Twelve Months

*I'm way behind on my blog. I hope to catch up this week!

I cannot believe it! How did the year go by so fast? It is true, "the days are long, but the years are short." It makes me want to treasure every single day that much more. I love that I get to wake up to Parker every day. He is just the happiest baby and makes me laugh every day! I thank the Lord every day for him. I'm honored to be his Mama! Here are some things he is up to. He has learned so many new things this past month.

-He is 21.5 pounds. (50th Percentile)
-He is 30 1/2 inches tall. (75th Percentile)
-Size 3 diaper.
-Size 9-12 month clothes.
-Size 5 wide shoe. (measures 4 1/2)
-Naps twice a day.
-Goes to bed at 8:00 ish and wakes up around 7 normally.
-Has learned to clap! He will clap if he sees someone clap or if he hears the words, "yay!", "clap" or "patty cake."-Waves "bye bye" very consistently now.
-Has been walking since the 4th of July weekend.
-Has started trying to run.
-Has started getting up on his hands and feet. (Like a football stance.)
-Loves a balloon. They always have top priority.
-Loves to play with a baseball, football, basketball.....ANY ball.
-Wakes up saying "Ball" in the middle of the night or early morning.
-Loves to play with trucks and makes the sound with his mouth.
-Has not had a bottle since his birthday, September 3.
-Lifts his arms up for me to hold him and I love it.
-Can say:
Mama
Dada
Ball **His favorite word**
Bye Bye
Hi
Uh-oh
Oh No
Mine

Happy Birthday, Parker! We love you so much we can hardly stand it.

Biting Baby

Hi my name is Christy and my child is a BITER!! Yep, a biter!!! It is crazy because he only has two teeth!! When I worked at a daycare I dealt with biting kiddos. I know that they bite b/c they are unable to communicate and they get frustrated. I also know that teething doesn't help the matter. So far I have made him look me in the eyes and I tell him no bite!!! However, I have spanked Parker's hand and hiney and apparently I am not a good spanker b/c it doesn't even register with him. I just cannot do it any harder. I am not able to!! I don't have it in me!!! So call me a bad parent or a pushover, but I just cannot!!! I am hoping that we will find a better way to nip this biting SOON!!!

Sweet Boy

Parker is such a character! He has the most facial expressions I have ever seen. He is such a little turkey too! He knows exactly when he is in trouble and knows exactly how to smile to get out of it. He is such a joy to be around. He loves to smile and wave to everyone he sees. The boy gets so much attention everywhere he goes. His favorite toy by far is a ball. He has learned to give hugs and kisses...........you know it melts my heart!!! I am so blessed to be his Mama and love him so much!

Eleven Months!!!

What am I typing? ELEVEN months? Yowza. Parker is looking more and more like a toddler these days. I'm thinking it's mostly because he walks everywhere but he's just not my little baby anymore!

Here are some amazing baby things he's been doing:

• "talking" up a storm


• exploring......I don't think there's an inch he hasn't crawled over/under/through


• claps when we say "Patty-cake" or "yeah"


• opening and closing all doors


• climbing in the bottom of the stove


• playing with balls. We think we may have a football/baseball/basketball player on our hands.


• He especially loves to play the game where you run and hide from him. He's excited every time he finds you. It never gets old...for me or for him.


• Loves to "read" his books


• splashing around in the tub


• putting anything/everything in the toilet! GROSS!!!

Heavy Heart

My heart is so heavy right now. Baby Miller passed away this morning on his mom's chest while they were all sleeping. Meredith prayed he would go peacefully and he did. Please continue to pray for this family. I can't imagine the heartbreak & sadness they feel. I am truly devastated and he wasn't even my son.

A little back story. Meredith had a son back in March. After he was 3 weeks old, she took him to the doctor because she noticed he was floppy and not moving around. Initially they told her they thought it was muscular dystrophy & sent them onto Children's hospital in Arkansas where he was tested, poked, prodded, etc. Unfortunately, they found out he had SMA type 1. He was put on oxygen and had good days & bad.

Please join me in continuing to pray for their family, and in thanking Jesus that they now know Miller is more than comfortable. The following is a link to Meredith's blog.

http://colecrews.blogspot.com/

9 Month Stats

I finally took Parker to the doctor for his 9 month check-up yesterday. Everything looked great! They asked me if I had any concerns & I said no, unless excessive squeeling is not normal. We sure have been doing A LOT of that lately:) Here are his stats:

Weight: 20lbs 1oz (50th percentile)
Height: 28 3/4" (75th percentile)
Head: 18 something (yes, my kid has a big head....like his daddy)

Catching Up

I have got to learn to get better at blogging. Parker is growing up so fast and keeps us really busy. We go for his 9 month visit on June 14, so I will update then with his weight and length stats.

Clothing: 9-12 months

Diaper : Still hanging out in size 3's

What Parker's up to:

• Totally mobile and is cruising everywhere.


• Despite all the signs of teething, Parker is still tooth free.


• Walking with a push toy or while pushing a bar stool.


• Loves to high five.


• Gives kisses to Mama.


• Said Mama for the first time on June 4....music to my ears!!!

Mother's Day was extra special because we dedicated Parker to the lord. Being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world- but it can also be one of the hardest jobs ever. I'm so thankful to be a mom to my precious little boy. I will never thank God enough for entrusting me with his life.

Parker had a great first Easter. The Easter Bunny dropped off a basket full of goodies. We went to church and then came back to the house and grilled out for lunch. Lee's parents and grandmother came over to eat and spend time with Parker.

I'm in Birmingham until Wednesday so this is my second time to stay away from Parker. I cried from Bay Minette to Birmingham on Sunday. It's hard. I know Lee and his parents will take good care of him, but no one can do it like Mama. Have a great week.