Stroller Shopping

So for 3 months we have been keeping Connor in his car seat and just snapping it into his stroller for our walks. Yesterday my mom decided to see if Connor was big enough to ride in the stroller without the car seat. He is still in a reclined position but really enjoyed the extra space to kick his legs and move his arms while we went shopping. I thought it would be chilly yesterday since everyone here is wearing vests or coats - but it was really just a beautiful fall day and super sunny. I hear it is freezing and snowing back home - ugggh. We are happy to be here where it is fairly warm for another whole week! We are still working on the sleeping, but I am hopeful that patience will yield long term results. We are making progress, little by little.

Click on the image to see a close up of Connor in his stroller.

Since I learned how to upload the photos with the ability to "Click to Enlarge", I went back through the blog and reloaded many of the photos so you can now enlarge many of the old photos if you want to see any of them closer up.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Connor is really enjoying his time in Alabama. It isn't as warm as we would like, but it is definitely warmer than Maryland. Connor is really trying to sit up on his own this week. He has found his hands (actually a few weeks ago) and loves to sit up and hold his hands together. So sweet.

I have gotten to see my girls from high school and visit with old friends. So far, it has been a very relaxing trip -- although we miss Colin and Auntie Cait very much.

Connor hung out in the laundry basket today. He is too long to fit in the basket!! . . .

We think Connor may have found his lovie blanket. Look how happy he is sitting up like a big boy and cuddling with his green blanket.

Sweet Home

Connor was 3 months old on Friday and to celebrate, Connor and I flew out bright and early to Alabama so he could meet more of his family. Although I was super stressed about the flight for several weeks, I calmed down just in time for the big day. Connor was an angel on the flight and didn't cry at all! We have been visiting with relatives (namely all of Connor's great aunts) and his great grandmother as well as watching a LOT of football. Both of our teams lost this weekend but we are still having a great time. Colin misses us (so he says). . .

Since we didn't find out whether Connor was a boy or a girl before delivery day and since babies first notice the colors black and white (according to all the literature), we decorated Connor's nursery in black and white with splashes of color. Here is what his room looks like at home.

Connor has 2 beautiful handmade quilts from great friends. You may notice that he has hand and footprint frames - the handprint is missing from the picture. We tried at least 10 times to get that handprint down without Connor crushing the paper or clinching his fist. Colin and I finally got it last week - but it didn't make the picture. I was determined to get the footprint and handprint before 3 months because I was afraid that if we waited much longer the prints wouldn't fit in the frames. He is growing fast!

Connor loves his black and white. He will talk for an hour in his crib while oohing over the patterns.

Miss you Colin!

Test to Upload Photos

This is a test run to see if I can figure out how to upload a photo and then allow you to "Click to enlarge". After visiting Blogger for Dummies - lets see if it works.

Protect this House!

Colin and I have been season ticket holders for the Ravens since the 2003 season. I suppose our first real date was the Ravens-Broncos Monday night game in 2002. We had such a great time that we just had to be PSL owners (we actually own the seats). (Our seats for the Broncos game were memorable to say the least - There was a glitch in the construction of the stairs and one stair was much smaller than all the others. This resulted in many, many falls up the stairs throughout the evening by unknowing fans. We saw nachos tossed across aisles and beers met the concrete.) I must admit that before moving to Baltimore I loathed Pro Football. College is so much better. The ACC just doesn't really cut it for me (I know, I am a SEC snob) so getting to watch the Ravens has actually been my football outlet in Baltimore - even during losing seasons. Our seats, although not in the section with the misshapen stair, are just across the aisle from The Kirbys! Colin and I took Caitlin to her first Ravens game, where she met Greg - they got married and we have all been tailgating together ever since. I haven't been to a game this year - Connor and I hang out at home and watch the games. The Ravens were away at Houston last weekend so I had both my boys at home with me. Look how cute!

Congratulations and Surprises!

It has been 5 years since Colin and I found out we passed the Bar Exam. Wow, we are old. For those of you who don't know, you take the Bar the last week of July but have to wait (for what seems like an eternity) for the results. Alabama posted the results a few weeks ago. Yesterday a batch of new Maryland lawyers got their results. Congrats to Tommy, Millie etc., on passing the Bar!

So, today Connor and I got up early and started getting ready for our outing to Downs Park for Mom Mom's Birthday. I set Connor up on our bed and after making sure he was happy, I turned around to brush my hair. When I turned back around seconds later, this is what I found!

Connor is starting to sleep more - little by little - but this was a surprise. To fall asleep sitting up! He slowly drifted down and landed comfortably on the bed where he snoozed for an hour until Grandma Cathy came to visit.

This afternoon we picked up Mom Mom and Uncle Neal and drove to Downs Park. We had a great lunch together and then walked the trails in the park. Connor got his first taste of Boy Scout camping at the Camporee. Speaking of taste, the Boy Scouts were cooking up meals - (none of which smelled edible (at all) to me).

I Voted

Well we all got out early to vote Tuesday. It took about an hour to vote but Connor was a trooper. When we finally got up to the registration table, the volunteer informed me that my name was not listed as a voter. Of course, the name curse/ identity crisis continues. She said she would have to get a judge to assist. I suggested that she look under my maiden and married names (together). I ended up getting to vote. I am listed with 2 last names. Perfect - just what I wanted to avoid.

Wednesday Connor and I finally returned to our daily walk. The weather is mild still and Connor enjoys the fresh air. Connor is now wearing 3-6 month clothes and most of them are barely long enough! Here is a cute shot I caught today.