Parker's photo shoot

Today we had a glimpse of Summer again and were over 80 degrees, I love this weather! I took advantage of Grant's naptime and had a mini photo shoot with Mr. Parker all by ourselves. It was a lot of fun and I hope to get a few more of these in, of both boys, before the rain really settles in.

This face caught me off guard and thankfully I managed to capture it because it only lasted a second, what a character!

He wasn't thrilled to be on his tummy and looks a little distressed but I think he liked being naked! He has rolls we never saw with Grant, ha!

I could gaze into those brown eyes forever!

31 BIBLICAL VIRTUES to pray for your kids

We have finally made it to #31!!

31 BIBLICAL VIRTUES to pray for your kids

31. A heart for missions. "Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Ps. 96:3).

I love these biblical virtues and hope you have too! I am looking for something to continue adding to the blog now that this is completed so stay tuned!

Love,
Abby

Parker

Pink Eye made it's home in Parker last week, yuck! Thankfully he was the only victim and after a few days of antibiotic eye drops there was hardly any evidence of him ever even having it. Grant started a cold a few weeks ago, passed it along to me and eventually Parker was sniffling, sneezing and then came the pink eye, poor little guy! I soooo appreciate everyone being healthy in our household again!

Parker had his 2 month appointment this week and wow, he is growing like a weed. He is 13 lbs, 6 oz (95% for weight), and 24 1/2 in (97% for height). He loves to nurse and our days are spent doing just that about every 2 hours! I cannot complain though, Parker has been sleeping through the night since about 6 weeks and I mean really sleeping through the night, usually from about 9:30/10:30 pm until 6:30/7:30 am! I NEED sleep and absolutely adore the fact that this child loves to sleep as well!

When Grandpa and Grandma O were visiting, after Parker's birth, Gpa O was insistent that Parker needed a NUK brand pacifier. He swore that since my brother and I liked it that Parker would also take it more easily than the brand we were given at the hospital. So, our first trip to Target Gpa O made the big purchase and I will be the first to tell you, he was RIGHT! I think the only reason Parker doesn't nurse ALL day long is because of his NUK! Even Grant knows how important it is to have the NUK handy, he will go get it for me if I need him too!

A few other notables: Parker isn't a huge fan of tummy time, his vitamins, and anything over or on his head/face. We are on our last pack of size 1 diapers and then we're already moving onto size 2, his poor thighs just need a little more room :) He's a little peely right now so I haven't decided if I'm going to try different soap or just start putting a little lotion on him. He is still really smiley and we all try to make him smile as often as possible, it's a fun game! He's also already wearing 6 and 9 month outfits! He enjoys bath time, his swing, the buzzy seat, riding in the car (when it's moving!) and his play mat.

Parker, you are truly a wonderful baby and we are blessed to have 2 healthy, beautiful boys to call our own! You have already captured our hearts and even your big brother Grant's. We all stare in awe of you and melt when you flash us that little grin you have! We pray you will continue to grow healthy and strong and be filled with the same love and joy you have already blessed us with.

Love,
Mommy

Grant

Grant has acquired a guitar. This "gift" was given to him by some friends of ours that were given 2 of them (free at a garage sale) and since Grant LOVED them they decided to give him one. I should note that it is pink and comes from the Barbie line of products...and much to our dismay plays (very loudy) Girls Just Want To Have Fun!!! He continues to love all things "music" and guitars are his most recent affinity.

If you go down one post and notice the orange guitar shirt Grant is wearing, this has become his shirt of choice. He likes to pick what he wears, and really anything else we'll let him pick; what color of plate he eats from, pick a spatula or wooden spoon in the kitchen to play with, you get the idea. Anyway, I am constantly reminded of Mrs. I trying to talk Carla out of wearing her Mickey Mouse sweatshirt everyday...in what was it, Kindergarten or first grade?! I can now relate to what that feels like, Grant will go dirty laundry diving to find his "guicars" or even go into the laundry room (my not so good hiding spot) looking for his beloved shirt and wear it day after day after day, stains and all!

