Connor's Growing Up

Sure, its happened before. Two times to be exact. Both times it stopped just as suddenly as it started. But this time it just felt different.

The other day, Connor started climbing out of his crib again. But this time it wasn't just in the morning or when he didn't feel like napping. This time he did it when we would put him down for bed too. It was like he was saying he was ready, ready for freedom. So yesterday I converted his crib into a toddler bed. A wave of memories swept over me. It seems like yesterday that we were in the store in Edinburgh picking out a crib for the little man we now know as Connor. Yet, at the same time, that seems like a lifetime ago. I remember thinking "how practical" that it came with a little foot board to make it into a toddler bed. And here we are, 2.5 years later, turning that crib into a toddler bed.

Last night was Connor's first time in his new bed. I didn't know how he would react. He seemed very excited when we showed him his new bed. He got out of bed four times and would yell "hello" at us before one of us would go in and tell him to go back to bed. It was all cute and adorable. Then, magically, he went to sleep on his own (well, with a couple books) in his bed and slept all night.

Here he is trying out his new bed for the first time

And going to bed in it last night 

Now this is how I found his room this morning...

I'm not even sure what to say here because I have NO FREAKING CLUE why Connor would pull his mattress off his bed! But it is pretty funny.

I feel various emotions about Connor leaving his crib, and babyhood, behind. Makes me kind of sad. Somehow, I don't think I will be as sad once he finally stops wearing diapers!

Gardening

This past weekend we decided to add to our garden (if you can call it that...we have 2 blueberry plants) and got two wine barrels to plant some plants in. In one, I planted a roma tomato plant and in the other I planted zucchini and red bell peppers. My friend came over to admire my work and informed me that zucchini plants are massive vines and the 4 that I planted in one small barrel will probably take over my whole backyard. Slight exaggeration, but you get the picture. Oh well. We like zucchini, so it will all be good.

After planting our plants, I discovered Connor found them a perfect spot to play in. He kept driving his trucks over my newly planted plants and I couldn't allow that, so off to the store I went. I picked up a storage bin, dumped the rest of our potting soil in it and bam, instant play place for Connor...that will hopefully save my little plants from him and his trucks!

Oh, boys and their dirt...and their trucks...and destroying everything in sight! I would have it no other way. I love my little man.

An Unconventional Easter

For Easter this year, we decided to go to church on Saturday night and to head out of town on Sunday. We took a day trip up to Railtown 1897 in Jamestown. Given that Connor is obsessed with trains, it was the perfect little getaway for him.

We got to ride a real steam train. Connor had been talking about it all week long. He was so excited. It's so stinking cute to hear him say "ride steam train". He enjoyed the ride. He wanted to look out the window the whole time. I was afraid after the ride was over that he would freak out when we made him get off the train. Thankfully that was not the case. Yea for not having to deal with a public meltdown.

After the train ride, we have a picnic outside and wondered around for a few minutes before heading back home. Ian's parents went with us and needed to get home to start working on Easter dinner for the family. But it worked out perfectly because both kids slept on the car ride home. Connor fell asleep holding Ian's hand. How cute is that?!

And since we are members of the Railroad Museum in Sacramento (yes, we are cool like that), we get into Railtown 1897 for free, so I am sure we will go back for more train rides in the future.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from our little family to you! 

True Friends

True friends are the one's you call to help you out when you screwed up your son's hair trying to cut it yourself. They help you fix it without judgement. I would know. This just happened to me.

The other night while giving Connor a bath, it was bugging me that his bangs were in his eyes. So, I decided to cut them. In the bath, they looked fine. When he woke up the next morning, I stared in horror at what I had done to my poor son.

The problem was, I didn't want to "fix" them because I was afraid he would end up with no hair in the front. So I called my friend and headed over to her house where she helped fix Connor's hair.

He is now the proud owner of a little boy hair cut. No side swept baby/old man style hair for him anymore! And it was so easy, I am thinking of buying some clippers for myself and keeping that boy's hair short!

Lately {in Photos}

1. Driving

2. Happy in the sun

3. Another day out in the sun

4. Bath time fun

5. Playing with MeMaw

6. Swimming

7. New toy

8. And an old one

9. Backyard picnic

10. Playing at a friend's house

11. Connor playing in Isla's walker

12. Squeaky clean

A Keepsake from the Past

Last week my mom told me she had something I would want and asked me to put out my hand. Given that my mom was laughing and my brothers were there, I refused as I figured my brothers had put her up to something. Finally she convinced me that it was something I would want to see and something that I had once greatly loved. In my hand landed this

A locket that once adorned my neck daily. I definitely remember this locket. It took me back...way back. More than half my life ago. Wow, when I say it like that, it seems like so long ago! Anyway, my mom told me to open it and this is what I found.

Prince William. The boy practically every girl my age, admittedly or not, had a crush on. We laughed at the irony that I ended up living in Britain for a few years and all that fun stuff.

I love it when little memories get to be relived. When I get to remember what I was like when I was a wee bit younger. So fun!

Speaking of which, today I found a box of old photos. Ian and I look like such babies in them. There are even ones of me from before Ian, back when I was real young.  Given that part of my life took place before the age of the digital camera (yes, I am that old) I will have to scan them and share them with you. Some of them are just too good not to be shared!