Leg 3

Dear Parker,

We left Uncle Steven's today to head to Frankenmuth, MI for a little family time in our three week trek around the midwest. You had a really great time with Mommy's family. I know I didn't get to write about it as much as I would have liked, so here are some of my favorite memories:

*You calling Diego (Grandma and Grandpa's dog) 'Diggy-O'

*That you LOVED to jump on the trampoline

*When Mr. Monkey (via Uncle Steven) asked where your tail was, you said, "I no have a tail!"

*When you woke up from your nap at Grandma's and everyone was in the yard and you came to the window.

*That you always asked where the dogs were even though I'm not sure how you really felt about them!

*That you conned us into bringing home Mr. Kitty without even trying.

We stopped at the Flint Children's Museum on the way to Frankenmuth today. It certainly was a bit....smaller that the Indy Museum, but you had fun. We bought you a bracelet and a little ladybug. You wanted to take both when we went on a walk this afternoon after we arrived at the hotel. Part way through the walk, we realized that you dropped the ladybug somewhere. I went back to look for it, but couldn't find it anywhere. You Mom and I feel so bad. You keep asking, "Where my ladybug go?" So, tomorrow, I think we are going on a hunt for a ladybug. Hopefully, just any old ladybug will do.

After our walk we had dinner and went swimming at the hotel. You had such an amazing time in the pool. You were giggling hysterically. You were able to stand on the bottom step and it was up to your chin. You got a face full of water a couple of times, but you kept asking to go back.

And now (the best part!) you are sleeping peacefully on the other side of the room. Here's hoping for a quiet night and a good day tomorrow.

Here's you on our walk. Your shorts and shirt are a little jank, but super cute anyway.

We love you.

Love,

Mommy

Petting a Horse

Dear Parker,

Today you had a big adventure. You really love horses, so we thought we would let Aunt Kimber take to you to the barn to get up close and personal with some. We weren't quite sure how you would react. You were very excited to pet and ride a horse, but your opinion changed a little bit when we got there.

First, you fed the birds with your Uncle Steven. You really liked that and kept asking to do it throughout the visit. You didn't really want to get too close to the horses. You wanted to feed them carrots, but in the end, you would make Steven do it. Aunt Kimber got on a horse and you didn't really want to get too close. Eventually, you wanted to pet it and you said that you wanted to ride, but then you didn't really. We thought that maybe once you were on, you would like it, so we just passed you up to Kimber really quickly. You did NOT like it, so we got you down.

I think that you liked being able to see the horses closer than you do normally so it wasn't a bad experience, but you weren't quite ready to feed or ride them. (Which is totally fine. They are very big animals.)

We went swimming this afternoon and you dunked everyone and thought it was hilarious. I think you are having a good time on vacation. Your Mom and I are totally exhausted, but as long as you are having fun, then we're good.

We love you so much, baby.

Love,

Mommy

Stressed on Vacation

Dear Parker,

I'm sorry that I haven't been posting like I want to. It's hard at Grandma and Grandpa Sharp's house. We have still been keeping very busy. You have been sleeping a little better, but are still taking far longer to go to sleep than I would like or than you normally do.

You have been acting pretty spoiled and tantrum-y lately. I think it's just because you are constantly around people who give you constant attention and everything you could possible want. You have, however, had your cute moments.

We were driving home tonight from our friends, Leslie and Cheryl's house and you wanted to "draw." So, you drew for awhile and then your wanted Mom to draw. Mom was creating some pretty bad renditions of various objects and animals and you were guessing them. You were doing a great job!

Yesterday, when you woke up from your nap, we were all playing outside in Grandma and Grandpa's front yard. We could hear you on the monitor, so we called up to you through your open window and you figured out how to look out the window and see us. Apparently, this had a lasting impression on you because as you were supposed to be going to sleep last night, you told me "I wake-ed up and stoop on my pillow and everybody was outside at Grandpa's house!" You were so excited. Then, when I went in to get you this morning, you wanted to look out the window because you thought everyone would be there. You brought it up again tonight. It's pretty cute, but I hope you aren't too disappointed in the morning when we aren't outside your window!

