Look, Mom! I'm a Baby

We have this large photo of baby Parker hanging on the wall in our bedroom. This morning Parks decided he wanted to recreate the photo. The end result is below. Ha! This kid. His sense of humor is fantastic.

Parker Turns 3

I've been frequently asking Parker to stop growing up lately. When he says things like, "Actually, this Batman is blue." I think, actually you are a baby so you shouldn't be starting your sentences with actually. Little man has been insisting on brushing his own teeth, doing his own "funky" hair and feeding himself. Today, at 10:36 AM he turns three and I can't wait to have an all-day mommy and Parker date with him. Cheers to my shy guy! I hope you always love robots, construction trucks, animals and superheroes. One day, when "bawwoons" turn into balloons and "toiwets" turn into toilets, I'll be able to look at this blog post to remember how you used to be my baby.

[6 months]

[One]

[Two]

[Three]

I'll be posting more pictures from the epic Wild Kratts party we had over the weekend soon! 

Ideas for an Epic Wild Kratts Birthday Party

We've decided to host Parker's 3rd birthday at a local arcade to cut down on the amount of work we would have to put into party planning. True to form, I have made up for all the time saved from throwing a "simple" birthday party by coming up with ideas that will take up a lot of time. Ha! Can someone please save me from myself?

The theme for this year's party is "Wild Kratts" and we are going to turn the party room into an animal party! Here are some of the ideas that I am planning to incorporate into the party. 

[via Pinterest]

We are opting for a small cutting cake since Parker has never been a real fan of cake. Something simple like the cake above will look great on the dessert table. The plan is the fill the rest of the dessert table with boba drinks, Parker's favorite sweet treat. 

[Wild Kratts Adventure Banner]

I love this affordable birthday banner from the PBS Kids Shop. We'll be hanging it from a 10ft frame above the dessert table. 

[Jungle Vine DIY]

I'll be creating some jungle vines for decor. The vines are simple, cost effective and create a big impact. Instead of using brown paper bags like the tutorial in the link above, I bought a large roll of kraft paper. I cut all the leaves using a Cricut machine to save time.

[Walking animal balloons]

A large shipment of walking animal balloons arrived this week! These fun animal balloons will work as both party favors (everyone will be able to adopt an animal at the end of the party) and decor.

[Plastic animal centerpieces]

I love the idea of using wood stumps for decor but have no idea where I can find said stumps. Help!

I'm not sure what else I will come up with before the party but I hope Parker likes it. I can't believe he is turning 3. If you want to see my full idea board on Pinterest, follow me at https://www.pinterest.com/marychu33/. Stay tuned for pics of the party! 

Family Life: Superheroes in our Bed

The bed is feeling a bit crowded these days with the addition of a slew of Parker's favorite superheroes. First we couldn't get him out of our bed, now we have to put up with all his friends too. We are still co-sleeping at 21 months. 

Conversation with My Toddler: Clean Up

Saturday morning, while I was getting ready to head out for the wedding I was coordinating, Parker did the most amazing thing. Tuan was out grabbing breakfast and filling my gas tank, I was in the bathroom putting make up on while Parker played in his room. After a couple of minutes, he came running into the bathroom yelling, "Mommy! Mommy!" I followed him back to his room where he pointed at the shelf were we keep all this superheroes and said, "Iron Man!" I handed him Iron Man and he said, "More more." So I gave him Thor and the Hulk and said, "Parker can you play for Mommy while I get ready?" I left him in his room and went back to putting make up on. I could hear him crashing around in his room talking to himself. Five minutes later he came back into the bathroom and said, "Yay!!" and pulled me into his room. To my surprise he had put all his superheroes back on the shelf in a cute little row. He was so proud of himself for cleaning up and I gave him a big hug because I was so proud of him for acting like a big boy. 

Looks like someone has picked up his Dad's neat freak tendencies. He impresses me with how much he knows every day.

Snapshots from the Weekend: Sept 6-7

[Parker's first time at Legoland, the Chima Waterpark and SeaLife Aquarium.]

[Shamelessly getting new tan lines. Best feeling ever.]

[Date night at Anny's Fine Burgers. We will be back for fried pickles and chicken wings. I haven't seen Tuan this happy in a long time. Those burgers were delicious.]

[First time meeting baby Julia! Congrats to my sister and her husband on their new addition. Welcome to Mommyhood.]

