MR. MISCHIEF

So recently Connor has been moving around lots more. He rolls, he lunges, he army crawls, he scoots backwards, he twists and turns. When he is determined he can get just about anything. He loves trying to get a grip on any hanging cord. So we are trying very hard to keep them out of my little octopuses grasp. Lately he has been getting stuck under chairs... random and oh so cute! Mischief is this little man's middle name. I am a little worried for when he starts walking because I can just imagine all the chaos. 

Today he found his box of diapers and pulled it over and opened and sucked and threw them all over the place. It was an easy mess to clean up. And since I know the easy messes wont last long I am enjoying my adorable little mischief maker!

Bedtime

After Connor's bath and change we sat down to read a story. But Connor decided to read me a story tonight. He was so excited to turn the pages and he even gurgled a little story to me. It was so cute and I couldn't get over what an adorable kid we have.

He makes me laugh and smile and I am in complete awe of him 99% of the time. It amazes me what new things he does everyday. I feel so blessed that we get to raise this precious little boy. He is such a light in our lives.

I AM 7 MONTHS!

Connor has hit another month and has kept on growing bigger and bigger. And he has never been cuter. We love all his little expressions and crazy laughs. Being a parent is the most amazing and fulfilling job in the world! I couldn't have asked for more!

Connor has a lot to say about his life at 7 months...

Update: I am getting too big for the car seat. So I may be getting a new car seat very soon. Mommy likes to think of me as a mini octopus grabbing anything I can get my little tentacles on. I just started wearing size 4 diapers. And I officially have my first tooth cut and peeking through the gum, it looks like a fingernail peeking through the gum right now but it is there. And my next is close behind. My clothes are ranging from 12 -18 months. I eat two solid meals a day, sometimes. Usually breakfast for sure and sometimes dinner. I love finger foods and can put them in my mouth now. I eat goldfish, cheerios, Gerber puffs/yogurt melts, shredded cheese, and broken crackers. Mommy still nurses me lots. I hate sleeping by myself and would much rather sleep with Mommy and Daddy in bed. I like noisy toys and lights that dance around. And I am loving warm baths, playing in the water is so fun. My favorite thing to do is blow raspberries when I get annoyed. And I am addicted to Daddy-time. I love playing and eating with Daddy!

Height – 21 lbs

Weight- 6 ounces

Length - 27 inches
(These are just estimates though)

I LIKE:

I love to explore, rolling and scooting here and there, is so much fun.

I am becoming more independent, I try to feed myself and play nicely by myself.

I like to play when I am getting my diaper changed now. Mommy is not too fond of this new development. I like to scoot away while I am being changed.

I like to lunge for the toys that are out of my grasp. And then I usually topple over.

Rocking in the rocking chair.

I love baths! I like to splash and play with my toys in the warm water!

I DISLIKE:

I like to be in charge now so I hate it when Mommy tries to get me dressed or tries to dry me off after the bath or tries to put me in the car seat.

When Mommy and Daddy say “Connor No” I know that I am in trouble. So I usually start to whimper or cry.

I hate when Mommy and Daddy take my toys away, usually they take away the fun cords or paper I get my hands on. So I get very mad.

The swing, sometimes I fall asleep in it still but only after a battle of the tears. I’d rather have Mommy and Daddy rock me to sleep.

Mommy Loves:

- Singing silly songs to me because I love them, I smile and play and grab Mommy’s moving hands. My favorite is the crocodile song, I like it when she sings over and over. It goes like this “She sailed away on a sunny summer day on the back of a crocodile. / You see said she he’s as tame as tame can be all ride him down the Nile. / The croc winked his eye as she bade them all goodbye wearing a happy smile. / At the end of the ride the lady was inside and the smile was on the crocodile.”

- MY new high pitched scream that makes your ears rattle it is highly annoying but Mommy can’t help but smile when she hears me throw a tantrum. She laughs because she thinks I am being so silly.

- When I scrunch up my nose to smile or search for something, or giggle! Mommy loves my giggles!

Daddy Loves:

- Playing peek-a-boo with Daddy is so fun because he likes it even more than me.

- When I lay on Daddy’s chest to be put to sleep and make humming noises as I drift off.

- When I grunt for more food. I love oatmeal and fruit it makes me so happy but I can’t get it fast enough.

I love to cuddle whatever is near.

I love munching on my hands!

I love rolling...

And making funny faces!

I love my new tooth, I like to rub it with my tongue!

I like pouring the water in my sippy cup out,
instead of drinking it.

I love making silly faces with Mommy...

she is so goofy! And it makes me smile!

I like my Johnny Jump Up! 

I like exploring the house ...

And being Good!

I can make quite a mess sometimes.

And sometimes I just get frustrated with corners,
I haven't figured them out just yet!

ScRaMbLiNg

At the end of December and the beginning of January we have been very busy. And just scrambling to keep up. Here are some fun things we have been up to...

Connor got his first BUBBLE BATH!

We had a visit from some old friends.

Aubrey and Connor

Playing

Dinner at Wingers!

And we moved. It was sad to say goodbye to our place.

But we packed everything up and are enjoying our new place.

I started work back up at the beginning of January and soon after Shea started school. Since then we have dealt with a lot of apartment problems, Shea being sick, and Connor teething. We have been pretty busy, but things seem to have settled and we are all healthy again and loving life as the Stanger Three!

Congrats Ryan!

My brother Ryan was called to Brazil, but his VISA didn't come so he went to the MTC in Provo, Utah and then he got done the MTC and it still hadn't gone through. So he has been in Alabama on his mission waiting for his VISA to Brazil to come and Tuesday of this week it came. WAHOO! We were all so excited. He has been in Alabama for a little over a month. He left today and is on his way flying to Brazil as we speak. He is such an inspiration. He is so positive and loving and hardworking. We are all so proud of him and his attitude. Good luck Elder Martin! You will be amazing!


Goodbye Sweet Home Alabama!

 Brazil here I come!

Keep up the Good Work Ryan! And keep that smile on your face come what may!

First Tooth Peeks!

So starting in November we noticed that Connor was a little more of a drooler and chomper. We had a doctor's appointment at the beginning of December which confirmed our suspicions. Connor is in for some teeth! His bottom and top front gums were swollen. Meaning that his teeth could cut anytime. So it could be days, weeks, or months. With baby teeth you never know.
So we waited and we were patient. 
And poor little Connor, did a lot of this ...

He got drunk off of popsicles and their numbing power!

And this ...

Chewing on cloth helped, especially the
clothes we tried to put on him.

He loved the strings that dangled from Mommy's sweatshirts.

And a little of that ...

And a whole bunch of this ...

And some of that ...

And FINALLY (Drum roll Please...)
YIPPEE! His first tooth cut! It is just peeking through. His top front right that is. You can barely see where the tooth has finally gotten through the gum but you can feel it. It is a little rough hard spot poking through if you rub his top gums.
We dealt with a lot of tears in the past few days.
These were all the things we tried over the past couple weeks...
Wet Washcloths
A bottle with cold water
Refrigerated Teethers (All different kinds)
Massaging gums with Mommy/Daddy's fingers
Putting Ice Cubes and Fruit in these (as pictured) Munchkin Mesh Food Feeders (which I love by the way, but Connor is still deciding on)
Infant Tylenol
He liked chewing on Mommy's clothes, while being held or while trying to be fed
His favorite thing by far was kisses and hugs and lots of attention to keep his mind off those throbbing gums!
Everything had its moments but they all worked for only a short time. But now were over the worst ... till the next one!Connor's first tooth cut TODAY, January 9th! He is 7 months and almost one week!