Things that terrify, things I never thought I could do, and baby stats!

Things that terrify my 2-year old:

1. ANYTHING besides water in his bath...especially bubbles of any kind or stray hairs. If Parker sees a hair floating in the water, he stands up on one leg, crying hysterically as if he's about to be attacked. Luckily he hasn't had a reason to be afraid of poop in the tub for several months. I won't explain.

2. BUGS

3. Tiny newborn kitties.

4. Sharp turns in the car.

5. Lawn mowers.

6. The vacuum cleaner.

7. Crumbs or unknown specks on the floor.

Things my 2-year old SHOULD be afraid of (but isn't):

1. Me yelling at him.

2. Getting hit by a car (while running as fast as he can into the street).

3. Sticking objects in a blender while in use.

4. Falling off the counter.

5. Knives.

6. Scissors.

7. Permanent marker (refer to #1)

8. Teletubbies. Seriously.

Things I never thought I could (or would ever again) do 4 months ago...

1. Go to the doctor by myself with both kids.

2. Go to the grocery store by myself with both kids.

3. Wake up before either child is awake for the day.

4. Leave Avery long enough to go to the temple.

5. Go anywhere by myself with both kids (or multiple places in one outing).

6. Get both kids to sleep at the same time.

7. Take a nap.

8. Clean the house.

9. Make dinner.

10. Have some ME time!

11. Sleep for longer than 2 hours at a time! (Avery still isn't sleeping through the night, but last week she slept one night for 8 hours...hallelujah!)

I don't know when I blinked, but my newborn baby is now 4-months old! I had her 4-month check-up along with Parker's 2-year check-up today. Here are the stats...

Both kids are TALL! (Joe and I aren't...)

Avery: 26 inches (97th percentile)

Parker:36.5 inches (92nd percentile)

Avery is a chunk!

Avery:15.6 lbs (90th percentile)

Parker: 27.5 lbs (50th percentile)

Parker's head continues to top the charts!

Avery: 16.3 inches (70th percentile)

Parker: 20 inches (92nd percentile)

I also found out that it's normal to feel like Parker is ALWAYS sick. He has honestly had one cold on top of another (or the flu) since Thanksgiving! He's sick again...let's hope it's the last little winter bug he gets!

I'm Feelin' Lucky

Here are some of the reasons I'm feeling lucky right now...

1. Parker has a new best friend. This is the only friend he actually loves sharing with. And share he does...they do EVERYTHING together. Parker insists on it! 2. I got an awesome package in the mail from my "Desperate Housewives Swap" partner, Leslie. I loved everything and have a new friend! Thanks, Leslie!

3. I got to run in this race. It was a really eye-opening, touching experience. I didn't cry at the finish line this time, but rather the entire time I was running as I read the backs of people's shirts and saw who they were running for.

4. Joe and I didn't get into this race, however. I can't say we didn't try...we weren't chosen out of the 10,500 people in the lottery for any of the 7,000 spots. Now I don't have to run 26.2 miles in October.

5. Parker turned 2!

6. I didn't ruin either birthday cake!

7. The mini party (hot-tub party) on Parker's actual birthday was a success!

8. So was the big "beach" party on Saturday!
9. My lifelong BFF Aly helped ensure that the sand castle cake turned out, and Parker threw minimal tantrums at each party. Hence the success!

10. My sister-in-law, Marci finally started a blog after months and months of prodding!

11. My ENTIRE family will be in town this weekend for my Grandpa's 80th Birthday party.

12. I WON TICKETS TO SEE THIS ON THE RADIO THIS MORNING!

(I was driving home from the gym at 6:45 this morning. The DJ said to call in and honk your horn...they would guess what kind of car you're driving. Last week I had tried to call in for another contest, and when the guy answered, I thought it was an answering machine, so I hung up on him! This time I was prepared...I honked my horn, and won tickets to the new Indiana Jones movie!)

So there you have it...I hope my luck doesn't run out anytime soon!

2 is for TOO FAST

Name: Parker

Age: 2

Favorite Color: Lellow

Favorite Music: Scripture Scouts, Safety Kids, and David Archuleta.

Favorite Song: Sweet Escape (Gwen Stefani)

Favorite Movies: Magagacar (Madagascar), Ice Age, Shrek, and Inkebbles (The Incredibles)

Favorite TV Shows: Super Why, Mickey Mouse, Clifford, Curious George, Dora

Favorite Food: Macamoni Cheese (Mac 'n Cheese or anything made with noodles), pancakes, and smoothies

Biggest Accomplishments: Counting to 10, learning the ABC's, naming shapes, remembering the words to several stories, speaking in sentences, learning the words to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "You are My Sunshine", "I am a Child of God", and many more.

Favorite Toy: Curious George

Favorite Activities: Playing with water, sweeping the floor, making smoothies, playing with plastic spoons (still), doing puzzles, reading stories, going in the hot tub, getting the mail with daddy, kissing and holding Avery (and rocking her uncontrollably), running, picking flowers, unloading books off shelf, dumping legos (and everything else that involves unloading or dumping), climbing, and jumping.

Talents: Scribbling, dancing, building lego towers, yelling.

Most Endearing Quality: Enthusiasm for life.

Worst Quality: Growling and screaming.

Goals for the next year: Potty training, sharing toys, sleeping in a big boy's bed, saying my own prayers, not growling, getting my colors straight, teaching Avery the ropes, giving mom and dad lots of hugs and kisses!

Who's Missing?

Two weeks sure go by quickly when you're on vacation! I'm leaving Nashville tomorrow...luckily Michael and Marianne are traveling with me. I don't think I'm ready to brave flying alone with two kids yet! We've had lots of fun, but I've missed my sister Kimberly! Home's not the same without her. Luckily I found some pictures to fill the void! Here she is, showing her pretty face! Love you, sis! More on our trip later....