Connor at 4 Months
Ellie at 4 Months
So, you can definitely tell they are related, huh? Connor has so much more hair than Eliana. She has even less now than when I took this picture! It's growing back in though, as is mine...thank goodness!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Music is Life
Music is all around us. Sometimes it even starts in utero. With both Connor and sometimes Ellie, I would place an earbud on my belly button hoping that they would hear what was playing. At times, it was Baby Einstein, others it was Bob Seger. With Ellie, I threw in a little Enya.
Once our children were born, music evolved into nursery rhymes or lullabies. "You are my Sunshine" was, and always will be my song to Connor. I just don't feel right singing it to Eliana. That was my special song for my first child; my little boy. Ellie gets the less popular "Rock-a-Bye Baby," for no particular reason. I guess because it's short and she likes to be placed in her crib after her books. I just feel as though I should end our bedtime routine with a lullaby.
When Connor was a baby, I got to play whatever I wanted throughout the day. I would cherish his baby-ness and play "Playground" music; something a good friend gave me. He loved it and it filled our house with pleasant reggae, african, or dreamy music. Now that Connor is 3, his taste in music has changed and thus Ellie and I need to listen to what he wants. Not because I don't lay down the law that Ellie needs her music time too, but because he knows how to work the damn ipod and computer! I can't stop him.
So, now instead of singing "You are my Sunshine," "Wheels on the Bus," or "This Little Light of Mine," we listen to Cars Movie music, or Monster Truck music ("Bad to the Bone" and u2's "Vertigo") on REPEAT! Fun...
Time just goes by so darn fast. Connor used to have a Red Sox lullaby bear in his crib. Sometimes we would hear the faint noise of "Take me out to the Ballgame" play over the monitor if he woke up in the middle of night to soothe him back to sleep. Now, he says he doesn't want it in his bed. He wants to give it to his sister. I leave it in his bed. I'm not ready to take it away yet. We never hear that faint noise of lullaby coming from his room anymore. Instead we hear pages of books being turned, or conversations between Connor, Wally, and Blankie. As sweet as it is, his lullaby phase has passed. We are now onwards to real music; music our little boy can choose to put on his playlist all by himself (yes, he has a playlist).
As I sing Ellie her last lullaby for the night, I realize that soon enough, she won't need my voice to soothe her. She'll have her own opinions and her own playlist. I am reassured by the fact that music continues to evolve and will always be a huge part of our lives. Music is also a nostalgic part of life. I have a song for my children that I hope they will take with them forever. It makes me cry every time I hear it, but it is for them. I love you my beautiful baby girl, and my handsome little boy...
Once our children were born, music evolved into nursery rhymes or lullabies. "You are my Sunshine" was, and always will be my song to Connor. I just don't feel right singing it to Eliana. That was my special song for my first child; my little boy. Ellie gets the less popular "Rock-a-Bye Baby," for no particular reason. I guess because it's short and she likes to be placed in her crib after her books. I just feel as though I should end our bedtime routine with a lullaby.
When Connor was a baby, I got to play whatever I wanted throughout the day. I would cherish his baby-ness and play "Playground" music; something a good friend gave me. He loved it and it filled our house with pleasant reggae, african, or dreamy music. Now that Connor is 3, his taste in music has changed and thus Ellie and I need to listen to what he wants. Not because I don't lay down the law that Ellie needs her music time too, but because he knows how to work the damn ipod and computer! I can't stop him.
So, now instead of singing "You are my Sunshine," "Wheels on the Bus," or "This Little Light of Mine," we listen to Cars Movie music, or Monster Truck music ("Bad to the Bone" and u2's "Vertigo") on REPEAT! Fun...
Time just goes by so darn fast. Connor used to have a Red Sox lullaby bear in his crib. Sometimes we would hear the faint noise of "Take me out to the Ballgame" play over the monitor if he woke up in the middle of night to soothe him back to sleep. Now, he says he doesn't want it in his bed. He wants to give it to his sister. I leave it in his bed. I'm not ready to take it away yet. We never hear that faint noise of lullaby coming from his room anymore. Instead we hear pages of books being turned, or conversations between Connor, Wally, and Blankie. As sweet as it is, his lullaby phase has passed. We are now onwards to real music; music our little boy can choose to put on his playlist all by himself (yes, he has a playlist).
As I sing Ellie her last lullaby for the night, I realize that soon enough, she won't need my voice to soothe her. She'll have her own opinions and her own playlist. I am reassured by the fact that music continues to evolve and will always be a huge part of our lives. Music is also a nostalgic part of life. I have a song for my children that I hope they will take with them forever. It makes me cry every time I hear it, but it is for them. I love you my beautiful baby girl, and my handsome little boy...
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Connor's Dance Moves
While waiting to at the Bowl n' Bounce, Connor dared to show off his sweet dance moves. I mean, really, how cute is this? He is pure joy. Wait for the face at the end... hilarious.
