Parties, Hanging Out, and First Steps!

Kris cannot stand Keeping Up with the Kardashians. “Tell me why they are famous again?!” is a comment I hear often as I’m trying to watch the show. Last night the conversation went something like this:

K: Do you have to watch this stupid show?
S: Yes.
K: Why?
S: I deserve it.
K: Why?
S: Because I got pooped on. I win.

I’ve been taking baths with Parker recently in our big master bath tub. She loves how high the water gets and has a blast splashing the water with her hands, playing with her toys, and pulling herself up on me and the tub. She also apparently likes to poop while taking a bath. I don’t think that I’ve ever jumped out of the bathtub as fast as I did yesterday! Gross gross gross!

In other news, the weekend was great. I helped Kris out in the basement a bit during Parker’s naps and it’s almost finished! Yay! Next week our carpet is being installed and our new couch is being delivered. Our new sectional is still being made but should ship out in a couple weeks. We have a TV order to place, bar stools to set up, and a few more things to do before it’s completely finished—like putting doorknobs on and installing the toilet and bathroom vanity—but it will all be done by Parker’s birthday party!

We spent Saturday helping Parker walk around the house (since that is her thing right now) and ended the day at our subdivision block party. Parker did what babies do—played with her BFF neighbor friend Sophia and a new friend two cul-de-sacs over, one year old Julia—and the adults did what adults do—talked and drank. There were cool things for the older kids, like a rock climbing wall and face painting, and food and drinks galore for all. It was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone and the weather couldn’t have been better. I vote for having these block parties monthly instead of annually!

Sunday was a day for the record books. Parker slept in. Until 845am!! OMG were we shocked. I felt so refreshed the entire day, especially since I went to bed at 10pm the night before. We went on a nice jog, played at the park, played some more at home, then had a delish meal out. Going out to eat with a baby is a bit tricky. You have to plan it when they are in a good mood and wonder how long they will tolerate the restraints of the high chair. We’ve certainly had our dinners out with a fork in one hand and Parker in the other, but now with her being so mobile if we try to hold her while sitting she tries to break free. Cheerios, her meal of tofu, red peppers, mushrooms, and kale, the menu, and a slinky kept her entertained. We walked Parker to sleep in the Ergo around the sub when we got home and ended our awesome weekend!

I don’t think we have much planned for next weekend. The weekend after next is Oktoberfest so hopefully we’ll have some time to make it! Kid Rock apparently always goes to the local Oktoberfest so maybe we’ll run into him!

And perhaps the most exciting news of all...someone took her first steps today!!

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

Perhaps I’m just in a sappy mood since Parker’s first year is flying by, but most things on this list brought tears to my eyes. There are a couple things that stood out to me that can happen in the near future—pancakes shaped in a number one for breakfast on Parker’s birthday and a letter written to Parker each year on her birthday :)

Compliments of From Dates to Diapers.

I was in tears as I read through this list, as I’m sure many grown daughters will be. Mothers – bookmark this list of rules and encourage your daughter’s daddy to read them, memorize them, and put them in to action. And, to all you Dads out there – be sure you pay close attention and heed these wise words.

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait‘ til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon (when boy meets girl). There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
































Happy weekend all! We'll be hanging out in the gorgeous fall weather and heading to our annual subdivision party in the next cul-de-sac over!

Labor Day Weekend

Well it’s back to normal after a wonderfully long weekend. Kris and I did something crazy on Saturday. We left Parker. For the first time. In ten and a half months. Kris got OSU tickets through the alumni lottery and while initially I planned on not going to the game, I decided it would be nice to see the Buckeyes and have some one-on-one time with Kris. So we left Parker with my parents who were thrilled to watch her and headed down to the hottest game ever. Seriously, I’m not exaggerating. It was in the mid 90s, though the car read 102! We walked up the first flight of stairs in the stadium to find someone lying in a stretcher with paramedics around them. Same thing on the next flight. A few minutes into the game a guy went down a few rows behind us. Kris heard on ESPN that 20 fans were taken to the hospital due to the heat. We left the game in the third quarter, sweaty and mildly delirious. Even though it was scorcher it was still awesome to be at the Shoe and feel the energy of the fans!

