Parker: 8 Months

This has been a big month for Parker.  He mastered sitting up and began crawling.  I often find him in his bed crying because he is up on his knees rocking and can't figure out how to get back down and go to sleep.

We've also done some sleep training.  Up until this point I was feeding Parker at least 2 or 3 times during the night.  Basically every time he woke up if it had been at least 3 hours.  For 5 nights the big kids slept in our bed and Freddy T. and I were on the couch so Parker could have the room to himself.  While we did break the mid night snacks, Parker is still waking up.  Some nights are better than others as far as how many times he wakes up.  He is typically rocking on his hands and knees and as soon as I flip him over he goes on back to sleep.

He only wanted to eat the sign this month, so it was a little challenging getting the date in a picture.

Tee Ball

This is Jack's first year playing Tee Ball!  He is very excited about this season and pleased to be on the Mets.  Freddy T. was also on the Mets during his little league years.

Last Saturday we had our first game.  Tee ball in this league is quite different than what I remember when my brother played.  Everyone sits in the dugouts.  If you want to walk on the field to help coach your kid you can.  Want to take a picture?  No problem, as long as you stay generally out of the way you are welcome to come and go.

Jack is not on a team with any of his friends, but the boys he is playing with seem fun.  I'm sure in no time they'll be considered buddies.

Warming up before the first game

Uniform on and ready to go!

Proud Daddy

Lillie and Elliott, the Met's biggest fans.

Parker was there too, he just slept in the stroller through the whole game

You can see our neighborhood in the background

First time on the field, playing 1st base.

First time at bat

1st base

 On 2nd

 Running to 3rd

Crossing home plate

Freddy T. bought him eye black.  He loved it.  I'm sure it will be an every week necessity

The tradition of the league is on the 2nd game day there is a parade through the neighborhood ending on the baseball field.  All teams gather with banners and the parade is led by a group of men playing bag pipes.  It was fun, felt very "small town" in the middle of the big city.

My 3 boys, ready for the parade

Bag pipers warming up

Go Mets Go!

You can see the teams still walking on the other side of the oval.  We were the first team in line.

Waiting to cross Avenue C over to the ball fields

Little team meeting

Lillie wasn't feeling good, but had an hour of feeling better and posed for the camera

Elliott, Lillie and Dylan

Cecil Fielder, former NY Yankee, who played when they won the World Series in '96 gave the league a beginning of the season challenge.  

Ryan and Jack

Easter

Happy Easter!

The kids were excited to wake up and find their Easter baskets filled with a few fun things.  

Elliott getting into his Easter bubble tape

Parker playing with his new ball

Jack and Parker

Lillie showing me her sidewalk chalk

Jack giving Freddy T. a  hug as he left for church

We headed to church and had a great morning with our Gallery Church family.  A mission team was in town last week and passed out around 25,000 invites to our Easter service.  We think there were around 60 or so visitors at church this morning.  The service was packed!  It was the largest attendance we've had since we've been a part of Gallery Church, really exciting!  This is about our 6th week meeting at Hill Country BBQ, downstairs.  We out grew the space we've been meeting in over the past 3 years and if today is any indication of what's to come we'll be making adjustments again to our services and location in the near future.

On the bus Jack, Elliott, and Lillie enjoyed their "ring pops"

Lillie got pink bunny ears in her basket.  As soon as we got to church she tore her bow out of her hair and wore these bunny ears the rest of the day.

This was Lillie singing in church

Last Thursday we dyed eggs.  Jack and Elliott were very particular about what colors they choose and how long each egg stayed in the dye.  Lillie just dunked eggs in any color back to back, with her hands.  Hers were all marbled looking instead of the normal bright colors.

Jack wrote this during the Good Friday service

"You should worship the Lord.  Jesus Christ is the best thing in the whole wide world.  Signed Jack"

Yes Jack!  You got it right this year.  This is truth... He is the best thing in the whole wide world!