This vacation is becoming a little stressful on me, since you aren't sleeping like you normally do and I expect so (read: too) much of you. I get very stressed out when you aren't perfectly behaved in front of other people. I suppose that's my own issue, but it does affect all of us. I hope that the next couple of days are a little more laid back so that you can reset before the last leg of our journey.

I love you so much, Parker Alyse.

Mommy

So tired

Dear Parker,

You had a busy day today! We got up in the morning and headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house. You took a nap pretty soon after we arrived, but did not sleep for very long. After you woke up, you helped Grandpa shuck corn and then we had lunch. After lunch, you played on the trampoline and ran around in the yard. We then all headed to the park. You are getting so brave. You went down a 2 twist slide with Aunt Stacy and walked all the way around a log and tire balance beam, saying, "Balance Beam, Balance Beam!" the whole time. You climbed and swung and had a really good time. You were very, very tired as you didn't really take a good nap.

I forgot to mention that yesterday you got to see a snake in the yard as well as pet a frog that you found on the trampoline. You really are going to think that Grandma and Grandpa's house is a Zoo. :)

I hope that you sleep well tonight and get a good 12 hours in. You've been pretty cranky lately and I need you to return to your normal self, both because I miss you and because your cranky is driving me a little nuts.

Either way, I love you very much and am looking forward to tomorrow.

Sleep well baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

Overdue

Dear Parker,

We finally made it to Michigan. We had busy days on Friday and Saturday, so I didn't get a chance to write you a letter. We spent most of the day Friday in the car. You were a pretty good girl, but we did have to get out one of the car toys we got for you. We chose the generic etch-a-sketch and you had a fun time drawing. You also really liked to ask Mom to draw things. It was pretty funny because you would request her to draw things like "Mommy's shoes."

We finally made it to Uncle Steven's house through some really bad traffic. You didn't quite know what to think of the dogs. They were crated when we arrived and were quiet, so I set you down. Then, Ty barked and you freaked out. You don't like the big, scary dog bark. Since then, you have been ok. You just keep saying, "No, Ty!" Uncle Steven and Aunt Kimber are fostering a kitten and you LOVE it. You chase it around the house and say, "Parker hold Mr. Kitty!" It's cute. I'm hoping that we don't end up taking the kitten home. :)

Yesterday, we got up early (ok, you got up early) and we headed to Grandma's. Grandma had cleaned up some old toys and you had a good time playing with those. Then, Aunt Stacy took you outside and you played with a big, red ball and jumped on the trampoline! I wasn't sure that you would like it, but you did. You discovered how to crawl on the piano bench and get down by yourself, so you spent about 10 minute just doing a circuit of up and down. We timed you: 26 seconds. Still some room to improve. ;) We had to take a pause to run to a party for one of Mommy's friends. There were a couple of small babies there and you loved cuddling and "holding" them. You also loved playing with their toys. :)

We came back to Grandma's, had dinner and then went back to Uncle Steven's. You had a really hard time going to sleep. Mommy wasn't being very patient with you and I'm sorry. Luckily, Mom came in and saved the day. I'm sorry I'm not always the best Mommy, but I'm so grateful that you are so forgiving.

I love you. I had to go get your things around so we can go back to Grandma's.

Love,

Mommy

Little Miss Cranky Pants

Dear Parker,

Today we went to the Shedd Aquarium with your Grandparents. Although you napped in the car on the way there, you were still VERY cranky once we were there. You did great through the walk from the car, the wait in line, waiting on Grandma to go to the bathroom and through the first few tanks, but then you sort of lost it. You just kept wanting to be carried and saying, "Go there!" You never really wanted to look at what was in front of you.

You were pretty intrigued by the upside-down jelly fish (or perhaps the rocks that you could climb on around them) and you seemed to like the sting rays that would swim underneath the clear floor under you. You were fascinated by any decorative animal.

