Jill Haralson, LMSW, died Friday, April 17, in Austin, TX. She is survived by her father, Hal, and mother, Judy; brother, Brad, wife Rachel and three nephews; brother, David, wife Annette, one niece and two nephews; and countless family and friends. Jill was born September 30, 1958, in Las Cruces, NM, and graduated from Crockett High School, Sul Ross State Univ., and UT Arlington (MSW). She served as a medical social worker in the Texas state hospital system.Jill was a camper and on staff at Laity Lodge Youth Camp for many years. She loved Big Bend, friends and classmates from Sul Ross, and photography. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Austin, sang in the choir, and served in the Mobile Loaves and Fishes ministry. She inspired many people as she courageously coped with epilepsy.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
An unexpected loss...my dear cousin, Jill.
Each of my parents only has 1 sibling, so grew up with a total of 5 first cousins. I lost one on Friday. Now I am the only girl. :( My heart especially goes out to my aunt, "Nanny" and Uncle Hal. After having a child of my own, I cannot fathom losing my baby....at any age. My mom is in Austin now to be with her dear sister, brother-in-law, nephews and other family. Jill was very loved and will be dearly missed.
Jill Haralson, LMSW, died Friday, April 17, in Austin, TX. She is survived by her father, Hal, and mother, Judy; brother, Brad, wife Rachel and three nephews; brother, David, wife Annette, one niece and two nephews; and countless family and friends. Jill was born September 30, 1958, in Las Cruces, NM, and graduated from Crockett High School, Sul Ross State Univ., and UT Arlington (MSW). She served as a medical social worker in the Texas state hospital system.Jill was a camper and on staff at Laity Lodge Youth Camp for many years. She loved Big Bend, friends and classmates from Sul Ross, and photography. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Austin, sang in the choir, and served in the Mobile Loaves and Fishes ministry. She inspired many people as she courageously coped with epilepsy.
Jill Haralson, LMSW, died Friday, April 17, in Austin, TX. She is survived by her father, Hal, and mother, Judy; brother, Brad, wife Rachel and three nephews; brother, David, wife Annette, one niece and two nephews; and countless family and friends. Jill was born September 30, 1958, in Las Cruces, NM, and graduated from Crockett High School, Sul Ross State Univ., and UT Arlington (MSW). She served as a medical social worker in the Texas state hospital system.Jill was a camper and on staff at Laity Lodge Youth Camp for many years. She loved Big Bend, friends and classmates from Sul Ross, and photography. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Austin, sang in the choir, and served in the Mobile Loaves and Fishes ministry. She inspired many people as she courageously coped with epilepsy.
Connor in Texas II
I've been very snap happy. (obviously)
These are just Connor. I'll add another post of people he's met during our trip.
I was a bad mom this evening. I was in the backyard taking some pictures of my grandmother's cats and I put Connor down between my feet so I could focus the lens. About 10 seconds later I heard a little cough and when I looked down, he was spitting up brown. He'd helped himself to a large serving of DIRT. Boys will be boys I guess. I stuck my finger in his mouth to make sure there wasn't any other debris (since he tried to eat a rock out of his stroller basket yesterday) and he was all clear. The dirt dribble on the chin is pretty ridiculous. :)
These are just Connor. I'll add another post of people he's met during our trip.
I was a bad mom this evening. I was in the backyard taking some pictures of my grandmother's cats and I put Connor down between my feet so I could focus the lens. About 10 seconds later I heard a little cough and when I looked down, he was spitting up brown. He'd helped himself to a large serving of DIRT. Boys will be boys I guess. I stuck my finger in his mouth to make sure there wasn't any other debris (since he tried to eat a rock out of his stroller basket yesterday) and he was all clear. The dirt dribble on the chin is pretty ridiculous. :)
A few days ago while we were doing some planting (okay, a lot of planting...looks beautiful) Connor hung out on the grass and Belle befriended him. I am still AMAZED at the way she acts with him. I probably said, "pet, not pull" a zillion times and tried over and over to prevent him from grabbing her ears, but she just laid right next to him, letting him do whatever he pleased. I happened to have my camera within arms reach and these are some of the moments I was able to catch. ;)
I still can't believe she continued laying with him after all that tugging! Is that a good kitty, or what?!! That one picture just cracks me up every time I see it!
