Parker's 18 month check up

At yesterday's 18 month well check, Parker was 24 lbs 8 oz (30%) and 31.75" tall (38%) with a head circumference of 19 3/4 (97%).  So he's small with a big head.  Nothing new there. :)   He didn't have to get any shots (the one Hepatitis one on the radar will wait til his 2 year visit).

As for what he's up to developmentally, he is saying new words all the time.  Ball, no, mama, dada, bue (for blue), reh (for red), sissy, egg, juice, eyes, nose, hi, tank you, ty ty, ma-ie (for maddie), fower (for flower), choo choo, walk, pay (for play), yum yum and nigh nigh are the ones that come to mind as his most said.  He says other things (yes grandparents, he says your names though he's out of practice).  He strings a few two word phrases together but mostly only "hi with whomever is on the receiving end" or a repition two word phrase he hears.  That's what's so cool about this age, is his skills with hearing and repeating. 

I told the dr. that poopy diapers are irritating him and he's starting to notify me of them now and won't sit in them anymore and she said that whenever I'm ready, he is ready to start potty training.  Yikes!  I will probably tackle that before 2 ... maybe around 20-22 months.  It's me who is resisting.  

He's currently wearing size 12-18 month clothing, size 4 diapers, and size 6.5 wide shoes.  Though when we move into size 7s we will be able to make the move to regulars because he foot has considerably narrowed as he's leaned out.  His favorite toys are trains and cars and oddly, loves houses with little people.  He loves to be outdoors and now prefers to run as opposed to being pushed in any sort of wagon/buggy/stroller on our walks.  Why?  Because running is way more fun!  My sentiments exactly, son. :)

The kids love going to the gym every week day with mommy and also love playgrounds.  Parker had a fear of tunnels but has overcome it.  He had a hard time crawling but has finally figured out how to do it.  He is all about making noises and knows about 10 animal noises when you ask him.  Dogs make him laugh with delight (the bigger the better) and I love that he has that love for animals, rather than fear.  Our neighbors have a huge lab and he runs right up and hugs her.  Brings a tear to my eye. :)  I feel like he is just turning into such a little boy and it's so fun to be his mommy!!!

18 months is a super fun age!

Great Wolf Lodge

Shay came up to Dallas for a Cheer Convention and asked us to come see her at Great Wolf Lodge yesterday!  We'd never been and I was a little skeptical that there would be anything for Parker to do there but I also knew that Carleigh would have an amazing time plus we wanted to see Aunt Shay!  So we went.

We weren't even half expecting the awesomeness that awaited us!!!  Firstly, thankfully, Shay got us all in for free.  $80 a piece for Carleigh and me would have been a bit hard to swallow.  As for what all there was to do, it was a haven for kids of all ages, 1 on up to 15!  I declined getting life jackets for the kids because of what their swim coaches have told us at their classes (and the water in most of the areas we went in wasn't over hip height.  Even still, I had to keep a watchful eye on Parker.  But he utilized so many of his swimming techniques in the water especially as it rose up to his shoulder line!  It was remarkable!  He wasn't scared and reached for the walls when necessary!  Made me feel good about where our money has been going.  The kids enjoyed the toddler area and toddler slides for a while, until discovering the wave pool.  Parker was a maniac in there!  It was hilarious to watch him laugh at the approaching waves and even get pummeled by them and just get right back up!

Towards the end, Carleigh and Shay went on to the big slides, thinking they could get on them together.  When they were told they had to ride individually, Carleigh didn't back down, and just did it!  Over and over and over again!  Too bad they waiting til it was almost time to go to venture onto those!  Carleigh said the big slides were her favorite part! 

Thanks, Aunt Shay for having us and for the most fun we've had in the water ever!!!

Easter morning egg hunt

Easter morning continued with an egg hunt, super early because of our early birds and because of the threat of rain.  That didn't bother Carleigh and Parker.  Carleigh was excited to see what was in the eggs and Parker was just stoked about all the "balls" ... soon after he finally caught on to the word "eggs."

Post egg hunt, the kids enjoyed their sugar rush.  Well, Carleigh did while Parker just played with the plastic eggs.  The Easter Bunny went back home for the year and all the trinkets in the Easter baskets seemed to disappear over the next 24 hours, as well.  Funny how that happens...

Easter Morning

No sleeping in on Easter! Too much excitement! 6:15 am and the kids were downstairs and ready to go! With Bubba and Gigi not here (hence they sent their gifts), and Mimi, Papaw and Shay visiting, Easter morning resembled Christmas morning a little. Carleigh was amazed that the Easter Bunny was so generous!!!

Well, that was fun!

Dying Easter Eggs!

The day before Easter, Mimi and Carleigh got to work on dying Easter eggs!  I should say dying and "blinging" out Easter eggs!  Carleigh wanted very little help, of course!  Little Miss Independent!

 She was very careful with the glue and very proud of her finished product!

Shay, meanwhile, kept this guy busy with coloring books.  Not an easy task considering he thought the eggs were balls!!!