Zoo and Somersaults!

Dear Parker,

Today, we decided to go to the zoo. Normally, we got to the zoo in the afternoon (after you nap) but now that we live farther away, it's a little harder. So, we thought we would try the morning. The animals are much more active in the morning, but apparently so are the people. It was very crowded. I'm always so proud of you in situations like that. We needed to renew our membership so we had to stand in a long line (behind some pretty rude people) and then we had to stand in a long line again to get in. You were very patient and didn't complain once. Additionally, since there were lots of people you often had to wait your turn, sometimes even when others didn't wait theirs and cut you off. I'm so proud that you aren't one of "those" kids. I'm not saying you are perfect and I'm sure it will get more difficult as you get older, but for now you are very polite and, generally, follow the directions we give you.

Anyway, you wanted to see the giraffes first, so we headed to the back. All the animals were very active and I think you had a good time. You were a little tired, so you weren't quite as into it as you were the last time, but I still think you were having fun. We took a break and had a special treat of lunch at the zoo. We sat right by the flamingos and you kept saying, "Hi Flamingos!" It was pretty cute.

You fell asleep on the way home, which is always disatrous. (It means you won't take a real nap!) So, when we got home we watched a little tv while Mom ran some errands. Then we played upstairs for a little while. After dinner, I was cleaning up and Mom took you upstairs. She helped you do somersaults and you LOVED it. It was pretty cute.

The cutest thing of the night, though, happened when Aunt Stacy called to say she was for sure coming tomorrow. I told you and you got all excited, ran to the door and said that you wanted to wait on the porch. When I told you, we couldn't wait tonight because she was coming tomorrow, you had a meltdown (because you were so tired I think). But you were okay in the end.

I'm very excited for you to get to spend some time with Aunt Stacy this weekend. She's really good for you and you love her so much.

Sleep well, baby. I love you.

Mommy

Not Ready for Bed

Dear Parker,

I had been planning to write a post about what a fun day you had, but right now you are frustrating me. Normally, I lay next to you for a few minutes while you fall asleep. Tonight, you were not cooperating and I always tell you that if you aren't laying still and trying to fall asleep, I will go in the other room. Tonight you were not cooperating. So, I left. You cried for about 30 seconds and then started to play. Now you are yelling for me to come read you a book. That is NOT sleeping, Parker Alyse.

So, as I sit here and listen to you read to yourself and ocassionally holler for Mommy, I will tell you about your day. This morning, you went to the neighborhood park with your Mom. She took some good pictures of your fun time. It looks like you played with stick and swung - both things you really love to do.

You came home and we colored for awhile, had a snack and you took your nap. I worked on painting the bedroom. After too short a nap, you got up and had lunch and then played the piano for awhile. You are hilarious when you play the piano because you 1) must have the light on and 2) insist on playing for a few seconds and then turning the page of whatever book is up there as if you were actually reading the music. It's also hysterical because you "sing" with your playing. This consist of you mostly yelling and asking where things are. It makes me smile.

After lunch, we went to get your hair cut - which you hated - but took all of 5 minutes. Then we got some ice cream. You have been doing this thing lately where you will tell us you are done and then when we get rid of your food, you ask for more. This happened with the ice cream. So, immediately after I had thrown the rest of your ice cream away, you start crying and asking to have more. Of course there are people everywhere thinking I am the world's worst mother. Oh well. You got over it.

We came home and bummed around the house for a bit and had dinner. While I cleaned up from dinner, you played upstairs with your Mom. When I was done, I came up and you wanted to play "tackle you" (a game in which you run and "push" us over). This turned in to full on wrestling and it was awesome - a bit painful - but really fun. You were laughing and having a great time. No one ever tells you before you are a parent that wrestling with a 1 year old will be more exhausting and taxing for the adult! :)

You finally settled down and did some puzzles. You started to figure out parts of the "real" puzzle. You aren't really close to doing it by yourself yet, but you could find the pieces with the sections of the dog or the bird or the fish. I think that's a start.

I suppose that brings us to now. You are still asking me to come and open your door. I guess I will go try to see if you are ready to go to sleep yet.

