Mr. Santa Pants

We drove to Avon Lake the afternoon of the 23rd to spend Christmas in Cleveland.

It is a Christmas Eve tradition to spend the evening with Pat's mom's side of the family. Grandma Nealon (Joan) passed away a while ago, but her siblings are all still living. Tammy and Craig Dixon hosted and we all had a nice time. Their kids, Adam and Faith did an outstanding job entertaining Connor. He found one of Faith's dolls. Initially it was kissing the doll....oh, so cute....and then he bit her nose. He did carry her around and wanted to take her down their slide. Hopefully when the time comes for C to be a big brother (no, this is not an announcement) we'll teach him how to NOT bite noses.
Christmas morning was fun. Although he doesn't get the whole Santa thing yet, he woke up earlier than normal and was very excited. I think he could just feel the excitement in the air.

Santa's stocking loot.

still a little sleepy

snuggling with daddy
he found a sucker in his stocking and stopped unloading it then.

Connor came in and walked right past his train table that Santa brought him and went for his daddy. It didn't take too long for him to come back to the table. However, all the track and buildings only stayed on the top for about 10 minutes before Connor turned into Godzilla and was taking out buildings. :) At 16 months, he enjoys the top with the road only and will grow into the rest of it....

It didn't take him long to find the gumball/m&m machine too. He knew exactly what to do. :)

my favorite picture of the day...Connor took out all the Christmas trash and played in the leaf bag himself. He does enjoy his toys too....for the record. :)

Another favorite...hugs for Uncle Scott.


Cleveland didn't have a white Christmas this year, but Ol' Man Winter decided to show up on the 28th and Connor went outside to play.
After playing in the snow, he "played" in the Metro. I'm sure the neighbors appreciated it...

Grandma & Grandpa visit & Big Boy Bathtime

Grandma and Grandpa Nealon came to visit the passed weekend and they had so much fun with the munchkin. The timing was perfect because Brian's company Christmas party was on Saturday, so we had built-in babysitters!!

The weather was actually really nice on Saturday and Grandma took Connor out sledding. Of course he was all bundled up. She said he loved touching the snow on the street as they walked. And I just love his little smile peeking though all the bundling.

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After meeting Santa on Tuesday night, I took the camera in to capture some bathtime moments. It has been a long time since I photographed this fun time. I'm going to make a point to continue to take some of these pictures because I think they are good way to see just how much he is growing!

Hi, Mom. :)

"Connor, where are your teeth?"

Yes, he was throwing water out of the tub....what was I supposed to do, I had the camera and he knew it!

blowing bubbles into the cup

Ok, enough pictures, Mom. (eyes unedited!!)

This is several days later....he got away from us for a few minutes and decided he was ready for his bath.

Connor and the big man in red.

We went to Meijer Garden and Sculpture park again this year for Connor's visit with Santa. Notice I said, "again"....this time last year Brian was working up here quite a bit just helping out and Connor and I came up and stayed for a week. So, he got to see (the very same Santa) two years in a row....click here if you'd like to compare.

Although it doesn't typically take Connor long to warm up to people, like most kids his age I had a feeling Santa might be a bit over the top. I don't exactly hand him over to strangers on a regular basis. He was somewhat cool for our family picture when he was in my lap.......but as soon as I handed him over to be held by Santa, he lost it immediately. Poor kid, you can even see his molars. I will say it is kinda sad that his trauma brought smiles to so many faces in line.Afterward, we pretty much let him run around Meijer Gardens on his own. Of course we were tailing him to make sure he didn't get into too much mischief, but he had a great time exploring. (we grabbed him before he could do serious damage)We were only able to get him to be still for one picture, with a poinsettia.
This is a small glimpse of a handful of the 40 trees that are decorated with ornaments from around the world.
And Connor hanging out outside. He didn't care at all that it was probably about 15º outside and the wind was blowing....bbrrrr.And last one, Connor silouetted against a giant tree full of lights.

First 2009 Snow.

So, I need to change my blog background. "Welcome Autumn" is not exactly fitting anymore when we got about 6 inches of snow this week!

