Where does the time go?

So much has changed in a year! No more night feeding, every four hour motels, endless diaper changes! Harder in some ways? YES But so much easier in other ways. It is so nice to sit Parker in his high chair and let him go to town eating. He eats graham crackers, goldfish, vanilla wafers, animal crackers, noodles, piece of veggies and more. I may have one heck of a mess to clean up but it really frees my hands to get other food ready.

Parker is no longer on formula. We ran out last week and went ahead and made the big switch to whole milk. I was worried it was going to go bad but warming it up in the microwave did the trick. He is also attempting to use the sippy cup. We still use the bottle for all of the milk feedings but he has been drinking juice out of his sippy cup pretty well. What a big boy he is!

Wee!

Parker was a big slider this weekend! He went down the big slide with Daddy and Grampy. After a few times of going down the little slide holding our hands he was going down by himself. If we sat him at the top of the little slide he would rock back and forth and go down by himself. He had a great time going to the playground.

Special Visitors

Grampy needed to take his boat out for a run. So, while we were camping Grammie and Grampy drove down to spend some time with Parker. They have been working a lot and were really wanting to see Parker. He is so lucky to have 2 Grandparents who go out of their way to see him.

All Boy

He figured out how to make them crash!

He thought he was something! Check out that dimple : ) I hardly ever catch it in a picture.

First Tooth

My 11 1/2 month old FINALLY cut his first tooth. He has been teething forever. We have been able to see his gums swelling and been able to see the little bumps but today one of the bottom ones finally cut through. I think it is the one on the left.

When I picked him up the babysitter had my check to see if there was something in his mouth. When I did I felt his tooth on the bottom. They were making sure I found it on my own before they told me : )

The other day I had a small emotional break down when Missi let it slip that he had taken a few steps for them. Not being a stay at home mommy is tough when you miss some of the firsts. He stills hasn't walked for me. But when we work on standing up he tries to walk towards us but it turns into more of a stumble. Missi said it well... "Its not the first steps that matters; it the future steps that you walk with them." I am so blessed to have caregivers that take such good care of him.

After having such a difficult newborn I never thought I would be so sad to see him turn one. But tonight he finished off his last can of formula and I am going to take his bottle the day after he turns one. These next two weeks are going to very emotional for me. I really am sad to see the baby days go but am also looking forward to the milestones to come. This summer has been so wonderful watching him grow up in so many ways. His personality is really shining through in the way he reacts to things and the way he plays. I would have never guessed a year ago when he was still in my stomach how much I was going to love this little guy. It is truly a remarkable journey! Can't wait for the next year.

Sorry for the rambling blog! More pictures to come after our second camping trip this weekend and his birthday party is coming up on the 6th! : )

Fall is almost here...

Enjoying a pretty day! (8/23/2009)

Walking... sorta : )

Almost walking! He wants to so bad! If he would just let go : )

Great Grandparents

Parker spending time with his Great Grandparents! I love getting pictures of Parker with the "original" Parker : )

Parker's Pony

Parker petting a pony at the back to school cook out. Aww... Grammie I think he is ready! 

The Stand Up Game

Parker thinks it is hilarious to fall down when we work on standing up. He can only stand up for like 5 seconds right now but he is working really hard on. He lets go of stuff all the time wanting to stand but is still a little scared. He has also started wanting to "walk" by holding onto our fingers. He cries when you sit him down to crawl. He is doing so much growing up right now. 

I love that he can feed himself.  He is feeding himself graham crackers, goldfish, cheerios, noodles, puffs, yogurt melts. Graham crackers are a huge favorite! He likes to try to use the spoon but still makes too much of a mess for Mommy. I only let him do that for a few seconds! 

Another thing he enjoys is brushing his teeth after his bath. He has a little Looney Tunes brush and chews on it. 

Howdy Partner!

Parker at Hogsett's Back to School Fair! It is a rodeo them this year. 

So Tall

"Can I have one please?"

He thinks he is tall enough to roll his trucks on the kitchen table! I think he likes watching the wheels roll. 

This is his why-are-you-taking-this-picture AND is-this-going-to-go-on-the-blog LOOK. I think I have taken a picture every day of his life. 

A Camping Family

Scott and I are thrilled how well camping went! We were already planning many camping adventures as a family : ) 

Parker needs a straightening iron....

The Before picture! This is before we went walking around the insanely hot humid temps in Gatlinburg. 

Check out those curls : ) 

Eating at Flying Horse Grill

Scott and  I decided to eat at a new restaurant in Pigeon Forge called the Flying Horse Grill. The food was awesome! AND Parker had a balloon to play with plus you get to ride the carousel that is in the restaurant. Parker took a late nap and did not get up until 6:00 pm so we were able to hang out a little later than usual.

First TIme Camping

Scott and I went camping in our camper to celebrate our four year Anniversary. We picked a campsite with a river so we could enjoy the some peace and quiet. It was a great way for me to enjoy some relaxation time before going back to work. 

Parker is doing much better about taking a decent nap in the truck while traveling. As long as we have toys and food we can keep him happy for 1-2 hours. Then we have to get out to stretch our legs. 

Parker didn't miss a beat while traveling. He was himself and played just like he does at home and slept great! 

We went to the pancake house one morning and Parker did NOT like pancakes. He just ate his puffs instead. 

The only bad part of the trip was on Thursday night (our first night) Parker came down with a major stomach bug. It had been going around the babysitters really hard so we were expecting it. From 9:00 pm until 2:00 am we had our hands full! It was quiet an experience. We couldn't move quick enough or get it cleaned up quick enough. No one can prepare you for that "first". I guess Parker was trying to say "If you can survive tonight you can survive the next year of marriage" But we worked really well as a team and one of us would clean while the other comforted.

I will have more post after today's adventures : ) 

End of Summer

I can't believe it is the end of summer all ready. Parker has been so much fun! We have spent most days playing and just relaxing at the house. It has been so awesome to be able to witness so many of Parker's first. So far this summer he has started pulling up, cruising, crawling on all fours, playing peek-a-boo, doing patty cake, waving bye-bye, trying to stand on his own, wanting to walk holding onto my finger, eating lots of new foods and started to jabber with some jibberish that has meaning. 

With that being said obviously I am sad about going back to work. I was really hoping to watch him take those first steps but maybe he will save them for the weekend. 

We are working on using the sippy cup and I have started introducing whole milk. This is a picture of our most successful sippy cup experience. He actually drank some juice out of it! 

Playing consist of cars, cars, cars! We roll them, push them, crash them, drive them on everything and figure out how the wheels work. Good times! 

We also spent a couple of days at the pool. Parker and I went swimming at Tami's since we probably won't have any days left to go to the pool. 

Quality Time with Grammie and Grampy

Grammie and Grampy have been working a lot here lately. So we had supper here the other night so that they could spend time with Parker. 

Abby's 3rd Birthday Party

He was trying to climb up on the table. I think he is going to be a climber. 

I couldn't get them to both look at the same time!