[Happy 0 birthday ice cream cones for baby Julia.]

[After an action packed weekend, he insisted I diaper his robot piggy bank before we went to bed. Love this kid x million.]

Parker's Birth Video

Because today is Thursday and I have babies on my brain since my sister gave birth last night, I'm resharing the video Tuan made of the day Parker was born. Time sure flies when you have a rambunctious little boy to love. Enjoy this #throwbackthursday moment.

 

Introducing Parker Kiet Nguyen from Memory Box Photobooth on Vimeo.

Video of Parker Feeding His Toys

Months ago my friend Christina gave Parker the Plan Toys Assorted Fruit and Vegetables play set. Here's a short video of Parker feeding his wooden food toys to his stuffed animals. He's the cutest. I never want him to grow up. Nom nom nom.

Special thanks to Tuan for cleaning the bathroom while we played. Parker loves to line up his toys, I hope he inherited his dad's neat freak disposition. Lord knows he didn't get it from me!

Goofball

Trying on hats and giggling

When Parker Met His Shadow

Last night we picked up sandwiches at Brothers Provisions and had a picnic dinner at Webb Park. After we finished eating the sun started to set and we took a walk around the lake. By the time we made our way around it was completely dark and the lamps had come on. And then this happened and it was the cutest thing. Parker met his shadow! I hope you enjoy this moment as much as Tuan and I did. 

Sunday Mass with a Toddler

[One day we were going to spend more time inside of church than we do roaming the grounds]

On Tuan

Shirt: Penguin

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Vans for JCrew

On Parker

Shirt: Ben Sherman

Pants: Zara Kids

Shoes: Adidas

No Shirt, No Problem

Parker's One Year Check Up

Who is this toddler and what happened to my baby? When did he get so...grown up? Last week we took Parker to his 1 year check up (about a month late because this mama forgot to make an appointment!) and everything went really well except that he hasn't grown in 3 months. How is that possible?? He was 18 lbs 4 oz at his last appointment and 18 lbs 11 oz at this one. We've been told that we need to add more calories to his diet and to come back in a month. Has anyone else had this problem? I would love any high caloric baby food suggestions.

 

So homeboy has been eating a lot of cheese and I am planning to add smoothies to his diet. We've also upped the calories in the snacks he consumes throughout the day. On the up side, he's doing amazing developmentally and has hit all the milestones, and then some, for his age.

 

[This looks like a loving embrace but Tuan is really just trying to keep him from jumping off the table.]

 

 

[Anyone want tickets to the GUN SHOW?]

 

 

[Killing time while we wait for Dr. H]

 

Snapshots From The Weekend

 

 

[This was my hearty veggie omelette at Opera Cafe. It was POURING outside Saturday morning. We dashed in and about in between the down pours. ]

 

 

[Parker hanging out on the floor in his Old Navy pea coat and Gap jeans.]

 

 

[My co worker introduced me to Koon Thai Kitchen last week and I loved it so much I made everyone go there for lunch/dinner on Saturday. So good! Consider yourself warned that this place makes everything pretty spicy. Loan and Minh didn't listen to me and they had spicy bellies all night. Ha!]

 

 

 

[Parker keeping an eye on Frank and Beans.]

 

 

[MMMmmmocha from Bino's Bistro & Creperie. I'm really glad they have a location in Hillcrest now. Their Coronado location was a bit far of a drive.]

 

 

[Bread basket at Bino's. Their fresh baguettes are the best!]

 

[After breakfast at Bino's, we stopped by Toys R Us to buy Parker a new toy. He did not enjoy riding in this space shuttle while Tuan paid.]



[Parker and his new baby dyson! So cute. He loves it.]

 

 

 

 

Birthday Cake from Momofuku Milk Bar

Four more days. Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed our little yellow jaundice baby into the world. Now homoeboy is growing a molar!

 I have been debating whether to make his cake or order it for a while. Panic set in on Saturday and I realized that I would not have time to make his cake so I ordered one (actually I ordered two) from Momofuku Milk Bar in New York. We visited Milk Bar on our last trip together pre-parenthood and I will never forget walking down the street eating crack pie, our bellies still full from lunch at David Chang's Momofuku Noodle Bar. I'm sure the birthday cake will be 1000% times better than anything I could ever make and I hope little man and all our guests enjoy it! The colorful sprinkles fit right in with our super colorful party. One day when he is older I can say, "We had your first birthday cake flown in from NYC!"

