Connor Connor Connor Connor Connor - was absolutely delightful. He giggled, laughed, snuggled, played and led me around with the old finger-pull trick like a puppy on a leash. Up the stairs, down the stairs, into the dining room, out to the garage. And granny followed where ever he led.
He amazed his admiring Granny; after we tooted our paper horns at each other he threaded my paper tube into his paper tube. This seemed to me like a complex mathematical engineering feat that he did with out being introduced to the theory, but that bloomed of his very own deductive reasoning. I'm not smart enough to know why this was a great leap forward, but I am smart enough to know it was.
What a great evening; we tooted horns, gnawed on elbows, climbed the stairs, rode the rocking horse and clanged the trains around about.
I watched him put his little rubber frog boots on the wrong feet, so I pulled them off to correct it and he kept trying to put them on the wrong feet -- repeatedly. And then it was as if a grand illumination hit his wee firing synapses brain and he thought, well okay, you are right and he put them on the right feet and took off. He loves his rubber frog boots.
I saw him ride his trike around the garage. I saw him cry when bike riding time was over. He loves that trike. I saw him attack, and attack is the only word I can think of that describes his fascination over his mom's new car. He moved every button, lever, switch, or control in attack mode. He watched me watch him mess with the switches. I still don't know if her loves the car, the controls or granny watching. Too too funny.
The boy was all boy last night.
The boy is thriving, maturing.
The boy is growing up.
Potty training starts Monday. Well, we'll see.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Playdate Thursday March 17. 2011
To begin with Connor was dressed all in green, not because Mama remembered it was St Patrick's Day but because Shannon at daycare couldn't stand it that Connor was in an orange t-shirt so she went to Fred Meyers and fixed him up. He was so dang cute.
He left daycare with his green hat and his bag of goodies; green necklaces, gold coins, candy. When we arrived at his house the new thing he did was NOT go to his daycare candy or Grannies treat tin. He preceded me up the stairs to let Brandy out.
This seems to be his new job or new thrill, going up the stairs, because first we went up the stairs to let Brandy out. Then we went up the stairs to put his gold coins in his penny bank, then he wanted to go up the stairs for me to change his diaper, but I nixed that much to Connor's dissatisfaction. Diapers are to be changed on the changing table upstairs and when I tossed his little self on the floor by the fireplace he let me know he was one unhappy Connor.
The other really cute thing he did was when we went to the bathroom for me to go potty he brought me his new little toilet seat. If it was what he was supposed to use he was sure it was what I was supposed to use. Try explaining to a single track two year old mind that granny really doens't need it but it was really sweet of him to get it for me.
Connor likes to get a thing right. When he was putting his Cars video away he very carefully put each piece of paper under the clips for the paper before he closed the lid. It was done right.
He ate his cookies, didn't want the necklaces, put the hat on everyone at some point or other, played with his car tower for a long long time, and then started showing me how well he can tear paper. His easel was there and he nipped a little piece, looked at me and then ran and threw the trash away. Then he nipped another little piece, looked at me and then ran and threw that one away. He kept nipping bigger and bigger pieces until mom came home and put a stop to it. No more tearing paper for the wee guy, now I know why he kept looking at me. Just waiting for me to say no.
Sorry little guy, we will have to find a new game next playdate. Something that will be so dang cute.
He left daycare with his green hat and his bag of goodies; green necklaces, gold coins, candy. When we arrived at his house the new thing he did was NOT go to his daycare candy or Grannies treat tin. He preceded me up the stairs to let Brandy out.
This seems to be his new job or new thrill, going up the stairs, because first we went up the stairs to let Brandy out. Then we went up the stairs to put his gold coins in his penny bank, then he wanted to go up the stairs for me to change his diaper, but I nixed that much to Connor's dissatisfaction. Diapers are to be changed on the changing table upstairs and when I tossed his little self on the floor by the fireplace he let me know he was one unhappy Connor.
The other really cute thing he did was when we went to the bathroom for me to go potty he brought me his new little toilet seat. If it was what he was supposed to use he was sure it was what I was supposed to use. Try explaining to a single track two year old mind that granny really doens't need it but it was really sweet of him to get it for me.
Connor likes to get a thing right. When he was putting his Cars video away he very carefully put each piece of paper under the clips for the paper before he closed the lid. It was done right.
He ate his cookies, didn't want the necklaces, put the hat on everyone at some point or other, played with his car tower for a long long time, and then started showing me how well he can tear paper. His easel was there and he nipped a little piece, looked at me and then ran and threw the trash away. Then he nipped another little piece, looked at me and then ran and threw that one away. He kept nipping bigger and bigger pieces until mom came home and put a stop to it. No more tearing paper for the wee guy, now I know why he kept looking at me. Just waiting for me to say no.
