Cutest Boy in the Galaxy

I've been remarking on how much Parker is really starting to blossom.  Now that he is mobile, and increasing in his independence (more feeding himself), his vocabulary (lots of new consonants and syllables); we've also noticed an increase in his humor and he is starting to enjoy playing games.  The wide grin peeking from behind the upside-down paci is a common sight. He likes to play peek-a-boo with Maia, and loves to be bounced on a knee or flipped up into the air, or head down.  All of that elicits LOTS of giggles.

And yes, he's now quite attached to his pacis.  He often goes to bed with one in his mouth, and one in his hand.  That might be my fault, because he's busy with this hands (flapping, slapping, pinching, clawing) that I started giving him his paci to hold on to during feedings.  He's funny because he will twist and bend his wrist, as if examining that paci (or anything else he might be holding, as this really isn't limited to this situation) from every angle.

This evening, Ray and I watched Parker cruise a bit around the ottoman, and I said "Just watch, he'll be trying to go up the steps by Sunday."   Ray said, "He already tried earlier today."   And not 15 minutes later, there he was, at the steps, standing at the bottom, hands resting on the step up and bouncing.

Infancy is zooming toward toddlerhood at a pace I'm not entirely comfortable with.  It's so hard to keep them from growing up!

Speaking of growing... I think I'd better show you these pics of The Cutest Boy in the Galaxy, and tell you why it's funny.

It says:

Grandma Thinks I'm Out Of This World

cutest boy in the galaxy.

Why funny?  This is a 9 month size. Parker has now also worn the 6 month size and 3 month size of the same outfit. All of them purchased by his grandmothers.  Nana bought 2 of them, and Grandma bought one.  Apparently, 2 out of 2 grandmothers really love this outfit!  And I think that's adorable.

Check out those top teeth.  He's now got FOUR of them.  (Six teeth total)