Cuddle Monkey

One of the cutest things Connor does, that I absolutely love, is hold on for dear life by grabbing hold of my shirt or finger while I'm holding him. He's got quite the grip and we were noticing last night that he was squeezing so tight that his little knuckles were turning white. There is something so snuggly & sweet about feeling his little grasp on my shirt or hand, as if he is saying, "Mom, I trust you to not let go or let me fall. But just in case, I'm holding on as tight as I can." I think it reminds me of a little monkey clinging to its mother - and that may explain why every time he does it, I start humming "You'll Be In My Heart" from Disney's "Tarzan"!

I know it appears as if he is looking for dinner in this photo, but he had actually just nursed and was fast asleep - slipping down the front of me slowly while gripping my shirt.

Baa Baa, BAD Sheep!

On Saturday, the kids and I enjoyed picking some of the fresh produce that made a comeback after the hail storm that pulverized the garden in June. We picked a basketful of small tomatoes, about 25 jalepenos (in addition to the 50 or so we picked the week before!) several carrots (the only ones there were) and 3 beets (out of the huge row that survived!) I set the basket on the steps and ran into the house to grab a camera to take a picture of the kids with their bounty. As I was reaching the door to head back out, I hear panicked, sobbing, screaming. I open the door to "Blackie's eating our VEGETABLES!" Caroline was truly concerned, and Blackie was enjoying a deluxe salad! We managed to get them all picked up and the lamb shooed away which resulted in a much calmer little girl.

One Month Old!

I can't believe it was a month ago today that Connor arrived! The time has really flown and he seems so big already sometimes. I just want it all to slow down! He is such a good baby - he rarely cries and mostly just fusses when he's got a little bubble or gas. He's smiled at different family members several times in the last week (but I was first!) Around the time he turned 2 weeks old, he decided he'd try out sleeping through the night. We enjoyed 3 or 4 nights of bliss and then he discovered that wasn't for him. But he usually only gets up once, around 2 or 3, for which I am very grateful, though still tired! And just for kicks & giggles, I pulled out my measuring tape today, and near as I can tell, he's added another inch to his length for a total of 23 inches. He's recently discovered his voice and I love to hear his little coos. What a sweet baby he is and how grateful I am everyday for his presence in our home and the spirit he brings, so fresh from heaven.

My boys. I love saying that! (being from a family of 7 girls).

Connor was smiling at Clayton but everytime I tried to snap a picture, he'd throw his arm up, sortof like he was trying to wave "hello" to the camera.

It's Always Fun When Family Comes, When Family Comes, Hooray!

Photos of our family visiting, in random order because I'm trying to do this all before Connor & Clayton wake up from their naps and also because Caroline wants to play and I don't get a lot of one-on-one with her these days...

Caroline cried when Mona & Papa left on Friday. She took her time enjoying them and giving them lots of loves before they pulled out of the driveway.

Laying a big surprise smooch on Mona!

Clayton was not to be outdone by Caroline and had to copy her.

Giving Papa a goodbye hug.

Caroline & Clayton enjoyed "helping" Papa with all the projects he found around our house. I have lots of new places for storage thanks to Dad!

Mona & Connor enjoying some cuddle time!

Dad Butler & Dad Redd putting up a very nice new railing for the stairs up to the deck. It was so fun to watch them together!

Papa enjoying his new grandson.

I went to check on Connor and he had pulled the flap of his blanket over his head. It was so cute!

Connor found his thumb. With Mona's help.

I didn't have to change many diapers while the family was here. I had lots of help. Particularly from Marilyn & Nanny. Nan just didn't want to chance getting anything on her clothes, so she always covered up with my old housecoat.

Papa took Caroline & Clayton on a walk his first morning here. They had a blast! It was so cute to watch them walk past the house in the morning mist. Notice the leash Caroline has attached to Papa's belt loop. She wanted to make sure he wouldn't get lost.

Mar sharing Tic-tacs with Clayton. (How to win friends and influence nephews...)

Clayton & Cindy (He was very happy because she kept giving him Tic-tacs, too!)

Caroline loves her Aunt Cindy!

Cindy & Caroline

Marilyn, Connor & Nanny

Connor & Nanny - I LOVE this photo!

Cindy & Connor

Marilyn & Connor

Marilyn made a birthday cake with 6 candles - 4 for Caroline who will celebrate her birthday later this month and 2 for Clayton who celebrated his in August. We had a little party for both of them where they were showered with gifts from their aunties, Papa & Mona.

Connor's Blessing Day

We blessed Connor in Sacrament Meeting last week (September 6), and were so lucky to have both sets of Grandparents there that day as well as 3 visiting aunties in addition to our regular Butler crew here. I didn't get a close up picture of just Connor in his blessing outfit, and am missing photos of the Butler bunch (they all skedaddled so fast after dinner that we didn't get any.) But since the Redd family members were all staying at our house, we managed a couple of shots with them right after we got home from church. Thanks to Adam (a friend of one of my sisters who made it possible for her to come!!!) we were able to get everyone in that was there.

Marilyn, Caroline, Millie, Connor, Jake, Clayton, Papa Redd, Mona Redd, Lucinda & Nannette

Clayton "petting" Connor - he was doing it in the family photo, too and Adam got some great shots. Don't mind my retarded looking hair - the wind was insane!

Connor's blessing outfit was one that I actually made for Clayton. But then when Clayton arrived and was 9 lbs. 9 oz., my sister Cindy who was staying with me at the time held it up next to him and just shook her head. There was no way he'd fit into it as a newborn, let alone 7 weeks later when we blessed him. So I ended up making him a new one and just held onto the original. Since Connor was much smaller than we anticipated and we blessed him when he was 2 weeks old verses seven, it was a perfect fit!

Connor's blessing outfit.

Connor & Clayton's outfits side by side.

Deep Thoughts, by Connor Butler

Just Too Cute!

In the craziness of adjusting to life with 3 kids, I've found it a little hard to find time to post. But I've taken lots of pictures of our busyButler babies. Mostly because, well, they're just so cute! So here's a sample of things that have been happening around here:

Clayton really loves his baby brother and asks frequently if he can "pet" him. He lovingly strokes his little head, arms, hands & legs. So sweet!

Connor loves to stretch out when I lay him in the sunshine.



Er, naptime with Daddy. Jake offered to lay down with the kids so I could have a break. I heard giggling about 10 minutes later and went to see what was up. Well, the kids were. Up climbing the bed. Clayton looked like a litte monkey and was so proud of himself that he was hanging from the top bunk. Check out Daddy, zonked out on Caroline's bed in the background.

Connor is pretty smiley in his sleep. I love it and could watch and snap pictures all day!

Caroline & Clayton have recently decided that they need to sleep in the same bed (I think it's because they shared the big bed at Uncle Pete & Aunt Sarah's the two nights that Jake & I were at the hospital.)


A little down time with Daddy, watching the tube. I was supposedly making dinner.

Caroline, all ready for church on Sunday. It was pretty chilly, so she's all bundled up and looked so pretty with all those bright flowers in the garden!