A Month Old Already!

We cannot believe that Connor is already a month old, actually 5 weeks old today! He is such a good boy and we feel more blessed everyday to have him! He had some HUGE sleeping issues this past week, however my good friend, Wendy, suggested that I cut some things out of my diet (like greens and milk products) and did that EVER do the trick! She is a life saver! Connor continues to grow and bring us joy everyday! Here are some pictures from his 1 month birthday and his 5 week pictures! On 9/12 we decided to take a drive to Boone, NC and ended up in Blowing Rock, where we enjoyed some delicious bar-b-que, some homemade ice cream and a walk in the park! Here are the pictures!

This is at the park in downtown Blowing Rock!

Daddy and his boy!

My 2 favorite men!

Connor and Mommy on the swings!

Relaxing in the grass with his Daddy!

Look at that face!

All decked out in his Florida gear!

Mommy and Connor under the tree!

In line at Kilwin's for some yummy ice cream!

How cute is he in his little papoose?!

How long is this line, Mommy?! I'm pooped!

These pictures are from today, 9/16, when Connor turned 5 weeks old! Enjoying more tummy time...a little tired today and resting on the mat instead of practicing :)

In his outfit that Mommy's friend, Anja (who lives in Germany) sent Connor!

We love you!

Jason, Kellee, and Connor

Tummy Time on 9/11!

Hello friends and family!

Just wanted to share some cute pictures of Connor and his "Tummy Time" fun! He really enjoyed it and it's doing wonders to strengthen his muscles! We sing and talk while he enjoys his tummy time!

Sometimes you just gotta stop and eat your arm a little bit!

Reaching for a toy!

Such a big boy!

Look at those beautiful eyes!

And later, after getting fussy, he tried out his little gym and looked at the toys!

Have a great weekend!

Love,

The Ratliffs

Connor's 3rd Week!

Hello Everyone!

We made it through week 3 of Connor's life! It was Jason's last week home from work and we enjoyed every second of it! We had delicious dinners, generously prepared for us by close friends, strolls in the park, singing and dancing, lots of pictures, trips to grandparents' houses, and even a stomach bug for Mommy and Connor, all wrapped into one week! Soo exciting! Connor is such a blessing and continues to be an easy baby, although he has "woken up" this week and started showing us his temper! He gets VERY mad when he gets mad and lets us know when he's unhappy. Fortunately for us, he is easily calmed and returns to his sweet self relatively quickly! Here are some pictures from our week...On 9/3, our friend, Tricia, brought us a delicious dinner...here is a picture of Miss Tricia and Connor...

This next picture is what I call Connor's "kissy lips" pose :) This is Connor in his new Pack and Play from his Mamaw (we just built it) on 9/4...

On 9/6 we headed up to Big Stone Gap for some family time with the Ratliffs before going to Abingdon for some more family time with the Lamberts! This is a picture of Memaw with Connor...look how proud she looks!!!

Connor FINALLY got to meet his second cousin, Kayleigh! Miss Kayleigh was born exactly one week before Connor to Courtney and Larra (Jason's cousin and his wife). We both announced our pregnancies at the same time at Christmas and it was really neat to see both babies together at last!

Baby Kayleigh at 4 weeks old!

Mamaw with sweet little Kayleigh...

Papaw with his beloved Connor...

Jason with his Mamaw and Connor...

Later that night, Connor finally got to meet his Great Granny, Evelyn!!!

Connor with Grandpa Jim and Great Granny!

Connor and his Granny!

Oh my!

At dinner...Connor LOVES his Grandpa Jim!

4 generations!

Our little family!

Connor in his Boppy on 9/7...not feeling great because of a sick tummy :(

Connor sitting with Mommy, watching a movie, 9/8...

Passed out with his little legs crossed!

Ah...this is the life!

To explain these pictures, I'll paste what I wrote in a recent email...this is Connor on 9/9...at 4 weeks old!

I call this "Pure Bliss..." with the bouncy seat vibrating continuously, his straight jacket...err...swaddling blankets, seemingly cutting off all circulation in his body, and "You Are My Sunshine" BLARING (on repeat) in the background...our sweet Connor could not be happier and gives his mommy a reprieve so that she can update the blog for onlookers...Alas...do not be fooled by his angelic face...should mommy let any one of the above mentioned vices fail, our sweet little Connor will have a MELTDOWN and once again remind us all that he truly is living up to his beautiful middle name and indeed has the red-headed temper of my beloved Uncle Dan...Ahh...my newest job has already proven to be the hardest I have EVER taken on...next I think I will attempt a Ph.D., for NOTHING could be as difficult as keeping my little Connor happy and at ease...

Our beautiful 4 week old Connor...

We love you all and hope you've enjoyed!

The Ratliffs

Connor's 2nd Week of Life Outside the Womb!

Hello Everyone!

It's been a little while since I've posted pictures because we've been sooooo busy! We are doing really well! We took Connor to his 2 week doctor's appointment on September 1st and got great news. The last visit we had (when he was 5 days old) he weighed 7lbs 11oz, but now he's up to an astonishing 9lbs 6oz!!!! He has also gained half an inch and is now 21 inches long! Dr. Makres said that he is developing very well and that we should keep up the good work! We don't go back until 10/13 for his 8 week appointment! Enjoy the pictures!

This is Connor on 8/26, just hanging around the house!

Connor and Mommy on Friday, 8/28, watching movies!

On Friday night, Granny and Granddaddy brought by dinner by for us!

Friday night again!

On Sunday, 8/30, Granny and Granddaddy brought us some fresh veggies from the Farmer's Market and some more dinner...

On Monday, 8/31, we went to walk in the park!

On Tuesday, 9/1, hanging around the house before going to see Dr. Makres!

After the doctor we went to one of our favorite spots, the Abingdon Winery, for some pictures and beautiful scenery!

This is Connor's "Mini-Methodist" shirt from our church!

On Tuesday night, our friends, Angela and Jonathan, brought us dinner! Thanks, it was delicious!

On Wednesday, 9/2, we decided to take a road trip to Gatlinburg to show Connor the sites! When I was just a baby, my parents brought me to Gatlinburg and I wanted to do the same for Connor. This is Connor at the Apple House while we were having lunch...how cute is he?!

We then took Connor to Elkmont Campground where my parents and I camped throughout my childhood!

We pulled over at an overlook and I saw my first bear in the wild in the Smokies - after 30 years of trips here!

Later that night, this is how I found Diablo...wrapped up in the nursing pillow, ready to eat!

Have a great week! We will post more pictures soon!

Love you all and thanks for all the well wishes!

The Ratliffs