Sorry little guy, we will have to find a new game next playdate. Something that will be so dang cute.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Playdate Thursday March 3, 2011
I mean, I mean, I mean I drove to daycare and picked Connor up. I got to see him run across the floor to greet me. Nothing is finer than Connor running across the floor to greet me..
Granny is back. We did the whole playdate routine from pick up to bye-bye.
Connor did get a little miffed with granny because he wanted his afternoon milk, he kept whining and going to the refrigerator for his milk. There wasn't a drop of milk in the house. He didn't blame mommy and daddy, he didn't blame the refrigerator, he didn't blame the dog -- he blamed his good for nothing Granny who couldn't produce the goods.
Connor was a little woe-begone for the afternoon. Nothing much interested him for long. Puzzles were left lying, trains left un-crashed, books left un-read. Even Brandy was left un-scolded. The only time he really enjoyed was when we played the growling game crawling up the stairs. Nobody will ever see me do that except Connor.
Late in the evening, after mommy and daddy came home, I had the pleasure of seeing Connor go to his toy stash and tug at the Thomas the Train tent I got him for his birthday. Out of the thousands of toys un-played with he wanted the tent set up. He still needs a little help with the pop up part of the tent, but he sure knows how to crawl, hide, flap, flip, and giggle in a hidy hole.
...And I got to see Stephanie crawl through the tunnel. Skinny skinny girl.
Granny is back. We did the whole playdate routine from pick up to bye-bye.
Connor did get a little miffed with granny because he wanted his afternoon milk, he kept whining and going to the refrigerator for his milk. There wasn't a drop of milk in the house. He didn't blame mommy and daddy, he didn't blame the refrigerator, he didn't blame the dog -- he blamed his good for nothing Granny who couldn't produce the goods.
Connor was a little woe-begone for the afternoon. Nothing much interested him for long. Puzzles were left lying, trains left un-crashed, books left un-read. Even Brandy was left un-scolded. The only time he really enjoyed was when we played the growling game crawling up the stairs. Nobody will ever see me do that except Connor.
Late in the evening, after mommy and daddy came home, I had the pleasure of seeing Connor go to his toy stash and tug at the Thomas the Train tent I got him for his birthday. Out of the thousands of toys un-played with he wanted the tent set up. He still needs a little help with the pop up part of the tent, but he sure knows how to crawl, hide, flap, flip, and giggle in a hidy hole.
...And I got to see Stephanie crawl through the tunnel. Skinny skinny girl.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Nothing Could Be Finer Than Spending Time With Connor
The winter has melted away and I have been distracted with Claire's and my illnesses and injuries, but two weeks ago the daycare was closed and I was able to babysit Connor for mom and dad. Grandma Fortener took the morning hours so I could go for my diabetic eye exam, but I got the rest of the day.
Connor was sparkling. He smiled, talked, played and enchanted me with his sweet demeanor. We did whatever Connor wanted to do. He showed me how to play his computer games; how to turn on his mum's computer, how to locate the game, start the game, and then play the game. It's an interesting world when the two year old can show the old granny the how to's of technology.
It was a day of regularness: no grand event, no illness, no particular need, just Connor in his world and granny watching. He interacted with me, with the dog, with the refrigerator, the high chair, the books, toys, games and puzzles. Connor threw himself gently onto the floor as though he was going to throw a temper tantrum, but no noise came out of his mouth. He just gently went down and lowered his head, I read it as a sign that it was nap time and took him to bed. He lay down and I think he was asleep before I was out of the room.
Two hours later a smiley Connor woke up for more regularness.
He is a wonder and a delight.
We played, read and puzzled until the family came home.
Here's a few pictures of the regular event.
And I get to do it again today.
Nothing could be finer than spending time with Connor.
Connor was sparkling. He smiled, talked, played and enchanted me with his sweet demeanor. We did whatever Connor wanted to do. He showed me how to play his computer games; how to turn on his mum's computer, how to locate the game, start the game, and then play the game. It's an interesting world when the two year old can show the old granny the how to's of technology.
It was a day of regularness: no grand event, no illness, no particular need, just Connor in his world and granny watching. He interacted with me, with the dog, with the refrigerator, the high chair, the books, toys, games and puzzles. Connor threw himself gently onto the floor as though he was going to throw a temper tantrum, but no noise came out of his mouth. He just gently went down and lowered his head, I read it as a sign that it was nap time and took him to bed. He lay down and I think he was asleep before I was out of the room.
Two hours later a smiley Connor woke up for more regularness.
He is a wonder and a delight.
We played, read and puzzled until the family came home.
Here's a few pictures of the regular event.
And I get to do it again today.
