Hey there! Long time no chat. Can you believe that the dude is already 1-1/2 years old!! Said so often, time simply flies when your having fun. And there is lots of fun being had in our house. Parker's personality is forming and showing constantly. He loves to laugh and snuggle Koda, giving him "loves". His dad is his best bud, but thankfully he still gives his mom cuddles and kisses. He's recently began climbing on the furniture and is using his chair as an apparatus to the ottoman and couch (why in the world would we sit in it?!).
The major news this last weekend - Parker's first tooth finally came in! That last bit of "baby" is finally gone - no more gummy smiles. It is his bottom left tooth and the right one will be popping through any day now. Best of all, so far there has been no change in his mood or sleep habits. Here's hoping every tooth comes on this smoothly!
Here is a list of the latest on P:
- Weighing in at 26 lbs. and 33 inches tall, he's right at the 67th percentile for his age. Let me tell you, the boy is a tank. Try carrying him for longer than 20 minutes, I dare you.
- He's a talking fool. First word several months ago was out, followed shortly by daddy. He now is also saying: up, down, mama, shoes, toes, dat (that), ook (look), book, ball, doggie.
- Meals are still a favorite for him. He's an awesome eater, only occasionally turning down the plain stuff. Even without the teeth, he's a big fan of meat. Unfortunately, he has figured out the lazy Susan in the kitchen, so he is always sure to let us know when it's snack time by emptying it out and bringing random items to us.
As you can see, he keeps us on our toes, but we are surely loving every minute of it!!
I've been on vacation this week, so more posts to follow with details of our adventures!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Party time! Parker's first birthday party...
Saturday, February the 4th was the big day of Parker's birthday party. And in true Iowa fashion , the good weather surely didn't last long. We were hit with a snow storm that morning (the Texans had to experience at least one snow fall ;))! Thankfully everyone was able to make the trek over to our house to celebrate that special day just about a year ago. I'm pretty sure I can speak for all of our families when I say how happy we are to have Parker in our lives. He has certainly brought us so much joy this last year!!
First of many pics - the cake! Daddy was very picky when it came to Parker's first birthday cake. After checking out quite a few different bakeries, he settled on one that would create the cake. The theme of the party was a bit of a spin-off from our main present to him, and let me tell you, it was ALL boy.
After Parker took a quick bath to clean up (how he managed to get cake in some of his crevices, we'll never know!), he joined the party again to take a ride on his new truck.
Shortly after this point, the sugar high came to a screeching halt. After some failed attempts at pictures with the grandparents, we decided it was definitely nap time. Parker definitely enjoyed his first birthday and we were so happy to have all of the family together to celebrate it!
Here are a few pictures that are just so dang cute. Parker hanging out with dad and Uncle Jonathan.
First of many pics - the cake! Daddy was very picky when it came to Parker's first birthday cake. After checking out quite a few different bakeries, he settled on one that would create the cake. The theme of the party was a bit of a spin-off from our main present to him, and let me tell you, it was ALL boy.
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| Mommy and Parker all ready to party! |
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| Parker soo excited for his guests to arrive! |
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| The house was decorated with pictures of Parker - his pics with mom and dad here... |
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| ...And a few with some of his favorite peeps |
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| You can't see the pics of his first 11 months on this banner, but take a look at that snow! |
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| Chilling with Grandpa Nim |
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| While Grandpa & Grandma Greenfield enjoy the snow ;) |
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| Grandma & Grandpa Jensen - she is SO silly! |
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| Birthday boy wearing his birthday balloon...just in case you can't find him :) |
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| Time for presents! |
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| Parker definitely got the hang of diggin in the bags! |
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| Showing P the tricks of the trade - tear into the paper! |
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| Look at those trucks! Hey, Jonathan - I got my eye on you, no stealing my toys! |
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| Singing to the birthday boy |
And the moment we've all been waiting for.....cake!
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| You mean I can touch it?! |
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| Just a taste of the frosting |
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| Ooh, chocolate! |
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| I wonder if they'll notice if I just smash my hand in here. |
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| First cupcake = success! |
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| Aww mom, is cupcake time really over?? |
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| I like to call this the "sugar high grin" |
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| Oh yeah, I'm a big shot now ;) |
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| And this is what I like to call "prelude to the melt down" face. |
Here are a few pictures that are just so dang cute. Parker hanging out with dad and Uncle Jonathan.