You did really enjoy the show. You LOVED the penguins! We decided to have lunch after the show since you had said you were hungry before it started. Lunch took a REALLY long time. We told you that after lunch we would see more penguins. So, we went downstairs to the play area, but you didn't actually want to see the penguins. You kept asking where the movie went. I'm not sure if you thought the penguins would be on a screen like they were during the "Fantasea" show, (They projected things that not everyone could see onto a screen.) or maybe you were just confused because it was dark. You did explore some play areas and, of course, enjoyed posing and playing with the pretend penguins. You did watch the real penguins for a few minutes, but not as long as I would have liked.

I think, in general, you were just REALLY tired. We've had a busy week. No matter how hard we try, you are going to bed later than you normally do and are getting up a little earlier. I think it's just because you aren't in your own bed. You wake up more often during the night and when you wake up early in the morning, you just get up. This makes for a very tired Bits. I'm a little worried about having to keep traveling for another 2 weeks.

I'm hoping that you sleep most of the way to Uncle Steven's tomorrow. We're going to leave after your nap to make sure that you get a good one in before you leave, but I think you need to catch up on some "zzz's," little girl.

Cranky or not, I still love you more than anything in the entire world. I'm having a really hard time with this daycare thing. But, I suppose that's another post for another day.

I love you,

Mommy

Playing in the Sprinkler

Dear Parker,

Yesterday, we thought we would have a day at home in between the zoo and the aquarium (which will be our adventure for today.) You still managed to have a good deal of fun around the house. You played with Grandma for awhile and took a good nap. After your nap and lunch, we set up the sprinkler in the yard for you. We were unsure as to what you would think about it, so we didn't bother putting your bathing suit on. True to form, you were very hesitant and decided you would rather play with sidewalk chalk for awhile.
After awhile though, you warmed up to it. You started by having to run around the sprinkler and maybe just getting a little wet. Then you let your Mom swing you in the water. Soon, you were having a great time and were sopping wet (and still in your clothes!)

We changed you into your bathing suit top which made you a little warmer. You had a really good time making everyone run through the water with you and playing with your ball.

All that playing made you really tired. We went to dinner and you hung in there for about 2 hours (the service was REALLY slow), but then started to melt down a little bit. You were being such a ham. You were cheesing for the old ladies behind us and going around the table pointing at everyone with your fork while you identified them. You even pointed at yourself and said, "Parker!"

All this time away is wearing you out and we still have 2 more weeks to go. I hope you nap in the car on the way to MI.

I love you,

Mommy

Ketchup (and a trip to the Zoo)

Dear Parker,

Today we went to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago with your Grandparents and Uncle Eric. You had a good time and enjoyed seeing the animals that we don't have at the Indianapolis Zoo. However, I think the thing worthy of writing about today, has nothing to do with animals.

Ever since you were about 6 months old, you have had a security type attachment to these terry-cloth burp cloths. You don't care which one you have and we have even gotten new ones, but you still sleep every night with your 'cloth' and will request it in the car or when you are tired or sad. Ever since we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house you have been carrying around this red, Matchbox type car. You have been sleeping with it (as well as your cloth) and carrying it with you everywhere. We even had to take it into the zoo today (but we kept it in your bag.)

Well. At lunch, you had some french fries with 'dip.' There was an extra ketchup packet and you wanted to pretend to open it and dump it on your plate yourself. Then you just kept carrying it around. At one point, you dropped it and were so distraught that I had to backtrack to find it. You clutched it (and you cloth and your car and the gorilla that Uncle got you) all the way home. You are now playing Little People with Grandma, but the ketchup packet is right by your side.

I hope you don't want to sleep with it tonight. I don't want you to roll on it and have it explode everywhere!

Here is a picture of us at the zoo today. You were pretty done by the time we took the picture, so you are kind of unhappy, but it's an ok-ish picture.
I love you,

Mommy

Before I forget

Dear Parker,

You got up early again this morning and climbed into our bed. You laid nicely for a few minutes, but then started being hilarious. You started saying, "What you doing, Mommy?" and putting your hands and arms out in a 'w' formation all dramatic like. It was pretty funny. You are such a ham. Then we would say that we were sleeping and you would make your "oh!" face as if you were all shocked that we were sleeping in bed early in the morning.