Nothing could be finer than spending time with Connor.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Nothing Could Be Finer Than Reading Time With Connor
I arrived at Connor's house and he was all happy to see me, but then he turned and ran away. I thought, well I guess he wasn't that happy to see me. What I didn't know is he was running to collect his books and was waiting for me at the couch with the collection I had given him for Christmas before I was even in the house. AFTER he had his little treat from the treat tin we commenced to read.
We read Pat the Bunny, and Pat the Bunny, and Pat the Bunny again until he moved on to The Polar Bear book, The Big Red Barn book, the Nursery Rhyme book, the Foot Book, the Blue Truck book and also more than once the I Want a Pet book. He sat in my lap one book at a time. We would finish one and he would dash off to put it away and bring another one. NOTHING could be finer than reading time with Connor.
His nose had miraculously dried up and I was there for two hours and didn't wipe it once.
I fell right after his 2nd birthday party so I didn't blog about it, but the party was wonderful; sweet, cute and loving. He was surrounded by family that loved him.
Here are a few photo's of the event:
Grandma Fortener and Connor
and the menfolk...
We read Pat the Bunny, and Pat the Bunny, and Pat the Bunny again until he moved on to The Polar Bear book, The Big Red Barn book, the Nursery Rhyme book, the Foot Book, the Blue Truck book and also more than once the I Want a Pet book. He sat in my lap one book at a time. We would finish one and he would dash off to put it away and bring another one. NOTHING could be finer than reading time with Connor.
His nose had miraculously dried up and I was there for two hours and didn't wipe it once.
I fell right after his 2nd birthday party so I didn't blog about it, but the party was wonderful; sweet, cute and loving. He was surrounded by family that loved him.
Here are a few photo's of the event:
and the menfolk...
Friday, January 7, 2011
Playdate Thursday January 6, 2011
Connor had his two year old medical check up, so I met him and mum at his house. He smiled when he heard me before he even saw me, he was waking up from a wee nap in the car when low and behold, there was granny.
He opened his personal treat tin granny carries to find the expected treat inside and munched his cookie. He tried, in vain, to open his banana and after a wee head start from granny he munched his banana too, sort of. He wasn't too impressed with the nana, but he did like peeling it. Can you munch a banana? Anyway, half of the banana was left un-munched, as was most of his chicken and peas dinner, however he did discover he could use the end of the banana as a glue stick for picking up peas. Not that he ate them, he just liked sticking his banana on them and picking them up.
Checking out his world one bit at a time, oh the things you can discover when you aren't interested in eating peas.
Mom left for her personal training class and dad wasn't home yet so Connor and I had some delightful, wonderful, superb one on one time. He scoped out his new Christmas puzzle and put it together with Kingly, no Princely confidence about seventeen times before he wandered off to explore boxes, bags, cars, binoculars, tools -- lots of tools. Then he "finger pulled" me to his books and we checked those out -- thoroughly.
Then he did his wonderful "bag" trick. He pulls any bag with a strap on it around and about, I think the heavier it is the better he likes it. He kept trying to open his mom's computer bag but it was smarter than him. Granny's bag and the lunch bag and the diaper bag he mastered a long time ago and can open like Houdini. The new bag tonight that he got his hands on was daddy's camera tri-pod bag. What a delight, it had two straps on it. He hissed at his mom, held on with all his strength, and told her a very firm NO when she tried to take it away from him. He scored that round.
He kept Brandy in line; kept telling her to "stay" or "no." Connor's job at 5:30 pm is to feed Brandy. He missed just a little bit when he dumped the food into Brandy's food dish so he kept walking around pointing to all the tidbits Brandy was missing, telling her where they were, then he started picking up the little bitty nubbins and taking them to Brandy's dish. Connor likes order in his world.
Except for the two-thousand or so toys strewn about, those he pretty much left strewn, but Connor and granny read, snuggled, crashed cars, sung, nibbled and pretty much played the evening away. Next stop on the Connor express is his big two year old birthday party scheduled for Sunday. I can't wait. Christian will be there so granny will just watch from the sidelines.
The faces of joy, of wonder, of concentration, and confidence. What's a granny to do except love the child.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Nothing Could Be Finer Than Christmas Time With Connor
It was a fine day celebrating a second Christmas with Connor. He was all smiles and joy as he explored his wondrous new delights; dishes and books and tools and flashing lights and pop gun. Connor doesn't get frantic or overwhelmed, he just moseys around picking up one thing after another and checks it out. He shared with me, and then he shared with Christian and he shared with Christian and then he shared some more. Christian was definitely the fave this Christmas day.
The cutest thing was he received Home Depot toddler tools from both sets of Grandparents. He was in tool heaven. Tools buzzed, whirred, snapped, stretched and clamped for most of the afternoon. And Connor was all smiles. That boy loves to push a button.
Nothing could be finer than Christmas time with Connor.