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| Scholten boys. Oh the trouble they'll show him. |
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| For now, it's all sillyness and fun and games :) |
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The boy turns 1!
As his 15 month "birthday" quickly approaches, I feel it is well past due to post the details of Parker's first birthday and 12 month stats. In honor of the big day, both mommy and daddy took the day off (actually we were off a few days as Grandma and Grandpa Greenfield made the big trip from Texas to celebrate with us!) to enjoy Parker's first birthday and reminisce that day exactly a year ago. It's amazing that a whole year can pass, yet we remembered so much of the hours leading up to the wonderful arrival of our sweet boy (as detailed in this post Parker's birth story). The weather this time around was the exact opposite, so nice that we didn't even need our winter coats - last year, complete blizzard that we feared would delay us getting to the hospital on time!
Parker's birthday turned out to be a busy day, starting off with his one year pictures with our favorite photographer, Amy Allen. Parker was a trooper in our shenanigans (minus the rock incident) and Aunt Tina even took the time to stop by for a few pics with the dude. Here are a few of my favorites (although honestly, I love every one of the pics!).
After lunch and a nap, we headed to the doctor to fit in his 12 month well child visit. At exactly 12 months old, Parker weighed in at 22 lbs, 7 oz. and was approximately 29.3 inches tall. Just for comparison, his birth weight/height was 6 lbs 8.5 oz. and 19.5 inches long. After enduring the doctor visit and many shots (what a trooper, and on his birthday too!), we headed home to await the arrival of Grandma and Grandpa Greenfield. For dinner, we met them at Maid Rite, so naturally Parker had to experience his first meal there. No pictures from that meal, but we did stop by the Coldstone Ice Cream shop afterwards for dessert, where we discovered Parker is a big fan of chocolate ice cream. Definitely picked that up from both mom AND dad! :)
The next morning Grandma Greenfield joined us and surprised us with a yummy breakfast. That morning Parker enjoyed some bananas, cinnamon rolls AND scrambled eggs. If I haven't mentioned it yet, we've discovered that he likes to eat. A LOT. I am glad that we do not have to worry about a picky eater yet, but on the same token I've begun to dread the end of a meal. As many of you have witnessed, this usually results in a bit of a tantrum. Also, if you do not feed him fast enough, he WILL let you know. The boy likes his food and the belly proves it ;)
To be continued with his birthday party!.........
Parker's birthday turned out to be a busy day, starting off with his one year pictures with our favorite photographer, Amy Allen. Parker was a trooper in our shenanigans (minus the rock incident) and Aunt Tina even took the time to stop by for a few pics with the dude. Here are a few of my favorites (although honestly, I love every one of the pics!).
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| my little cheeser! |
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| Elephant - Parker stand off |
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| Sharing a sweet moment with his Aunt Tina |
After lunch and a nap, we headed to the doctor to fit in his 12 month well child visit. At exactly 12 months old, Parker weighed in at 22 lbs, 7 oz. and was approximately 29.3 inches tall. Just for comparison, his birth weight/height was 6 lbs 8.5 oz. and 19.5 inches long. After enduring the doctor visit and many shots (what a trooper, and on his birthday too!), we headed home to await the arrival of Grandma and Grandpa Greenfield. For dinner, we met them at Maid Rite, so naturally Parker had to experience his first meal there. No pictures from that meal, but we did stop by the Coldstone Ice Cream shop afterwards for dessert, where we discovered Parker is a big fan of chocolate ice cream. Definitely picked that up from both mom AND dad! :)
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| Chocolate ice cream 'stache |
The next morning Grandma Greenfield joined us and surprised us with a yummy breakfast. That morning Parker enjoyed some bananas, cinnamon rolls AND scrambled eggs. If I haven't mentioned it yet, we've discovered that he likes to eat. A LOT. I am glad that we do not have to worry about a picky eater yet, but on the same token I've begun to dread the end of a meal. As many of you have witnessed, this usually results in a bit of a tantrum. Also, if you do not feed him fast enough, he WILL let you know. The boy likes his food and the belly proves it ;)
To be continued with his birthday party!.........