We got a few flurries on Tuesday night and then it really picked up on Thursday night. I think we'd gotten an inch before I even realized it was snowing! (and that is sad...if you've been to our house, you know we have a ton of windows) Anyway, before I knew it, Brian was bundling up Connor to go out and play for just a few minutes.
By the next morning, it was like a winter wonderland. It is amazing how much more it feels like Christmas when there is a cold, white coat on everything outside. :) Connor and I went out to play while Brian was at work. When we went out it wasn't snowing at all, but after about 15 minutes it looked like a blizzard out there. Once C got it in his face and his little cheeks were really red, we headed inside. It was fun for a few minutes though.
Brian got home a little early and was anxious to take Connor back out. The snow was much more mild, so the two of them played out there for over an hour. Brian was shoveling the driveway and Connor was doing everything he possibly could to help. They sledded down our hill and had a big time. After Brian took off Connor's boots, hat, and mittens, he still darted for the snow shovel in the garage and proceeded to shovel some more...in his socks.
I always said I wanted to live somewhere with 4 seasons. Although in February I will be wishing for a much shorter winter, at this point it is great. :) The house is warm and decorated for Christmas. There is a fire in the fireplace and my two favorite boys are watching football in the living room (the bigger boy is more attentive than the little one). We have so much to be thankful for!

And we're home.

We all had a really wonderful time in Georgia, but we are back at home now. We left Macon at around 8:30 last night and made good time. We pulled into our driveway right at 9:00 this morning. Brian drove most of the time, but I did take the 12:30-5:00 am shift. It is tough driving all night, but Brian figured out a good way for us to stretch out in the car and it is well worth it for Connor to sleep the vast majority of the time and to avoid holiday traffic.

Anyway, we are home. I'm trying to get Connor to take a nap (so I can take a nap too) but he is resisting....

I have lots of pictures to add from our holiday.

We made it.

I started this post on the 20th and it is now the 24th. Sorry.

Connor and I survived. We made it to my parent's house in Macon at about 10:00 Thursday night. As expected, the solo travel experience with a 15 month old was not boring. Brian was hosting a very important business dinner in Grand Rapids Thursday evening, and we flew out of the Flint, MI airport (much much cheaper), so in order for him to get back in time to set up his dinner, Connor and I arrived at the airport 3 hours before our flight. For those unfamiliar with the Flint airport, there are only 8 gates....very small. And in the mid-afternoon, no one is there....seriously, no one. Connor spent those 3 hours pushing me around in a wheelchair, laughing at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, playing with his toys (truck, hammer and book), eating snacks, and basically just running around. I had to keep him away from plants, all the goods in the concession/magazine/etc. area, cleaning supplies, and all the other non-baby-proof stuff in an airport terminal. I was exhausted before we even boarded the plane....and it turned out to be delayed 30 minutes too...

Keeping a 15 month old little boy in your "lap" is not the easiest task. I really think this has to be the most difficult age to travel. He wants to explore everything and his attention span isn't long enough to keep interest in a dvd or any other extended time source of entertainment. For 1 hour and 45 minutes I was on high alert trying to make sure that Connor did not disrupt an otherwise pleasant flight for the other passengers on board. He never cried or screamed, but his activity level was enough to completely drain me. In my lap the vast majority of the time, I had to make sure he wasn't pushing on the seat in front of us with his feet, grabbing the headrest (to jump on the spare seat next to us, of course), pressing the light or call buttons overhead, putting his arms/legs/head into the aisle during the beverage service, etc., etc., etc...

It wasn't until the last 15 minutes of the flight that a nice man sitting behind us started making faces at Connor. Of course he was captivated and they played peek-a-boo for the remainder of the flight. Why couldn't others have done the same throughout the flight?!

I know that flying in general can be a stressful experience, but the next time you are feeling stressed out over your travels, just imagine it with a young, male, button-pushing, toddler. :) Don't get me wrong....Connor did amazing, I was just a nervous wreck. I now find flying solo almost even relaxing.

