October

Parker has been really in to talking and making hand gestures lately.  Parker waves hello and goodbye to people that he meets. He also loves to clap. He will clap for himself after doing something cool like climbing onto the couch or stacking blocks.  He also claps if he hears it on TV. I think once he clapped at himself for clapping. Parker also copies more of our words. He's tried to say things such as "great grandpa (sounded like papapa), grandpa, doggy, fishy" though he doesn't say them on his own and we aren't sure he understands the meaning. 

Parker understands most of what we say. We can tell him "go find your teddy bear" or "where are your ears" and he complies. It's pretty amazing to see him figuring out new things every day. It allows Parker to become more independent and to express himself.

Since Parker has 8 teeth, we figured it was time to start brushing. I've heard horror stories about parents fighting with their kids to get them to brush, so I was a little nervous. I had no reason, apparently, because Parker loves it! He started giggling while Justin brushed. Now whenever Parker sees us brushing, he asks for his toothbrush.

The cupboards in the kitchen are off limits for Parker, except for one. When we are in the kitchen, without a doubt, Parker will make his way to "his" cabinet. In it is his food, cups, bowls and spoons.  He usually pulls out everything he can reach and puts it on the floor. Parker especially loves the spoons. He will take them out and carry them around the house. It is not unusual to find a spoon on his floor, in our bed or on our bathroom floor. Parker has even napped with a spoon. In fact, he has one in his crib with him right now. Parker took two spoons on a walk with us last week. I don't get it. Why are they so fun? We'll have to ask Parker to explain this to us in a year or two. Some people's kids...

As the holidays approach, Justin and I are excited about starting new family traditions.  We have been going on fall walks and playing in the leaves. We also took Parker to his first pumpkin patch. What a fun day! We bundled up and found a family-owned patch in Port Orchard that was perfect. They gave us a wagon to pull Parker in, which he loved. We sipped apple cider as we strolled around and enjoyed the farm. There were animals to feed and a play set. Parker walked through the pumpkins but wasn't as excited about he pumpkins as we hoped. He pretty much just wanted to play with the wagon. We did get him to hold still for a couple pictures. We are already looking forward to coming back next year!

Halloween fell on a Wednesday. We decided to join our friends, the Snyders, in the Proctor District for trick-or-treating. The boys are really too little for trick-or-treating, but it was something fun to do, and of course we wanted to show off their costumes. Parker didn't care at all about the candy, but loved walking around and people-watching.  He even made some monster sounds! After, we headed to the Snyder's for pizza and passed out candy to neighborhood kids.

Here are some fun images from this month: