Parker's trip to the GA aquarium

I took Parker to the aquarium and what a great time we had! This was his first "all day" outing and he did really good. He usually sleeps for about 4 hours in the morning, so I really wasn't sure how he would do because he would be missing his nap. However, he did awesome! He was so engaged by the lights inside changing colors and of course all the fish! It was a really fun day! He's in the picture here with Nemo - Nemo actually has a "real" name, but it's just easier to call him Nemo. If you look at Parker's face, you can see him pooching out his lips - this is his newest thing he does.


Parker in the tunnel where the fish and sharks swim over you. It was really cool. They had a huge whale shark, hammerhead shark, and all kinds of stingrays and other fish. Parker had just eaten before we went into the tunnel, so I had to unbutton his pants because he was so full, I couldn't get his pants to button back. Eventually I did, but it sure is funny to see them unbuttoned!


Parker and mom at one of the huge fish tanks

Parker checking out the fish

At this point, Parker had enough and was getting sleepy

Parker tuckered out after a long, but fun day at the aquarium. Below are some more pictures from our day at the aquarium.

Fun times with Parker

Parker is doing a little better with eating cereal. This process is going a little slow, but he's starting to catch on. He was doing great for a few days in a row, but lately, he really hasn't shown much interest in eating the cereal. We're going to try again this weekend to see if he'll get back in the routine of eating the cereal. I may try "real" baby food and see if he likes that more.


We decided we would bribe Parker with $100 if he would eat his cereal. Just kidding - you all know us better than that! We had this $100 bill and Brad put it in Parker's hand and he held on to it for a long time. We thought it was hilarious! Luckily, we had the camera close. Also, notice Jake in the picture - right in Parker's face sniffing the cereal on his mouth!

This is a picture of Parker sleeping on our video monitor. I thought it was hilarious with his hand covering his eyes! Even in his sleep, he doesn't want his picture taken!

Here is Parker just hanging out. We had just taken him out of his Bumbo seat - no, he can't sit in it by himself yet, but he sure fills the seat out more than he used to! Parker and I were watching his reading video when I took this picture.

Parker is growing!

We went for Parker's 4-month check up today. He did great and is growing! Parker weighs 14lbs 14oz and is 26" long and he's in the 50th percentile. He is beginning to outgrow some of his outfits, so this weekend I may have to switch out some of his clothes. He also got his 4-month vaccines and I just hate it when he gets poked. Poor little guy - he does really well with the shots. He's ok for the first stick, then by the 2nd stick he's had enough and he starts to cry. Then, I get to pick him up and he's ok. Luckily, he stops crying as soon as I hold him for a few seconds. The pediatrician also told me to try feeding him cereal twice a day and that we're clear to start actual baby food in the coming days. How exciting for Parker! Our little man is growing up!


Here is Parker chillin' after we came back from the pediatrician. When we got home, he ate and took a 4 1/2 hour nap!


Here is Parker before our adventure to Chick-Fil-A, Pier 1 and Babies R Us. He had just eaten when I took this picture, so he's definitely in a happy mood!

Grandma Henry loving every minute of being able to hold Parker.

This was taken on inauguration day. Parker watched a little of history and the process involved in the inauguration of a president.

4 month milestones!

Today we had a BIG milestone - Parker ate his first bites of baby cereal. This was a big deal for us because we tried this a few weeks ago, but he just wasn't ready. Today, Parker actually ate about 6 good bites. Of course, Jake was right beside him watching him eat and wondering why he wasn't being fed. After a few bites, I had to get a treat and feed Parker, then feed Jake. He was just a little jealous! We are going to try the cereal again tonight at dinner.


Parker has also been in a pretty good sleeping routine. Ever since he was born, he's always been a good sleeper. The past few weeks, his routine has gotten pretty predictable - which has been fantastic for me. I can actually get things done around the house. Parker sleeps anywhere between 8-10 hours at night. He goes to bed around 5:30-6pm, wakes up around 3-4am, eats, then goes back to sleep until about 7-7:30am. Then, he eats, is up for about 2 hours, then goes down for a 3-4 hour nap. Then, he'll eat around noon, then take a short nap around 2pm. It's a great schedule. This week, he has actually slept through the night - which has been wonderful. Last night, he went to bed at 6pm and woke up at 5:45am, then a little later, took a 4 hour nap. He definitely is a good sleeper! I think he gets that from me because I do like my sleep!

