A Bit of a Rough Day

Day 78:

Well Conor, while I was plugging away at the office today you were home screaming your lungs out... Yes Son, today was a bit of a rough day for you. According to your now somewhat frazzled Mother, you were quite the handful today. Not really interested in settling down no matter what she did. I got a couple of phone calls even asking for advice. ME! Your Mother was calling ME asking for advice on how to calm you! You know Son, it's about time she realized I know a little something more than how to change the oil in her car... Still, I'm afraid my advice didn't work much.

Seems you were simply having stomach pains. Of course, by the time I'd gotten home you were right as rain. Though Mommy was NOT. She needed to run an errand or two and so I took over, plugged you with a bottle, burped you, swaddled you, and put you down for a long nap. Looks as though your fussing and discomfort took it out of you, because once tied in, you were out like a light! The Lion Heart finally rested; and you rest still.

Despite the restless day, it was otherwise uneventful. A ton of rain, a bit cool, a hard day's work, and a little fussing. Certainly could have been worse.

That's all for today, Boy'O. And oh yeah, I love you...
-Dad

The Lion Heart, the Fighter

Day 77:

Rough day for me today, Son. Rough in the sense that I had a full physical this morning complete with drawn blood, EKG, turning my head to cough, and the like... That part was a bummer, though the results were good! Seems I'm gonna be around for a while, Conor. Good news indeed...

Interestingly enough though, while in the Doctor's office I got a text message from Mommy saying you'd just flipped over!! All on your own! See, Mommy laid you down on your belly for some "tummy time" and you basically did a push up, then rolled over onto your back! I couldn't BELIEVE it! You're so little yet, Boy'O, and movements like that are typically not realized until little fellas like you are six months old... But you're not any little guy, are you? No, no, you're Conor the Lion Heart!

Of course, Mommy tried to get you to repeat the feat a number of times but alas, no... Seems you wore yourself out with the first go 'round! Never the less, an impressive effort, Son... Great job. And I'm sure tomorrow will bring another of your great gifts...

I love you, Son.
-Dad

Conor the Growing Boy

Day 76:

It was back to work for me today, Conor. Once again splitting my time between thinking about what needs be done for my job and what you must be doing... In most cases I've no doubt you're simply sleeping the day away. But now and again I'll get the feeling you're wide awake and figuring it all out...

Without question your developments are noticeable... Granted, you've been with us since December 14th, 2011, but gestationally speaking you were to have been born on February 2nd, 2012. In my mind, I believe this gives you the advantage over big ole honkin' full term babies who come out cruising at 10 pounds. And God bless 'em. To be sure, I only wish any parent welcoming a child to the world do so once that child is fully developed and ready to eat right from the womb. But, as evidenced by your early arrival, it doesn't always work that way. I know I've said as much before, but your spirit is what benefits where your tiny body works to catch up. To the random admirer you appear to be that of a three week old... But for those who know you, the Lion Heart has earned every breath. As time rolls along, I personally believe this fighting spirit will benefit you.

I marvel at your strength, Boy'O. Your spirit and determination is prevalent each and every day. It's remarkable to say the least. I consider myself to be a strong man, Conor. Certainly strong enough to protect you and our family. But I've no doubt you'll be stronger than me and Mommy both. You're the Lion Heart after all...

I love you, Son.
-Dad

Cruising with the Lion Heart

Day 75:

Last night was your best night yet, Conor! Where it was a bit tough to get you down for the night, and frankly that's on Mommy and me 'cuz we took you out to see Uncle Justin and Aunt Marti and didn't get home with you until about midnight, you eventually knocked off to sleep around 1:00am... You didn't wake up again until almost 6:30am! That's a BIG stretch for you, Boy'O! After a bottle and a quick change, back down you went for another couple hours... You got some really good sleep, Son!

Well, Mommy needed to get some extra sleep this morning and I woke up feeling like a million bucks! And when I'm awake, Conor, I'm not one to waste the day so I packed you up into your carrier, popped you into your stroller, and off we went to get breakfast! It's a brisk yet sunny day today so the walk felt great and as we strolled on down the sidewalk toward our local deli you were wide eyed and fascinated with all you could see... It was so fun for me to see you trying to make out the trees through the bright sunshine, all the while realizing you're still not "seeing" everything clearly... None the less, after a few hundred yards you fell back to sleep and on we went. By the time we got home you'd been asleep again for another 45 minutes! Tons of rest for a growing boy.

Now we're packing up and heading off to Uncle Paul and Aunt Jennifer's house for yet another social visit... Let's see if we can repeat yesterday's fun and you knock off again tonight!

I love you, Boy'O...
-Dad

Conor Gets a New Tattoo!