You are hilarious little girl. We went to the zoo today. I'll write more about that later.

I love you,

Mommy

Some time at the Park

Dear Parker,

Today was our first full day at Grandma and Grandpa Booga's. We planned to lay low since we had a pretty big day yesterday and are planning on going to the zoo tomorrow. So, you just hung out and played with Grandma this morning. After your nap, we had lunch and then decided to go to the park.

Normally, when we go to the park at home, there are lots of kids and you aren't as adventurous as I would like you to be. There weren't any kids at the park today! (I do want you to get better at playing with and around other kids, but I also want you to get better at trying new things!) Anyway, you had a great time! We were there for at least an hour and a half.

You played in the mulch.
You were very nervous about the suspension bridge and the slides, but after practicing with Grandma and Mom, you eventually did both by yourself! You wore Grandma out asking her to help you start going down the slide "AGAIN!" You went on the monkey bars for the first time. Obviously, you couldn't do it by yourself, but you had a great time pretending to do it on Mom's shoulders.

You've been having a really good time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. You love playing with Dinks and all of Mom and Uncle Eric's old toys.

On a completely different subject, I have been very sad lately about you going to school. Not about you going to school, exactly but about me not being able to spend the days or at least some days with you. I'm not sure that I'm making the right decision by doing the things at University that will keep me away from you at night. I know that, right now, I have to work full time, but I don't HAVE to do the side jobs. I love you so much and just always want to make the right choices for you and our little family.

You are the most amazing baby. You are growing up so fast and I want to enjoy every minute.

I love you so much,

Mommy

Fun with (second) cousins

Dear Parker,

Yesterday we drove to Forreston to your Great-Aunt Doris's house to visit with your Grandma's family and to have a shower for your Mom's cousin's girlfriend, Erin. You were pretty cranky because you didn't really nap in the car, but you had a really good time playing with your second cousins.

Here you are playing ball with Taylor, who is 4.
You and Reese, who is about a month younger than you.
These are all the second cousins. It's not a great photo (except of Madison), but it's the only one where all 4 of you are looking at the camera! So, from L to R...Taylor Tornow, Reese Tornow, you, Madison Aldrich.
After Taylor and Reese left, you and Madison played together for a long time. Maddy had brought her toys in a giant purple tub and you both thought it was super fun to sit in the tub and play with toys. Here you are reading a book.
Right before bed, you and Maddy both got in the tub and were talking and playing with your balloons. It was pretty cute.

You went to sleep really easily and slept really well. (And woke up in a much better mood, thank goodness!)

This morning, we visited the cemetery where your Great-Grandparents are buried. You were very sweet and concerned about Grandma and Mom. You also picked some "flowers" and laid them on the grave.

We just got back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and you are playing with the 'old school' Little People.

Hopefully, tomorrow won't be very exciting, but we are planning to go to the Brookfield Zoo on Tuesday, so that will be a big day for you!

I love you, Parker

Mommy

A two-fer

Dear Parker,

I didn't get to write last night because we were so busy packing for our "vacation." So, I'll do a quick re-cap of yesterday. The most important thing that happened was that we visited your school again. We tried to let you play in your classroom while we talked to the director, and you did for a few minutes, but then you got so upset that they brought you back. This did not make me feel better about the whole situation. You kept asking to go play, but you wanted us to come with you, so we did and stayed in your classroom with you for awhile. You did okay, but kept coming back to us to "check in." I'm really nervous about you going to school for so many hours a day, but it will be okay (I hope!).

Okay, on to today! We left for Grandma and Grandpa Booga's and on the way stopped at Fair Oak Farms. We tried to eat lunch first because we were all hungry, but there were so many people there and you were so excited to see the cows that you didn't eat very well. So, after we forced you to eat a couple bites of a grilled cheese, we headed over to the "attractions." We signed up for a bus tour and let you play on the indoor playground. Here you are waving at your Mom through a slice of swiss cheese.

