Happy 10 Months, Conrad!

So, me being a bad busy mom, I have only now gotten around to uploading Conrad's 10 month pictures. We didn't do 9 month pictures as we did the professional ones that same day and then I never got around to it. Woops. 

That being said, I can't believe my baby is 10 MONTHS OLD! When in the what did that happen? I seriously blinked and he was 10 months.

Just for comparison, here's Conrad at 1 month!

Dear Conrad,

These last 2 months have been the most amazing time yet with you. Your personality is really shining through and I love that you're HAPPY now. The first several months were hard what with your GERD, ear infections, teething, hand-foot-mouth disease (yes! it's a real thing and made you miserable) but we just knew there was a happy, energetic baby in there some there despite all of that. And boy was there!

You love to dance to music and now wave your arms around when you hear a beat. You learned to wave and are a hit in public places (attention: single uncle, use this to your advantage!) and can be a big flirt...you get that from Daddy obviously. You can stand on your own without holding on to anything and are SO proud of yourself when you do. And you are mimicking a lot now! When we tickle you, now you reach out to us and wiggle your fingers saying "thinckle, thinckle". 

"Dada" and "Mama" are now in your vocabulary...although it's the latter only when you're crying but I'll take what I can get. You still like to fuss if all the attention's not on you...again, obviously from Daddy :) You love to flip through your books and "read" as well as take everything out of boxes, bags, drawers, baskets, etc.

At your 9 month check up you were 29 inches, 23 lbs, and HC was 46...all 75th %. Big boy here...because of:

FOOD FOOD FOOD! "Num num num" is constantly heard in this household. You are getting better every day about trying new things. Things we never thought you'd like. Broccoli, for instance! What the what? You still like sweet things best though.

We love you so much, are so proud of you, and are so excited for your next 10 months (but don't grow up too fast!). 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

PS: You also get about 1 billion kisses a day. We are trying to get them all in now while you aren't embarrassed. Although who would be embarrassed by these cool parents?

Beach Baby!

So it's taken a while for me to post about our JULY vacation as I lost the cable to my camera so I couldn't post pictures. In any case, here's some snapshots of our vacay and Conrad's first trip to the beach. As I mentioned here, vacationing with a baby is WAY different than without. And to reiterate (and trust me, this is not sucking up just pure gratefulness!), thank goodness for my MIL - she was so helpful!

Every year Sean's family goes to Emerald Isle/Topsail Island down in NC. It's been their family tradition for years (his whole dad's side comes down from NY) and I've been lucky enough to be able to participate the last 8 years!

On the way down, we stopped at Grady's BBQ in Dudley, North Carolina. It was a slight...20 minute...30 minute...detour but was well worth it! It's a long-standing family owned BBQ place with amazing food. And it's all smoked and grilled right out back. Sean even met the owner and got a tour of the kitchen (he's a little BBQ obsessed).

Conrad was not so big of a beach fan. In fact, when we first tried to put his feet in the sand, he looked at us as if to say, "um, what the hell is this...you're joking, right?" BUT after a while, he got used to it and dug some holes and flung sand around with his little plastic shovel. Oh, and tried to eat a lot of it. The ocean however?? NO WAY. He started to fuss whenever we stuck his toes near it. Oh well. Next year, maybe?

Hanging out under the umbrella was a fun time for Conrad too! We got one of those little tent things but he didn't use it at all...maybe better use it next year (that thing was NOT cheap!!).

The pool on the other hand was GREAT. We loved us some pool time. Before Conrad came into this world, I always thought the people who spent all day at the pool while at the beach were nuts. Turns out they probably just had little kids with them. And it was easier access to the beer. Loads of beer. Wait, that was last year (well, year before last that is, considering I was pregnant last year). This go-round? No time for that. You have to be on your toes with this one!!

I  can't wait until next year when he's a little bigger and can enjoy the beach even more!