This past long weekend was so much fun. I really enjoyed my three uninterrupted days with Parker. I have never seen Parker be so giggly and adventurous – and he is very much a fun, happy little guy, so that’s saying something. He is a very affectionate little boy, too. He loves to cuddle and to be kissed and climb all over me, and loves to be held when he isn’t playing on the floor.

I took half the day off on Friday, and we just hung out at the house. Parker continues to love pulling himself up to a standing position on pretty much anything available. He was still having an issue getting back down, though. So, I decided to teach him how – novel idea, I know! Anyway, while he was standing, holding onto his crib and looking back at me wondering why I wasn’t helping him out I said, “No help this time, sit down baby.” He looked at me semi-blankly and I said, “Sit down, I know you can do it, come on!”. It was pretty much the same as training your dog to give paw or something. I kept encouraging him to sit, and after a minute he tried bending his legs to let himself down, but that’s as far as he’d go. So, I rescued him, and then put him right back, and again encouraged him to sit. Eventually, he did it and I burst out with excitement, which he liked. So, now after three days of practicing he can not only pull himself up but he can lower himself back down safely (most of the time).

He has also started venturing around the house more, and has become somewhat interested in the DVD player and other electronics under the TV. So, he also got some practice with the word, “No”. This one he got very quickly, and stops what he is doing when you say it once or twice…but, then goes right back to it a few seconds later…again, just like a puppy .

On Saturday we went to Bob Evan’s for breakfast, and then we went to the park for a little while. After that we mostly spent the day at home playing.

On Sunday, our friend Elizabeth came over and we went down to North Canton and did lots of shopping. I stocked up on Enfamil, which is on sale right now at Babies R Us. We had lunch at Bombay Sitar, a very yummy Indian place. Once we got back to my place, Elizabeth stayed and we all played in Parker’s room. It was lots of fun hanging out with her!

On Monday, we went to breakfast again, and mainly spent the day at home playing, though we did go to the park again for a little while, and looked at the animals in the pet store. He is also starting to understand directions; I asked him to find his big yellow star (one of his favorite toys), and he crawled halfway across the room and picked it up.

In general Parker An is really starting to show an understanding of many words and sentences. He continues to progress his motor skills very quickly.

Here is a picture of Parker An and our good friend Elizabeth: