7 Months

Dearest Parker,

Okay, you are officially growing up too quickly!  I wish I could freeze time right now and keep you at this precious stage!  It is blowing my mind to know  you are well on your way to a year old!

constant laughter and amusement

I know I say this every month, but this month has definitely been my favorite so far!  You have always been a pretty happy guy, but right now you are just delightful.  You are laughing like a little man the majority of each day.  You flirt with people like crazy.  If I'm holding you and talking to someone- you will turn your head away and then quickly turn it back and giggle.  Sometimes when Dad and I are on the floor with you, you will just get into a giggle frenzy as we talk to you.  It is the best sound in all the world.  I hope that laughter will be something you experience often in life!

still love to sleep with your Daddy

Stats:
Weight ~20lbs
Height ~27 inches
Teeth- 4
Eyes- blue (I think they are blue to stay)
Hair- really lightening up- like my color
Sleep- usually 8-9 hours in a row at night

Happy happy boy

We are so, so, so close to crawling right now.  You go from a seated position to all fours in a split second.  You'll rock back and forth, sometimes using a leg/foot to scoot forward, sometimes using an arm to move forward.  But you still fall to your tummy.  But then you will do a combo of reaching and rolling to move across the floor to the object of your desire.  It is so funny to watch.  You also will reach for my legs and push yourself up on your feet to stand.  In preparation, I have already installed a safety gate on the stairs, moved the tv high up, and put the plastic pieces in electrical sockets.

trying to crawl alongside Jack

post spinach

You are eating so very well!  You now eat 3 big boy meals a day and I can tell you really enjoy meal time.  Of course, you still prefer your milk.  You drink 5oz of breastmilk about 5-6 times a day.  I've made a ton of food for you lately, which I really enjoy doing.  Your faves are definitely zucchini, squash, carrots and sweet potatoes.

In the last week or so, you are REALLY starting to talk more.  Not any words yet of course, but a lot of gurgling in the back of your throat (followed by laughing at yourself), still lots of oohs/aahs, and some increased gibberish.  I'm so ready for you to talk so I can know what is going on in that brain!  We have a wonderful speech therapist, Leila, who is coming to our house to work on exercises with you once you have your surgery next month.  I'm curious how things will change for you once your palate is repaired...

have I mentioned enough that you smile and laugh ALL the time

you are already such a ham

As far as your interests these days, not much has changed.  You are showing more and more interest in Jack, and the sweet guy lets you pull his hair all day long without a whimper.  You love being on the floor playing with your toys.  You can entertain yourself for long periods of time.  You are now hitting toys together and banging them on the ground to discover their noises.  We have had several zoo visits recently- always a big hit!  We still take Jack on a run several days a week and you love your time in the stroller.  Your new favorite toy is your Scout Dog- every time he says "Parker"- you look at him and laugh.  I think you are learning your name!

Dad and I are so proud of you.  You make life so much fun, and we are so blessed to have such a happy, funny boy!  Love you little man.

XO,
Mom

Family Strolls

For those of you that know us well- you know Spence is not one to go on a walk or want to spend much time outside, minus the golf course.  But lately, he has been great about taking a stroll with Parker, Jack & me.  I have found that our best conversations lately are when we take a walk.  There's no television to distract us, and we can just walk and catch up on work, Parker, future plans, goals, etc.

My favorite trail to walk and run is down at the Congaree River on the West Columbia side.  They have a fabulous paved trail that runs along the bank of the river for miles.  It's nice and shaded with trees, and is always busy with people out enjoying a jog, stroll, or bike ride.  

Jack loves running down to the river to cool off

Jack trying to get us to take a break for a cool down

6 Months

Dear Parker

I have a six month old- I have to keep telling myself this fact to let it sink in, because it seems so impossible.  You no longer look like a baby- you look like a little boy!  When I sit and think about all that has happened in 6 months, I am in awe.  You have gone from this infant that sleeps and eats all day to this little man who rolls around, kicks and waves his arms constantly, and interacts in your newfound world.

What a cutie- changing your diaper is nearly impossible with all of your wiggling and turning over

6 Month Stats:
Length- >26 inches (19.5 in at birth)
Weight- >18 lbs (7 lb 15.8 oz at birth)
Teeth: 2 (front two on bottom)
Sleeping: 7-9 hours in a row pretty consistently
Hair is growing in a lot recently and is now a light brown/blonde color

You sleep really well, but occasionally we have to come rescue you from your escape attempts

Blueberries- delicious, but messy!

