Keeping up with Baby Connor

new photos of Abby

2012-02-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

At the tea shop.

Reading comics with Daddy.

Consulting in the CCM scene shop.

Working at the Museum Center.

Roller-skating, take 2.

Self-expression.

green peppers

2012-01-28T10:17:00.001-08:00

Would you believe lil Snake Bacon is now the size of a green pepper? And, according to the Internet, which is to be believed above all others, if it's a girl, her ovaries are developed. Crazy!

snake bacon update

2012-01-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

Nothing official at this point, but I have read in several places on Ye Olde Internets that SB is now approximately the size of an avocado. So there's that.

things we think we need for Snake Bacon--REVISED 1.2.12

2011-12-31T13:04:00.001-08:00

So, like when we had Abby in the womb and were considering what we'd need to bring up a tiny baby, we came up with a list. This list, as you might expect, is much shorter. If you feel called to find something from this list, where possible, please try to find it second-hand or made sustainably (green, fair-trade, etc.). Things that have to be new are noted as such.

pumpkin seat: needs to be new, also needs to fit the stroller we have, so should be from the Evenflo brand
extra "landing pad": it's the plastic thing you fasten in the car that the pumpkin seat fits into
swaddles in a multi-size format or several sizes: like this. What's important is that it wraps the arms and has a velcro closure. Probably need 3-4.
double stroller: FRIENDS MARK AND JILL HAVE ONE TO GIVE US.
changing table pad: probably needs to be new. I like the ones that are kind of scoop-shaped. It looks like this but that's not the product--that's a cover. We have plenty of those...
under-crib storage bin: probably something like this. Maybe two.

AFTER TAKING SOME MEASUREMENTS, WE REALIZED WE DON'T NEED THIS. WILL RECONSIDER... co-sleeper: it's a crib that attaches to our bed--something like this.

Snake Bacon's second photo

2011-12-31T13:01:00.001-08:00

And his/her first ultrasound. Taken 11.23.11:

Snake Bacon lives!

2011-12-20T08:47:00.000-08:00

long overdue update

2010-03-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

What Abby's doing now, since the last post:

talking, a lot, but not saying much
walking
drinking from a straw
sometimes drinking from a cup
waving hands in air in sign language for "all done" (both for meals and baths)
coloring, sort of
putting things in other things (blocks in a bin, keys in a drawer)
being the World's Cutest Baby

grandpa and abby out and about

2009-11-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

that non-podunk baby's triumphant return to the internet

2009-11-12T18:53:00.001-08:00

See below:

this is not some ho-hum, podunk baby

2009-07-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

...and more photos

2009-07-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

We're photo-takin' fools. But who could blame us with this cutie in the house?

phinally, photos

2009-07-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

The Walgreens Experiment was a failure (or a success if you assume that any result of an experiment is just more information and there are no wrong answers, just results) and the Connor Family Management has learned our lesson. We have uploaded some new photos to Her Highness Abigail's photobucket site. Including this one:

mistakes were made

2009-07-14T06:25:00.001-07:00

...and they're sure not to be the last. Looks like the link I posted in the last post isn't permanent. Was an experiment--and I'll upload photos to the original photo site which does indeed work.

Many apologies.

The Management

photos

2009-07-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some fabulous photos of Abby. Here, too, is a link to more.

Abby conquers the beach

Our Little Duck

Abby's Carrot Experience

Christmas in July

2009-07-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

In addition to several cute outfits from Aunt T, Abby has just received--from our lovely next-door-neighbors and lovely parishioners--the following items (all used, I should note):

jogging stroller
bicycle sidecar (except it goes in the back...)
wading pool
lion-shaped scooter/pusher

The girl has a lot of stuff. One wonders how we ever got along before plastic.

In other news, Abby has two teeth which she uses to fiercely gnaw on relatives' fingers, she can scoot herself backwards and in circles, and she loves the ocean. Photos to follow.

