Not So Super Bowl

So, we invited Thommy and Geoffrey over for a "Super Bowl" party. You can imaging my shock when I discovered we were actually going to watch the game.



I don't know about the game, but the commercials were not up-to-snuff. My top three were the light beer commercial where the girl gets tackled (see above), the magic fridge ad, and, of course, the MacGyver Master Card commercial. Yes...it was "priceless".



Parker, like Mommy, grew board of the game (and the commercials) and opted for a rip-roaring game of peek-a-boo.

This Is My Commute

Sure it's long but I'm driving through beautiful country with an entertaining carpool buddy. This definitely beats the alternate route -- the 14 -- which is lined with vehicles.

I know I'm near the city when I see the marine layer, which covers the city basin like a down comforter.

Disneyland

TRAM TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM
All aboard! Spirits are high as we ride the tram from the parking lot to the park. (L-R: Thommy, Parker, Aimee, Catherine, & Geoffrey)

TAKE THAT, AIMEE!
So, I ask again...what's with boys and the middle finger?

PUNK ROCKER!
Or, give the kid a pair of glasses and, I swear, he's a spitting image of Chicken Little.

PRINCE CHARMINGS
Or should I say, ''Suckers!''

ALL EARS
Parker doesn't initially take to the ears.

MATCHING BALLOON
Not sure if the matching balloon makes it any better. But it's pretty funny. The balloon is almost bigger than Parker.

ALL BETTER
It doesn't take Parker long to bounce back.

SLEEPY
''Yes Tigger, the line was so long, he fell asleep.'' On the bright side, Chris, the big Tigger fan, was wide away for the opportunity to meet his favorite tiger.

WE SURVIVED!
Parker's first trip to Disneyland and we all came out of the experience smiling. (L-R: Geoffrey, Thommy, Catherine, Parker, Chris, Aimee, and Jan)

Thank you all for making Parker's first trip a memorable one -- okay, Parker won't remember it but Chris and I will.

Strange Brew

Strange Brew
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Heading over to pick Parker up at daycare, I noticed the weird clouds in the sky and had to take a picture. Aimee...I'm waiting for your alien/robot conspiracy logic to explain all this.

Happy Birthday Geoffrey

Happy Birthday Geoffrey
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

With Gram watching Parker for the night, Chris and I were able to "escape" and celebrate Geoffrey's birthday at a local restaurant ("in town") called Minibar. It was very stylish tapas restaruant. Sort of like having a bunch of appetizers on the set of Sonny and Cher. :o) But no Cher. :o( Oh well, I guess that's something to strive for for next year.

Not Feelin' So Hot

Not Feelin' So Hot
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Sunday, Parker woke up early and followed his bottle with excessive spit-up. Later that morning, when he projected his breakfast, it occured to me...maybe this is not spit-up but rather vomit. Well, looked like Parker caught a bug, forcing him on a liquid diet for the last few days. Today, Parker's doing a bit better. But Gram's coming tomorrow so things are looking even better.

Welcome to the Lollipop Guild

I couldn't resist giving Parker's hair a flip after his bath. Now, if only I had one of those gigantic lollys.

The Whole 9 Yards

We took another step closer to completing Chris' storage sheds. Thank goodness we had plenty of help from Chris' Dad, Gerry, Thommy, Geoffrey, and our neighbors -- Robert and Ryan.

Awwwww!

I know he's sleeping but I had to take a picture. He's so cute...and still, for once. The only thing missing is the drone of his snoring.

Partridge Family Anyone?

Partridge Family Anyone?
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Here's Parker and his (almost) all chick band. (L-R) Carli on air tamporine, Josephine lead singer, Gram on keyboard, Parker supervising Gram on keyboard, and Jasmine on air keyboard. I know...it's a lot of keyboard but Parker thinks it creates a fuller sounds.

Grandpa and Me

Grandpa and Me
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker and Grandpa Jim hand out on the couch and watch the girls' impromptu ballet performance.

Jumping Jack

Jumping Jack
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker enjoys jumping on the bed with Gram and Josephine. Meanwhile, Jasmine stands read to catch anyone who falls (or she's getting ready for pillow fight).

So close you could touch it

So close you could touch it
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Here's a sky picture in honor of my sister (who's fascinated with them). We're on the road to Tehachepi (not sure if that's spelled correctly) to visit Chris' family. The town appears to be just at the snowline.

F&P

Frankie can't wait for the day when he can train him to throw a ball. In the meantime, he accepts the rough pats & grabs and allows Parker to use him as a climbing wall. Actually, day care made a perfect comment about Parker's latest stage of development. He curious and has to check everything out; now nothing stands in his way. If you stand/lie still too long, he'll use you like a crutch to pull himself up and over you. One day, they found him in a box with another kid at daycare. How they got there...they don't know. Knowing Parker, a little tumble won't stand in his way to explore a new environment.

Fish!

I put this up on the higher rung mainly because I had no where else to put it -- low and on the side, so he can enjoy it lying down, just got in the way everytime I had to change his sheets. But that doesnt' stop Parker. The artificial fish tank has now become his wake up toy, something to amuse himself while he waits for the 'rents to groggily wake up.

Standing Tall

Standing Tall
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Yes, that Parker...standing (with assistance). I thought our house was a mess before and now...well, I guess I should give up now.

Dinner & Laughs

The best thing about Chinese restaurants are the round tables where everyone has perfect view of each other, enabling you to catch special moments that might otherwise be lost. Okay, maybe that the 2nd best thing. The best thing about Chinese restaurants is, actually, lazy Susan at those round tables. Genius!

