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