Eating
-5oz breastmilk every 3-4.5 hours
-You are doing great with solids!  So far, you seem to like everything- never turn your nose up to anything.  I am making a lot of your food, and a lot of it is store bought
You have eaten carrots, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, blueberries, bananas, pears, spinach, beets, oatmeal and rice cereal.  Carrots and zucchini are your faves by far!

Trying to feed yourself milk

Your New Skills:
-You sit independently for long periods of time and play with items around you
-When sitting- you lunge forward, suck your toes, and sit back up on your own
-You are definitely passing toys from one hand to another purposefully
-You reach out for Jack and pet him (also pull his fur, but we're working on gentle petting)
-You roll over nonstop, even rolling toward toys you want
-On the verge of crawling- when on your tummy, curl knees under chest and push forward
-Now in the jumperoo, your feet touch the floor and you bounce like crazy
-Trying to feed yourself with the bottle and grab for your spoon with solids
-Bath time is now in the big tub and you sit up on your own (with me close by....)

You still LOVE bathtime- Laura bathes you in the sink

Sitting up like a big boy in the tub

Cleft Update
We met with Dr. Chen last week.  He said he was "really pleased with how [your] lip is healing."  He said that the scar looks great, and that over the next few months, it will continue to heal more, the redness should go away, and it will keep falling back into place.  You have a little asymmetry with your nose, but it is hard to discern for the lay person.  Your next surgery will be September 10.  Buddy, I know that this surgery is going to be rough, and we are looking at ~4 days in the hospital.  But, you are so strong, resilient, and tough.  I know you are going to do so well, and Mom and Dad will be at your side nonstop.

You and your buddy.  The scar on your lip keeps looking better and better!

Love your daddy!

Parker, you continue to bring more joy into our home than we could ever have anticipated.  When Dad and I come home from work- you greet us with a huge grin, letting us know you recognize us.  Your smile and laughter fill the house constantly.  You love Jack, and laugh at him often- especially when he licks dropped food off of your legs.  I love watching you change before my eyes- every couple of days I see something new, even if it is subtle.

More sleeping with Dad!

We love you, Sweet Pea!  I enjoy playing with you all day, teaching you how to play with your toys and help you learn how to do new things.  I still love to read you books every day.  We even get your dad to do it occasionally, and you pay such great attention!  I pray with you daily that God will just keep you growing, that you will stay healthy and strong, and that you will know God's love at a very early age.

"You are my 'I love you'."

Mom

Rolling Over Back to Tummy!

On the video monitor last night, we watched Parker do a 360 turn in a matter of minutes

Before church this morning, Parker, Jack and I had some great playtime.  Parker is becoming more and more mobile.  He does not like to be still for very long.  When we put him to bed in his crib, we always find him in a completely different position than where we set him down.  He loves to roll side to side when we are on his playmat.  He'll reach for a toy, or simply twist his body to where can better see the television.  Before long, I know he'll be crawling, walking, and terrorizing our home!

So Parker hit another milestone this morning!  He can now roll from back to tummy!!  He's been able to do 95% of the roll for weeks now- only his chunky little arm would hold him back.  Somehow today he overcame it!  So proud of the little guy!

On our side

Almost there!! 

And you did it!!!  I was so excited and cheered for you the entire time!

Then the drooling began.  He holds his body up so well these days and is always looking around to figure out what is around him.

We are also working on sitting unassisted- he can go a couple of minutes holding himself up with his hands,  but always tires out after a bit.

Then Jack jumped down and started rolling over too- I think he wanted some affirmation.  So we told him what a great job he did!

And after all our hard work, both boys had their chew toys to relax.

Jack's Summer Cut

On Sunday, Jack got his summer haircut.  The Duncans bought some clippers, and all 3 dogs are ready for the Columbia heat.  Jack looks awesome!  Now, I know there is controversy over shaving a golden.  Some things I have read say that you aren't supposed to do it- that their undercoat keeps them cool in the heat, but I swear Jack is happier without all of that hair.  We went running today, and he did so much better with his light coat.

Before

After