On the verge

Parker is getting close to crawling.  She is constantly up on all fours and is doing the rocking motion more and more often.  She moves backwards a lot and often ends up (frustrated) in the corner.  Time to baby proof!!  Here is a video of her "practicing".

Professional Photos - Spring 2012

We finally got a good recommendation on a photographer to get some family photos and shots of Parker at age 6 months.  We had the session scheduled for beginning of April, but rescheduled two times because of the weather.  We really wanted to do the photos outside, at Highland Park, which is very close to our house.  The photographer, Kristen Koppers, was very flexible and we ended up meeting her at the park last Friday evening.  Kristen said she loves the light that time of day and she was so right!  Here are some of our favorites:

Easter

We drove to Pittsburgh this weekend to spend Easter at the Johnson's.  This was our first time meeting our new neice, Cate, so we were so excited for the trip.  It was our first long road trip with Parker since Thanksgiving and driving back from St. Louis and she did pretty well.  It's normally a 4.5 hour drive, but with a baby took a bit longer.  Friday night we hung out at the Johnson's house and it ended up being a bit of a party night (the shot-ski even made an appearance)...we were up until 2:00 am.  Needless to say we were all a bit tired on Saturday since we all have babies to wake up with now. 

On Saturday, we took everyone to a park, it was Parker's first time on a swing and she LOVED it.  At one point, she was even giggling.  Somehow we thought we had that part on video but turns out we missed it.  The video below is before she really got the hang of it. 

We took the whole crew to The Hofbrauhaus for an early dinner.  It's in Gennie & Eric's old neighborhood of the South Side, so lots of memories at this place. 

Easter Sunday we had brunch at Roy Johnson's country club.  Parker wore a dress/jacket outfit that was mine was I was a little girl.  Here are pictures of Parker wearing it at 6 months (it was a little big on her) and me at 14 months...both on Easter!

And some family photos:

A couple more of Parker just being cute at Easter brunch:





Jumpin'

Here is a more recent video of Parker enjoying her jumper.  Her footwork reminds me of a ballerina!

Parker - 6 Months Old

We cannot believe that Parker is 6 months old already.  Everyone tells you that time flies and it sure is the truth.  We had her check up this morning and everything is right on track.  Parker weighs 18 lb 7 oz (85%) and 27.5 inches long (90%), so she is still our big girl.  (When she reads this as a teenager, she will hate that I keep saying that.)  Her head is also at 90% so she is well proportioned.  She is hitting all her appropriate milestones...she has mastered the sitting up, can pass items from hand to hand, and is making lots of new sounds (her favorite still being the da-da-da sound).

It seems Parker has started teething.  The drool factor is simply amazing; she soaks any bib or shirt she is wearing in a matter of minutes.  Most toys not only end up in her mouth but are vigorously rubbed back and forth on her lower gums.  She has been fussy at times, even during bottle time at daycare, which is unusual.  This has been going on for a few days now but still no teeth have appeared, so hopefully soon.

Here are a couple photos of a recent meal of carrots after her hands went in her mouth after every single bite.  She then started banging her hands on the tray.  We have since learned to grab her hands before they reach her mouth and she has seemed to learn better.

An attempt at soothing some sore gums, this is a wonderful gift from Aunt Gennie, meant to chill a wine bottle...

Here are some pictures from her monthly photo shoot:

Video of Parker's first time really getting the jumper, she is a pro at it now, loves it, thanks Aunt Annie!

 Video of her first attempt at eating a yogurt bite (they melt in the mouth)