Day 74:

Okay, so Conor didn't get a tattoo (you're a bit young yet, Boy'O) but I did! I got a tattoo of YOU! Well, your name at least. This blog and the name "Conor the Lion Heart", or specifically "Conor an Chroí Lion", has been so embraced by so many that to me, it fit. Ad so I now have "Conor an Chroí Lion 12.14.11" tattoo'd in the form of a band on my left arm... And that's just the start, Conor! I've got plans now... Plans around how to fill up the rest of my upper arm... More work done to the existing armband and a tattoo of a Lion on the upper arm around the ball of my shoulder. What's more, I'm going to tie it all together as one big piece. It's going to be my personal dedication to you, Conor...

I'm so excited about my new tattoo, Son. And I realize that, like dogs (previous post), tattoo's aren't for everybody. In fact many people hold an ill opinion of tattooing, but rest assured Conor, I don't judge them and so I expect them to not judge me. What people see on the outside changes nothing about what's on the inside. An important lesson for you to consider and one that we'll revisit again someday, no doubt.

Now it's time to get you dressed and head over to Uncle Justin and Aunt Marti's place for dinner. They of course can't wait to see you, and they're so excited because in a few short months, you'll get a playmate! That's right, Boy'O, Aunt Marti is pregnant too!

Life's little mysteries... Life's little miracles... And Tattoos. A fine, fine day.

I love you, Lion Heart. My Conor an Chroí Lion.
-Dad

Conor the Lion Heart - Coming to Light

Day 73:

In my 39 years I've had the pleasure, nay the honor, of raising three dogs from puppies, Conor. Each one was a mere baby, no more than 8 weeks old, when I got them. Of my many wonderful experiences on this Earth, those were my fondest. Until you...

Many people could read this and not understand it. Those people can't comprehend how a dog and a child could be likened in the same context... Though I would argue that both are 100 percent dependent upon you. Both trust you implicitly because quite frankly, they don't have a choice... And both look to you for for everything, their personalities being shaped by your every move.

Again, we can start splitting hairs in terms of a human baby's personality vs. that of a dog, but at the end of the day, both have a personality. Both human and canine bring a different flavor of joy into the world of those who would love them. Both are an absolute gift to those who would let them in.

Day by day I see your personality starting to pop, and so it's our job to feed it positively and watch it grow... Each day you become more and more inquisitive. The moments you're awake you spend looking at everything and to be sure lights and sounds intrigue you. Certainly Son, I realize I'm not unlocking any great mystery here. I understand there are millions of parents who have seen something similar in their child or children... But I do recognize those small developmental traits. I know what those look like having had the honor of raising three fine dogs... And now I'm able to use at least part of those experiences in how we nourish your inquisitive and developing mind. Each day is a treat, Conor. My Conor the Lion Heart. And I can't wait for the next...

You're sleeping better these last few days and storing up energy for longer periods of time to stay awake. Everyone told me you would grow fast but I swear I'm actually watching you grow as I hold you in my hands seeing you take in each new discovery... Truly remarkable.

Without question, Conor, you're my greatest honor, my highest calling, and my truest duty, and each day with you is better than the last... Thanks, Boy'O.

I love you so much, Son. Always...
-Dad

Conor the Crab

Day 72:

Growing pains, gas pains, and any other kind of infantile pains, something had you all stirred up today, Son. For the middle of the day, things seemed fine. Mommy had to run a couple errands with you this afternoon and one of those brought her out my way, so you both came by the Tysons Corner Galleria and we had lunch together. At this point, no fuss... Though before then and after then, you were raging, Boy'O! Neither Mommy or me got much sleep last night... As soon as one of our heads would hit the pillow, the other would have to get up to get you settled again. The late morning hours were okay, per what Mommy told me anyway, and through lunch you were a dream, but the late afternoon and evening saw an awful lot of fussing and crying out of you. The young Lion Heart, he roared... and roared... and roared!

It's just now near 11:00pm and you're finally settled in. Perhaps the day of expended energy screaming will see you get some much needed rest tonight - which subsequently would mean that Mommy and me will also get some much needed rest tonight! It's all we can hope for at this point, Son. But one can hope...

In other happenings, finding a child care provider for you is proving far more difficult than we anticipated, Boy'O. And really, it's not as much the expense (child care in the DC area is pricey to say the least) as much as it is the need to get it right. There are a ton of options, and people who've been there or who are there offer wonderful advice, but at the end of the day the decision is ours, and it's not an easy one to make... Anyhow, your Mother is on the case and she's nothing if not both persistent and thorough... We'll get it right, Son. I promise.

That's all for tonight, my Little Lion Heart. I love you, Boy.
-Dad