The Reynolds Bed and Breakfast

The first weekend in October we drove to San Antonio for my friend Shelby's wedding. Our amazing friends, Ryan and Paige Reynolds, were going to be out of town that weekend and offered their house as a place for us to stay. We were so grateful for their generosity and hospitality!!! I wasn't surprised at all though. They are some of the most selfless people we know. We slept in their beds, cooked in their kitchen, watched their tv, played with their toys.....it couldn't have been a better place for us to comfortably stay for the weekend. Traveling with kids and being in new places is sometimes stressful for me because I want to make sure that all their needs are met and that things go smoothly...and they did! Thank you so much to the Reynolds family for opening up your home to us!

Right as we pulled up they were about to leave town so we saw them for about 10 minutes before they left. We planned to stay an extra day though so we could spend some time with them when they got back home.

As you can see from the pictures we totally made ourselves at home. Probably pretty awkward for Paige and Ryan to see us camped out in their house and using their things while they were gone but they insisted we did and we complied....

Watching a movie in Hannah's chair and snuggling up to her Minnie Mouse

Such a happy guy to be able to roam and play with toys!

Mikey and Ava playing the piano

Sibling love

On Saturday night my mom, stepdad, and Brianna drove in from Corpus to watch the kids for us while we went to the wedding. Here's to more awkwardness Paige...

Pictures in Ray's bed

We were so happy to have the Reynolds come home on Sunday so we could hang out and let the kids play together.

Ray showed Ava how he plays the piano...

They jumped in their indoor bounce house! How cool is that?!

We spent some time playing in the backyard...

Such a gentleman pushing Ava up the hill

Adorable Hannah

Good thing Kay Kay brought Connor this dinosaur hoodie and pants....it got chilly!

Princess Ava in her castle

Ray is seriously cute! He asked to watch their Cold Play DVD and much to my surprise he picked up  his guitar and played along and sang every single word to their songs. Very impressive and so so cute to watch!

Ava became best buds with their dog Bella. She was so sweet to her and just kept give her lots of hugs and pets. 

Ava and Ray quickly became good friends as well. They had so much fun playing and being silly together. Wish we lived closer to these sweet friends...

I'm so mad at myself for not getting a single picture of Paige and I or any pictures from Shelby's beautiful wedding! :(

Thanks again Ryan, Paige, Hannah, and Ray for a wonderful stay at your "Bed and Breakfast" and also for my mom, David, and Bri for driving so far to watch the kids!!! Love you guys!

7 Months Old

 Happy 7 months to you Connor!! Your cute little personality has really started to come to life this month. You are so fun to watch as you explore new things all around you. I love our time together where we just smile back at each other and giggle for the silliest little things. You have me wrapped around your little finger that is for sure!

Some highlights about you this month are....

*You have finally started eating solids! Woohoo! I finally came to my senses and called Leakhena (your sister's Occupational/Physical Therapist from when she was a baby) and she gave me some great advice to help you. She said that you not eating is probably more related to eating from a spoon rather than the actual taste of the food so she recommended giving you a little of breastmilk from a spoon. The first time I did this you spit it out but only because that has been your reaction to anything on a spoon. You quickly realized that this was a familiar taste and then you didn't mind the spoon. We started back to the beginning with rice cereal after this and Leakhena recommnended I put some on my finger and feed it to you that way for the first few times (that way you don't have two foreign things (solids and spoon) in your mouth. It totally makes sense now why you spit everything out.) We didn't have to do this long before you started eating all of your rice cereal without a look of disgust or spitting it out. You now are eating like a normal baby and we have Leakhena to thank! You have tried sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peas, carrots, peaches, bananas, and apples.

Thumbs up to eating!

Your sister has been very helpful in feeding you as well

To encourage you to eat we would clap for you after each bite and say "Yay, Connor". You loved it and I really do think it helped.

*Not only are you eating food but you are also drinking water from a cup with a straw! We give it you after you eat and you have done really well with it.

*We have tried Puffs and Mum Mums but you aren't a big fan just yet.(dissolveable cereal and rice cakes for babies)
*It wont be long before you are wanting to eat finger foods because you have 8 teeth now!!! Holy moly! They came fast and furious this month but you were such a trooper. They hurt most when you were trying to sleep. You didn't nap well in the afternoons when your teeth were coming in and this is the reason you went from 3 naps to 2 and now go to bed early. You look so big with all your teeth!

*You are awesome at sitting up on your own and very rarely fall over anymore. You prefer to be sitting on the floor with your basket of toys rather than playing in the exersaucer or bouncy seat.

*You are so so close to crawling. Some may say you are crawling because you do move a little and then sit down but you aren't crawling across the room just yet. I'm scared for that day! There are so many little things of your sisters that I am worried you are going to be putting in your mouth.

*You are a pretty good little sleeper. Your sleeping schedule is so different than most babies your age but as long as you are getting plenty of hours of sleep then I dont mind when it is. I have been letting you call the shots with when and how long you want to sleep rather than messing with it too much to get you on a typical schedule.You take two naps a day (usually around 8 and then again around 11 or 12 but these times vary day to day.  You are tired after being awake for an hour but I try and push you just a little, especially for your second nap). I have tried laying you down for a third nap but you wont have it. Since you are done napping around 1-1:30 every day you are exhausted and ready for bed by 530, if I can even keep you awake till then! It's been nice though because this gives your daddy and I some extra one on one time with your sister in the evenings. You occasionally wake once at night between 2-4 and I just nurse you back to sleep.  You usually sleep till about 6-630) 

This is how I find you when I come to get you in the morning or after a nap. :) One of the best parts of my day!

Love this little scrunchy nose face you have started doing

*You are wearing size 4 diapers and size 12 months clothes! You grow out of clothes so quickly that I am having to go to my friends for hand me down reinforcements! I love laying kisses on those squishy cheeks and squeezing those chunky legs.

*You love being around your sissy and your daddy. Anytime you hear their voice a big smile comes across your face and you stare at them waiting to give you attention and smile back.

We are soaking up every bit of these sweet moments with you my little Connor cakes. You are so content and I hear all the time what a happy and good baby you are. I agree 100%. I love you so very very much!! Thank you for all the open mouth kisses on my cheek and the neck squeezes that remind me you how much you love me too. I look forward to all the exciting things you will accomplish next month!
xoxo,
your mommy

Baby Dedication

This handsome little guy was dedicated to the Lord a few weeks ago and our hearts could not be more content. Rather than a baby baptism our church allows parents the opportunity to publicly acknowledge these precious gifts that the Lord has given us and also to vow to raise them to know, love, and serve Him. It was a happy happy day!

Unfortunately Gigi was the only grandparent that was able to come. Thank you Gigi for being there for us and for Connor. You made our weekend that much more perfect and I know a little girl who just loved her time with you, as always!

The festivities for the weekend included brownie making and eating, shopping (and dancing in the stores!) at the mall, eating at the Rainforest Cafe, and craft making.What's more to love?!

My sweet smiley boy, YOU are one of my most special gifts and I promise to never let you forget it! There was a time when I thought I would never get to hold and kiss you, and know what it would be like to have you in my life. I thank God everyday that you are here. You are a miracle and a true blessing my precious boy. God has such big plans for you. I promise to guide you closer to Him each day and fill you with the promises that he has given us. It is my prayer that someday you will accept Him into your life and that your life will always be filled with the hope, peace, and joy that only He can bring.

We love you more than words can describe....

xoxo,
Mommy, Daddy, and Ava