Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Take Me Out To The Ballgame....

Since baseball season is right around the corner, Parker and I hosted a boys only basball playdate. We had some ballpark food (very unhealthy), played with lots of balls and sported our baseball gear. So much fun!



(Cruz)

(Parker & Austin)

(Luke looking for his baseball hat)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

One Year Ago....

....I was 3 months pregnant and attending my sister's wedding. Happy 1st Anniversary Meagan and Hector!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Playdate at Michelle & Austin's House

It's been a really weird week for us. Parker has been really fussy and we thought it was him teething and have been treating it accordingly. He slept most of the day on Monday, we missed storytime on Wednesday because of a long nap and I missed a game night with the girls. And the weather has been unpredictable. So, it was really nice to have a playdate today with some of our friends. Michelle and Austin were great hosts and Parker did ok for the most part. Here are some of the pics I got today:

Parker eating Austin's "D".....
Cruz, he is so cool....11 months old, with a mohawk and walking.....
Our host, Austin....he's always smiling, except for in this picture.....
Little boy Will.....Stroller Skating buddy.....
I took Parker to the doctor this afternoon for an ear check. They are all clear but his throat is really red. Dr. Eastman did a Strep test and it was negative (Praise God!). I don't really need anymore proof that our boy has allergies. There is not much you can do for a 6 month old so we'll continue what we are doing for now.

Tomorrow we are meeting Bryan for lunch and then we are going to see the Easter Bunny. I hope Parker feels up to it and has fun. We are gearing up and counting down the days until we are home for Easter!!!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sleeping & Spring

The little boy above has slept in his big boy bed WITHOUT his carseat for 2 straight nights! We are so excited. We knew it would be a little slow at first but he is doing a lot better than we were expecting. And he is soooo excited to see us in the mornings when we go in to get him.

The picture above was taken this morning. We are on our way to look for some shoes for Easter. I wanted to share this picture because we went last week to get some spring and summer clothes and the shorts are 9 months and the shirt is 12 months. They are a little big but by summer, they should fit perfectly. Also, if I had a dime for everytime someone said to us "he doesn't miss a meal, does he?", I would have his college paid for! OK, really? I called the doctor yesterday to make sure we are not feeding him too much. Nurse Jan said to feed him as much as he will eat and start feeding him what we are eating. I guess once he starts scooting and crawling, all that "baby fat" will go away. The little rolls and fat cheeks don't bother us.....it's just more for us to kiss!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Look What I Found!

We've been going through a study/office remodel here at our house so as I was organizing all of Parker's keepsakes, I came across his hospital pictures. They don't do "old school" hospital pictures anymore - it's a full blown photo-shoot in your hospital room! This is one of my favorites! How can you not look at this picture and be reminded of Psalm 139:14?

Sunday, March 21, 2010

"There Will Be Some Flurries But It Will Not Stick...."

.....this according to the weather guy! I promise to stop hating on the weather people but they got this one way wrong! 5" in the low spots @ 5:30am this morning and it's still coming down.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

My Momma Said....

......she likes her men in tight pjs! Those are not tights....those are pj pants for your information!

P.S. - it is currently snowing outside! I believe today is the first day of Spring but you wouldn't know it...HA!

We're Moving Up!

Today was our first Level 2 (L2) class at Gymboree. Since Parker is 6 months old and sitting up without support, we decided that it was time. It's kinda sad to leave some of our friends behind in Level 1 but they will be joining us in the next month or so. Gabrielle moved up with us so we were excited to see a familar face. The L2 class does a lot more moving and more social interaction. Here are some pictures we got today:




Friday, March 19, 2010

A Week of Nice Weather Brings a Chance of Snow?

That's right, SNOW! I am ready for the nice weather to come and stay. I think Parker likes being outside but since it's either too windy, too cold or raining, he really hasn't had that many days outside. I am looking forward to the next couple months of being outside before the heat comes. Here are a couple pictures I took on Thursday while we were outside visiting with the neighbors. Parker did not want to look at me for a picture.



Six Month Photos

I had to post this one because it's my favorite!

What Am I Suppose To Do?

Again this morning after breakfast and while I was warming up his bottle, Parker fell asleep in his jumper. So, do I just let him sleep there or do I get him out? This morning I got him out, fed him a bottle and then he was ready to play. Really?

Thursday, March 18, 2010

P-I-T-I-F-U-L

After a long day at Northpark for lunch and Baby Bounce, playing outside with the neighbors and a big dinner, this is what we found in the jumper. So pitiful, I tell ya! He woke himself up a couple times and went right back to jumping. It was pretty cute. He had a 30 minute morning nap and a 45 minute afternoon nap while Cheryl, Luke and I walked around the mall.

I guess this would be a great time to tell or brag about Parker's new sleeping location.....IN HIS ROOM!!! It is so nice to have my room back. I thought I would miss him being in there but I don't! Is that terrible or what? I can sit in bed and read and Bryan loves the fact that he can watch ESPN before he goes to bed. For the most part, Parker is sleeping through the night and thanks to the time change, he has been waking up around 7:30am. Now, he is still sleeping in his carseat and still naps in my arms, BUT we are working on one thing at a time. We need to get him use to sleeping in his room and then we will work on moving him out of his carseat.

Now I hope that I don't have to post tomorrow that he was up all night.....

