Lately....

I've been feeling pretty spoiled and lucky lately. Everett has been so easy-going and happy and seems to be at the moment, back to his calm temperamental self. We were going through a phase where he would fuss or cry if I wasn't right by his side or if I wasn't holding him. He also wasn't napping very well and would only nap if he was being held. The past handful of days, he's been back to taking up to 2 hour naps, without being held. He naps downstairs on the main floor and while he's a light sleeper, I can't get much done around the house but it at least allows me to sit my fat butt on the couch and watch a little TV or to get some work stuff done and even better, to blog!



He's been so great lately but got a little upset at me yesterday. I guess it's what I get for trying to feed him when he was tired!

Peaceful

When is it ever peaceful in a house where you have a young baby and a husband who has the adventurous heart of a child? It's probably a very rare occurrence but I for one, at this very moment, can say that it is quiet and peaceful and the only thing I can hear is the low rumbling coming from the air conditioner and the "squeak, squeak" from the baby swing moving back and forth. I am feeling very calmed right now which is something I don't feel much of these days.

Everett woke up about 6 times from 4:00am to 6:00am. Not sure what the deal was but I'm surprised I'm not as tired as I probably should be. Today is back-to-work day. It's my Monday. Buh-humbug.

Dale came down with a fever yesterday and is fighting a respiratory infection. He went to Urgent Care and the doctor prescribed him a day off work and to get all the sleep possible.

Both of my boys are sleeping and that is why it is peaceful at this very moment.

Mmmm, sweet peas!

Everett is sure getting ahold of this eating solids thing. A week of sweet potatoes and now, we're on sweet peas. Much to my surprise, he loves them and gobbles them down like a champ!



Mmm mmm!

Father's Day

What a fabulous Sunday today has been! First of all, one of Dale's co-workers worked for him today so he could spend the day with us, being it was his first Father's Day. Thank you so much, Justin! We got up early and went to church and even though we spent most of the service in the Cry Room, we were able to listen to the Pastor in the big flat screen in the room. In the room with us was a mother and her brand new newborn baby. She was so beautifully tiny and precious. Made me wish Everett was that small again!

We had my parents and some of my siblings over for a late afternoon lunch. On the menu was a veggie tray and shrimp for appetizer and the main course was Sausage Linguine. It was accompanied by a colorful green salad, cubed watermelon, and garlic bread. Dessert was a Reeses ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Everett once again, enjoyed some sweet potatoes.




We spent most of the afternoon just hanging out and watched Transporter 3 while Everett was passed around like a hot potato amongst everyone.

Grandma and Everett


My family, the Goof Troop


My dad and I.


Hope all you fathers out there had a blessed day!

Early Celebration {Father's Day}

We had an early celebration this evening considering it was Dale's first Father's Day and since we are having my parents over tomorrow for Father's Day lunch, Everett and I wanted to have our own little time together with Dale. I made Tuna Casserole and steamed brussel sprouts and Everett enjoyed his sweet potatoes.

Everett rocked this cute onesie for Daddy.


Giving loves to Daddy.




I love Everett's squinty-eyed smile and his mini Donald Trump comb-over look.


Everett got this music card for Daddy called Baby Poo and thought it was pretty funny.

Fa-Fa Friiiiday

Today, the sun decided to make a temporary appearance for half the day and while we wanted to soak up some Vitamin D, we spent most of it inside, minus a few errands we needed to run. Yesterday, I mentioned how grateful I was that Everett never had any major reactions to his vaccinations but he woke up to a light fever this morning. He wasn't too temperamental but definitely wasn't his usual self--typically full of little giggles and smiles and squeals of happiness but he was rather attention thirsty and perhaps a tad fussy and didn't nap quite so well. We gave him a dose of ibuprofen early on in the afternoon and another before he went to bed and I just checked on him and his fever seems to have reduced a little. They say that the best way to determine how a baby feels is by their behavior/attitude. Everett wasn't grumpy and we still got a few laughs and smiles out of him so we got out and ran some errands. On the list was groceries for Father's Day lunch on Sunday and a high chair for Everett. Feeding him while sitting in the Bumbo wasn't working too well anymore. He was too loosey goosey and getting his attention and actually getting him to stay still was too much a task in itself. Try feeding a child when they are doing this:



He loved sitting in his new high chair and while he typically sits in one place for only about 15 minutes, he contently sat and watched Dale and I get some stuff done around the house and get dinner ready for almost an hour.



Tonight's dinner was something I quickly whipped up. I had no recipe in front of me to follow and just throwing something together with what we already had in our fridge and cupboard was a risk I hesitantly took. My sister is the chef of the family (and an amazing one she is!) and I've always been known to be the one that "doesn't cook" but I can proudly say that since Dale has made an honest woman out of me, I've worked on the wifely duty of cooking for my family.. I call this Quick'n Easy Bow tie Rotini Pasta with Sausage.
With the little bit of bow tie pasta and the quarter box of Rotini pasta I had, I mixed it in with garlic and onion sauce with some Italian sausage along with a handful of spices that I didn't know how to pronounce. A sprinkle of mozzarella cheese and a quick 15 minute bake in the oven and voila!



It was mighty delicious and I made so much I gave a tupperware full to a neighbor. Now if I don't see or hear from him for awhile, I will assume it killed him or gave him bad food poisoning.

Everett loves watching us eat and watches every bite of food that goes from our plates to our mouths, as well as every move of the glass as we take a drink.


All in all, even though Everett wasn't feeling up to par, we had an enjoyable day.

Eventful Thursday {6 Month Check Up & Sweet Potatoes}

Today was one of the best, eventful Thursdays that I've had in awhile. It was nice to have Dale home and we all had a good day enjoying each others company. Everett and I got up early this morning while Daddy slept in and caught up on some Zzz's. I think it's time to get some new toys for Everett. I couldn't get him entertained with any this morning and finally handed him a measuring cup and he loved it. He actually played with it for awhile while I got some breakfast ready.



