Playgroup

There are many great things about my church, but two are at the front of the list.  One, I met my wonderful husband there.  And two, the church routinely organizes playgroups with members who are first-time moms.  So, even though Palmer is only four months old, he already has a weekly playdate with 15 friends between the ages of three and six months.

The concept is genius because us moms can compare stories/trade advice and our babies will forever be grouped together in church nursery, Sunday School, youth group, church camp, etc.

-Bethany

4 months old

Happy four months, Palmer!

 You have grown by leaps and bounds in the last month.  We are seeing your sweet and laid back personality shine thru.  You are so content to play by yourself and love to explore and learn.  You are happiest in front of the mirror and love to laugh at your reflected image.  You also enjoy your exersaucer (we like to call it "The Jungle" thanks to the Cordells) and curiously like to discover all of the toys on it.  You laugh and talk both to us and your toys.

We went to the doctor this morning and here are the stats:

Weight: 16 pounds, 8 oz (90th percentile- we have a big and healthy boy!)
Heighth: 26 1/4 inches (80th percentile)
Head: 40 cm (7.5 percentile)

(As you can see from the photo below, Palmer isn't necessarily chubby as much as tall for his age!)

PS These two were in charge last weekend while I went to Vegas with some girls.  Uncle Luke and Daddy corrupted Palmer with Lord knows what during their stint...

-Bethany

Feet

Palmer has a new obsession: his feet.  He discovered them this week and cannot get enough of the appendages.  

Palmer literally got upset with me this morning when I was trying to change and dress him because he really wanted to keep eating his foot.  Apparently, I was disrupting him.  Oh boy.  Someone is starting to have an opinion.
"Who me?"

-Bethany

Sitting Up

Palmer learned to sit by himself this weekend.  He doesn't last too long, but is definitely sitting on his own.

-Bethany

Hanging with Palmer

Rick went on a golfing trip this weekend, so Palmer and I flew solo.  What did we do?  Palmer turned in his man card and went wedding dress shopping.  

(Can't you tell by the above photo that he was thrilled?)

My friend Jen is getting married in a few months and we accompanied her to the gorgeous gown fitting.  

(Note: I'm under strict orders not to reveal the designer's name or the gown!)

Palmer with the beautiful bride:

"Oh my goodness.  Are we ALMOST FINISHED?"

"My mom says I'm cute."

Palmer learned how to sit by himself today.

I tried to prove it thru video, but as you can see...I'm going to need Rick's extra hand!

Palmer is also reading

 Except when he is eating the book.

And except when he gets distracted by the overhead fan.

-Bethany

Mexican Grocery Store

Not too far from my house is a little known gem called "El Mercado Azteca".  I've recently become obsessed with a few treasures from la tienda:

FRUIT POPSICLES:

These are 59 cents of pure bliss.  The pops are basically large chunks of fruit mixed with sugar and frozen to deliciousness.  I especially like the coconut and pineapple flavors.

MEXICAN COKE:

Whereas American Coke is made with the evil high fructose corn syrup, Mexican Coke uses real cane sugar.  Combine that with the vintage feel of a glass bottle and Mexican Coke is a special treat.

CRAZY DORITOS FLAVORS:

Did you know that there are many more flavors of Doritos than the standard Blazin' Buffalo and Cool Ranch?  The company caters to taste buds across the globe with delicacies like Coconut Curry, Gold Pekang Duck, and Seaweed.

El Mercado Azteca doesn't disappoint with these:

 Spicy Sweet Chili and Fiery Habanero!

Salsa Verde!

Meanwhile, back at la casa...
WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
BLACKBERRY PULLED PORK:  I'm a big fan of the slow cooker, even in the summer. I'll do anything to avoid using the oven in an old house that gets way too hot and this recipe allowed me to throw in the ingredients and leave it alone for 8 hours.  Top the pork on a bun with some pickles and everyone was a big fan of the pork sandwich.  http://www.yumsugar.com/Savory-Blackberry-Recipe-Slow-Cooker-Pulled-Pork-Blackberries-10075001

And for those of you that a. made it thru this post and b. are only here for pictures of Palmer and don't care about the Mexican grocery store...

Here is a picture of Palmer with his 97 yr old friend, Bud.

Aunt Samantha said she took her "youngest friend to meet her oldest friend" yesterday.

-Bethany

Palmer's Baptism

Palmer was baptized on Sunday by my father, a retired Methodist minister.  Palmer did great and didn't make a peep thru the ceremony (or entire service for that matter) despite missing his morning nap amidst all the commotion.

Palmer's outfit was extra special because my mother made it for my brother's infant baptism out of the fabric from her wedding dress.

Here is my brother in the same outfit circa 1985:

It was a special family day.
-Bethany

Week One With Aunt Samantha

This Week's Recap
by Aunt Samantha (and Palmer)

I cannot articulate how thankful I am to have these next two months with Palmer during the day.  I start my first job in September and my start date just so happened to coincide with Palmer's start date at school.  It created the opportunity for me to watch Palmer this summer and the timing really couldn't have been more perfect!  Already in our first four days we have bonded so much and just when you think you couldn't love him anymore, he gives you that look (see below) that makes you melt.

Here is a little recap of this week from Palmer's perspective:

We started our first morning by dancing in the kitchen to Edwin McCain's "I could not ask for more" on Mommy's iPod shuffle.  I hope Aunt Samantha's singing doesn't impact my future musical capabilities since she is a little tone-deaf, but it was fun anyway.

Later, Aunt Samantha loaded me up in the stroller to take Boston for a walk.  We got about four houses down, but I wasn't really in the mood to go for a walk and every time Boston had to stop and sniff something, I got annoyed that we were being interrupted.  It was 100+ degrees outside anyway, so we just came back home.  We'll try that again another day.

Instead, we worked on my posture in my bumbo seat and talked about how we were feeling with my "facebook".

I am talking a lot these days!

Mommy and Daddy came home for lunch.  We hope they do this a lot; it's fun to see them for a little while in the afternoon.  I accidentally threw up on Mommy's silk blouse two times (today's total: three)! I'm not used to being careful with her work clothes!

We also went to Whole Foods.  I go there all the time, but Aunt Samantha thought it was fun to have me as company at the grocery store.  She says she is taking a big exam called "CPA" and after her test this weekend, she will take me to more fun places!

Between figuring out my ever-changing napping schedule, bumbo seat practicing, and "stare in the mirror" time, the day flies by!

We did manage to fit in time to make the perfect sea salt oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. (Sorry, the recipe is a secret!)

I LOVED watching the mixer; the noise and spinning is AMAZING.  Maybe I'll be a chef some day...who knows.

-Aunt Samantha/Palmer

Sun Shades

We went to the pool last night and I couldn't figure out why Palmer wouldn't look up at me.  He kept his eyes firmly down on the ground or water.  Then, I realized that although we were in the shade, it was still too bright for him outside.

After putting sunglasses on, Palmer was looking up, down, and all around.  Sorry, honey.  I didn't realize sunglasses were more than just a fashion accessory for you!

Happy 4th of July!

It's 7:30pm and after a full day of parades, swimming, and backyard fun, Palmer is fast asleep.  Rick and I have realized that fireworks are for another year as this guy tuckers out early.  And since I go back to work tomorrow, we aren't going to do anything to mess up tonight's sleep schedule!

 "Don't worry, Finn.  I'll come splash in the pool with you next summer."

"For now, I am going to suck on my hand instead..."

Happy 4th of July, everyone! (I'm sure none of you will read this until the 5th of July because all of you are waiting for fireworks right now.  Oh well.)  :)

-Bethany