I still can't believe she continued laying with him after all that tugging! Is that a good kitty, or what?!! That one picture just cracks me up every time I see it!Thursday, April 16, 2009
Connor in Texas
It is hard to believe that until about a month ago, he refused to have anything to do with a pacifier. Then all of the sudden he decided he liked it. I think he chews on it more than he sucks it, but either way it makes him happy now. He doesn't insist on having it all the time, but it keeps the constant grunting and happy yelling at bay for a while when he has it in.We spent a lot of time in Granny's yard today. Don't worry, he had his hat on most of the time or was in his little PeaPod tent, plus he had on sunscreen. Connor loves to be outside and of course I didn't hesitate to take advantage of lots of photo opportunities. I apologize that a lot of them are similar....I got snap happy and of course my philosophy is to take 100 pictures so you have 5-10 that you really like!
In his hat....no sun on those ears or that nose!
Playing in Granny's chair after he took a nap.
In his PeaPod Tent.
(I also put a sheet over it to keep more sun out.)
In his PeaPod Tent.
(I also put a sheet over it to keep more sun out.)
Blowing bubbles...not a surprise to those who have
been around him much: he's a pro!
Tonight, Connor had a hard time settling down and when I put him in the bed, Belle was there pre-warming his spot and he couldn't help "petting" her. I absolutely LOVE Mitz and Toonce, but Belle was beyond amazing with him. She didn't even flinch with all of his tugging and as you can see from the second picture, at one point he was completely laying on her and she never moved! I am/was very impressed with her super sweet disposition with Connor. I need to take some pictures of Tabby too. Her long hair and personality remind me of Toonces, but she is not so sure of a baby in the house and pretty much stays away from Connor....I don't know that I blame her with her long hair!
Connor and Belle
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Visiting Granny in Littlefield
It is after 9:30 here in TX, (so after 10:30 on the east coast) and I am amazed that Connor is still awake. He has had SUCH a full day that I thought for sure after his bottle he would be out like a light....nope. He isn't fussy at all, just wide awake and wanting to play. As Granny says, "He's all keyed up and excited to be at Granny's!". Right now she is rocking him and we have the ceiling fan going slow, so hopefully that will do it. I've got his PeaPod tent set up and it is all ready for him to go to sleep.
Backing up a bit....what a long day!
Connor and I left our house in Grand Rapids this morning at 8:30 with Jill and she dropped us off at the Detroit airport right at 11:00 for our 12:10 flight to Dallas. Well, in typical Southwest fashion we didn't go straight to Dallas, we landed in St. Louis (didn't deplane) and then went on to Dallas. There, we did change planes with a 2 hour layover and got into Lubbock at 6:05 central time. Man, what a long day of traveling! Connor was absolutely amazing on all the plane rides. I was very worried about his willingness to sit in my lap for so long, but he did great! I was so proud all day! Connor took a little nap in the car to Detroit, then a 15 minute nap while we were on the ground in St. Louis and then about 20 minutes during the very last leg of the trip from Dallas to Lubbock and that was IT all day. ———I just looked over and Granny got him to sleep. He is snoozing in her lap right now.....hold on....gotta get a picture. :)
Granny and Aunt Gwen were inside the airport waiting on us to arrive. I'd checked Connor's car seat and then 1 big suitcase with all of our stuff. The stroller was gate checked and it was all very convenient and hassle-free. In typical Littlefield style we drove straight to the Mexican food restaurant. I don't remember what it was called, but it was the one by United...not the one downtown (they don't go there anymore). Anyway, some of the best Mexican I've had in a while....especially for $4.99. :) Connor sat in his high chair and ate sweet potatoes and puffs and basically just flirted with Granny and Gwen while we ate...it was too cute.
