Leaning our body parts

I have been a very, very bad blogger! I hope anyone that does stop by from time to time likes the videos. And good news if you do, here is another one. I just recorded this tonight. Connor has been learning his body parts and I also tried to get him to use a few of his words. His words include: Moma, DaDa, Babies, Hat, Ball, Hi, Bye, and much to my disappointment: Mine. He is close with a lot of other words but only gets a part of the sound out. He can spot a flag and points and say "guh" I guess with out teeth the F sound is a hard one. Speaking of teeth Connor is finally making some progress with in that area. We have 2-4 that are easy to see, and a few more that when you pull up his lip you can see are coming!

I love being home with the little guy and getting to watch him learn new things every day. He is really such a sweet baby, I never shy away from taking him out and about since he is so well behaved. Says "Hi" to everyone in the grocery store, that is unless they say hi to him first, in which he gets shy.

The video is about 2 minutes long, but he is in nothing but a diaper (not a huge fan of getting dressed) so I hope that cuteness factor will keep you watching :-)

Halloween 2010 Costume Try On

Fall 2010

Connor pushes his car

Connor holds his bottle

Yummy Gram Crackers

Connor Crawls on Hands and Knees - Watch out!

Connor is on the move!

Top 10 Things I Love about my 6 month old

Connor says GO RED SOX! He is already a member of Red Sox Nation.

Connor just went to bed and thus ends our four full days of Mommy-Connor time. I was looking forward to this long weekend for weeks, and now that it is over I am sad! Connor was a perfect angel of a baby while Greg was gone and it was just the two of us. He loved the water at Baby/Mommy swim class, I can't wait till next week! He did great at the Circus, he like watching all the different acts and animals. Easter was spend with the Chalifours, the weather was so great we all spent a lot of time outside (in the shade of course) soaking up the warm weather.

Six months old is such a fun age, here is my top 10 list of why it is such a great age (in no particular order):

1. He know who Mommy and Daddy are, and when we get home from work he sequels in delight, kicks his feet, then leaps into our arms and gives great hugs and big sloppy wet kisses.

2. He can sit up on his own now which means we can put him in shopping carts and highchairs at restaurants, no more lugging the bucket seat everywhere if we don't want to.

3. Reading books. He now looks at the pictures and seams to be starting to understand the concept, and it is great quality baby/parent time.

4. Four bottle of formula a day. He drinks 4 large bottles each day and can go up to 4+ hours between feedings. Its so much easier to get out and do things.

5. Food! I love watching his reaction to all the new fruits and veggies. He is a smart baby too, he picked up on how a spoon worked rather quickly and now get excited when he realizes it is time for breakfast or dinner. Who can resist a face smeared with bright orange carrots!?

6. Smiles & laughs! It is so easy to get a smile and a laugh out of him, tickling, belly bubbles, acting like a goof, bring on the best sounding laughter I have ever heard, and the smiles make your heart melt.

7. Sleep! Connor has been sleeping thought the night for a few months, but I love that we have a bedtime routine: bottle, PJs, books, sleep sack, songs while rocking, lights out at 7:30pm. It is great quality time together and Greg and I can count on getting some time together before going to bed.

8. Naps! Finally if you time it all just right he will nap in his crib (this morning he did for 1.5 hours!), and I can get things done around the house again!

9. Almost crawling! He can spin around and move an inch or two backward or forwards, but is not quite mobile yet, which I am enjoying since once he is on the go life is going to be a lot more crazy.

10. He is just so darn cute and full of smiles that he brings a lot of happiness to a lot of people. I am already so proud of my little guy, he has a way of lighting up a room! I love to see the look of joy on family and friends faces that he brings to them, just by being himself. The compliments from complete strangers as to how cute and handsome he is don't hurt my mommy ego either.

6 Months Old!

We made it, Connor is a half year old! Here are the stats from his 6 month check up: 17 lbs 4 oz, 27.5" high. Doctor says he is doing great, and we should keep up the good work. She also warned us she things his bottom teeth are not far off. Yikes!

Connor has pretty much mastered sitting up on his own, and loves playing with his blocks and toy truck. I get a kick out of watching him investigate things. He gets this concentrated look on his face and pokes them and carefully picks up the item up to get a closer look. He did this to the Reverend's microphone during his Baptism this past weekend. Solid foods are still going well, green veggies are the only ones that are now a favorite. We also discovered that we want to say away from bananas, well because they well the clog up the works.

The best part of my day is when I get home and get hugs and kisses! Here is a great video of what it looks like when I get this hugs and kisses (don't let my face fool you, I am loving every minute of this).

