Eckel for telling me about the preview for the show... Here it is!
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1564335284

Have a great weekend yall!

Fireworks for the 4th!

We went to see the fireworks last night at The Commons in Spring Hill. It was quite a display for its first year. I will have to say, I was quite impressed with them and the crowd of people that came. Connor really enjoyed himself playing in the back of the car before they started. We ate our dinner (Sonic) and enjoyed ice cream. Connor was busy trying to charm a little girl in the car next to us. He was making funny faces at her through the window. It was so funny! The noise of the fireworks did scare him a bit, but he never cried. He just held on to us for dear life!

Mmm, mmm... Mommy your ice cream is good!

This is Connor's face when he tasted coke in my cup. I guess he was expecting juice.
This is how we watched the fireworks. We were pretty close to where they were blasting them off and it was pretty loud, so we closed the hatch and Connor seemed to enjoy it much more that way...plus there was debris falling all over us. You can see it on my car in this picture.

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

No lake for the 4th :(

Every year for we usually spend July 4th on the lake in Rockwood. Since Brads parents moved to a lake house a few years back, we have enjoyed being at the lake just swimming, cooking out and enjoying the view. This year we have decided to stay at home due to the cost of gas, and some other things. For those of you who dont know, Brad umpires high school baseball in his spare time (which isnt very often) and they always have a tournament this weekend. He has always wanted to work it every year, but we usually always go out of town. This year Brad is going to umpire and make some extra $$, and Connor and I will probably go to my grandmothers and have a cookout with my family. Spring Hill is having its 1st annual fireworks display this year, so we might go and check that out and see how Connor does with that. Last night I took him out on the porch because some boys down the street were shooting off bottle rockets and I wanted to see how he did with the noise. It didnt seem to bother him much, so we will see! I also plan to spend some time at the pool, since I have only been once this year. Needless to say I havent been very excited about going since I spend my whole time sitting in the kiddie pool holding Connor. He still hasnt taken to the water yet, but we are still trying. I will also try and get some exercising in. I havent done well this week, but I have started getting up at 5 on the mornings that I work and running in our neighborhood. I feel so much better on the days that I do this, and it is starting to get easier. This week I have been super tired and couldnt make myself get up but only one day. Since I wont be working tomorrow, I can just go when I feel like it! Yahoo! The mornings are great though because there is no humidity and it isnt very hot. Pray for me that this continues! I have decided the only way for me to get any exercise is to go first thing in the morning, plus they say it is the best time for your body if your are trying to lose weight. The deck project continues... Brad hopes to finish it this weekend sometime. It is going well and I am excited to be able to use it again. I hope that everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!!! Be safe and be sure to thank God for this wonderful country that we call home!