Christmas came early!

We're horrible rotten parents OR we're the best parents ever! I guess it depends on who's perspective your looking at. We went Christmas shopping today. Since we were shopping during Li'l C's nap time he went down for his nap as soon as we got home. And as soon as he woke up we all headed down to his play room to check out his new loot! Yep, we kept it a surprise for a whole whopping 2 hours. Typically J and I break down and open all our Christmas presents from each other about 1-2 weeks before Christmas.
So, what did he get? A magnetic dry erase board, magnetic letters and numbers, 10 stack and nest numbered cups, shape sorter toy, nerf football, and a Spiderman chair. J's actually been wanting to get him a mini recliner, but I don't think he's old enough for something like that, so we settled on a soft foam chair for now.
By the way J was cleaning out his den and came across my old cell phone... which is what Li'l C is playing with in his new chair. I think that was his favorite toy. Oh and disclaimer- I don't dress my kid like a dork. He wore blue cords today, but I didn't think they would be comfortable to nap in so I changed him into these dorky red sweats to sleep in... when he woke up we were too excited to get him down to check out his goodies to change his clothes back.
Have I meantioned how much Li'l C LOVES cats? This morning there was a Disney show on with cats. He doesn't typically watch TV, but when he realized the show was about cats he dropped everything and was glued to the screen.
So, today we went to the library to check out some new books. I found a couple kids picture books with cartoon cats in them and then this adult book with actual pictures of cats. Can you guess which book is his favorite?
Okay, so I'm thinking my son is trying to tell me he's ready to attempt potty training?!? He's 15 months so I'm not expecting miracles, but yesterday he grabbed one of his diapers and put it on the toilet. He then proceded to try to lift the toilet lid while making grunting noises... and um... doing some business. Last week J went into the bathroom and shut the door. Li'l C went over and grabbed one of his diapers from the changing table and shoved the diaper under the bathroom door. We both laughed and thought it was pretty clever of him, but since he's brought 2 diapers into the bathroom in the last week... I think he might be trying to tell us he's ready?!?

Grammy's Jean Hat

We woke up Thursday morning to frost. And today... snow! yuck! I wouldn't mind the snow so much if it wasn't so darn cold. I like my weather to be above 65 degree's. This below 32 is for the polar bears. Yucky! Well, today I was going through a box of goodies Nana sent us home with the last time we visited... since they moved they've been going through and getting rid of stuff, which means all my childhood treasures they've been holding onto have been getting loaded into the trunk of my car every time we visit. I'm really happy they hung onto this treasure for me! This is a hat my Grammy made out of old jeans. If you knew me in the 5th grade, then you know this hat was practically glued to my head. I loved this silly hat. My Grammy was so creative with a sewing machine and knitting needles. I sure do miss her.
Li'l C giving it his own little boyish touch. Grammy would be so happy to know this hat is being handed down the generations. Maybe I'll get lucky and someday he'll hand it down to his kiddo! Homemade gifts are the best! There is no better treasure than something a loved one has put their heart and soul into making for you! I have totes and totes filled with homemade treasures from my Grammy and other loved ones. My hubby is constantly complaining that I keep too much. Which I did get rid of over half my "keepsakes", but I just can't bear to part with the homemade goodies! He doesn't dare complain about me keeping the treasures from my Grammy though. He even thought she was the sweetest little old Grammy ever. I wish she could have met Li'l C.

giggles with daddy

(you will need to hit pause on the Music player on the right side of my blog in order to hear the giggles)

Spin me more please!

So, we decided to bring my scrap booking table and sewing machine down to the basement. The idea is that maybe I can get a little bit of fun stuff done while Little C is either napping or playing. We'll see how much "free time" I actually get though.
Little C seems to think my desk chair is a new play toy for him. He climbs up (with a little help) and waits to be spun around. As soon as I stop spinning him he quickly signs MORE! MORE! MORE!
As soon as he realizes he's won and mom is going to spin him again he assumes the position and grabs onto both arm rests for handles. I don't spin him fast, but even the slow spinning makes me dizzy. Although it must not have the same effect on him because he could spin all day long. Silly kid loves anything that resembles a carnival ride.
And this is what it looks like when the ride is over... when his signing MORE! MORE! MORE! doesn't result in more spinning he resorts to the crocodile tears. Lucky for us the tears don't last long and he's easily distracted.

Random Monday

I made Connor and Ryan matching monkey tag blankies. I think Connor is actually too old for tag blankies now, but Ryan is the perfect age, so hopefully he likes it as much as Connor did at that age.Little C has quiet the tool collection. He loves his tools too! It's pretty common to find him carrying around either his hammer or screw driver (those are his favorites).
His collection of bouncy balls. He loves to play ball, whether it's rolling a ball back and forth or bouncing it up and down or kicking it with his feet.
I made homemade chilli-mac for lunch, which little C just LOVES! He starts off using his spoon like a little gentleman...
and then the spoon gets tossed to the side and he digs in with his hands
Yummy! Connor approved =)
We love his new little toy shelf from John and Laura. Thanks guys! Now all the toys in "Connor's Man Cave" (aka the basement) have a spot.
Just for fun the last time Jason had to travel for work I made this sign and hung it on the wall
going down to the basement. Both my boys get such a kick out of this and they both have to hit the sign on their way down the stairs. Since they enjoy it so much and the basement is Connor's domain... I think I'm going to eventually get a wood sign made to hang instead of this paper sign.

Goodbye Aunt Pat

My beloved aunt Pat passed away November 1st. She was such a sweet, caring person. She will be greatly missed! The funeral was today. Here's uncle John playing with little C at the reception.Ryan and Connor
Grandma and Ryan
Staci and Shawn
Ahhh what a cute family. Laura, John and Ryan
We stopped by Grandma and Grandpa's on the way home.
Grandpa with his two boys ... Harry and Buster
The highlight of Connor's day- loving on Spaz! He absolutely LOVES cats. Every time he see's a cat he gets all excited. And Spaz is an exceptionally easy going cat. He actually seemed to be enjoying Connor's mauling. He purred the entire time and never once tried to get away... even when Connor was laying on top of him. Of course Spaz weighs 26 lbs and Connor weighs 20 lbs. He's such a good kitty! I keep trying to talk Jason into letting us get a kitty for Connor, but he's not a fan of the litter box. On a side note- if Spaz's eye's look funny it's because he's blind in one eye. He was abandoned as a kitten and left to die. My parents rescued him and with the help of their local vet nursed him back to health, but he had such a horrible infection that he lost the use of one eye.

For Staci

Just for you aunt Staci... since you asked. Here's some pictures of little C from today. We love you auntie! =)Little C's favorite corner.. the book corner! Picking out that perfect book.
such a serious face... deep into reading
Another one of his favorite toys. Jon and Vicki gave this to little C. It actually hooks onto 3 different books and plays music/sounds according to the book, but Connor likes to just carry it around and push the buttons for random music/sounds. He loves to dance now, which is actually kinda funny since we've never shown him how to dance so he figured it out on his own. At 15 months he's already a better dancer than mom and dad! I need to get a video to post of it. He gets his arms swinging and bends his knees and actually dances around. He's pretty good!