It's the most wonderful time...

We had a calendar full of Christmas events this year! We had four parties but thankfully they were all on separate days. I think we might keep that our limit for the future - one party per day. I don't want to exhaust Parker (or ourselves!) and make sure everyone stays in good spirits. Parker did amazing - he spent just a few minutes acting shy at each party. But then had no problem walking around and playing with anyone and everyone!

Saturday night was Jeremy's extended family party. Sunday was brunch with my immediate family. Monday, Parker's big sister Kasey came in on the train from Minnesota. Tuesday was dinner with my extended family, and then Wednesday was brunch with Jeremy's immediate family. Phew! All of these parties and Parker has been quite the rockstar. He is so social and doesn't want to miss out on anything. Sunday and Monday he basically did not nap at all. Thankfully he was still the happy, cheerful little guy he always is.

We didn't do a whole lot for Parker for Christmas this year. We figured he would never know the difference and so we relied on our families to provide the Christmas gifts - and they did not let us down! We haven't even opened all of the new Christmas toys yet. Although Parker doesn't seem to understand - his favorite toy continues to be a kitchen pan, lid and wooden spoon!

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

I promise I have been good this year. It's just that my mom won't buy me any new toys. I'm tired of all of these baby toys because I am NOT a baby! I can run, climb stairs, eat grown up food & drink real milk. Besides, mommy & daddy's toys are just so much more fun than anything I have to play with!

Love,

Parker

Growing up

It's amazing how fast this little guy has gone from a silly, happy baby to a little toddler, understanding words and doing things purposefully. He pulled a brush out of the drawer in the bathroom and handed it to me. I brushed the side of his head that I could reach, then handed the brush back. Parker then held the brush up to the other side of his head, waiting for me to finish brushing his hair!

Parker understands the words no and not in your mouth. He was playing with a toy and wanted all the pieces to pop back up. So he was banging the toy and talking, looking at me. I told him to bring it here and I will help. He then stood up, grabbed the toy by its handle, toddled on over and handed it to me!

He can imitate very well and learned to give high fives in a day. He loves to play with the pots and pans, mixing up his pretend food with a wooden spoon. He also learned to put the lid on and off, and to put toys inside and cover with the lid. 

He never wants to stop playing and diaper changes are quite the challenge as he is twisting and rolling away. After changing a poopy diaper and being mad at the sitter, Parker walked away from her, saying mama and looking at the door. 

One week before he turned 11 months old, Parker decided he was done with nursing. He nursed late that evening and then never again, acting as though I was hurting him if I even tried! He was sick and teething at the time, but is doing well with milk from a straw cup. He is also sleeping better and is much easier to go down to sleep.

He continues to love to be outside. We had the first real snow today, and I put him down on the sidewalk. He was excited and bent down to pick up a pine cone... and then burst into tears when he realized how cold the snow was! I forget how he wouldn't know not to touch it with his bare hands. I look at snow and instantly know its cold and would be painful to touch. Clearly that is a lesson to be learned!

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!