Parker's First Easter

Parker was lucky enough to have Nana come to visit for the weekend with the most beautiful weather. Parker was so good, as always, and we had a great time. He really enjoyed opening his Easter basket and playing with these bunny ears. Happy Easter everyone!

Gallagher family fun

This past Saturday, we took a little drive up to Northville to check out some lake houses for the summer. We are hoping to rent a camp for August and maybe rent out our house for track season as well. Well, it was a pretty day and we had a great trip with the little man. Mike wanted to show me the cabin he grew up going to as a kid, so we headed down a dirt road to the lake. The pics that follow will show you how the rest of the day went. Please note: No Mommies, Daddies or Babies were hurt during the photography of this incident.

"Mom, what's Dad doing out there? What is that shovel for?"

"Does this have anything to do with all that brown stuff on the windshield?"

"Is this a bad time to tell you I have a great deal of poop in my drawers?"

Exhibit A: Passenger Side Window

Exhibit B: The poor Jetta, just before Triple A arrived.

St. Patrick's Day Photoshoot- Parker turns 3 months old!!!

Well, we can't believe how sweet and BIG Parker is getting-- he is a thriving boy, learning new sounds and faces every day. He has also started sleeping through the night (for over a week now, I didn't want to jump the gun and jinx it by revealing it sooner).

Hope everyone has a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Parker and Mommy's last month at home :(

Well, I head back to work on March 25th. I am in denial of actually leaving Parker but feel really lucky to love my job, so I guess it will just be a little transition period for all of us. Parker has an awesome day care provider, Jodi, who will be taking care of him Monday through Thursday. Our good friend Michelle will be taking care of him on Fridays in our home. However, we are hoping for maybe one or two more snow days before I go back to squeeze some quality time in as a family (another reason we love our jobs!).

Only for 3 months though because then we will be HOME FOR THE SUMMER!!! We are also excited to report that Mike will be teaching at RIT this summer, not so far from home, for two weeks. So it will be a good summer to complete home projects, show Parker around his hometown and visit with friends and family!

Parker is a ham whether it is on camera or video. Here's a few from the past couple days.

"How come there's no drinks with the umbrellas in them in this place?
What does it take to get a little service around here?"

(Notice how he has rubbed off all of his hair but a little red tuft at the bottom of his head!)

"Ma, I swear if my privates are in this picture, I am going to spit up all over you."

"Staying home all day with Mom is kind of making me a little crazy!!!"

"Okay, this photoshoot is getting a little ridiculous."

"You are a mean, mean woman, Bridgette Gallagher!!!"

Snow Day-- Daddy stays home!!!

Today we learned that Parker has an uncanny ability to imitate our sounds. He is becoming more and more vocal each day-- and today we had an extra amount of time to play as a family because there was a snow day for school. We are only hoping for more snow-- we love being home together!!

February Vacation with Mom and Dad!!!

It was great to have Mike home for a whole week last week. We had some time seeing friends, family and even took an overnight to Killington, VT. Parker remains an awesome traveler and really easy going boy. He is all smiles and coos when you talk to him. His personality emerges more and more each day!

His hair, what there is of it, is a reddish blond. It goes well with his icy blue eyes. Not sure what color they will end up, green or blue, but they are beautiful in the meantime.

Here's some pics from our latest trip to Vermont. The lighting was just right for a photoshoot. He looks so much older!!

Parker's first Valentines Day!!!

2 Month Photoshoot!!!

I dressed Parker up in his Sunday's best and did a little photoshoot for his 2 month pictures. It went relatively well I would say. What do you think??

What the %^&$# do you have me in this stupid seat for???

I don't care what she says I am not smiling.

Whatever, this photoshoot in lame.

What? Did you say I get a bottle after this??? Awesome!!

When do I get that bottle?

By my estimation, you have been taking pictures for ten minutes. Give it a rest, Ma.
Go get me a bottle.

(After bottle) Now, we're talkin'!

Hey, what about another bottle after these pictures?

