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
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
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
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
Monday, December 20, 2010
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
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
Sunday, December 19, 2010
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
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
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