The cutest thing was he received Home Depot toddler tools from both sets of Grandparents. He was in tool heaven. Tools buzzed, whirred, snapped, stretched and clamped for most of the afternoon. And Connor was all smiles. That boy loves to push a button.
Nothing could be finer than Christmas time with Connor.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Gift
I selected a small collection of books for Connor's Christmas from my book shelves. All of them needed to be the right size, color, and maturity level. It was fun, and reminded me of a conversation I had with a fellow colleague at work several weeks ago.
She asked, "What are you getting your grandson for Christmas?"
Now I know enough about human nature to know that was an invitation for me to ask her what she was getting her granddaughter for Christmas. So I did.
"Oh, I'm not sure. What are you getting your granddaughter for Christmas?"
"I'm getting her the cutest little pink electric car."
"Well, I'm not doing nearly that for Connor. I'll get him a book."
After a gulp or two, she said, "Well, well, that's a nice gift also."
...And it is.
She asked, "What are you getting your grandson for Christmas?"
Now I know enough about human nature to know that was an invitation for me to ask her what she was getting her granddaughter for Christmas. So I did.
"Oh, I'm not sure. What are you getting your granddaughter for Christmas?"
"I'm getting her the cutest little pink electric car."
"Well, I'm not doing nearly that for Connor. I'll get him a book."
After a gulp or two, she said, "Well, well, that's a nice gift also."
...And it is.
Babysitting December 20,2010
Typical male, days before Christmas and Roger was desperate to do some shopping. I hadn't seen Connor for a month because my energies had been otherwise engaged; Ian's car, leaky faucet, and taking Claire to the doctor and for test appointments, so I volunteered for babysitting duties.
I was afraid Connor wouldn't remember me after a month furlough so I took a cookie along to sweeten the deal. He remembered me but was still reluctant to leave the day care and the peanut butter and graham cracker treats behind.
After he had his cookie and healthy grapes snack from Granny, we got down to the serious business of playing with his new Thomas the Train train set. He was so dang cute. If he wasn't already in my heart he would have choo-chooed his way in on Monday. When I deserted him and sat down on the couch for a spell he would come get me by my finger and gently lead me back to the train. He was so dang cute.
He don't talk much but he sure do communicate! Finger pulling or waah waahing he let Granny know what is what and what is going on and what isn't to his satisfaction.
The other memorable thing he did was carry his snack tin around and then stand on it, bounce on it, wiggle back and forth on it to make it squeak. He is so dang cute.
Christmas is going to be so much fun watching The Connorman discover the goodness of the season in all it's forms.
I was afraid Connor wouldn't remember me after a month furlough so I took a cookie along to sweeten the deal. He remembered me but was still reluctant to leave the day care and the peanut butter and graham cracker treats behind.
After he had his cookie and healthy grapes snack from Granny, we got down to the serious business of playing with his new Thomas the Train train set. He was so dang cute. If he wasn't already in my heart he would have choo-chooed his way in on Monday. When I deserted him and sat down on the couch for a spell he would come get me by my finger and gently lead me back to the train. He was so dang cute.
He don't talk much but he sure do communicate! Finger pulling or waah waahing he let Granny know what is what and what is going on and what isn't to his satisfaction.
The other memorable thing he did was carry his snack tin around and then stand on it, bounce on it, wiggle back and forth on it to make it squeak. He is so dang cute.
Christmas is going to be so much fun watching The Connorman discover the goodness of the season in all it's forms.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Playdate Thursday November 25, 2010 and December 2. 2010
Missed playdates can be fun when Connor and Daddy come to Granny's house on Friday after the missed Thursday playdate. Ostensibly they came over because Connor's school was closed the day after Thanksgiving and Roger had the day off, so Roger was going to help sort out my storage room. Alas we played instead.
First we had a grand breakfast at Patty's Eggnest, one of everything, then we came home and watched Connor explore.
I had a music box that enchanted him for a good long time. The most enchanted I have ever seen him except for when he discovered his dad's wrenches, but the music box was a grand second. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if he was able to wind it up himself. He kept trying, and trying, and trying but his little fingers just couldn't manage it.
This music box has a dancing butterfly affixed by a magnet, so as the music box played the butterfly danced. Connor's eyes could not have become any rounder or expressive. The music box was grand entertainment -- until it wasn't. Twenty minutes he watched, wooed, wondered and absorbed and then he explored.
Connor wandered my condo and checked every shelf, nook, cranny, button, control, picture, table, seat, nick-knack, pillow, blanket, chair, plant, fan, plug, bowl, paper, book, DVD, string, door, door knob, escape route, VCR, machines, pens, sticks, sculptures, canes, boxes, bags and package of crackers. Even the container of miscellaneous toys; little stuff, premium's from McDonlds of years past, wore out Matchbox cars, plastic Easter eggs, that sort of stuff couldn't compete with his delight in wandering, wondering, absorbing, and exploring.
