the connors family: July 2009

Happy Birthday, Grandmom

>> Thursday, July 16, 2009 – Caroline, random updates, vacation

The Connors trio headed to Melbourne, Florida for a SURPRISE visit to CEC's Grandmom and Papa Mike, and to celebrate Grandmom's 60th birthday!

The surprise went off without a hitch (whew!) and Caroline loved hanging in the Florida sunshine, doing some swimming in the pool and at the beach, playing with Aunt Catherine and Uncle Al (and new BFF Holly the dog), and enjoying the family vacay. And mom and dad loved it too.

Sleepy on the plane

SURPRISE!

Swimming with 2 of her guys

Papa Mike showed us a manatee!

Outside at church

Grandmom reads stories

C fed a giraffe at the zoo!

LOVING the beach! A girl after her mommy's heart

Our Own Little Firecracker

>> Tuesday, July 7, 2009 – Caroline, holidays

What better way to celebrate our Independence Day than with a trip to the National Mall?

This was the second annual such venture for our native Washingtonian and her family, and though both trips started with a pre-game nap (see below), this year brought lots more activity, including *running* up and down the Mall.

She was particularly impressed with what might be known to you as the Washington Monument. Lots of, "Daddy - see the big house? That a BIG HOUSE!"

Yep, sweet girl, that's a big house.

After a quick nap, she's ready to go!

An All American Girl

Though much was different, some of the "rides" remained the same between years. Check out CEC, circa 2008 and 2009, below:

The famous spot, up high on Daddy

I think we found the same horse, 2 years in a row!

Happy Birthday, America!

Caroline's Twenty-third Month

>> Wednesday, July 1, 2009 – Caroline, monthly updates

SO close to TWO... and enjoying all the things that two year olds do! She is very aware that there is no baby left in that little body, and she wants to do everything by herself. This independent little girl is not afraid to make sure mom, dad, and everyone else knows that she has an opinion - and that it should be taken seriously!

Perhaps the most hilarious development this month is the ongoing internal dialogue that Caroline expresses verbally. She asks herself questions (out loud) and then answers them! As in:

"Want to watch Einsteins [Baby Einsteins] or... Rocket? Einsteins! Okay, Einsteins."

Or,

"Want some corn or... applesauce? Corn! Okay, Corn."

She has also developed into quite the caretaker (such a good future big sister), and loves to play "naptime" with mommy, daddy, and all of her animals. She wants to comb mommy's hair (complete with hairdresser dialogue), give us medicine, and help "clip" our fingernails.

So so sweet...