Adding Another Piece to My Mac-universe?

Posted in: Family, Home by Steve on April 23, 2010 | No Comments

So after getting my first Macbook, I am again considering adding another Apple product.  This time, it’s not just for me.

The iPad looks like a wonderful device.  I can see myself using it for the web and email quite frequently on the couch and with my son (2 years old already, wow).  The app store would be wonderful for getting game for him to play.  We would be able to play videos and music for him in the car.  We are also embarking on a vacation soon and he is going on his first airplane ride. 

I am looking to minimize the inconvenience for all parties involved, including my son.  I would like to keep his attention for more than an hour watching the Muppet Show or Clone Wars and not thinking about the fact that he is flying.  The pressure changes are going to be hard enough.  Between any apps that I get and the videos, I’m hoping that instead of bringing my laptop, the iPad will be easier to bring with on the trip and take less room. 

I’ve searched and found a few toddler apps on the store, but since I don’t have an iPod or iPhone, this will be my first experience with the app store.  What apps to people with kids install?

I am still mulling over this idea, considering every bullet point before pulling the trigger.  If you have any suggestions, I’m willing to hear them.

Safety First follow up

Posted in: Family by Steve on December 15, 2009 | No Comments

After our first incident with Conner climbing out of his crib, we had a few choices to make regarding our safety layout of the 2nd floor.  The first was to get Conner into a toddler bed and completely baby-proof the whole upstairs.  This included the baby gate, door locks and other safety gear.  Knowing how Conner behaves when he wants something, we knew that this was going to take a lot of time and a lot of patience.  With my wife in school and interning under her principal, the time factor would have been a large strain, not only on us, but on Conner too. He is too active to sleep in a bed on his own right now.

Our second option (which we ended up going with) was a crib tent. This would solve our issue of Conner climbing out of the crib, and not having to teach him to sleep in a new bed.  Besides, this is what he was used to sleeping in at daycare.  He was already used to this so this was also a plus.

Now, the problem we ran into with the tent was that it did not fit on his sleight style crib.  We ended up buying a new crib for him so that the tent would fit. 

He now has gotten used to sleeping in the new crib and we haven’t had any incidents at all.  Thanks for all the suggestions,

Safety First

Posted in: Family by Steve on October 6, 2009 | 3 Comments

We’ve had quite the eventful day today.  Conner climbed out of his crib this morning and fell out onto his stomach.  He banged up his chin a little bit and there’s a mark on his tongue.  But after 10 minutes of crying, he was back to normal.

This, obviously, is something a parent never wants to go through (again). So we’re finally installing all the safety stuff we got at the shower, and as random gifts, and as we bought them.

After work today, my wife and I set out on a mission to find a crib tent so he would be able to climb out.  After we purchased one, we tried to fit it on his crib and it doesn’t fit.  Our next idea is to remove the big rail on the side of his bed and replace it with a smaller one, like those used in toddler beds.  This makes him more mobile, and we are now trying to baby-proof the upstairs.  This has proven to be more work that we had originally thought. 

First, we baby-proofed the cabinets in the bathroom.  That took a lot longer than necessary.  We also added some folding closet door locks so he can’t get into random closets to pull down clothes or irons…

Next, we want to have a gate at the top of our stairs.  The problem is that we don’t have a flat surface to mount the hardware to.  Also, a lot of the gates are too tall to fit under the banister, so we are limited in the gates that we can use. 

NOTE: We can’t mount the gate in this picture from the left because our bathroom door is there.  We have to use the area between the stairwell and the banister.

We purchased a gate a year ago and it never fit, so it’s sitting in my office keeping the dog company.

So we’re really looking for some advice on how we can get the gate in here. If anyone has any ideas, we’d be all ears.

Vote for Conner in WGN’s Beautiful Babies Contest

Posted in: Family by Steve on July 6, 2009 | No Comments

Being proud parents, we entered our son, Conner,  into a “Beautiful Baby” contest being held by WGN Radio in Chicago.   The winner gets $5,000 and a professional photo shoot.  Please show your support to Conner and vote for him as often as possible! 

Here is the link to vote: http://beautifulbabies.trb.com/wgnam/babies_home_gallery,0,4750051,permalink.ugcphotogallery?u=underwhelmed

Thanks everyone, and Conner thanks you too!

New Addition

Posted in: Family by Steve on April 18, 2008 | No Comments

I’m pleased to announce the arrival of Conner Matthew Wright to the world. He was born via C-Section today, April 18, 2008 at 12:23 PM. He is 5 lbs. and 19″ long. He and his mother are doing fine. Here is one of his first pictures:

Presenting, the Newest Member of the Family

Posted in: Family by Steve on December 21, 2007 | No Comments

It’s a Boy!

I guessed it was a boy, Debbie thought it was a girl (until this morning).  It’s okay though, I got to choose where we went to dinner.