The passing of time - Bear's b-day

'Da Bear - 1 year old

Last Friday, the 12th, my Bear turned one. At 3:41 in the morning

I think he wanted to bring his day in with a bang, because he woke up crying at 4:40. He wouldn't take his binky. Or his blanket. So, I picked him up to rock him, but as soon as I did, he threw himself backward towards the crib. So, I laid him down for a few minutes, but when he kept crying, I tried holding him again. He threw himself backward again, so I laid him down, closed his door, and let him fuss himself back to sleep. He woke up again at 6:13 to start his day. *sigh* "Happy Birthday to me!"

But, we had a wonderful day. I let him open one of his presents that morning - an outfit that I originally got him for Christmas. It's 18 months. But, it's a good thing I gave it to him now - he just might be grown out of it by Christmas time. :)

He played with Gavin, and scooted around the house while I cleaned and got dinner ready for that night. When Brandon and the boys got home from school, we had him open up his presents. He had a BLAST! It was so fun to watch him figure out how to tear the paper off. I think he's gonna be a pro at Christmas!


Ripping off the paper.
"Hey, this is fun!"


Listening to S & B read "Mr. Brown Can Moo"


All of us playing with his basketball hoop


The cheesy Bear with his gifts

That night, we had Brandon's family over for a baked potato bar dinner, followed by cake and ice cream. I made a chocolate cake, shaped into a bear, and frosted it with chocolate frosting. Two jawbreakers for the eyes, and licorice for a smile. Unfortunately, we forgot to get a picture of it. It was pretty cute, though.

I gave Connor a half a yellow cupcake with chocolate frosting, and just prayed that he'd be able to handle it with his allergy. He did great! I got some soy ice cream for him and me to have, and he loved it. (Note to those with milk allergies - coconut milk ice cream is much, MUCH better than soy. Pricey, but I've decided it's worth it for an occasional splurge.) He dug right in to his cupcake and ice cream, and made a big mess of himself.


One candle - 1 year


"Hmm - what's this?"


"This is pretty good!"


"Ooh - it's cold. Wonder what it tastes like?"


"That was good, Mom!"


My sweet niece, Marissa, singing happy birthday to "the Connor"

I went and put him in the tub as soon as he was done. I've learned that if he does come in contact with any dairy, it's best to wash it off ASAP and cover him in hydrocortisone cream followed by lotion to seal it in. It worked, and we headed off to play with cousins and open presents from them.


Cute Bear in the tub.
(Look how blue his eyes are. I love his eyes!)


My super cute nephew, Terance, who is just 6 weeks younger than Connor


The Shaffer gang (minus Dustyn & Linda's family)


Terance and Connor playing with the Elmo phone he got

As we've been talking about Thanksgiving in our family and during singing time in Primary, I've been trying to reflect on what I'm most thankful for. Of course, I'm thankful for my family. My boys are priceless.

But, during his birthday week, and on thinking back on the year and a half of trying to get pregnant, and getting REALLY discouraged because we weren't getting pregnant after a VERY easy time with the other three. And then deciding that I really didn't want another baby after all, and realizing a few weeks later that I was pregnant. And then, the joy of realizing that it had happened, hearing his heartbeat, feeling his first kicks, finding out we were having another boy, and then wondering if "this is really it" during labor . . . well, I think you get the idea.

I'm SO grateful for this little boy. He has filled my time and made me smile - even when I'm crying. He melts my heart time and time again. I'm sad that he's growing up so fast, but at the same time, it's so much fun to watch him grow. Just the past few days, he's started to figure out that he can make different sounds with his mouth. It's so fun to hear him communicate with us using his sounds.

I love to watch his little scoot, his funny little scoot. The slight curl in his hair. His 8-tooth grin. I love to see him when I come home from Zumba or from the store or from choir practice and see his little face light up when he sees me. And then watch as he scoots over to me, babbling while he scoots, and then looks up into my face, his arms outstretched for me to pick him up.

I love to watch him with his brothers. They love him so much. They love to play with him, read to him, make silly sounds to get him to smile. I love how he gets so excited when he sees his dad. Or how they'll laugh together when Brandon is in changing his diaper. I love the way Connor loves the cats. He squeals with delight when he sees them. He'll pat or pet them, and then look up at us with a HUGE grin on his little face.

I'm so thankful for my little Connor Jay.

I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the addition of this little guy into our family. He was needed. I don't know why it took so long for us to get pregnant with him, but I do know that right now is the perfect time to have him. Absolutely perfect.