Happy 4th Birthday, Parker!

Dear Parker,

Each year, writing you a birthday letter gets harder. It reminds me of how fleeting time is. I flipped through your baby book tonight and giggled that my 3 pound preemie went from "not on the charts" to 50% in 12 months in height and weight. Your full term, 22 month old sister weighs right now what you weighed when you were 8 months old!!!! You may have arrived a bit earlier than expected but you sure did your best to catch up fast! Maybe you didn't love being nicknamed "screamie preemie." Once you were more of a "chunky monkey" the aforementioned nickname didn't seem to fit anymore!

1st Birthday Party

Your dad and I are so proud of how far you've come. I look at pictures of you as a newborn and don't even see the vivacious little boy you are today! You have really come out of your shell lately. You narrate your life and say some of the funniest things! The way you boss your sister around is hilarious and I try not to let you see me laugh! My favorite line is "Avery, no ma'am! Time out!" It's a good reminder to me that you're always listening even when you select to not respond! Lately, when you and Avery are nasty to each other, I make you guys hug it out and it might be the sweetest thing ever. Although you're not keen on sharing your toys with her, you guys can also play so sweetly together. You're always Thomas or Buzz and you make Avery be some obscure character like Rosie and Slinky Dog. I did the same thing to your Aunt Kelly!

2nd Birthday Party

Your pediatrician likes to note that you have a tendency towards dramatic flare which I like to think that you will channel one day into passion for a greater good. Currently, you use it to run across the house and throw yourself on the floor when I tell you we won't be going to Target today for toys. Speaking of toys, I don't think we can fit one more into this house! Your favorite toys are your Thomas the Train sets, anything Toy Story, Cars (especially Mack), the trampoline and these awful microscopic toys called squinkies. I'd get rid of some toys, except you really do play with them all!

3rd Birthday Party

Your imagination has really taken off. You entertain yourself for hours coming up with scenes with your trains or Toy Story characters.  Lately, you've started liking school which makes mornings much easier! Despite some recent behavioral outburst, you are the sweetest, most thoughtful (to everyone except your sister) little boy. You will randomly come up to me and demand hugs and kisses which I'm always happy to oblige. You'll snuggle for hours if you like what we're watching and I soak up every minute, knowing these days will pass but laundry is forever.

Celebrating your 3rd birthday at the zoo.

 This year, we've noticed an improvement in some hurdles that you've faced. You've come pretty far with your tactile issues and will now even eat messy food with your hands as long as they are cleaned off the instant you are done. Holes are your nemesis and you inspect every article of clothing I put on you. You will NOT wear anything with rips, holes or stains. I see this being beneficial when you're a teenager as I HATE seeing kids dress sloppy! Your fine motor skills are improving but we've still got some work to do. Nana and poppi got you a bike for your birthday. Peddling is a challenge but I think watching your friends this spring will really help! You've come a LONG way this year and I think the biggest change came when we changed your diet to mostly gluten, egg, dairy and soy free. You gained so much energy and really came alive! I'm so sorry we didn't know sooner!

4 years old!!!!

Parker, I want you to know how much your father and I adore you. There are days when we have to discipline you that I feel like you don't understand our love for you. It is unexplainable. Nana and Poppi used to tell me they loved me "All the way to God's house and back." I never understood that love until I had you. You and Avery make every day brighter. My day starts with your sweet voice yelling "Mommy, I wake up!" and I can't help but giggle every morning because I know what a blessing it is to have you to wake up to each and every morning. It's a gift that in those first few days of your life, I wasn't sure I'd get to keep and I promise to never forget what a treasure you are. Happy 4th Birthday, my love!

I love you all the way to God's house and back,

MOM

Parker's Birthday Week!

Parker turns 4 on Thursday! As every mom says each birthday, "I can't believe how fast time has flown by!" I'll write a more official 4th birthday post on Thursday but today I thought I'd post pictures from Parker's little party with my parents and sister. As I mentioned in the last post, we're not having a party this year. Parker didn't want one so we're keeping it simple!

The weather was PERFECT so we spent most of the day outside! The kids enjoyed taking the dogs on a walk around our neighborhood trails.

She is amazingly awesome at walking Moses! I got so giddy pulling out her summer clothes!

Parker walking Ellie while holding his new Buzz spaceship and wearing a Mario hat.... Multitasking at its best.

Dog walking is hard work! Someone needed a rest. What better place to rest than on top of a table?!

We all had fun playing on the swing set with nana, poppi and Aunt Kelly!

Tire swing fun!

The birthday boy!

Hangin' tough!

Parker's new favorite game is to launch Buzz down the slide to infinity and beyond.

Parker couldn't wait to open his presents! We got him a working kiddie digital camera since he much prefers to be behind the camera than the subject of it! We're a bit disappointed in it but he seems to like it so that's all that matters! My parents got him the most adorable little bike!

He hasn't figured out how to peddle it yet but hopefully with more warm weather, we'll get lots of practice!

Sissy cannot let Parker have his moment so she hopped on a scooter and headed down the sidewalk after him.

After a spin on the new bike, it was time for Parker's BUZZ LIGHTYEAR CAKE! This is literally the only thing he asked for for his birthday. Originally, there was a big Buzz on top but he fell over in transport and took out some icing so I tried to cover it up with this bigger Buzz space ship. I still think it turned out cute!

The cake was pretty good and even better the 2nd day. I find cakes that are made a few days in advance and set out (like this one was) to be dry. I found on Pinterest that if you cut the remaining cake into slices and place them in a Tupperware container and use a water bottle to spritz it one time then cover it, the cake will be more moist. I was leery so I only did one of the 6 containers I put the cake in and it worked! Only spritz the cake part, not the icing. It made the cake taste more fresh. YUMMY!

1 birthday celebration down and 2 to go! We'll take him to the zoo on the next warm day that Daniel is off and of course, celebrate the birthday boy all day Thursday! :) How is he already 4?!