Did the World Come to an End?

The weekend of October 3rd an amazing thing happened - I actually was able to get Papa, Grandma, Uncle Scott, Aunt Laura, Aunt Daph and Uncle Eric to Massachusetts at the same time. Yes, you read it correctly, Aunt Daph and Uncle Eric came to visit.

Let's start by going back to Thursday October 2nd when Scott and Laura arrived. It had been 10 months since we saw them which in my book is way too long. They came straight to my office so I was able to go to lunch with them and actually be able to concentrate at the table. The boys and Grandma had arrived at the mall so we hurried along to meet up with them. The question we were all wondering was how the boys would take to Scott and Laura especially since they hadn't seen them in soooo long. Well, it took about 2 minutes and Connor and Garrett had them wrapped around their little fingers.

Aunt Laura walked Garrett all around the mall and as you can see he was having a blast. The rest of Thursday was spent playing and I am pretty sure the boys gave Uncle Scott and Aunt Laura a good work out.
Since I don't want to make this the longest post ever, I am going to break out the weekend by day.

A-OKAY!

Connor had his follow-up appointment with the doctor today and we were told that the tumor was benign. So, all is well and we are back to being care free!!!!!!

Another Milestone

It's been a while...

Since the beginning of October, Garrett has finally let go and begun to walk. His confidence is soaring and his sense of adventure is growing.



These pictures just make me want to kiss him.

Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa came to visit us this past weekend. He came to play with his grandsons and have a nice relaxing few days. Well, things aren't always as we plan. He ended up doing some back breaking work (might I say with a bad back to begin with) and never stopped working until he got in the car to go back to Fishkill. Thank you Grandpa!

Grandpa arrived Friday afternoon and was immediately shown around the house by Connor and Garrett. Of course, he learned all about our balloon parties, trains and games etc... He then was nice enough to get into the car for the usual trip into Boston to keep Grandma company so we could do the switcharoo and get Grandma to the airport. Once we got home it was playtime with Grandpa and I am pretty sure he was so happy to hit the bed that evening.

He awoke knowing that a cord of wood had arrived at our house on Friday and that Brian's first mission of the day was to haul the wood into the back shed and organize it all. Sounds easy, right? Well you don't realize how much a cord of wood is until it is sitting on a tarp on your side lawn. It was basically a five hour affair but with the help of Connor it went much faster. In a display of Connor's work ethic, he didn't want to leave the project at all until it was done. I basically had to force him to take his nap but he was very unhappy to leave the job unfinished. As soon as he woke up from his nap, he had to go outside and inspect the rest of the work Brian and Grandpa did. He did approve of the finished product.



Sunday was a rainy and damp day but we decided to go on an adventure anyway. We went to King Richard's Fair and I must say I have never seen anything like it. Everyone there is dressed up in Renaissance attire and speak in the proper old English manner. There are live stage shows with singing which Connor absolutely loved. We saw a performer do fire eating and juggling. I found out I was quite skilled at the bow and arrow and Grandpa was killer with throwing knives (watch out Nana - don't say I didn't warn you). Brian on the other hand can throw knives at you but will beat you to death with the dull end of the knife. Sorry honey - I just had to. The day was damp and messy but we ended up having a good time. We were disappointed because we didn't get to see the jousting but Connor wants to go back and see more of the performances. Somehow Garrett managed to walk away with a cute stuffed tiger and he charmed a man operating a game into giving him a huge rubber ducky. Apparently his charming ways work on everyone - one smile and you will do whatever he wants. :)

Happily Grandpa didn't leave until Tuesday because he came with us to the hospital for Connor's big surgery. On Monday night and Tuesday, we put Grandpa back to work and he filled in the cracks of our driveway for us. I tell everyone that our door is always open for visitors...but you have to read between the lines and realize that if you come to visit you will be put to work. Thanks for coming to visit Grandpa!!!

Surgery - A Success!!!!

On Monday, September 15, 2008, our brave big boy underwent surgery. Connor was diagnosed with a small tumor under his left eye which needed to removed immediately before it grew any bigger. (For some odd reason, in all of the pictures you can't see it - magic of the flash) So we went to the best plastic surgeon at Children's Hospital who took great care of one of our most prized possessions. We went in for Pre-op at 9:45 and surgery was underway at a little before 11am. I was able to carry him into the operating room which I never want to have to do again. We took a seat and played a game looking into a camera and waving because we could see ourselves in the big screen tv. It was soon time for the general anesthesia which was done via mask and bubble gum flavored gas. He put up a good fight but I talked and rocked him into his deep sleep. Then I was instructed to put him up on the operating table and had to walk out of the room. Now that was the most difficult moment I have ever experienced. I knew he was in good hands but honestly the next thirty minutes seemed like an eternity.

When we were brought into the recovery room, our little man was already awake and like any kid wanted the IV and all the attachments off of him. Once we settled him down, we were able to have all the needles and patches removed. Within a short period of time, I was carrying my brave little man out of the hospital.

By the time we got home and Connor had something to eat, he was running around as usual. He may of had a black and blue swollen eye but that didn't stop him. We are happy to say that everything went well and now we can breath a little easier that it is all over.

That night as Daddy was putting Connor to bed, he told Brian that he doesn't like the doctor's office. He proceeded to tell Brian he doesn't like bubble gum anymore either because it makes him go Zzz (as he fell over and pretended to go to sleep). By the way, we were told that he wouldn't remember any of that but apparently he does.

Thank goodness it was a successful day and our little man is healing up and back to running around. To everyone that knew, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. It was a stressful day and we are so happy it is over.

Random Thoughts

Anyone that has spoken to me knows that for some reason I was putting off potty training Connor. Well, we started on the Friday before labor day and by Saturday (the next day) his training was complete. We went right to big boy underwear and we haven't turned back since. It will take a while to master night time but I am just so proud of him. If you are wondering our tactic, I will tell you what we did. Connor loves balloons. Well, every time he went to the potty and had a successful trip, Daddy blew up a balloon for him. He seemed to average about 7 balloons a day (2 for poops of course) and soon our house was covered. Grandma had the brilliant idea to send the balloons to the basement where now we have a balloon party every night. Just another example of my boys growing up.

Garrett update: So I look at Garrett and I wonder where the last 11 months went. He has grown so much and seems to get taller everyday. He has such a great personality and has begun saying quite a few words. My favorite is at bedtime I tell him it is time to got Night Night. Well, he says Night Night back to us and then goes and gives his brother a kiss. Priceless moments!

End of Summer Fun

Labor day weekend was a fun and relaxing weekend capped off with a trip to the zoo. We haven't been since last year and Connor was fascinated by the animals. Connor wanted the lion to wake up and kept screaming through the glass "1, 2, 3 Wake Up" and could you believe the lion actually got up walked over to a shady spot and laid down again. Where is Garrett?.....
Peek-A- Boo

A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT...I couldn't believe this sign as this leopard paced back and forth in front of the fence and another leopard kept growling everytime it came to close to its territory. The only thought that popped into my head was how stong can this fence really be...
So how cute are they.

Now that is the cutest cow I have ever seen.

It was a perfect ending to the summer - it was a gorgeous breezy 80 degree day and the boys had a phenominal day watching the animals.