Ellie Rolls Over!
Ellie is 4-months and 11 days old. Today is also her Papa's birthday! She rolled over back to front for the first time today...
We are very excited because she seems to like sleeping on her tummy, so now she can get there herself!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Mimi, Papa, and the Kiddos
Remember my last post saying having my Mom and Dad close by is "seriously awesome?" Well, here are just a few holiday pictures to prove it.
Three generations:
And...they got Connor an old school Big Wheel for Christmas!
Christmas Part Two
Christmas this year was a great day all around.
We started with some fun photos the day before...
These two are really hitting it off! That's another post for another day.
First look at all the goodies!
The one thing he asked Santa for: a cash register
Ellie was just kinda taking in the scenery. Thanks for the winter headband, PA Richardson's!
Ok, so I'm not going to push "girly" things on Ellie, BUT this was to her from me; her first vanity.
Connor actually plays with it more than she does. He puts all the "makeup" on her. It's actually pretty stinkin' cute.
My handsome boy...
New train set.
My pretty girl...
Our holiday was hectic and great all at the same time. We are truly blessed with the life we have been dealt. Having my mom and dad close by is seriously awesome. We always miss the rest of our family up North, though. And, I'm not saying family is replaceable, because it's not, but we have made tremendous friends that fill the gap.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Christmas, well, Christmas Part One
Merry Christmas everybody! I don't have much time to blog lately, but I figure I should probably mention the awesomeness that was Christmas this year. Having a 3-year-old has it's many challenges, but the night before Christmas trumps any other day. Connor was ridiculously excited. For those that know Connor very well, he is pretty cool, calm and collected. He is neither super excited, nor grumpy. He is always just content. So, when you see his eyebrows go up into his hairline, hear a squeaky voice, and don't get a word in edgewise, you know you are dealing with a very, very excited little boy. That's what happened Christmas Eve.
Now, we always try to not turn Christmas into a Santa-only thing. He knows it's "Mimi's birthday, Jesus's birthday, Papa's birthday," etc. BUT, geez! How can a 3-year-old NOT get excited about Santa? Honestly, it could have gone either way with Connor (scared or excited) and we were so happy with the emotion that took control.
As soon as we got home from my parents' house, he went straight to pick out a dish for cookies, carrots, and milk. He was running around like a lunatic. Connor decided to put the snacks right by the window near the tree since we don't have a fireplace. Then, it was right up to bed, after a few photos by the tree with Ellie.
Now, I have to tell you, Connor's bedtime ritual, well, it takes time...lots of time. Even after we brush teeth, read books, say prayers, and give kisses, Connor is usually (ok always) up for another 15-30 minutes reading books in bed before falling asleep (I know, cute right?). Well, let me just tell you, when Tom put him to bed Christmas Eve, Connor couldn't contain his excitement. He said to Tom, "Daddy, I'm going right to sleep, and if I hear Santa, I'll just close my eyes, and you can go see what's the matter" (like in "T'was the Night Before Christmas"). "Oh, and Daddy, make sure to put the Christmas pillow out on the couch in case Santa needs a nap...AND THE SNOWMAN BLANKET!" (as Tom exits the room) And what do you know? He didn't read one word of a book that night. His reading light was turned off and he was fast asleep. So funny...
After the kids were asleep, Tom and I did what we always do on Christmas Eve: drink champagne and set up the gifts!
Now, we always try to not turn Christmas into a Santa-only thing. He knows it's "Mimi's birthday, Jesus's birthday, Papa's birthday," etc. BUT, geez! How can a 3-year-old NOT get excited about Santa? Honestly, it could have gone either way with Connor (scared or excited) and we were so happy with the emotion that took control.
As soon as we got home from my parents' house, he went straight to pick out a dish for cookies, carrots, and milk. He was running around like a lunatic. Connor decided to put the snacks right by the window near the tree since we don't have a fireplace. Then, it was right up to bed, after a few photos by the tree with Ellie.
Now, I have to tell you, Connor's bedtime ritual, well, it takes time...lots of time. Even after we brush teeth, read books, say prayers, and give kisses, Connor is usually (ok always) up for another 15-30 minutes reading books in bed before falling asleep (I know, cute right?). Well, let me just tell you, when Tom put him to bed Christmas Eve, Connor couldn't contain his excitement. He said to Tom, "Daddy, I'm going right to sleep, and if I hear Santa, I'll just close my eyes, and you can go see what's the matter" (like in "T'was the Night Before Christmas"). "Oh, and Daddy, make sure to put the Christmas pillow out on the couch in case Santa needs a nap...AND THE SNOWMAN BLANKET!" (as Tom exits the room) And what do you know? He didn't read one word of a book that night. His reading light was turned off and he was fast asleep. So funny...
After the kids were asleep, Tom and I did what we always do on Christmas Eve: drink champagne and set up the gifts!
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