So, Parker has been all smiles this week. He started just doing it in his sleep and sometimes randomly, but now if you talk to him, you can undoubtedly get him to smile. He likes particularly the voice his Dad uses when he sings his own original songs titled "Your Mother Wears a Turtleneck" and "The Poop is Coming Out."

I can't believe Parker is two months old already!! Time is FLYing!

Parker goes night night

Parker is just starting to establish a bedtime routine. He has an awesome glowing seahorse that helps him calm down and get ready to sleep. He also has an awesome sound machine that plays loud ocean waves that lull him to sleep. Although we have not had Parker sleep through the night entirely just yet, he has been a great sleeper since day one. We know we get more sleep than your average parents of a newborn, or at least that's what my friends tell me with a sneer.

We try to read to Parker each night, but sometimes he is fast asleep before we can even pick out the books. He looks thoughtfully at any book in front of him, some favorites so far are (of course) Goodnight Moon and I Love You Forever.

This video shows what Parker gets into when he is left to his own devices. Boys will be boys.

Parker hanging out with Mom

All dressed up for church!!

Parker is 10 pounds!!!

Parker and his buddy Tanner Carlson

Parker meeting Ian and Delaney Carr (and their Mom, Shea)

Well, Parker was having a little bit of trouble gaining weight. We started supplementing with a little formula and-- WOW! It worked! He gained two pounds in two weeks and is getting to be a big, thriving boy!! He is very alert now, grabs onto my hair and smiles randomly. He LOVES Mike's face and seems to be able to stare at his face for a long time. Mike says it's cause he sees a face that looks so much like his! I think he's right.

Parker is making friends left and right, he has so many little boys to play with!

Parker's Top Ten

So far in life, Parker has some things he loves. Here's his top ten favorite things.

1. Bouncing, of any sort. In his bouncy seat, car seat, in anyone's arms, on their knee, etc.
2. Being sung to. Mommy and Daddy each have their own songs they sing to Parker. Mike's songs are a little unconventional.
3. The curtains in the living room. We have red curtains and yellow walls. Parker finds the curtains so, so interesting.
4. The ceiling in any building. Especially if there are ceiling fans.
5. Car rides. They make him very sleepy. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....he barely ever wakes up in the car!
6. Baths. As long as he stays warm enough. His favorite time is right after the bath where he cuddles in the towel.
7. Soft things. He loves his soft lamby and blanket.
8. New sounds and voices. When he meets new people, he is always mesmerized by the sound of their voice.
9. Stroller rides, especially downtown in Saratoga.
10. The Baby Bjorn. He loves being close to Mommy and either looks up and watches me sing or ends up falling asleep.

Busy Parker Gallagher

Visiting Nana at work

Sleeping after a long day...

Parker's chill out time

Beautiful Boy

Handsome boy all dressed up

Parker has been about town the past couple weeks. He loves walking downtown in Saratoga, loves car rides- long and short and loves to hear new sounds, voices and songs. He's visited both Mom and Dad's hometowns- Liverpool and Schenectady.

His little personality is developing more and more-- he's laid back, sweet and overall pretty content. Everyone comments on what a good baby he is and how much he just looks around and checks things out.

Today I brought him to church for the first time and he was very content to hear the songs and echoing voices.

He is such a sweet boy, I can't wait to see him continue to grow and learn more and more!!!

Parker is one month old!!!!

Parker's first trip to Uncommon Grounds
Mmmmmmm... Coffee.

He loves napping on his belly

Parker's 1 month photo with Elpha the Elephant

Parker's 1 week photo with Elpha the Elephant

Parker's Third Week

Parker + Bottle of Root Beer= Early night

Napping on the couch with Dad

Parker and I in our Winter hats

Well, Daddy went back to work this week, so Parker and Mom have been hanging out, having a great time. In addition to all kinds of friends and neighbors visiting, Parker has seen a lot of family in his three weeks of life. He has also been on field trips to Target and Babies R Us and soon will be making many visits at his friends' houses in the next couple weeks.

So far, Parker's favorite things are people's voices, being rocked, being sung to, riding in the car and chillin on the couch. He's such a good baby, we are so, so, so lucky!!!