Tractors and Trains and Food, Oh My!!!

It was an unusually cool day for Connor's first trip to the Indiana State Fair. We all had such a great time. We took the train down and back. Connor fell asleep instantly on the way down and back. We were kind of bummed that he was not awake for his first train ride, but glad that he slept and was not trying to run around the car. Connor sampled his first fair food, chicken fingers, fries, and an elephant ear. I think that the elephant ear was his favorite, hands down. He was a sugary mess when we were done. He loved the tractors, more so than the animals. I think he is just a little too young to really enjoy the animals. When Jason and Connor got on the tractor, he grabbed the stearing wheel and pretended to drive. He even would stop every once in a while to switch gears. We had a wonderful relaxing time at the fair. We can't wait to take him again next year. Maybe next year he will be just as excited about riding the train and seeing all the animals as mommy and daddy!!!

Clickety, clack. Clickety clack. The train lulls our little guy to sleep.

Even though he didn't care much for the animals, Connor did enjoy seeing the baby chicks.

Look Daddy, Bunnies!!!!

My first fair food, chicken fingers and fries!! (This is not a huge surprise because we can't get him to try many new things.)


Yummy!!!!!

Playing Legos with Daddy at the Lego experience. We were glad he didn't try to eat any!

The Lego Experience Truck

Our huge elephant ear. We all three split it, and afterwards I was stuffed!!!

A sugary mess. It brings new meaning to the phrase sweet lips!!!

Connor sitting in a John Deer tractor wheel.

Driving the tractor with Daddy

Look at us go!


Driving all by myself!

Mommy and Connor


Heading home, fast asleep!

Change, Change, Change

No, we have not fallen off the face of the Earth!! We have just been really busy going though several major transitions in the Smith family.

First, Jason started his new job at Brebeuf and has been there for about a month. He is really enjoying what he is doing. Their students start back tomorrow, and he is very excited about that. The fall is his busy season as they work on recruiting 8th graders to come to Brebeuf. We are both looking forward to the middle of November when things really slow down for him.

I had my first week back in the classroom last week. It has been 6 years since I had my own classroom. Not only has it been 6 years, but I never taught 5th grade, so I had nothing that was appropriate for my new kiddos. The kids are great so far. I was not prepared for all the drama of 5th graders and lockers, but other than that being in the classroom for me is like riding a bike. (HSE has Intermediate buildings with 5th and 6th graders. It is run a lot like a middle school, so they have lockers and switch teachers among teams.) Being back in the classroom is a ton of work. I look forward to getting in a routine, so I can spend more time at home with my guys!!

Connor started at a new daycare this week. He is handling the transition very well. I love the fact that it is so close to my school. Jason has the hard job of dropping him off, so I can be at school by 7 am. I pick him up, so he is always happy to see his mama!! It hurts both of our hearts to leave him everyday. The one up side of Jason loosing his job was that he was home for the past 8 months with us. We know he is in good hands at the new sitter, so that makes both of our days a little easier.

At home our time is filled with visiting splash parks, playing in our baby pool in our backyard, and just hanging out. I realized that we don't have any great recent pictures to share, so once we do I will pass them on.

While all these changes are for the best, it makes for a little more stress. Luckily I think we will all adapt quickly and then be able to tackle inevitable changes to happen in our future.

New Discoveries

18 months brought a lot of new discoveries for Connor. We thought our house was baby proofed, but we may have to do some more now that he is into so much more stuff. He loves...

* the toilet plunger in the bathroom. He loves to go in there and shake it to try to take it out of the container. I am trying to either figure out a new place to put them, or just remember to keep the bathroom door closed at all time.

* tissues. He loves to grab them out of the box by the handful. He then runs over to the carpet and pretends to rub them on the floor. I guess he sees Jason and I cleaning the carpets, or just cleaning in general a lot!

* Brady's water bowl. Connor was interested in this before, but he has a new found interest. We can't leave Brady's water on the floor anymore. The poor dog has to wait for nap time and once Connor goes to bed to get a drink of water.

* to climb on the fireplace. Not only does he climb up there, but he loves to stand up and walk on it as well. We actually have a hearth that is about 18 inches off of the ground. It is one of those things that I can't keep him off of. He has not fallen off yet, so we are doing good.

