Mid-morning: Connor asked if he could go to the "No No" store (Toys 'R Us. As to why he calls it the "No No" store is a story for another time.) He was thrilled when we said we could (that's not usually the answer) and told him he could bring the birthday money he had received in his cards. All four of us happily perused all the aisles and Connor made his selection, a car transporter truck with 4 cars. He was so proud to carry it to the check-out and pull his money out of his pocket to pay. While he was paying, he told the cashier it was his birthday and that he was three. The previously unenthused worker light up and told him to wait. She came back with a birthday crown and helium birthday balloon. As Connor walked out of the store carrying his new truck, wearing his birthday crown and holding onto his birthday balloon, other customers entering the store saw the decked out boy and shouted out birthday well wishes. He was bursting with pride. We ran through the Burger King drive-through and Byron got Connor a special birthday chocolate shake. I looked back at the birthday boy wearing his birthday crown, holding his birthday balloon and truck, sipping on his birthday shake, sitting in his regular car seat and cracked up when I noticed the crown had fallen down over his eyes, but he was still sucking on his shake and holding onto the balloon and truck. I could tell he was having a great day.
He was thrilled to play with his new toy and happily went down for a nap (aka. went into his room and kept playing with his new truck.) 
That night we had a special birthday dinner of chicken alfredo which was exciting for a few minutes until he determined he wanted a different kind of noodle and the dinner was pretty much shot from there. Oh well, Byron and I enjoyed it. Because it was his birthday he got to have a Popsicle instead.
It was another great, great day. Happy Birthday Buddy! We love you!
The first thing Connor did outside was flop down and make a snow angel.
Completely covered.
Thanks Byron for a great day. We love you.
We all liked the pie, but I think I prefer the traditional 2 crust apple pie. The topping reminded me of a shortbread cookie flavor and was very rich combined with the pie filling. I know, I know, if I though it was rich, it much be outta sight.
At eight weeks she continues to give us big toothless grins. We love those the best. She watches us intently and "talks" to us with coos and goos.
She's learning how to blow bubbles and still seems to be looking for that thumb. She's learned how to comfort herself to sleep without a thumb or pacifier though which we think it awesome. Her hair seems to be lightening up, but we think she's beautiful with the brown hair and blue eyes.
She enjoys sitting in her Boppy chair and observing the family, and gives big thankful grins when we stop to say hello.
Byron and Connor set out everything. It was great; I kind of felt like I was on a cooking show.
I omitted the nuts and added chocolate chips. My good friend Janene puts raisins and chocolate chips in her pumpkin bread and it's scrumptious. I was bummed I was out of raisins because I had my mouth all watered up. I'll make sure I have raisins on hand next time for sure.
I hope this continues and they find good friends in one another. 
For a few weeks now she's been giving us big, toothless grins which show off her dimples. She's starting to coo and gurgle more to us and loves to be sung to. She likes to be swaddled with her arms OUT (we gave up trying to swaddle her arms down at about week 3). She's starting to sleep 7-9 hours at night which makes for a VERY happy Mom and Dad. She takes one good morning and afternoon nap and then wants to be held the rest of the time she should be sleeping. She LOVES to be held over the shoulder and sleeps well in the Baby Bjorn while we're out and about. She seems to be looking for her thumb, which we hope she finds soon since she refuses a pacifer (silly girl).
To us, she gets more beautiful every day.