We made it to Granny's and even though he wasn't fussing at all, I was starting to worry that he might loose it at any moment.....I really feel like I pushed him beyond the limits of normal baby behavior today. I immediately put him on the carpet so he could crawl around for a while while I unpacked all of his gear and started getting his bath ready. It was already well passed his normal bath time. I wasn't sure how we would do in a big-boy bathtub without his bath seat, but he was awesome! He sat on a towel and didn't fall over at all. Granny gave him some measuring cups and measuring spoons to play with in the bath and he was good to go. I should have known he wasn't going to go to sleep right away when he was kicking and yelling on the bed while I put his onesie/pjs on. He was too excited about the ceiling fan overhead!
Anyway, I just put him back into his tent and I need to go to bed now too. I'll have to upload the picture I just took of Granny and Connor sometime tomorrow. I'm not sure what tomorrow has in store, but Granny walked 6 miles yesterday so it is a good thing I brought the good stroller and my running shoes!
Oh, on a weather note....if I had any doubt that my blood has thickened before this trip, it has been completely eliminated. It is a reasonable 75º outside and I thought my blood might start boiling. I'm sure I'll get used to it again in the next few days, but there was a big difference to the 45º when I left Detroit! Connor is sleeping in just a onsie for the first time (maybe....)! I do LOVE wearing flipflops!
Backing up a bit....what a long day!Connor and I left our house in Grand Rapids this morning at 8:30 with Jill and she dropped us off at the Detroit airport right at 11:00 for our 12:10 flight to Dallas. Well, in typical Southwest fashion we didn't go straight to Dallas, we landed in St. Louis (didn't deplane) and then went on to Dallas. There, we did change planes with a 2 hour layover and got into Lubbock at 6:05 central time. Man, what a long day of traveling! Connor was absolutely amazing on all the plane rides. I was very worried about his willingness to sit in my lap for so long, but he did great! I was so proud all day! Connor took a little nap in the car to Detroit, then a 15 minute nap while we were on the ground in St. Louis and then about 20 minutes during the very last leg of the trip from Dallas to Lubbock and that was IT all day. ———I just looked over and Granny got him to sleep. He is snoozing in her lap right now.....hold on....gotta get a picture. :)
Granny and Aunt Gwen were inside the airport waiting on us to arrive. I'd checked Connor's car seat and then 1 big suitcase with all of our stuff. The stroller was gate checked and it was all very convenient and hassle-free. In typical Littlefield style we drove straight to the Mexican food restaurant. I don't remember what it was called, but it was the one by United...not the one downtown (they don't go there anymore). Anyway, some of the best Mexican I've had in a while....especially for $4.99. :) Connor sat in his high chair and ate sweet potatoes and puffs and basically just flirted with Granny and Gwen while we ate...it was too cute.We made it to Granny's and even though he wasn't fussing at all, I was starting to worry that he might loose it at any moment.....I really feel like I pushed him beyond the limits of normal baby behavior today. I immediately put him on the carpet so he could crawl around for a while while I unpacked all of his gear and started getting his bath ready. It was already well passed his normal bath time. I wasn't sure how we would do in a big-boy bathtub without his bath seat, but he was awesome! He sat on a towel and didn't fall over at all. Granny gave him some measuring cups and measuring spoons to play with in the bath and he was good to go. I should have known he wasn't going to go to sleep right away when he was kicking and yelling on the bed while I put his onesie/pjs on. He was too excited about the ceiling fan overhead!
Anyway, I just put him back into his tent and I need to go to bed now too. I'll have to upload the picture I just took of Granny and Connor sometime tomorrow. I'm not sure what tomorrow has in store, but Granny walked 6 miles yesterday so it is a good thing I brought the good stroller and my running shoes!
