Naps Rock

A perfect picture of two tired humans.

Unique Taste Buds

Not my first choice but tomato juice and crackers with PB is one of Parker's regular snacks. Sometimes he'll mix it up and have Daddy's famous mustard and cracker combo.

A couple of times he's down two of these juices in a row. Then he'll get diarrhea. As he is sitting on the toilet he'll say, too much tomato juice mommy?

Yes Parker. One drink too many can cause you all kinds of grief.

Club Foot Update

We headed to BC Children's Hospital for Parker's club foot appointment. Parker is no longer having to wear his boots and bars at night.
















He'll be required to keep wearing his runners. Which lately he's been averse to wearing them. He rather put on his rubber boots. He seldom likes doing the norm.

We where crammed in a little corner of the Casting Room to get his foot cast so that they can fit him with an ankle foot orthosis.


















He'll wear this for a year during night time.















We will go next week to get it fitted. The clinic called me this week to see what design Parker would like his AFO to have. I think he'll be impressed with what I've choosen.

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And here is my little munchkin at about five months old wearing his cast. So cute!

A nudge to the edge

It's been one of those trying days with our youngest toddler: lots of time outs, crocodile tears and throwing of food or toys.

How can this sweet and beautiful boy that I love from here to the moon and back get so confident in having his way? Another wonder of motherhood.

I'm going to climb into bed and read. Let my brain and body rest.

Tennis Anyone?

It's our fourth try this tennis season to play as we once did 'sans enfants'.

James gets it. He happily plays on the the play ground. Or practices tennis on the wall.

Parker doesn't get it. He is very disrupting. Walking on the court. Fake crying. Throwing the balls around.

I almost accidentally whacked him with my racquet. Part of me wished it would have bonked him on the head. Like not so hard that he'd be injured but hard enough that he'd scram away to the playground for good.

Today we got in 15 minutes of disruptive play time.

Our aim is to play a minimum of 30 minutes of tennis with our two boys happily playing at the playground. Right now it's a pipe dream.

This 2 year old has the art of wearing us down...

Run Forest Run!

My boys are growing. I'm 'in love' with motherhood these last few weeks.

Not so long ago James was so malnourished he had trouble walking. Parker was wearing a cast for his club foot.

Now they are running as fast as they can. Picking up sticks, rocks and getting really dirty.

Not so long ago James didn't pay any attention to Parker. Parker didn't pay any attention to James.

Now they make belief together, fight together and hug each other.

I am loving the moments.

Terrible Twos!

NEED I SAY MORE!!!

Good Night

It was time to go night-night
It was time to go bed
But Parker had other
Thoughts in his head

We had read many books
We had also said prayers
but Parker was restless
Like a big, growly bear!

I spoke to him softly
Saying all would be right
But all Parker would say
Is, "I don't want to go 'night."

I tried secretly leaving
Determined to go
But Parker kept saying
"Daddy don't go!"

His bed was too small
There was simply no space
I just could not stay there
In that cramped little place

I tried reading again
And rubbing his back
His eyes were now drifting
We were on the right track

We lay there some more
His breathing grew heavy
His eyes were now closed
I knew he was ready

I escaped from the bed
Like a thieve in the night
For fear of a motion
That would cause him to fright

But all was now quiet
In his small little bed
Parker slept soundly
With dreams in his head

Love,
Daddy

Update on my Club Foot

Note: Internet is back at lightning speed. Here is a post by Parker that was scheduled to be up a few weeks ago...

At the beginning of this month I headed to Vancouver for my regular club foot check-up. I love going there. I get juice, cookies and to play with the toys.

Mommy always seems to strike up a conversation with one of the parents. This time it was a cute mommy with her little baby boy. He was 3 months old wearing his boots and bars. I remember those days: having to wear those suckers for 23 hours a day.

Dr. Alverez was thrilled with my progress. She said, 'Not all patients have such a great success." I'm lucky Daddy is so committed in putting on my boots and bars every night.

The best news is that when I turn 3 I am boots and bars free! Looking forward to sleeping bare feet and moving around in my sleep without this bar between my legs!

Poker Face

We vacationed in Las Vegas with the boys last week.
The buffets that stretched like limos were the highlight for Parker and James.

Things Mommy didn't like about Vegas:

1. Everything is too big! Really, do you need to have your lobby the size of a football field?
2. Starbucks has the monopoly in all the hotels on the strip. And they where worried about Bill Gates?
3. Crossing the street to see a new venue takes not five minutes, not 10 minutes about 26 minutes! By the time you get there you've walked two miles! And don't forget you haven't yet walked into their football size lobby!
4. Cigarette smoking is allowed as you sit enjoying the warm sun by the pool.
   
5. No recession here. All the trust-fund kids were enjoying their spring break!
   

Clubfoot Treatment

Parker has been sleeping with his boots and bars since he was five months old. During the day he wears his New Balance shoes. At $55 a pop we make sure he is wearing his runners all the time. Though he is very good at taking them off or convincing us that he needs to wear his winter boots when you go get groceries.

The first Monday in April Parker has his appointment with Dr. Alvarez at the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver. This appointment is to ensure his club foot is in the corrected position. Our last appointment Dr. Alvarez was very impressed with Parker's progress. His ability to squat impressed her. It is near to impossible to squat if one or both feet are clubbed...try it!

