Parker at 4 months

Parker turned 4 months old this week. I can't believe its been 4 months already! Rick and I have been talking about how it seems like Parker has always been a part of our family and we can't imagine our family without him. Life is pretty amazing that way.
At the doctor he was 14 lbs, 10 oz (47 %) and 24 1/4 in (which is only 36% but the doc said he would probably have a growth spurt soon). His reflex seems to be pretty much under control with his meds, for now. Although he still spits up a lot. He is still not sleeping through the night, but Mommy has decided it is time for some tough love, so wish me luck. (I can also tell he is not all that hungry when he wakes up...)
He is starting to really roll from his back to his side. So on to his tummy is just a matter of time. He doesn't like to sit in his bouncy seat much anymore. He would rather be seating up more. If I hold him on the couch and the TV is on he'll turn to try to watch it. And everything, and I mean everything is going in his mouth. He is growing so fast!
At the bottom is another picture of Madison for comparison, her at 4 months.

latest obsession

I mentioned Madison loves puzzles...

first girlfriend?

Last weekend we went to a party at Rick's friend Heidi's house. They have just moved back from London. Molly and Clint and their little girl Wren were there. It was the first time Parker and Wren have met. Molly and I were both due on May 1st, but these two are 2 weeks apart in age. Parker was 10 days early and Wren was induced a few days late. I would say its fate.
Holding hands.

i found my feet

Last week Parker found his feet. Dad didn't think he was as flexible as sister, but he manages to put them in his mouth occasionally. The last picture is of Madison just for fun. She is just a little bit older than Parker in these pictures.

cuddling

Madison and Parker cuddling in our bed a couple of weekends ago.

Madison's 4-year old well visit

So I forgot to post about Madison's 4 Year-old well visit that we had at the beginning of July. We got a little off timing wise because of the move back to Dallas, so that's why it didn't happen until July. Her appointment when great except for the shots :(
She is 36.8 lbs which is the 56% and 41.6 in which is 76% for height. We'll see if she continues to be tall.
Madison is getting ready to start her second year of preschool. She can write her name quite well. She knows all her letters and she loves to ask us how you spell something and she'll write it out. She is coloring inside the lines now and has graduated to drawing actually pictures instead of just scribbles. I usually have her draw a picture with each card we send for birthdays or thank yous, and its always fun to see what she'll draw. We just sent birthday cards to Spencer and Sarah for their birthdays. Sarah got a picture of Madison's My Little Pony and Spencer got a picture of Madison on the stairs. She said he would really like the stairs.
Madison still loves flowers, the garden and anything having to do with the garden. Grandame regularly gives her flowers when we visit which makes her day. She still loves to dance and sing. Her newest thing is to sing to Parker to make him happy. Grandma took us to see the Little Mermaid on stage at Music Theatre of Wichita and she loved it! Not long after it started she turned to me and said "Mom, I want to be up there."
Recently we went to the park with her friend to Ben (from school) and his sister Abby. Ben and Madison decided to play Sleeping Beauty. Ben's mom and I watched several times as Ben kised Madison so she would "wake up". Too cute.
Her latest obsession is puzzles. As in 150 to 300 piece puzzles. She'll do one of the Disney Princess 150 puzzles 2 or 3 times a day. Those are her favorites. We bought a couple of sets of Disney puzzles. They each have 8 puzzles ranging from 150 to 500 pieces. The 500 are to hard for her to do by herself, but she is amazing at the others. One of the 150s will take her about 20 minutes.
Maddie is adjusting to being a big sister pretty well. She is great about getting things for me and talking to or entertaining Parker when I need some help. I haven't gotten her to change a diaper yet though ;) She calls him "my Parker". And she gets jealous sometimes when she can't his attention away from me. She is in his face a lot but she is bad a other people's personal space anyway. And Parker, for the most part, is very entertained by her. I hope he enjoys being her Prince because I see some dancing in his future.

Sadie was cold

Madison swears Sadie was cold and needed a blanket.

a performance for the ages

One Friday we had a play date with Elison. The girls decided to put a show for us. Madison is also wearing a hand-me-down dress that Elison had brought for her that day. And yes, the dress is on backwards.

Parker at 3 months

Parker is growing up fast. We took him to the doctor at 3 months for a medicine check and he was 13 lbs 9 oz which is 50% for his age, but he sure seems big! And that is double his birth weight. He started rolling from his tummy to his back at about 10 weeks. He is cooing and talk like crazy. He is really good at keeping eye contact if I move around him. And he as started grabbing his toys and puts everything in his mouth. He looks so different from the baby pictures already...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

July 24th was Daddy's birthday. And nothing says happy birthday like an ice cream cake! As you can see it was too much excitement for Parker.

a visit

For a week in July Madison, Parker and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Wichita. We had a busy week. We went swimming with Spencer, Sarah and Isaac. We went to the Art Museum for a class for Maddie. Grandma took Maddie to swim with Spencer and Issac at the YMCA. We got to see Carrie and Park. And we went to the new Children's Garden at Botanica. Plus lots of quality time with Grandma and Grandpa.
Swimming with Spencer.
Madison surfing.
Parker posing.


Botanica

sidewalk chalk

Madison's chalk drawing of Rapunzel.

Great Midwest Hot Air Balloon Fest

In mid July the Great Balloon Fest was at the Great Mall. So we headed out with Parker in the baby carrier. It was hot, but not bad in the shade. Unfortunately, only a few balloons launched because of the weather, so we stayed for the balloon glow at sunset. Parker did really good, especially once we found a spot on the blanket. And Madison loves hot air balloons so she was in heaven.

Cuddling

Madison and Parker cuddling on the couch

Baby you're a Firework

For quite some time now Madison's favorite song has been Firework by Katy Perry. Every time we are in the car she asks to find it on the radio. So much so that we finally downloaded the album and made a CD for the car. So on the 4th of July we watched the New York fireworks on TV before we left to watch the real ones. And of course one of the songs they played was Firework. So here is Madison dancing and singing along. And a picture of Parker wearing Madison's headband.

Happy 4th of July

For the 4th of July weekend, Rick's sister's family, his aunt Connie, his cousins Bo, Debb, Lindsey and her family all came into town for a visit. It was quite a full house, but lots of fun to get to see everyone. Madison, Luke and Ella got 4th of July presents from Aunt Renny. They used most of it to decorate their bikes for the neighborhood bike parade. Parker and Lindsey's daughter Maya were too young this year, but watch out next year! Bo and Debb helped Luke and Madison put together a Lego house and kept them busy for at least an hour! And we managed to get a picture of the whole clan. Happy 4th of July!
Luke, Maddie and Ella



Decorated bikes
The parade
Ella helping Parker
The Lego house
The whole family

Getting ready for the invasion

The Thursday before the 4th Rick's sister family came into town for the weekend. It was just the beginning of the invasion of family for the weekend.

posing

We had dinner outside back when it was still nice out at the end of June. Here is Maddie posing for yet another picture.

Mini Me

Grandma and Grandpa came up the end of June so Grandpa could play in a golf tournament. And they brought a surprise for Madison. Grandpa won a silent auction item and it was matching dresses for a girl and her doll. So G&G bought Maddie a new doll and got to pick out the fabric for the dresses. Madison was so excited she wore them all weekend long. And she decided the doll's name was Marie.