Up next for Connor is Mommy and Baby swim lessons. Tomorrow we also are going to the Big Apple Circus with Connor's girlfriend Sophia and Nicole.

Connor the Screamapiller

Last weekend Connor really found his screaming voice! We dubbed him a "screamapiller" which of course is an obscure Simpson's reference. Since we would never deny Connor's fans the joys of an ear splitting scream, for you enjoyment the attached video has a sample of what it sounded like all day last Saturday in our house.

5 Months Old!

Its President's day and I have the day off, and for the first time I put Connor down for a nap in his crib, and it worked! So I have finally found a few minutes to write a quick post. Connor continues to develop at what seams like lighting speed. He masted rolling over a while ago and continues to prefer to be on his belly. He has not figured out how to roll back again, so for the time being he is still pretty stationary. He is however pulling his knees up under himself and moving a few inches which I describe as souching, and therefore rotate himself around a bit and move forward an inch or two if he works hard at it. We can now make him laugh these great belly laughs by making fools of ourselves, which of course Greg and I are happy to do just to hear that great laugh. His hair is starting to grow a bit, it is so cute how it stands up off his cute little head. We have started feeding him some rice cereal at night with somewhat limited success. He opens his mouth for the spoon, and will get a little bit down, but spits most of it back up. He does not seam to be a fan of the cereal in general, but we plan to keep trying it and work in some fruits and veggies in the near future. Connor can be a big talker too, when I come home from work I get Connor version of the days events. We also get a lot of Mammmammam, and Daddaddda too! Although I don't he is using the sounds to identify either of us just yet, it is a great sound to hear!

Well Connor first nap in the crib looks to be coming to a close (over an hour long!) so I must wrap this up. I will try to add more photos of our adventure this last month soon. They include getting to meet the newest addition to our extend family, Annika Louise Pisarsky, Connor's step cousin!

Best winter wishes Love The Chagnons!

Yes another Connor video..

One more video ... because I put a different video than I meant to in the last post (I was tired last night).

4 Months Old!

I know it has been a long time since I have made a post! Life here in Casa de Chagnon has been busy between my going back to work and the holidays. Today marks Connor’s 4 month b-day! Next week we have his 4 month check up, so we will have his stats then.

Connor has been busy himself, first in early December he learned to roll from his belly to his back! Then just so he could say he did it before 2009 was over on New Years Eve he decided to roll from his back to belly! Connor was at Grammy and Gramps that day, and he performed his new trick for me when I came to pick him up, and again for Dad when we got home! Now we have a hard time keeping him on his back! It’s funny that after a while he gets tired of being on his belly, but has seamed to forget how to roll back to his back. Connor also has a lot to say these days he “talks” a lot! I love how he has learned to blow raspberries with his lips and tongue. Well I don’t so much enjoy getting covered in the drool that comes along with the raspberries. He also is showing a lot of control with his hands, he knows how to grab onto things, and bring them to his mouth. He can sit up assisted in either the bumbo chair, leaned against the corner of the coach, or in our laps. It is simply amazing how quickly and how much babies learn in such a short amount of time. We are thinking about working with him in the next few weeks to try to teach him to put himself to sleep, wish us luck!

Here is the video proof:
First day rolling belly to back


First day rolling back to belly


Connor doing some talking.

Connor in the Bumbo chair

We put Connor in the Bumbo chair for the first time the other week and he liked it. He also likes it when we wipe his face, which I think is so funny...but you can see for yourself:

11.5 pounds and 24.5 inches long!

Those were Connor's stats at his 2 month pediatric appointment on the 17th. I can't believe how big he is already! Some miles stones are he has learned how to get his hand in his mouth whenever he likes, not just by accident. He is also figuring out how to grasp on to things. One of his favorite toys is his firefly, he has grasped the rings that hang off the bottom and pulled on them numerous times. Sleeping has been getting better too. He goes from about 9 pm till 2 or 3 am, then he wakes up again around 5 or 6 am. I hope that it won't be too much longer till he sleeps all night, but for now 5 to 6 hours is a good stretch.

Connor sitting up with the hick-ups

Our trip to San Francisco went really well. Connor slept almost the whole plane ride out to the west cost, and then on the way back was awake more since it was day time, but still did really well. Our fellow passengers commented that they hardly knew a baby was sitting so close to them. Everyone things traveling with an infant would be hard, but I think it would be harder if he was older. We got to skip the long security line on the way back since we were traveling with a little one, and the good folks of United Airlines really did a great job accommodating our little family and making it all that much easier on us. On our first full day Connor and I went to Pier 39 where there are a lot of tourist shops, restaurants, and best of all Sea Lions! Then I hiked up the steep hills to see Lombard Street. It was cool to see the street that I had seen on TV and photos so many times in real life. The only problem is we had to go back down the hills to get a cab back to the apartment we were staying at, and that scared the crap out of me with Connor in the stroller. I wish I could have seen more, but it was hard getting around the city by myself, perhaps if there is a next time and Connor is older it will be easier.

