Sappiest Ever

Dear Parker,

It's 5:42 in the morning.  You have slept like a champ since you are now back in your own bed.  I have not.  I can't stop thinking and my throat hurts really badly.  So, I thought I would jot down a quick memory that still brings happy tears to my eyes.

A few days before Christmas we all watched "The Polar Express" together.  I was a little worried that you wouldn't understand it or would be a little afraid in parts, but I think that neither was true.  The first time through you were mostly concerned about the little boy losing his ticket, but since then you have watched it two more times.

You are so filled with wonder whenever you watch it.  Near the end when Santa appears and the boy can't see - you stand up on the couch and crane your head this way and that way - genuninely upset that you can't see as well and then when you do SEE Santa, your face lights up with such wonder.  I never want to forget the wonder I see in your eyes.  When the boy hears the bell ring for the first time and when Santa leaves the lost bell under the tree, the same thing happens.

It's absolutely amazing to see the world through you eyes, baby.  I hope that you don't lose that sense of wonders for a long time.  I know that this meager blog entry does not even come close to the look on your face, but I hope it triggers my memory so that I remember the look in your eyes when you were 2 years old.

I love you, baby.  Break is coming to an end and it make me very sad - but I'm trying to focus on the amazing times we have had.  You are the most wonderful thing ever.  I'm so lucky to be blessed with such an amazing child.

Love,
Mommy

Christmas

Dear Parker,

I really meant to write this days ago, but we have been busy spending time with family.  So here (in list style of course because I'm too tired to write in prose) are my Parker Alyse highlights from Christmas 2010 so far.

*Going to Christmas Eve Children's Service with Uncle Stu and Aunt Lauren
      The entire service was centered around the children reenacting the Christmas Story.  I thought that you would enjoy just watching and having the story told at your level.  Instead, they asked kids to come forward and you jumped off my lap and started walking to the front!  I was so surprised.  I thought you would sit on my lap and the front and listen, but no - you walked right into the group of kids and sat down. You did great for a couple minutes - then you stood up and started lifting your shirt up. I got you to sit down and the Pastor started talking about presents and how Jesus was a present.  You stood up, came over to me and started saying that you wanted a present.  This was not my proudest parenting moment.  Luckily, they changed subjects and you calmed down.  They were taking volunteers to be different parts of the manger scene.  At one point, they asked the kids to raise their hands if they wanted to be a shepherd.  You put your hand in the air, but then turned to me and said, "Mommy, I don't want to be a shepherd."  So, I told you to put your hand down.  You did and all was fine.  You didn't want to be anything, but you sat and listened to the story and sang the songs.  At the end, they gave everyone a bell and you rang your bell all the way back to your seat singing.

*Christmas Morning
     You were very excited that Santa had come.  You loved your baby.  You named her Allie.  Then, we asked if you were going to give your old baby a name.  You told us that her name was Crackers!  Too  funny.  You also had a blast with your Toy Story toys.  We drove to Grandma and Grandpa LaMagdeleine's - you wanted to stay in your underpants, so we let you.  And you stayed dry.  We had a nice Christmas with your Grandparents and Uncle, although I think near the end you were getting pretty tired.

You have been doing very well with your potty training.  The only accidents you have had happened in the car on the way home last night (you fell asleep and peed a little) and then right after I changed you, you said you had to go, so we went, but didn't quite make it.  You still peed a lot in the potty, but got your clothes wet.  Other than that, you have been doing great!  I'm so proud of you.

I'm sure there will be tons more memories over the next few days and I will try really hard to write them down.  It makes me a little sad that you are growing up so fast.  You are so funny and grown-up, but I miss my baby.

I love you so much, Parker Alyse.  Merry Christmas.
Love,
Mommy

Seeing Santa

Dear Parker,

Today was a great day.  We got up and went to the museum to see Santa and to play.  You had such a great time.  I was nervous when we first got there because you were super cranky and didn't want to go play by yourself.  You sort of warmed up and then were a crazy baby who couldn't be stopped.  Santa didn't arrive until 11am, so we played in the cookie area for awhile, although you were still being pretty clingy.  Then they opened the line for Santa, so we hopped in.  You were a good girl waiting, although we only had to wait about 15 minutes.  While we were waiting, you watched all the other kids playing and started to get really excited about all the fun things you could do.  You did a decent job with Santa.  You didn't want to see him by yourself and you didn't want to sit on his lap.  You sat on my lap and I sat next to him.  But, you did talk to him and tell him "I Parker Sharp.  I want babies."  - Just in case he missed the memo. ;)  The picture isn't too bad.

We let you run around the Jolly Days exhibit for a little while.  You loved the "ice skating rink" (where you take off your shoes and slide in your socks).  There were some other kids being a little crazy, running and sliding and you did not like that, but you handled it pretty well.  You just liked running back and forth and spinning in circles.  Then, we ate lunch and headed up to the carousel, which you like again.  Thank goodness.  I don't know what was up with the 2 months that it freaked you out.  Then you were off - you ran around the play houses and the puzzles and the mirror maze with some much energy that it was hard to keep up.  We finally got you stopped and took you down the Yule Slide.  You had a good time.  (You also passed out on the way home and then didn't take a nap, but whatever.)  You haven't had that much fun in a long time, I don't think.

I think the Holidays are sort of putting you into overload.  I'm SO excited for Christmas morning - I hope it's everything I'm thinking it could be.

You are so amazing and getting to be such a big girl that I can hardly stand it.

I love you so much, Parker.  Merry (almost) Christmas!
Love,
Mommy

Christmas at the Zoo

Dear Parker,

I think the good thing about this break is that the days have been feeling really long.  I think that will change once we start visiting with family, but right now, I feel like I'm getting my vacation's worth out of the days.  I'm guessing this is mostly because you are getting up really early and not napping for very long!

Today, we made sugar cookies and you helped frost them.  You mostly liked to stick your fingers in the frosting and put sprinkles on the cookies (by the handful!)  For awhile this afternoon, you were absolutely crazy just running around like a psycho.  It was so hilarious.

