Excited, Shocked, and Full of Love

That pretty much describes how Parker (apparently) feels about Baby!

21 Months and...

Parker man is 21 months old today! Lately:
* His favorite foods are carbs (pasta, mac-n-cheese, bread, etc.), fruit, popsicles, black beans, garbanzo beans, guacamole, and tortilla chips (on a limited basis). He also loves condiments like ketchup and syrup and can eat them with or without food.
* He loves being outside. It is so sad to watch him go to the door or windows and whine, but most days it has just been too cold or raining. Come on, Spring!

* He told me "no" for the first time. I asked him if he wanted me to brush his hair and he clearly said "no." And so it starts...
* He says "Wow" and "Whoa" and it has to be the cutest thing ever.
* He'll make a sad face (pokes bottom lip out) on command (sometimes).
* When he's being sweet he wants to share his lovey. So gross, but it's the thought that counts. ;)
* He loves reading books. Anything Curious George, anything with cars or trains, Goodnight Moon and Nobunny's Perfect (random until you realize that on almost every page a bunny is playing with a truck) are favorites. We read them over and over again. While we read we get him to point out different objects for us. He's really good at finding everything!

* He's really into cars and trains. He plays with his train track, makes ramps, sends matchbox cars and trucks sailing off of tables or chairs and pushes them under the couch or into the crevice between the bottom of our pocket door and floor constantly.


Checking out the train at Centennial Park with Mimi

* He recognizes when he does something he's not supposed to. Sometimes that's reason enough for him to keep doing it. But, he did put himself in time out one day!
* He loves Ring Around the Rosie and The Hokey Pokey.
* He loves giving and getting kisses. At bedtime we'll kiss him goodnight and he'll keep coming back for more. Sometimes when we ask for a kiss he'll just offer his cheek instead. He blows kisses, he makes kissing sounds, and he kisses his stuffed animals. It's so sweet. 
* More molars are coming in... slowly but surely as usual.
* We've finally settled into a predictable sleep routine again after the holidays and vacation. He takes 1 nap a day (generally late morning for about 1.5-2 hours) and at night he sleeps from about 7:15-5:45.
* He could spend his entire bath time pouring water from a little plastic cup onto his belly.

* He loves walking (or more accurately, stumbling) around in our shoes.
* He gets SO excited when we get home from work or we go to the nursery to pick him up after church or pick him up after date night. As in, he runs around and squeals. I kinda love it.
AND...

He's going to be a big brother in July!!! (July 27 is my due date.)

Today I'm 13 weeks.

About Week 2 I had a suspicion I was pregnant after I'd consistently been nauseous for several days in a row. (Yes, it was seriously that early!) I got confirmation on November 19 and then I kept it to myself for almost 2 whole days. It was a huge struggle for me to keep such a big secret from Keith, but I really wanted to tell him on his birthday. I didn't quite make it until the 22nd, but the night of the 21st was close enough!

Weeks 4-10 were rough. I couldn't eat (I lost 5 pounds and I had to get meds) and I was exhausted, but by Christmas I was feeling much better. Lately I can't get enough of donuts, root beer, and chocolate-y desserts. And I'm pretty sure I've made up for that lost weight as some of my clothes (jeans specifically) are getting a little tight.

Keith and I got to see Baby Cronin #2 for the first time on December 27. Babe was moving around and even waved to us! It is no less of a miracle to see our sweet child the second time around as it was the first.

Technology has advanced since I was pregnant with Parker and my doctor told us about a new test- Progenity- a genetic carrier screening test with an extremely high accuracy rate. It is completely non-invasive and all that is required is to have blood drawn. There's the added bonus that the gender can be determined as well. We opted to get the test. The results came back that Baby is LOW RISK for the tested genetic disorders. No word yet on gender (since the nurse didn't check the right box).

We are so excited about our growing family and can't wait to see what an awesome big brother P will be!

For comparison's sake here's my 13 week post from way back in 2011 when I was pregnant with Parker.

Picture Catch Up

I've posted about the big stuff going on around here lately (Christmas, St. Pete, Disney), but before my little man turns 21 months in 10 days (what?!) here are some everyday snapshots from the past couple of months:

A couple of notes:
* In case it isn't obvious, Parker man is car obsessed.
* I scored some major mom points letting him play with the packing peanuts. Not fun to clean up because they were super static-y, but so worth it.
* P has had 3 haircuts since October. Don't judge the pics where the curls are out of control or he's sporting major bedhead/crazy play hair. Not much I can do about it. ;)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Cronins!

A quick glimpse into our holidays:

Early Christmas morning picture, but Parker's face pretty much says it all.

Checking out his goodies. Santa procrastinated a little this year and P's table is still unstained here and his chairs should arrive in February. Oh well, maybe we'll get it together next Christmas!

First gift opened- a Thomas plate. P thought it was the greatest thing ever!

Unwrapping pro!

Whoa! Cars! (Whoa is P's new favorite word. SO cute!)

Trying to steal Daddy's sea salt and dark chocolate almonds.

He started by pulling things out of his stocking one by one.

Then he had a better idea ;)

Train! Choo Choo! (another favorite word lately)

P and Mimi- the best we could do with a busy, teething toddler on Christmas day.

Team work!

New Year's Eve kisses!

Happy New Year!
(P.S. Is there any better way to spend NYE than in front of a fire, with your favorite people, eating in, and wearing your pjs?!)

 

Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom

On Christmas Eve eve (December 23) Keith and I took Parker to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for his first time. We weren't really sure what to expect (as far as naps, meltdowns, crowds, rides, etc) but Parker was a champ for the entire 9-10  hours we were at the park, and then at dinner, and then it still took an hour for him to settle down and go to sleep! He truly loved every second (maybe except for meeting Mickey. Not too sure about that mouse.)! Here's a rundown of our day in pictures:

Dreary start... the sun came out later and it really warmed up.

We got to take advantage of what they call an "extra magic hour" since we were staying at a Disney resort. We started our day in the park at 7:00 am (we're up well before then anyway so why not, right?). It was great because we practically had the park to ourselves!

So we may have fudged P's height just a little so he could ride the race cars with his Daddy. Keith had been dying to ride these since a visit when he was young. Apparently he was promised he could ride on their last day, but when that day arrived the ride was closed.

Tea cups!

Nap time on the train. The best tip we got before our trip!

Main Street

Mickey Mouse! No tears, but P wasn't getting anywhere near that mouse on his own.

Cutest Mouseketeer EVER.

The birds were way more interesting than the camera.

Carousel ride.

Not P's favorite.

Swiss Family Robinson tree house. This and It's a Small World were the winners of the day.

Ice cream break!

Don't let this look fool you. No way this kiddo was going to act tired, even at the end of the day. He was/is teething. That explains the lovie/fingers in his mouth in every picture.

Me and my boys at the happiest/most magical place on earth!

Such a fun, memorable day!!!