His foot looks great to us too: it no longer turns inward or points down. If he's lucky Parker will only have one more year of wearing his boots and bars.

Zippity-Do, Today I'm Two!

As of today I am no longer a baby! This week I'll be transferred to my crib to a big boy bed. Finally!

The baby gate was removed this weekend. Mommy and Daddy could have removed that months ago. I am a master stair climber!

I can do pretty much any and everything on my own now. Though I am told I am a disastrous eater and that I should do my business in the toilet.

I am stubborn. I do it my way or no way. I sit in the corner a few times a day. It doesn't faze me much.

I let Mommy cuddle me. I don't care for it but I can tell she loves it so I let her.

I am having my favorite cake today 'cause I'm 2! Banana bread with chocolate chips.

I am a toddler now! Crack open the apple juice!

Labour of Love

It's the eve of Parker's second birthday. Two years ago I was pregnant. It was just me and Daddy. Last year I was surprised how weepy I felt that baby Parker was now going to be one.

I'd by lying if I told you that this year is different. I've been reflective about him turning two for the past three weeks! I feel weepy. Sad that he has outgrown his 18-24 months clothes and that his little feet no longer fit in the palm of my hand.

I pulled out his baby book and re-read his birth story that our doula wrote for us. This material is great to have. Reaffirms that I don't want to go through that again! But I'll enjoy the reminiscing, allow myself to feel nostalgia and hope that I have many more years of celebrating baby Parker.

Raccoon Eye

Day 2:

Day 3:

My First Shiner!

This is what happens when I fall off my chair.
I am now 'punished' and have to seat in my high chair for all meals. Not cool.
I'm telling all my buddies and girlfriends, "If you think I look bad, you should see the other guy!"
The parents predict I'll only be able to see out of one eye by tomorrow.
I'll keep you all posted.


And here's my cool brother at the beach.

The Art of Sleeping

Parker refused to get out of his swing. (I'm learning that sometimes he can have his way!)
So I let him sit in it while James and I filled the purple elephant pool with freezing cold water.
I let James supervise the filling of the pool to check out the swinging baby.
And there he was sleeping holding his bunny.
The neighbors got a good laugh!
He slept there for 45 minutes!
Hmmmm....maybe this will be his new nap hangout!



I don't like the kids falling asleep in the car.
It's a real pain to move them out once we arrive home.
They usually wake up mad and think they slept for 3 hours when in fact in was for 8 minutes.
To keep them awake in the car I use different methods like:
I talk loud and say things like:
"Look at the motorbike!" (there is not one in sight so it keeps them looking for awhile...)
"O! Look did you see the cow?" (again, no cow in sight!)
Or I'll tell them, "Stay awake! Don't fall asleep. Please....keep your eyes open!
I'll blare the music from the Juno soundtrack. It works magic!
I also perform stunt driving...taking a corner with a touch more speed and purposely hitting a pothole (don't tell the hubby that one!) to keep them alert!
I can proudly keep them awake HOWEVER the other day, James fell asleep before I even was aware that he was nodding off!
So upon arrival at woke him up and told him to walk straight to his bed.
I got Parker out of his car seat and when I entered the house there was James.
Passed out on the floor!
He was right out.
I took the crane (aka: my arms) to lift his heavy body (42lbs) up and brought him to bed.
A good nap was had by all!

Food.

Much tastier when I don't eat the orange peal!
My 5th one of the day....but don't tell!

Future Jackson Pollock in training!

They never fight!$#!

Gourmet Soup!

I like to eat healthy. And today I've created my very own gourmet soup. It's a really easy recipe. All babies just learning to eat can try it, just make sure your mommy is looking the other way when making it!

Add a fresh slice of strawberry, 5 crackers ( I use Premium Plus with the salted tops) and a few slices of Primo Taglio Honey Maple Ham to Campbell's Chicken Rice soup. Stir with hands or spoon. So delicious!

Here is a list of other foods and beverages that I think are so very tasty and "nutritious":

• Popcorn Twists
• Pretzels
• Daddy's Tim Horton's extra-large double double decaf coffee
• Chips...especially Old Dutch Baked Creamy Dill
• Mr. Freeze
• Salami

I ATE lasagna for dinner this evening (M&M Meat Shop made it...not me!). Nothing like fine dining in my own home, you can be loud and not worry about impressing those cute waitresses! Lucky I did stay in to eat because right after my satisfying meal mommy stripped me down to my birthday suit. Right there in the kitchen! Straight to the tub I went!


After my leisurely soak in the tub with my brother I brushed my teeth till they sparkled and then called it a day!

365 Days Later...

Today is my 1st birthday! It was a good day to reminisce about my first year on Earth and all that I have accomplished in these 365 days. Here are some facts:

• I was born at 2:07 AM in 2007!
• I was born on Groundhog day!
• My middle name is Richmond on behalf of my daddy's dad Richard and my mommy's dad Raymond.
• I have 8 teeth and have gotten over 4 haircuts thanks to my cowlick (see picture above)!
• I like saying, baba, dadda, daddy, ah, and I like to clap my hands.

In my 2nd year I hope to walk, run, eat more food, be breast milk free and continue to capture the hearts of my fan club!

Wet kisses,

Parker Richmond Epp


PS: Click on the the words highlighted in green!

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