 

[Birthday Cake from Momofuku Milk Bar]

Screaming Santa Photo + My Review of Eileen the Santa Lady at Seaport Village

One of the fun things we did with Parker over the long weekend was taking him for pictures with Santa. We decided to head down to Seaport Village the Friday after Thanksgiving because, from what I could see online, the Santas there looked the most legit plus I the thought of heading to the mall on Black Friday made me cringe.

 

It was a drizzly morning and we arrived at 10 minutes before Santa arrived. I wasexpecting a crowd and was excited to see that there was only one family ahead of us. The photos took longer than expected because Eileen (the Santa Lady) didn't have any helpers that day. At first, Parker was very curious about the man with the white beard and his fuzzy suit. But as soon as it was time for his solo pictures with Santa, this happened.

 

 

[Look at those precious teeth! Poor kid. Oh well. Maybe next year will be better! Haha]

 

The 5-10 minute photo session cost us a total of $32 (including tax). $25 for a CD of the photos + $5 because Tuan and I wanted in on the fun. Overall, I think it was worth it. I wanted the CD because I didn't know how the photos would turn out since the set up in the gazebo didn't have any lighting equipment. I edited the photos in lightroom when I got home. All I can say is that Eileen must be making a killing on these photos!

 

[Merry Christmas from Santa and the Nguyens! Check out Santa's pimpin belt. Haha]

9 Month Check Up

We took Parker to his 9 month check up yesterday and Dr. Boies says he's doing great. He's growing right on track though he is (and probably always will be) a little on the short side. That's no great surprise since Tuan and I are shorties. We received instructions to install a baby gate, increase the amount of solid meals to 3 a day and to post the poison control center phone number around the house.

A moment of panic came when we were about to leave and Dr. B said "See you in 3 months at his 1 year check up!" Ahhhh...only 3 more months? I better really start planning his party and getting my act together.

 

[Parker in the car on our way to the doctor]

Parker's Christmas List

This list is for all of our family & friends who are generously planning on getting Parker a Christmas gift this year. Happy Holidays!

 

Parker's Christmas List

 

Likes: robots, superheroes, books, cardboard boxes, fish, mum mum crackers

 

1. A saltwater fish tank. Obviously, we can't have everyone buy a fish tank but a gift card or cash so we can pick up some tank supplies and fish at Aquatic Warehouse would be greatly appreciated!

 

2. We are in desperate need of toy storage solutions. This cute monster storage from P'kolino is fun and baby friendly. I like that it zips up so that he can't take everything out again once I put it away.



 

[$29.99 at P'kolino]

 

3. Boon Catch Bowl with Spill Catcher. There are other suction bowls available online. This one was most highly rated but I'm sure there are others that are good too. Little man is ready to start feeding himself!

 

[$18.99 on Amazon]





 

4. A fun ball pit! Gotta love colorful inflatable toys. It makes it harder for him to find ways to hurt himself.

 

[$41.77 on Amazon]

5. Gift cards to H&M, Zara or Gap. Those are our favorite places to shop!

6. Mini Book of Names & Faces from Pinhole Press. Parker would love one of these with photos of his favorite aunties, uncles, cousins and grandparents. There are other books like this available online. I like this one because it is a board book and would be hard for him to destroy.

[$29.99 on Pinhole Press]

 

7. Pajamas! Size 6-12 months. Here are some I like from Gap.

 

 

[Classic plaid pajamas from Gap]

 

[$24.95 Sleep sets from Gap]

 

8. Sensory Balls

 

[$24.99 on Amazon]

 

9. That's not my books. Parker's favorite book is "That's Not My Dinosaur". I'm sure he would like some other books from that collection too.

 

 

[Availabe on Amazon]

 

10. A baby gate. Ok well maybe this one is more for me and Tuan but Parker is on the verge of being able to walk everywhere and we need to make sure he doesn't fall down the stairs.

 

[$54.99 at Target]

 

 

11. Alphablock Book. I love the illustrations in this book! Must have.

 

[$14.19 on Amazon]

 

 12.Tool Trolley. How cool is this thing??

 

 

[$90 on Giggle]

 

 

This is all I can think of at this time. I may add more items before Christmas.