How Squirrely

The night after Christmas my mom woke up thinking she heard something out in the den. The next day she continued to hear a noise but couldn't figure out what it was or where it was coming from. Then my brother heard it too and walked around the kitchen trying to listen for it. Finally my mom realized---it was coming from the fireplace. There must be a bird in there! So my dad got up to check it out, and there was no bird, but instead a squirrel looking back at him!! That was enough to make me squeal! Everyone put on their thinking caps of how in the world we were going to get this squirrel out. All I could think of was Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation with the squirrel on the loose, the dog chasing it, and well you know the rest.

So, after much thought, Operation Jason came into play. He and Josh turned tables onto their sides and made a trail from the fireplace to the back door. Then they got several blankets and covered the top. The brave men stood by the fireplace and released the doors. They had to poke around a little bit to get the squirrel to move and finally he did. We didn't really know if he had gone through the trail or not, but Mom turned around and saw him on the back deck.

Operation Jason was deemed a success!! Below are pictures and a short video of our extra house guest.

Christmas Fun

So here it is the day after Christmas and I sit in shorts and short sleeves! Something is wrong with this picture...
What a week we've had. Connor woke up Monday night not feeling well. The next couple of days were bad so we finally took him into the doctor on Christmas Eve. His temperature was 102.4 and the doctor said he had a virus--the flu!! We just got his flu shot last week, but it takes 2 weeks to really get into the body and become effective, uf! So we took it easy and had to cancel Christmas with my mom's family because we have a new 4 week old cousin. His temperature went away by Christmas Day and he felt much better. In fact, he felt so great, he wouldn't sleep! He woke up at 5:30am took one 30 minute nap and didn't go to sleep until 9:00pm last night. So we were battling the flu, being overtired and now he's starting to cut his two bottom teeth. However, he woke up this morning talking and playing and has not slowed down. So hopefully we're on the up and up now.

As far as Christmas gifts, our parents went above and beyond. I knew with Connor being the first grandchild he'd get a lot of toys and every other present was for him! Josh and I racked up too---we got a grill that we desperately needed, $$ for a new chair in our den, fireplace accessories, a college savings plan for Connor, about 4 months worth of formula (a gift every new parent would love) and so many more wonderful things. Thanks parents!!!

Connor with Uncle Jason (sorry J!)

Opening one of his many gifts

Family pic


Sitting with Santa

Telling Santa what he wants for Christmas

Still growing like a weed!!

Yesterday Connor went to the doctor for his 6 month check up (a week late.) He now weighs 20 lbs which is in the 90%tile and once again, he is off the charts for height. In fact, they just wrote on his file greater than 98%. The nurse said he looks like a one year old. We got a clean bill of health, which is always a comfort to hear. The doctor said Connor was much heavier than he appears but for us to continue doing what we're doing because he looks great.
Last night we went to Zilker Park in Austin to their trail of lights. It was really pretty and Connor was a trooper. He got to bed 3 hours later than normal, but he never fussed. Before we went, we fed him peas for the first time. He ate like a champ and gobbled down the whole container laughing through it all. We tried again to have peas for breakfast, but he didn't care for it much. I thought everyone liked peas for breakfast?!?
Here are some photos from the past few days:

My First Taste of Solid Food

Now that Connor is 6 months, I decided to try solid food for the first time. We haven't been to the doctor yet, so I hated to do anything without his go ahead, but figured this wouldn't hurt. For the past week or so, I've been putting rice cereal in his bottle at night. (And it's a myth that it makes babies sleep longer!!) Since he didn't seem to mind that, this morning I mashed up a banana. It was only about 1 or 2 teaspoons, but that was enough to get a reaction. We haven't needed to wear any bibs thus far, but that's all about to change. Here are a few pictures from this memorable moment:







Just give me my bottle!

1/2 a year old

I can't believe that Connor is 1/2 a year old already. It has gone by so fast, but each stage gets better and better. He was supposed to go for his 6 month well visit on Tuesday, but because he has a cold, we pushed it back until next week.
At 6 months:
--He talks a lot and very loudly! He likes to sing until he runs out of breath and it's so loud I'm convinced the neighbors can hear him. He also says dada all the time now. (But is Dada the one who gets up with him in the middle of the night?? NOOOOO... but I'm not bitter or anything.)
--As the last post says, he now sits up on his own. He probably could have done it sooner, but I just always held onto him. Josh finally set him down without holding him, and sure enough he stayed sitting. We advanced tonight to sitting up in the bath tub. Bring on all the toys!
--He sits up in the high chair and helps momma in the kitchen.
--He still wakes up 1-2 times during the night. I have tried tanking him up with formula, putting rice cereal in the bottle and nothing has helped. I hope once he starts on solids he'll sleep better.

I'll update his stats next week, but in the meantime, here are some of his monthly poses:

We've reached a milestone...

Today Connor sat up on his own. He managed to balance for a few seconds before crashing, but we're getting there! He's also started talking; he says dadada and bababa. It's so cute and fun to listen to him babble on.
Unfortunately, he's got another cold. Poor little guy has a runny nose and can't quit coughing. In fact, he often wakes himself up from all the coughing. But he still manages to smile and laugh constantly. Mimi and Papa Jud are coming up to see us this weekend and we are looking forward to that.

Trying to balance

Look Ma, no hands!

Family Time

This year we spent Thanksgiving in San Antonio with Josh's family. We were very busy hopping between family but were able to see everyone and even meet some new cousins. I'm still waiting on pictures from the week, but here are a few for now:

Showing MaMaw how I stick out my tongue

Meeting my great grandma from Nebraska, Nanny

Talking to Aunt Val

Hanging out with PawPaw

Looking up at Big PawPaw

Four Generations of Settlemeyer men


Out on the Riverwalk and Alamo:

Here come the Elves!

Last year we "elfed" ourselves and had a good laugh. Since we have a new elf this year, we thought we'd do it again. At only 5 months, we are really impressed with Connor's moves! Enjoy (thanks, Cindy!)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sic 'Em Bears

What a great weekend!!! As many of you know, Josh and I are in a mixed relationship--I went to Baylor and he went to A&M. So Connor is considered a "Baggie." Mimi, Papa Jud, Uncle Jason, Josh and I took our little Baggie to his first Battle of the Brazos football game on Saturday. We dressed him in half green and gold and half maroon. I think most of you know the outcome, but BAYLOR BEAT A&M 41-21. I think Connor was pretty happy with the end result! :) Because it was SOOO windy, we took turns hanging out with him in the Letterman's Lounge. For some reason, Josh volunteered to stay down there the whole 2nd half.
Josh and I had a bet that whoever's team lost, that person had to cook for the other person every night for a week. Lucky for me, I married a great chef so I'm in for some good meals this week. Tonight we had chicken fried steak, green beans and mac and cheese (and it wasn't from the box!)
Here are some pictures from the game. I think the scoreboard picture will stay on our refrigerator til next year's game!!

Uncle Jason is 6'9" so you can imagine how huge that bear is!

Connor's first picture with Bruiser.

Happy Baylor fam

"That's a big bear, Mom!"


Our little Baggie

Tailgating with Uncle J

And a good time was had by all (well, almost all!)