Before i forget

This morning, Connor was deliberately late for school. We learned last week, while Brian was out of town, that Declan does much better when he wakes up himself instead of being awakened to retake Connor to school before 8:30. This just means that he needs to eat breakfast at home. No big deal.

Declan usually wakes up on his own around 9:00.

As Declan began to stir, Connor was finishing his waffle and I was trying to get clothes on as quickly as possible. C called me for something and I walked into the kitchen without pants on.

His comment to me, "Mom, you are just wearing legs."

I've never thought about it like that before. Instead of an absence of pants...just legs. This should also be catalogued with "just feet"...not to be confused with "bear feet". Homophones are a b*tch for 4 year olds!!

"films"...

I can see my future flashing before my eyes....only different.

Fast-forward 12-13 years and I'll be watching highlight reels from Connor's games...football, baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey....whatever it may be.

I can tell this because he just got a first place trophy on MarioKart. He just chose to "view replay". I told him he pressed the wrong button if he wants to play again.

His reply, "No, I like to watch it again when I win."

He proceeded to give me a play-by-play of the race, what he did, and why. I guess that is the 4-year old version of "films".....oh boy. I'm in for it big time!

Poop

My kid wakes up from a 20 minute nap (it took walking around outside in 30 degree weather to get him asleep) so he can nurse to blow out a diaper.

Brutal.

He better go back to sleep after I change him!

I'll choose to be thankful that there isn't poop all over his bed...

haha—Saturday morning

Brian is drinking coffee out of a mug with a picture of Connor on it from when he was 6 weeks old.

Brian: Connor, who is this on my mug?

Connor: That's me!

Allison: Does it look like "baby boy" — what Connor calls Declan about 75% of the time.

Connor: It certainly does.

Seriously..."certainly"?! Coming out of the mouth of a 4 year old, it is too funny.

——

Just now, Brian and Connor are playing catch with a stuffed football.

Connor didn't catch the ball that Brian threw.

Connor: That was a bad throw dad. You are not going to get the Heisman.

oh my goodness... guess whose father is already campaigning? :)

——

Meanwhile, Declan is just chillin' in his vibrating seat (not vibrating) and his fingers are "pruny" from semi-sucking on them. He might just take to his index and middle finger of his right hand like his mommy did..... :)

BBE — best baby ever!

He cried for a while because he still wasn't ready to go to bed last night at 11:00, but once I finally got him down, he slept until after 7:00. Then he went right back to sleep until 10:30. He woke up all congested, but super happy. I had to pump for the first time since the beginning of December because I didn't want to explode. BBE — 3 months old, photo below taken yesterday.

The New Year disappointment..

Connor stayed up until midnight. However, he was extremely disappointed with the ball drop. We went to Outback for dinner and challenged him to stay awake until 2013 and watch the ball.

Once 2013 arrived he turned to me and said, "I thought we were going to go outside."

Why??

"So we can drop all of our balls."

Oops. Mom fail.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


O

The other reindeer

Connor is at such a fun age right now.

I really need to do better about documenting the cute things that he says and does.

Today's cannot be overlooked for forgotten.

I was feeding Declan in his room before getting ready to drop the boys off at the O'keefe's house while I ran to get my hair cut. I asked Connor to get dressed. He does this all by himself now and is extremely proud...especially of his ability to put on his socks. :)

Connor shouts out of his closet, "Mom, can I wear the green, Christmas shirt with a reindeer on it?"

I have absolutely no clue what he is talking about, but I respond, "Sure."

A few moments later, the door opens to Declan's room and Connor is struggling with the hood of the sweatshirt going over his head. He is otherwise naked.

My heart smiled.

"The reindeer goes in the front, Mom."

My precious son.



Underwear, socks, & pants were later added to this "festive" ensemble. Oh, and he changed the hat to his navy Nike hat with a white swoosh. :)

Declan kicks and kicks at 10 weeks

Uncle Hal 1935-2012

I've only ever had 2 uncles, but my "Uncle Hal" was often more like a grandfather because of the age/experience difference. I have so many fond memories...at their home in Austin: Easter egg hunts in the lawn, gathering eggs from the chickens, horseback rides on the property, shooting the potato canon, naps on their many window seats, many hours in the oldest, coolest, hot tub ever, the smell of mesquite trees, lady longhorn basketball games, and listening to many many stories. My uncle was a storyteller for sure.

Then there are memories at Lake LBJ...him driving the boat while we tubed, fishing, etc. etc.

I'll never forget out time at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. What fun. There was a sea of people and sometimes Nanny and I thought we needed a "leash" to keep him with us....too funny!

He never met a stranger, had the warmest heart, a wise soul, and an unforgettable voice. I will certainly miss the sound of his voice. He always made me feel beautiful and like a princess among a sea of boys.

He was always wearing burnt orange....all things Texas. I must credit both my aunt and uncle with teaching me how to "hook em" at a super early age. I knew what that symbol meant long before I knew "I love you", "peace", or "hang ten". It also makes my heart happy that Connor remembers everything...I showed him one time when he was 2 and he will still tell me occasionally, "Remember, Mom...hook it horns?" Close enough. He is a pro.

We never lived in close proximity, but we didn't have too....family was, is, and always will be important. Love extends over many miles. I hope that the Haralson family can feel our love from here as they celebrate his wonderful life. He is most certainly in a better place, he is no longer suffering, and I'll bet he is evening wearing burnt orange & white.

With his love of all things Texas in mind, this is how we chose to honor his memory....from his niece, nephews and our families...