Our Little Chunk

Almost 5 Weeks

outfit courtesy of his "Aunt" Meg

This morning, Connor had his 1 month checkup. We were very anxious to find out how much he weighed since his last weight check was at 1 week and he weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz. The kid eats all the time...and a lot of ounces, so we knew he was putting on some major poundage. However, I must say I didn't think he had put on over 4 lbs in 4 weeks! The little chunk is now weighing in at 10 lbs. 9 oz! He did really well at the doctor and even entertained himself for a bit while we were waiting (quite a while) on his pediatrician to come in after he'd been weighed, measured and all that good stuff. Oh yeah, he's gained a quarter of an inch in length too.

I took this little video while we were waiting on the doctor. It is a little boring, but he was talking to me and just being an overall good kid.

Also, we are spending some time in Avon Lake while Brian is out of town (it is really nice to hand him off when I get exhausted!) and he finally got to meet Courtney Griffiths. Hopefully he'll get to meet Jeremy and Joey soon too.

Fun-filled Weekend

4 Weeks, 1 Day Old

What a great weekend. It started out on Friday night when a bunch of my college girl friends all got together and called me so I got to talk to each one of them! It would have been more fun if I'd gotten to be there in person, but a phone call is the next best thing!

Megan, Jenn & Lara

Saturday morning we made our first family venture up to Avon Lake, where Brian grew up. The primary reason was for me to attend a bridal shower for Lara Toscani (soon to be Lara Weems) that was co-hosted by Megan (Weems) Bondi and her mom. I was so excited to see all these girls and especially glad that one of my Georgia girls was finally going to get to meet Connor! Brian came to the shower with Connor for a few minutes and then whisked him away so we could enjoy our high tea. The shower was absolutely wonderful and Lara even had to pass some Aaron Athletic Trivia before she could marry into the Weems clan. She did an amazing job, only missing 2 (maybe 3 depending on who you ask) questions and got the rest correct! Great job! Of course she had to wear Aaron's #45 Villanova football jersey during the game as well. As I mentioned, the shower was a high tea and we were treated to absolutely wonderful desserts and at least 4 different kinds of amazing teas. I am not a huge tea drinker, but these might have converted me! Anyway, fun times....and this is the longest I've been away from Connor since he's been alive. I think we both did great. I had a wonderful time and Brian and Grandpa Nealon were wonderful babysitters. :)
We headed back to the Nealon's after the shower just in time to relieve Brian and Pat and so they could head to Berea to watch the Baldwin Wallace football game with Jill, Chris and Ed. Scott is now punting for the Yellow Jackets thanks to being "discovered" by one of the coaches when he was just messing around kicking a nerf football last spring! He did really well and the jackets won!

Leslie and I stayed with the tiny one and visited Great Grandma Kronz so she could meet Connor as well as Great Aunt Kathy, Great Uncle John and cousin Becky Nealon. I must say that I am SO PROUD of Connor for being such an angel all day! The only little hiccup that he had was peeing on Kathy (though his outfit), but it gave us an excuse to change his clothes....check out those awesome plaid pants! (thanks Bleve, Jacqueline & Thompson) Connor was very captivated by John. I think it was a combination of him looking similar to Brian as well as his mustache...aka "cookie duster". I took a little video of him smiling at John, but I apologize for how dark it is. The other camera is much better at videos in low light.

John, Kathy & Becky

Erin was out of town on a fun birthday trip...we'll catch her next time!

We got back to the house with about an hour to spare before we got to watch the Dawgs beat Arizona State! I'm glad the game wasn't too too close because we left during the 4th quarter to head back home (about 50 minutes). Connor slept in the car the whole way there and home and was just an absolute trooper the entire day!

Sunday was a good day for cleaning. Yes, we cleaned up the chipmunk crap, Brian did lots of vacuuming and caught up on laundry and Connor's room is clean again. Brian also took Connor all morning and let me sleep....until NOON! (yay) Connor has gotten a lot better in the past few days about being awake, alert, and in one place without getting upset. He still likes to walk, but I think he is starting to be able to soothe himself a little better. I took this little video on Sunday evening after he'd alrealdy been on the mat for a few minutes. He still isn't old enough to really enjoy it, but it was fun to watch him get a little baby workout regardless. Oh, and we think he cooed for the first time on Saturday morning. It has only happened a few times, but it was so cool!

