Wednesday, March 16, 2011

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! 

Monday, February 21, 2011

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!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

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...

Saturday, February 5, 2011

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!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

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!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Snow Day


Even the birds know it's going to be a bad storm.  They have been swarming the front tree all morning trying to stock up on their own groceries :)

Parker was intrigued at first 
but then decided he needed to get them out of "his" yard by banging on the window. 
Once all was secure he settled into watch the Wiggles.  If you try to turn the Wiggles off you will immediately get a screaming tantrum.  We finally did manage to get the TV turned off. 
But not before getting the eyes glazed over, I've been watching TV too long look.  

Happy Snow Day everyone!  It sure isn't spring yet...just ask this robin but tomorrow, Groundhogs Day marks the 1/2 way point of winter!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Different Opinions

It is widely known that growing up my brother Justin and I had completely opposite views and opinions on most things.  I've heard that Travis and Heather were similar.
The question I have is:  Can those opposing opinions be passed to make cousins differ as well?

For example:
Our niece, Annica, would call Santa Claus Noah.  When they would go to the mall or see the man in red in a book he was called Noah.

Tonight when asked who this was,  Parker informed us that this was...ho-ho aka Santa Claus.

So to Clarify: 
Annica calls Noah and Santa: Noah
Parker calls Noah and Santa: Santa (ho-ho)

Could the opposing opinion curse on siblings be passed down to cousins??? hmmmm...

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Parkerisms

Travis and I were talking today about how many new words Parker is beginning to use.  It is amazing how quickly he's becoming quite the talker (just like his mom!)
I have had several friends with older children tell me we should be writing stuff down because one day we'll wish we had it on paper somewhere.
Some new things Parker is saying include:
  • Mom   (vs. mama)
  • Coke  (anything he wants to drinks)
  • Oh Cool (while looking at a book)
  • Apple
  • My ball (balls or cheese balls, anything round)
  • Waz tat?
  • shoos (shoes)
  • soCKS (socks)
  • hot dog (as in hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog from Micky Mouse Playhouse)
  • hot (hot stuff, cold stuff, or anything he shouldn't touch)
  • Oh Tay (default answer just to have something to say)
  • down (up or down)
  • no
  • mi-mi (his blankie)
  • duck (anything with a beak or yellow)
  • mim (Kim his babysitter)
  • ne-nae (Renee his babysitter)
  • unck-unck (pig)
  • baaa (sheep)
  • pants
  • a two syllable word with the guh and muh sound (grandma/grandpa)
  • Roar (lion, tiger, sometimes things that are not animals)
  • guck (we thought was originally milk, but since the cold turkey removal of the pacifier we no longer hear guck so now we're thinking it was pacifier)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Happy Belated Birthday

I'm really late in blogging about Travis' birthday but with the end of break and the beginning of school blog time has been cut short.
We celebrated Travis' birthday in shifts. 
His birthday was on a Thursday so his parents came down for pizza, homemade angel food cake and cookie dough ice cream (all of Travis' favorites)

We then celebrated by going to Jumer's Casino Buffet for dinner in Rock Island on Friday.
Lastly we celebrated both Travis and my brother Justin's birthday by going to Joe's Crab Shack in Peoria on Sunday .
I think he had a great 29th Birthday.  He says he's 29 for life! :) he he!
Dad, do you like the pillow I got you?  Can I borrow it?


I'll help you unwrap!