A Look Back...

Just wanted to show you a comparison of Connor, a year ago!!! This is our first ultrasound of Connor on January 5, 2009 when he was 7 weeks, 1 day since conception! This is where they saw that he was actually a twin, originally!

And here is Connor on January 5, 2010 at 20 weeks, 6 days since birth!

This is Connor on January 12, 2009, at 8 weeks, 1 day since conception!
Connor on January 12, 2010 at 21 weeks, 6 days (5 months) since birth!

Connor on January 20, 2009, 9 weeks, 2 days since conception!

Connor on January 20, 2010 at 23 weeks since birth!

Thought you'd enjoy the comparison!!!

Week 24...not feeling so hot!

Well, we've had a pretty good week! Connor thinks he's a raptor now and his new trick is to scream - he screams constantly - when he's happy! He wakes us up in the morning by screaming and making his raptor noises! Connor turned 24 weeks old on Wednesday, 1/27 and since Thursday, 1/28 he has not been sleeping well. He is very restless and I think it's because he's teething. I have been giving him Tylenol a lot and that is the only thing that seems to comfort him so he can sleep. Needless to say...Jason and I are pretty exhausted! Poor little guy - I can't imagine what he's going through. Here are some pictures from this last week!

On Saturday, 1/23, Jason and I went on our first "date" since Connor was born in August. Jo-Jo and Granddaddy Greg watched Connor for a couple hours while we went to see Avatar in Abingdon. It was an AWESOME day and much needed! Connor, of course, had a fantastic time! On Sunday, 1/24, Jason preached at our church in both Sanctuary services! This is us after church!

On Thursday, 1/28, we had our weekly date at Atlanta Bread! Here is Connor, seeing Maelen for the first time that night! I think he's thinking, "What are those pretty white things in her mouth?!"

They got so excited to see each other!

Connor tried to take her hand!

He decided to check out those pretty white teeth in Maelen's mouth...and to his surprise, he learned pretty quickly what they were...Maelen gave him a love bite!!! You should have seen his face after that!

Maelen felt bad for biting Connor and decided to put her hand in his mouth so that he could "return the favor," but Connor was a gentleman and didn't bite back!

Our friends, Alanna and Craig, and their 5 week old baby, Bailey, joined us!

Connor had a great time with Misty! Here he is, telling her about the bite that Maelen gave him!

Our little family...

Misty and Bailey

Part of our group at Atlanta Bread...

Have a great week! We have about 5 inches of snow right now and are supposed to get another 5 inches today!

Love,

The Ratliffs

A Week of Fun With Connor!

We had a really exciting week, this week! Lots of playing and laughing with Connor! He is now 23 weeks old (5 1/2 months) and a JOY to be around! What a blessing he is! Here are some pictures from this week!

This is on Monday, 1/18 when Connor turned over from his tummy to his back for the first time (at 22 weeks old)! I caught it 3 times on the video camera! We are so proud of him!

Here he is playing in his Bumbo seat with the new tray we got him with Mamaw's Christmas money!

Playing with his car from Aunt D!!!

Later that evening, we met Jo Jo and Granddaddy Greg and Uncle Jared for dinner for Jo Jo's birthday!

Connor and his Jo Jo!

During dinner, Connor got tired so Daddy (from his busy day of rolling over) that Daddy had to rock him to sleep with the help of his soothing dolphin, Dexter :)

I call this one...Jason the Baby Whisperer...

Granddaddy Greg and "Jo Squared" :)

Enjoying the evening at Alta Cucina!

Connor loves to listen to his Uncle Jared!

The Birthday Girl with her cake!

What a cutie!

Reveling in his victory (the big roll)...

These are a little out of order...this is from playtime earlier in the day...Connor trying out his Johnny Jumper! He doesn't quite get it yet, but he's doing great!

On Thursday, 1/21, we had our weekly date with the Spanglers at Atlanta Bread! Here's Connor all dressed up in his monkey shirt, ready to see Maelen!

He was excited to see Maelen this week and they really hit it off!

You can really see how red his hair is in these pictures that I got from Misty! Maelen decided to pet Connor!

Best friends!

Thrilled!

Me and my little Boogies (Jason was at a church meeting, that's why he's not in these pictures) :)

Rob and Maelen!

Beautiful little Maelen!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

The Ratliffs

The Past Few Days...

Hello Everyone!

Well, Connor is now 5 months old and it's been 22 weeks since he joined us, outside of the womb!! He's really changing so much and is such a joy to be with! He is so happy all the time and I actually had him laughing, hysterically, on Thursday...all I had to do was tell him about Lane Kiffin leaving UT!!! I made the decision to leave my second job, at Compass Care, about a month ago, due to the stress I was under, and it has been one of the best decisions that I ever made! I continue to work for Amy, who, as most of you know, I have been working for since 2003, and could never leave!! I do believe that Connor is so much happier now due to the change in my stress levels, which can greatly effect him through the hormones in the milk he's drinking. I have been so blessed since making the difficult decision to leave Compass Care and stay home to spend my time with Connor. Here are some pictures from the last week....

This is Connor on Saturday, 1/7/10

Connor on Wednesday, 1/12/10, when he turned 5 months old!!

Later that morning, I tried an outfit on him that my parents gave me before Connor was born. This outfit belonged to me and was given to me by one of my mom's friends who got it in Germany! It fit me when I was walking, however it fits Connor at 5 months old! This is us with a picture of me, wearing the outfit, when I was about a year old!

Close up!

5 months old!!! I'm so proud of him!

And on Thursday night, 1/13, Jason and I took Connor to our weekly night out with The Spanglers!!! We went to Atlanta Bread and listened to some awesome live jazz music. Connor was SOOOO good! He actually sat in his car seat for most of the time, just sucking on his toy, Tickle! Then when he got out, he and Maelen just sat next to one another and tried to hold hands! Connor was very happy to see Maelen tonight! Here's a picture of Misty and Maelen and Connor and I!!! (He wore his dinosaur shirt for her and she wore her turtle shirt for him!!) He desperately wanted her hair bow!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Love,

The Ratliffs