1st Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my sweet mom and all the other moms out there.

I had a great first Mother's Day.  It started with cake for breakfast in bed.  We went out to lunch and to the park.  And my favorite part of the day was snuggling with my sweetie for over an hour nap.  I love him so much!

9 months old

Parker is 9 months old.  He looks like such a little boy here!

He had his 9-month check-up today, and his stats are:
     Weight:  21 lbs, 12 oz (75th percentile)
     Height:  31 1/4 in (97th percentile)
My mom looked up my stats, and this is pretty much the size I was when I was twice his age (18 months).  Big baby!  He has officially outgrown his infant car seat.  We bought his big-boy seat a few weeks ago and plan to install it this week.  It's MAJOR with armrests and a cup holder. 

Parker had his first cold this week -- poor baby; he was congested for several days but seemed ok besides that.  I feel terrible because I gave it to him.  He's been in a great mood today, so I think he's finally over it.

The day after my last post where I lamented about his inability to get into a sitting position on his own, he learned to do just that!  Within 24 hours, he was a pro.  This skill has been one of the best ones so far.  It's great for him to be able to get back up when he falls over.  However, he can now sit up in his crib, so we have to lower the mattress so he doesn't pull up and fall out.

 

Parker started splashing so much in his tub that we finally moved his baby tub out of the kitchen sink into the real bathtub.  He seems to enjoy it in there. 

It's getting hard to get him to sit still for pictures.  These are some of his antics from earlier this week when I was trying to take a picture.  Silly baby.

At 9 months, Parker enjoys:
     Little People figurines and farm
     board books, particularly ones with textures or flaps
     balls
     blocks
     cars, trucks, trains
     baby "mp3 player"
     wood farm puzzle
     walking in his walker
     looking in the mirror
     splashing in the bath
     making loud noises with his voice and by banging toys
     eating
     peek-a-boo
     swinging upside down
     "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "If You're Happy and You Know It," and "The Hokey Pokey." 
He's still a sweet snuggler when he takes the time to relax.

I knew that pregnancy would change my body, but I was not expecting the bizarre effect of all of my pants sagging down.  For months, my old pants have been falling down when I wear them, so I've bought some smaller pants.  They are falling off, too!  I bought an even smaller size over the weekend, wore them around the house with the tags on, and realized that I need to return them because they sag.  What gives??  An even smaller size won't zip.  I have no idea what's going on.  I know that I lost some of my booty when I had Parker, but this is just crazy.  Is this why some ladies resort to "mom jeans?"  I just can't....  Wish me luck as I try to find a brand that will stay up.

Until next time...

There are no sick days when you are a SAHM

Some days are full of smiles, giggles, and adventure, and I give myself a pat on the back for being a good mom.  Then, there are days like yesterday when our simple goal is to make it until Himal gets home from work.  I've had a bad cold for a couple of days and have learned that there's no such thing as a sick day for a stay-at-home mom, at least during the work week.  Himal was a great help over the weekend and brought me lunch yesterday, but while "dada" is at work, Parker doesn't care that I'm sick.  He still needs me to lift his heavy self up to the changing table, walk around the house holding his hands, and pull him in his wagon.

We made it through yesterday with a few smiles and I got a big kiss from Parker as I was putting him to bed, so we'll call it a successful day.  Luckily, I'm starting to feel better.

We've enjoyed the nice spring weather lately but had to brave the rain for the March of Dimes walk with our Stroller Strides team.  We got a kick out of our family's coordinated shirts for the event.

Time flies so quickly!  Parker is almost 9 months old.  Pretty soon, the little munchkin will be driving.  He's been practicing with daddy.

In addition to driving, P enjoys holding our hands and kicking a ball around the house.  I'm pretty sure soccer is in his future.  He still isn't crawling, so maybe he's going to skip that stage like I did.  He's been able to sit alone for a while but falls over frequently; I think he leans to grab things and loses his balance (as seen here while trying to grab Jules).