Although you frustrate me sometimes, you are still the most amazing thing and I am so lucky to be your Mommy.

Good night, baby. I love you.

Mommy

"What's That?"

Dear Parker,

Sorry this is a day late, but I didn't have much time last night to write. So, we'll just do it this morning. :) Yesterday, you were kind of sick, but not too horrible. You did however, keep running around saying, "I'm sick!" (I think that means you aren't too bad!) Your big kid friend, Maggie, came over to bring Mom her birthday present and hang out with you while Mommy started painting the bedroom. By that time, you had started to get kind of crabby (from being sick I think) and it wasn't so successful. I was still on the first wall, when you came in and wanted to watch. Maggie went home and you watched for a few minutes, but I could sense impending doom as you started to explore things near the paint! So, I stopped.

We played outside for awhile. You had been storing some rocks in the drawer of the table on the porch (which I didn't know) and you spent a great deal of time playing with them. You liked to drop them through an opening on your little chair and then pick them up again. I don't know why I buy you toys!

Lately, you have been saying "What's that?" quite a bit. The thing is, baby girl, that you most often know what you are pointing at, but we oblige you anyway. So, we were reading one of your bedtime stories last night ("Once Upon A Potty - not one of Mommy's favorites, but we are trying in vain to get you interested in the potty. You love the book, but don't want to sit on the potty. Sigh.) and you kept asking "What's that?" So, I would have to respond, "That's Prudence's pee, that's Prudence's poop etc." Your Mom and I were cracking up by the time it was done!

Alright, kiddo. I'll "talk" to you later.

I love you,

Mommy

Sick

Dear Parker,

Saturday, you spent the night with your Nancy and Chuck while your Moms went out to celebrate Mom's birthday. We had a great time, but when you came back, you had a runny nose. Last night was really rough. You started to meltdown around 6:30, so we decided to put you to bed. You cried (not tantrummed) the whole time. You just wanted me to hold you. After surviving the bath, you asked me to rock you before bed. We haven't rocked to sleep in quite a while, but you were so pathetic, that I obliged you. You slept pretty fitfully the whole night. You would whimper and pathetically cry out in your sleep. We could hear you choking on your mucus. It was sad. You are still pretty gross this morning, but you are in better spirits (probably because you aren't as tired.) I hope you get feeling better soon. There are lots of things we want to do before we leave.

I'm going to try to blog a little bit about your day every night - even if it isn't very interesting. So, I guess I will "see" you tonight.

Love you,

Mommy

Maybe?

Dear Parker,

Lately, your favorite phrases have been "maybe?" and "lil' bit." For example, I will say Parker we can't go outside, it's raining. You would respond, "Maybe outside?" Or, "Paker, do we throw our toys?" You would say, "Lil' bit."

You also enjoy the phrases, "One more" or "Last one." However, you aren't quite grasping the meaning as we have several last books and hugs and kisses!

You are such a wonderful blessing, baby girl.

I love you,

Mommy

Getting Adventurous

Dear Parker,

You have always been a pretty cautious kid. For the most part, you don't like to venture out into the world without your Moms. You have never been a fan of sliding or do anything that might be considered remotely dangerous.

However, lately you have been getting better. Yesterday, we went to the park and you played on equipment with other kids and only looked at us a couple times. AND you went down 2 different slides more than once! You liked it! When you got to the bottom, you said, "I did it!" You were so proud of yourself.

This morning, we went to the pool. You love the water. You kept asking us to let you go (which we did NOT do!). You saw some other kids jumping in and you wanted to do it too. So, you did. You would stand on the edge and yell, "One, Two, Three!" then jump into our arms. Well, really, it was a fall because you can't jump yet. But, you weren't afraid. You also floated around in your little raft (which is getting way to small, by the way) and kept asking Mom to "swim the ocean." (She would swim under you.) We had such a good time.

I didn't bring the camera because we were both in the water, but before the summer is out I will have to get some pictures because you are way TOO cute!

I love you baby girl!