Tonight, we went to Christmas at the Zoo with Uncle Stu and Aunt Lauren.  It was fun, but much busier and colder than last year, so we didn't stay very long.  You peeked at Santa, but didn't want to sit on his lap.  You did make (and eat) a cookie and you liked looking at the lights, but you were mostly hungry and wanted to go to dinner.  So, we did. :)  You were good and pretty cute throughout the whole thing!

Potty training is still going well - we still haven't really had any accidents since the first day.  It's harder when we go out - you did go in your pull-up while we were gone, but you also went in a public bathroom at the restaurant.  I think that in a week or two, you will be good to go!

I can't believe what a big girl you are becoming.  As we were driving home tonight, you said, "I will get bigger and bigger and then mow and shovel."  It's so cute that you understand that you will grow and that you want to help us out by doing chores.  (I have mostly documented this so when you are 14 and I want you to do these things, I can quote you!)

Anyway, hopefully tomorrow we can go to the Children's Museum and I can con you into sitting on Santa's lap.  (Fingers crossed!)

I love you so much.  I can't wait for Christmas!!!!!!!
Mommy

Christmas Break!

Dear Parker,

I think I start all posts this way, but there have been so many times in the past few weeks when I thought - I should really write Parker a blog about this - but I just haven't.  So, I'm going to try to catch up.

It's Christmas Break!  Finally.  It felt like it would never come.  We decided to kick off the vacation with potty training.  All of your teachers at school have been telling us you are ready, so we decided to try.  Yesterday was pretty much a disaster.  You peed through about 6 outfits.  And only once did you tell us that you had to go.  Sigh.  I thought it would go much better.  To top all of this off, you were extremely whiny and clingy and, in general, driving me nuts.  Then, after you went to bed, you started crying that your ears hurt.  Apparently, that was the issue.

So far, today has gone better.  We haven't (yet) had any accidents, but you also haven't asked to sit on the potty.  You have (mostly) been listening better and have been peeing when we asked you to.  So, I guess that's a start.  You love wearing your underpants.  Right now, you are napping in your shirt, pull-up, underwear (OVER the pull-up), socks and shoes.  That's right - socks and shoes, but not pants.  I'm not going to fight over silly things like that.

You have been in a hilarious mood today.  You do this little thing with your hands when you are talking very emphatically - you sort of cross your middle two fingers and then move your hand up and down.  It's funny because you are saying things like, "I no take a bath.  It's too late!"  or, "I already told you!  I called the doctor."  This morning, you kept calling the doctor and telling her that you weren't wearing any pants!

You got a Candyland game for early Christmas and you love playing it.  You understand how to move, but you don't really get the competition part - plus you only really ever want to draw the cards with the pictures - the gumdrop specifically!

You are VERY into your babies lately.  I don't know if I have written about this, but in the past few weeks we have had to start letting the babies go potty, changing their clothes, doing their (non-existent) hair and feeding them meals.  Your only request of Santa was "babies."  Hopefully, he will be able to oblige.

I know there must be a million things that I'm forgetting to write.  It's one of my goals to actually write a post a day for you over break, so we will see if I can do that!

I love you, Parker.
Mommy

Holiday Blur

Dear Parker,

Well, we survived.  We hosted our first Thanksgiving for both sides of our family and we made it through. Actually, it wasn't so bad.  The food was good - you had an amazing time with all of your relatives and it wasn't nearly as awkward as it could have been.  Since I haven't been good about writing things immediately, I have to sort of bullet my memories - so here goes.

Things (some good and some not-so-good) from Thanksgiving Break 2010
*You being the head of a train that went throughout our house - the things we will do!
*Saying that you are going to take a train to Russia!
*You carefully going through each of your ornaments
*You helping me put up the family tree
*You getting (another) ear infection and screaming all night Thanksgiving night
*Your motivation in relation to Santa increased significantly
*Telling us that you wanted Santa to bring you 2 babies
*Your bizarre love of a plastic M&M ornament on our tree

That's all I've got for now, Bits.  It's going to be a very busy couple of weeks.  I hope you hang in there. I love you very much.  I'm going to do my very best to not get stressed out and enjoy ever second of the Christmas season.

Sleep well tonight, baby.
Love you
Mommy

Shy

Dear Parker,

A week or so ago, you watched "Once Upon a Mattress."  We have watched it several times since then.  This morning, in a very packed pre-Thanksgiving Meijer, you were singing quietly to yourself. "Hey nanee, nanee, nanee."  Then suddenly (just as in the movie) you lifted your head up really high and sang, "I'm SHY!!!!!!!!" at the top of your lungs.  I laughed so hard!  You are too funny, little girl.

I'm excited because we bought you a couple of Christmas presents today!

Only two days of school for you and Mom before break - three for me - but I'm still excited!

I love you so much, ParkerAlyse.

Love,
Mommy

Things I love about you

Dear Parker,

Lately, you have been very "2" and I have not been handling it as well as I should or could.  I come home from school; my patience is gone and I have very little left for you.  Today, I promised myself that I would NOT lose my patience with you.  I made it, but you certainly tested me with a couple of tantrums and then not listening and bed time, which resulted in you going to bed without a story, which is apparently the worst punishment ever.  Anyway.  In between tantrums, we had a great time.  Here are the things I love about you and the way you are right now.

* The way you pump your little arms when you run
* The fact that you have to run everywhere because everything is urgent!
* That you are getting much better at pretend
* That you take ALL your babies to "Meijer" to get "groceries" but end up having a picnic instead
* That you made your Mom and I rush to the back door to look at the sun setting
* That you ask to watch musicals
* That you got a sticker at school last week for wearing your listening ears when no one else was! (Too bad you don't employ them at home!)
* The way you talk with your hands
* That you ask us how our days were
* That you hold on tight around my neck when you give me a hug
* That before anyone leaves you insist on a hug, kiss and high five (from both hands) from the departing person to everyone in the room

I love you so much little bits.  I'm getting really excited about Christmas with you!
Love you,
Mommy

Whiny McWhinester

Dear Parker,

I took you to the doctor on Monday and she said you are just fine.  Yea.  But, also what the heck?  You are in such a funk.  You are whiny and clingy and tantrum-y.  It's all pretty horrible.  I love you so much, but I don't handle this kind of behavior very well.  I think part of it is that I deal with behavior like that all day at school and I just have nothing left when I get home.  I feel horrible about it.  I just don't know what to do.