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Long time no see (teaser pics from Parker's 12 month shoot included)
So it's clearly been a long time since we've had a Parker post. I promise to have his 12 month/first birthday party post up soon. In the meantime, here's a cute little teaser from his 12 month photo shoot.
A little backstory - our photographer has her studio in the East Village of downtown Des Moines, which with the older buildings, provide for some fun outside backdrops. We thought it would be fun to take Parker outside for a few shots and at one point, he was on a step all by himself (such a big boy!). Of course, being a curious boy, he thought he needed to check out the rocks and decided one of them would be tasty to try. Needless to say, after we all lunged for the rock before he could swallow it, an immediate meltdown followed. Yes, I am aware that he'll probably have worse in his mouth at some point, but I prefer to pretend it won't happen ;)
A little backstory - our photographer has her studio in the East Village of downtown Des Moines, which with the older buildings, provide for some fun outside backdrops. We thought it would be fun to take Parker outside for a few shots and at one point, he was on a step all by himself (such a big boy!). Of course, being a curious boy, he thought he needed to check out the rocks and decided one of them would be tasty to try. Needless to say, after we all lunged for the rock before he could swallow it, an immediate meltdown followed. Yes, I am aware that he'll probably have worse in his mouth at some point, but I prefer to pretend it won't happen ;)
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| Yay, what a happy family! |
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| Oh look, a rock. |
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| No caption necessary - meltdown complete. |
Friday, February 17, 2012
99 years
So I know I have a lot of catching up to do, all with the dude turning ONE! However, I'm going to take a brief break from our generally scheduled "Parker time" to give honor to my great grandmother Caraher. At the age of 99, she passed away this last Monday night in her sleep.
99 years, just shy of a century. Can you even imagine?! I'm in awe of everything she would have experienced over those years. Some sad (countless wars, too many deaths of loves ones, including burying two of her own children) and some life changing (I mean, just think of the technology changes she witnessed in that many years?). The life she knew as a child was so very different from that of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After knowing of all the hard ships she dealt with, I'm embarrassed to think of the things that I worry about on a daily basis. I really have no idea how easy I have it and it saddens me to think of how that is the norm in our world.
Yes, technology has brought us worlds ahead in the last 20+ years, but it makes me sit back and think about what we may be missing out on because of it. Like so many of us, I am prone to "zone out" at night on my iPhone to catch up on what I think is important that day after our little guy goes to bed or likewise in front of the TV. Yes, this blog has been a great way for us to keep our long-distance family up to date on the latest of Parker's world. However, lately I've been wondering if simplifying our life wouldn't be such a bad idea. Get back to the basics and enjoy our time together instead of attached to our electronic devices.
One thing is for sure, reading her obituary has inspired me to change my thought process as well as my priorities. So I'd like to share this beautifully written obituary of my Grandma Caraher just so you can get a glimpse of what a strong, beautiful and inspiring women she was to our family.
**In memory of my loving Grandmother, Marie Caraher.**
Marie Theresa Caraher took over the kitchen in Heaven on February 14, 2012. God awoke on Valentine's Day, smelled Mother's cinnamon rolls, and said, “This is good.” She and God, got up, went to the kitchen and said, “Welcome. I hear they called you the Scrabble Queen on the celestial plane from whence you came. Feel up to a game?”
“Let me put this batch in the oven”, said Mother, “then we can play.” Mother wasn't yet aware of the fact that God has unlimited blanks and the ability to give an opponent unlimited vowels.
Marie was 99 when she died. And she lived every day of those years. She was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on September 27, 1912 to Tom and Helen Green. Her father died when she was five and her mother gave her up a few years later. She grew up on a farm south of Council Bluffs, Iowa, cared for by her Uncle Chris and Aunt Annie. In spite of the fact that she was the fastest runner in her grade school and excelled at school work, she was not allowed to attend high school; her foster parents could not imagine how education could be useful for a woman….a bitter lesson that Mother never forgot.
So instead of going to high school, Marie milked cows, worked in the hay fields, cooked for thrashers, and spent her teenage years being groomed to be a farmer’s wife. But she never stopped reading. Years later she would reminisce on her childhood: The joy of taking her dog and walking the hilly pastures to fetch the cows for milking.