Making our world his world.
Playdate Thursday December 2, 2010 was just missed. Missed playdates are no fun.
Roger came to my house and fixed my leaky faucet instead. I'd worked over time all day, and Granny just pooped out. Silly Granny. And I had a grand Christmas hat to give him, a hat that I just know is going to delight him, when I get it to him. which wasn't last night, but will be soon.
Can't wait to present him his Dr Suess Christmas hat. Soon, soon, soon.
First we had a grand breakfast at Patty's Eggnest, one of everything, then we came home and watched Connor explore.
I had a music box that enchanted him for a good long time. The most enchanted I have ever seen him except for when he discovered his dad's wrenches, but the music box was a grand second. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if he was able to wind it up himself. He kept trying, and trying, and trying but his little fingers just couldn't manage it.
This music box has a dancing butterfly affixed by a magnet, so as the music box played the butterfly danced. Connor's eyes could not have become any rounder or expressive. The music box was grand entertainment -- until it wasn't. Twenty minutes he watched, wooed, wondered and absorbed and then he explored.
Connor wandered my condo and checked every shelf, nook, cranny, button, control, picture, table, seat, nick-knack, pillow, blanket, chair, plant, fan, plug, bowl, paper, book, DVD, string, door, door knob, escape route, VCR, machines, pens, sticks, sculptures, canes, boxes, bags and package of crackers. Even the container of miscellaneous toys; little stuff, premium's from McDonlds of years past, wore out Matchbox cars, plastic Easter eggs, that sort of stuff couldn't compete with his delight in wandering, wondering, absorbing, and exploring.
Making our world his world.
Playdate Thursday December 2, 2010 was just missed. Missed playdates are no fun.
Roger came to my house and fixed my leaky faucet instead. I'd worked over time all day, and Granny just pooped out. Silly Granny. And I had a grand Christmas hat to give him, a hat that I just know is going to delight him, when I get it to him. which wasn't last night, but will be soon.
Can't wait to present him his Dr Suess Christmas hat. Soon, soon, soon.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Playdate Thursday November 18, 2010
No new photographs due to equipment failure. Did you know cameras need charged batteries?
Connor and I have a fairly mundane routine. I pick him up at school, I drive him home, I sing to him a little, I let him lead me through the garage and inside the house. There he goes one way to start his granny snack, and I go another to let Brandy out, then he lets me look at him for the rest of the afternoon.
And sometimes we cuddle.
Connor and his gang had returned from his Great Grandparents Seventieth Wedding Anniversary Party. Ask Mom and Dad to show you some of the photo's. Connor is so dang cute dancing to the mariachi band and checking everything out in typical Connorman fashion.
His new word was blink or blienk or bloienk, anyway, something like that for when he threw his Captain Crunch cereal for Brandy to go chase. He would throw, bloienk, and laugh. His other sound effect words are "woo" with the big ole eyes and the pushed out lips and "uh oh" for every thing else.
I saw his eyes go all buggy with the woo woo woos when he was showing me the neighbors spectacular Christmas light display.
Yesterday for the first time when I picked him up from school he got his own stuff out of his cubby and helped me help him put on his jacket and shoes. He is so dang cute.
Connor also had a soft baby chicken friend all cuddled up to him. I've never seen him with a "baby" before, but he liked that chicken. He showed me "chickkie's" eyes and sometimes the nose, mouth, ears, and feet. On the flip side of cuddly Connor was the Connor who laughs out loud when ever I crashed his Thomas the Tank engine for him and made it land on it's nose. I can still hear him laughing and laughing and laughing. He does like a thing to crash.
Except him, Connor shed a scared tear when I asked him to bring me my purse not realizing that it was hanging on the bar stool, when he tugged the whole bar stool crashed over. The bar stool missed his head but still pulled him over when it went down. Falling bar stools are not funny.
Connor and I have a fairly mundane routine. I pick him up at school, I drive him home, I sing to him a little, I let him lead me through the garage and inside the house. There he goes one way to start his granny snack, and I go another to let Brandy out, then he lets me look at him for the rest of the afternoon.
And sometimes we cuddle.
Connor and his gang had returned from his Great Grandparents Seventieth Wedding Anniversary Party. Ask Mom and Dad to show you some of the photo's. Connor is so dang cute dancing to the mariachi band and checking everything out in typical Connorman fashion.
His new word was blink or blienk or bloienk, anyway, something like that for when he threw his Captain Crunch cereal for Brandy to go chase. He would throw, bloienk, and laugh. His other sound effect words are "woo" with the big ole eyes and the pushed out lips and "uh oh" for every thing else.