Love,

Mommy

What you've been up to

Dear Parker,

It's officially summer and we've been keeping busy. Here's what you've been doing lately in pictures. We went to the doctor the other day and I let you have your first sucker. I was paranoid the entire time. This picture is you asking me (with your eyes) why on earth I keep asking you to show me your sucker. (To make sure it hasn't come off the stick, of course!)
Your Mom and I went to New York City and while we were there we got to see our friend, Pam. Pam recently returned from India, where she got you this amazing outfit, similar to what little Indian girls wear.
This is you being goofy this morning. I was busy in the kitchen and when I went to find you, you were just sitting in the brown chair. I asked what you were doing and you said you were "sitting in the chair." Duh. I guess if you ask a stupid question... (The picture is also a chance for me to show the world how CRAZY your hair naturally is!) lol
We went to the zoo this afternoon and you were FINALLY able to touch a shark. I wasn't able to get a picture of you actually touching the shark - the camera sort of froze. This was right before. I was so proud of you for actually touching one because you can sometimes be really timid about those kinds of things.
You were very excited about seeing the rhinos. Here you are saying, "Hi Rhinos! What you doing Rhinos?" (We told you they were sleeping.) "Wake up, Rhinos!" It was ridiculously cute.
This is just a cute pic of you before dinner tonight. (Also, me trying my hand at editing photos a little.)
I love you, baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

trip

Dear Parker,

Your Mom and I are going to NYC for a couple days without you. You are staying at home with your Grandma Sharp and I know you will have a good time, but we will miss you soooo much. I'm sorry that we won't get to say good-bye to you in the morning; I know that will be rough on you, but it will be okay. We love you so much. Never forget that.

And don't be scared of the Robin, baby. He won't hurt you.

I love you. I will see you on Friday. I can't wait!

Love

Mommy

One more thing

I forgot this and it's too hilarious not to mention...

We were driving last night and you were playing the "Yeah, No!" game with your Mom. It was your turn and you sat there thinking for a few minutes then whispered, "What's next?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

You are so funny.

Love you little girl,

Mommy

Random Parker Stories

Dear Parker,

There have been so many things lately that I've wanted to tell you. You are growing up so fast. I was watching you sleep last night and wondered if I am every going to stop thinking that you are the most miraculous thing in the entire world.

You have been so funny lately. You speak in 4 or 5 word sentences almost all the time and end up saying some of the most hilarious things. We were walking to the park yesterday and you tripped. You said, "I tripped a little, Mommy."

We were driving to dinner tonight after an open house and you kept saying that you wanted to go to Red Robin. We didn't really want to so we told you it was closed (perhaps not the best parenting technique, but whatever) and you replied "maybe open?"

You play this game with your Mom where she will say "No" in a really low voice and you will reply "yeah" in a really high voice - then you switch. You will play for a really long time!

You also like to say "hi" to everyone and you like for Mommy and Mom to repeat the greeting in whatever manner it was given. For example, if you say "Hi Mum!" in a low voice, you like for Mom to say, "Hi Parker!" in a low voice. You try out different voices, lengths of words and inflections. This is another car game you could play forever.

I took you swimming this morning and you had such a good time. You kept trying to escape from my grasp and swim "Parker self" - except you can't. You didn't understand that. You also kept trying to drink the water. (GROSS!) When we got in the car, I asked if you liked swimming and you said, "I drink it a little, Mommy." :)

Lately, you have been very aware of other people's actions and feelings. Two of your most common questions are, "What you doing, Mommy (or Mom)?" and "What's wrong, Mommy (or Mom)?"

You are also very sensitive. You knocked over a little bit of pop left in a can on our table and you started crying like you had just killed the cat. lol

One of my favorite things about you right now is that you will request hugs and, specifically "family hugs." They really are the best.

At night, I will give you a kiss and you will keep asking for, "more." When I finally tell you it's the last one and give it to you, you ALWAYS say, "Thank you, Mommy."

We took you to LOTS of graduation parties yesterday. You are so funny because you love your big kid friends so much. You always said hi and bye to each individual kid.

Okay, I suppose those are enough for now. You are such an amazing child. I love you so much.

Love,

Mommy