HALLOWEEN FUN!!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks for the Halloween holiday!!! Richie, Connor and I spent a weekend in California with his parents, his sis, and our nieces and we all went to the pumkpin patch!!!! It was Connor's first time ever seeing pumpkins and he loved it!! Ok, well, I loved it that he was even awake! Hehe..... It was a little chilly so we had to make sure he was warm, but it felt like nice fall weather! We even bought Connor's first pumpkin and carved it when we got home.

The following weekend, Richie was headed out to the sand dunes for Halloween, so my friend invited Connor and I to come to Knoxville, TN for a visit (her hubby went to the OSU game with some friends). Sandy's son Andrew is about 2 1/2 months older than Connor so it was fun to see all the things Connor will be doing in the coming months! And let me tell you, Andrew is one cute kid!! We mostly hung out at home and relaxed the whole weekend but we took the boys to dinner at Olive Garden and I must say that they both did wonderful! It was Connor's first dinner at a restaurant and Andrew's first dinner in a highchair!! My family (minus my little brother) drove down from Cincy for the afternoon on Friday to see Connor and I!! It was so nice to see all of them and I know they were really excited to see Connor and how big he has gotten!!! Sandy and I got some quiet time without the babies during the evenings and caught up with eachother (even though we talk everyday already... lol) and ate junk food and watched Friends, just like back in the day!! On Sunday we hung out at the neighborhood Halloween Harvest Block Party!! There was so much good food and fun, although I didn't get to fully enjoy it because Connor was having a fussy day, but that'll happen ;) Lol.

While we were in TN, Connor had his first nights sleeping 8 hours!! SO NICE!! We also learned that Connor likes to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney! Not sure he understands what they're talking about, but he loves the bright and vivid colors!! He has also started having better hand-eye coordination with some of his toys! He loves the playmat and swats at his toys hanging from above, and last night he was even holding his monkey toy on his own and eating it... I see we should get prepared for him wanting everything in his mouth!! He really is growing so fast and it's so much fun to watch him learn new things and discover more of the world around him!!

So as you can tell, it's been a busy October and now we've moved our way into a busy Novemeber!! Today is Richie's birthday and we're going to attempt at-home-fondue!! I'll let you know how it goes!! ;) Then next weekend is believe it or not, our 1 Year Wedding Anniversary!! Boy does time fly!! Then it'll be Thanksgiving and before you know, Christmas will be right around the corner!! I can't believe how fast this year has been going and that so much has happened!! Let the birthday/holiday/anniversary/growing baby fun continue!!! =)





Pumpkin Patch in Cali.....









IN TENNESSEE.....
Connor and Andrew all bundled up for a walk!!


Both the boys playing with their toys =)


My Family (Minus Richie and Sam)


STUD MUFFINS!!!


Connor grasping toys!


He sure was a smiley skeleton! =)


Me and my handsome little skeleton


Sandy, Andrew, me, and Connor at the Halloween Harvest Blockparty in Knoxville


OUR LITTLE PUMPKIN!! (Thinking he wasn't a huge fan of the costume.. lol)


Mommy and Baby =)

More pics.....

Serious or all smiles?? =)

Well, I can't believe that Connor is already a little over 2 months now!! Last week he went to his 2 month check up!! He's 12 lbs (almost doubled his weight since birth) and 22 1/2 inches long (he's already grown 4 1/2 inches!). I can't belive how fast he is growing! He had to get his first set of shots that day, and I think it was harder for me to watch than it was for him! He handled it like a champ though! He did cry for a minute (and after 3 shots in a row, I don't blame him), but he forgot about them pretty quickly after some loving from Mommy!

We recently made our move to the northwest part of Las Vegas. We're a lot further away from the city and kind of in the middle of nowhere now, but I think we kind of like it that way! Everyone including Thor has adjusted nicely so far! It's a bigger house, has a pool (that we've gotten to enjoy a little bit), and a bigger backyard for Thor to play around in. We're finally pretty settled in, but have some more work to do before everything is "complete".

Going back to our growing little man, he really is getting so strong! He has started kicking his little legs so much that he can move himself around on the ground a little bit! We've had to start strapping him into his bouncer and swing so he doesnt move himself right out of them!! He's also getting so good on his tummy! He is holding his head up so well! He can't keep it up for too too long, but he is getting better at tummy time everyday!! Although he looks like a very serious baby a lot of times, Connor has started smiling more and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen!! No matter what kind of mood I'm in, seeing that adorable little smiles melts my heart every time! It's been hard to capture it on the camera so far because it happens so fast and he gets very interested in the camera, but I've gotten a few pictures of it!! He has also recently started to communicate and "talk" with us more! We have even held a conversation for a few minutes with him going back and forth with us "coo"-ing and "ooh"-ing and "ahh"-ing =) It is the cutest thing!! We took him for his first swimming experience in the pool, and the water was a little too cold for him (he likes his warm bath water!) so he only stayed in for a few seconds. Hopefully next summer he'll be ready to go!!