Abby's free time

2009-05-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what Abby does in her free time? Wonder no more:

new photo site

2009-04-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, loyal Abby fans! I have just now created a photobucket site for photos of Abby. Click here for the link to the album. Please also enjoy this photo of Abby's reaction to rice cereal.

re-post

2009-04-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic post about stamina and parenting. I'm glad to say I'm not yet (or, more accurately, no longer) at the "I cannot do this" stage. It will come. Probably many times.

palm sunday

2009-04-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

smile time

2009-04-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have made Abby laugh many times now. It's delightful. Sometimes with tickles, sometimes with a toy, sometimes by making a weird sound, sometimes by just breathing near her--you never know what will set her off. However, each attempt results in exactly one laugh. That is, she'll giggle cutely for a moment and then, when you attempt the same stimulus again, she will look solemnly at you, as if to say, "Mother, do stop that ridiculous activity. It is most unbecoming."

babies and swimming

2009-04-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

1 I've heard that infants can swim--I've seen video, even, of infants underwater, paddling, pushing up to the surface. Considering my fear of the water when I was a young child (swimming lessons were terrifying) I wonder if anyone has thoughts or info about swimming lessons for little ones?

2 Also, I found these super-cute swim diapers and infant diaper/swimsuit combos and set up a registry...you know, if anyone is interested...

question

2009-04-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking that I should delve into the world of non-disposable diaper wipes. We're already doing the diaper laundry, so it's no more water and detergent and I just hate throwing stuff away, particularly since I have a Huge Stash 'o' Fabric in the basement. So I found this recipe for "Thine Own Baby Wipes." The question is, anyone know where I can find aloe vera juice and grapefruit seed extract?

EDIT: Have been using reusable diaper wipes for a couple months. Think they're lovely. Don't love them like I love the diapers, but know I'm saving a few bucks, so yay.

baby update, long overdue

2009-03-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

Abby's doing very well, considering. Since her recent round of immunizations on Monday, she's been more fussy and less interested in eating. We took her to the doctor today who said, "Yup, shouldn't have done four immunizations in one day." Huh. Odd coming from the doctor who suggested it in the first place. Anyway, she's got a little yeast and strep infection in her nether regions which she's not too happy about.

It was very difficult this evening to put her to bed. She'd already slept for an hour, but woke up screaming. We changed her, etc, like dutiful parents and still she wailed. I cried. It's hard to see your child so miserable with nothing you can do about it.

She's asleep now, thank goodness.

In other news, Abby's getting stronger and stronger at sitting on her own. Not there yet as she will fall over comically if you sit her up unaided (on soft blankets--what kind of mom do you take me for?). Also showing a good deal of interest in burgers, nachos, and the like. Will start her on rice cereal as soon as the aforementioned comically-falling-over subsides.

pros and cons

2009-03-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

the cons first:

screaming baby for at least an hour last night because papa was putting her to bed instead of mama and because she hadn't had a nap

drool--seriously

um...

pros:

cutest baby ever

2009-02-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

behold the evidence:

nursing update

2009-02-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

Abby and I have tried the nursing thing. I really wanted her to have the immune, etc. boost breast milk gives. Plus, what could be more natural or cheaper? Isn't the human animal amazing that we can not only create but sustain new life?

However, it hasn't gone well. Abby wouldn't take to it and, though we've worked on it for two-and-a-half months with slow, steady progress, it still isn't working. Last week, after a particularly stunning feed (good, I mean), things went downhill. She rejects the breast every time. Instead of bursting into tears and blaming myself for terrible mothering, I've taken this as a sign that it's time to move to formula. Abby'll still get milk because of my fabulous Medela Pump in Style, but that's probably a limited time option. So, Similac, here's to you--I doubt you're doing poorly in this economy.

