Opryland Hotel

We went to Nashville, TN this weekend. We added another state to Conner's passport. He has been to 4 states, 2 countries, and many cities. We stayed at the beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It was decorated for Christmas inside and out. Conner loved it because of all the lights and colors. If you haven't seen it before at Christmas, you need to make it a priority. They have Christmas trees that reach to the sky, thousands of poinsettias, 6 foot tall wrapped Christmas presents, 8 foot tall toy soldiers, Christmas ornaments the size of tires, and so much more to see. It is beautiful. Conner had so much to look at and so many people to talk too. He enjoyed himself. It was a great trip. On Saturday, we went to the Opry Mills mall where he got to talk to even more people. He is definitely a people person.

We stayed in the Cascades.

Breakfast in Bed. You have to make exceptions on vacation.

You could hear the waterfall from our room. There was also a walkway off our balcony. He kept looking out to see people or to see what the noises were.

Going for a stroll. Looking at all the decorations and lights.

Looking out our balcony. Too cute.

Meeting Santa

We spent part of the weekend in Nashville, TN. We went shopping at Opry Mills on Saturday, despite the huge crowd. Our main goal was to get to Bass Pro Shop where Santa had landed for the day. Conner loved him. He went right to him and sat on his lap and cheesed for the camera like a good little boy. He thought it was awesome. Conner didn't ask for anything, probably because he had already written a letter in early December and mailed it to Santa at the North Pole. He asked Santa for books, and educational toys with lights and sounds, and some HAIR. He has been such a good boy this year, so I bet Santa will deliver. The hair may come in time.

7 Months Old

Conner is 7 months old. Wow. He is so much fun to be around and he is changing every day. There is always something new happening around here.

What Conner is up to at 7 months old!!!

1. He weighs 24lbs. 12oz.
2. He is trying to crawl but hasn't quite figured out how to move forward.
3. He is starting to pull up on stuff.
4. If you stand him up to something, he will stand and hold on for a while.
5. He no longer eats after bed time.
6. He goes to bed at 7 p.m.
7. He loves to babble, and squeal.
8. He still shakes his head NO a lot.
9. He loves to grab your face and pull you toward his and give you open mouth kisses.
10. He still slobbers A LOT!!!!!
11. He is getting more hair. It is looking Blond.
12. He is a good eater. His menus include gerber meats, all veggies, fruits, applesause, mashed potatoes, yogurt, rice, oatmeal, milk, and applejuice.
13. He reaches for people when they get near to pick him up.
14. He loves bathtime, his tub toys, and splashing in the water.
15. He is still wearing size 12 months but testing the seams.
16. He loves to be read to and play patty cake.
17. He is very good natured.

He is all smiles,, all the time. That makes our job really easy. We are blessed!!!!!!!!!

Standing up
Puting the angel on the tree.

Decorating Conner

Santa's elf

Blondie

Let's crawl.

Sick Baby

Conner has been pretty snotty and congested this past week. He never ran a fever, so we were just keeping an eye on things. But after two straight nights of middle of the night screaming, and tugging at his ear, we decided he had an ear infection. We took him to the doctor today. As I was telling Jessica, the nurse about what he has been acting like and his screaming fits, she said "I don't believe you." That is what I was afraid of. You call and ask them to fit you in because your baby is sick and when you get there, he starts hamming it up with the nurse and laughing at her and smiling and giving kisses. She could not believe that happy little baby had kept us up two nights in a row. She was teasing with us of course. He was trying to fool her. Thank God the inside of Conner's ear proved me right. It is amazing how he remains so HAPPY, even when he doesn't feel his best. So he has a cold and an ear infection. He is on amoxicillan now.

Steve went with us today which he doesn't usually get to do, so we went to lunch afterwards. We tried the new place called "Zoup." Yes, Zoup. It is a soup and sandwich place by the BMV on the East side. They have 12 homemade soups daily. It is a different 12 everyday. I had the chicken pot pie soup and Steve had the Lobster Bisque soup. They were both excellent. I would recommend the place if you like soup, but don't want to make it yourself. It was kinda pricey for lunch. It was $19 for the two of us. That was 1/2 soup, 1/2 sandwich, and a drink each. I was feeding Conner the juice from my chicken pot pie soup and I think we have found his favorite food. He couldn't get enough. It was hilarious. I think Zoup is his favorite restaurant. We will have to visit again.

