New Jammies from Aunt Natalie

Clearly, Natalie has been shopping because a box arrived in the mail. It was so large, it required a hand truck to move it. Among other things, Nat sent these pajamas, which aside from being cute are to Parker's liking because he doesn't like pajamas with feet.

Parkerberry Finn

Kari recently made Parker a couple of outfits. The one in these picture is one of my favorites. I think little man looks like Huckleberry Finn.

He's Not Walking Yet, But...

Parker is getting pretty close to walking. He is now pulling himself up on furniture. He is also falling quite a bit, but that is the learning process. You may be able to see from some of these pictures the fat lip he acquired just the other day.

Gates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield

Recently, I saw Mr Pressfield's name mentioned about some books he wrote about Alexander the Great and his campaign through Afghanistan. As you may be aware by some of the recent book reviews I have written, I have read alot about Afghanistan. So I decided I would read one of Mr Pressfield's other novels. After having looked through his writings, I harkened back to a talk I saw Victor Davis Hanson give about Greek history, so I decided to pick this book.

A little while after I ordered it, I saw the movie trailers for 300 and I knew I needed to start the book as soon as possible.

I was certainly not dissapointed. Gates of Fire is the story of the Greeks' standoff with the invading Persian Army. After a Persian emmisary met with the Spartan king, Leonidas, and threatened to invade Sparta unless they submitted to the will of the Persian king, Xerxes. The Spartans found this ultimatum inconsistent with their tradition of freedom and looked for a battle which would offer them a chance versus the enormous, conscripted Persian army (thought to number 2 million). Thermopylae was this place. However, the Persians were advancing too fast for the Greeks to amass an army here. Therefore, King Leonidas chose 300 Spartans with male heirs (the cream of their fighting crop) to fight alongside Greeks from other city states (Thebes, Athens, etc.) against the Persians.

What follows is one of the most heroic battles of all time against all odds, with all the gore and courage one could hope for. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in military history and one of the most epic battles in the history of mankind.

Mom and Nat's Visit in March

Mom and Nat came through last weekend. He has gotten big enough to wear his "First Irish Shirt;" just in time for St Patrick's Day.

Lakers Gear

My Dad and Carol got Parker a Lakers sweatsuit, which looks awfully cool on him. In celebration of Kobe Bryant's flagrant follow through on his shot, Parker wanted to pull it out and see if it fits. It does.

Parker Starts to Crawl

On Saturday, February 23rd, Parker started to crawl. It was slow at first, but he is now getting the hang of it. We have learned he is fascinated by all things he shouldn't put into his mouth, which thusfar have included Kari's slippers, the dog bowls, my shoes and the dogs' toys. Oh well, he has to learn somehow.

Above are a couple of the most recent photos we have snapped, including some on his Christmas present from his Grandma Carol. Technically, the "Buddy Quad" is for babies beginning at age 10 months, but he is very sturdy in it and we watch him closely.