Summertime Fun!

Connor and I are having such a fun summer! We've been going almost non-stop since school got out at the beginning of June and we have been enjoying every busy minute!! Last Wednesday, we flew out to Nashville to visit my sister, brother-in-law and my adorable little niece, Hannah. She and Connor are only 7 weeks apart and they have so much fun playing together!! Sloan and I would often peak around corners to "spy" on them while they were playing and just about fell to the floor laughing so many times!! They are hilarious!! Here are a few pics from our trip.

Sloan, Greg and Hannah are planning to move back to the Carolinas in about a year and I can't wait!! There is a chance that they'll end up in Charleston (which I've been praying for), but it all depends on where Greg can find a job. He's a Pediatric Cardiologist and is applying to MUSC, Charlotte, and a few other places. Of course, I'll be happy just to have them closer, but would love it if he gets a job in Charleston ... only about an hour from us!! Oh, the fun we'd have!! I never realized how much I would miss living close to my family until I had Connor and Sloan had Hannah! I've missed my family ever since I got married and moved to Andrews; but it's even worse now that 2 of us have kids! My sisters and I have always been close and we'll do whatever it takes to make sure our children "grow up together" but it's so hard when we live so far away from eachother. Connor and Hannah love eachother so much and this was obvious to us when Hannah started crying when it was time for us to say goodbye on Saturday. It just about broke my heart! It's all in God's hands ... so as for now, I'll keep praying that #1 ... Greg finds a job and #2 that it's not too far away from us!!

I cannot believe that my little man will be 2 in a little more than 2 months!! Where has the time gone? His new favorite word is "NO!" ... definitely NOT a good thing and Lee and I are working on correcting this problem!! The "terrific" 2's have begun!! His vocabulary is expanding every day. I love listening to him "talk!" He leaves the consonants off of many words, but this is normal for a child his age. (and yes, you know me ... I've already looked into this!! haha!!) He calls Sloan "oh-N" and often refers to a cat as "caa-A." He loves to "read" books, watch Elmo and his Leap Frog dvd's, and isn't afraid of pools or the ocean. He even likes to go underwater!! I can't wait to give him swimming lessons! All I need now is a pool!! :) His favorite game is "Ring Around the Rosie" and of course, he thinks the "all fall DOWN" part is the GREATEST!! He even enjoys doing this in his crib ... and occasionally on the floor! "Down" is another new favorite word! He's beginning to learn his ABC's and already knows the sounds that some letters make. He enjoys putting puzzles together and says "YAY" while he's doing it (even if the pieces are in the wrong place!)!!!! It's hysterical to watch!! He loves to dance and even tries to sing some. :) He loves to run and climb on everything. He's even figured out how to climb on our bed (which is pretty high off the ground). He can climb into a small tractor and even into a car! Needless to say, he's very active ... which is a good thing! Surprisingly, he even enjoys brushing his teeth at night!! I brush them first, then give him the toothbrush so that he can "brush" them. Thank goodness for the Baby Einstein toothpaste!! It's so much easier with a good-tasting (I guess??) toothpaste!! Connor caught his very first fish today! Lee said that he even tried to hold it as his Granddaddy took it off the line!! He's not scared of anything!!

Lastly, I'd like to say CONGRATULATIONS to Jennifer and David Hix on the birth of their baby girl, Chloe, who was born on June 18. I'm so excited for all of my preggo friends (Melissa, Angie, Melanie, Cayci, Kristin, April, Katey, Jill, Kelly ... I hope I didn't leave anyone out!!) and wish you all the VERY BEST!!

So Much Fun!!

