Videos

We've been taking more videos than we used to, trying to capture the various stages of mobility Parker is embarking on.  Here are a few that show just how much fun we are having with this little girl.

Parkers loves Otis:

Figuring out new ways to use the walker:

More walker time:

And more:

 

She still likes to bounce:

 

Helping unpack groceries:

Another Johnson Visit!

Parker got to see her aunt, uncle, & cousins again last weekend when the Johnsons came to town again!  They arrived Friday afternoon and Clare went to another cousin's house for her first sleepover.  Grandpa stayed at our house to watch Parker and Cate and the adults went to a Wilco concert at Highland Bowl (right near our house).  For anyone who does not know Wilco and wants to check them out, two of my favorite songs are "Heavy Metal Drummer" and "Jesus, Etc".  (p.s. they are not a Christian Rock band).  The concert was so much fun and the girls were perfect angels for Papa G.

On Saturday we collected Clare and went to the Park Ave Fest.  It was 96 degrees and so not very comfortable to be outside.  Some pics of our hot little girls.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed out the old Goforth stomping grounds of Waterport.  First we visited Brown's Berry Patch.  Everyone had some ice cream (Parker loved her first taste of mint chocolate chip!) and we visited the goats. 

After that we went to visit some old neighbors on the lakefront. Hanging out on the deck with a view of Lake Ontario made Larry, Gennie, & Greg really miss their home out there.





Parker - 10 Months Old

Parker had her 10 month birthday on Friday!  She is getting closer and closer to walking and we are guessing that she will officially a walker by 11 months.   (Please reference previous post and walker videos) Parker is making more and more sounds, ma, na and ba, but really just likes to be as loud as possible, as evidenced in this video. 

She also started saying what we all think is "Hi".  I realize now that I say Hi to Parker all the time, so it would make sense that she picked that up.  Greg says "Hola" to her and we swear she said it back once.

Parker is still a wonderful eater.  She will literally eat anything we give her.  We consolidated bottles so she just has four a day now.  This is her current eating schedule:

6:30 am - 7oz bottle
8:00 am - breakfast 
11:00 am - 7 oz bottle
noon - lunch
3:00 pm - 7 oz bottle
4:30 pm snack
6:00 pm - dinner
7:30 pm - 7 oz bottle

We have tried to teach her sign language for "more" and while she doesn't do it correctly, she does have her own version. 

Parker now has a fifth tooth, so three on top.  Her front two teeth have a pretty good space between them, so when she flashes a big grin she looks very toothy.  We started brushing her teeth this month and she really likes it.  She seems to take it very seriously and holds her mouth open well the whole time.  

This month we used the baby pool in the backyard for the first time. Parker was in heaven and Otis was jealous.

Parker had her first taste of cookie dough a couple weeks ago.  Probably not something I should be giving to a 9 month-old, but it sure was fun to watch.

And finally, here is a good video of Parker laughing at Otis after Daddy got him all riled up:

Colorado Visit

Last weekend we ventured to Colorado for Parker's first visit.  We flew through NYC on the way there and Parker did wonderfully.  The leg from La Guardia to Denver is a long flight, we were on the plane for 4.5 hours.  Unfortunately, the woman seated next to us was NOT happy about being seated next to a baby.  She made a scene when she arrived at our row with a very audible "you've got to be kidding me" accompanied by lots of eye rolling. 

Upon arrival in Denver, we were greeted by a much friendlier face, Jill!  We went to her parents house to pick up Fallyn and have some lunch, delicious Colorado pizzeria Beaujo's.  The girls both napped during the two hour drive up to Edwards and then immediately were ready to play.  They had lots of fun just playing on the bed together.

Friday night the men were in charge of the babies and Jill and I had a girl's night out.  It was just like old times for me as everyone met up at Ford Ampitheater for the season's final performance of the New York Philharmonic.  Unfortunately, it rained the entire time, but the good food, wine, and especially the company made it pleasant nonetheless.

Saturday was the boy's day off and they took Dan's raft and fished the Roaring Fork River.  Meanwhile, Jill and I met some friends at Freedom Park in Edwards and a good time was had by all.  We were joined by Anne and her son, Ben (17 months) and Sally and her daughter, Avery (22 months).

Saturday night we hired a babysitter for date night.  We started off the night at Vin 48 with drinks and small plates at the bar.  Then it was on to Sato for sushi.  Finally, we had dessert at Juniper.  Such amazing food and, of course, treasured time spent with our friends Jill and Dan.

On Sunday we picked up lunch and went down to the Eagle River.  The boys did some fishing and we walked around with the girls.

Then back to the house so we could get ready for the big Olympic party!  Everyone represented a country and brought a corresponding dish.  Dan smoked a pork butt for the good ol' USA.  We did Germany with soft pretzels and beer cheese sauce.  There was also Italy and a caprese salad, the UK with yorkshire pudding, Ireland with potatoes, and Australia with vegemite toasts.  Lots of kids at these gatherings now, it was kind of crazy!

On Monday, we went into Vail and had lunch at La Bottega.  The plan was to ride the gondola to the top of the mountain, but first we had to wait out a passing storm and so enjoyed some Mudslides at The Bully Ranch. 

Then up the gondola!!  Parker loved it and was beating her hands on the windows.  It was gorgeous after the thunderstorm and we enjoyed to hanging outside for awhile.

It was a wonderful trip and with all of the fun things we did, Parker's favorite was the little walker the Chalfants had at their house.  First, we had Fallyn sit in it so it wouldn't go too fast.  Then we put books in it.  Then Dan remembered he could adjust the wheels to provide more resistance.  Here are the videos and photos of Parker's walking practice.

We will always love Colorado and cannot wait to share it more with Parker in the years to come!!