Morning nap

We are settling into a routine and one of my favorite time of day is after Parker's morning feeding when he sleeps with Daddy for a bit. On the weekends they can fall back asleep for more than an hour. During the week, Chris spends at least a half an hour with his son before getting up and getting ready for work. This time is so sweet. They play, laugh and Parker just loves the snuggle!

Christmas loot

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse...because the Cavner's were out celebrating!

We started the holiday on Christmas Eve, in the afternoon, when we visited Great Grandma Irene and all of my father's siblings. For many it was the first time meeting Parker.

We then celebrated Christmas with Chris' family. Great Nani, Grandma Suzie, Uncle Matty, Great Uncle Jeff, and cousins Farrahnoush (from Holland) and Norbert. It was a lovely evening with good food and fun stories.

Christmas morning was filled with Thomas family traditions including Mama Vicky's homemade cinnamon rolls, unwrapping gifts out of order, and a new tradition of passing Parker for Christmas day loves.

Parker scored this year with clothes and toys and a genuine Lousiville Slugger bat from his Aunt Ally.

We capped the Christmas holiday with an afternoon of fun with both families. We had a wonderful first Christmas with Parker and can't wait until next year when he will be walking and we will continue to build our new family traditions.

The four phases of sleepy.

Parker is 12 weeks old. Where does the time go? He is cooing, smiling, laughing and talking to us! Such a sweet time.

After his breakfast, he has some quality play time with daddy. They talk and make silly phases together and then Parker gets very sleepy. We have learned over time that he has four phases of sleepy.

Phase 1: I think I am done playing now. Parker's eyes get heavy and he fixes his stare on an object for a long period of time.

Phase 2: Fussy. He fusses right before he drifts off to sleep. The cry is a whiny cry. I joke that he doesn't have the energy to put into a full fledged cry!

Phase 3: Yawn. He will yawn with a few big sighs right before he closes his eyes.

Phase 4: Night night. He finally drifts off to dreamland.

Play date with two hot babes and then shots!

The Play Date

November 9, 2009. Parker had a play date with Teagan and Olivia - also known as the two hot babes. Teagan and Parker share a birthday (11 weeks today) and Olivia is five weeks. The mama's found it so fun to see our babies next to one another.

The kids "played" on the floor for at least 30 minutes...just talking to one another. Teagan and Olivia enjoyed checking out one another. My little Parker just chilled by himself, laughing at his hands and screaming every once in a while to remind us there was a guy in the house!

Who would have thought that a play date with three children all under three months would be so much fun. Before we know it we will be meeting in the park and our kids will be running around.

The Shots

After the play date, Parker and I headed to his two month check up and first round of vaccinations. The report:

• 12 pounds, 11 ounces (50th percentile)


• 46 cm head circumfence (40th percentile)


• 24 1/2 inches long (40th percentile)
  
• Didn't cry during the shots (giggled actually), had a melt down because he did not feel good four hours after the shots!

I guess it was an okay day for Parker. He started the day with a date with two hot babes and end the day with a round of shots.

What does Parker do?

December 23, 2009 (12 weeks old; 3 months) - Parker has discovered his hands! He is beginning to grab at objects and is making sounds much different than his baby coo's. He is very alert, smiling and is close to grabbing his feet. He is focusing on everything within site and faces are his absolute favorite. He is getting so big!

December 2, 2009 (10 weeks old) - Parker has taken to the pacifier or "paci," which is making our lives much easier. He is also awake for 2-3 consecutive hours and very alert during this time. He has discovered his hands and thinks they are about the coolest toy around. He brings his feet to his chest (bending in half) while on the changing table or while playing in his play gym -- you can tell he is getting ready to eat his feet! He also has unbelievable head control and likes to sit up and look around.

November 18, 2009 (8 weeks old) - First real smiles and cooing. He started giving me smiles while on his changing table. His favorite time of day to play and engage with me is at 4:30 in the morning! His first smile came to us on his Grandpa's 61st birthday! This week he also started talking to us by cooing and might I say these are the most lovely sounds I have ever heard!

Taco Tuesday

I don't know how it started, but for the past few months we have gotten together with friends to celebrate "Taco Tuesday." Troy makes his homemade taco shells, everyone brings a taco fixin', and we share a casual evening together during the middle of the week.

Parker and Olivia Santos were a big hit at Taco Tuesday this month; althought Parker slept through the entire event thanks to the Baby Bjorn. It was a great night with friends!