You have incredible stamina and will scream FOREVER.  I feel bad because most often you are screaming because you want me to hold you.  Part of me thinks that you are two and need to be more self-reliant than you are.  The other part of me thinks that you will only be little once and if you are asking for affection, who am I to deny you that?

I dunno, baby.  It's a quandry.  I love you so much.  No matter what.  We'll get through this.

Love,
Mommy

What's up?

Dear Parker,

I'm not sure what is going on with you, but something isn't right.  It has me worried.  Maybe it's your ears. I don't know.  What I do know is that ever since Saturday you have been super clingy, super tired and just in general wanting to sit around and watch tv.  Sunday morning, you feel asleep on the bath mat waiting for me to be finished in the shower and then you fell asleep again in the middle of pep band rehearsal.  We decided that I would stay home today to take you to the doctor and you again, fell asleep on the bath mat and have now fallen asleep in our bed while watching Sesame Street.  It's only 9:30.  Something is definitely wrong.  I'm worried.  I'm scared that it will be your ears again.  I'm scared that it won't be your ears and we won't know what's wrong with you.  I'm just in general, nervous and worried about everything surrounding you lately.  I just want you to be your normal, happy, funny self.

I miss you and I hope you get better soon.  We will leave soon to go to the doctor.

I love you so much baby girl.
Love,
Mommy

Week in Review

Dear Parker,

This week has been hard.  Mommy got sick on Tuesday night and was out of commission for about 24 hours.  It was horrible.  Then, your Mom had tons of work meetings and wasn't home at night much.  You, however, I think had a decent week.  It was busy, though.  Thursday night was the Fall Festival at your school.  You had a blast.  In fact, as we were driving away, you asked to go back.  On Friday, you had a party at school as well as a costume parade.  You apparently had so much fun that when Mom picked you up you were still in your costume because you didn't want to take it off!  Friday night, you spent the night with Aunt Lauren and Uncle Stu and were not happy about leaving there either!  Today, we went to the Children's Museum Haunted House in the morning.  I didn't really know what to expect from it or from you.  You, atypically, wanted to stay in the stroller the entire time.  But, you weren't scared.  Now, it was the lights on, friendly version, but still.  We then played in the rest of the museum for awhile.  Tonight, you were SO excited to go trick or treating.  I tried to get a picture of you on the porch with the pumpkins (which, in true slacker fashion, we did NOT carve) but you wanted nothing to do with that.  Instead, I got this: " A lion says ROOOAAAARRRRR!"

You walked a good way and said "trick or treat" and "thank you" at EVERY house.  (Mostly without prompting)  After every stop, you would say, "I going trick or treating."  After we came back you wanted to sample a small portion of all your candy.  We finally settled on some M&M, Smarties and a sucker.  You also wanted to sit on the porch and pass out candy.  So we did.  You were super cute.

Things are going to get ridiculously crazy soon, kiddo.  I hope you know that we love you lots.  I'm very much looking forward to Christmas break.  (I know that's a bit down the pike, but I can't wait!)

Happy 3rd Halloween (WOW!).

I love you,

Mommy

A true test of parenting

Dear Parker,
This weekend has been really hard.  Saturday, we were driving to the Pumpkin Festival with your friend Sadie and you vomited all over the car.  It was some serious puke. We brought you home, cleaned you off, got you dressed and you puked again.  At this point we decided it was a virus and not choking on your phlegm which you sometimes do.  So, Sadie and her family went home and we resigned ourselves to the fact that we would not get to go to homecoming or do anything fun.  I felt bad for you because you kept asking to go to the Pumpkin Festival amidst your puking.  I also felt bad for myself, however, because I wanted to go to Homecoming and see my friends, who I don't normally get to see. I feel horrible that I even felt sorry for myself.  You were so sick.  Over the course of the day you puked 6 different times.  It was terrible and through it all, I was still a little bummed.

Today, you are doing better, but we still stayed home just to make sure.  I'm going crazy from being in this house for 2 days straight.

I feel guilty, Parker.  I'm sorry that I was thinking of myself when you were so sick. I love you very much and I hope that you are able to have a great day with your Mom tomorrow.

I'm sorry I'm not a better Mommy.
I love you,
Mommy

I puked

Dear Parker,

This weekend was supposed to be really fun.  Our friends from college and their daughter were coming to stay with us for Homecoming weekend.  You and Sadie had fun playing last night and today we were going to go back to the Pumpkin Festival.  On the way, you puked.  A Lot.  And you said, "I puked."  You were very upset that it was all over you, your clothes, your car seat.  So, we aren't going to the Pumpkin Festival.  We aren't going to Homecoming and our friends went home.  I feel bad because you kept asking to go to the Pumpkin Festival and because your Mom and I really wanted to go to Butler to see all the people we don't get to see very often.  But, you are sick.  (Or at least were sick....hard to tell at this point.)  So, we are staying home.  I hope you feel better soon, baby.

I love you so much.  Feel better.
Love,
Mommy

Again.

Dear Parker,

Last night we were at a University volleyball game.  Almost immediately after the game started, you started screaming and saying that your ear hurt.  This confused us because we had just been to the doctor on Thursday and everything had been fine.  We took you home immediately - you cried almost the whole way home.  You finally fell asleep (after we drugged you with Tylenol) but only slept for a few hours.  Around midnight you just couldn't take it anymore and came into our bed.  You still didn't sleep there, but I think you were at least comforted.

You Mom took you to the doctor this morning and it turns out that you AGAIN have a double ear infection and one of your ear drums perforated - most likely because it was so loud in the gym.

I feel so bad for you, baby girl.  I wish you could just be healthy.  Here's hoping the medicine helps and that you sleep well tonight.  I love you so much.

Get better sweetie.  I love you.
Mommy

Awesome

Dear Parker,

We had an amazingly awesome weekend.  We picked pumpkins, played, went to the zoo, visited Aunt Lauren and Uncle Stu and actually got a few things done around the house.  I can't even explain to you the joy your Mom and I experienced watching you play at the pumpkin festival or watching the dolphins swim.  You are truly the most amazing and wonderful thing in the entire world.