We're gearing up for Connor's first Halloween!! He has a couple costumes to choose from, and we'll probably end up putting him in both, but no matter what he's going to be a cutie! While Daddy is going to be at the Dumont Sand Dunes for Halloween, Connor and Mommy are going to visit Sandy (my bestfriend from high school) and her son Andrew in Knoxville, Tennessee!! It will be Connor's first plane ride ever and I hope it goes smoothly for us!! Sandy's son in 2 1/2 months older than Connor so it's going to be fun seeing the two of them together! It's going to be hard though because it will be our first time away from Daddy since Connor was born. But before that happens we can't wait to get Connor to the pumpkin patch for his first pumpkin!! I'll make sure to post pictures!! All in all, October has been and will continue to be kind of a busy month!! But lots of fun too!!! Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks....

Growing like a weed.....

So once again we've been pretty busy and I haven't done well at updating my blog... but I'm and getting cuter and learning new things!!

I started back to work this week and it has been a rough week away from my little guy =( BOooo. I knew it was going to be hard, but had no idea that it would really bring me to tears every morning when I leave. I'm hoping that as the time goes by it gets easier. I've been told that it does, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. The Friday before I started back to work I spent the day with Connor. We ran some errands (which I am learning takes twice as long with a little one) and shopped around Babies R Us for a bit! The weather was gorgeous, only 86 degrees, so I decided to take Connor to the park for the first time! He loved it! I fed him and we just relaxed under a tree in the grass! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day with my son!! =)

Connor is such a cutie.... I mean you all know that, but I wanted to tell you again!! LOL! He is growing and changing every day! I'm a little bit obsessed with taking his picture so we have TONS of pictures of him! I'll keep posting them as time passes!

We're getting ready to move at the end of the month to the northern part of Vegas, and having a newborn makes packing a little more interesting. But it will be well worth it in the long run and we're even going to re-do his nursery once we get into our new house! We spent too much time on it to not recreate it!

Here are some pictures of Connor over the last few weeks... including a couple from our trip to the park!!

2 weeks old


3 weeks old


5 weeks old


6 weeks old @ the park with Mommy


Looking around at all the grass =)

CONNOR HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Connor Richard has finally arrived!! (I'm posting this about 3 1/2 weeks late.. lol). We've been busy!! ;)

Here's the story.....

On Friday, July 30th at about 10:30am we went to the doctor for my 39 week check up (I had been having contractions since about 2am the night before that were about every 5/6 minutes apart). The doc checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced... doc said Connor was most likely coming that night!!!!!!! And if he didn't come on his own, we were to be at the hospital at 5:30am the next morning to be induced... that Connor just might need a tiny nudge to help him come out... but either way he was coming soon!!!!

I decided not to go to work and just go home and relax the rest of the day and get some things done while I had the chance. My contractions continued all day and were getting a bit stronger, so at 5:30pm we went to the hospital because the contractions were starting to be more painful. They checked me at the hospital and said that there had been no change since the AM so they were going to give me a shot of Demerol (pain med) and have me go home and get some rest. We came home, ordered a pizza and tried to relax for awhile. I got really sleepy from the pain shot so I slept on and off for about 3 hours. Every time I had a contraction I woke up which was no fun, but I did get a bit of sleep. At 10pm I woke up and the contractions were getting a lot stronger. Rich asked if we should go back in, but I said I didnt want to get sent home again... so we waited.... all of 5 minutes!!! Lol. All of a sudden I started feeling an immense amount of pressure and my contraction quickly became only about 1 minute apart. I felt like I needed to start pushing and was screaming in pain. (I had back labor like crazy!). Rich listened to my screaming and said, "We need to go, NOW!" So he grabbed our bag and we jumped in the truck and made our way (I'm sure the guy across the street thought I was dying I was screaming so loud!!!). We made our way going about 97 MPH, running red lights and all. I felt so much pressure and was screaming bloody murder the whole way.... I was already starting to push while we were driving to the hospital!!! Rich was AMAZING!!!! Considering the events, he was SOOO calm and in control!!

We pulled into the ER (we had to go in the back way) and left the truck sitting there while Rich wheeled me up to the labor and delivery floor. I think the nurses thought that we were just thinking as first time parents that I was in labor... they quickly found out that I in fact WAS IN FULL BLOWN LABOR!!!! It all happened so fast from there.... We arrived to the hospital at 11:00pm and 26 MINUTES later, Connor Richard was born!!!! There was no time for an epidural or any sort of pain medication, so all natural for me. I'm pretty proud of myself for that!! =) It happened so fast that my doctor didn't even get there until AFTER Connor was born, I signed my "vaginal delivery consent form" AFTER Connor was already born too!!!!!

I can't say enough how amazing my husband was through the whole thing. For two people who had planned on having an epidural and going through "normal" *(whatever that means!) labor... things didn't not go according to plan. The whole delivery (26 minutes.. lol) Rich was standing next to me, holding my hand, telling me how proud he was of me and how wonderful I was doing. He even told me how beautiful I looked in such a frantic moment. His sister Christy got there for the delivery and was on the other side of me, holding my hand. I'll never forget having their support for such a wonderful event.

