Parker: 12 Months

Weight: 21 lbs

Height: 28.5"

Diaper Size: 3

Clothes: 12 months

Eats: 5 oz every4 hours;  (Attempting to get him away from bottle); Eats solid foods like a horse!  Gets so excited to have green beans and corn.  Dislikes meat except ham cubes, chicken and hot pocket meatballs. Other favorites: yogurt, cheese quesidilla, fruit-esp bananas, applesauce, and mangos, goldfish, and teddy grahams.

Sleeps: Usually from 9:00 to 6:30-7:00 (almost always 9 hours)

Naps: 1.5- 2 hours at 9:00am and 2:00pm 

Favorite Toys: Balls, balloons, push toys, blocks, squeeky hammer, rocking chair, cars, ipad games

Milestones:

Highlights from the Month (November 29-December 28):

* We joined our neighbors for caroling in the subdivision (despite it being a warm night), then they came to our house afterwards for donuts and hot chocolate.

* We had Parker's friend, Finn, and his mom, Christy, over to make sugar cookies and chocolate pretzels.

* We also attended the Sesame Street Ugly Sweater party.  Parker loved hanging with his pal, Finn.  He even managed to steal Finn's sugar cookie!

* Daddy had a week off of work.  We mainly just spent time at home hanging out and running a few errands in preparation for Christmas and Parker's birthday.  Parker had a bad cold all week, but we did manage to make a trip to visit Santa at the Bass Pro Shop.

* We had Parker's 12 month pictures taken, complete with a cake smash.

* We had several playdates this month with Parker's neighborhood friends.

* We celebrated Christmas with the Flamm side at Grandma Flamm's house.  

* Parker and Mommy met Aunt Sherry and traveled to visit Grandpa Flamm.

* Parker stayed overnight at Grandma & Papa Ervin's house while Mommy & Daddy went to the Braggin' Rights basketball game in St. Louis to cheer on the Illini.

* We celebrated Christmas with Grandma Ervin's family at Aunt Kara's house.

* For Christmas Eve, we attended an evening service at church.  Parker got to open his first gifts from Mommy & Daddy (but unfortunately got sick).  

* Christmas morning was spent at home, opening gifts from Santa.  

* We traveled to Blue Mound on Christmas day to celebrate at Grandma & Papa Ervin's house.

* Parker and us joined Grandma, Papa, Aunt Angie, and his cousins for an outing in Peoria.  We toured the CAT Visitor's Center, at dinner at Bass Pro Shop, then drove through the Festival of Lights.

* We celebrated on Parker's 1st Birthday by eating dinner at Steak-n-Shake then came home to let Parker enjoy his own cupcake.  (His official birthday party wasn't until the following weekend).

Parker: 6 months

Weight: 17 lbs

Height: 25"

Diaper Size: 2

Clothes: mostly 9 months, but some 6 months (especially pants)

Eats: 7-8 oz every 3-3.5 hours; eats cereal before bedtime; Introduced applesauce, bananas, and carrots

Sleeps: Usually from 9:00-9:30 to 5:30-6:30 (averages 8 hours); likes to sleep on side

Naps: 2-3 hours around 8am (in swing); 30-60 min around 1pm; 30-45 min around 5pm

Favorite Toys: Sophie the Giraffe, taggie blanket, teething rings, alligator, mommy and daddy

Milestones:

*  Rolls both directions, though mostly stomach to back still.  He occasionally will roll over 2-3 times in a row, but really doesn't have much control about where he is going.

* Can sit unsupported for less than a minute.  But starting to enjoy sitting more, especially in the bumbo chair.

* He can finally sit and play in his exersaucer too!

* He would let you hold his hands so he can stand all day!

* Pushes up on his hands to see what's happening around him, but doesn't push up on legs.

* Exploring lots of new toys and learning to shake rattles more, hit buttons, etc.  He is starting to play more by himself, but still wants mom or dad within eyesight.

* Continues to slobber constantly and put everything in his mouth, especially his own hands, but still no signs of teeth.

* Babbles and groans often, sometimes quite loud.  He also has learned to moan when he lays in the crib, not quite fully awake.

* He may be considered "nosey".  He doesn't miss much going on around him--like cars driving by, airplanes, our cat, etc.

* Has the cutest giggle when tickled on his thighs, kissed on the neck, or when playing peek-a-boo.

* Loves stroller rides and bike rides outside!  We go outside nearly every single night.

* Proud to say he sleeps without the swaddle now!  And besides his morning nap, sleeps in his crib for naps and at bedtime.

Highlights from the Month (May 28-June 28):

* Parker and I went to the nursing home in Springfield so he could meet his Great-Grandma Flamm for the first time.  My grandma is 96 and is facing memory loss, but was tickled that the baby was there to see HER.

* While in Springfield, we met my old Girl Scout co-workers and their kiddos at the zoo.  It was a hot one!

* My childhood best friend, Erin, came to Peoria to visit her parents.  We all then headed to Wildlife Prairie Park for a bit of hiking and animal watching.  Erin's daughter, Lauren, is just 3 days older than Parker so it's always fun to see them together.

* Jenkins

* Matt's former co-worker, Murph, and his wife, Pam, came to Peoria to meet Parker and see our new house.

* We spent the day in Blue Mound for Parker's First Father's Day with Grandma and Grandpa Ervin.

* Cousin Natalie came to Peoria for the week.  Parker went swimming for the first time.

* Celebrated Parker's First Half Birthday with a pizza party followed by cake (a half cake) & ice cream!

It's been such a fun month watching our baby blossom into a growing boy.  His personality has just errupted and he constantly makes us laugh, smile, say "look", or sit in awe.  Parker is gaining independence, yet still loves to be held or having us play with him on the floor.  His senses seem to be on overload as he tries to take in the world constantly.  Trust me, he doesn't miss much!