Eating soup at Zoup. Yummy!!!!!!!

He loves the mirrors at the Doctor's office. He loves that handsome little boy that is always there. They play so well together.

St. Nick's Day

Today is the Feast of St. Nick. The tradition is that to celebrate his feast, children leave their tennis shoes outside their bedroom door on the eve of his Feast and St. Nick and his helper Black Pete fill the shoes with Candies and gifts. When we woke up today, St. Nick and Black Pete had left presents next to Conner's shoes.

6 Month Photo Shoot

Conner had his 6 month photos taken last week at Captured Studios. To check them out, follow the steps below.

1. www.capturedstudiosphotography.com

2. click on "enter website"

3. "open menu"
4. "Online Ordering"
5. "babie's-children"
6. Conner

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday Visit

Conner had some company this morning. Mom, Dad, and Sophie came over for a bit. Conner was napping, but woke up right away full of energy and ready to play. He loves visitors.

Conner and Granddaddy
Sophie

Conner and Granddaddy

Grandma, Granddaddy, Sophia, and Conner

Shake Shake Shake

Conner has picked up several new tricks recently and likes to show off when he gets the chance. He has learnt to shake his head NO!! It is the cutest thing. We will ask him a series of questions, and the answer is always a NO!! "Conner, did you sleep well last night?" (He Shakes his head NO). "Conner, Do you want to eat your food?" (He shakes his head NO). "Conner, did Grandma let you watch All My Children today?" (He shakes his head NO). Now, obviously he doesn't know what he is saying or he is covering up for someone.

A lot of times, I think he knows what it means when you shake your head. If he is done eating his food or a bottle and you try to keep feeding him, he pierces his lips together and will start shaking his head, NO.

He has also started smacking his lips and pulling his lips in and then out and making a noise somehow. He thinks this is funny and when he gets on a roll, he may smack his lips for 10 straight minutes.

He also makes the fart noise with his lips. He finds this funny, too. He really thinks it is fun to do that with his lips when he has a mouth full of food. Meal time is very messy now days.

Smack Smack

Play Date

Conner stayed at home tonight with Grandma Payne and Sophie while Steve and I went to a dance. They had lots of fun playing together. Conner liked watching Sophie be Sophie. She liked playing with all of his toys, and Grandma enjoyed spending the evening with her two favorite little people. What a great time they had. Thanks for the play date.

Mom's smile says it ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is catching up with her.

6 Month Check-up

Conner went to Dr. Voyles today for his 6 month check-up. He weighs 23 lbs. 6 oz., and is 29 3/4 inches long. He is off the charts still in height and weight. We were given the green light to start baby foods with meat, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, applesauce, and juice from a sippy cup. He had applesauce for lunch and loved it. He had turkey and rice for dinner and wanted more. He grabbed his sippy cup right away and knew exactly where to put it. Getting something to come out of the sippy cup is another story. He is trying really hard and getting frustrated. It will come with time. I look at it this way. It would be like giving us forks to eat with for 6 months and then switching us to chop sticks. It is going to take a little getting used too.

Dr. Voyles was so impressed with him sitting on his own for 5 weeks now. He also said he expects him to do everything early like crawling and walking. He was such a good boy as usual. He got 4 shots today, cried when they happened, and then stopped as soon as they were over. I was very proud of him. He did sooooo..... well.

Going to the doctor today.
Waiting to see Dr. Voyles. He loves their mirror. He likes playing with the little boy in it.

A naked Chick Magnet

6 Months Old

Conner turns 6 months old today. I can't believe he is a half a year old. He has changed our lives sooooo.... much. We have been blessed with such a great baby and we thank God every day for bringing him into our lives.

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***What Conner is up to at 6 Months Old***

1. He has his two bottom teeth.
2. His hair has gotten thicker in the last couple of weeks. It looks Blond.
3. He sits up by himself.
4. He loves to be read too and to be talked too.
5. He loves the outdoors, camping, and long stroller rides.
6. He is trying to clap his hands. He still hasn't got it mastered yet.
7. He loves to cuddle and snuggle with his mommy and daddy.
8. He loves to play patty cake. He thinks it is HILARIOUS!
9. What does he eat now? All vegetables, rice, oatmeal with bananas, rice with mixed fruit, mixed vegetables, bananas, apples, and pears. We haven't found one thing he won't eat.
10. He slobbers a lot.
11. He is such a good baby. He is very Happy!!!!