She married a farmer, Thomas Fenton Caraher in 1932. And, Oh my, what a revelation it was for both of them. They became a couple. Child bride though she was (she was 19, he was 40), Mother was free. And with a man who loved her. Their early years together were spent on a farm south of Council Bluffs. Later, as their family grew, they tried city living in Council Bluffs itself. It didn't take. In 1956 they moved to Jamaica, Iowa, and shortly thereafter to Bayard. A third of their brood of 11 children had flown the nest by then. But there were still seven young boys in the house.
Tom died in 1963. It broke Marie's heart, though she, having known so many hard times, tried never to show it. Someone accused her of not crying at Tom's funeral. Her tears were there; just not shown. Nearly fifty years later, one hopes they're reunited in tears of joy.
Marie remained in the Bayard area until 1994. During that time she did an admirable job of raising sons who were, uh, let's say, a challenge. Subsequently to being known as the Mother of “those boys”. She became known for her singing, her flowers, and her sewing, and (to some) for her Scrabble ruthlessness (“It took you that long to play THAT!”). Though widowed, she reveled in the freedom to try new things (albeit from economic necessity): She was a cook at the Bayard school and a cook at a fraternity (she understood boys) at Iowa State University. But the best job - she loved this job - was as a part time librarian in Scranton. It completed the circle of her lifelong love of reading.
In 1994 Marie moved reluctantly to the Sunbird Golf Resort in Chandler, AZ to live with her daughter
Pauline. (Mother, you're 82. We worry about you being alone in the Iowa winter). They lived on tee box to the 4th hole of the golf course. Marie enjoyed looking down the fairway and pretending it was her back yard. But it wasn't Iowa. And the soil! Bit of heartache there. She finally did manage to produce a wonderful set of flower gardens, again reveling in learning, study, and perseverance. She was shamelessly thankful for things she'd never had before: A dishwasher and an automatic garage door opener.
In her last year, Marie's health deteriorated, yet she remained unbending to conventional wisdom – she still got on the plane and traveled. She became more dependent on others, especially Pauline, and, while grateful, was uncomfortable with becoming a burden.
But she was never heavy. She's our Mother.
Marie was preceded in death by pretty much every one of her peers (99! You rule, Mother!), her parents, her husband, Thomas, her sister Ana Nansel, son James, and daughter, Rosemary King.
She leaves her sister Mae Green behind and nine children missing her: three daughters, Catherine Rahn, Pauline Caraher, and Margaret Larocca; and six sons, Tom, Ed, David, Jerome, Dennis, and Paul. She is survived by 27 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 18 great, great grandchildren.
99 years, just shy of a century. Can you even imagine?! I'm in awe of everything she would have experienced over those years. Some sad (countless wars, too many deaths of loves ones, including burying two of her own children) and some life changing (I mean, just think of the technology changes she witnessed in that many years?). The life she knew as a child was so very different from that of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After knowing of all the hard ships she dealt with, I'm embarrassed to think of the things that I worry about on a daily basis. I really have no idea how easy I have it and it saddens me to think of how that is the norm in our world.
Yes, technology has brought us worlds ahead in the last 20+ years, but it makes me sit back and think about what we may be missing out on because of it. Like so many of us, I am prone to "zone out" at night on my iPhone to catch up on what I think is important that day after our little guy goes to bed or likewise in front of the TV. Yes, this blog has been a great way for us to keep our long-distance family up to date on the latest of Parker's world. However, lately I've been wondering if simplifying our life wouldn't be such a bad idea. Get back to the basics and enjoy our time together instead of attached to our electronic devices.
One thing is for sure, reading her obituary has inspired me to change my thought process as well as my priorities. So I'd like to share this beautifully written obituary of my Grandma Caraher just so you can get a glimpse of what a strong, beautiful and inspiring women she was to our family.
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| Marie Caraher 1912-2012 |
**In memory of my loving Grandmother, Marie Caraher.**
Marie Theresa Caraher took over the kitchen in Heaven on February 14, 2012. God awoke on Valentine's Day, smelled Mother's cinnamon rolls, and said, “This is good.” She and God, got up, went to the kitchen and said, “Welcome. I hear they called you the Scrabble Queen on the celestial plane from whence you came. Feel up to a game?”