Oh, on a weather note....if I had any doubt that my blood has thickened before this trip, it has been completely eliminated. It is a reasonable 75º outside and I thought my blood might start boiling. I'm sure I'll get used to it again in the next few days, but there was a big difference to the 45º when I left Detroit! Connor is sleeping in just a onsie for the first time (maybe....)! I do LOVE wearing flipflops!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Our Little Bunny
Connor probably felt like the paparazzi was after him this morning....oops, but I got some cute ones. :) He is crawling so well and feeds himself Puffs!
I might have to add the video of him crawling to his basket....but I don't want to overwhelm you with videos....we've been a little video-crazy capturing this new milestone!
I might have to add the video of him crawling to his basket....but I don't want to overwhelm you with videos....we've been a little video-crazy capturing this new milestone!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Crawling Progress and Fun Day Outing
For those that are anxious to see progressed crawling, I've put it at the top of the post. :) It is amazing how much better he is even from just yesterday. Of course he wasn't tired when we took this one too. After this video, he even took off into the kitchen on the hardwood floors. Gone are the days of expecting him to stay in one area!
First of all, Connor had a personal best for consecutive sleep last night! He was out from 9:00 pm until 8:30 pm without a peep in the middle. Of course, I was stupid (but it was worth it) and Jill and I stayed up way to late catching up. He did take his late-morning nap on schedule before we took off for an afternoon outing. I think Jill has some sort of magic touch, because he very rarely sleeps on me these days...he is just getting so big!
Today we drove to Holland because Brian passed by a place that looked interesting a few days ago, so we decided to check it out. The park itself wasn't open yet, but we talked to someone that worked there and it is a living history theme park about Dutch culture and tries to replicate what it was like in the Netherlands 100 years ago. 
There were even some canals throughout the place and lots of authentic windmills. The lady that was informing us about the place gave us the heads up that we can come back on April 25th and get free season passes and even an extra pass per adult for guests. So, we'll have to go back! The gift shop was open and we couldn't resist taking a few little Dutchboy pictures. :)
After Holland, Brian drove us to Grand Haven which is right on Lake Michigan. I've wanted to go to the lake since we moved here just because I've never seen it before. So, this was our first time. It is gorgeous and there are beaches with awesome sand all over the place! Today was very chilly and very windy, but it should be loads of fun for a day trip in July or August!
When we got home it was time for Easter egg dying! I blew out a few to keep as mementos and then we just boiled the rest. Connor got to play with his plastic sports eggs
while we adults played in the colored vinegar. I wish I had a masterful technique to create amazing eggs, but ours were just fun. Maybe I'll learn how to do something cool by Easter next year???
Overall, a very fun day. The crawling in the video above actually took place in the afternoon/evening and I'm hoping it was enough to wear him out like his little workout did yesterday!
Happy Easter! ---- C has a little bunny suit for tomorrow!!!
First of all, Connor had a personal best for consecutive sleep last night! He was out from 9:00 pm until 8:30 pm without a peep in the middle. Of course, I was stupid (but it was worth it) and Jill and I stayed up way to late catching up. He did take his late-morning nap on schedule before we took off for an afternoon outing. I think Jill has some sort of magic touch, because he very rarely sleeps on me these days...he is just getting so big!
Today we drove to Holland because Brian passed by a place that looked interesting a few days ago, so we decided to check it out. The park itself wasn't open yet, but we talked to someone that worked there and it is a living history theme park about Dutch culture and tries to replicate what it was like in the Netherlands 100 years ago. 
There were even some canals throughout the place and lots of authentic windmills. The lady that was informing us about the place gave us the heads up that we can come back on April 25th and get free season passes and even an extra pass per adult for guests. So, we'll have to go back! The gift shop was open and we couldn't resist taking a few little Dutchboy pictures. :)After Holland, Brian drove us to Grand Haven which is right on Lake Michigan. I've wanted to go to the lake since we moved here just because I've never seen it before. So, this was our first time. It is gorgeous and there are beaches with awesome sand all over the place! Today was very chilly and very windy, but it should be loads of fun for a day trip in July or August!