Oh yeah, I took this picture on Friday afternoon while we were walking around in the yard....this is how he sucks his thumb!

Midnight Guestroom Surprise...

Ok, so it really happened at 11:30, and oh my goodness I wish I had this on video....

When Connor and I headed for the guest room to go to sleep for the night (hopefully a good night) I noticed Toonces was laying on the floor near the bed. How sweet. That is not a usual place for her, but I was happy to have her with us.

Hold on...backup. Mitsy and Toonces have been going outside all while we've lived in Ohio but then we got a little flea infestation and it turns out our cats are immune to Frontline Plus. So, they've been quarantined in the house for well over a month now. Well, their Advantage came in yesterday and it seems to work...no more fleas on the kitties, so today was their first day outside again. Ok, back to the story...

After about 1/2 hour of trying to get Connor to fall asleep, I glanced up and almost freaked out when I saw a CHIPMUNK on the far right side of the curtain rod!!! Toonces left when Connor started crying earlier, but here was a cute little chipmunk all perched up there just hanging out like he belonged there! I immediately went to our room and told Brian I needed him in the guest room....there was a chipmunk. He thought it must be dead...but no, it was very much ALIVE! He told me to close the door while he found something to trap it with. Connor and I went downstairs to retrieve the camera. By the time I got back upstairs, the door to the guest room was closed, with Brian inside. I heard a pretty big thump and then Brian asked for a pair of sandals. (keep in mind, he was very much asleep when I woke him up with my strange request) I asked to come in (so I could document this with pictures and video) and he said no. I think the chipmunk was near the door at that point. It apparently leapt from the top of the curtains to the floor, ran under the bed to the opposite corner of the room and then back to the original corner before Brian was able to trap it in a large, plastic tub (he emptied one that was in Connor's room that I had been using to separate various clothing sizes). So, I missed it. We all came downstairs, chipmunk in tote, and Brian released the creature back into the outdoors.

We had no clue how in the world it could have gotten inside?! We went upstairs to check and see if the screen to the window had fallen out (they don't like to stay in), but it was secure and had no holes in it.Then I asked Brian if he noticed if Toonces brought anything in when he let her in during my nap this afternoon. He originally said no, and then remembered that she did come in really fast. So, although we can't be sure, we are assuming she escorted a chipmunk in as well. How sweet that she brought it upstairs for me and Connor...she knew where we would be. Thinking back now, I asked Brian several times if he was sure that she was inside because I didn't see Toonces all evening. I'm assuming now it was because she was guarding her catch. Bless her heart for not killing the little creature. To our knowledge, this is her very first chipmunk (priors only include moles and birds....she gets in trouble for Finches). Brian used to tell her that she wasn't fast enough to catch a chipmunk. Well, I guess she showed him!

It didn't take long for me to think this whole ordeal was hilarious. As soon as I started laughing about it (while Brian carried the chipmunk in the container downstairs), he started laughing too. I just wish I had it on video. However, B is thankful that it is not on video and says it would have been like Chevy Chase and the squirrel in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. All the more reason to get it on video....we could have won $100,000! Oh well.

Time for me to sleep.

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Does anyone know what chipmunk crap looks like? I think our upstairs bathroom might have been some sort of holding room for the creature....there are weird seed-looking things all over the floor. They are hard, but no clue what else it could be?? I'll have to check the guest room really good for excrement tomorrow...gross.

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9.22.08
Well, it is definitely confirmed that Toonces brought in the chipmunk. This morning she was at it again and brought a very alive chipmunk to me at our back door. She never did kill it, but let it go, just to chase it again. She finally returned without it in her mouth, so I'm guessing the chipmunk finally escaped...sheesh...presents. :) I've added a video of this morning below. Mitsy was inside, checking out the "gift" from behind the screen. I think it is funny that the chipmunk sort of played dead...don't let it fool you!

Baby Bump Progression — The End

I thought it would be fun to do one last picture from "bump" to baby! Don't worry, this is the LAST one of the series. :) (I took the picture on Wednesday, so it was really just one day late. Connor's 4 week birthday is actually today.)

Connor has been getting so many packages in the mail recently...it is like Christmas for him! Yesterday he got a package from Mike, Faith and Grant Dunn with several goodies. Mike works for John Deere, so there was also something for him to grow into! I thought a few of you might get a kick out of his first John Deere shirt.
I just thought this one was cute. 3 1/2 weeks old.

