Parker's Friend

This is Emi, one of Parker's best friends.  We missed the shot, but just before this, they were holding hands and Emi was giving Parker a big hug.  (like how their outfits even coordinate?)

Children's Museum

After reading Denise's blog post, I had to see if I had any photos of Parker enjoying the Children's Museum.

...not so much.  But at least he didn't hate it.

But I'm willing to blame the photographer, I found it rather difficult to take a decent picture with a giant camera around my neck and a suddenly-clingy kiddo in the other.

But the Need kids had a great time.

Parker did find a few balls that he enjoyed playing with, even though I spent most of the time keeping them out of his mouth.

He also loved watching all the big kids playing.

But his VERY favorite part was the stairs up to the tree house.  I don't have any photos of that since stairs with Parker are a 2-handed process at the moment.  He LOVES to go down the stairs head-first.  Maybe fun for him, not so much for his Mama.

He also loved putting anything & everything in his mouth.  I don't think this is the best place for a non-walker in an extremely-oral stage.

Denise left me alone with all four kids for a few minutes while she moved her car.

No one got hurt, so I think I was successful.

So, it was a fun trip, but I think it will be about 100% funner in a few months when Parker can walk and reach all the toys on his own.  Until then, we'll just enjoy the stairs at home.  (Hopefully he'll be over his fear of slides by then too).

One more picture!  We ran into some friends from church at the museum.  Alisha got this cute shot of Parker & me:

Parker's Pumpkin

Living on a busy street with long driveways, we don't really know any of our neighbors (one of the few faults this house has).  But, we do know the girl in our front yard.

Her garden this year was about as successful as ours.  She only got one pumpkin and it was pretty tiny, so she gave it to Parker, it's just the right size for him.

I love these mornings

It's about 50/50 most mornings whether Parker will wake up happy or screaming his little head off.

He sure is cute on the happy mornings.

Our week ~ in review

Tuesday:

Parker loves books, particularly pulling them off the shelf and then crawling all over them.

Wednesday:

Waking up...

This is often how Parker looks when I come to get him up from his crib.  Either this, or standing in the same position only screaming his head off.

His favorite cupboard in the kitchen.

Thursday:

We went to the aquarium with Jared.

Parker got to see an octopus up close...

We watched the seals...

...and we saw lots of fish.

But Parker's favorite part was going up & down (and up & down) the three stairs in the underwater dome.

Friday:

Playing cards with Jared

(I think he's looking forward to going back home where it's quiet and they have TV)

Can you believe I lost with this stellar hand?

One of Parker's favorite things is to chase the doggies and pull their hair.  Lizzie is trying to find a place to hide (she went in there all on her own).

But, soon Parker discovered how fun the crates are, so now no doggie is safe in their crates (that's Parker's snack bowl he put in the crate).

Now, Lizzie has taken to sitting in Jared's lap so he can pick her up when the grabby little monster comes around.

Saturday:

Parker got his 2nd hair cut.  It was much easier to do with him sitting in my lap, but I did a terrible job.  I think I might have to go back at him with the clippers to even out a few patches.

Sunday:

Parker discovered how to get into the dishwasher.

Earlier, when Keith was emptying the dishwasher, Parker was taking his shoes off & putting them in the dishwasher.  It was completely unacceptable to him that it remain empty even for a few minutes.

This boy loves his tomatoes

Parker loves tomatoes.  All summer he was constantly pointing to the back deck, wanting to eat the cherry tomatoes.

So, he was sad to wake up from his nap yesterday to discover that his Mama had pulled up the dead tomato plant and his tomatoes were all gone.  Fortunately for Parker, the larger tomatoes are starting to ripen now.

I picked an apple-sized tomato and gave it to Parker to hold.  He went to town on it and ended up eating nearly the entire thing.

Those new teeth sure are handy!