Month 2: Who You Calling Baby?

Parker continues to develop a pace that I'm told by his pediatrician is just right percentile-wise, but I have to say every day offers a new clue to the person he's becoming and I consider that accelerated growth, even if it happens to all babies.

Speaking of which, he's really not a "baby" so much as he's a "little man" around these parts. I think this is because he's starting to express himself through more than one singular cry that's one-situation-fits-all - which everyone knows is a hallmark of true maturity ; )

Particular milestones of interest this past month:

~ Parker had his first "live concert" given by our talented neighbors who played an acoustic set of The Beatles for him, which he absolutely responded to with delight and amazement, equally.

~ Parker got his first round of vaccinations like a champ, charming the nurse even as she repeatedly jammed a needle into the fleshy part of his thigh. His pediatrician was like, "Is he always this happy?" Um, no. Especially when the gas bubbles hit in the middle of the night and he can only be held at a tilted right angle and thumped on the back while being jostled, without abating the accompanying screams, of course.

~ Parker is a swinger after all. Just when we were about to call it quits and send the unnecessarily huge piece of baby gear packing to the wilds of Craig's List, Parker decided he can't live without it. Fabulous. We are moving the swing under our Christmas Tree later today so he can really take in the lights.

~ Parker is super social and loves be outdoors. He is great to mingle with at a gathering, flashing his infectious grin and working the crowd. He would do well at the Marina Safeway on a Saturday night, something tells me.

~ Parker recognizes people besides me and his daddy! He also can distinguish voices and faces from afar and locate sound and sight much more easily. This leads to lots of stimulation, and of course giggles and wailing, alternately. He doesn't have separation anxiety yet, in fact he loves having about 20 minutes of independent time to himself at several intervals throughout the day.

~ Parker met Cousin Rio and saw Cali Girl again and loved every minute of being held by them - Cali even fed him just perfectly and helped swaddle him. Rio and Parker will easily be partners in crime once Parker gets to moving and shaking a bit more, but Rio patiently worked with Cali to include Parker in some of their play during the visit.

We are all looking forward to Parker's first Christmas - Halloween and Thanksgiving pix to follow - and we're hoping that his teething (two teeth coming in already up top!) stays manageable enough for him to sit on Santa's lap at a sunny, Southern California mall!