What a difference a few days make!

2 days ago, I posted some pictures of Parker trying to stand and now, 2 days later, he has already come so far! We have been practicing and he's getting better and better everyday. This is a milestone that I thought would come much later.
He cannot stand on his own, unsupported, but he's definitely much stronger in his legs and can stand leaning or propping on something for up to 1 minute! As long as he's got something in front of him to watch (the rain picture) or play with - then he's good to go!

This is an early birthday present for Parker. I got it at a consignment store about 2 months ago, but I didn't think he would be ready for it until Christmas. I have been storing it, but got it out today to use at his birthday party coming up this weekend. Brad and I decided to try it out with Parker tonight and we think he really liked it! Of course, he loved the lion's hair - it was like little tags and Parker loves tags! Parker didn't "do" anything on the lion, but he did sit up real nice and he worked on keeping his balance. He did clap for himself and laughed at the lion's nose when it lit up and sang a song.

Trying to Stand!

Brad and I think Parker is going to skip the crawling phase and go straight to walking. This of course, is fine with us because we've heard from several people that some babies never crawl. So, these pics are of Parker trying to stand on his own. He is actually doing pretty good and has really improved in the last 2 weeks.

Here we go - digging our heels into the carpet.


And up we go!


Almost there!


Parker standing.


He loves playing with his blocks. He likes to pick out a couple of blocks and chew on them, but he especially loves dumping the blocks out of the basket.


Taking a snooze. I just thought this was a sweet picture of him, with his giraffe buddy.

PARTY!!!

Parker's friend, Will, had his 1st birthday party on Saturday. We were very excited to get to go and share in the special day with Will, Mike and Whitney. This was Parker's first time to be an "official" invited guest to a party, so it was fun. The weather was great and the park and pavillion, where the party was held, was very nice. The Cookie Monster cupcakes Whitney made were yummy and Parker got a few bites of the cake part.
Parker had a busy day that Saturday. Earlier in the day, we went to a "pottery" party and Parker got his handprints made for a Santa plate he is getting for Christmas. Then, after the "pottery" party, we had our swim class, then after swim, we headed to Will's birthday party. It was a busy, but very fun day!

Parker hanging out with dad at the party.


Parker and Will - good buddies.

I believe Will was starting to wonder why he was suddenly in a diaper when everyone else was wearing clothes. I think this picture is cute, because it's like Parker is leaning over saying, "Dude, everything's going to be okay - I see cake!"

Will and his mom with his "smashed" Cookie Monster cake.

Will invited his friends over to help "smash" the cake. Parker didn't quite know what to think. We did manage to get a little icing on his fingers, but he didn't know what he was supposed to do next. I told him we had 2 more weeks to practice!

Holly and her son Jake. Jake is 15 months old and he is just a cutie!

Swim Class

Our swim classes have gone really well. We have been to 3 and have 1 more next Saturday. Parker has enjoyed the water and I get a good workout too! Parker has worked on floating, laying on his back and tummy, and kicking. He has done a great job and I am very proud of him.
Parker kicking his legs.

Parker moving his arms.

New Car Seat

Monday was a big day - Parker got his new car seat! I can't believe it!! We've transitioned from a "baby" to a "big boy." You can definitely tell from this picture that he was ready for a new seat. You can't really tell from the picture, but his feet would hang off the edge of the car seat. I knew he needed a new car seat - I just couldn't bring myself to go purchase one, because I knew this would be the beginning of him turning into a "toddler." However, Monday was the day, so Parker and I went to Babies R Us and bought one.

Wednesday was the first day that Parker got to ride in his new car seat. Look at this picture - doesn't he look so grown up! I think he really enjoys his new seat - he can see out and he can see us in the front seat, so I know that has to be exciting. When I was driving today, I looked back at him several times and he was looking out the window. He just looked so grown up sitting forward in his seat!

We celebrated this milestone by going to eat at Olive Garden. The waiter gave Parker a kid menu and crayons and it just made me realize that in a few short months, he'll be able to draw all over the menu and we'll be able to order food for him off the kid menu. Oh - where is the time going? It seems like yesterday were were bringing Parker home from the hospital.

Having fun

The following pictures of Parker are just some fun pics I thought I would share. He's just having fun - enjoying being 11 months!