Ever since Grant joined our family, some two years ago, Frank would fondly call their time together, "boys club." This, of course, has become even more appropriate now that we have added Parker to the mix. In the past few weeks Grant has started to also announce "boys club!" I am doomed!!

As many of you know, we frequent Rite Aid for their "deals" nearly every week. Well, Grant has started to become a bit too familiar with where the Rite Aids on our side of town are located and as we drive by he shouts, "Rite Aid Mommy, Rite Aid!" Also, when I tell him we're going to be running errands any particular day he will shout, "Rite Aid!"

Last Thursday we started back to the Community Bible Study we participated in last year and Grant also has returned to his 2 year olds class at church. He has done wonderfully, walking right in and never looking back, he's getting to be such a BIG boy, it almost breaks my heart to let him go! Frank likes to remind me that someday Grant will be getting on a big yellow bus each morning and I'll have to let him go then too, ugh!

A few other notables: haircuts are no longer a big deal (as long as there are fruit snacks and a few other distractions!), he still loves his tumbling class as well as going to the park to play & swing, if I'm in the drive-thru at any restaurant he says cheeseburger over and over and over again (thank to Grandpa O. for that one!), we have to be very careful of what we say and do because he is in the monkey-say monkey-do stage right now, and lastly he has finally started to pay attention to a few different DVD's we get from the library with his most favorite being Bob the Builder and a close second and third would have to be Barney & Thomas the Train.

Grant, you continue to amaze us and you are pure sunshine. I often describe you as just plain "sunny!" You have become an amazing and loving big brother from the moment we brought Parker home. You have adored him, looked all over the house for him and even came to get me if you heard him crying. We are blessed beyond belief to call you our son!

Love,
Mommy

these days

I'm afraid to even type "it," but someone decided to take an extra long nap this afternoon so I'm doing my best to get caught up in blog land! I hope I'm not overloading everyone with pictures but, per my family's request, here is what we've been up to around here the past few weeks. The boys are growing at rapid speeds and we continue to get into a new routine with baby Parker having joined our nest. Fall has come and seems to be settling in so I suppose I might as well accept that Summer is finally gone, I will miss you Summer!!

I find myself laughing quite a bit around here these days!

Grant told us he had a baby too...just like Mommy did?!!

Our strong little guy, his neck strength is amazing

Parker was sad when the Huskies lost...and so was his Daddy! (And Parker HATES to have anything on his head...might be the real reason for the tears, ha!)

Grant loves to be Daddy's helper and mowing is a favorite!

These two make me laugh...and doesn't Grant look like a giant?!!

Our little artist LOVES to paint

At the Museum of Science & Industry

Parker in his cute baseball rookie outfit courtesy of Uncle Bruce & Aunt Lynne!

first two weeks

These are all just a bunch of random photos I didn't have time to post within the first 2 weeks of Parker's birth but thought I'd share them now in attempt to catch-up!

We took "feet" pictures of Frank & Grant when Grant was just days old so we thought we'd do the same with Parker. It's hard to believe these boys might even outgrow their Daddy's size 14's! Yikes!

Grant loves to pick berries, blueberries this time!

Grant LOVES motorcycles right now so at a community picnic we had a great photo op!

week by week

Great Grandma Sophia, this post is for you to see baby Parker's growth, day 1 through 2 months!
Love,
A & family

how quickly

I keep looking back to the first photos taken of Parker and can hardly believe it has already been 2 months since his birth and how much he has already changed! AGH!! Summer is but a faint memory and Fall is in full swing here, time just seems to evaporate.

Grant meeting his baby brother for the very first time with Grandma R., I love this picture and managed to miss posting it here when Parker arrived

A couple of other random shots from the park of Grant, he seems like such a BIG boy now that we have little Parker! Look at those long and skinny legs?!

all smiles

I am guilty of neglect...of my computer so, here are a couple of quick shots to give those of you out there a very overdue update on our little guys these days!

Parker has started to smile a lot over the past week and I LOVE it!! Here he is this afternoon :)

Our two modes of transportation right now, the double stroller and Parker in the wrap!

That's all for now, I'll do my best to get more photos uploaded this week!

Love,

A