Connor is almost 20 months old now. He is so much fun and has such a cute little personality. He is beginning to "venture out" some ... which is a good thing for me because as he plays in his room, I can get things done around the house. I still have to check on him occasionally, just to make sure he isn't getting in to something since I found him standing in the toilet last week!! :) Now, I lock all the bathroom doors and let him go at it!! Connor has definitely began to show interest in the potty!! After reading the chapter on potty training in John Rosemond's book How to Make the Terrible Two's Terrific and talking to lots of mommies, I've learned not to push the issue. They will let you know when they're ready. So I bought a potty and put it beside the "big potty" and left it alone. Occasionally when I have to use the restroom, I say to Connor, "Connor, mommy has to "go potty". Do you want to "go potty" with mommy?" He immediately takes off to the restroom. While I'm sitting, he sits too, on his potty. Last Monday, I wondered what would happen if I took his diaper off while he sat ... so I tried it. The next thing I knew, he was tt'ing in the potty!! I couldn't believe it!! I was so proud of him!! For now, I plan to continue this. I'm not going to pressure him, but I'm thinking if I do this several times throughout the day, maybe he'll begin to understand that he's supposed to TT in the potty. If any of you have any suggestions as to what I should do now, please let me know!! I'm new to this and am open to suggestions!! :) Speaking of How to Make the Terrible Twos Terrific, I want y'all to know that this is the absolute BEST book I have ever read on raising children around Connor's age. I am so glad that Dr. Davis recommended it to me. I learned so much about WHY children act like they do around this age ... and it ALL makes so much sense now!! He also gave lots of great advice and offered suggestions for discipline. I recommend it to everyone who has a one year old!! Don't wait until they turn 2 since many children start the "terrible twos" long before they reach the age of 2 (including my own!!) Connor has added lots of new words to his vocabulary, as well as sign language for a few words ... thanks to those awesome Baby Einstein DVD's!! A few of his new words are clock, book, cracker, blocks, toothbrush and bath. Of course he doesn't pronounce some of these "properly" yet, but we can understand what he's trying to say. "Ba-Ba" - while pointing at the tub means "bath." :) So, he's getting there!! :) Connor enjoys being outdoors, playing with bubbles, swinging on his new swingset that his daddy and granddaddy built for him, pushing his lawn mower (which makes bubbles!!), and of course, his all-time favorite ... running through, sitting and splashing in mud puddles!! He doesn't miss a single one!! Thank goodness for TIDE detergent ... it washes the mud out everytime!! Guess this is what little boys are all about!! As for Lee, he is staying super-busy with work. It's unfortunate that his busiest season at work is my summer break!! It's hard for him to take-off for a vacation, but we manage to "go and do" on the weekends ... after he gets off work Saturday afternoon. He also enjoys working on the farm with his dad. He could spend DAYS on the farm, plowing, planting and working on tractors!! He absolutely LOVES it!! Guess that's a "country thing" ... something I'll never understand!! And as for myself, I'm enjoying every minute of my summer break!! It's so nice being able to spend so much time with Connor. I can't help but to feel like I miss SO MUCH during the school year!! During the summer, I do send him to his sitter occasionally so that he won't get out of that habit, but I try to keep him with me most of the time so I won't miss these moments. I've also been staying busy with Shrimp and Grits Kids - an adorable line of low-country themed children's clothing. The fall season is just around the corner so I've been busy preparing for my shows. I'm the rep for my area as well as the Aiken area and love every minute of it!! It's so much fun going out and meeting lots of mommies at trunk shows. I also enjoy occasional TNO's (teachers night out) as well. Other than that, I've just been cleaning/organizing my house and enjoying spending time with Lee and Connor. It's hard to believe that Connor will be 2 in just a few months!! He has been such a blessing to our lives and we continue to thank God daily for our precious gift from above!!

18-Month Check-Up

Lee and I took Connor to his 18-month check-up yesterday. Of course, I took my little list of questions for Dr. Davis to answer and here is what I learned (in case any of you have the same questions that I had):

- Yes, Connor can use hand-sanitizer

- Yes, Connor can use bug spray (deet 7 ... whatever that means!!)

but should wash it off when he comes inside

- Connor probably doesn't need vitamins, but if we feel that he isn't

eating properly (according to the food pyramid), he recommends Poly-vi-sol.

- He confirmed the new carseat study that Sloan told me about. This new study

by the AAP recommends that parents keep their children in rear-facing seats

until the age of 2. It looks as if this could very quickly be passed as the new law.

Here is the link to the publication released by the AAP this month http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/30/4/12-a

- Next shots for Connor ... 4 years old!! YEAH! Except for the flu shot which we
will definitely get! I try to stay abreast on all of the current AAP research at www.aap.org. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children (6 months - 18 years) should get the flu shot.

- His case of pink eye (in both eyes!!) that he came down with last week has completely healed!

- Dr. Davis recommended a book to me ... Making the Terrible Twos Terrific by John Rosemond which I have already ordered from Amazon.com. It had great reviews and I am looking forward to reading it! I will read it along with the Dr. Gary Chapman books which I LOVE!