On Sunday we spent the day at the park and Parker played with a sweet almost two year old. My God do they grow up fast! This girl was running around and talking and seemed so much bigger than Parker. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that Parker would soon be toddling around like her new friend!

Labor Day was absolutely fabulous. I’m a fall weather kinda girl. Jean, boots, sweaters, college football and Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes (which début today, yay!) please! It was a nice and crisp 62 degrees which means only one thing—time for the local cider mill! I love the cider mill. There are horse rides, a petting zoo, trails, a river, and of course good eats—cider, fudge, donuts, everything! Parker got some quality time in with the random array of petting zoo animals. One goat-like thing really liked Parker and followed us all around. That wasn't creepy at all.

Long weekends and short work weeks are the best!

Not So Bad Afterall

Remember the dreaded walker? Well it's not so dreaded after all. A few weeks ago Parker started pulling herself up on it and walking. While she's walking she's happy as can be. But once she hits a wall and stops moving she FREAKS. Sometimes I can redirect her and sometimes she will back the walker up herself, but sometimes she just wants to yell at the wall to get out of her way!

Parker is getting very frustrated with not being able to walk yet. About half the time when she sees the walker she just crumples and cries, as if it's just a reminder that she needs assistance for the time being to scoot around. In due time, little lady!

Wordless Wednesday

BFF's

I Don’t Know How She Does It

I haven’t read the book but I’m looking forward to seeing the movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker, especially since I’m partial to her last name. And by seeing the movie, I mean waiting until it’s available on pay-per-view and somehow convincing Kris that this will be the best movie of the year and he must watch it. Must.

The movie is about a working mother and the non-stop balancing act between work, children, and the million other things in life. I was reading the trailer and the phrase “non-stop balancing act” really hit home for me. With being a working mama the juggling act is forever on-going. But I feel like I have a handle on it. I wake up super early and stay up super late. I manage to find time to make Parker's food, cloth diaper, keep the house tidy, and put dinner on the table for me and Kris. Sometimes said dinner doesn’t happen until 9pm, but it sure tastes good by that time because you’re starving. It took a few weeks and a few conversations with fellow working mamas to figure out what works best, but I’ve got it down now.

While on maternity leave I often thought to myself, how do working mom’s do it?? You just do. You figure out how to get things done, even if that means staying up until midnight doing laundry and, let’s not lie, catching up on the Kardashians. You learn to appreciate stores that stay open late (love you Target!), curse those that close early (I’m looking at you, Whole Foods and every.single.mall), and appreciate online shopping more than you ever thought was possible. You learn how to function on little sleep. My natural adrenaline keeps me going. I honestly don’t realize how exhausted I am until my head hits the pillow at the end of the day. Life is busy, hectic, and crazy no matter what your situation--whether you work, stay at home, go to college, or do a little of everything. But once you get in a groove it’s great. Until the thing that makes your groove wakes up at 330am to play like last night. Still love her to pieces ;)

And now I present you with Parker getting tricked by what she thought was a paci when really it was just a paci case thing. And one of her new favorite toys--the Altoid tin.

Parker's Worth It!

Kids Are Worth It: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline by Barbara Coloroso. I’m only 20ish pages in but so far I am in love with this book. The author’s parenting principles are right on the same page as mine—treating your children in the exact way that you would like to be treated. There are quotes throughout the book and this one stood out to me:

Who of us is mature enough for offspring before the offspring themselves arrive? The value of marriage is not that adults produce children but that children produce adults—Peter de Vries

I’ve definitely matured since Parker has arrived. I have much more empathy for others than I did before. I’m slower to judge. I’m more respectful of others and they decisions they make. I have to be the best person I can be so that Parker learns how to be the best person she can be!

Up next on my reading list is Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. I’m excited for a book geared towards little ones with unique needs. Kris and I have found that many of the parenting books out there are more for low demand babies which just won’t work for our Parker!

Have you noticed yet that I must research anything and everything?? I don’t know if that’s a flaw or an asset ;)

Here are some pictures of Parker crawling around the house. Happy weekend!