More Videos

So I have been horrible at taking videos of Conner, probably because he is still young and just cute at this time and more fun to snuggle than to watch as he is still figuring things out. I did try to get a video of him laughing yesterday but it was not successful, but we'll try again soon. Here are two videos that Dustin took of Conner. You can tell by the first one because he is wearing his Superman Onsie. The first one he is about 4 or 5 weeks old and the second one I think he is 2 or 3 weeks old.

The Boss

So I am sure that you know realize that you will never see another picture of me from now on out and you will only see pictures of Dustin if he is holding "The Boss".  So sorry to disappoint, but please tell me that this doesn't surprise you!! This little guy is the master of the house and so totally proud of that fact. I have learned that the sooner I come to accept this the happier we will all be.

Ok so he's actually a really good baby. Conner is getting better taking naps and sleeping at night and going down to sleep. I always thought it was so funny when my friends just post in their status how long their child slept and blogged about their sleeping habits, but man now I know! This is probably THE most important thing to help keep mommy happy!! I have learned that a tired Nicki = an unhappy mommy = unhappy Conner = tired Conner = tired Dustin = unhappy Dustin and the equation goes full circle!

He is a good baby and has been smiling more lately. It isn't always when we try, but if we play peek-a-boo and laugh he will laugh too. Not every single time, but it is getting more and more frequent. He also LOVES to be where everyone else is. I know he's only 7 weeks old but man this guy doesn't like to miss out on anything and this has been the trouble with him sleeping. He wants to see and do everything we do and he makes it known! He wants to be up and out and looking around.

Here are some recent pictures of him. This is his favorite blanket, trust me I know, he told me himself. And his cute outfit! I love dressing this guy!! For some reason whenever I place him on his changing table to change his diaper or get dressed he laughs and gets really happy. If he's crying sometimes I just put him there and he stops! I guess he likes to be clean or something....

 Sleeping with daddy. This is for sure Daddy's number one hang out style.

 Getting ready to go on a walk. Yes, I make Dustin put him in that, and yes he hates it, but he thanks me when we go outside. Again, I just know he does.

 All bundled and ready! This outfit provided by Kelsey and Adam :)

 In the BOB and ready to go....oh wait....mom almost forgot the most important thing!

 Ah...now we're complete!

 This outfit used to be Dustin's....notice the resemblance...

 So I of course drag Conner with me whenever I want to go out, which tends to be a lot. I get cabin fever pretty easy, so even if it is to the grocery store....out we go!! This day we went on a walk with Conner's fiance and her best friend. The fiance was busy eating so we got a shot with the best friend. She is 10 weeks older than him. I believe he is 6 weeks at this point.

 Of course Conner is the only one crying, these ladies know how to work it! But the one is red is his fiance, she is 3 days younger than him. Yes we have created a future basketball player.

You have to admit though that he's sure working it with these cute ladies!! I think he's even trying to hold hands!! Oh dear!

 This is me trying to catch pictures of Conner when he was laughing. It was the cutest thing ever!! But the lighting was really bad since the sun was setting, but still I think I got a few good shots. And yes, that is the son of Dustin, Superman onsie (Thanks Melanie!!) and Spiderman socks.

 That is a laugh and not a cry I promise!! He kicks like he gets paid for it or something. Often his legs are the first thing I see flying in the air when I walk into his room. They fly up there even when he's sleeping!!

 There were taken today, so he is ALMOST 8 WEEKS! We will find out how much he's grown in 3 more weeks. I can't wait to see how much he weighs!!

 And finally the video of him rolling over!! OK, us reenacting him rolling over and what he did the day before. He has since rolled over from tummy to back a few times on his own since, but of course we have not caught it on video!

Sneak Peak at Conner's Newborn Photos

So our friend Emily came out for Sarah and Ben's wedding to take photos for them and she was also so kind to stay with us and put up with our mess and having a 4 week old up at all hours of the night. But especially since she also did a photo shoot of the little guy! She was great, new all the secrets and put up with the seriously hot room which we made hot to keep sleepy, which just worked some of the time, but it sure was hot! And humid! I ran the shower also to keep it warm. But it was sure worth it since they turned out great! Here are a few of the photos. To see them yourself you can go to our family website: nickianddustin.shutterfly.com

All photos courtesy of Emily Heizer Photography: www.eheizerphotography.blogspot.com

Isn't he so cute!! We sure love our little man! I will post more pictures of him soon. We have been trying to be good first time parents and take lots of photos of him. Most of them tend to be when I bundle him up or he's making a mad face because that is what makes me laugh, but hey, he's normally a chill and happy dude.