We didn't have much time to play before the bus left (which was fine by us!) You were very excited to see the cows. This is an "artistic" photo of your family on the bus.
You really liked seeing the cows up close. The bus drives right through the barn and the cows are VERY close. After the tour, we played on the outdoor equipment for a few minutes. You tried the bouncy pillow thing, but you are still a little young and didn't like it very much. The tractor playground piece was much more your speed.
We went through the birthing barn. There was a cow currently giving birth and a mother and baby who had just been born. We didn't stay very long because you wanted "ice cream and see Grandpa Booga!" So, that is what we did.

When we made it to Grandma and Grandpa's house, you were very excited to see Grandpa. You walked all the way around the yard with him, checking out the rocks and all of Grandma's pretend animals. You also like to walk around the bricks.
When we came inside, you kept saying "Toys are?" I kept showing you the bag of toys we brought with us, but that is not what you wanted. Finally, we figured out that you wanted the toys that Grandma cleaned off for you at Christmas! I have no idea how you remembered these toys as you haven't played with them in 6 month, but you did. You had a really great time playing with the 'old school' Little People.
Since Grandma and Grandpa's house is on Central Time, you stayed up later than you are used to. You got so tired that you started running laps around the island in the kitchen singing your "ABC's" at the top of your lungs.

I always get nervous when you have to sleep away from home because you aren't normally very good at it, but *fingers crossed* you went down really easily and hopefully won't get disoriented if you wake up in the middle of the night.

We had a really good day with you, Bits. I hope tomorrow is just as good.

I love you.

Mommy

Fashion Sense

Dear Parker,

This morning you had to go to the doctor with Mommy. I just needed to get some blood drawn, so it seemed easier to take you to that then for you to go with your Mom to the eye doctor. You were SUCH a good girl. You just sat on my lap in the waiting room and then sat in the chair quietly while they took my blood. For the rest of the afternoon though you kept saying, "They take Mommy's blood." It was pretty funny, but I'm sure if someone on the street heard it, they would think it was a little strange. :)

You have been full of funny things today. This afternoon, you ran up to your Mom screaming "Nononononononono!" She asked you what was wrong and you put your hand on her leg and said, "I no like these pants!" Bahahaha! That's pretty funny, baby girl.

We did a little pre-vacation shopping after your (late) nap and you were such a good girl in the Kohl's. You walked by yourself, but didn't run away. You looked at the stuffed animals and books by the check-out, but didn't touch. You started off being a very good girl in the Wal-Mart as well. But, when we got to the check-out, you were very disturbed that we changed lanes and you didn't want to put our things on the counter we had changed to. You had a meltdown, so I had to take you to have a time-out in the Wal-Mart. I think it was only the 4th time-out of your life, so I guess you doing pretty well, all things considered.

We went to dinner after (since we don't really have any food, but aren't planning on buying any because we leave the day after tomorrow!). You were so funny (again!) We walked out of the restaurant and you said, "It's too bright!" and covered your eyes with your hands. You then proceeded to walk all the way to the car like that!

You brighten my days, Bits. You always help me to put my life in perspective.

I love you,

Mommy

The Sparkler Incident

Dear Parker,

You had a very hard time sleeping last night. I think you must have been having bad dreams. You called out multiple times, but finally woke up screaming. When I went in to your room, you tried really hard to go back to sleep, but you just couldn't. You didn't want me to shut the door and every time I would leave, you would just cry out for me again. Finally, I left and just kept the door open. About 10 minutes later, you toddled in to our room, so I caved. I was too tired.

You 'slept' with us for the rest of the night, but no one really slept. You kept having nightmares even in our bed.

You were pretty cranky all day because you didn't get enough sleep. We hung out this morning and just watched some tv because you were so cranky and tired. We started watching the movie, "Annie." You seemed to like it!

