09.20.11 ~ Fire! Fire! ...

So, awhile back Connor really got into any show that had "Fireman Sam" in it. He fell in love with fire trucks and anything having to do with them - especially now that we live in New York and you hear a fire truck almost every five minutes ...

Last Christmas, Connor also got a toy fire truck from his great-grandma Hayes, which he literally has to have up on the table every morning while he eats his breakfast. Can I just say ... obsessed ... maybe? ...
He also calls the fireman that comes with the truck, "fireneenat," which stands for "Fireman Sam."

Connor drinks from a water bottle every day that has a fire truck on it. Whenever he wants to quench his thirst, this is what I hear ... "eeeee-oooooo-eeeeee-ooooo" ... don't really know how to "spell out" a fire truck siren, but yeah, that's what he does ....

So today, when I was at Payless Shoe Stores, getting Connor some new shoes, I came across these "one-of-a-kind" firemen boots. It was raining quite heavily today, so I thought, "these might actually come in handy." So I bought them, thinking that the boots would both serve a purpose and make my little boy very happy ... as you can see ...

So I just was planning on buying the boots at Payless, but when I went to Target afterwards, and saw THIS (see below) in the costume section, I just couldn't resist. Now Connor's got the whole ensemble to be his very own "Fireman Sam" and he is happy as could be. He had a major tantrum when I made him take his boots off for his nap. Right now, he's a fireman through and through, and I think I can justify the purchase by saying he's got a great rain slicker, hat and boots now for Fall! ...

09.08.11 ~ Happy Birthday Connor! ...

Today was Connor's birthday and we got to celebrate as a family. We took the subway train to Central Park and took Connor to Victorian Gardens - a little amusement park for kids right in the midst of Central Park ...

The scenic view alone was well worth the trip ...

Connor loved going on all the rides - they were made specifically for his age group and he had a blast. I, on the other hand, got a little sick and dizzy from all the spinning and twirling - I think every single ride went in some kind of circle ...

Connor's favorite ride was the one where he could drive the truck with his very own steering wheel. He went on it seven times! It was also a very valuable lesson to learn how to wait your turn and wait in line every time he wanted to go on it again ...

Connor also got to experience Cotton Candy for the first time. This was his first bite, and as you can see, he was a little taken aback from the texture of the feathery and light treat ...

This was his second bite ... he opened his mouth even wider so as to not feel the ticklish sensation of the candy. I think he really liked it once it dissolved a bit in the mouth though, because he kept asking for more ...

Later that day, we then celebrated with singing "Happy Birthday" to him and opening presents. Don't judge me for not making a cake. We went with cheap and simple, since I knew for SURE that he wouldn't eat it anyway. He doesn't really like cake at this point in time, so I wasn't going to go through the effort of making a cake if no one was going to eat it! We still got the same outcome - an adorable picture of my now-2-yr.-old-son with two candles in the picture ...

Here is the footage of him blowing out his candles if you care to see it. He has always been a little "tentative" of the whole birthday shin-dig ... the singing, the fire, the blowing, the clapping, etc. So if you can't tell when you watch the clip, yes ... he's a little scared ...


Then it was time for the presents, and this was definitely Connor's favorite when we had him run in the room and see what gifts were waiting for him ...

Thanks to Grandmas and Grandpas, Connor also got a few more gifts in the mix ...

I know Connor can't wait to take this baby outside for a spin! He is all set ...

I loved it this time around, because I didn't have to help Connor open his presents at all! He took is lovely time doing it, but at least he can do it all on his own. Rip ... pause ... look ... rip ... rip ...

And twenty minutes later ... :) ... a police car that makes the police car sounds! Just what I wanted ... and what Mommy wanted? Not really, but hey, I think I can put up with the annoying sounds as long as the kid is happy ...

Another fun toy Connor got for his birthday ... and you can see that his helmet is on. He wore that helmet for the duration of the rest of the night. I'm glad he likes it because he looks absolutely adorable wearing it ...

Reading Thomas the Train books that Grandma Jorgensen sent us ... Thanks Grandma!

And another bike picture just because he won't get off the thing. He loves this bike so much ... He has wanted one of his own for awhile now ...

Happy Birthday Connor! Mom and Dad love you so much and we are so happy to have you in our lives! You are a pure joy ... and now our "pure 2 yr. old joy!"

09.03.11 ~ A Day at the US Open ...

So now that I am living in New York, I couldn't pass up the chance to attend the US Open tennis tournament that goes on in Flushing Meadows, NY, every Fall. I was able to go for one day, on a Saturday, while Nate stayed home with Connor. I loved every second of it and had such a blast - even all by myself. It was a dream come true to be able to sit and watch these amazing tennis players play at a grand slam event.

I was able to leave around 7am from my house, hop on the subway, and then arrive with no hassle at all at the grounds around 8:30am. Here is a picture of getting off the subway ... all I had to do was walk down this boardwalk and get in line to get into the grounds ...

Am I really here? ...

Yes I am! ... Walking into the grounds ... the outside view of Arthur Ashe Stadium ...

I got in line so early that I was able to get a third-row seat at the Grandstand Stadium. I was so close to the players and the match - it was absolutely amazing. I was so close that I actually almost got hit by a ball that Fernando Verdasco hit out - I had to duck, and FAST! I later noticed this sign down in front ...

My favorite match I watched that day was when Schiavone won against Scheepers in a tight 3-set match. I've always been a fan of hers - she is Italian through and through and wears her emotions on her sleeve. So fun to watch ...

Thanks USTA ... 'til next year, US Open! I'll be back!!!