On a related note, if anyone reading this is willing to be signed up on the Similac site, you'll get coupons for formula in the mail that I could so use. Let me know.

mini-vacation

2009-02-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

The title could be taken in multiple ways--we've had several unexpected snow days and got to sit around in our jim-jams. Today, we're chillin with the London Connors. The Neon has gone kaput and we're buying a brand new hybrid to replace it. Abby's napping with Grandma right now.

smile time

2009-02-07T07:39:00.001-08:00

I should have noted this long before now, but Abby smiles all the time now. When she recognizes me or her daddy or Cat the babysitter and now her grandparents, she smiles really big, crinkling up her eyes. Sometimes she makes delighted cooing noises. It's all worth it.

In mothering news, I find myself asking rhetorical questions about the weather and the color of things when I'm by myself. Weird.

mercurial baby

2009-01-27T16:42:00.000-08:00

One of Abby's favorite pastimes upon waking is staring at her mobile. It's got jungle animals hanging from an umbrella-like contraption which, when wound, spins and plays a lullaby. Yes, that lullaby. She loves it. Apparently it's hilarious to see the long-nosed elephant swing into view for the 52nd time. Arms and legs go crazy, she smiles and makes loud, pleased sounds.

Then suddenly it is no longer hilarious. Suddenly, Abby is aware of the futility of existence, of the absurdity we all face as we come back to the same actions and foibles which define our lives. Suddenly, the elephant is not dancing around in circles for her amusement but trudging a dark and weary path from which there is no exit. Suddenly, she cries in anger and frustration, screaming in her baby-language, "Why, God, why?"

In other news, she's beginning to try to grab toys held near her.

abby loves staring at things

2009-01-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

It's disconcerting to be looked at so intently.

precision

2009-01-14T07:59:00.000-08:00

one doctor had the good sense to suggest that our preoccupation with scientific precision might be disturbing the delicate balance of body chemistry--Motherhood and God by Margaret Hebblethwaite

All new mothers worry, right? My worry in past weeks has been that Abby eat enough. How do we tell if she's eating enough? (1) she has 6-8 wet diapers and at least 1 dirty one every day, (2) she eats for at least 30 minutes each time, (3) she eats 6-8 times per day. You can see how this might become ridiculous. I kept charts for the first month or so--when the diapers happened, precisely how long she ate. I worried constantly when she dipped to 7 feedings a day. There were tears, I'm not going to lie.

It's not that I'm not worried now, but I don't count things any more. She pees like a champ (sorry for scatalogical references, but you're reading a baby's blog, so what do you expect?) and is gaining weight well. And, though we haven't arrived at Nursing Nirvana, things are going very well these days. I suspect that my stress over numbers contributed.

day one

2009-01-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was day one of The Great Cloth Diaper Experiment. Less of an experiment, really, and more of a commitment. Do you know how long it takes for disposable diapers to decompose in landfills? Neither do I. Neither do scientists--they guess several hundred years, but the diapers haven't been around long enough to know for sure.

Anyway, we're using these fantastic cloth diapers and, so far, they are indeed fantastic. We had one blow-out last night, but I think that was due to not putting it on tightly enough.

We have about 73 colors (which is a feat since we only have 30 diapers) and Abby looks too cute in them--I'll post a photo soon.

how we're progressing

2008-12-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

Vital stats:

Abby's 9lbs 3oz at last weighing, in the 75th percentile for weight.
She's grasping our fingers when we touch her palm.
She smiles, probably not intentionally, but we'll take it.
She's finally allowed to sleep through the night, which she does admirably. I say finally because, though she slept a lot at the beginning, she needed more feedings to gain weight and thus we had to wake her up every three hours. Now we get up when she cries, which is about every 4-5 hours. Yay!
Nursing has gotten exponentially better--the first couple weeks were awful--but is still problematic.
She continues to be the cutest baby ever. Seriously. Have you seen the photo?
We're totally in love.

hard work

2008-12-20T11:19:00.000-08:00

It is surprising to me how much hard work goes into taking care of a baby. Loving Husband says it's like being entrusted with a poop machine that we have to keep in good running order for a set period of time--everything goes back to that one function. I just had absolutely no idea how hard this parenthood thing would be. It's one of those moments where only the experience of doing it prepares you. Beforehand, you have this theoretical knowledge that it will be difficult--afterwards, you know. Kind of like adolescence--before, you've no idea what the changes will really be like nor what growing up is about, and after, it's all there (though admittedly jumbled).

