A tribute to Rosie

My dear grandmother Rosemary lost a long, hard battle for her life today. She was the matriarch of the King family, leading her family of five children on her own as my grandfather lost his battle with lung cancer while my mother was pregnant with me well over 30 years ago.  Grandma, you were the strongest woman I've been blessed to know and fought with your all when cancer attacked your body as well; breast cancer twice and lung cancer in the most recent years.  

Your own mother just celebrated her 99th birthday last month but was still able to make the trip back to say goodbye to her daughter.  In her own words "a mother should never have to bury her own child"; however she and your sister Pauline stayed strong and sang songs from your childhood to you in your last days.

I have so many fond memories from my childhood growing up with you (you gave the best back rubs with you feet! :)) and am thankful to say that I had a great friendship with you as an adult.  The memories we created in our "Girls Gone Wild" trip to Boston and Cape Cod just five years ago will forever be in my heart. 

Borrowed from my Uncle John, this says it best:

"The title of Chief is now retired!

My Mother, Rosie, passed around 7:18 this morning at Taylor House Hospice.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers over the years that helped her to keep going.

Although it is too beautiful a day to die, My Mother left with what looks like a smile on her face.

Rosie is now wearing the wings she so richly deserves."

We love you grandma.  Give grandpa a hug and I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven. 

Clowning with your girls, Christmas 2006

Girls Gone Wild, Cape Cod - September 2006

Three generations of "King" ladies

Such a beautiful smile with the city of Boston as the backdrop

 

Parker's on the move!

Which might explain why it's been so long since I've posted.  Seriously, two months?!  I guess I have lots of catching up to do :)

We'll start with his 7 month post.  In early September, he started sitting up on his own, and soon after, crawling.  His pictures will emphasize this, as I've learned it's very hard to capture a still photo of the kid! Within days of his first attempt at crawling, it seemed he was on the go, non-stop.  There was so much new territory for him to explore and he couldn't get enough.  What is it about light sockets that seem to attract little ones??  We quickly realized it was time to start baby-proofing and headed to the baby store to stock up on the socket covers.  Does anyone else think these things are people-proof, not just baby proof.  Seriously, I have the hardest time getting them off, which I suppose is the point.  If Parker gets those suckers off anytime soon, we have big problems on our hands ;)

Parker has also mastered the trick of pulling himself up and especially loves doing so on the ottoman.  
It seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as his main objective is to pull the remotes and/or cell phones off from it.  We decided to buy P his own cell phone in the hopes of deterring him from those (yes go ahead and laugh, we're rookies after all), but of course only the real thing will do for him.  Looks like we've got a mini-Scott techie on our hands!

Seven and eight months also brought some unwanted sickness, including another ear infection for poor P.  In fact, he and mommy were sick at the same time at one point.  Can we say not fun?!  Anyhoo, enough rambling and on to the stuff you've been waiting for.....pictures!!

Hey dad!

No sitting still here!

Ooh, what's that?

Looks like it's time to lower the crib!

Dude, help me escape!

Kanye's got 'nothin on me

Getting some lovin' from Koda

No time for pictures, I see a doggie dish that needs some inspecting!

Way more fun to play outside of this now!

My jungle gym, aka Daddy

Best way to transport toys!

Still loving Sophie

Sharing with his bud, Koda

Peek-a-boo with daddy and Koda.  Later mom!

Ozarks - Take Two!

The first weekend of August, we trekked back down to the Ozarks for a nice, long weekend.  As soon as I got out of work that Thursday afternoon, we loaded up the Highlander for a late night ride.  As usual, Parker did great.  He actually stayed up a lot longer than I thought he would considering the time of night!  I was so worried he wouldn't sleep well that night, especially considering he was up playing with the crew when we arrived a little after 11pm!  But, just like his mom and dad, that kid loves to sleep.

The weekend was so great and Parker enjoyed the water both days.  In fact, he's so comfortable in the water that he actually fell asleep again.  Yep, our boy is a water baby.  And I'm not talking a quick snooze, this was at least a 10 minute nap and probably would have been longer if I had allowed it.  I'm sure the fact that it was basically bath water (all those warm days seem to have heated the lake right up!) and the wave motion completely lulled him to sleep, heck he may have thought he was back in the uterus! However, something about letting my baby prune up in the water for nap time just didn't feel right, so eventually we took him out and inside for a bath so he could take a real nap inside :)

Scott did manage to click a few pics of him snoozing away....

The rest of the weekend was filled with many board games (Clue, anyone?) including a stomping on Scott, Rachel and Jonathan by yours truly in Monopoly and yelling at Scott to get Parker closer to the dock.  I will not go into details, but let's just say somebody (Scott) thought it would be fun to take Parker out WAY too far.  I'm just thankful Jeanne stepped in and convinced him to head back since he would not listen to his wife (grrr)!  Men.

Latest and greatest of Parker

I know, it has been WAY too long since an update.  I've missed both his 5 and 6 month posts, so guess what.....this is going to be loaded with pictures from both!  So settle in for a long one ;)

First off, five months.  Seems like so long ago as this little guy is changing on us quickly!  Last month was full of firsts - first ear infection (boo) and first try at solid foods (as solid as pureed baby food can be)!  We're thankful that the ear infection cleared up fast and have enjoyed watching him figure out the food thing.  I have learned that Parker is not yet a fan of avocados and for the first time heard and watched a baby gag.  I mean, really not a fan of avocados, I just wish I could have caught that expression on camera, man was it a doozie!  He was up to 17.2lbs at his trip to the doctor for the ear infection, so it will be interesting to see how much he's gained in the last month or so.  In the words of Amy Allen (who so graciously met us to capture Parker's six month photos today, here's a sneak peek http://amyallenphotoblog.com/?p=1410) - "that boy is a tank!"

Locked and loaded for his first feeding....only looking a little scared!

I'm not so sure about this mom.....

Seriously, you call this food?  I'd like to see you eat it.

Dad giving it a go, with Parker trying to take over.

The drool is non.stop. these days!

Oh great, another photo shoot.  My favorite.

Take one more picture and I'll bop you mom!

Our all American hunk celebrating the 4th of July

Mommy dresses me in some silly stuff, who is this Dave guy anyways?

Cheering the Cubs on to a win (for once!)

 
And now, six months.  Half a year.  I say it so much, but it truly is going so fast.  They say time flies when you're having fun and that is the truth.  Every day is a new journey in his little life and every stage is more fun.  So I just try to sit back and soak in the memories of my little tank growing and learning!  I haven't caught a pic yet, but his latest trick is getting up on all fours, so looks like the crawling stage is next.  The house is so NOT baby ready yet, so I'm enjoying the non-mobility as long as I can..... ;)

Another meal time pic, squash anyone?

6 months, woohoo!

Sitting up like a big boy!

Ok dude, it's time we plan an escape from the crazy photo lady

Yep, mom, we're done.

Raising this boy right....

....is there any other band to love??!! ;)

Could that face get any cuter?!  Love him!

The bottom half of the shirt continues to say "Just like my daddy" - this was Parker's personal gift to daddy on Father's Day :)

The blog is in desperate need of an update, so this cute pic of the dude will have to suffice while I work on that.  Have a great weekend!