I saw his eyes go all buggy with the woo woo woos when he was showing me the neighbors spectacular Christmas light display.
Yesterday for the first time when I picked him up from school he got his own stuff out of his cubby and helped me help him put on his jacket and shoes. He is so dang cute.
Connor also had a soft baby chicken friend all cuddled up to him. I've never seen him with a "baby" before, but he liked that chicken. He showed me "chickkie's" eyes and sometimes the nose, mouth, ears, and feet. On the flip side of cuddly Connor was the Connor who laughs out loud when ever I crashed his Thomas the Tank engine for him and made it land on it's nose. I can still hear him laughing and laughing and laughing. He does like a thing to crash.
Except him, Connor shed a scared tear when I asked him to bring me my purse not realizing that it was hanging on the bar stool, when he tugged the whole bar stool crashed over. The bar stool missed his head but still pulled him over when it went down. Falling bar stools are not funny.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Playdate Thursday Novenber 11, 2010
This playdate wasn't exactly a playdate, it was more like babysitting. Since the daycare was closed due to Veteran's day I was able to spend the day with the dude while Mom had a playdate with her friend Amy.
And dude he was. He climbed, ran, threw, played, read, crawled, expressed, and explored. Throughout the day he sung, jabbered, cried, watched, and experienced his world expand.
New to me was his ability to wind up his Thomas the Train Engine and watch, or more precisely, listen to it unwind. Over and over and over and over. He threw balls, cars, other toys, and the Thomas the Tank Engine just for the joy of throwing -- it seemed. Just for the joy of being alive -- it seemed.
New to me was his ability to use his chair as a tool. He sat in it. He pushed it. He lugged it across the room to use someplace else. He turned it upside down to use the seat as a winding up surface for Thomas. He stood on it. He used it as a step stool to crawl over the arm of the chair. Luckily he wasn't into throwing chairs -- yet.
New to me was his ability to watch a children's cartoon TV show. He would stand mesmerized in the middle of the floor and watch some animated action. Better for this Granny, he would sit in my lap and watch, mesmerized, some animated action all snugly and warm and down low and still and quiet.
And then he would be off to some other enticing activity.
Throughout the day he played with his toys, lugged his toys, pushed pulled and threw his toys. He lugged his diaper bag, emptied his diaper bag, filled his diaper bag. He carried his green Halloween bucket, he filled the bucket, wore the bucket as a hat, squashed the bucket, and then he would pull it open just to squash it again.
No playdate picture, today was work, the best kind of Granny work.
It was a regular work day for Connor.
Explore, explore and then explore some more.
And dude he was. He climbed, ran, threw, played, read, crawled, expressed, and explored. Throughout the day he sung, jabbered, cried, watched, and experienced his world expand.
New to me was his ability to wind up his Thomas the Train Engine and watch, or more precisely, listen to it unwind. Over and over and over and over. He threw balls, cars, other toys, and the Thomas the Tank Engine just for the joy of throwing -- it seemed. Just for the joy of being alive -- it seemed.
New to me was his ability to use his chair as a tool. He sat in it. He pushed it. He lugged it across the room to use someplace else. He turned it upside down to use the seat as a winding up surface for Thomas. He stood on it. He used it as a step stool to crawl over the arm of the chair. Luckily he wasn't into throwing chairs -- yet.
New to me was his ability to watch a children's cartoon TV show. He would stand mesmerized in the middle of the floor and watch some animated action. Better for this Granny, he would sit in my lap and watch, mesmerized, some animated action all snugly and warm and down low and still and quiet.
And then he would be off to some other enticing activity.
Throughout the day he played with his toys, lugged his toys, pushed pulled and threw his toys. He lugged his diaper bag, emptied his diaper bag, filled his diaper bag. He carried his green Halloween bucket, he filled the bucket, wore the bucket as a hat, squashed the bucket, and then he would pull it open just to squash it again.
No playdate picture, today was work, the best kind of Granny work.
It was a regular work day for Connor.
Explore, explore and then explore some more.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Playdate Thursday November 4, 2010
Connor, when he felt good, before his crankiness crept in. We couldn't figure out if he was hurting, getting sick, or if he was just plain cranky. He wasn't over-joyed to see his Granny like he usually is when I picked him up at daycare. Shannon said he had been a little "off" all day. He didn't want the pretzels I had snagged from work for him, he fed those to Brandy. He didn't want his diaper changed. He didn't want his vegetables. He didn't want milk. He liked the musical interlude when daddy and I were sharing some online music. He snuggled quite a bit in Granny's lap. He discovered he could drink water out of a regular glass, but Granny wouldn't let him play in the water. Yep, Connor was just a little "off." He did like playing with the camera and took a pretty good picture of his Mom.