Tonight when you were going to bed, you asked if we could sit in the chair together.  I just couldn't say no.  I know the time that you will want to cuddle with me is dwindling and I figured I better take the moments when I can get them.

I know it's going to be hard going to school tomorrow (for all of us) but we only have 3 days this week!  Hopefully, it will go by quickly and Fall Break will be amazing.

We are so grateful for you.
I love you,
Mommy

Hurts Really So Bad

Dear Parker,

The other day you barely scraped your arm at school.  We couldn't even see a scratch, but you gimped around all night not using your arm and kept saying that it "hurts really so bad."  We thought you had forgotten about it, but this morning when we said you were going to the doctor you immediately said that it was so she could check out your arm.  Your Mom took you and she said that when you were waiting for the doctor, you said that your arm was bleeding all over.  When the doctor came in, she was telling you what she was going to (check your ears etc.) and you said "and check my arm."  So, she did and said that she thought it would be ok.  You responded, "Yeah. Ok."  Too funny.

I love you so much, baby.  I'm really looking forward to spending the weekend with you.  We're going to get pumpkins!

Love you,
Mommy

Busy Weekend

Dear Parker,

     We thought this weekend was going to be relaxing and that we would get a lot done.  WRONG!!!!!  Saturday, we had to go pick up your Aunt Lauren because she hit her head. (She's ok.)  That evening, your friend Morgan came over to babysit.  Sunday, we went to the zoo, your friend Elise stopped by AND we got a surprise visit from our friends, Tiger, Megan and Max.  I think you had a great time with all of your friends, but you were quite tired in the end.  Unfortunately, I only have pictures from the zoo.

 Oh - I forgot!  We also bought you a sheet set for your new big girl bed!  Well, alright.  It's not exactly a new bed.  It's the bed that we have had in our guest room, but we thought we would use it to make sure you were okay in the big bed.  You have been, so we will get you a bed and mattress all of your own sometime soon.

I can't believe that you are big enough to sleep in a real bed.  Where did my baby go?

I love you so much!  I'm looking forward to this weekend and getting pumpkins!
Love you,
Mommy

Upside Down

Dear Parker,

I've been meaning to write about this for a couple days, but I keep forgetting.  You cannot stand it when a picture in a book shows someone or something upside down.  You do not understand that the picture is intentionally that way.  So, you will turn the book over.  Then, you turn the page (turning back one page).  Then, you will discover that that picture is upside down.  So, you will turn the book back over and repeat the process.  You will continue this until either your Mom or I force you to not turn the book over and just move on!  Hilarious.

One more random story.  The other night, you were talking about the different animals that all your friends at school sat on.  You named every animal that every child sat on.  We thought maybe you were just making it up, but when we asked you again, you named the same animals.  We checked with your teachers the next day and they said that you had every animal correct.  That's crazy.  I did get a little worried though because the second time we asked, you couldn't remember the animal of one of your friends.  You said, "I don't know!" and then started to cry.  It makes me a little concerned about your perfectionism and what life will be like for you in high school.  I hope you always know that you don't always have to have all the answers or all the right answers.  We love you know matter what.  You don't have to be perfect.  Although, we are proud of you because you are so intelligent, we are also proud of you because you are so caring and funny and because you make these hilarious little faces and because you call people you love "My" Whoever.  There are so many amazing things about you.  You don't have to get the right answer all the time.

We love you, baby.  I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday.

Love you,
Mommy

A 'Lil Bit Sassy

Dear Parker,

You are getting a little bit sassy and I'm not sure how to fix it.  Part of your problem is that you have more words and inflections than most 2 year olds, but don't know when each is appropriate to use.  We just keep trying to offer a better thing to say when you say something with an inappropriate tone or get too bossy, but I'm not sure it's working.  I don't want you to grow up to be bratty, but I don't feel like sending you to time out for these things is appropriate because, really, a 2 year old isn't supposed to understand when sarcasm is appropriate and when it's not.

Appropriate or not though - it is stinking hilarious when you do things like say, "Grandma?  Grandma? (clap clap) Hel- LO?!!!"

I love you so much Parker.  I'm excited that we don't have to do any traveling for a few weeks.  AND fall break is just 2.5 weeks away and then Thanksgiving is 4 weeks after that and Christmas is 3 weeks after that.  Hopefully, the days will go by quickly.

You are amazing (sassy or not!).  I love you.

Love,
Mommy

A trip to College

Dear Parker,

This weekend you and I took a solo trip to visit your Aunt Sally at college.  I was a little nervous about traveling with you by myself because I had never done it.  You, however, were great and made it relatively easy.

We left Friday night for your Aunt Stacy's.  You were so funny in the car.  We sang and danced for almost the entire 3 hour journey.  It was exhausting, but so fun.  You thought driving through all the small towns was amazing and you kept pointing things out and asking, "what's that?"  You kept asking where your Aunt Stacy was and I kept telling you that she was at her house waiting for us.  When we were getting close, Stacy called and we went through it AGAIN.  This time, when we finished, you said, "We're not their yet.  We're coming."  For the remainder of the drive, you just kept saying, "We're coming!"  Too cute.

Saturday, we got up and headed for Berea, OH.  We got there and hung out in Sally's dorm.  You thought her dorm room was awesome.  You especially loved that her bed was "in the sky."  We went to lunch and then to the football game.  You kept asking, "Where my Aunt Sally?"  Sally was with the band, so we found the band and watched them warm up.  You LOVED watching the band.  Later that night when we were driving to dinner, you even said, "I liked Sally's band!"  It got us talking to you about what instrument you wanted to play in the band and you said you wanted to play the trumpet.  AND - this morning at Aunt Stacy's, she was showing you old BHS band videos and you started marching along.  (I secretly love all of this!)

After hanging out at the hotel for the evening, we went back to Baldwin Wallace to get a campus tour from Sally.  You liked walking around the campus and particularly enjoyed the music building.  You liked peering in the rooms and were amazed that were so many pianos.  You even went into an instrument locker!  Silly Bits!

