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