You didn't nap for very long and after you ate lunch you just sort of ran around the house, playing the piano, playing with your baby and watching Mom play the Wii. You went outside to do "fireworks" with Mom. You wanted to help hold a sparkler like you did yesterday and in the process of you grabbing on, it got dropped and hit your leg. You got burned, but nothing too terrible. You cried and were very upset (understandably) so we just cuddled on the couch and watched the rest of "Annie." I felt bad for you because you would be fine and the you would just start whining and saying, "OW!" I don't normally let you watch that much tv in one day, but today was an exception.

After a little cuddling, you were better and started running around again. After dinner, we were playing upstairs and you just kept running between the guest room and the loft. You would get to one place, stop, then say, "Set! Go!" and take off again. It was hilarious. You must have done it at least 30 times.

I get very frustrated with you when you act your age. It is something I need to work on. I have to keep telling myself that you are 1 - not 3. You are so forgiving when I am not the best Mommy I can be. Thank you. I love you very much and I'm just trying to figure this whole parenting thing out as I go.

I hope you sleep better tonight so we can have a really good day tomorrow.

I love you,

Mommy

The rest of the weekend

Dear Parker,

We have been so busy that I haven't had time to blog daily about your time with your Aunt Stacy. Saturday, we got up early and went to the museum. You had a good time. Your Aunt Stacy even put on the dinosaur costume with you! What a good Aunt. You didn't take a good nap because you were so exhausted from the museum that you fell asleep before we even got out of the parking garage!

So, we hung around the house for the rest of the day. You played upstairs with Aunt Stacy. Then, Aunt Stacy did your hair in the french braid again (you are SO cute) and we went to Bucca's to Celebrate Mom and Mommy's belated birthdays. You were pretty tired, so it wasn't the easiest dinner we've had with you, but you weren't poorly behaved. You just wanted to keep moving so you wouldn't fall asleep.

Yesterday, we got up and went swimming. You had a really good time. The water was a little bit cold compared to what it has been since the weather HAD cooled down to normal temperatures. We still swam for about an hour. We got you a little life jacket floatie thing. You were a little unsure about it, but you wore it a couple times.

Then, Lauren and Stu came over and we went to the parade after lunch. It was ridiculously hot and we got there far too early, but you loved it! I was worried that the noise or characters would scare you, but they didn't! You also loved getting candy. You couldn't eat most of it, but that didn't keep you from clutching every.single.piece that came your way. (There was LOTS that came your way!)

You really love your Aunt Stacy and I'm sorry that I wasn't more on top of it to write down more of your time with her. Just know that you had a great time. We all did.

I love you!

Mommy

Day 1 with Aunt Stacy

Dear Parker,

Today was the first full day that you Aunt Stacy was here visiting with us. You had a blast. You only napped for 30 minutes, so you were pretty tired and cranky the whole day, but you still had fun. After lunch, we went to the Noblesville park. You went down the slide several times (and even once completely by yourself, even though that was an accident on your part!)
Aunt Stacy gave you a piggy back ride and you "hid" behind trees and then popped out to surprise us! You thought it was hilarious!
We came home and you played upstairs with Aunt Stacy for awhile and then she took you on a walk in the wagon. Stacy said that as you were walking, you asked to go to the park. She told you that she didn't know where the park was. You said, "You go round and round and then..." She repeated that she didn't know where the park was and you repeated your "directions." Finally, you got frustrated and told her to "just keep pulling!" You are so funny!

For dinner we had corn on the cob and you actually decided to eat yours off the cob this time!
While your Moms were cleaning up, you went upstairs to play with Aunt Stacy. She decided to braid your hair. It was really cute. I need to learn how to do it since your hair can get so crazy.

It made you look so old though! I'm not ready for you to be so grown up!!!!!

You continued to play with Aunt Stacy while we hung the pictures in our bedroom, then we all played together. You kept giving Stacy things to put in her pocket (even things that wouldn't fit!) It was funny. You found your echo mic and started singing and talking into it. At one point, you introduced yourself and "Mrs. Silly Baby." Too funny.
You're so amazing, kiddo. I love you and am looking forward to tomorrow.

Love you,

Mommy