Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Astronaut Parker

If you know me, you know that I love space. I met my first astronaut in 4th grade and have met about 15 since, including 4 out of the 7 Mercury astronauts (America's first astronauts). I have been to 2 shuttle launches and worked at U.S. Space Camp, California for 2 summers before teaching. My little boy had to be an astronaut for Halloween and so did my husband. Love it! My 5th grade class came to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (where the Spruce Goose is) for a field trip and we took Parker back there for a little after Halloween photo shoot.








Parker loved running around the museum to find the many airline seats. Time for a trip somewhere?







All About Parker

Let me tell you about my incredible son, Parker.

We had a parent-teacher conference with his daycare provider, Karen. She said that his biggest strength is his heart. He is a very sweet boy and is very considerate of others. He is going to be an excellent big brother. The other day I told him that his baby brother is almost here and he will cry a lot. He said, "No, he won't cry. I will bring him a bottle of milk. Glug, glug, glug (and he held a pretend bottle up to my tummy.)"

She also told us that she thinks he will be an early reader.

He knows all of his upper case letters and many of his lower case.

He has been able to count to 20 for some time now and to 10 in Spanish.

He knows all of his colors and knows green, red, blue, yellow, and white in Spanish.

He has known his shapes for ages now- circle, oval, rectangle, triangle.

Parker "reads" several books. Some of the words are so difficult. It is really suprising that he can remember so many things.

He says long, complicated sentences, "I want my purple truck with the motorcycle in it."

He understands pronounces and uses them correctly most of the time. You, your, our, him, his, he, she her, their.

Parker has great manners. He says Please, Thank You, You're Welcome, No Thanks, and has recently made comments like, "This tastes great, Mommy!"

We were all laying in bed in the dark and Parker stood on Grant’s head to reach the ceiling fan light. Grant said, “Parker you are standing on my head. I don’t like it.” Parker replied, “Oh, c’mon! You love it!” We cracked up! I don’t think either of us have ever said that to him before. So funny!

Parker likes to tell stories. "Once upon a time...." He usually retells a story we've read or a movie we've watched. He loves when we make up stories where he is the main character.

He acts out scenes from Toy Story 3. “There’s the fire, Jessie. It’s getting close.” Holds our hands and bows his head and closes his eyes. Then exclaims, “Look, Jessie! The claw! We’re safe!”

He will play with his stuffed animals or with Buzz Lightyear and will have conversations with them. He wants us to be the voices that talk back. He said the other day to Buzz, "OK, Mr. Lightyear... prove it!"

This is his reaction to his new race car bed. Now we have a twin mattress in it. He loves it!

At his 3 year appointment, he weighed 37.5 pounds and was 3 feet 4 inches tall. He is in the 95th percentile for height and in the 75th for weight. “I’m a big boy!” is right.

We love Parker so much. He is so funny and smart.

Parker is 3!

I can't believe my little boy is 3! We had 2 parties for him. In the morning we went to Safari Sam's, which I explained to him, is like Pizza Planet from Toy Story 1. There is a huge jungle gym and lots of games. He loved running through the minature golf course because his socks were glowing from the black lights.

Toy Story Playdough from Grammy.

Bizzzz! Parker had his Buzz Lightyear lazer on his arm and was bizzing people.

Grant and I bought him a big Buzz. He says 60 sayings and his head moves. He is Parker's favorite new toy.

Celebrating after blowing out all 3 candles on his cake.
In the evening, we had a second small party at our home to watch "Toy Story 3." We had watched it twice in the theaters, but now we own it. I borrowed a screen and projector from the school to create our theater. We had popcorn and lots of candy.

The refreshment table.
Parker with his best friend from daycare and cousin.
Parker loved his parties. He did think that he should have a third party because he was 3. :) We would talk to him about his upcoming birthday and say, "You are going to be 3" and he would say, "NO! I'm 2!" He didn't want to be 3, but now has accepted it and says he is a big boy.

Baby Shower & last week of school


My last day of work was November 1st. When I was pregnant with Parker, I worked past my due date. This is a different pregnancy. I have gestational diabetes and have to do 4 glucose tests per day and administer an insulin shot every night. I also have had low fluid around the baby and have to go to 2 appointments per week for non-stress tests and ultrasounds. My doctor and I thought it would be best for me to take off work early to get more rest and stay off my feet. He put me on modified bedrest. It is great being home. Much less stress and I'm feeling more ready for a second baby.

My awesome 5th grade team threw me a baby shower before I left. Isn't that diaper cake so cute?! I got an infant car seat (Parker's was a hand-me-down that was 7 years old), diapers, a new bottle system, clothes, and many other neccessities.

Halloween

"I'm Astronaut Parker!"

Aunt Kristen brought over her kids to Trick or Treat with us.






Grant was an astronaut too. He wore my flight suit from Space Camp. One neighbor laughed and said that Parker had the best costume of the night. Watch the video.



Disney on Ice

We woke up one Saturday morning and wanted to do something fun, so we headed to the Rose Garden to try to get tickets for Disney on Ice. We got pretty good seats.
My attempt to take a picture of the two of us. Parker would see that the flash was coming and close his eyes every time.



Parker's favorite part- Toy Story!

My 35th Birthday

34 weeks pregnant
Grant booked this amazing hotel (The Elizabeth Street Inn) for a night. All the rooms have an ocean view. Our room had an electric fire place. It was wonderful! They serve smoked salmon chowder and warm chocolate chip cookies every night and have a great breakfast. I'm so glad we got away before the baby comes. Thanks Mom for watching Parker!



The view from our room.
Grant and my Mom suprised me with a laptop for my birthday and some friends watched Parker on my actual birthday so we could go to Benihana for dinner. I was totally spoiled! I can't believe I'm 35!




Fall is here

I love Fall! We went to this apple farm and to a couple of pumpkin patches. I love giving Parker these experiences of tractor rides, seeing farm animals, and running through mazes. Such fun!


A special treat- A ghost donut from Krispy Kreme. He just ate the frosting off.


Riding "Scout" at Lee Farms.

We invited Grant's sister, Kristen and her children to the farm.

This was a very bumpy tractor ride. I should have skipped out on this one at 8 months pregnant.

The chicks were so cute and so was my niece!


Carving pumpkins. Parker just made holes. I've never used a template before and it did not work out for us. We also carved our pumpkins way too early and they all rotted before Halloween rolled around. I guess we were too anxious.


I love these pictures. Parker was practicing blowing out his birthday candles with the candle in the pumpkin.





Monday, November 15, 2010

End of Summer

Parker and Daddy playing at our favorite park's sandbox.We went to the Oregon State Fair with my best friend, Niki and her family. I love his smile in this picture!

Oregon Zoo with the cousins.
Checking out the dinosaur walk. This was a mixture between excitement and some fear.






Our finished playground. Grant worked SO hard on this project. I'm very excited for my boys to use it for years and I feel lucky that we got it for free!