It begins....life with boys...

This has been an amazing spring break with Parker and Travis.  We have had loads of fun and literally watched Parker mature before our eyes. 
For example:
He is no longer allowed to have a traditional sippy cup.  Both Dr. Larson and Dr. Smith (dentist) have said it is time to say goodbye and go strictly to a straw cup. 

Also, no more juice unless he is constipated which won't happen because he's on Lactulose. 

His speech continues to develop and grow and he is adding more words daily. 

He has learned how to partially sing a small amount of the ABC song thanks to a Baby Einstein music video. 

He has virtually stopped signing "Please" because now he says it....Peas....

He is hitting less and less when frustrated thanks to constant language and redirection.

and....
he is learning how to be a parrot...and mimic...

Friday night after dinner we were taking a drive around the area.  It was a decent evening and there were still people working in the yard.  We happened to see an elderly man getting on a lawn mower. His pants were so low he could have been a plumber...get my drift...
Travis says "Eww, Butts, butts..." and from the back seat we hear in a teeny tiny voice: "butt.....butts...butts"  We look at each other shocked and then back at a very smug little one and a half year old who was all grins!

Saturday afternoon Parker and I were at lunch with my mom, Jane, and Sara, Justin's Girlfriend.  We went to Granite City and Parker was doing really well.  He was starting to get antsy at the end of our lunch and I said, "do you need your diaper changed?"  His response was to say:  Poop....Poop...Poop...and continue in this fashion for many moments.  While standing up in his high chair, while being carried through the crowded restaurant....while being put on the changing station in the bathroom...
The kicker is..he wasn't even poopy!!!

So to wrap up our vacation:  Lots of fun family time, lots of growth and development, lots of changing into a big boy...and for sure 2 new words: butts, and poop..
This is my life with boys, and to think there is another one on the way...do you think it will take the new one 18 months to learn the words poop and butt with Parker around? :)

Yard Work

We have thoroughly enjoyed our spring break weather.  There has been sun, warm temperatures, and the opportunity to be outside without coats!  Our yard was/is in need of some much needed TLC after the winter months and Travis and Parker got right to work.

Here son, this is how you do it... 

Got it dad...like this? 

That looks good, you keep raking, I'll put the twigs in the bag since it's taller than you! ;)

We have a very good big boy helper! (he's not for hire!)

Monkey Joe's

Two Thumbs up for Monkey Joe's!

Today we went to Monkey Joe's in Davenport with some of Parker's friends.  Carter and Emily were able to join us. We had a great time.

Parker loved running around the bounce houses and even laughed when he would fall down! 

This was the "dinosaur" land.  He wasn't as impressed with this one, but would run back and forth between the two bounce houses.

Whoa, that's a big dinosaur!

  

Towards the end of our adventure the "boys" got very brave and went into a bouncer that was outside of the mini-monkey area.  However, they needed some help getting down the slide.  Even though this photo is blurry (because they are going so fast down the slide), I LOVE IT!  You can see how all 3 of the guys are LOVIN' it.  If you look close you can tell that Parker is cracking up too!

Daddy and Parker wend down a second time even! 

We were all tuckered out but had a blast!  The timing was perfect, go first thing when they open, during the week, and you'll beat the crowds!

We can't wait to go again!

Spring Break Day 1

Monday was beautiful so we took advantage of having the day off from school and our zoo membership still being valid and took Parker to the zoo. 

WOW!  They have remodeled the entry and made it much more user friendly and added a tropical/jungle area.  Very cool!  New bathrooms too...for a pregnant woman and a toddler a definite bonus! :)

Travis and Parker in the new Jungle wing.

All was fine while we waited for the train, and even walked up to the train....

but...

when we actually got on the train was a different story. 

Tears and wanting "up" which is Parkers up and down.  He wanted off the train.  Looking off in the distance we noticed that the elephant was out.  I'm not sure if it was the train, the lack of movement, or the large packaderm that scared him.  However, after a few short minutes and the start of the train ride we were much better.  My bet is the packaderm! :)

We learned that Parker is Kito in Swahelie.  There was a zoo employee giving giraffe facts and he told us that if Parker was the first born he is a Kito.  So Parker and Kito the giraffe have the same name...first born.

When we saw the monkeys we found a mama and baby monkey and two brothers duking it out...sigh...a prediction of things to come?