You had a great time with your Aunts and Grandparents.  When we got home, you asked your Mom if you could play her trumpet.  She, of course, let you and you were even able to make a little bit of a noise.  You had a pretty good buzz going, but it was often not on the part of your mouth where the mouthpiece was.

I had an awesome weekend with you.  I love you so much and wish that we didn't have to go to school tomorrow.  You are amazing.
I love you, Parker.
Mommy

Bubbles

Dear Parker,

Lately, you have been singing this song from school about a turtle who gets put in the bathtub to see if he can swim.  We are with you up until the part at the end about bubbles, at which point, we have a hard time deciphering the actual lyrics.  So, tonight after the bath, you started singing it.  Your Mom asked, "What happened to the bubbles?"  You thought for a really long time and then said, "They comed out of my bottom!"  Hilarious because you had just farted in the tub and thought that the bubbles were super funny.

We laughed for a long time.  Thanks for being so amazing.

I love you,
Mommy

So hard

Dear Parker,

I love you infinitely.  That will never change.  But life with you is kind of hard right now.  You are super clingy.  You have always been a Mommy's girl, but lately it's been excessive.  I can't leave your side or you have a complete meltdown. It even extends to your cloths, blankets and toys.  You are very possessive and anything that is "mine" has to be with you at all times.   I feel terrible because every morning when I leave you at school, you scream your head off.  We had almost gotten to the point where you weren't even crying.  Going to bed is another nightmare.  Before we moved, you were going to sleep by yourself.  Ever since the move, I have had to lay next to you until you fall asleep.  There have been a couple nights this week where it has been tragic.  You wouldn't go to sleep and even if you did appear to be asleep, the second I leave, you start crying.  The problem now is that you are a bit beyond "crying it out."  You just scream and scream and scream (and scream and scream and scream.)  It kills me.  I've been so stressed and frustrated with life that I'm not handling any of these situations well and it makes me feel worse and even more stressed out.  Tonight, I finally sent your Mom in.  You screamed for her for awhile and finally went to sleep.  You weren't happy about it, but you are still sleeping.

I hope that you know that when I leave you at school or make you go to sleep that I still love you more than anything.

You are the light of my life.  I just want you to be a little more independent than you are right now.  Tomorrow is another day and I am looking forward to seeing your beautiful little face in the morning.

I love you,
Mommy

Insomnia

Dear Parker,

What was up with last night?  I know that we sort of messed you up by allowing you to nap in the car on the way back home from the shower, but you just refused to go to sleep.  You kept "trying" by closing your eyes, but they would just keep popping back open.  We were all so frustrated.  I did not handle it well.  I'm sorry.  In the end, we put you in our bed and turned on a Sesame Street thinking that you would just fall asleep.  Notsomuch.  You didn't fall asleep until 11 or after and even then you were flopping around all night.  This morning (which came WAY too soon) I got up to get in the shower and you woke from a dead sleep and insisted that you come with me.  I tried to encourage you to stay in bed and sleep, but there was no convincing you and I didn't have time to fight.  So, I got in the shower and you crawled out of bed and laid on the bathroom mat right outside the shower door with your cloth and blanket.  I'm not sure what's up with the extreme clingy-ness lately, but it's getting kind of old.  I love you more than anything, but other people love you too and would love to hold you and take care of you.  Plus, you are a big girl and can do things for yourself.

Anyway, I'm very glad that you went to sleep normally tonight.  Hopefully, you will sleep well and will be in a better mood tomorrow.

I love you so much, bits.

Good night. Love,
Mommy

Here we go again

Dear Parker,

Around the time you were a year old, you had a string of ear infections that wouldn't go away.  Finally, we were able to get yo on some super strong antibiotic that got them to go away.  I fear that we are starting down that path again.  You were diagnosed about a week ago with double ear infections.  We started the regular amoxicillin, but I just didn't think it was working.  When you were first diagnosed, you didn't have any symptoms, but as the week went on, you got a terrible cough and a super runny nose.  That just didn't seem right! So, we I stayed home with you today and we went to the doctor (again!)  Sure enough, infections are still there.  Back to the super strength stuff.  Here's hoping it does the trick.

I am having a good day with you, but you weren't able to get a good nap and you don't feel well, so you are pretty much a giant crank right now.  We spent a good deal of time cuddling on the bed and watching tv.  You alternated between running around and being crazy and whining and only wanting to be held.  We put you to bed early, but I can still hear you coughing and hacking.  I feel so bad for you and just want you to feel better.

Every time I get a chance to stay home with you, I just want to do it every day.  Luckily, we only have to go to school 1 more day and then we get a weekend.

I love you so much.  Please get better soon.
Love,
Mommy

Oh Boy.

Dear Parker,

I am going to have to keep myself in check. We went to your first parent-teacher conference tonight. I wasn't sure what to expect, seeing as you are barely 2. Basically, your teacher (Miss Jackie) had a checklist of the things that you should be doing (or maybe should be doing by the time you leave the room) and next to them she had written A,S or N (Always, Sometimes or Never.) You had mostly A, some S's and a few N's. Now, I KNOW that you just turned two and that you have 6 more months in this room, but I want to practice all the things you had S's and N's in. That's just me being a psycho parent. Not that the practicing is bad, but that I want you to have all A's and be the best. I'm just going to have to work very hard to keep myself in check.

I love you very much and I AM very proud of you and all the things you are able to do right now. Miss Jackie said that you were on or ahead of schedule developmentally, but that they (and we) need to work on your independence. I don't think that's going to happen this weekend as we are going to visit Grandma! LOL

In other news, you have a really bad cough and are starting to act like you really don't feel well. I don't think the 'pink medicine' is doing the job, so I am not going to school tomorrow and am taking you to the doctor. I hope you feel better soon, Bits. It's so hard for me to listen to you cough and moan all night. :(

I love you. Feel better soon.

Love,

Mommy

Just some stuff

Dear Parker,

Well, it's been about a week since I've written. We had a busy weekend during and are now onto a busy week.

Here are some things you like right now:

You will ask if we want some food and the proceed to dump EVERY piece of food you own on us. Then, you want us to hand it back to you so that you can put it away. Repeat process as needed

You still LOVE to draw with your markers. We have so many pieces of construction paper with your "work" on them!

