Slide Maniac (Video)

It was only a matter of time before he gained confidence in his climbing abilities.  We've already been in trouble for awhile, but now, I'm really in for it with this little daredevil!



Never at a loss for things to do ....

Some days you have to get creative.  It's still nice out and what better way to spend a Wednesday than swimming amidst balls in the baby pools!

 

Parker couldn't get enough of the slides and Carleigh was all about being his protective mother hen! It's fair to say we all had a ball! 

Baking for Daddy!

Nothing like surprising Daddy with baked goodies made exclusively by Carleigh!

 

From start to finish, (with just a little help mixing completely), she prepared the cookie mix, which was one of her school's fundraiser items this year and let them cool in time for Daddy's arrival from work.

 

He got home and they tasted them together!

Just call her little Betty Crocker!  It was a cookie making/cookie eating success!!!

11 months old!

His first year is almost under his belt!  11 months already!  And what fun he has become!  I love this age and how curious and captivated he is by everything.  He is of course, still a handful, but luckily he's the cutest little guy ever, so we deal with it.

What Parker's been up to this past month:

-Climbing playgrounds with ease

- Saying "uh-oh", "Gaw" (after Carleigh says God),  "Pa-pa" (for Papaw), "ta-ta" (for TyTy) along with his existing vocabulary "mama," "dada," "baba," and "hi."

- Waves and holds phones and fake phones up to his ear.  He holds hairbrushes up to his head.

- Walks so fast, he practically runs.

- Caught Carleigh's cold, but luckily got over it without it turning into anything worse.

- Got ear tubes.

- We can finally say he is sleeping through the night without stipulation!  7:30 pm-5:30-6 am without waking.  Good things come to those who wait.

- 2 upper teeth finally broke skin but still need to come down, bringing tooth total to 4.  2 more upper teeth look like they are on their way in the next few weeks.

Parker's still hovering at 20 pounds.  He is wearing size 4 diapers and size 6-12 month clothing.  He wears a size 5.5 shoe (wide width), though in pedipeds he wears a 18-24 month, and crocs are wide enough to not need special width.

This past month I've really noticed that though he still looks like a baby, he is really becoming a toddler!  It's so remarkable.  Happy 11 months, little man!!!  We love you!

Parker's First Tampoline Experience (Video)

THIS is worth watching!

Parker Got Tubes!

Last Wednesday, Parker got bilateral tubes in his ears.  It was only a matter of time but after his 5th ear infection late last month and another treatment resistant one, we went ahead and scheduled it for this month.  We had to be at the surgery center at 6:30 am which meant fasting since 12:30 am and of course he wouldn't take but 2 oz. at a forced feeding at that time.

 This was at 7:30 am.   He was just STARVING!  I felt so bad.  That feeling was so foreign to him.  Then Dustin, who was at home with Carleigh, texted me an idea: take him outside.

Brilliant, Daddy! 

During pre-op, Parker was apprehensive and fussy (he was still super hungry and getting tired).  They finally took him back and the tube surgery only took a couple minutes.  He did great.

The hardest part was coming out of anesthesia, but I remembered this with Carleigh.  So I sat with him for about an hour and a half and let him cry on me. As hungry as he was, I guess the nauseous feeling was more intense, because he didn't eat until the afternoon that day.  Poor guy!  But by afternoon that day he was back to or close to normal.  We are hoping the tubes provide some relief IF and when an ear infection strikes in the future.

Two Little Monkeys

We play a game, an adaptation of 10 Little Monkeys, called 2 Little Monkeys, if you will, on our couch (instead of the bed) that the kids go nuts over!  The game requires Dustin and I both be there to man the perimeter in case Parker falls because he is uber-enthusiastic about this game.  The point of it is for the kids to run up and down the couch while we sing the song "10 Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed" and not fall down.  The first one to fall down loses that round.  I know Parker doesn't understand the rules, but this is now our catch all fix for when he is fussy!  It's like magic!!!

Talking strategy?

If I'm going down, you're coming with me!



Thankfully, in our game, no doctors have to be called!

Accessorizing for School

I have school pictures that show my love for accesorizing.  I said love, not skill.

I must have passed on that love to my daughter.  Love, not skill.

The other morning, before school, she picked out her outfit and bow and then asked to wear a necklace.  I said "ok", and opened her jewelry drawer and let her pick, thinking it was harmless.  She proceeded to grab a princess necklace, a hello kitty necklace, a light up belle bracelet and her glitter star sunglasses.

I told her she didn't need all that and she replied in her best whiny voice that yes she did and began to throw herself on the ground.  Before a tantrum ensued, I didn't press the issue and decided it wasn't worth the battle.  I had to snap a few pictures, because I knew one day she'd laugh at herself.

In the few short seconds I clicked the button on the camera, I heard water running not far away.

I looked to my left and with the most innocent face ever staring back at me but running water next to him, I knew Parker was the guilty culprit.  He had found the ball valve and was quite pleased with himself!

My word.  I would NEVER buy one, but I DO see why child leashes were invented ...

Time to get Carleigh to school and Parker harnessed in his carseat.  I love drives to school!!!

Fumble!

Dustin plays a football game with Parker called "fumble" that he loves (I think they both love it actually)!  I think it's called fumble because there's a lot more dropping the ball than catching it.

Parker can't get enough of it!

It's a great game to channel his unexhaustive energy!!!

Carleigh can't help but get in on the action, too!

Look at that effort!!!  He's a natural receiver!

Good times with Daddy!