Playing catch-up

So, I haven't blogged in a while. You probably noticed that. But just because I haven't been posting anything doesn't mean we haven't done anything. So today I spent the day updating you on what has been going on in our lives. We've been busy having a fun summer. These are just a few of the things we have done.

Keep your eyes open because there is more to come...

Swimming

Last weekend we went swimming at Matt's parent's pool in Saratoga Springs. It was Parker's second time. I didn't want to take him the first time we went. I knew that Parker was tired and it was starting to get cold since the sun was going down, but everyone else was super excited to see Parker in the pool for the first time...so I gave in and Parker did not enjoy himself. It wasn't too bad, but he was a little temperamental.

This time was different. At first he was a little apprehensive. I think that he was a little freaked out by the fact that his feet weren't touching anything and he was just floating about. Once I showed him what it was all about and we saw other kids playing, he seemed to enjoy himself more. He really loved going over on the steps where he could stand up in the water. He was getting so excited and started splashing around (He got his mommy very wet).

Parker isn't so happy yet


He's having a good time now!


Just like his daddy



Having fun playing on the steps



He kept his hat on most of the time

Here's Matt's dad doing a front flip off the diving board

Smartest Baby in the WORLD

Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration, but in my defense, he is pretty darn smart. The other day he used a spoon. I didn't even teach him how to do it. He stole the spoon out of my hand, dipped it in applesauce and then put it in his mouth (and a little on his face). I couldn't believe it, but as to assure me that he really did know what he was doing, he did it again and again. All in all, I think he took a good 5 bites on his own. I even had time to tell Matt to go get the camera. So here is one of his attempts (a little messy, but hey, he is only 9 months old). Sorry about the lack of sound. I had a problem converting the files, but if you must know, the audio went something like this, "ok, dip it in the apple sauce. Good job! You are so smart. Ok, you have some. Now put it in your mouth. You are doing so well. Oh, close enough."




It is amazing what babies learn just from watching their parents. Parker also puts cell phones up to his ear. Actually he puts anything that resembles a cell phone up to his ear: TV remote, Baby monitor, camera. It always amazes me how much kids understand. They are constantly learning.

Clark Planetarium

Matt asked me what I wanted to do last weekend and I told him what I often tell him in answer to such a question. I wanted to go to the planetarium. I usually do. It is the science geek in me. I did teach astronomy after all.

So this was Parker's first trip and, as the curious kid that he is, he loved to see everything.

Parker and Daddy on the moon

Parker doesn't know what he thinks about
crawling around on Mars all by himself

Parker looking at the thing with all the balls that roll
everywhere. You know what I'm talking about, right?
Ever since he got his first tooth, he likes to bite his upper lip.

Grand Canyon Trip

Matt, Parker, and I went to the Grand Canyon with my family from June 22-26th. It was so much fun! This was Parker's very first camping trip and he did pretty well. It was cold at night, so he would wake up all angry, but he was happy when we were hiking around and loved looking at all the new sights.

The first day we spent mostly driving. Seven hours. Parker was pretty good, amazingly. We then went on a small 1 mile hike to Bright Angel Point at sunset.
The next day we went on a 10 mile hike on the Widforss Trail. Matt was tough and carried Parker in the backpack most of the way. My brother Cameron helped out on the last couple of miles. Parker was amazing, again. He loves the backpack. It was a little challenging because I was still nursing him, so I had to stop and lean against a tree to feed him while trying my hardest NOT to notice the bugs crawling on me. Toward the end, he fell asleep. This hike had some beautiful view points.
On the drive back from the hike, we noticed some nice boulders so we came back to the area for some rock climbing. Parker just hung out while we made up our own boulder problems.

The next day everyone went mountain biking except for Kara, Parker, and I. It was nice to take a nap with Parker. I tried to go running on some trail I found, but quickly discovered that running hills (or more acurately, mountains) are hard. Too hard, in fact. I came back and Kara taught me how to play some card games.
The next day we drove along the rim and hiked many trails. I took my share of carrying Parker around. Well, a very small share. We did this really lame hike that didn't go anywhere and the trail was overgrown with thorny bushes and there was little shade because most of the trees had burned down. What a waste of 4 miles. Oh well, the rest of the hikes that day were much better.
The last day we broke down camp and then the group (except Parker and I) went on a bike ride. They loved it. I went on a little hike with Parker and then spent the rest of the time reading a book. Then we went home.

Quite the adventure!