Trash the Dress

So way back in May when Jessica and Carter got married Emily, our friend who photographed our wedding came out to do Jessica's and she also did a "Trash the Dress" session for our one year Anniversary. Basically just an excuse for me to put my wedding dress back on and have some fun. And it was! Ok I have to admit that I was just glad I still fit into my wedding dress....I have been slow in posting these, so slow in fact, because in these I was 11 weeks pregnant and now Conner is 7 weeks! Emily also did a newborn session for Conner when she came out to shoot Sarah and Ben's wedding and I will be posting those soon as well. But in the meantime here are some photos from the shoot.

For a link to Emily's website to see some photos of Conner go here:

http://www.eheizerphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/reston-newborn-photographer-baby-conner.html

That also goes to other links of our photos along with Jess and Carter and Sarah's and Ben's. But if you look now on her website Sarah and Ben are at the top of her page! Yeah!!

All photos are Courtesy of Emily Heizer Photograph: www.eheizerphotography.com

Also for a link to our family Shutterfly website where all of our wedding/trash the dress/newborn photos are posted go to:

nickianddustin.shutterfly.com

Conner's Baby Blessing

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we don't baptize a baby until they are 8 years old, but sometime after they are born we do give them what we call a Baby Blessing. This is when a holder of the priesthood gives them a name and a blessing. These blessing usually involve gifts that they have, future aspirations, etc. 

We are very lucky in that Dustin was able to bless Conner and that SO many family and friends were able to be in the circle with him. Dad's, Grandpa's, Uncles, Great Uncles, Great Grandpa's, cousins, etc. This worked well with Sarah and Ben's wedding so that so many were out here and able to participate, and Dustin's parents flew out specially for the occasion. He was blessed in a little white tux that Dustin's mom made for him and he looked super cute!!  

On a personal note the blessing was extremely special for both Dustin and me. The blessing hit many personal notes for us and we know it will be a strength to him as well as to us as he grows. We were a little worried because mom and dad Hinton's GPS took them the long route to church and if it wasn't for the many announcements and new callings given we would have asked to do the blessing at the end of sacrament meeting so that Dad Hinton could be there!!  We feel extremely blessed that he was able to make it and everyone else. There were 13 total priesthood holders in the circle with Dustin and Conner!! We were also so glad that Sarah and Ben stuck around, postponing their honeymoon so that they could be there for his blessing. Thanks guys!!

Here we are with Dustin's cousin Janna and her family. They had to leave right after so we grabbed a quick picture with them. We sure love them!! 

Afterwards we headed over to Grandma's house for some grub and to spend the evening together. Here is Grandma Shepherd getting ready to chow down!!  We love her fun personality so much!!

Setting up for lunch in the addition, still nicely decorated from the reception.

Conner with Great Grandma Maughan. See his cute outfit!!!

"yes I know everyone is really here for me!"

Sucking on Dad's hand. "Mommy feed me already!"

Chillin with Aunt Jessica!!

Sarah and Ben opening gifts

Watching them open gifts

They must have opened something exciting!!

Nate and Mari performed a puppet show that Mari wrote, produced, and made the puppets for that they performed for their ward Christmas party and on special request brought all the props and performed it for us as well.  We were laughing so hard as they did their own rendition of "The 12 Days of Christmas".

The "Four Callings Hen" and muppet

Our friends the Benches who also came!

Conner with Grandma Shepherd

He loves his Aunt Mari!!

The Benches

He was getting really grumpy at this point...Daddy kept passing him around and taking his picture with everyone. Crying for the Birthday boy! We were sure glad Dad was willing to share this special day with Conner too!!

Uncle Nate

Aunt Sarah

Uncle David

Uncle Carter is also his best friend. Carter can get this boy to laugh....well...sometimes.

Uncle Josh what are they doing to me???

Uncle Ben

Ok Great Grandma Shepherd are we done yet???

Catching his breath with Uncle Matt

Uh oh, seriously more?? Great Grandpa Maughan just hold me please!!!

Ah....Great Aunt Linda has the touch...thank you for saving me from that flash!

Oh, but we're still going! Aunt Chelsea

See, I can be happy with Great Uncle Jerry!!

And now I get to be with Aunt Jessica for awhile!

Once we got home he passed out with Aunt Mari on the couch. It is rough being a celebrity!

The next day with Grandma Hinton, maker of the outfit.

There we go! I'm working it, I'm working it!! Love the camera!

Dad Hinton taking pictures too!

Both Grandma and Grandpa Hinton. Thanks so much for coming out! It was so nice to be able to spend a few days with them, playing games and going Birding and walking around Great Falls and just catching up! We sure are glad they came out! And glad Conner got to meet his paternal Grandparents!!

Um...who are you??

It was a wonderful weekend, a great New Years, and start to the new year! It could not have been better! Thank you again everyone for sharing this special time with us!!