When we got home it was time for Easter egg dying! I blew out a few to keep as mementos and then we just boiled the rest. Connor got to play with his plastic sports eggs
while we adults played in the colored vinegar. I wish I had a masterful technique to create amazing eggs, but ours were just fun. Maybe I'll learn how to do something cool by Easter next year???
Overall, a very fun day. The crawling in the video above actually took place in the afternoon/evening and I'm hoping it was enough to wear him out like his little workout did yesterday!Happy Easter! ---- C has a little bunny suit for tomorrow!!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
It's Official...He's Mobile!
Connor waited for his Aunt Jill to arrive to officially crawl FORWARD! He needed the computer (with Grandma & Grandpa Nealon on the other end) as well as some "puffs" for incentive, but he made it! By the time we got the camera out it was already passed his bathtime/bedtime and he was tired, but we got a few "steps" captured.
He also had a blast while I was changing the sheets on our guest bed.
'Tomorrow we dye easter eggs. :) Stay tuned for more!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Connor Video (for his Daddy)
Brian, a video just for you.
We can't wait for you to be back home tomorrow!
(he was being very loud, but still hasn't let us record him "talking")
My mom and dad have been visiting and will be here until Saturday. It has been great having them here for more than just a weekend. Brian got to be here with us until his national training meeting in Texas, but he'll be back late tomorrow night. Again, I need to take picture of them with Connor and at least a few with both of them and the little guy. Those are the pictures I know he'll be so happy to have when he gets big.
Having visitors here during the day has allowed me to rest and also get a lot done! My dad has been an amazing help putting up a ton of blinds in our windows. (the downside to a brand new house) It turned into even more work than he thought when a ton of them had to be sanded down, making them more custom to fit the windows...oops. (THANKS, DAD!)
My mom and I have run some errands with Connor picking up a few things for the house and figuring some stuff out. I got my Michigan driver's license today so I am now a legal driver again. We also ordered a new ottoman/coffee table so Connor won't crack his little head on our existing glass table and I am SO EXCITED about the dining room table I found two days ago and ordered today. It will come in in 6-8 weeks and has "heirloom" white legs with an "heirloom java" top to coordinate with our dark cabinets and distressed white island. I think it will tie things together perfectly and will go great with all the chairs I already got and have assembled. This is not a good picture of the table, but it was the image I got when I created it because it is custom from Bassett. Anyway, I've been single-handedly stimulating the economy (but not, too too much) :)
Here is a sweet picture that my dad took of Connor today with his iPhone. He was such a good little guy today!
We can't wait for you to be back home tomorrow!
(he was being very loud, but still hasn't let us record him "talking")
My mom and dad have been visiting and will be here until Saturday. It has been great having them here for more than just a weekend. Brian got to be here with us until his national training meeting in Texas, but he'll be back late tomorrow night. Again, I need to take picture of them with Connor and at least a few with both of them and the little guy. Those are the pictures I know he'll be so happy to have when he gets big.
Having visitors here during the day has allowed me to rest and also get a lot done! My dad has been an amazing help putting up a ton of blinds in our windows. (the downside to a brand new house) It turned into even more work than he thought when a ton of them had to be sanded down, making them more custom to fit the windows...oops. (THANKS, DAD!)
My mom and I have run some errands with Connor picking up a few things for the house and figuring some stuff out. I got my Michigan driver's license today so I am now a legal driver again. We also ordered a new ottoman/coffee table so Connor won't crack his little head on our existing glass table and I am SO EXCITED about the dining room table I found two days ago and ordered today. It will come in in 6-8 weeks and has "heirloom" white legs with an "heirloom java" top to coordinate with our dark cabinets and distressed white island. I think it will tie things together perfectly and will go great with all the chairs I already got and have assembled. This is not a good picture of the table, but it was the image I got when I created it because it is custom from Bassett. Anyway, I've been single-handedly stimulating the economy (but not, too too much) :)
Here is a sweet picture that my dad took of Connor today with his iPhone. He was such a good little guy today!
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