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