He had a sheet of stickers from a magazine that entertained him. I thought I would have to show him how to pull them off, but the wee smart guy was way ahead of me. By the time I washed my hands he had seven peeled off and was working on the eighth. It is amazing the "games" a little guy can figure out to do with stickers. He scrunched them all up in a wad and stuffed them inside one of his ball toys. He tried to feed them to Brandy along with the pretzels. He moved them from one couch to another and then back. He handed them to Granny. He stuck them to himself. He stuck them to Granny. He tried to feed them to me.
He was looking at a picture of a woman and I asked him where the shoes were and he showed me. And the eyes. And the purse.
I taught him to high-five with his foot instead of his hand. I discovered Connor is a high-fiving wonder.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Playdate Thursday October 28, 2010
It was Connor's first official Halloween Party at his daycare and Granny was invited to represent Mom and Dad at the festivities. He was so dang cute all decked out in his elephant costume, having a good time, checking out everything from Granny's lap. He looks sober in this photograph but he had a great time.The kids played games. When they yeahed so did Connor. When they clapped so did Connor. When they laughed so did Connor. I was amazed at how much participation he could do from my lap.
The kids whapped a pinata and Connor whapped a pinata. He was the first whapper because of his age. He was so dang cute as Shannon helped him take a good bead on the evil eye pinata. He got a pretty good hit more than once. I think they let him have more than his fair share of whaps. Perhaps? Me thinks they like him a wee bit.
Connor was particularly impressed with his candy sack. He didn't know it was supposed to have candy in it, he had fun with the empty, crinkly sack. When the pinata burst Connor bagged one piece of candy, he didn't care, but the other children shared till his bag was overflowing.
Then Connor and the other kids ate to their hearts content. Connor particularly liked the grapes, cantaloupe, cheese and hot dog treats. Believe it or not he was not about to eat any cotton candy. When the other children dug in, he turned away in disgust. When I finally coaxed him into a wee bite he grimaced like I had fed him the worst food on the planet. Later, when Mom tried to give him a bite, he continued to turn away. Now, Smarties on the other hand he handled with the aplomb of any two year old.
He was so dang cute. And that Katie, now, she knows how to throw a party!
Friday, October 15, 2010
A Happy Connor
A happy Connor in full possession of Great Aunt Jean's cell phone and cousin Cathy's camera and camera case. All artfully draped on his body. He had enough loops, straps, buttons and blinking lights to keep him happy for hours as he intently studied them, opening, closing, turning on, zipping, unzipping, turning off. What a joy to watch him.
We gently took them away from him when we went out to eat at Mongo's and Jean put the phone safely away in her purse. At Mongo's the chef brought Connor a complimentary white chocolate pumpkin full of chocolate mousse with whipped cream topping. The chef also brought five spoons so Connor could share with his family. He shared, but kept his eye on the concoction as it traveled around the dinner table and came back to him for another scoop. He can scoop with gusto.
As soon as we returned to his home, he went straight to Jean's purse for his phone. He was a happy Connor.
Playdate Thursday October 14, 2010
Connor didn't feel so good tonight, so he snuggled in my lap, broke all his crackers into little pieces, not to eat but to play with, and rejected his all time favorite Pepperidge Farm GoldFish that Katie had packed up for him to take home from daycare. Yep, these were all clues the wee guy was feeling poorly.
After daddy dosed him with a measure of children's Tylenol, he slipped out of my lap and started playing.
He managed to impress his granny with his now complete knowledge of puzzling. Not only can he take the puzzle pieces to the puzzle, he is accomplished at turning the puzzle piece until it clicks into place. Another bit of the world mastered.
I asked him to put his coat on the fireplace and he did!
I asked him to give Brandy a bite of cracker and he did!
I asked him to kiss me and he did!
All verbal requests.
His daddy asked him for the cell phone and he said, "No."
He loves that cell phone.
Connor didn't want any food of any kind although daddy tried to tempt him with applesauce, cheese, mashed potatoes, and his rejected crackers. Mommy came home and he still rejected all food, but when I handed Stephanie a small piece of chocolate candy Connor rushed to her from across the room like a starving fledgling. We all stood there open mouthed, like starving fledglings. How does he know that is candy? That it is different? No one gives him candy. How does he know that's chocolate? No one gives him chocolate.
That's a childhood mystery that shall remain a mystery. Roger said Children must just be hard wired -- somehow.
My final thought on Connor this morning was something I forgot to put in the inaugural post: Connor loves, Loves, LOVES knowing the sequence of things. The sequence of me picking him up on Thursdays. The sequence of feeding Brandy.
The sequence of me leaving: "Grannies leaving," is announced. Granny collects her stuff. Connor runs to the door, all the time busy giving me kisses or throwing kisses. Daddy opens the door and Connor steps onto the porch and waves me away. That's how it's done.