You have been really into your books again in the past few days. Your two favorite right now are "Froggy Goes to School" and "Llama Llama Misses Mama." You are so empathetic. On the page where Llama Llama starts to cry, you almost start to cry!

You have been saying, "That's not a good idea" or "That's a good idea!"

We have your very first parent teacher conference tomorrow. I'm not really sure what we are going to discuss about your "education" as a 2 year old in our 10 minute time slot, but I'm actually kind of excited about it.

I'll let you know how it goes! :)

I love you,

Mommy

A (mostly) good night

Dear Parker,

Tonight was so good. I got home late since their was a bad accident on the expressway. You greeted me with a big hug and then asked me to "play markers" with you until dinner. So, we did. You ate a good dinner and were so hilarious. You kept saying, "How was your day?" We would keep saying things like, "good" or "fine," but this did not appease you. You wanted us tell you stories about our days. You would keep saying, "yeah" or "ok" during the stories. Then, you randomly reached out, shook our hands and said, "pleased to meet you!"

After dinner, we colored some more and then you went upstairs. You asked us to come up and you began making us food. You insisted that we all sit on the floor and gave us each matching plates, cup and silverware. Your Mom asked for more food. (I had a plateful and you had a few things. She only had a potato.) You said, "No. You have potato." Then, you randomly started playing with your Little People. You would imitate all the noises and sounds that the vehicles made. The funnies thing of the night though, was when you got out your stamps and started stamping all over your body. We even let you take your shirt off and stamp on you belly. You thought you were hilarious. Then, you ran around in only your shorts and started calling Mrs. Lockwood on the phone, which I always think is funny. "Hello, Mrs. Lockwood? This is Mrs. Silly Baby!" Sometimes, you would sing her the alphabet.

It was a really good night. Of course, you then didn't want to go to sleep, but that's a different story and I think I would rather focus on the great times I had with you before that!

I love you so much, Parker Alyse.

You are amazing.

Love,

Mommy

2nd Birthday

Dear Parker,

Yesterday was your 2nd birthday. Time is going by so fast. When given a choice between going to the zoo and the Children's Museum, you chose to the museum. So, that's where we headed in the morning. You wanted to see the dinosaurs first. Really, you like playing with the dinosaur eggs, but are not so much a fan of the actual dinosaurs. After you finish with the eggs, then we always have to go see the Chinese dragons, which you think are great.
You did many new things on this trip to the museum. You sat in the racecar for the first time.
You also enjoyed some old standbys - playing in the water and with the sand in playscape.
We ventured into the Dow Science area. I'm not sure why we haven't gone in there before - other than perhaps you usually poop out too soon. You LOVED it. We had to bribe you out because it was getting so late and we knew you needed a nap.
On the way out, in honor of your birthday, we let you choose a toy from the gift shop. You like many things and in the end, we gave you a choice between a pink "ugly doll" (really just a funny shaped stuffed animal) and a Nerf football. You originally chose the pink "ugly doll." Then, as we were standing in line, you said. "I want the football!" So, we switched and you seemed very happy with your choice.

We came home and you took a nap while I ran to the store and made your pink cake. When you got up we played for a bit while your Mom wrapped your presents. Then, we opened presents. You are a PRO at presents now, bits. You didn't need any help and you even politely opened the card first. In addition to the tricycle we gave you last weekend, we gave you some books, pjs, socks and play jewelry, which you loved. You put everything on at once!
Then we had cake (yes before dinner!) You sang Happy Birthday to yourself when we sang to you and you and your Mom blew out the candles. You requested a "pink" cake, so that's what you got.
While we were eating cake, we asked you what you wanted for dinner. You said that Mom and I should eat salad and that you would have more cake! Too funny. Later in the we walked to the park. You walked almost the entire way there. You are much more adventurous at the park than you used to be. You swung and slid and didn't want to go home, but it was getting late.

Clearly, you were getting tired. We need to take you to the park more often.
I'm sorry that I have to work right now, Bits. I don't feel like we have enough time to do fun things with you. I wish I could take you to the park every day. I need to do a better job of doing that on the weekend. I love you so much and am so proud of the little girl you are becoming. I hope you had a great birthday.

Love you always,

Mommy

Funny sayings

Dear Parker,

You have been bouncing between hilarious and cute and extremely trying lately. On the cute side, you started calling muffins, "nuffins." And last night, you said your teeth hurt, so we asked if you would like some Tylenol before bed. You said yes. A few minutes later you said, "I need Tynenaw!" We had no idea what you were saying. Finally, we figured out that you were saying "Tylenol." It's too cute. On the trying side, you are pretty bossy and when you don't get your way, you often have a GIANT meltdown. I guess that's part of being 2, but it drives your Moms crazy.

We are still trying to figure out what to do for your birthday. We are going to play with your friends Bryn, Shay and Liam tomorrow after school, so that will be a good kick-off to your birthday weekend, but I'm not sure where we are going from there. I just want you to have a great time!

Trying or not, I love you more than anything. I can't believe you are such a big girl. (Do I write that every time?)

Love,

Mommy

2nd Birthday Party!

Dear Parker,

I'm sorry that I haven't written in awhile. Things have been a little crazy around here. We had your 2nd Birthday Party this weekend. I can't believe that you are (almost) 2!!!!! Time is going by too fast. You have such a personality. You love being the center of attention and you are pretty bossy. You are also really caring. I have been really stressed out lately and you are always telling me that's it's ok and giving me hugs and pats. You are also really funny. Tonight you told your mom that she needed to go outside (your room) and do some work. Too funny. At (almost) 2, you love to sing, dance, color and draw, play with your kitchen. You also love the movie "Annie." Tonight you even started singing, "Tomorrow" while you were playing.

Here are some pictures from your party. This is you posing on the porch before the party started.
You picked out a balloon cake for your party. For you actual birthday, you requested a pink cake. I'll post pictures of that next weekend!
You are getting ready to play with the blocks Aunt Stacy got you.
On your new tricycle
Whee!!!!! (If you were actually pedaling, this would be better! You will learn.)
I love you so much, Parker. I can't believe how fast 2 years have gone. You are the most amazing thing in our lives.

