Outings, New Coats and Cuteness: Nov 26-Dec1

It's almost December, but winter weather hasn't quite reached Wuhu which is great because Connor loves being outside! 

Often, we walk in the downtown shopping area called "Walking Street" (a pedestrian only area), around an adjacent lake, or we'll take a short stroll around our campus. 

Christian holding Connor on Walking Street. Nov 29
Also check out Connor sporting some nice winter booties.

We've found some fun treats on Walking Street. For example, the cup Christian is holding comes from a shop called "Come Wonka" a drink shop which started in the capital of Anhui province, Hefei. Come Wonka is known for making really great milk tea drinks. They also give suckers to kids - including Connor a few times.

On campus:
Photos of Kim and Connor smiling at the same
time while he's in the Bjorn aren't easy to snap.
If only Kim would be more cooperative! Nov 29

Since Connor is starting to become more alert and aware of his surroundings - and because he's getting stronger (especially with his neck!) we decided we should try him in the Bjorn carrier in a forward facing position. As you can see Connor loved this new experience!

People who saw us out also loved this experience. We heard a lot of people say "好可爱!" as they passed us which basically means "cute!" He tends to draw some attention here because most people here haven't seen a foreign baby in real life before.
Since we are his parents, we are a bit biased, but we think he's pretty darn cute too! If proof is needed, check out this adorable triptych below. Nov 27

< More about the photo: We placed his "I <3 Daddy" bib (thanks Katrina!) on him because he's really into biting things and we didn't necessarily want him biting the front of the Bjorn.]

Unfortunately, good weather can't last forever. On hearing news that winter weather is on the way to Wuhu, we set out to buy some winter coats. The first person to get a new coat was Kim who bought a hooded long

Dec 1

red knit coat with tan faux fur trim and black frog buttons. More pictures of this coat will follow in subsequent blog posts.
Here you can see Connor is back to facing inward... since he was completely conked out, we turned him inward. Poor guy.
Also, because he's forward facing, we've attached some links the Bjorn straps for him to chomp on in case he wakes up.

No pictures of Christian's coat this post, but look for them in subsequent posts! He bought a lovely black leather coat - a huge departure from the style in what he usually buys with great results!

Buying a coat for Connor was going to prove to be more of a challenge for us since we know nothing about buying coats for babies and what would actually be warm enough for him. We wanted something he'd be comfortable in, warm in,  and wouldn't outgrow in a week.  We also wanted avoid hearing passerby's telling us "太少了"  meaning "too little" as in the baby isn't wearing enough. So, we enlisted the help of Song, one of the 阿姨's (aunties, or caretakers) of the building to help us.

Unfortunately, it was raining when we went out and it did get a little cold. But following Song's advice we were able to buy Connor a great winter coat. His coat is mostly blue with white faux fur arms - apparently this kind of trimming is a popular fashion in China right now. The coat also has two adorable dog head shaped pockets, a detachable hood, and in accordance to Chinese baby clothes style the pants are bottomless. More pictures of this coat in subsequent posts.

Christian, Song and Connor showing off
Connor's new coat. Dec 1

Song, Kim and Connor crossing the road.
Check out Song's beautiful umbrella! Dec 1

Play Time = Time to Learn
Back at home, Connor has his now normal play time in the activity gym.
Right now he spends a lot of time staring at the toys in the gym. What is he thinking about as he studies these toys?

Connor staring at the musical bear. A favorite in part because
of it's flashing lights. Nov 29

This photo also shows off another of Connor's favorite new activities - pulling on his shirt collar.

< More about the photo: We've added the puzzle piece foam mat under the activity center to add a little more padding and to keep the mat off the floor. Besides that, we like the color it adds to the room!]

Close up of Connor studying the toys in his gym. Nov 26

Nap Time:

Connor drifting off Nov 26

Connor yawning Nov 26

Having a baby has made us realize that a babies' yawn is the most adorable, precious, and welcome thing in the world.



We love Connor-nap-time. It is always great to have him rest, not just so we get a break, but because he's always refreshed and ready to explore again when he wakes up!





Expressions:
A montage of some fun facial expressions we caught on Nov 26

.