End of Year Romp

End of Year Romp
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

It's raining. Joanie's car's in the shop. Let's go shopping and...gasp!...take the bus! Luckily, there's a bus stop just around the corner from Joanie's house and with a few transfers we were delivered to the mall with only one crying bout. (Luxi fell while we crossed the street and that freaked her out a bit.) And the trip back was even easier...now that we were old pros.

Gene Pool

Gene Pool
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Sorry Mom, with 6 people (3 of which are kids) you have to go with the pic with the most open-eyed, alert faces. Here we are, post Xmas 2005 in Tahoe, from left to right, Luxi, Joanie, me, Parker, Niko, and Ahmah/Mom.

Yes, It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Yes, It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas!
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Finally! Snow! Better late than never. Looks like we'll be hitting the slopes tomorrow.

Xmas Fun

Xmas Fun
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker enjoyed his first Christmas. Both of my little men are playing with the fun train set that Ahmah gave Parker and Niko's feeding the elf that Parker got from Aunt Joanie.

Out And About

Out And About
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Still no (new) snow but the weather was perfect for an outdoor romp. So, Chris and I bundled up the little guy and we headed out with Frankie. (Which is perfect because since I was carrying the baby, Chris was stuck picking up the slimy ball when playing fetch with Frankie) Now that I'm actually using the cold weather gear, I'm realizing that I should have gotten a hat with a bit lower clearance. That's okay. I guess I'm welling to suffer for cuteness.

Coming of Age Carnivore

Coming of Age Carnivore
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker had his first taste of meat today and, well, not sure if it tasted like chicken but the jar said it was (with brown rice). He didn't seem too excited by it...only finishing 1/3 of the jar. Could this be a sign of a veg-head in our midst? (Don't get your hopes up, Kelly.) I'm sure Chris won't let that happen.

Snow Fetch

Call it Virtual Fetch: Part 2 -- Snow Bound. Frankie looks so majestic in this initial frame but motion quickly gives away his goofiness. Enjoy!

Let It...uh, Rain. Let It Rain. Let It Rain.

12/23 - Let It...uh, Rain. Let It Rain. Let It Rain.
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

We're in Tahoe and there's no snow. :o( Instead, we have rain. That said, the kids are in the house finding ways to keep themselves amused. (Yes, Parker will eventually put that toy back in his mouth.)

Up and (sort of) Crawling

12/22 - Up and (sort of) Crawling
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

We're up in Tahoe and, as predicted, Parker's on track to crawling by Xmas. Here, he's dragged himself to the stairs and can make his way up. Nothing stands in his way. (Not even that sock obstacle.)

Another One Bites the Dust

12/20 - Another One Bites the Dust
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Once again, Frankie attacked Parker's blue monkey doll. Not sure what they stuff in them but evidently, dogs LOVE it. The question now is whether or not I get Parker another one.

All Better

12/19 - All Better
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

A week after Parker's 9 month check up, we returned to the doctor's office to check on his ear infection. Happily, the antibiotics worked. Parker was all clear, which means he was able to get his 9 month shots and his 2nd flu shots. Parker took both like a trooper. His initial sadness dissolved away as soon as he got tossed in the air a couple of times.

Too Pooped to Pop

Too Pooped to Pop
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

So after spending the afternoon (and early evening) at the PetSmart in Pasadena to enroll Frankie in doggie day care, my little guys fell fast asleep on the long ride home.

Why Pasadena for doggie day care, you ask? Well, ideally, when I head up north for the holidays I don't want to go all the way back home to pick up Frankie. Luckily, when I typed in "dog day care" in Google, this program at PetSmart popped up. It was fate! PetSmart is the same place that trained Frankie so they already have gold stars in my book. But we'll see how things go when he actually has his day in camp. If all goes well, this will be a snapshot of my ride up to San Francisco in a couple of weeks.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Finger Foods

Finger Foods

The Sweeper and The Kid
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Today seemed like a good day as any to give finger foods a try and you know what? Parker really enjoyed playing with these little puff snacks. We didn't even need the usual toys that accompany our dining experience.

Eating the snacks is another story. He just didn't get it. I did pop on is his mouth and he gave me a face like, "Mom, what's this weird thing that's now becoming mush in my mouth?"

Frankie, however, got the whole finger food thing and is loving this new stage in Parker's development. WOOF!

Houston, we have lift off!

Houston, we have lift off!
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker's now pushing of the ground and rocking! I predict that we'll see crawling by Christmas.

We went to Parker's 9mo. check-up today. Our little guy has another ear infection but, aside from that, he's doing just fine.

Waiting for the doctor
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

His current stats...

-- Height - 29in (75 percentile)
-- Weight - 18.5 lb (30 percentile)
-- Head Circumference - 47 cm (90 percentile)

All measurements (big and small) are in-line with all his other measurements so there's nothing to worry about.

Yea! No shots! Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

They also did a blood test to make sure he was anemic -- he passed with flying colors. He still has a slight fever, though, which post-poned the shots he was scheduled to take. We'll just have to do it in a couple of weeks when we go in for a follow-up exam for the ear infection.

Sick Again

Sick Again
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

...and things have been going so well. Parker had a 102+ fever yesterday so I got a call from day care and, consequently, had to leave work early. From there we went to the doctor but they didn't have a cause for us. His urine test (is this too much information) determined that he didn't have the flu; and, while his ears were red, he didn't have an ear infection. So we just relied on Motrin to keep Parker's temperature down and lots of hugs to keep his spirits up.