Anyway, I was more than ready to hand-off baby boy to his grandparents and great-grandmother waiting for us at the airport. We got Chick-fil-A (YAY!!!) on the way home and I continued to be amazed that Connor was still functioning on his single 45 minute, car nap. He dozed in the car right before we got to the house and that was enough to supercharge him for another hour of exploration at my parent's.

You'd think the "fun" was about over when he was finally in the crib at about 11:00. Nope. Within 10 minutes, Connor had escaped the crib. I heard a thud (not a fall, just the landing I guess) and he met me at the door of the kid's room. He was basically losing it. Huge day, strange bed....I don't blame him, but I didn't know what to do. He is NOT used to sleeping with me, but I couldn't just put him back in the crib knowing that he could just get out again. After a rough night in the bed with me (with one 45 minute stretch of inexplicable screaming), he finally got rested. I went downstairs around 8:30 Friday morning. To our shock and amazement, Connor got up at 9:30. He woke up in my bed, got out of the bed, came downstairs, and greeted us.....all by himself and without a cry or hesitation. I couldn't believe it!!

Since then, my dad was able to raise the rails of the crib another 3-4 inches, so he can't escape. (I was panicking about where he was going to nap?!?) He has grown more and more used to his surroundings, Precious (my parent's very old Cocker Spaniel) included and we are all doing very well.

Brian left mid-morning on Sunday (after attending the OSU v. Michigan game in Ann Arbor on Saturday with his brothers and friend) and arrived at my parent's house in Macon at 11:47 pm. I think he said it took him 12.5 hours. Not too bad. We are glad to be all together again and will be driving back to Michigan Saturday night...hoping Connor will sleep and we will avoid horrific holiday traffic.

We sure are having a fun time and we look forward to the rest of the family to arrive later today (Tuesday) and tomorrow for some fun, family, Thanksgiving fun.

the little things in life

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make me so excited. I'm sure many of you will not understand this, but I found a new envelope vendor and I just got my first shipment.....they are awesome!!!

In the past, I've designed birth announcements, Christmas cards, save-the-dates, shower invites, etc. for people, but I've been on hiatus for a while now. Book covers have gotten me bored recently, so nothing will boost creativity better than ordering 800 envelopes in fantastic colors and sparkles! I am so pleased with the quality and absolutely cannot wait for our Christmas cards to come in. I just ordered them today, also from a new vendor that I am very excited about!!! Hopefully they will come in before I leave for Georgia with Connor next Thursday.

Sometimes the hardest part about being a designer is trying to pick just one design. So, I caved and ordered two. :) I do have a favorite, and I ordered 50 of that one, and just 25 of the other. I can always get more if I need them, but thanks to Facebook, I'll likely not send them to everyone I've ever met. ;)

I am going to be strong and refrain from posting the card cover of my favorite, but I just can't hold in the other one. Just know that this is the runner-up. (and this is not the picture I mentioned in the previous Ohio trip post)


They are postcard-sized with a letter printed on the back....so it is a card and an update in one. I think I'm going to put these guys in the new brown sparkle envelopes. Now, I just need to find the best way to write on dark envelopes.....suggestions?

Anyway, if any of you are still tossing around the idea for Christmas cards, I love doing them....and hey, I'm cheap. :) I need to get an etsy shop open, but for now it is just for fun!

See, the little things....I just can't stop looking at my 8 fantastic varieties of envelopes!!! ;)

(Brian is totally going to roll his eyes when he reads this.)

Quick Ohio Trip

We had such a fun time in Ohio this weekend. The weather was AMAZING. We got to watch Scott play in his last home football game at Baldwin-Wallace College. He is the punter for the Yellow Jackets. We thought it would be fun for C to dress up, so we borrowed Paetyn's "bee" costume and he was a little mascot for the game! Connor also got to play in the leaves and ride on the tractor with Grandpa. We all had fun!

Of course, you know me....I was snapping pictures the whole weekend. I am happy to say that I was able to capture a great one of Connor that will be our Christmas card picture. So, I will refrain from posting that one. :)

Here are some of my favorites. I'll likely caption later. (The kitchen is a disaster, but I just can't make myself clean it...)