Snug as a bug

Love, love, love the morning nap! Enough said...

Don't compare my baby to your dog!

Before having Parker, I would tease my friends on the similarities between their children and our dog, Pismo. My comments were always in good fun and have proved to be true about Parker too. Parker enjoys many of the same things as Pismo. He enjoys having his belly rubbed, he loves his afternoon walks, and wants to play on the floor with Chris and me.

Well, today we found another similarity - both Parker and Pismo enjoy looking out the front window at the cars, people and dogs passing by. Parker found it very entertaining and it passed at least a half hour of time. And the best part, they both really enjoyed eachothers company.

Fun with Grandpa

The grandmothers spend a lot of time with Parker. They get to enjoy the giggles, the smiles, and just the day to day fun with Parker. My father, or Papa Bob, doesn't get the same qaulity time; however, he has been known to sneak home during the day to see him.

Chris had to work this weekend, so Parker and I decided to head up to the cabin with my folks. We had planned to get out of the house and explore nature, but it snowed...in May. It was so chilly up there that we ended up staying inside. The cold weather gave Mama Vicky and Papa Bob plenty of time to chill with the bugs...and mommy got some time to watch a movie or two!

What a fun and relaxing weekend. Parker is so loved and Chris and I are so lucky to have such wonderful parents.

Papa Bob building with Parker. Parker enjoyed

banging the hammer on everything!

Parker and Papa Bob outside of Giant Burger...in the snow.

Parker found the snow falling on his head funny!

The girls...and two boys.

It took Amy having a birthday to get Kristen, Cortnie, Amy and I together (with Jocie, Anthony, and Parker - Cort left her two girls at home). It was a night filled with good food, laughter, and babies. We were so focused on the babies that we didn't even get a photo of all of us girls.

Childhood friends and now we are all mom's. Fun!

Parker Thomas Cavner - nearly 8 months

Jocelyn Hope Wiley - 3 months

Anthony Allen Knott - 2 months

Parker just loved Jocie and her bald little head!

AMGEN Tour of California

We have been lucky to have the AMGEN Tour of California roll through Sacramento the past few years. We typically hit the event with Michele and Erik...and this year, Olivia and Parker joined us for the festivities. They were good little babes while we hit Hot Italian for lunch, cruised through the vendor booths, and watched the pack of cyclists roll by. It was a fun Sunday afternoon.

What are you saying? Where are we going?

Parker is six weeks older than Olivia.

May I have some more?

Parker loves to eat. We have yet to find a food he doesn't like, although he does give a little shiver when he eats anything green. Lately, he has been moving his head a lot when I am feeding him. The result - a messy face of sweet potatoes, rice cereal and gushy Ritz Cracker.

I also have been attempting to teach him a few simple signs to help him communicate. I am just doing the basic milk, eat, mommy you are the prettiest and smartest lady I know and I love you; and more. I am happy to report that Parker is so smart he has created his own international sign for more. When I say more and tap my fingers together he opens his mouth and leans towards his bowl of food.

Genius, no. Hungry, yes. Love the bugs!

Ally fun

My Auntie Al was 15 when I was born and I have very few childhood memories that do not include her. She spent the night every Christmas, watch me when my parents traveled and take me to the "big" mall in Fairfield, and just play silly games with me. It is fun to have her around to torture - um, I mean play with Parker.

On a side note, check out how big Parker looks in Ally's arms (she is 5'2).

A day with my girls.

Parker is a very lucky little dude. He has two little ladies - Teagan Marie and Olivia Hart.

Parker got to play with both on a beautiful Friday. We went to the park with Teagan and her mommy Leslie where the kiddos played under a shaded tree, ate sand toys, did a little swinging, and made out. Yup, that's right, Parker got his first bit of action. Teagan likes to give BIG kisses to her mom and decided that Parker was worthy of a kiss (ask you can see from the pictures below). The best part was the fact that Parker cried when Teagan came in for the smooch (oh how that will change) and that Teagan became very upset with a red face and a big grunt when I pulled Parker away...I didn't know I could get a dirty look from an 8 month old.

It is fun to watch the kids grow and to have some fun time with friends.

Parker: Hi mom! Teagan: Wuz up!

Parker found his shadow. So fun!

Slow for the Cone Zone!

Hi there.

I don't think I like that!

I am very angry...*grunt, redface, grunt, dirty look*

Phase two of the Friday day of fun included some play time with Olivia and dinner at Club Pheasant while Daddy went off to a Brew Fest. Parker loves to play with Olivia and tonight was no different. The two had fun passing toys back and forth and helped one another empty the toy basket. It was a lovely evening and a great end to a very busy and fun day!

Olivia is very curious...what the heck is he doing?

Parker helping Olivia get the toys out of the basket.

And it is empty! They did it!

Happy Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day. I honestly thought it would never happen, but it did. We started the morning with playtime in bed. Chris had to work and so it was just me and da bugs until we joined both families at Del Paso Country Club for brunch.

Parker was just a joy. He sat in the high chair and entertained everyone and enjoyed his first taste of French Toast. Chris joined us in full uniform (the chef brought him a donut and Chris asked him which car was his in the parking lot).

Parker gave his GranDiva a charm bracelet that he picked out and his Mama Vicky a basket full of dishes and cupcake goodies. Chris and Parker bought me a beautiful saphire ring (da bugs birthstone) and made me the most beautiful video of Parker's life to date. I will cherish the video and thank Chris for showing it to me at Del Paso. Nothing like a crying mommy on Mother's Day.

I love my family and absolutely love being a mom. It is just the best and everything that I expected.

Here is to the crazy baby love!

French Toast is magical!

Happy Mother's Day. I picked this out just for you!

Mama Vicky's basket. What can I break?

7 month check up

Today, Parker had his seven month appointment. Yes, typically children have a six month appointment. We just like to do things a little later.

I have been saying for two months that we have a very big baby...and it was confirmed today. Well, we have a big, short baby with a decent size head. Specifically:

• Head circumference: 441/2 (55th percentile)
• Height: 27 (45th percentile)
• Weight: 19 pounds (70th percentile)

Developmentally, Parker is doing well. The form states all babies develop at their own rate (yup). At this age you may notice that your baby:

• Blows bubbles (every day, especially when Grandpa holds him)
• Starts babbling at others (very loudly)
• Makes more sounds in a row (da da da la goo thhhhh is one of his favorites)
• Copies sounds (fake cough)
• Starts to recognize his name
• Smiles and babbles at his own image (loves the mirror on his bouncy saucer)
• Feels nervous with strangers and seems happy seeing familiar faces (mmm...sort of)
• Rolls over (finally, but only belly to back)
• Sits with support by leaning forward on hands (yup, and doesn't need support)
• Rocks back on forth on hands and knees to prepare for crawling (not even close, he has started to tolerate being on his belly)
• Reaches, grabs and moves objects from hand to hand (uh huh)
• Tires to pick up objects using a raking movement of the hand (he can pick things up without the raking motion, he has great hand control)

Big baby, well on track. We just love him!

Does this constitute as a roll over?

I have written many posts about Parker's unwillingness to roll over. He finally mastered the tummy to back roll out of pure hatered of being on his belly. He has yet to roll from back to tummy. I am confident that he has the ability to roll in both directions, I just think he doesn't want to.

So I ask, does sleeping on his side constitute a roll over from back to belly? I am saying yes it does!