The sleep deprivation, the emotional exhaustion, the mess in the house--who knew? Anyone who's had a kid, I suppose.

The smell of her hair, the joy in seeing a smile (even if it's from gas), the warmth of her little body sleeping on yours--who knew? Anyone who's had a kid.

new arrival

2008-11-30T12:12:00.001-08:00

After all this time, she's finally here. And of course it's taken 10 days for us to figure out how to get the photos off the new camera...

Click here for a few photos of Baby Connor, now known as Abigail Elizabeth Connor.

what we think we need

2008-05-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace, friends! Welcome to our sort-of registry for Baby Connor.

We are very aware of our ecological footprint on this earth and we would like to outfit our nursery with either "green" products or reused items. If you are so moved, please look over the lists below for items you might have from your own children or which you could purchase second-hand or from a green manufacturer. Items which are listed in boldface are also on a limited registry at Babies R Us so you might have a choice between second hand and new. Certainly it goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway!) that used items should be clean and safe for Baby Connor. Please feel free to use the comment section for questions or notes about what you might be purchasing.

Below you'll find three lists: (1) a website where we are registered for reusable cloth diapers, (2) a list of items we think we will need with asterisks beside those that should be bought new, and (3) a list of home improvement tasks we may need to complete before the baby arrives.

Thank you so much for your love and support!
Leighton and Alice Connor

(1) We now have plenty of cloth diapers from Nicki's Diapers. Thanks so much!

(2) Things we think we need for Baby Connor: (again, asterisks=need to be new, boldface=on registry at Babies R Us)

teethers*
baby mittens (hand-knitted, anyone?)
organic, washable baby wipes (available from Nicki's Diapers)
toilet sprayer
white or off-white receiving blankets
"splat mat" (one assumes for under the high chair)
car seat undermats

cool-mist humidifier--given by the Graners
crib--given by the Staffieras
stroller and carseat--given by the McNeills
rocking chair--given by the Van Brunts
diaper bag--given by Bleyle/choir
baby bouncer--given by Boron/Conrey
changing table, paint-able--given by the economic stimulus package
bathtub (though I have photos of my brother and me being bathed in the kitchen sink...)--given by anonymous and Trevor VB
playpen--given by the Andersons
baby rectal thermometer*--given by Trevor VB
infant first aid kit*--given by Trevor VB
infant monitor--given by the Graners
wet bag--given by the Burket Ragases
infant car seat carrier cover--given by Boron/Conrey
clothes (bodysuits, caps and booties, side-snap shirts, pullover shirts, sleepers, socks, gowns, overalls, etc.)--given by Boron/Conrey (seriously, we've got tons of onsies!)
something like this sling--given by the Graners
bibs--given by the Redeemer staff
baby health care kit (syringe, brush, nail clippers, etc.)*--given by Redeemer staff
doorway jumper--given by Redeemer staff
baby sunshade--given by anonymous
changing table pad (one of the largest sizes, probably 18x34 or so)--given by the Connors
high-chair--given by the Connors?
changing table covers (white or off-white, preferably)--given by Redeemer staff
diaper pail*--purchased
Boppy infant nursing pillow or similar--purchased
Boppy slipcovers--purchased
wash cloths--purchased
baby carrier (one of those backpack/frontpack kinda things)--given by Connors
rattles--given by Redeemer women
cloth diapers and inserts (see #1 above)*--given by Burket Ragases, Redeemer women, and cousin Rebecca
nursing pads (see #1 above)--given by cousin Rebecca

(3) Home improvement tasks:

repaint molding in nursery--given by the Connors
sand and reseal part of floor in nursery--given by the Connors
install new ceiling fan--given by McGonagle
install curtains--given by the Connors
unstick the door--given by Trevor VB
clothesline in back of house--given by the economic stimulus package and Tom VB