He loves this bee toy. He grabs it, shakes it, then chews on the wings. The wings make a "crackle" sound and he loves that!



Parker and Dad enjoying the turf.

Parker is a big boy and we are helping him learn how to stand.

These 2 pictures are so fun! Parker loves it when Brad and I "toss" him in the air and say, "Baby Parker." His eyes light up and he giggles and sometimes squeals - it's really cute!

11 month adventures

Parker is 11 months now and I can already tell he is growing up. Every time I take his picture and I look back to earlier pictures, I see him changing and turning into a little boy. In just a few more weeks, he will be 1 year old and that just seems impossible! As you can see, he still has his baby curls - I just can't bring myself to cut his hair yet. Brad has been on me to get his hair cut - I will, after he turns 1.

Hanging out in our backyard watching Jake play fetch.

It's a big yard and Parker looks so tiny!

Jake and Parker hanging out in our backyard with our neighbor John.

Parker's 1st trip to the Waffle House!

Sunday, after church, we stopped at Waffle House and had breakfast. However, Parker was not too fond of the idea. He got sick and we had to leave early. I guess that was his way of letting us know he was not ready to be dining at the Waffle House.

Sunday afternoon we took Parker to a park nearby to try him out on the swing. It was miserably hot, so we only stayed for a few minutes. Parker did ok, but I think he was so hot, he just wanted to get back to where it was cool. There was no shade and the swing was extremely hot. I put a shirt on the bottom of the swing for him to sit on, but I think it was still really hot. We'll try that another time!

I think this picture says it all, "Guys, I'm hot and I want to go home!"

On his 11 month birthday, we went over to our neighbors for dinner. They made egg rolls and rice - oh my gosh, so good! Parker didn't get to experience the egg rolls and rice, but he did eat some mixed vegetables, pears and bananas! I believe this picture shows a content little boy with a full belly.

Trying to read to Parker when he's on the ground is not as easy as it used to be. He used to just lay there, now he wants to roll and move everywhere. He gets up on his knees and he's working hard to get those arms up so he can start crawling. We think he may skip the crawling stage and go straight to pulling up and walking. We'll just have to see - he's on his own schedule.

Taking a long snooze with his lion after a fun day.

Swim Class

Today was Parker's first swim class at our local YMCA. It's called a "Parent/Tot" class and the ages are 6-36 months. We had fun and Parker was the youngest in the class by almost a year. However, we still managed to have fun and splash in the water. I learned some different ways to hold Parker in the water and Parker got a good leg workout (he really kicked his legs under the water). He was a good student and very attentive during the class. We go 1 Saturday a month for 4 weeks, so we are looking forward to our next class.

This was Parker's face before we left, as I was telling him where we were going.

I don't think he's quite sure what I'm talking about.

I think after he understood where we were going, he perked up!

I had to post this picture. I know his eyes are closed, but I thought it was hilarious of his face!

We have been making good progress with our table food. Since the last post, he has had sweet potatoes, green beans, peaches, apricots, and pears. He's also eaten a macaroni & beef dinner and he loves applesauce. Some other foods I am going to try are mashed potatoes and mac-n-cheese.

This pic is funny - well, it would have been if Jake hadn't looked away right when I took the picture. Parker was sitting on the sofa and Jake jumped up and sat down right in front of him. The funniest part was that Jake scooted his bootie back against Parker. I was cracking up! Parker is probably thinking, "What the heck Jake!"

Real Food!

Parker has reached a new milestone! Wednesday, Parker ate real spaghetti for the first time. He did really good and ate almost all the spaghetti. I was very proud of him and I think he was proud of himself as well. He actually wasn't too messy with the spaghetti, so I was glad about that. Since Wednesday, he's had a little more spaghetti, green beans, and few pieces of chicken. I'm starting slow, because he's just learning and I don't want to move too quickly. We have transitioned out of the 2nd foods and he eats some 3rd foods - again, just trying to get him used to the lumpier texture of the food. I have mac-n-cheese, bananas, applesauce, and sweet potatoes ready for him, so we will be trying all those this week.

This was Parker's face after his first bite of spaghetti - not too bad! It looks like he's saying, "Ohhh, this is yummy!"


Spaghetti before . . .

Spaghetti after . . .he ate just about all of it!