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Playing @ Home

I was trying to find some "games" to play with Parker on the days that we stay home. Someone online mentioned taking a bucket of some sort and some blocks and putting the blocks in the bucket and then dumping the blocks out. Do it several times, which teaches cause and effect, and then see if baby will do it. So, today is our "at home" day so I thought I would give it a try.

I put the blocks in the bucket and Parker looked inside:
He kept looking inside and I just knew he was going to grab a block:
He, however, had a different plan:
He is putting EVERYTHING in his mouth! So for Mimi and Grandpa, that means Parker will be happy to clean your floors for you while we are there for Easter! We have in the last couple months been able to PROVIDE (ha!) Parker will some new toys but his favorite toy right now is the Vtech Ladybug that he got from Grandma because it moves everywhere. He would like to go after it but he can't figure out how that all works. We'll keep trying.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

St. Patty's Day Playdate

On our way to a GREEN playdate in the new "big boy" carseat....
All the babies in their GREEN outfits....
Parker in a big GREEN hat....
Brenda and Elena (Parker's new GF....see them holding hands in the group pic above)....
And thanks to Libby, a pic of Parker and me....

Monday, March 15, 2010

Thank You!

Dear Daddy,

I know I can't tell you and Mommy hasn't told you in a while but we want to say thank you for letting us stay home. We know you work hard all day to make it possible for Mommy to stay home with me and I am starting to realize that I am one lucky boy! Today while we were at the Arboretum, Ms. Cheryl was telling Mommy how happy she is that she is able to stay home with Luke so that got us to thinking that sometimes we take advantage of this opportunity. So Daddy, we just wanted to say thanks! You are my hero!

The only thing that would have made this day better is if you could have been there with us at the Arboretum. But, I will look forward to all the fun things we do on the weekends!

Love,
Parker (and Mommy)

A Day at the Arboretum

Today we met Cheryl, Luke, Libby and Brenden at the Arboretum. The last time we visited, Parker was only a couple weeks old.....my how times have changed! It was a PERFECT day to go because the weather was nice and all of the beautiful flowers were in bloom. On Mondays and Tuesdays they have a lot of kid activities and with it being Spring Break, there were a lot of them there. Here are some pics from today:

Parker at the Petting Zoo....not really caring much about the pony:

Luke.....chilling out:

Libby & Brenden....isn't his hat cute:

Parker feeling grass for the first time:

And now the boy sleeps:


Saturday, March 13, 2010

GNO

I went out last night with a group of friends for a GNO and had a blast! It's been so long since I've been out with the girls but I have NOT forgotten how to have a good time (or prepare for one):

My GNO checklist:
-Dump all "baby stuff" out of purse
-Wear lots of shiny jewelry
-Take your time (1 hour) getting all dolled up
-Put on perfume
-Buy a new accessory (hot pink scarf)
-Turn off the Veggie Tales CD in the car and put on some Bon Jovi

It seems that as parents we make so many, big and small, sacrifices for our kids and sometimes we lose apart of ourselves in the process. But little things like husband date nights and GNO allow us time away from our kids to rejuvenate. It's a must!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Footprints Playdate

Katy and Baby Blake (ha....only our family members will laugh at this!) hosted a playdate today and we did our first craft....footprints! In the picture below, Parker's print is the last one on the tray. We had a good time but didn't stay as long as we would normally....we had to get home for a nap.

(Below: Neon, who is Noah's Mom, and Parker)

(Below: Cute picture of the mommies and their babies)

(Below: Noah and Brenden, who is also in our Gymboree class)

(Below: Noah and Parker checking out a really cool and loud toy)


Six Month Check-Up

Parker's six month check-up was yesterday and his growth measurements are:

Weight: 19lbs 15oz
Height: 27.5"
Head: 47cm

Dr. Eastman said Parker is doing very well! I love going to these visits because we learn so much! I love that Dr. Eastman is seasoned, he gives us time to get all of our questions answered and gives us tons of written information. Here are the questions I had for him and his answers:

1) How is his ear? It looks great! The medication is doing it's job.
2) Can Parker swim? Can we start swim lessons? Yes and Yes...as long as Parker doesn't go under water.
3) Does Parker have allergies? Do we need to visit an allergist? We should wait another 2-3 months before going to the eye doctor for the tear duct issue and wait until 12 months before going to an allergist.
4) Is Parker eating too much? No, at this point, Parker will let you know when he is and isn't hungry. His weight is perfect and there is nothing to be concerned about right now.
5) Any advice on sleeping, since we are still using the carseat? Keep him in the seat until he is ready for his bed. The shape of his head is just fine and I (Dr. Eastman) had a child that slept in her carseat until she was 9 months old. He is able to sleep on his belly now so that might help in the transition.
6) At the 9 month check-up, will there be any shots? No, but there will be some blood work.
7) Is Parker getting enough milk? He should be getting 24 - 32oz per day.

That was about all I had. Some of the new things that we can start:

-Baby proofing
-3 meals per day
-Offer soft table foods
-Use of a sippy cup

(Above: teething biscuit AND a mum-mum)

(No time like the present to start with the sippy cup)

Also, we are happy to report that Parker rolled from his back to his stomach on Sunday night. I was soooo happy that Bryan was home to see it. We've been working on rolling for a week or two. Now we are on to crawling. Parker is still putting his butt in the air and now he is pushing his arms/chest up.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Happy 1/2 Birthday, My Sweet Boy!

We had us a little party to celebrate Parker's 1/2 Birthday! We had some cake (1/2 of a cake, of course), presents and one big mess! Can you believe it's been 6 months already???