Tummy Time!

Tummy time has a lot of benefits--strengthening baby's neck, helping him crawl (eventually), head control, etc. Mr. Parker seems to think it's to relax and suck on his hand.

Just hanging out pre-tummy time

Relaxing

Time for the hand

He really tries to get his whole fist in there!

These pics were taken on April 8th and things have changed in the last couple of weeks. Parker has decided to actually lift his head during tummy time and he's doing great! Getting stronger every day! Way to go, buddy!

Still Swing

We didn't have a swing for Camden, so we borrowed one from a friend for Parker (I thought it would be a good place for me to put him down in a hurry if Camden needed me). Parker loves listening to the music and watching the animals circle above, but he's not a fan of it actually swinging! Here are a few pics of him in the still swing...

04.02.11

Little Red Wagon

Before Memaw and Grandpa left, they ordered a little red wagon for the boys. Camden knew the "mailman" was going to bring it soon and he was SO excited! Of course Parker can't ride in it yet, but there's a seat for him once he's ready! We are looking forward to taking this baby to the zoo, on walks, and to the park. We will definitely get a lot of use out of it! Thank you, Grandpa and Memaw!

He wanted to open the "huge box" right away!

Testing it out in the living room

Going for his first spin! He had to take his bubbles because the box shows kids in the wagon with bubbles.

A cold beverage in the cupholder and bubbles in hand...he's ready!

two.point.five

Camden James,

I feel like I was just writing you a letter on your second birthday and here we are, six months later. You were officially 2.5 on April 3rd and, once again, I cannot believe it! You have changed so much in half a year. You have become a big brother and you are the best! You love reading books to Parker while he's in the bath tub and getting his diaper changed. You have adjusted so well and I'm very proud of you! You continue to amaze me daily and I love every minute (even the challenging ones) of being your Mommy. You still love guitars--musical instruments in general, being outside, loving on your little brother, going to My Gym, singing songs at "Bible" (Community Bible Study with Mommy and Parker), books, sports, dancing, Play-Doh, feeding the ducks, riding your scooter, helping with anything and everything, hide & seek, Legos, drawing, Word World, and more! When you're at home, you run everywhere and like to jump over toys and books that are on the floor. You like to drink out of normal cups and don't want to sit in a booster seat. You love playing ball with Daddy and whichever shirt you have on goes with the ball you're playing with..."This is my football shirt" as you point to your Quiksilver T-shirt! You have the biggest heart. You do not like it when Parker cries and you give hugs and kisses just because. You even rub my back when you give hugs before bed...love it! When Daddy pretends to fall down while playing you say, "Okay Daddy?" You know all of your colors and most of your shapes (square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, heart, star). You can count to eleven and sing your ABC's while washing your hands. You are even learning some color combos (blue + yellow = green, etc.) thanks to your fizzy bath colors. You are my rigid boy. You know exactly how you want things and get upset when they don't go as planned (I read this is common for kids your age). You are extremely strong-willed. When people come over you act silly, saying and doing things you don't normally do. When other kids take your toy, you let them. When they push you aside at the park, you let them. I'm very glad you don't throw a fit or push back, but we're working on standing up for yourself. You have a new obsession with puppets as a result of a song at My Gym. You now like to put granola in your yogurt like Mommy and Daddy. Your vocabulary is growing daily and you say words I didn't think you knew. You are using complete sentences more and more and repeat phrases you hear Mommy and Daddy using, "No thanks, I'm fine" and "That works." You still like to snuggle and want to be held every once in a while. After your bath you say, "Snuggle a little bit." You take a while to warm up in new places. You get really excited when boxes come in the mail saying, "Something's in there!" You often talk about what you're going to do when you get bigger...play soccer, drive a tractor, ride a skateboard, play basketball, drive a truck, carry Parker, etc. You love touching Parker, but don't want him to touch you. I'm so thankful you are gentle with him. You are eager to learn and say, "name" when you don't know what something is called. You talk about Jesus and know the song Jesus Loves Me. He does love you, sweet boy! I hope and pray you have a personal relationship with Him. You are such an amazing little boy! God gave us the perfect gift when he chose us to be your parents. I love you more than you will ever know! You are so special, buddy!

xoxo,

Mommy

When you choose the hat, this is the one you pick

Feeding the ducks

Big boy going down the big slide

Playing the guitar for Parker

Lego time!

My cute boy!

"We're on our way, we're on our way, on our way to Grandpa's farm..."

Getting ready to play the drum in your favorite PJ's

Loving on your brother

Looking at Daddy

Bath time

One of three of my blue-eyed boys!

Here's your smile these days!

Roar!

More from the Cam-man!

"My toes are sick."

While pointing at Parker's head/hair..."Parker have crumbs in there!" (he has cradle cap)

"Camden get bigger, drive tractor...use tractor to build house. All done house, Camden get out tractor take a break. Camden get in truck."

We have been working on letter sounds here and there and Camden decided to practice (on his own) while we were driving home from Bible study. It sounded like this: "/k/, /k/---buttons.../t/, /t/---music.../s/, /s/---car." It was a great effort!

Parker was sucking on his hand..."No, no, no Parker! Yucky!"

One of us sings songs to Camden before he goes to sleep, so in the past we have asked him, "Who do you want to sing to you, Mommy or Daddy?" Now he has the conversation by himself, it sounds like this..."Which one? Mommy, Daddy? Mommy. Okay."

Cheeeese!

As a baby, we tried to catch his little (quick) smiles on camera. As he got older, Jonathan would do something funny and I would snap the pic. Then he was in a stage of not wanting to look at the camera at all. Now, Camden will look...sometimes...but I cannot get a "normal" smile out of him. Here's proof:

Silly boy!

03.24.11

Bako Love for the Bentley Boys

Memaw and Grandpa visited the Bentley boys from March 12th-19th. It was Memaw's first time meeting Parker! They were kind enough to come while Jonathan was traveling so I would have two extra sets of hands for the boys. Dad and Karen cooked, cleaned, took care of Camden's breakfast and bath, and snuggled with the little one. Thank you so much for everything, you two! I really appreciate you and I'm so glad you made the trip! We love you!

Grandpa and his boys

Grandpa and Memaw with Parker

Grandpa helping Camden break up the bread for the ducks

Watching the ducks with Memaw

Zoo time!

Checking out the animals with Grandpa

Grandpa and Memaw (with an unhappy Parker and a ragamuffin Camden) just before they headed out to the airport

March 23-2 months!

As of March 23rd, we have a 2-month-old! I cannot believe how fast it has gone! Parker is still off the charts for height and weight...14 lbs 8 oz and 24.75 inches. You can see from the pics that he is a big boy! As previously mentioned, he started smiling this month and the "cooing" is in full effect. I love this stage. Parker does most of his talking and smiling on the changing table and when he's eating...he'll stop, look up at me, and start a little conversation. So cute! Parker met two more family members this month, Memaw (Jonathan's step-mom) and Uncle Jeremy (Jonathan's brother). We are so thankful for our sweet boy!

Check out that belly!

Just hanging out

Sweet face

Chubs

Camden wanted to get in on the photo shoot, but he needed his shirt off to be like Parker

Getting so big so fast!

Bath time!

He outgrew his penguin sponge...already!