“Let me put this batch in the oven”, said Mother, “then we can play.” Mother wasn't yet aware of the fact that God has unlimited blanks and the ability to give an opponent unlimited vowels.
Marie was 99 when she died. And she lived every day of those years. She was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on September 27, 1912 to Tom and Helen Green. Her father died when she was five and her mother gave her up a few years later. She grew up on a farm south of Council Bluffs, Iowa, cared for by her Uncle Chris and Aunt Annie. In spite of the fact that she was the fastest runner in her grade school and excelled at school work, she was not allowed to attend high school; her foster parents could not imagine how education could be useful for a woman….a bitter lesson that Mother never forgot.
So instead of going to high school, Marie milked cows, worked in the hay fields, cooked for thrashers, and spent her teenage years being groomed to be a farmer’s wife. But she never stopped reading. Years later she would reminisce on her childhood: The joy of taking her dog and walking the hilly pastures to fetch the cows for milking.
She married a farmer, Thomas Fenton Caraher in 1932. And, Oh my, what a revelation it was for both of them. They became a couple. Child bride though she was (she was 19, he was 40), Mother was free. And with a man who loved her. Their early years together were spent on a farm south of Council Bluffs. Later, as their family grew, they tried city living in Council Bluffs itself. It didn't take. In 1956 they moved to Jamaica, Iowa, and shortly thereafter to Bayard. A third of their brood of 11 children had flown the nest by then. But there were still seven young boys in the house.
Tom died in 1963. It broke Marie's heart, though she, having known so many hard times, tried never to show it. Someone accused her of not crying at Tom's funeral. Her tears were there; just not shown. Nearly fifty years later, one hopes they're reunited in tears of joy.
Marie remained in the Bayard area until 1994. During that time she did an admirable job of raising sons who were, uh, let's say, a challenge. Subsequently to being known as the Mother of “those boys”. She became known for her singing, her flowers, and her sewing, and (to some) for her Scrabble ruthlessness (“It took you that long to play THAT!”). Though widowed, she reveled in the freedom to try new things (albeit from economic necessity): She was a cook at the Bayard school and a cook at a fraternity (she understood boys) at Iowa State University. But the best job - she loved this job - was as a part time librarian in Scranton. It completed the circle of her lifelong love of reading.
In 1994 Marie moved reluctantly to the Sunbird Golf Resort in Chandler, AZ to live with her daughter
Pauline. (Mother, you're 82. We worry about you being alone in the Iowa winter). They lived on tee box to the 4th hole of the golf course. Marie enjoyed looking down the fairway and pretending it was her back yard. But it wasn't Iowa. And the soil! Bit of heartache there. She finally did manage to produce a wonderful set of flower gardens, again reveling in learning, study, and perseverance. She was shamelessly thankful for things she'd never had before: A dishwasher and an automatic garage door opener.
In her last year, Marie's health deteriorated, yet she remained unbending to conventional wisdom – she still got on the plane and traveled. She became more dependent on others, especially Pauline, and, while grateful, was uncomfortable with becoming a burden.
But she was never heavy. She's our Mother.
Marie was preceded in death by pretty much every one of her peers (99! You rule, Mother!), her parents, her husband, Thomas, her sister Ana Nansel, son James, and daughter, Rosemary King.
She leaves her sister Mae Green behind and nine children missing her: three daughters, Catherine Rahn, Pauline Caraher, and Margaret Larocca; and six sons, Tom, Ed, David, Jerome, Dennis, and Paul. She is survived by 27 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 18 great, great grandchildren.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
As the first birthday quickly approaches....
...(insert sad face from this mama), I thought I would post Parker's first 11 months pictures. Just a little reminder of how much this little guy has grown!
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| Just two days old! |
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| One month |
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| Flashing two fingers for exactly how many months old he is :) |
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| Three months |
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| Four months and starting to fill out! |
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| Oh hey, guess what? I'm five months old! |
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| Six months old and never missed a meal ;) |
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| Seven months old and drooling like a champ |
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| Eight months is serious stuff |
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| But nine months is SO silly! |
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| Ten months - look ma, I can stand on my own! |
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| Eleven months of this stuff. You promise just one more month? |
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