Then, he cries until we set him upright.  I will be happy when he can stay up or get back up on his own.    
Happy May!  I will post soon with the 9 month picture.

Catching up

Parker is over 8 months old now!

He is at such a fun age.  We really enjoy hanging out with him because he's such an easygoing and sweet fellow most of the time.  We love exploring new places as a family such as the local parks, children's museum, festivals, etc.  He has 6 teeth:

Cheese!

and he's getting to the age where he can enjoy fun toys like these:

 

Parker is ticklish and giggles sweetly when I tickle his feet or neck.  He also loves to clap and shake his head no.  He's is so cute when he does that and wants you to join in on the fun.  When I start singing "If You're Happy and You Know It" or "The Hokey Pokey," he immediately starts clapping.  He also squeals when the Itsy Bitsy Spider starts climbing the water spout.  Adorable!!

He doesn't crawl or walk yet, but he lurches his body towards what he wants and enjoys walking while holding onto our hands.  He has started giving us kisses regularly; he reaches out his big hands, opens his mouth wide, and pulls us close to slobber on our cheeks/nose/whatever.  Sooooo very precious!

He now rides in the shopping cart:

and eats finger foods which makes eating out much easier because he is entertained in the high chair.

He also is a pro at lounging:

People think we pose him with his hands behind his head, but that's his natural lounging style.

Parker celebrated his first St. Patrick's Day by going to a festival where he enjoyed dancing and the swings.

He celebrated his first Easter at his grandparents' house where he dyed eggs,

We had some crazy-looking eggs this year.

met their mini horses,

helped Mr. Big mow the pasture,

swang at the park (he LOVES swinging),

got his first Easter basket,

and hunted eggs.

This baby is STYLISH!

He has also been busy with the ladies.  He went to an egg hunt with his gal pal Lily:

and then had to fend off her kisses on another date.  LOL!

He also met his newest girlfriend Piper:

Auntie M came to visit so that I could work on my dissertation, and she and Parker had a blast hanging out together.  He loves his auntie, and they had a ball playing in his new pool. Naked.  In the front yard.  He may or may not have pooped in the pool.  I'm not going to say!

That was a lot to catch you up on, and I'll try to do better going forward.  I'm hiring a sitter to watch Parker while I work a couple of afternoons a week, so I hope that will free up some of my evenings to do things like this that I enjoy instead of working.  Until next time....

Photo session

It's been too long since I've posted.  We've been busy with traveling, company, and work, but there's so much to catch you up on.  Parker had a great first St. Patty's Day and Easter and is developing such a cute personality.  I really think he's getting cuter and cuter each day.  Sometimes, I just can't stand the cuteness!

Until I find time to catch you up, here are some sneak peeks from a photo session we had on Easter weekend.  What a doll!

I am so blessed to be this sweetie's mommy.

CUTE OVERLOAD!!

Look at Parker's smirk and pose.  What a funny little guy.

Parker and his cats

I haven't updated the blog in a while, so I thought I'd post some pics of Parker and his kitties.  He loves them and coos and squeals when they walk by. 

He loves to pull and eat their tails.  Poor Gilligan.

Murray already knows where to be when Parker is eating.

Crowded bed!

Murray is behind the basket.  He is often close by when Parker is playing.

Higgs, Murray, and Parker

He really likes Gidget, and she is especially patient with him.  He pulls out clumps of hair.

Murray likes to curl up close.

Jules knows to stay just out of reach.

Gilligan and Parker - cute brothers.

And just because it amuses me so, here is a pic of Parker during a recent bath.  He LOVES bath time!

7

Seven is the number of the week in our house.  Parker turned 7 months old today,

and Himal and I will celebrate our 7-year anniversary tomorrow!

Parker's top right tooth can be seen below the gums, we are brushing his 2 bottom teeth twice a day, he's starting to reach his arms out to us when we are picking him up, and he continues to enjoy eating solids. 

He has some funny facial expressions while eating.  Silly baby!