Catch-Up Post...Lots of Events & Pictures

Ok, I haven't posted in a long time and it is almost overwhelming how many pictures and events I need to include. I don't know if I should start from a few weeks ago and work my way to the present or just do it randomly.

Now that that has been said, I will just do some written updating. Connor and I came back to Ohio from Georgia yesterday. All three of us headed south last Thursday afternoon to attend my dear friend, Kristin's wedding in Hilton Head Island, SC. My mom and dad also went to the Island to babysit Connor so we could enjoy the festivities! The whole thing was a wonderful success. Kristin's attention to detail was/is absolutely amazing and it was a real treat to be a part of such a momentous occasion of her life. I got to see lots of good college friends and catch up. I love that good friends don't have to see each other all the time to pick up right where they left off! And as a bonus, we made new friends at the wedding too...Connor even had his first date! Cate Schellhammer is exactly 2 weeks older than him and they had a great time while their moms and dads were at Kristin and Ryan's reception!
I will do another post with all pictures from these wedding festivities....otherwise this one would be crazy long!

We drove back to Macon on Sunday morning and Grant and Carrie were there waiting for us! This was the first time the new aunt and uncle got to meet the little man and it was so fun getting to see them with him. Carrie started out hesitant (to feed him, etc.) and in about 30 seconds she looked like an old pro. I can't wait to be around them for an extended time at Christmas and by that time, Connor will get to meet Aunt Elisa, Uncle Christian and their new little boy that can come anytime now! Christmas should be lots of FUN!

Carrie was also a wonderful help with Connor and as photographer when we went to a baby shower for Julie Self. I was so lucky to happen to be in town for this event. Time was very limited, so we only got to stop by for a short time, but again, it was so great to catch up with childhood/high school friends. Julie looks absolutely amazing and she will welcome their little bundle of joy in about 5 weeks now. I absolutely love the picture I have of her with Connor. She is such a natural! I also got to see my good friend Ashley and meet her 6 month old, Shane for the first time! I still can't believe he has red hair, but what a cutie!

Meagin (Clark) Miller also came over and brought her new daugher, Baylee. She is about 3.5 weeks older than Connor and such a cutie! We didn't get to spend much time together, but it is always fun to be around someone that knows EXACTLY what you are going through! We did a little baby swap for this picture...me with Baylee and Meagin with Connor. :)

Brian had to fly back to Ohio on Sunday evening and Grant and Carrie were able to take him to the airport in Atlanta. Leave it to the Atlanta Airport to lose Brian's bag between there and Akron/Canton....no connections or anything. Ridiculous. He did get his bag the next day (delivered by a really rude guy), but still....what a pain. Of course we missed Brian/daddy, but this will allow us to stay in GA for a longer time at Christmas.

My mom was "sick" on Monday and Tuesday from school...hey, she would have been sick if she had gone to school! We had a fun time. I got to rest and relax quite a bit (YAY!). On Monday I got together with Aubrey and her daughter, Abigail and then we all went over to see Melissa and Ella. All of our parents are in the same neighborhood, so when we are lucky enough to be in town at the same time, meeting up is a blast. I know that Connor is still very little, but compared to his birth size, he is HUGE to me now. All of that was put into perspective when we got around Abigail (exactly 1 year older than Connor..14 months, and Ella - 18 months). They aren't even babies anymore....they are KIDS! What a hoot. I couldn't believe how Connor just laid on a little exercise mat at the Benson's and was entertained by the constant action of the girls. I feel bad because I really do think sometimes he just gets bored. Anyway, it was so cool to see my old friends and their babies too. I still feel like a kid myself, but being around all these fine people made me feel a little more like a grown-up. :)Abigail (14 months) • Connor (2 months) • Ella (18 months)

Tuesday we got Connor's Halloween pictures taken. I'll save those for a little later...probably a new Halloween post....get excited....he is celebrating as a skunk this year! (99¢ at Children's Place last February!) I've also realized how much easier it is to shop with Connor with another person. We didn't do much, just stops at Barnes & Noble, Baby Depot and ChiChesters, but I was much less stressed out having mom their with him too. I know I will get over it and he will grow out of some of it, but I just get so stressed out taking him anywhere for fear that he will enter into a fussy time that I can't control. (I have to scan them....then I'll post, I promise!)

The flight home last night wore me out. Of course when B was with us, he slept the entire time and didn't make a peep on the way south, but coming home our flight was delayed out of Atlanta (surprise surprise) and he was awake until the last 10 mintues of the flight! Pictures from Akron to Atlanta flight.....Connor's first plane ride! Of course I did not partake in the in-flight snack or beverage.....I was bouncing a baby around, swaying, leaning back and forth and trying to keep the kid entertained or fed the entire time. It is so hard because I couldn't stand up with him or lay him down or anything like that. If you have an "infant in arms" you are only allowed to sit on one side of the plane (extra gas mask) and not in an aisle seat. I guess I was successful in keeping him quiet because he only squealed..not screamed....about 3 times and the lady sitting directly in front of me confronted me at the baggage claim and said "wow, he slept the whole time, huh!"....WRONG, but at least no one else was disturbed. I am thankful that he was good for being awake and the pressure didn't bother him at all despite refusing to take a pacifier or drink anything during takeoff or landing!
(No pictures of the return flight..I was WAY too busy!)

Ok, so I still have pictures from Connor's first football game...Scott's Baldwin Wallace game a few weeks ago and some time we spent at the Nealon's. Leslie put him in his blue teddy bear suit
while all of this other clothes were being washed....she just couldn't resist. He seemed to really like it too because he was smiling up a storm!

I also have a TON of pictures of Connor with people for the first time...so I am going to put together either a big slide show or will just do an entire post of people meeting the little man. :)

I'm tired...time for bed. Connor is sleeping in his crib (instead of his bassinet) for the first time tonight so I am camping out in his room too. I have my sleeping bag set up on a memory foam pad, so I should be all cozy. Hopefully he does well! I'm hoping for 7 hours & 45 minutes straight..that would top the 7 hours & 30 minute record thus far.