Social Butterfly

Thanksgiving is spent at Jeremy's dad's house, and, as usual, there was enough food for 40 people (only 10 of us this year!). Parker had a bite or two of everything he could eat. I thought he might fall asleep in his high chair, but this party animal lasted all night long! He enjoyed playing with his cousin Alison, even if she wasn't too happy to share! 

Now that he is walking around, Parker is really enjoying the play place at the mall and being around other kids. It was in the high 40's so we went for a walk at Independence Grove. At the park, he just wanted to follow the big kids around! I know where we will be all summer long!

Our Handsome Little Guy

This past week was pretty tough for the family as we lost my grandma Monday night. It was very unexpected and so very sudden. She had a surgery scheduled and got sick a week after. Strange enough, she gave out birthday cards before surgery and had said she had a bad feeling about it. I have to be comforted by the fact that she went ahead with the surgery anyway, as though she had come to accept whatever was to come next. I am also comforted by her calling my grandpa to say good night on her last night with us-it was the only time she called home despite being in the hospital for a week.

Parker was quite the gentleman in his formal wear, and I know he brought a few smiles during this time of sorrow.

Parker's very first fortune cookie: "I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn how to do it." We thought it was very fitting!

Nine Month Portraits

Halloween

It's been quite awhile since we had a cold & rainy day for trick or treating. Last time I can remember it rained was when my cousin Christina & I hand made our butterfly costumes. By the time we were done walking the neighborhood, our monarch colored wings were drenched& the colors bled & faded-we were now moths!

Missy & I had plans to trick or treat through my mom's neighborhood, but with the rain (and Nana at the hospital with Great-Grandma), we decided against it! Instead, Parker & I passed out candy at home. He was so excited to see kids coming up to the door. He crawled behind me & was standing up in the doorway as I handed out candy. The he would stand at the door watching the kids walk away. Then we would go back to playing, but any sound he heard, he would immediately look to the door! He also enjoys candy (well the wrappers actually). He would taste one candy wrapper, drop it back in the bowl & grab another!

Our Little Park-o-lantern

Last weekend we went to Stade's Fall Festival and had a great time. I would highly recommend it for anyone with younger kids. Parker enjoyed a few of the activities too!

Sitting in a booster seat at lunch!

Hanging in the stroller - so much to see!

We rode this ride multiple times - Parker loved it! He climbed right off my lap and stood up the entire ride. 

A quick photo op after the corn maze. 

This corn pit was at least a foot deep full of corn. 

Parker did not like it! He is clawing at me, saying "get me out of here!"

Visiting with the goat - Parker is fascinated by animals lately. 

Fall is right around the corner

Loves riding on his car. Has perfect balance
and would sit here for hours!

Parker recently discovered he can reach the coffee table!

Parker has developed quite the little personality over the past few weeks. He is starting to do silly things and laughing at himself as he is doing it. He can be quite the little monkey on the sofa or on our bed. He loves climbing & crawling, then falling over & doing it again. He climbed on my head about a week ago. I "yelled" as he pulled my hair-so he starts saying "ahhh" as he pulls my hair & giggles! He can be quite the chatterbox too. No real words yet, but I swear he says hello, hi-ya, ok, etc. at very appropriate times! Or maybe he's really swearing and plotting against us, who knows? ;-)

Not only is he crawling & moving like crazy but he loves to stand. He is really developing his balance as he walks around the furniture, toys, cabinets-even the back of my legs!

All four top teeth came in at once. That was quite the miserable transition back to school-teething & refusing bottles. He now takes his milk from the sitter in sippy cups & the bottles are packed away. Growing too big too fast!

We also transitioned into a big boy carseat. He still has a few pounds before he out grows the infant seat. But being over 20 pounds made it very difficult for me to carry him in the infant seat. He's loving the bigger seat & kicks his legs as soon as he sits down. He looks up (with his mouth wide open!) for a kiss after I strap him in. He also knows when it's time to get out of the car by the sound of the seat belt & door opening-and laughs & giggles til I walk around & get him out of the car.