Love,

Mommy

Being Goofy

Dear Parker,

Last weekend we went to the zoo at the spur of the moment. It was a nice time. You have taken to wearing dresses on the weekend since we won't let wear them to school. Most of your other dresses were dirty, so that's how you ended up in this one (that's still a little big) I think it just adds to your cuteness. You were CONVINCED that you wanted to race a cheetah. You were asking about it before we even got to the exhibit. (Apparently the zoo marketing really works!) We didn't think you would actually do it. So, we tried to dissuade you by getting your picture taken in front of this cheetah.
You kept saying, "I want to race a cheetah! I run really fast." So, we caved. You got to the starting line, but then chickened out. I think there were too many people and the woman running the exhibit was a little overwhelming. So you just started to cry. It's okay. We were proud of you for trying. You are still very little to do things like that!
You've also been hysterical around the house lately. Here's one of you and your Mom playing. You laid down and threw your legs in the air - then insisted that she do the same.
You also love to stand on your head right now. I wish I could bend like that! :)
And here you are being CRAZY in my shoes. You have your pscyho after school hair, your crazy hands and you are in my shoes. You thought you were the funniest thing ever.
I love you, Parker. You are so funny and you brighten my life.

Love,

Mommy

"Doin' Stuff"

Dear Parker,

You have been so funny lately and I have been doing a bad job about keeping track of all of these memorable moments. So, in true "I'm behind" fashion, here's a list of what's been making me laugh lately.

*Friday night at dinner, you turned to me and said, "Mommy, how was your day? At School?" Then, as I told you a little about lunch duty, you kept nodding and saying, "yeah, yeah" as if you truly understood the joys of lunch duty.

*Lately, you've been saying that you are "doing stuff." When we ask what you are doing, you will sometimes say, "I'm doin' cloths." We aren't quite sure what that means, but it seems to entertain you.

*Today, when we asked what you were doing, you told us that you were "doing centers" and "filling out my daily," both things that happen at school! Yea! Maybe you are starting to like it a little.

*We've started singing "Skidamarink" at night before you go to bed. It started out with just you and your Mom, but I hijacked it and now sing along too. It's so cute and fun and I hope we do it for a long time!

*The other day I was cleaning the kitchen and you and your Mom were dancing in the living room. It was so sweet and made me fall in love with both of you all over again.

*You have taken to carrying around a pen. You call it your pencil and love drawing with it and pretending that you are doing serious work.

*Almost every night at dinner, you make us all hold hands and sing the "ABCs." We aren't quite sure why this has to happen, but you seem to love it, so we do it!

*You have been very into the cats lately. You will often proclaim "I'm chasing Kitty Alexx!" Along those same lines, you sometimes are a little aggressive with the cats. I think this is partly because Alexx is small enough for you to move, but you do not hesitate to move him where you want him. This has not translated to the other cats. None of them like it so much and we are working with you so that you do not abuse the kitties any more than is necessary!

I love you so much, Bits. I'm so excited for you birthday!

Love you,

Mommy

Last One

Dear Parker,

There have been many times this week when I meant to write you a letter, but we have all been really tired and busy with the first full week of school that it just didn't happen. So, I will try to recap the week for you.

This was your first full week of school and although you still cried every morning, it is getting easier. Friday, I was finally able to take you to school and, although you were crying, you were saying "Bye Mommy. See you later." So, I guess that's a good sign that things are getting a little better.

We went to the State Fair today. It was really hot and there were tons of people, but I think you had fun. We ate lots of fried food and saw horses and cows and the "World's Largest Boar." You rode on the Carousel with your Mom, but would only sit on the bench. You acted like you wanted to ride the bees that went up in the air (kind of like the Dumbo ride), but then when it came time to actually get on the ride, you freaked. We didn't stay super long just because it was SO hot, but I think it was a good trip.

There have been so many funny moments with you this week, but I can't think of all of them right now. So, right now I will just tell this one story,

You do this hilarious thing where you will make a little 'L' with your thumb and first finger (like you are trying to hold up one finger but don't know what to do with your thumb) and whisper "one more" or "last one" to us if you want another cookie, book etc. It's so funny. I wish I could get it on video because your face is so serious and the way you say it just make me laugh!

I'm sorry I have been so busy lately, bits. I love you so much.

Love,

Mommy

the weekend

Dear Parker,

The weekend is over. We had a nice time and it was definitely good to spend time with you. I'm really not looking forward to this week because I know that it's going to be long and stressful for everyone. Good or not, we didn't really talk extensively about school this weekend because we didn't want you to get upset. You are also getting a little snotty, which I'm sure isn't going to help the situation any.

Uncle Stuart and Aunt Lauren came over today. You love them so much. Uncle Stu taught you how to play hide and seek. You thought it was hilarious. You didn't really understand the concept fully of either part of the game. When you were the seeker you would count to whatever number you felt like with your eyes open. Then you would go and look. You would check every hiding place that had been previously used, but always thought it was HILARIOUS whenever you finally found whoever you were looking for. You would then yell, "AGAIN!" When you were hiding, you always giggled to loudly to be hidden well. You really loved it though.

I think you may have actually jumped and gotten 2 feet off the ground today. We tried to get you to replicate it, but you wouldn't. You also have taken a liking to drawing with a purple pen and then showing us your creations. I think it's cool that you are proud of the things you are creating.

I'm going to miss you terribly tomorrow and it's going to be a long day since Mom has to work late and I can't get to you until about 5:00. I hope you do ok. I have a feeling that you are going to cry again and that's going to rip my heart out, but I'm trusting that you know we love you.

Sleep well tonight, baby girl. You need your rest.

I love you,

Mommy

Finally Friday

Dear Parker,

Well, I guess you could say that today was better. Your teachers said that you didn't really cry after the morning drop off, which is good. You did cry as soon as we walked in the door though. I'm not sure if it was relief or what.

I feel bad about leaving you all day. I miss you so much when you aren't home. I'm not looking forward to the start of school, but at least I will be busy during the day.

Anyway, at least it's the weekend and we can spend 2 days together.

