Daily Doings by Connor

Whether it is playing with Daniel, Joe and Amberlee, or watching veggie tales, or giving Bella love; Connor is enjoying his days here at the Martins.

Bird Watching

Ice Cream Eating

Belly Button pointing.

 Excited Screaming.

 Stroller Walking.

Gun Shooting.

We love spending our days with this man. He is wound up with energy nonstop and constantly finding trouble, but he makes each day a new adventure. He is growing so fast and we are loving all our days with him.

Purple Ruffles at 5 Months

Update:
Bella is growing fast, she is in size 3 diapers (since the beginning of March) and 3-6 month clothing fits barely. She enjoys time in the bumbo and underneath her kick and play gym, but lately she is spending lots more time lying on her belly with a blanket. Bells has become a ticklish girl, with the right time and the right spot you can make her giggle like crazy. Occasionally she will drink water from a bottle, but she wont have any formula from a bottle. Unfortunately we didn't give her any formula for two weeks and over that time she decided she hates it and just screams like a banshee if we try and give her some. Which makes life a little harder. Bells is much more of a talker than her brother was, she likes to babble and talk to you if you give her attention. Bella is still sleeping in the car seat for naps and at night, sometimes. She still is a spit upper and unfortunately after a feeding she tends to give the nearest person a dose. All in all she is a really good calm little girl, even during diaper changes she is all smiles.

Weight: 16 lbs
Height: 25 inches

MILESTONES
Bella is sitting up better, she needs a little back support most times though.
She is making new sounds all the time.
She just started rolling over from belly to back.
And back to belly.
Constantly sucking on her hands.
Grasps toys and brings them to her mouth to suck on.
Pushes her knees up while lying on belly. She doesn't move herself or anything but she tries. I am hoping crawling won't come for a long while :)
Raises her chest with arm support while lying on her stomach.
Gets our attention by babbling.

LIKES
Knee bouncing.
Thumb-sucking
Playing with her brother. (Connor likes to share his toys and books with her, he also likes to snuggle up beside her when she's laying down.)
Her new discovery is her TOES! (Bella tries to grab them all the time and stare at them constantly. She can barely sit up straight in the Bumbo because they are so alluring.)
Tummy time!
Mornings.
Being outside enjoying all the trees, and observing the world.
Delighted to make bubbles and drool all over you.

DISLIKES
Tummy troubles.
Connor's loud screams of excitement or anger, either one make her jump.
Being too hot and sweaty, or too cold for that matter.
Obviously she hates being hungry or sleepy, so she gets a chance to work out her lungs and let us know when she needs something new.

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Bella has been showing off her Mommy's favorite color purple, as of late. She has been fashioning it in ruffles too, all the better. What a doll she is, and I can't help but LOVE dressing her up!

Shea picked this dress out. I fell in love with it. 
Bells is lucky to have a Daddy with such good taste!

Thanks for this lovely outfit, Grandma Stanger.
It is one of our favorites! 

St. Patrick's Day

Having a good old 17th of March!

Dressing in green, shamrocking our hands, enjoying some green Irish chocolate chip bread, hunting for Leprechaun gold, and watching The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns.

Nothing better than St. Patrick's Day at the Martins!

 Tickling one ticklish Bells.

Snapping shots of our dashing Con.

Fun Fact: “Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people … Perhaps the most well known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.”   (history.com)

Forget Me Not

I helped my sister this week do a devotional for her seminary class. I remembered one of my favorite talk's from last year, by my favorite apostle Uchtdorf. Seeing him speak just makes me happy, and I feel his great love for us, as he speaks through the spirit. I just thought I would share some of our findings that we enjoyed.

(Excerpt's from DIETER F. UCHTDORF’s talk, "Forget Me Not)
First, forget not to be patient with yourself.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth.
Third, forget not to be happy now.
This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.
Fourth, forget not the “why” of the gospel.
While understanding the “what” and the “how” of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the “why.” When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet.
Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.
You are not forgotten.
Just think of it, as you are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

Connor Speaks

Connor is talking and learning new words everyday. He is so smart and we love it. We are so proud of him. Most words are missing a sound at the beginning but all in all we can understand our ConMan! And it makes life a little easier and a whole lot more fun.

Connor's favorite word by far is STUCK! He says it constantly.

Here are some of the words our Con is saying everyday, at least the ones I can think of currently:

Bottle 

More

Football / Ball

Hot / Cold

Oh My / Oh Dear / Oh Yay

Yellow

No

Book

ROAR

Bye / See Ya

Hi / Hello
Shhhh
All gone
Here you go
I did it!
Juice
Apple
Milk
Watch
Fire
Jump
Bumbo
Phone
Tickle Tickle
Here / There

What

Why

Uh Oh
Bubble
Owww
Drink

Wow / Whoa

Nice
Die*

* (This is accompanied by shooting sounds and explosion blast sounds)

Connor can't sit still for long, but I got some pretty cute pictures all the same. 

I love my little talker and mover!

Thumb-Sucking Bronco Fan

Bella has developed a new habit. Thumb-sucking. We are not quite sure what we think about it yet. It is so new we can't help but think it is adorable. I had a long past of thumb-sucking so maybe she inherited it. I never had a bunch of teeth issues, so we aren't too alarmed. Maybe it will be a phase just for her. Connor went through a couple weeks of thumb-sucking, but Bella seems a little more intent on sticking to it. 

 

 

Bella is our newest Boise State Bronco's Fan. She is sporting the Blue and Orange here in Maryland. 

(Thanks Grandpa Stanger for the Bronco Bella shirt. And thanks Aunt Shauna for the beautiful blanket you made for Connor, Bella is loving it too!)

Finger Licking Good

Connor's New Favorite, 

Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwiches!

Classic

Our babies are known for their hilarious poses.

Classic BELLA and her Full Body Stretch! Her high arched back, arms up, funny face, closed eyes, long toes, extended legs and STRETCH! She pulls this pose out after every nap. Love her!

Classic CONNOR and his Bottle Drinking Acrobatics! While Con drinks a bottle he always needs a blanket and cuddle spot close. When he can't have cuddles he decides to try acrobatics. Flips up onto the couch, climbing onto the table, and an occasional fall usually accompany these extended poses. Leaning on the couch with legs stretched out towards the table, what could be more comfortable?

My babies like to STRETCH! What sillies they are!