* my glasses. Apparently I look better to Connor without my glasses. He enjoys trying to grab them off of my face. Then once they are off he just giggles up a storm, kisses me, and pokes at my eyes. I don't enjoy him grabbing at my glasses. I am afraid he is going to break them, but so far so good.

* giving hugs and kisses. He is still a very loving kid. He went up to a random little girl at our local splash park and gave her a hug and a kiss before I could stop him. He just loves other little kids.

At 18 months we still have a little peanut. His weight was 23 pounds 12 ounces, 25th percentile. His is 31 inches tall, 25th percentile. I don't know how big his head is, but it is still in the 90th percentile. He is a happy, healthy, loving, curious little guy!!

Penguins, Pools, and Other Good News!!!

Yesterday, we took Connor to the zoo for the second time. We went in the morning, which was great! All of the animals were out, and we got to see several feeding times. We learned that the wagon is the way to go for Connor to get around the zoo. He hates getting buckled into his stroller, so the wagon saved that step. We are grateful that he does not try to climb out of the wagon yet. It was a great morning!

With Daddy at the Rhinos!!

Don't look behind you, Connor! It's a bear!!

The polar bears swimming by!

Can I come and swim too?

It is feeding time for the penguins.

Jason bought Connor and Brady this baby pool to swim in. Too bad the weather has been so crappy. They have only been able to be in it once so far. They both really love it. I also found some old sand toys when I was unpacking my classroom. They were perfect for Connor to play with in the water.

Legos and a cup, two of Connor's favorite things!

Mean Daddy! Jason likes to pour water over Connor's head.

Here it comes!

Daddy and Connor chillin' in the pool. It is big enough for Daddy to take a swim too!

Finally, our other good news!! (I thought it was only fitting to post this on the one year anniversary of my blog! If we'd only known then...) After seven long months of looking and praying, Jason has been offered and accepted a job. He will be working for Brebeuf as their Assistant Director of Admissions. We are very excited for this new opportunity. He worked for 7 years in Admissions at Butler. Now instead of recruiting high school kids, he will be recruiting 8th graders. Connor will definitely miss being at home with his Daddy. They have become best buds. Jason was an awesome stay-at-home dad!! Congrats, sweetie!! Connor and I love you and are so proud of you!!! It is another new beginning.

Chicago, Chicago

Thanks to our friends Tom and Katie, we had a grand ol' time in the Windy City. We went with the kids to a splash park and pool and then to Wrigleyville to see Wrigley field. The adults also participated in a pub crawl through Tom and Katie's neighborhood. Great time, great food, great friends, what more can you ask for?

Connor with Molly and Annie

Jason with the kids

Look Daddy, airplanes!! Connor loves to spot airplanes in the sky and since we were right by O'Hare it was perfect!

Connor and Annie

Our family at the Wrigleyville Fire Station


Connor and Harry


Need a tour guide?



Our family



The famous Wrigley Field

Splash park fun!!

Superdad!!

Just imagine the Superman theme song in the background as you read this! Jason definitely is a Superdad! Any man who can handle being a stay at home dad for 6 months with a toddler deserves such a distinction. (I think that moms who stay at home should get the Supermom distinction.) He has taught Connor so many fun things: how to walk, how to say ma-ma and da-da, how to go up steps, and most importantly how to give hugs on demand. Connor loves his daddy, and often prefers Jason to me. (This does not make me happy.) We are keeping our fingers crossed that a job will come our way soon. When it does, I know that Connor will miss his special time at home everyday with daddy. I am also sure that Jason will miss this special time too! Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Birthday Jason!!

On Thursday we celebrated Jason's 38th birthday. We had a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends. We spent Jason's birthday up in Lafayette for a family cookout. Connor had fun playing with his cousins. It was a great birthday, with great weather!!! Happy Birthday Jason! We love you!!

Daddy and Connor cuddling...or Connor trying to squirm away.

Yummy...icing!!

On Friday night, I made Jason a Key Lime pie. He is not a big fan of cake. It was my first attempt, and it turned out OK. Next time I know to freeze it, instead of refrigerating it. It was more like Key Lime soup, but it still tasted good.

*********************************************************

Some more fun, recent shots!

Mommy and Connor on the swing at Derek, Kristi and Maddie's house


All smiles on my big wheel! I don't know how to peddle, but I love to scoot around on it.