Georgia Aquarium

Aunt Connie- Parker LOVED meeting her.  I think she reminded him of Mama

As our vacation was derailed from beach time, we crashed in on my family in Atlanta on our way home.  Such fun family to spend time with.  I wish we saw them more often.  We stayed with my cousin Ken and his wife, Sara, and their son Brady.  My Aunt Connie and Uncle GB came up to spend time with us both days and we had such a great time.  I wish I had taken more pictures!

a view above us of a whale shark

On our way out of town we went to the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta.  It's the largest aquarium in the world.  I had heard great things about it, but it completely exceeded our expectations.

The most fun part about it was seeing how much Parker really LOVED it- even as an 8 month old.  He was completely in a trance of fascination for 3 solid hours until his little head hit Spence's shoulder and sleep ensued.  I can't wait to take him back when he is older.

a walk through tube of a 6 million gallon tank- breathtaking!

The exotic fish area 

Parker loved the fish- he kept trying to reach through the glass for them

the dolphin tank- we went to the dolphin show and it was so cool.  Parker was mesmerized by them

such a cool picture of the jellyfish tank.  Parker really tried to go after them! 

At the end- we saw the penguins.  If you could see this closer- it must have been mating season for them.  Spence was highly amused, and I think he also took a video.  Men and women really are incredibly different....I didn't seem to giggle as much as he did at this scene.

Family Vacation.....Sort of

We haven't had a real vacation in a year.  Of course, that was a month in Hawaii- sort of the ultimate vacation, I know.  So Spence and I were so excited to take the last week of August and go to Florida.  We invited his family, and it all worked out that his parents, Daniel, Suzy & Jim were all able to join us.  We even got the same house we've stayed in before.....what a treat.  

Parker actually traveled really well!

Then there was Isaac.  Hurricane Isaac that is.  We knew the week before our trip that it was predicted to come up the gulf.  Then it looked like 

it would hit directly where we were staying.  But we had faith that we would be fine.  So we drove 8 hours anyway with Parker to our destination.  Beautiful weather, everyone made it.  House set up, beach gear ready, and kitchen full of a week's worth of groceries.  Daily, the storm looked to start heading more and more west towards New Orleans.  Then after less than 48 hours, the area had a mandatory evacuation of non-residents.  Even our rental company called to kick us out.  Boo.

on the beach with Honey

Spence and I were determined not to go back home.  So the 8 of us went to Birmingham for the night and stayed at a nice resort.  The guys got one more golf day in and we all parted ways.  We ended up spontaneously crashing in Atlanta with my awesome family for a couple of days.  All in all, we had almost a week away, out of the house, away from the hospital, and fun time off together.  Maybe next year, right?

the sand sculptor

We did fit a lot of fun in though- check it out!  On our one full day at the beach, we had a professional sand sculptor come and teach us how to make a real sand castle!

we got in 2 decent beach days

Rick, our professional sand castle architect

building our castle

Suzy and Jim watching the castle construction

our finished product- it got so much attention on the beach!

Parker loved the water

Daniel and Jim

Spence and Parker on the beach

Daniel, Suzy and Jim

Waking up and playing with our cousin Jim

Playtime inside 

out to eat at the Fish House

story time before bed

golf in the wind and rain of Isaac

Wish we had many more days of this.....

at the pool in Birmingham- unfortunately the rain followed us here too 

Honey and her babies before we went home

8 Months

Dear Parker,

Each month I pinch myself in disbelief that you can be growing up so quickly.  It still feels like just the other day your daddy and I were holding you in the hospital as we welcomed you into our family.  We would just hold you and stare.  Or put you in the bassinet and stare.  There is none of that these days, because you are a wild man around this house.  I am following you room to room and baby-proofing the house in stages as I realize all of the things you want to get into are unsafe (you seem to LOVE any cord, any shoe, Jack's tennis balls, and Jack's food/water bowls).

So last month you started crawling, and each couple of days I noticed how you are getting faster and faster.  Then, I started finding you standing up all over the place- your crib, the door, the bathtub, holding onto Jack, etc.  Then you realized that if you hold my hands, you can walk on your 2 feet around the house.  So, why would you crawl?  You make it clear that you want to walk everywhere now.  You are even using your heels instead of walking on your toes now.

Stats
Height: ~27" (50th%)
Weight: ~20lbs (50th%)
Teeth: 5
Eating: ~5 5oz bottles of breastmilk a day.  You are such a great eater- you have 3 meals a day.  For breakfast it's whole grains or oatmeal mixed with milk and fruit.  Lunch and dinner you have a variety of vegetables.  And we have introduced Puffs lately.  At first, you worked pretty hard just to pick one up and it was rare to make it into your mouth.  Now, 9/10 times you get the puff quickly and into your mouth.  Your hand/eye coordination is really improving!
Sleeping: You were starting to sleep ~11 hours a night.  Then we went out of town, and are paying for being off schedules with you waking up at night at least once.  We'll get back to all night.....hopefully!

You are starting to babble more these days.  You say "mamamama" still when you are in the mood.  At times, I just hear you experimenting with noises, but no other clear and discernable consonants yet.  Once you have your palate repaired, I am curious to see if you start making more sounds.

I found you looking at Jack the other day

This month, you clearly reach for us with your arms when we approach you to pick up.  You use your hands to feel our faces, and I'm pretty sure you know how to give kisses.  You grab my face and put your lips to mine- which usually ends in me wiping away a ton of drool!

You are just so playful, and when I watch you every day, I feel like I can just see the wheels turning in your mind, discovering more about the world around you.  You turn to your name.  You turn pages in books, looking behind pages in pop up books.  You see us leave the room, and you crawl after to find us.  When I called home the other day, you went crazy trying to get to Dad's phone because you heard my voice.  He said you smiled every time I spoke.  You are really becoming a little boy, full of wonder and curiosity!

Life has become drastically busier with your mobility.  But it has become increasingly more and more fun.  I am filled with pride watching you grow, develop, and express your personality.  Your Dad and I love you so much, and you continue to make us laugh.

All my Love,
Mom