Connor weighed in at 29.6 ounces which is between the 75-90th percentile ... and is 33 1/4 inches tall which is also between the 75-90th percentile. As I do at each visit, I asked Dr. Davis to reassure me that Connor is not overweight. He explained it this way ... Yes, Connor is "above average" with his measurements; however all are preportional! Yes, he weighs more, but he is also above average in height which will cause him to weigh more. He said that I shouldn't change a thing, and that Connor is perfect! :)

I also had to admit to Dr. Davis that we still rock Connor to sleep every night. I have always LOVED that special time at night with my son (and so does Lee, who also rocks him), but Connor is beginning to "fight" the rocking sessions. He tries to sit up and slide down my lap so he can go play, or go watch TV with his dad. He also flips and turns constantly in my arms as if he can't get comfortable (which I can understand why ... he's big!) I think that it's time for him to learn to fall asleep by himself at night. Mama Jean (his babysitter) puts him in the crib for his nap without rocking him, so I don't think this will be too hard. It's just going to be so sad for me, as this is another sign that he's growing up! Dr. Davis recommended "weaning" him off of the rocking habit by rocking him for 5 minutes the first night, 4 the next, then 3, etc. We will start this on Monday. Of course, I had to ask what he thought about Connor still sucking on his blanket when he's falling asleep, and he informed me that his blankeet will be his "saving grace" with this new transition. Yay for his blanket ... I'm so glad I can say this as I have been thinking about weaning him from this as well. Dr. Davis says there is nothing wrong with having a blanket at 18 months!! Whew!!

I was happy to report that Connor can now say 17-18 words. Yes, I have been keeping up with what he says just so I can be certain that he isn't delyaed. Guess that's the teacher in me! I began to worry since I was caught off-guard with this question at his 15-month check-up and could only think of 2 or 3 that he could say ... which was below "average" for that age. But, no worries now!! He is right where he should be! YAY!

It's hard to believe that I'll be planning another birthday party in less than 6 months! They grow up so fast. I'm definitely going to miss the "infant" days, but look forward to the toddler years as well. Connor is such a fun child who puts a smile on our faces each and every day of our lives. He brings so much joy and laughter to our lives. We thank God daily for giving Connor to us!

More Words!

Connor has added a few more words to his vocabulary and I love, love, love to listen to them! He has the word "treat" down pat now. Unfortunately, we are all out of dog treats since each time he said it and pointed to the cabinet, we gave Nestle a treat! He actually says "treaa" but close enough! He loves bubbles and can say "buh-bles" very clearly. Another word that he has mastered is "NO!" So far, he hasn't used it in a way that will get him in trouble, but I'm sure he will soon. As for now, he mainly says it to Nestle when she tries to eat the food out of his hands. It's kinda funny, actually! He can also say "moon" and point to it in the sky. He calls his blanket "la-la." I have no idea where that came from ... I guess it's easier for him to say than "blanket." And yes, he LOVES his blanket which he sucks the edges of as he falls asleep. It's fairly large and I have tried to replace it with a much smaller one (one that he won't trip on as he walks around with it in his mouth), but he wanted NOTHING to do with the new one! Guess I should have tried the swap much earlier!!

Lee and his dad have built Connor a playset in our backyard. I have to be honest ... at first I was worried as to how it would turn out! Lee isn't a carpenter by ANY means, but somehow they did it and it looks great! Connor LOVES it!! They hung 3 swings (2 baby swings, and one "big boy" swing), added a slide and built steps which lead to a deck that has a roof over it. Well, the actual roof isn't there yet, but they have framed it up. Lee is debating whether to use a tin roof that he has at work or use some leftover shingles from our house. I can't wait to see the finished product! I'll post a picture when it's complete.

Fun Times!

This is such a fun age! Connor is 17 months old and is able to do so much now ... well, atleast he THINKS he can! :) He tries to put toothpaste on his toothbrush, tries to put on his shoes, tries to use a toddler spoon and fork, brushes his hair with anything that looks similar to a brush, draws with a pencil or pen, waves at every car that goes by, and even puts his dirty diapers in the trash! Restaurants aren't so much fun right now, so we are avoiding them as much as we can! He has so much energy and can't sit still long enough to enjoy much of anything ... even food! He stands in the dog food bowls, puts diapers in the air vents (clean ones, thank goodness!), puts clean pieces of toilet paper in the toilet, dips his food in ketchup and licks the ketchup off, and has the loudest temper tantrums in the WORLD! Whew ... he's a handfull but it's so much fun!! He has also added a few more words to his vocabulary! "Daaa" along with a wave is his way of saying BYE. He can say "hey!" "L, L, L" and pointing to the computer is his way of asking to call Auntie Liz on Skype. "Coo-kee" is cookie and "kaka" is cracker. He's trying real hard to say "treat" because he is OBSESSED with giving milkbones to Nestle. He "moooo's" at cows and says "tak-or" for tractor!