Sea Lions

Well I am down to only 2 more weeks at home till I have to head back to work. I now wish that I could extend my leave till the new year, but I am afraid it is to late to make that request. I know those first few weeks are going to be hard, I just hope it gets easier. I won't lie I do wish I could just say home and take care of my sweet boy, he is just a joy and I don't want to miss any of it.

Well Thursday is Thanksgiving! My favorite holiday, it is just getting together with family and eating food, what could be better! I hope you all out in blogger land have a great holiday with your families.

Month #2 with Baby Connor!

Connor’s second month of life has been very busy! Since our last post we all went down to Connecticut to attend our good friends Chris and Val’s wedding, and Auntie Marci, Nick, and Grandpa Chagnon hosted a party for everyone from Greg’s family to meet Connor! We also celebrated two more birthdays: Uncle Ham Bone (Tom) turned 22, and Sophia Sauk turned 1 year old!

Connor attended the rehearsal dinner so he could meet Uncle Chris and Aunt Val before there big day! He was not even the youngest baby there, Val’s friend and bridesmaid brought her daughter who was only 11 days old! Connor did not appreciate Mr. Gonzales trying to use him as an example, he let out a loud cry when he was pointed out to the bride and groom as an example of what the parents would like for their next big gift, a grandchild of their own. Connor wailed in protest, I think he was trying to say, “They will create a new friend for me when they are good and ready, lets all let the nice Aunt and Uncle enjoy their wedding day first.” The wedding was wonderful, Chris and Val both looked so happy! Greg was finally able to relax once his best man speech was done, and it was a wonderful party. Connor stayed home with Grandpa Jim and company during the wedding. I came back to check on him and feed him between the ceremony and reception, however he was in good hands with Great Aunt Sandy to help out, so I was able to relax myself and have a good time at the reception, and Daddy only called once to check in on him, not bad since this was the first time I was away from Connor for more than an hour or two.

Groomsmen feeding the Groom some beer

Some proud papas

Greg & Chris
Chris, Val, Greg, & Jill The Best Man Speech

The next day Connor got to meet his Daddy’s families, and some more friends. Auntie Marci deserves the most credit for making the day so great with her cooking and hosting! We are so glad so many family members from both near and far were able to join us and got to meet Connor while he is still a little guy.

This week Auntie Marci is going to come and visit for a few days and spend some quality time with Connor! This coming weekend we will be back in CT again for Nikki P.’s Baby Shower and to celebrate yet another birthday Grandpa Changon is going to be 59. Then we are off on our big adventure to San Francisco! We will be sure to take lots of photos and report back on our trip, the day we get back Connor will be 2 months old!

5 Weeks Old Already!

Sorry blog readers that I have not been able to sit down and tell you more about Connor’s first month of life. He keeps me very busy and I have tired to get to bed around the same time he goes down for the night so that I can too get some sleep.

Connor’s first two weeks were hard on Greg and me, but since then things have gotten easier every day. I was having trouble with breastfeeding at first, and Connor had dropped a little more weight than we would have like to see initially, however with the help of the lactation consultants and supplementing in some formula into his diet we were able to get him back up to his birth weight by his 2 week appointment with the pediatrician. She then gave us the go ahead to let him sleep as long as he likes at night, no more waking him up to feed every two hours! Now he will sleep anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours a stretch when we first put him down for the night, then he wakes up every 2-3 hours after that. During the day he really only takes small cat naps if we stay home, but will fall asleep for longer ones if we go for a walk in the stroller or go for a car ride.

When he is awake he is very alert. I love watching him find new things every day like his hand or the toy hanging down from his jungle mat. He does give out smiles, but is still very stingy with them. He seams to save them for people he has not seen in a little while, such as Daddy when he gets home from work, or Gramie and Gramps when they come by and visit.

I am trying to keep us busy and not necessarily at home in the house all day every day. On Tuesdays we go to a Mom’s group and meet up with lots of other babies 0-3 months old. Most of the Mom’s then go out to lunch after the meeting, it is so great to get to talk to other new Mom’s and get to learn and share our experiences. Most I walk away thankful I have such an easy baby, and wonderful helpful Husband!

