August Recap

August has been another busy month here in the Hooker household. Time spent with cousins, friends, family, and dogs. This past weekend we went to Lake of the Ozarks with the Wilsons and Schuntaers, and a great time was had by all. A video at the bottom shows a recap of the weekend. Preston LOVED seeing the dogs and HATED wearing his life-jacket. Clint took him down to the dock and dipped his head in the water. It almost made my heart explode, but was funny because he was so shocked. Sorry I didn't get the dunk on tape, but I wanted to be ready to jump in if I needed to.

Click on this first picture to see the entire album for August.

I like chillin' on the porch
Waaaaa...life-jacket......waaaaaPost dip hair Reading books in my new cool chair

15 Month Check-up

Preston had his 15 month check-up today, and Daddy was the lucky one to take him this time because I had a (riveting) staff meeting. There were LOTS of tears. (At the doctor, not at my meeting. Although sometimes they bore me to tears...) He screamed the most when he got his trio of shots. I thought they may wait on those since he has been sick, but I'm no doctor!

His stats for those who are interested:

Weight 23 lbs 10 oz= 35%ile (Down 15% from his last check-up since he hasn't wanted to eat much lately.)

Length 32.5 inches= 80%ile (Up 5% since last visit- long and lean)

Head Circumference 18 3/4 inches= 65%ile His head got 15% bigger over the past few months. I believe that is due to how SMART he is. They actually said he is really smart today, so I'm not making that up! I swear! Ask Clint!!

Their advice for getting him to eat veggies and meat? "Get creative." Really? That doesn't help. Tonight we tried pickles. No dice. Maybe tomorrow we'll try salsa and a KC Strip.

Toy Chest

Although he is still not 100%, Preston is doing better. Wouldn't eat or drink much at daycare today, but was hungry, thirsty, and happy here tonight. Hopefully we have turned the corner and can put this stupid virus behind us.

Here he is playing with his toy chest. He has discovered that you can still hear the music from his toys after you close the top, and that seems to entertain him. Notice that there are many toys making noise...why do they all have to be so obnoxious? I remember thinking it was fun to buy other people's kids toys that were loud and ridiculous. No more.

PS- We have a giant mushroom in our front yard due to all of the ridiculous rain we have had over the past weeks- check it out! We're going to see how big it gets, but that is a golf ball next to it. I'm sure our neighbors love us.

Still Fighting It

Preston is still fighting his illness, but seems to be a little better today. Strep test at the doctor's office was negative yesterday, so they think it is viral. His fever was gone this morning- sub temp actually- and he now has little red bumps on his face and chest. But doc says that is a sign of the viral stuff and that he is probably on the mend. I took the little booger to the park this morning since he has been quarantined to the house since Tuesday. (Besides a trip to the doc and grocery store.) He is in good spirits, so we are hopeful that the end of this sick-streak is near.

Watching him walk in this tunnel is like watching a drunken sailor. Cracks me up!

Sick (at the worst possible time)

Preston is very smart. He didn't want me to go back to work this week, so he decided to get sick. He's had a fever going on three days now, so Clint stayed home yesterday and I had to stay home today. This is the WORST time for me to miss school since it is the first week, but I had no choice. Poor little guy. Hopefully he is better tomorrow...

KKKKKK

A video from last week showing off a few tricks. Obviously playing with me at first, but then asking for his drink or as he says "KKKKKKK". Then the touchdown arms showing that he is proud of himself for putting the drink on the table instead of throwing it on the floor as hard as he can. (We have REALLY been working on that one since I am sick of cleaning up milk splatters/puddles all over the house!) He refused to answer any of my animal sound questions, but he DID push the duck button when I asked him what a duck says. Pure coincidence or boy genius? You decide. (He really does tell us what some animals say, but wouldn't do it for me on camera-maybe next week.)

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

School starts (with students) tomorrow and this is what Preston thinks of that:

The End Is Near...

Since today is my last day of summer with Preston, we went to the park and had one last photo shoot. Got some great pics, though!Such a big boy!

Tennis anyone?
Chasing Mom around the net.

I LOVE walking through the tunnel!

Mom, you take my picture WAY too much.

A little lunchtime fun. AND Preston showing off a few of his tricks.

Family Fun

Some misc pics from the past week...

With the girls at the splash park.Here, birdie birdie!

Wanna be friends??

Yahoo!!

With Mima and Great-Auntie Judy. It was great to see Judy and Kenny this weekend! We went to Mima's house Friday night for dinner and then met up for breakfast at First Watch on Saturday morning. Preston is obviously still in his I-want-my-mom stage, but I think this picture is hilarious!
Example of what I see all day..."Pick me up, Mom!"

I thought the sunset made cool lighting in the car on the way home, so I tried to get a pic (at a stoplight, of course).

And here we are just having some fun last Thursday after I picked him up from daycare. I love it when he tells me stories now!

Growing Up Too Fast

What happened to my tiny baby??Some of his favorite things now include: kissing Boo Boo Kitty, brushing his teeth, eating crackers, chasing MC and Phoggy and trying to give them kisses, eating fruit, playing horse ride with Dada wearing a cowboy hat, squirming around on the changing table, reading books on Mama's lap, drinking milk from his sippy cup and going "ahhhhh" after he takes a big drink (no more bottles!!), dancing/playing air guitar, saying "car car" but not riding in it for more than 20 minutes or so, climbing up the slide at the park, fountains, knocking over towers of blocks, and chasing his cousins around the house.

Getting ready for his bath is also a big hit every day. Now he can help take off his clothes and loves to brush his teeth! (Not sure how clean they are getting, but I figure any brushing is better than none, and he won't let me do it.)

Stayin' Alive...

Is Preston doing The Sprinkler or is it a little Saturday Night Fever?

You decide.

Lunch "Break"

Here is what a typical lunch time sounds like here lately...
I want chicken nuggets. I want macaroni. Can I have more macaroni? Preston is throwing his macaroni. My ice melted- can I have more? Can we have cheese-its? Preston doesn't like to eat his macaroni. Can I have some watermelon? I don't like watermelon. Can we have some chips like yours? Ok, we'll have cheese its. Preston likes cheese-its! I think Preston made a poopy. It smells funny. Can you go change his diaper? Can I have more water? I need more macaroni. My macaroni needs salt. Preston doesn't like that. Preston is throwing his food again. Preston, stop throwing your food. Can we have Oreos and milk? Preston likes Oreos. Can we have two Oreos? Ok, we'll just have one. Can you tell Preston to stop looking at me? Preston likes crackers. Can I have some banana? Can we have a cold apple for a snack later? I need more water. I like Oreos. Can I have another one?

No? Ok.

Can I go play now?

Waaaaaaaa...

(That was Preston's contribution, but he tends to interject his feelings whenever he wants to during these conversations.)

My favorite today was when Natalie said, "Remember, Julia, we have to be patient!" Bless their hearts---they are trying.