Since this is Lee's "busy season" at work and on the farm, I have been driving to Kingstree after work each day to get Connor. If I don't, it's 7:00 - 7:30 before I get to see him. It's not fun driving 30 minutes there and back, but it's worth every minute of it just to share these fun and exciting times with him. He's growing up so fast!

Finally ... WORDS!!

When we went for Connor's 15 month check-up, his doctor asked me how many words he was saying. Sadly, I could only think of 2 that he says on a regular basis ... "da-da" and "dog". Although the doctor assured me that it was nothing to worry about, I knew that many babies say much more than this by 15 months and I wanted mine to do the same. Within a week, Connor began saying so many more words. I'm not sure if after the doctor's visit, Lee and I started really listening to his words, or if he really improved his vocabulary since the visit. Whatever the reason, Connor is finally "talking" and it is so much fun to hear him!!

Words he can say:
DaDa (his very first -and only - word for a long time!!)
dog
na-nuh (for banana)
who-dat (see below)
ha (for hot)
Mah-ma (FINALLY!!!!!!)
Quack-Quack-Quack (from one of his favorite books ... 5 Little Ducks)
Uh-oh! (see below)
Dank-ew (thank you)
na-na-na (for no)
duice (for juice)

My 2 favorites (other than Mah-ma, of course!!) are Who-dat and Uh-oh!! Every single time the phone rings or someone walks in the door (at anyone's house) Connor stands up and says "WHO DAT" as he turns both hands over. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I have no idea where he got that from, although Lee says he gets it from me ... he says I'm nosey!! "Uh-oh" is a favorite, too, because Connor doesn't just say it when something "unexpected" happens, he also says it when he purposely does something. Example: When he's sitting in his booster seat and purposely drops his peas on the floor for the dog to come eat!! I know this isn't a "good" thing, and I correct him at the table, but I can secretly laugh about it on here!!

15 Months Old

I cannot believe that my little man is already 15 months old!! He seems to be growing up so fast these days! He is walking well (even runs at times), babbles non-stop (even though we can only understand a couple of words), and even tries to use a spoon to feed himself!! My baby is growing up!! He knows exactly how to hold a phone to his ear and will "talk" to anyone on it! A few days ago, he even kissed the phone when Aunt Liz was talking to him! I was amazed to learn that he can even make the "smack" sound when he kisses!! Precious!!! Oh, and he has actually called a few people so if we have "pranked" any of you, SORRY!!! When Nestle (our Cocker Spaniel) scratches on the door, he walks over to it and tries to open it for her. He HAS figured out how to open the doors at Mama's house. He LOVES sitting in his little chair from cousin Hannah ... he'll "kick back" like Daddy and even cross his ankles JUST like him!! (Those little eyes are ALWAYS watching!!) His Lovey taught him how to kick a ball over the weekend ... he LOVES any kind of ball! He tries to sneak up Lovey's stairs when no one is watching but let me assure you, he KNOWS he is doing wrong because he will climb one stair and look around to see if anyone is watching. When his eyes meet mine, it's like looking at a deer in headlights!! :) Connor still LOVES books and picks out the tractor in every book that has a picture of one in it. Vvrrrrrmmmmmm, vvrrrrrmmmmmm soon follows!! He isn't so good about sharing yet, but LOVES to tease!! When someone asks him to share whatever it is in his hands, he will stick it out and just as soon as the person goes to take it, he quickly draws his hand back and laughs out loud!! It really is hilarious, even though I try my hardest not to laugh as we are trying to teach him to share. I have been trying to teach him to give our dog a treat, but not Connor ... he wants the treat for himself! I'll have to wait a few more months to teach him this skill because as soon as I hand Connor the Milk-Bone (with the intentions of Connor giving it to Nes), he takes it and runs to another room! Connor is absolutely infatuated with tractors ... must be in the Morris blood!! You know it's serious when I have to enter Lowes through the exit door just so we won't pass the MANY John Deere lawn mowers parked at the entrance door!! Connor has a "moment" when we pass anything "John Deere" or tractor-related! He starts pointing, kicking his feet, and babbling! So, we just completely aviod that situation when we shop!! :) During our family Christmas get-together at Aunt Liz's house, Connor saw Uncle David's brand new John Deere lawn mower in their garage. He wouldn't let us forget that he saw it, returning to the door several times and pointing ... telling us through his motions that he wanted to go out and ride!! Sweet Uncle David took Connor for a few spins in the yard and Connor LOVED it!! I can't wait until Uncle David teaches Connor some of his baseball skills!! :) You'd be amazed at how well he can already throw a ball!! (I'm going to take credit for his sport skills even though Lee thinks he should!!)

DEU 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.