Speaking of Greg, what would I do without him! After I feed Connor first thing in the morning, Greg takes over and lets me get in a nice long shower and time to get dressed and ready for the day. Then when he gets home from work he can hardly wait to get his hands on Connor! We both just love this baby!

We will be very busy in this 2^nd month of Connor’s life. This past weekend he attended a big family birthday party, and had some special visitors from up North his Aunties Brooke & Sarah, and Cousin Eliot. This weekend we are heading to CT to attend Chris and Val’s wedding, as well as to have a get together with Greg’s family so they can all meet Connor. Connor’s good friend Sophia is tuning 1 on the 31^st! Then it will be back to CT again for Grandpa Chagnon’s birthday and a baby shower for Baby Girl Pisarsky. Then the big adventure to San Francisco, CA! Greg has to go out there for work, and we got the OK to come out with him!

Here is a video for your viewing pleasure of one those hard to get smiles!

Naked Baby Streching

Here is a quick video of Connor getting ready for a feeding in just his dipper. He is quite active when he is awake. :-)

Connor's Birth Story

Connor James Chagnon’s Birth Story

My last day of work was my due date Friday September 11^th 2009. At my last two appointments the doctors said I was 2-3 cm dilated. I was still convinced that I was going to be at least a week late and would be sitting around playing the waiting game and would have one less week at home with the baby. To my surprise Saturday afternoon (September 12^th) I went to lie down just before 3 pm and to try to take a nap. After a few minutes I felt a trickle, then another, at which point I quickly got off the bed since I was pretty sure my water broke. I called Greg who was upstairs on his computer, and went to the bathroom. We called the weekend answering service, and the midwife on call returned my call, she told us to head right over to labor and delivery. The hospital is only 5 minutes from our house, so we finished packing up our bags, and called my parents to tell them we would not be coming over for dinner that night after all. I was slightly shocked, as I never expected my water to break and could not believe that in less than 24 hours we would have a baby.

I was not leaking a lot while we were getting ready to leave, but when I went to get in the car I felt another gush, I told Greg to go back inside and get a towel, I went back inside and changed the pad I put on. We made it to the hospital before once again another huge gush, by the time we got to L&D my pants were soaked to the knees. At this point I still have not felt any contractions yet. I was put on the monitors, and then the OB on call came in and checked me, he said I was ~ 4 cm dilated. After the exam the contractions started. I was taken off the monitors and the nurse suggested that we order food if we wanted dinner that night. We then went to for a walk to help get things started, by the time we got back and the food arrived my contractions were coming regularly and food was the last thing I wanted. I asked the nurse to put the IV line in so I could get an epidural as soon as I wanted it. The nurse called IV therapy to put the line in since I had such bad carpel tunnel in my hands towards the end of my pregnancy. The nurse hooked me up to the IV fluids and told me the anesthesiologist was currently in an emergency c-section. I was uncomfortable, but not totally miserable, so the short wait did not bother me. At 7:30 pm I had the epidural and Greg and I were able to chill out and watch the Red Sox game that has been delayed due to the rain that day. I could still feel the pressure of the contractions, but no pain. The next 4.5 hours we just hung out watching TV while I would change positions every hour or so to keep things progressing. I first felt the urge to push around midnight, so afterwards I stared pushing. I am not sure after how long I had been pushing, the nurse suggested we add the squatting bar to the bed, but I was up for trying anything new since my pushing did not seam to be working well yet. I tired squatting and pushing a few times, but was frustrated that no one could tell me if I was making any progress. Next the nurse tied a sheet to the bar, so I could grab on to the sheet and pull myself up when I was pushing, this seamed to work best for me. I was still pushing after 2 plus hours later when my contractions stated to get irregular, I would have 2 or 3 at regular intervals then there would be a 4 or 5 minute break, and even in my exhausted state I knew this was not a good thing and was getting a little concerned. The decision was made to give me some pitocin to get thing moving again. I am not sure how much pitocin I got before all of a sudden his head was almost out, and it hurt so much I found the energy to push like 8 times in a row to get his head out. Finally at 2:46 am on Sunday September 13^th Connor James was born! The midwife put him on my chest, and I was so in love! He was wide awake and looking all around. I called my parents and they came right over to the hospital to meet him. I got to hold him for almost two hours before they took him to clean him up and run all the tests on him. He passed all his test with filing colors, the nurse asked if I wanted to send him up to the nursery to get cleaned up since he had pooped while I was holding him and he had poop all over his bottom and legs. Finally Greg got to hold him for the first time around 4:30 am before he went up to the nursery.