We had a Doctor's appointment for Everett's 6 month check up and shots. He's healthy as can be and weighed 16.7 lbs and measured 25.5 inches long. His head circumference was 17.5 inches. According to this, Everett is in the 26.6 percentile for weight, 3.6 percentile for height, and 62.3 percentile for head circumference. I'm not sure the accuracy of this website because he seems to be awfully short but then again, he may already be taking after his mother.

It's as if he knew what was comin'. He looks scared!




My tough, little man did great as usual. I hear other babies screaming bloody murder in the nearby rooms but Everett just let out one, long cry during all 3 shots. He seemed to be happy and in good spirits after the Doctor's visit so we had a quick lunch at Pho Van. I needed my quick Pho fix for the week!


He passed out on the way home but once he woke up, he was ready to play!


I wanted to ask the nurse if she ran out of blue band aides or if she thought Everett was a girl but I don't think he cared either way. He proudly rocked the hot pink camo band aides.


We planned on introducing new solid foods every 7 days but we were a little anxious and started Everett on veggies a day early. We gave him sweet potatoes and they were a hit. He LOVED them!



He hated rice cereal and oatmeal and cried at the sight of the spoon so I was a little concerned that he had no interest in solids all together and that he wouldn't enjoy the sweet potatoes but he proved me wrong. He looks a little disgusted at first but it was his very bite but he didn't seem to mind after a few more. We ended up giving him a little more because he seemed to enjoy it so much.


I am so proud of how Everett did today. As all you mothers know, it's a dreaded day when your baby has to be poked by needles and even worse to hear those cries of pain. I feel so blessed that Everett does not get a fever or has trouble sleeping at night from the wrath of these shots. We put him to bed early and he's been sound asleep ever since.

I tried my hand at making shrimp and broccoli yakisoba tonight and it was delicious. Needless to say, there are no leftovers.


Thursday ended on a good note and here's to a fabulous Friday tomorrow!

Momma!

Everett's still saying Momma!

June is flying by!

I can't believe it's already mid June already. This month has been flying by and not only that, who would ever think that it's Summer? I actually don't mind the rain and am among the few who are not complaining about Spring's showers being extended. The weather is something we can't control so there's no point in worrying about it. Like they say: "Worrying is like a rocking chair- it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere." And as for me, I find the rain very refreshing!

So what has the Connors Family been up to this month?

{Work} - Well, Dale's been working a lot and I am getting a little burnt out with my job. I think it's just a phase that I'm going through right now; especially with the increase in vacancies that has me a little stressed. I've been in this job-related phase a time or two before so it shall pass. It looks like Dale's store is looking to hire another sales rep so he and I are both looking forward to a normal schedule again. With him being away from home more, Everett and I have been visiting him at work lately.




{Friends} - We have been so blessed to have met the Nielson family and have thoroughly enjoyed the time that we have spent with them. Dale and I had been praying that we would have the opportunity to meet another Christian family in whom we could spend time with and our prayers were graciously answered. You too can meet them here.



{Solids} - Everett is on week two of solids with oatmeal being this week's menu special. He still doesn't seem all that interested in it but success is when he takes and swallows at least 2 small bites. I'm looking forward to Friday when we start him on some veggies.




While we're on the topic of Everett, we weighed and measured him today and he is 16 lbs and 5 oz and 25 and 5/8 inch long. 64% percentile for weight/length.





We hope that you are all enjoying your Summers so far!

Love,
The Connors Family

What I woke up to this morning....

It was 5:30am this morning. I heard our little guy squirming around in his crib and prayed a silent prayer that he'd go back to sleep. I've gotten spoiled at the fact that he typically sleeps until 7-8am and when I rolled over and looked at my clock to see that it was 5:30am, I laid there for a few moments in hopes that he'd drift back off to Dreamland. Nope. Instead, I heard this:



It melted my heart hearing him say "Momma" and I just wanted to hold him so I got him up and we started our day.

Rice Cereal Continued...

We gave Everett rice cereal for the first time last Thursday (June 3rd). I can't say that he is thoroughly enjoying it but he doesn't cry at the sight of the spoon anymore. He'll take about 5 very small bites and he's done. He pushes most of it out of his mouth with his tongue but if I'm lucky, he will munch is mouth a little bit and actually take some in and swallow it.



He's definitely getting used to it though. I've been only feeding him the cereal once a day but I think I'll try twice a day starting next week.

Rockin' and a Rollin'

Everett's got the rockin' part down pretty good but needs some work on the rollin'.

Here's what he's doing these days:

6 Months and Rice Cereal

I'm a day late in posting but Everett turned 6 months yesterday and my oh my how fast this time flew by. He has so much personality and has turned into quite the little man.



The newest thing he's doing these days is making his bottom lip disappear. He learned this magic trick yesterday.



The big boy that he is now, he took his first ride in a shopping cart, sans the carseat, at Target yesterday.



Today, we started him on some Earth's Best Organic Whole Grain Rice Cereal. The first spoonful I put up to his mouth, he went cross-eyed staring at it and tried grabbing the spoon. The cereal immediately dripped out of his mouth and down his chin. I'm not sure if he even swallowed any of it but we'll try again tomorrow!






As you can see in the photos, his eczema has flared up again but since being on soy formula now, the flare ups are far in few. I think the slobber-covered fingers that he rubs all over his face isn't helping either but I found that allowing him to suck on his fingers is the best relief for his teething. He doesn't like any teething toys and won't suck on a cold wash cloth anymore.

As always, Dale and I feel SO blessed for having Everett. Happy 6 months, buddy!