FYI, Connor is currently inconsolable....I feel like a horrible mom, but he isn't hungry, doesn't need to burp, has a clean diaper and just won't settle down! AAAHHHH Off to grab him.

A Handful of Pictures and 1 Video

No verbage....just pictures. Enjoy.

Well, just a little...."newborn" clothes just about fit him now, but he has outgrown most of his "preemie" stuff....I don't think most preemies start out at 21 inches long!

Hanging out on the changing pad. (Video below...he likes to just kick and stretch.)

I'm lucky I didn't get spit up all down my back for this picture. (That happened yesterday!)

Our sweet little boy.

Wide awake after a short nap. It is easy to tell he's packing on the pounds...(or ounces???) in this picture!

Ok, not the most fantastic picture, but he looks SO excited! It was really just the beginning of a big yawn (haven't caught a full one on camera yet). His hands just crack me up.

We know he won't be this tiny forever.

Connor in his carseat, that snaps into the swing (awesome), and a just bathed Toonces close by to watch. Toonces likes to test out all of Connor's toys and gear to make sure it is suitable for her new little friend....

This is not an overly exciting video, but for those that don't get to see him very often, he is growing like a weed and check out his great leg movement....I see no problems with those hips!

3 Weeks — Time Flies

20 Days Old

It is so hard to believe that 3 weeks has already gone by. I don't have much to say, so this post will be primarily a few of the many pictures we've taken over the past week.

Overall, it has been a good week. Leslie was off this week and came to help out 3 days. It was nice to be able to run to the store or get other things done without interruptions. She also made us dinner each night, so that was a wonderful! Thanks again (big hug)!Connor and I have been sleeping in our guest room so Brian can go to work with at least 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. He has really been doing pretty good and tends to wake up just about every 2.5 hours to eat, burp, spit-up, and be changed. Last night was great because after that little routine, he went right back to sleep in his little bassinet. It is the nights that he wants to be awake and alert in the middle of the night for an hour and a half that are tough on me! I try to stay in bed and go with this little routine for as long as possible to make up for some of the awake time in the middle of the night. So far it has worked out pretty well. I am still amazed at the amount that kid can eat! I know he had a little weight to make up, but sheesh....he's a little piglet!We had a few "firsts" this week. We went on our first walk, I put him in his "hotsling" (still not sure I did it right, he's not a big fan at this point), first spur-of-the-moment car ride to meet daddy with some work stuff.....Connor did OUTSTANDING. He was hungry and yet he still just sat in his carseat, awake, but not making a noise.Anyway, he is obviously growing and changing daily. Oh, his ultrasound results came back "normal" so we just have to wait until his 1 month check-up to see if there is anything else that needs to be done. I think he'll pass any tests they put him through with flying colors. Now he's got a little bit of baby acne, but it isn't bad and thankfully I don't think it bothers him at all. I'm sure it will go away soon....hopefully it is one of the last birth-related traumas that he'll have to go through. We all continue to adjust, but life is good. I think being a mom suits me.
Oh, this is random....but funny. Kathy Rufus brought back that Air Force Academy bear for Connor after going out to Colorado Springs for her son's last Parent's Weekend. When you press the paw, it plays the AFA fight son ("Off we go, into the Wild Blue Yonder...") Well, like ringtones, Mitsy goes nuts over the sound and comes running from wherever she is (within earshot) and then nuzzles into the bear. So, I think Connor and Mitsy might have to share this baby gift!

(I guess I had more to say than I thought....sorry.)

Connor's First Tub Bath and Little Grunts

15 Days Old

I survived my first 2 days flying solo with Connor. I woke up on Friday completely exhausted. I think night after night of interrupted sleep finally caught up to me. However, Connor was great and we were able to sleep in a little bit together in our big bed. Friday evening, the Jacksons came to visit. It was great to catch up with them and anticipate their new addition that will be arriving this spring!Mitsy and Toonces have really warmed up to the baby and I think they've forgiven us for making them secondary to Connor. Mitsy is very attentive when Little C cries and will even come downstairs (if she is up) to check on him if he cries for very long. Then she immediately looks at me like she is saying "Hello...he is obvioulsy upset...fix it!" She also likes to lay in the storage part of his bouncer/infant seat whether Connor is in the top or not. Toonces steers clear of the crying baby, but likes to snuggle when he naps. Of course we don't let her get too too close and it she is usually curled up with one of us too, but it is still very sweet to see them together.Connor really isn't going bald in the back.....but it sure looks like it in this picture.

