2012

To ring in the New Year, we went to Boise. We even got to see some of Nicole's extended family on her dad's side that we hadn't seen in a while, some of whom hadn't met Connor

Connor with Nicole's Aunt Donalee.. he's taking off his new hat... he's getting good at that!

Connor loves to play the real piano.. only problem is we don't have one.. So Great Grandpa and Grandma Cable took care of that :-) They got him his very own keyboard.. he LOVES it!

Connor opening a present with Great Aunt Donalee and Grandma Shelly

This was his Chirstmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa Yagues.. He also LOVES this one~! he's recently figured out how to put the blocks in the top so that they shoot out the back and load into the storage under the seat, Connor seems to excel in anything related to fine motor, it's his gross motor skills he struggles with (or is just lazy... can't figure that one out :-)

He's able to get up on his hands and knees on his own and can even scoot/crawl backwards.. in this picture he's backed himself up into a corner (the corner where the wrapping paper was being stored) ;-)

 I haven't done an update on Brian lately, so here is the latest: He has been continuing his recovery in Boise where he was doing weekly physical therapy. His Doctors have been keeping a clost eye on the progress of healing in the bones. His hip and SI joint all healed BEAUTIFULLY, but his Right Femur wasn't showing any healing after 6 months and his Left Fibula (though a person can live a normal life with a broken one) Brians' was bothering him being left unsupported. A week before Christmas he went in for another surgery. They removed the rod in his Femur and replaced it with a new, larger one- which also in essence provided his body with graft material to fill in the gap where the break hadn't healed. They also went in and secured a plate and screws to his Fibula to provide support and hopefully be more comfortable for Brian when he walks. All in all, he had surgery on both legs again, putting him back in a wheelchair (for much shorter recovery though). When we were in Boise he was doing great! They seem to think the surgery was successful and he "shouldn't" need any more surgery.. We'lll hope :-)
 

Uncle Brian got a new remote controlled helicopter for Christmas (boys never outgrow toys :-) and Connor thought that was the coolest thing to watch, between the lights on it and the fact that it was flying around the room, he'd sit on Bri's lap until the batteries died watching it :-)

This is such a precious picture!!!

Here is a video of the boys flying the helicopter

Nicole's cousin Derek and his wife and 2 girls also came for a night, they were very enthralled with Brians wheelchair.. and Brian is so good with kids that he quickly became the favorite person to hang out with! :-) Harper (1.5 yr) is on his lap and Adley (I think 5) is pushing.

Connor with Harper..

Adley reading books with Connor :-)

Some very good friends of ours have a son, also named Connor, who is playing basketball for the University of Idaho. On New Years Eve, U of I played BSU- So Brian, Jeremy, Connor and Nicole went to watch him play.

Jeremy and Connor at Connors first College ball game :-)

Nicole, Brian and Connor at the game.

Connor got lots of attention from the girls!.. ALREADY.. we better watch out :-)

The whole family at the game..

Connor was exhausted by about halfway through the game, but I was able to keep him awake until it was over, Brian offered to hold him on the way out so I could push his wheelchair through the crowds of people.,. within minutes he started sagging to one side, and by the time we got to the car, this is what he looked like :-) I LOVE it.... We pretty much all looked like that.. None of us even stayed up until midnight, does that mean we're getting old?

Connor's new fascination is with wheels, or anything that spins.. He spent a great deal of time in this spot the week I was in Boise ;-)

Here are 3 adorable videos that capture Connors new love and fascination for wheels! I joked with Jeremy about having to by a wheelchair to have at our house after seeing how much Connor enjoyed Brians.

Connor and Brian having a conversation

Connor drives Brians wheelchair

Connor spins the wheels.... for a long time (video captures about a minute of the 45 minutes he spent doing this :-)

We are back to Omak for a while now. We have 2 rentals that we've been getting ready to rent (one required almost a complete remodel) so Jeremy has been spending every spare minute there and I've tried to fit as much of the work in as I can with Connor in tow. I also started working part time at a little kids store in town, mostly for the socialization Connor and I will get (I get to take him to work, which the only reason I took the job!). Jeremy starts another relay project at work next weekend, so he'll be worknig 6- 10's for a while ;-( Life is busy busy busy.. as usual! Hoping things will slow down for us......someday :-) but that is most likely wishful thinking! :-)  Can't believe it's already 2012, and that Connor is almost a year old!!! Where has the time gone? Here's to a wonderful, productive, memorable year!