One time a lady stopped her car in the middle of the street to point out to me that Connor was throwing me kisses as I walked to my car. It was a kind act by a stranger, but I was fully aware of his actions. Connor knows how to throw kisses.
It is a joy watching him in the power of his complete knowledge of a sequence.
After daddy dosed him with a measure of children's Tylenol, he slipped out of my lap and started playing.
He managed to impress his granny with his now complete knowledge of puzzling. Not only can he take the puzzle pieces to the puzzle, he is accomplished at turning the puzzle piece until it clicks into place. Another bit of the world mastered.
I asked him to put his coat on the fireplace and he did!
I asked him to give Brandy a bite of cracker and he did!
I asked him to kiss me and he did!
All verbal requests.
His daddy asked him for the cell phone and he said, "No."
He loves that cell phone.
Connor didn't want any food of any kind although daddy tried to tempt him with applesauce, cheese, mashed potatoes, and his rejected crackers. Mommy came home and he still rejected all food, but when I handed Stephanie a small piece of chocolate candy Connor rushed to her from across the room like a starving fledgling. We all stood there open mouthed, like starving fledglings. How does he know that is candy? That it is different? No one gives him candy. How does he know that's chocolate? No one gives him chocolate.
That's a childhood mystery that shall remain a mystery. Roger said Children must just be hard wired -- somehow.
My final thought on Connor this morning was something I forgot to put in the inaugural post: Connor loves, Loves, LOVES knowing the sequence of things. The sequence of me picking him up on Thursdays. The sequence of feeding Brandy.
The sequence of me leaving: "Grannies leaving," is announced. Granny collects her stuff. Connor runs to the door, all the time busy giving me kisses or throwing kisses. Daddy opens the door and Connor steps onto the porch and waves me away. That's how it's done.
One time a lady stopped her car in the middle of the street to point out to me that Connor was throwing me kisses as I walked to my car. It was a kind act by a stranger, but I was fully aware of his actions. Connor knows how to throw kisses.
It is a joy watching him in the power of his complete knowledge of a sequence.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
To Connor From Granny
I don't know why it's taken me almost two years to start a Connor Blog. Well, I didn't start the Taylor Blog until last October, so I guess technically I'm only one year late.
He was born complete, with his teeny crooked foot, and fell into a bucket of love. I've seen every tiny increment of his development for the past twenty-one months. It has been a joy!
I saw him lift his head, flip over, and crawl, with his mom crawling right along beside him to share with him. I've watched his fascination with first this toy and then another. Connor loved the toy from Claire, the one with all the loops looping around that rattled, crunched and shone. He loved that abacus toy that he would lift up and move when I didn't know how he could possible do it, so small he was. He loved any noise maker, if it mooed, hissed, screeched, sung or dinged he was there. He loved boxes, empty boxes, big or little boxes. He loved/loves boxes.
I saw Connor toddle his first step, climb, push push toys, pull pull toys, and throw throw toys, well, throw everything. I saw him push, pull and climb into boxes. The perfect trifecta of pleasures.
I saw his eyes light up with the push fire engine, the shiny red bike, his dad's wrenches. I saw him hang onto his mom's vanilla, her mixer, her cookie press, all delights beyond measure.
I watched him sit, stand, walk, and almost run. If I sat on the fireplace he would sit beside me, if I sat on the step he would sit beside me, if I sat on the floor he would sit beside me, if I sat on the couch he would run off and play with his toys. He learned to find fruit in my purse, comfort in my lap, and how to do everything to a book; eat them, knock them over, stack them up, or sit and be read to. What a joy!
I waited seven months, along with the rest of the family, for when we first suspected him of cutting teeth to when he actually cut his first tooth.. I watched him dance, his very first interactive choice with the world was to dance. He was a wee little guy and I would hold his fingers and he would dance. I think he danced with his mom every evening when she came home from work. First food, first bath, first boat ride, first Christmas, first candy cane, first birthday, first truck, first hair cut. They have all come and gone. What a joy!
And look at him now, studying things. Studying things to see how they work. Always thinking, observing, figuring out this world he belongs to. Figuring out cell phones, remotes, cameras, computers, car seats, openers, closers. He has learned to get his little pointing finger poised to push what ever button needs pushing. Figuring things out one bit at a time.
He loves things hanging around his neck, draped on his arm, or dangling from his wrist. He can dress up in fanny packs, purses, back packs, belts, or watches. He can lug things across the floor.
He can protect his food from Brandy or feed her which ever he chooses. He can pull Brandy's tail or steal her bed. He can tug at his grannies heart. He is The Prince, The Wee Guy, The Connorman, grandson, nephew, and son to those of us who love him.
I linger here -- relishing all the joys to come.
Love Granny
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