October: Parker turns Two!

Parker
*His hair is growing now! He has a full head of white-blonde hair. It is fine and straight with a bit of a curl in the back.
*Parker is talking up a storm. People often comment on his vocabulary. He picks up and uses new words each day.
*Parker knows about 6 letters and can count to 10 with about an 80% accuracy rate (my teacher side coming out).
*He was getting really excited about birthdays. It was Uncle Curt's, then Grandma's then his. Really fun for a 2 year old!
*About a week before his birthday, Parker announced that he had to go potty. I figured he was just looking to play, but to our surprise he actually went! Of course Justin and I made a really big deal out of it and gave him ice cream.  That did the trick. He's been wearing "big boy undies" (pull-ups) that he's super excited about. He asks to go several times a day. He doesn't always keep his pull-ups dry, but he's doing a pretty good job so far!
*Parker's 2 year check up stats: 28.9 pounds (59%), 2'11" tall (80%), 19.5" head (72%) Parker loves Dr. Clapper and talks about him often.

Hadley
* Hadley is 4 months old.  She is very social and is content watching Parker play or being right next to us. she prefers to be held upright so she can look around. I have a feeling she will be much happier once she can sit up on her own. We started putting her in her exersaucer. At the beginning of the month her feet didn't touch the ground and she couldn't really reach her toys. Now she can touch her feet and grab at many of the toys.
*Hadley explores new objects by putting them in her mouth. Everything goes straight in. She gets mad that her exersaucer toys aren't removable. She wants to eat them so badly! Parker didn't put things in his mouth as much. Once Hadley is mobile, we'll really have to watch what she gets her hands on!
*She is getting much better at napping. She goes down with out much trouble. The length varies between 30 and 2 hours depending on the time of day. At night she is waking up twice, around 12 and 4am. Usually she goes back to sleep without too much trouble.
*Hadley's 4 month check up stats: 12.3pounds (6%), 2' 0.5" tall (30%), 15.75" head (18%) She had one oral vaccination and 3 shots.  She screamed for about 10 seconds and then quickly quieted down with a pacifier and a cuddle. She was a little fussy that afternoon, but did very well overall. 

Fun this Month:
*Fall brings so much fun! We took the kids to the pumpkin patch and it was a wonderful day! Spooner Farms has many activities for little ones like farm animals, balloon animals, cars and bicycles to ride and a corn maze.

*We thought Parker would really get into carving pumpkins. It turned out he didn't care at all! He came to watch long enough for a picture, but it wasn't a hit this year. Hopefully it will be next year!

*I am a part of a workout group called Fit for Mom. They hold occasional outings for the kids. This month was a trip to the fire station. Parker was thrilled! He loved meeting the fire men and women and seeing them in full uniform. Most of all he loved the trucks. I was worried that he would be shy, but he was up for exploring! The firemen liked his enthusiasm and even let him sit in the driver's seat. Parker thought this was the coolest thing ever! He got to try to pick up the heavy jaws of life and even spray the fire hose! He did not want to leave! What a cool experience for an almost 2 year old!

*Parker now understands the fun of birthdays. He went to his friend Brea's party and realized that it means cake and presents. Then we celebrated Uncle Curt's and Grandma's.  Parker was looking forward to his birthday. He would say "Parker's party: friends come over! Cupcakes!!" It's fun that he is finally at the age where he can somewhat understand concepts like this.  Parker is really into cars, trucks, trains and anything else that moves so we decided on a transportation theme.  At this age, kiddos get overwhelmed quickly so I decided on a small, laid back party at home.  It started at 10:30 am and consisted of toddler snacks, balloons and all of Parker's toys spread around the living room so the kids to have at it! It was a really fun time. Parker was talking about it for days after so I know he loved it.

*For Halloween Hadley was dressed as a strawberry and Parker was a fireman. So cute! We went to a party at the Parnell's.  It was fun to see the kids all dressed up and trick or treating together. Parker wasn't sure at first what to make of it all. He looked confused as he walked up to the first door. After he got candy, he was into it! He liked talking to the people at each house. A couple times he tried to walk in. He told on man, "Parker wearing big boy undies".  He enjoyed saying "Happy Halloween!" at each house. He loved his glow stick. After about 10 houses he start getting worn out: "Lot of walking.  Mommy, hold you".  He ate several pieces of candy that night, but the next day he forgot about it.  Out of sight, out of mind.  That may not work next year.