Here's hoping we don't go back to square 1 on Monday.

I love you and I'm sorry that you have to go to daycare. It's not what I want for you, but I think parts of it will be good for you.

I love you,

Mommy

Day 3

Dear Parker,

Well, today was your third day at school. It was your first sort of full day. I was REALLY worried because you basically cried all morning and were absolutely screaming by the time we left. I was trying so hard to hold it together for you, but I wasn't as successful as I wanted to be. Luckily, you stopped crying quickly and then had a pretty good day. Tracey said that you were sad sometimes, but that you did pretty well. You ate all your lunch and even napped for 50 minutes, which I didn't think you do on the first day.

After school we had promised that we could go to the park, but you wanted to go home first to have a snack. So, we came home and then went to the park. After the park we went to dinner, thinking that we could go from there to the Ice Cream Social Back to School Night thing at your school. But, after dinner you were SO tired and said you didn't want to go, so we figured that we weren't going to push it.

All of your teachers think you are so smart. That is all they every talk about. Sometimes, it even bothers me because I don't want to hear how smart you are (I already KNOW that!) I want to know how your day went and if you made any friends and if you were well behaved. But, I suppose I don't mind hearing how wonderful you are!

I'm so proud of you for having a good day at school. I have a feeling that you will cry again tomorrow, but I hope that you end up having a good day. Next week is going to be hard on all of us, so I am very much looking forward to the weekend.

You are so amazing. Thank you for being SO strong for us.

We love you,

Mommy

Really Hard

Dear Parker,

This is proving to be harder than any of us thought. You had a pretty rough day at school and it just continued when we got home. It started when I asked if you were going to go tomorrow to play with Miss Tammy. You said, "I don't like Miss Tammy." Then for the rest of the night, whenever we would mention school, you would just start to cry. You were okay for awhile and then it was time for a bed. You had a breakdown. You just kept crying, "I don't want to go to school!" We finally got you settled down, but you kept crying out about not wanting to go to school. Finally, I just rocked you to help you calm down and sleep since I knew there was no way you would have a good day if you were tired.

I feel horrible. There is nothing worse than having you beg me to not have to do something like this and having to make you go anyway. I am praying so hard that you adjust soon. Tomorrow you have to go for a full day and I think it's going to kill you. It's so hard to see you so sad all the time. You actually said earlier that you didn't like school because, "It makes me sad."

Rips my heart out.

I love you more than anything,

Love,

Mommy

School Part 2

Dear Parker,

You have had a busy last 24 hours and a rough last 12 or so. Yesterday was your first day of school that went relatively well. Then, your Uncle Stuart and Aunt Lauren came over after your nap and the your big kid friends, Maggie and Maggie, came over for dinner. You loved playing with everyone. You are such ham now. It's hilarious. At one point you were performing "Twinkle Twinkle" with the cd and Maggie started laughing (because you are so cute!) and you just stopped, looked and her and said, "Stop it, Maggie! Stop it!" Then, of course, we all laughed harder!

Anyway, when it was time to go to bed, you made it through the bath and the initial bed process just fine, but then you couldn't fall asleep. You just laid there with your eyes open, blankly staring. After about an hour of failed attempts on my part, I just brought you downstairs and we watched about 15 minutes of "Between the Lions." Then, we went up to try again. You fell asleep quickly. I'm not sure what was keeping you up, other than maybe too much excitement.

This morning, you didn't really want to go back to school. We psyched it and you up enough that you were excited by the time we left, but when we went to leave, you just started screaming. I felt like you were just ripping my heart out, baby girl. I know that you are fine, that it will be fine, that eventually you will like school, that it's normal, that you need to play with other kids, blah blah blah. But, none of that really makes me feel any better. I just hope that you feel loved and really, truly understand that we will be back in just a few hours.

I love you, Parker Alyse. I will see you in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Love,

Mommy

School

Dear Parker,

Today was your first day of "school." I was very nervous and sad. You were very excited to go and didn't cry when we left. You were only there for a half day today, which I think was a good start. Miss Doreen said that you cried occasionally and would sit in a chair to "wait for Mommy." I think you had fun sometimes, but I feel so incredibly guilty and sad that you are going to have to spend so many hours a day away from home and people who love you. It makes me sad.

Please know that I love you more than you understand and that I am doing the best I can for you.

You are the most amazing, beautiful, smart, funny, loving little girl. We are the luckiest parents in the world.

I hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Love you forever.

Mommy

Catching Up

Dear Parker,

It's been way too long since I have written you. After we left Uncle Steven's we took a couple of days just as a family and visited Frankenmuth, MI. You had a good time walking through the little Bavarian town. We were there before the shops opened so you had run of the town. A few minutes before they opened, the piped in music began. You started dancing right there in the street. It was pretty funny. We also swam in the pool every night, which you loved. Your constant giggles while we were swimming are still in my head.

We left Frankenmuth and headed to Leland, MI to visit Nancy and Chuck. We went there last year as a family and you were fairly cautious when it came to the water. So, the first thing we did after we settled in was to head to the beach. As soon as we started laying out the blankets, you pointed to the water and said, "Parker maybe do that?" So, off we went. You walked straight into the water and didn't look back. The waves were big and you loved getting splashed and jumping the waves. Back on the beach, you spent a really long time filling a huge bucket to the top with sand. Other variations over the next few days included a bucket or rocks and layering the sand with rocks.

You had a great time walking through Leland, playing at the park and having Teddy Bear pancakes with Nancy.

Now, we are home and spending our last few days together before you start "school" on Tuesday. You are acting excited about school, well mostly about the animal crackers and juice, I just hope that you remain that excited when the time comes.

Your Mom and I think you are the single most amazing thing ever. You get cuter and smarter every single day. You have started using "me" correctly. (As in "carry me.") You also are suddenly very excited about your birthday. We have mentioned that it is coming up, but you talk about it all the time. This afternoon, before you nap, you said, "My birthday is coming up. I blow out the candles and eat the cake. Put it in my mouth, chew it and then have more!" It will be so fun. I can't wait.

I know I have missed many things since it has been so long, but we have been busy.

I love you so much.

Love,

Mommy

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