Michael Kaczka came to the hosue Saturday evening and got to witness Connor's first tub bath. I'd originally planned to give him the bath earlier in the day, but I ran out of time and certainly didn't want Michael to have to hold a filthy baby. So, we were happy to share this milestone in Connor's life with him. He really did amazingly well. No screaming or anything excessive. We took a short little video, but out of respect for our little man's privacy, I won't subject him to that sort of publicity. :) The funniest part of the bath was not caught on camera. At the very end when I was about to get him out, the bath turned into a little fountain....heheh. As Michael said, it won't be the last time he pees in the bath/shower. It was just so dang cute!Not so sure about this whole bath thing.

Our long-legged little guy did a GREAT job!

After Connor was all clean, of course I was happy to pass him off to Michael. He slept for quite a while and then got a little fussy....and the grunting began. A few days ago he starting grunting after he eats. It is so difficult to tell what he wants. Is he still hungry, does he need to burp, does he have a dirty diaper? Recently, after a series of grunts and throwing his head around, the inconsolable crying begins. If the 3 things above are all addressed, it is extremely frustrating not to be able to calm him down. This afternoon he started up again and Brian and I were at a loss for what to do. After about 45 mintues of off-and-on screams, we heard an explosion in his diaper. After that, he was GREAT. However, Brian happened to be holding him at the time and the "explosion" went out the top of the diaper, onto his outfit, the swaddling blanket and then Brian's shirt. What can I say, the little guy is powerful! I am truly amazed at the amount of laundry a baby can produce! When I know I'm not leaving the house, I've just been wearing Brian's undershirts and I likely smell like spit-up most of the time. Speaking of spit-up....we've both witnessed it coming out of his nose. I'd heard about that, but didn't really believe it until I saw it happen...poor little guy!

Brian and I are obviously totally in love with our little guy. This whole parenting thing is certainly a learning process for us all, but eventually I think we'll get a good grasp on everything. We treasure his happy, alert times and are thankful when he is sleeping peacefully. There is nothing quite as sweet as a sleeping baby that waves an arm or stretches. When Connor is not so peaceful it breaks our hearts and wears us out, but we know it is just part of the process.

Overall, the state of the Nealon house is great.

Our Little Trooper/Frogger

11 Days Old

Connor had an ultrasound on his hips this morning because of his breech presentation. If you were stuck with your feet up by your ears for weeks and weeks, your hips might be a little out of socket too!

Anyway, although he was up last night right before midnight for about 2 hours, he got a bath this morning, ate, and then slept through his entire ultrasound on both sides! He did pee at the very end soaking the table and got his little outfit wet (note to self: add extra outfits to the diaper bag), but he did great. We should find out on Friday if he needs any sort of treatment for his hips/legs. Apparently, if there is a problem it only involves some cloth straps and velcro since the bones haven't completely formed yet...no surgery or crazy leg braces or anything like that. It is much better to catch it at this stage than later on. I will note that his leg movement on both sides has gotten a ton better in the last 12 days. He kicks his legs out a lot when he sleeps and likes to kick me too! However, he is still our little "frogger".

Love the legs...and the little mullet he's got going on. His skin is just so soft!
(Don't worry we don't think he is suicidal, trying to smother himself in the pillow...we didn't let him stay like this for long!)

Everything else seems to be going well. My parents are planning on leaving in the morning, so that will be the real test...taking care of him on our own! No more handing him off to someone so I can go to the bathroom or get something to eat, etc. Of course we'll figure it out like everyone else, but it has been great having them around since he was born. (big hug)

Yesterday evening he clasped his hands together with his fingers intertwined....cutest thing ever!

Told ya....cutest thing ever!

Danny Votruba stopped by on Sunday afternoon and held the tiny man for a while on the back porch. Danielle, somehow we missed getting your picture, so you just have to come back and visit!

It is probably just gas, but his little smiles are priceless regardless.

I just think this little sleeping video is sweet. I know he won't be this tiny forever.

Yes, we do clothe our child, but it is hot today and after he peed on his outfit at the ultrasound we just let him hang out in a diaper for a while. I took this video during one of his naps. If you listen very closely there is a little commentating going on, but I was whispering so it might be tough to hear. You'll notice that his umbillical cord fell off yesterday. YAY! No one told me that thing was going to stink! We are all glad it is gone and look forward to giving him tub baths soon.