At 11:26pm, I heard the most wonderful sound I will ever hear... My son crying for the first time!!! He weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 18 inches long. He is the most PERFECT baby that I have ever seen!! And I'm not just saying that because I'm his Mom!!! He really is SO perfect!! Perfect skin, nose, eyes, lips, hair, head, hands, feet, EVERYTHING IS PERFECT!!!!

Here are some pictures... I'll write more about our time since we've been home later... time to feed my handsome little man!!!!






July 29th... The night before Connor arrived!!


The Millers.... My perfect family


Connor Richard Miller.. 6lbs, 14oz... 18 inches long








Leaving the hospital


First nap at home =)

Tick Tock Tick Tock.... A Waiting Game....

Well, here we are, just about 2 1/2 weeks away from our due date!!! I can't believe that our little Connor is almost here!! Sometimes I feel like my pregnancy has gone soooo fast and other times I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER!! I guess that can probably be attributed to the fact that I have been pregnant during the fall.... the winter.... the spring.... and now the VERY HOT summer!!! We have had a "heat advisory" in Vegas the last few days with temps topping out at around 115. Since it's pretty usual for this time of year, I'm kind of surprised that they even call it a heat advisory.... but all I can say is YUCCCCKKKKKK!!!! Lol. Obviously I've been hanging inside most the time, but even the moments that I'm walking from the parking lot into the store or something gets a little unbearable. But I'm hanging in there!!

We went to the doctor last Thursday (15th) for my 37 week appointment. We got to hear Connor's heartbeat (which I always love) and the doc measured my uterus. At this visit I was measuring a week ahead so this coming week we'll have an ultrasound to see how big our baby boy is!!!!! I can't wait!! Plus I'll get checked again to see if there is any progression in the "dilation" department. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a couple cenimeters!! However, I feel like Connor wants to be a little stubborn!! But from what our doctor said, he doesn't want me to go over my due date.... so I guess we'll just have to wait and see!!!! I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions, but as of now, I don't think any have been actual contractions... but sometimes I'm not sure I would even know the difference.

Other than all that, nothing too much new going on. We've been just working on getting all the baby stuff together and ready, as well as get the house all cleaned up for Connor and for my Mom when she gets here. Not too much longer now!! I'm still working everyday so I can kind of keep my mind occupied, but the anxiety, excitement, nervousness, "nesting", and all the other crazy things I'm feeling have really kicked in. And I'm hoping soon I get my burst of energy that my Mom speaks of! I could use it right about now!!

But.... unless something happens sooner than my appointment on Friday, I'll keep you all posted!! And who knows... maybe Connor will want to visit us a little early!!! =)

Growing belly and excitement!!!

Well here we are at the 36th week of pregnancy!! And boy has my belly been growing!! And so has Connor obviously!! I no longer feel the sweet little kicks that I once did, now it's his whole body rolling around inside!! No matter what, it is a great feeling that I absolutely love.... but I'll be honest that there have been a few times that his little heel kind of hurts me! Lol. But it's sooo worth it!! Richie has seen him rolling around in there a bunch and sometimes gives me the "Are you ok" look because my whole stomach does a 180!! He's just practicing all of his dirt bike/qaud moves!! Hehehe!! All in all I have been feeling pretty good though! It's gotten pretty hot here which is no fun, and my biggest complaint is my constantly swollen feet/ankles... but I figure if that's my biggest complaint, I'm lucky!! And in the emotional department I've been getting a little nervous and anxious, but I'm guessing that is pretty normal at this stage in the pregnancy.

I've been trying to get everything ready for the "big day" when he decides to arrive, but it's all a bit overwhelming! We've got to get the hospital bag packed, get the carseat into the truck, and finish organizing his stuff... but it's slowly coming together!

I went today to have a meet n' greet with a pediatrician that our OB recommended and I really liked her. She obviously has been doing this for a long time because she knew every question I wanted to ask, before I had even asked it!! And the fact that she is (or her partner at the practice) is the same pediatrician that will be doing the rounds at the hospital where and when Connor is born is a big plus to me!! So that is out of the way! Thank goodness!! One less thing for me to worry about! Tomorrow I have my OB appointment and will get checked to see if I'm dialated at all. I'm really excited about it!! It just means that we're getting closer and closer to holding him!!! Then from this point on, I go every week until we get to meet our perfect little man, Connor Richard!! We are both getting SOOOOOO excited!!!

Here are some 36 week belly pictures below!! Sometimes I don't feel like my belly is very big and other days I feel like it's huge!! I guess it just depends!! But I know either way that we are approaching the end of this wonderful journey and will soon be beginning an entirely new one.... Parenthood!!! I have a feeling I'm going to miss being pregnant, but once that little guy is all ours, I don't think I'll even think about it too much!! =)