  

Parkers last stop was the ducks.  He loved it.  We had a great time and can't wait to go back again! 

Happy Spring Break!

Tubes and Spring

Parker had Ear Tube surgery on Tuesday morning.  He did great.  The surgery was so fast that I didn't even have time to eat my complimentary muffin!  After a brief fopau (I walked into a private family waiting room instead of going through the door to recovery, OOPS!) we were able to greet a very unhappy little boy!  He was not a fan of the anesthesia. After a nap on the way home and some milk and lunch he was as good as new! 

We hope this will solve our chronic ear infection problems.  He has slept really good the past 2 nights and been eating well too!

 

 

We have also been enjoying this fabulous March weather everyday after school!  We are excited to spend next week on Spring Break with Parker!  Hopefully it will not rain all week! 

Catch Up

Yikes!  It's been almost a month since I've posted anything here....our lives have been just as crazy as everyone elses let's see if I can quick re-cap:  ear-infections, severe diaper rash, stomach flu, back thrown out, meetings, family nights at school, ultra-sounds, diabetic testing, throw in a toy room addition in the basement, laundry, dishes, general cleaning (or lack there of) and you have an idea of what the Stecher family life has been like for the last 3 weeks!  Phew!  I'm tired after just thinking of that!

Meet Baby Jr.:
A few weeks ago I had another ultra-sound of "baby jr."  this time I have pictures to prove it.  It is so funny to compare the two ultra sound photos of Parker and the new baby.  This baby isn't as round in the face however, still likes to have his hands up by his face and moves A LOT!

Happy Valentines Day:

Here is our 2011 Valentine!

 Happy Belated Valentines Day from Parker!

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes again with this pregnancy although it was not a surprise to any of us.  My numbers have been really good and we have started the testing earlier than with Parker as a formality.  The only thing that really stinks besides not being able to have my breads and pastas I LOVE, is that I will still be diabetic during Easter, so all those jelly belly's and Resess Peanut Butter Eggs will be a no go for me this year!

Parker is very active and has a new love for the Wiggles and Yo-Gabba Gabba...sigh...the TV is constantly on and I'm sure Travis and I could sing all of the Wiggles songs by memory.  My dad even said he was dreaming the 5 little duck song one night after spending time at our house.   Hopefully it's just a phase. 

During the nice weather last week we took Parker out for a wagon ride and saw a glimmer of hope for ditching the TV.  He LOVES being outside and did not want to come in.  And, in true boy fashion he found all the puddles in our driveway and splashed big splashes in them. I only wish I had a camera, but I'm sure that won't be the last of the puddles this spring. 

Parker also had a check up with the Endo specialist in Peoria who was very happy with his numbers and growth.  She doesn't want to see us back again until June, and we won't have to have another blood draw until May...Hooray!  Tomorrow we see a Ear/Nose/Throat specialist to determine if Ear Tubes are in the best interest for Parker.  He is prone to ear infections and we are looking forward to at least getting some answers!

I will try to post more frequently now that we seem to be back on track...knock on wood!

Super Bowl Sunday

 Parker had his 2nd annual super bowl party this afternoon.  However, this year his guest list got a little bit larger.

2011 on left...2010 on right

2011 vs. 2010

What?!? The Bears didn't make it? 

The Bears would have done a better job...

Winter Fun

We took advantage of the "warm" weather today and took Parker for his first sled ride.

He liked what he saw. :) 

He even tried to drive.

Look the snow is taller than me!

An official member of  the future USA Luge team!

Parker had so much fun he didn't want to come in.  We are looking forward to many more days of "warm" snow fun!

Blizzard 2011

This is snow day number 2 for us.  Today it is easy to tell why.

This was the front window at 3PM yesterday.  Travis tried to shovel to "keep up" with the snow

The front window at 6PM and below at 10PM

This morning the snow was so high on the front window Parker could no longer see out without help.

When we opened the front door the snow piled in front of the door was almost as tall as Parker.

Our house from the street.

North of house

South of house

Remember the birds from yesterday stocking up?  Well today the snow has made their job a lot easier.  They are much closer to the "goods".

After 45 minutes of shoveling this is what our front walk looks like now.
Travis thought he'd be funny and put the squirrel that sits by our front door on top of the snow mound.   The squirrel got the last laugh though because 10minutes after Trav came inside a snow plow came down the road and pushed a bunch of snow back in the driveway to block the RAV in again!