Some fun pics of Parker

I just thought these were some cute pics of Parker and I wanted to post them for you all to see. This yellow vest outfit Grandma Henry got Parker and he wore this to church. I thought he looked like a little man.


Parker really likes his hands and seems to put his fingers in his mouth more.


Parker's hair looks really red here - but it's really not! Brad's grandma sent him some pictures of when Brad was a baby and Brad had the same Auburn-colored hair when he was a baby. Now we know where Parker is getting this hair color. Hopefully it will change over time.

I'm 4 months old!!

Here are some things Parker has been doing now that he's 4 months old! He is doing better sitting up with some support. Parker is sitting on the couch beside Dad watching the stock market (Brad's training him early).


Parker is getting stronger and stronger each day being able to hold his head up on his own. We have seen a big difference in this in just a couple of days!


Parker hanging out with his lion and gloworm in his crib.

Monday I took Parker up to Brad's school and he got to see his room and meet Brad's teammates.

Our little All-Star

On Parker's 4 month birthday, Brad read a "Franklin" story to him before he went to bed.

Fun times with Parker

Parker and Will hanging out at Taco Mac. Friday we got to spend some time with our friends from college, Mike and Whitney and their baby Will. Brad played baseball with Mike and I played softball with Whitney, so it was great to be able to meet them and spend some time together. Will is a cutie and is 2 weeks older than Parker, so Parker will always have someone to look up to! I thought this was a cute pic of them both - the expression on their faces is awesome!


Since Parker is almost 4 months old, we tried feeding him some rice cereal. It actually went pretty good, but we don't think he's quite ready, so we've put that on hold for now. He didn't really spit it out, but didn't really eat much either. I think his face says it all about eating the cereal.


Parker absolutely loves this toy! My best friend Amy got it for him for Christmas and we just love it. You spin it and it lands on a letter, then says the name of an animal and makes the animal sound. When it does that, Parker just giggles and smiles - it's awesome! Jake is right beside us learning the letters and animal sounds too! Thank you so much Amy - we love the gift!



The weekend after Christmas, we were fortunate enough to get to spend some time with our best friends Casey and Amy and their sweet boy Colton. We don't get to see them much, so it's always good to get to spend time with them. Colton is growing so much and it was great to hear all the animal sounds he can make!

GO HUSKERS!

GO HUSKERS! We watched Nebraska play Clemson in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. Grandma and Grandpa Kleeman got Parker this outfit - he looks like a little Husker! Parker did really well and watched most of the game.


Mom and her little Husker


Jake sported his new NE bandana from Grandma and Grandpa Kleeman. He really can't fit into his NE jersey anymore, so the bandana is perfect!

Parker's Christmas at Grandma's

We were fortunate enough to be able to have 2 Christmas memories with Parker. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house and then a few days later, we went to my mom's in Chattanooga to spend Christmas with my family. We had a great time and I always enjoy getting to see my brother, nephew and his family. My sister and her family weren't able to come for Christmas this year, but hopefully we'll be able to see them soon.


Parker with Grandma Henry - she just loves holding him and spoiling him!


Parker is ready to see Grandma. He has started pooching out his lips, gurgling and making motor boat sounds. It's really funny! I think it sometimes gets on Jake's nerves, but Jake deals with it.


Parker at Grandpa Henry's grave. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my dad and wish he was here not only for me and my brother and sister, but for Parker. I know he would have loved being a Grandpa again! I know he is looking down and watching over us every day. We love you and miss you!

Jake at Grandma Henry's. He's just like a kid - you get him toys and treats and he's entertained with a ribbon!

This is my one and only attempt at riding a scooter. My nephew, Dakota, got this scooter for Christmas and he brought it to my mom's. We all went outside to try it out - thank goodness I didn't blow out my other knee! You put your feet on the back part and wiggle your hips and it makes the scooter go. It was pretty cool. Of course, Dakota could ride it a lot better than me, but I think he was impressed that I made a good attempt!