Morning person

I forgot what kind of morning person I am until recently. I have always loved mornings. During my work days at ADM, I loved getting up and going to work early - I was always the bright-eyed, happy person who didn't need coffee (most days) and also the person that the non-morning people wanted to smack for being so chipper. Since staying home with the kids I have been fortunate enough to not see getting up before 7 often, until recently. Collin has chosen 6:30-7:00 as his wake up time this week and at first I was crabby about being up so early, but I've grown to appreciate it. I actually enjoy being up again - yes, this is the sleep-loving momma talking-but, really it is great to have the one-on-one time with my littlest guy and some time to myself before the day kicks into high gear. Parker runs at one speed anymore - fast! - he's turning 3 in a few weeks and I can already tell that this next year is going to bring all kinds of new challenges and adventures. So here's to mornings again! Both the boys are up now so it's time to get off the computer and start the day!

A tearful goodbye...

Today is a hard day in the Ford home. We are saying goodbye to our dear pet and companion, Tucker. This is one of the hardest things we've had to do as a family and there have been and will be lots of tears. Tucker has been suffering for many years with skin allergies and time has taken its toll on his body. There is no cure for his sickness and medicine has stopped providing relief. He is no longer able to live the comfortable life he deserves and it's only fair that we help him end his pain and suffering in the most humane way possible.

Tucker has been an amazing member of our family. We want to remember him and all of our great times. He's been a part of our family from the time is started- a few months after we got married, through several moves, and the birth of our two sons. He had a great life and it deserves to be celebrated! Take a look down memory lane with us...

Tucker's first day in our home - he was just 7 weeks old. We adopted him from the Decatur Love at First Site animal shelter.

His younger years...

And more recently...

We love you and we will miss you Tucker Ford.

June 21, 2002 - April 12, 2011

Where does the time go?

As many of you can see, I'm not the best at keeping my blog up to date, but I try. So much has happened since my last update.

About Parker:
Parker moved into a big boy bed and never looked back. To this day, he still stays in it until we come to get him in the morning and after nap. He's continued to develop and grow into such a wonderful little boy. He's very smart and picks up on everything - this is good and bad. :) We have registered him for preschool starting in August. He's so excited about going to school. I'm sad to let him go, but overjoyed that he's not scared. I hope he keeps this excited attitude. It will be very hard for me to take him to school if he doesn't want to go.

Parker has become an amazing big brother. He's had a few jealous moments, but overall he's been very accepting. He loves Collin and wants to help us with everything related to him. He's very concerned when Collin cries. He asks me every day if Collin has grown up. I think he's anxious for Collin to be able to actually play with him. :)

About Collin:
Collin joined us on November 30th - one day past his due date. We were all more than happy to meet him in person. I was probably happier than everyone else, but that's selfishly b/c I was tired of being pregnant. LOL! Collin is a very laid back baby. He seems to go with the flow and doesn't seem to be bothered by his brother's activities - no matter how loud and crazy. At his 2 month checkup last week he weighted 11.5 lbs (25%) and was 23.5" long (70%). He smiles, makes cooing and squeaking noises, mimicks facial expressions and dislikes tummy time.

We are so blessed to have two wonderful sons. Although at times it's a bit hectic, it is just the way we want it.

Jon has been working hard at Stratas Foods. We recently vacationed to Fort Myers, FL to see family and enjoy some sunshine. It was a great trip - we weren't ready to come home! We have serious spring fever now. It'll be here before we know it.

I've been busy taking care of the boys. We've recently reentered the outside world and joined back in on playgroups and other out-of-the-home activities. It feels good to be back among the real world.

Wondering...

My mind has been heavy on Baby Ford lately. Tomorrow is our big ultrasound appointment - 20 weeks! Can't believe we're half-way there. I can't wait to see our little miracle and learn so much about him/her. Of course, we can't wait to find out if we're having a boy or girl. But, I also want to see all of his/her organs functioning as they are supposed to; see her arms and legs moving around with all of their respective fingers and toes. I can't wait to get a glimpse of our little one's tiny face and begin to think about who he/she will look like. It's all so exciting. So, stay tuned - we'll announce tomorrow if we're on Team Pink or Team Blue. Pray that everything checks out normal and put my mind at ease for the next 20 weeks.

Bye-bye Pacifier!

In the words of Dora the Explorer, "We did it!" Better said, he did it! The pacifier is gone!!! Parker gave it up like a champ. We had a few whiny moments when he would ask for it, but reminding him that he threw it away b/c he's a big boy was enough to move on. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of what a big boy he was through this big step. He always loved his binky, as he called it, and I know giving it up wasn't easy for him.

Parker's Two

Wow! - I can't believe our little boy is officially two-years old now! He had a great birthday party and got lots of wonderful gifts. He's really enjoyed playing with all of the new stuff! We had his 2-yr checkup at the pediatrician's office...I can't believe that he doesn't go back for a checkup now until he's THREE!


Flashback: Parker at birth

And, today

More for my record - here are his current stats:

26 lbs (25%)
34" height (50%)

Vocabulary - short sentences (Where mommy go?, I want milk); more words than I can count - he can repeat almost any word in English and some in Spanish and Chinese that he picks up from television. :) He also remembers and understands associations between words and actions/objects. He will perform tasks when asked - go get your shoes, etc. He is disciplined with timeout (now 2 minutes long) and understands that is his consequence for bad behavior. He can walk, run and jump (although not gracefully) and climbs. He's not afraid of anything, which scares us more than it does him. He puts together puzzles and flips through books. We're working on identifying colors correctly - he knows that green, blue, red, etc are colors, but doesn't always match them up correctly. We're also working on shapes, letters and numbers. His favorite toys are his basketball hoop/basketball, tricycle, grill, train table and tools. His favorite cartoons are Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Elmo and Yo Gabba Gabba. I'm sure I've missed something. :)

Finally, everything's not "mine".

For months now everything Parker sees, touches or plays with is "mine" "mine" "mine". But, we've recently had a breakthrough with him identifying things that belong to others. He brings me my shoes and says, "mommy's shoes"; or points to Jon's car and says, "daddy's car". It's so refreshing that he doesn't think the world belongs to him. I'm not saying that he's willing to share the things he thinks are actually his, but it's progress. :)

Parker's also been working on forming sentences in his own little style. He loves to ask "where mommy/daddy/Tucker go?" He's also very demanding on his drink order - he'll say, "I want apple juice." Then in the next breath say, "No, I want strawberry milk (his favorite)." Then as you're about to hand him his cup, he'll say "No milk, I want lemonade." I feel like a bartender sometimes. Usually he ends up with three sippy cups each containing his drink orders. Ha ha - mommy's a sucker! :)

We're gearing up for the big 2nd birthday! I can't believe my little boy is almost 2...really feels like I just brought him home from the hospital. Time goes so fast - I'm glad I get to spend each moment of it watching him grow and develop.