Parker's Nine Month & Family Photo Shoot by Adamo Photography

Thanksgiving 2011

Our family had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving today! Momo and Granddaddy, Aunt B, and Uncle Jon came over to eat with us and help us celebrate. The boys had a wonderful time playing with everyone and getting spoiled. Collin especially clung to Uncle Jon while Parker was content being passed around from person to person getting loved on. Parker even joined in on the festivities eating a traditional meal of turkey and sweet potatoes, baby food of course, while Collin was proud to sport the "cute as pie" shirt he made at school for everyone to see. We are so thankful we got to spend this day with those we love and care about so much!

Reflecting back over the past year, our family has so much to be thankful for! First and foremost we are thankful for our Heavenly Father and His grace. We are also beyond thankful for our two precious, healthy, adorable boys. They mean more to us than anything in the world! We are also thankful Patrick has been blessed with a great job close to home that enables him to spend more time with the boys each night while still allowing me to stay home. God has blessed our family more than we can ever imagine!

Our Jumping Jellybean

Parker, a.k.a. our jumping jellybean, LOVES jumping in his jumperoo. Anytime we put him in it he jumps like a wild man with a huge smile on his face the entire time.

Collin's First Dental Cleaning

Today Collin had his first dental cleaning and he did such a great job! Although Collin had to visit the dentist over the summer when he chipped his front tooth, today was his first time going back to the examine area by himself and allowing the dentist to clean all of his teeth. When the assistant came to get him, he gladly followed her to the examination chair where he got to lay down and watch Cars 2. He allowed the hygienist to clean and floss his teeth and then Dr. Caruso came over to check them out. She said everything looked fabulous and he did an awesome job for her! He even got to pick out two new dinosaur toys, two stickers, and a new Cars toothbrush. He is growing up too fast!

Carousel Fun

Today we had to head to the mall to run some errands. Collin was not going to let us leave without paying a visit to the carousel. Since Parker was with us we decided to let him ride too. Collin chose to ride the elephant and Parker rode with Mommy on the bench. It was his first time on the carousel and he had a blast. He kept watching the statues on the inside of the carousel as we went past them. It appears that both boys are carousel lovers!

Parker's First Haircut

Today Parker had his first haircut. He was starting to have little strands hanging close to his eyes, so we decided it was about time. I brought him to the salon Collin goes to, Halfpint Haircuts, and had our favorite stylist Miss Nolma trim it for him. He sat in the salon chair like a big boy and watched The Backyardigans while she lined him up. Although she only took off a tiny bit of hair, Mommy and Daddy still thinks it makes him look like a little boy instead of a baby. He is growing up too fast!

Parker Is 8 Months Old

Our sweet Parker is eight months old! It is hard to believe that in four more months he will be a year old. Parker has done so many new things since his seven month birthday. He weighs around --- pounds on our home scale and has busted out of his 9 month clothes. He is able to sit up independently and prefers to sit up and play with his toys rather than roll around the floor. He has also developed an opinion as to what he wants to play with. If you sit a box of toys in front of him he will reach and grab for the one particular toy he wants and will not settle for anything else. Parker has also started rolling all over the floor and attempting to crawl. He is able to get up on his knees with his bottom in the air but moves himself backwards instead of forwards. According to our pediatrician, this means he is close to crawling. Parker continues to be obsessed with Collin and wants to see him and be near him all the time. Whenever Collin comes over to play with him, his face lights up and he rolls himself right next to Collin so he can touch him. He adores his brother!

In terms of eating, Parker is still loving his solid foods! He eats three meals of solid food a day and averages between four and five jars of food a day. He has become a little piggy! He still has a six ounce bottle five times a day and drinks water from a sippy cup with his meals. In terms of sleeping, he still takes two naps a day varying in length from an hour to two and a half hours depending on the day. His night sleeping, however, has not been so great. Parker has been waking up two to three times a night all month. We have taken him to the doctor for an ear infection which caused his disruptions in sleep early in the month and now has a bad case of teething as his two front teeth are coming in. The doctor told us not to let him cry it out until he is 100% well. Needless to say, Mommy and Daddy are tired!

We are so blessed to have Parker in our lives. He always has a smile on his face and is such a little snuggle bug. We love you so much, Parky Sparky!