Parker's Patterns

I have always heard how kids thrive on patterns and rules...the idea that it helps them make sense of the world around them. Parker would definitely be one of those kids who likes things a certain way - but to a different level. I remember asking my parents once about how many of our family traditions began. They said that they did it once and my sister Wendy thought that that was how it was supposed to be, so it became a tradition. Sometimes I think that Parker does that about EVERYTHING. Here are some of the funny things that show how much he likes order.

*One day I was leaving the house before Rich. I walked past Parker's room without turning the light out (figuring that Rich would get it when he left). Parker stopped in the middle of the hall and said light until I finally turned it off. He now does this everytime, even if Rich is walking out right behind me. We MUST turn out the light. (at least it's not a bad thing to be reminded!)

*Rich is not allowed to sit by him at the dinner table and Parker gets upset if I even sit in a different chair than my "normal" one.

*The other day Parker was giving hugs and kisses to our friends before nursery. Morty tried to get him to kiss on the cheek - but Parker refused. He would only give a kiss on the lips.

*Parker spilled on his shorts, so Rich tried to just put some basketball shorts on him. Parker immediately said "jersey" and would only wear his basketball shorts with his jersey.

*Rich was playing with Parker in the den. He asked Parker if he wanted to tackle and tried to tackle him in that room. Parker would not play tackle in that room - only in the living room.

*We were getting ready to leave for the store the other day when I pulled out the diaper bag. Apparently, the diaper bag means one thing - Parker wants a drink. He immediately wanted a drink from the diaper bag (if only there was one in there!)

*Parker loves to play with our friend Angie's purse. The other night at Enrichment, he wanted to make sure that she had her purse everywhere she went...if we changed rooms or chairs, he needed to make sure Angie had her purse. I guess that the two go hand in hand.

*We always keep the bathroom door closed to keep Parker out. He doesn't really get into the bathroom anymore, so we sometimes forget to close the door. He has taken to closing the door himself because in his mind the door should not be open...if only knew that it was closed for him.

*Rich isn't usually home when Parker wakes up from his nap, so I always get him out. The other day, Rich was home so he decided to go get Parker. Parker sat down and said, "Ma ma" because only his mom was supposed to get him out. In the morning, he doesn't have a problem and often time calls for "Da da" to come get him. Luckily, he's getting better with this one!

*When we go into church, we usually each hold Parker's hand. This is probably mostly because we are usually late and it helps him to walk faster. Now, it is a MUST to hold both hands in the parking lot. If one of us forgets he stands stills and says "hand" so that he can hold both hands.

*Parker is obsessed with closing the blinds to our sliding glass door. If they are open and we are not playing outside, he immediately wants them closed!

*Parker likes the fans and lights in our kitchen and front room. If one is on, he wants all 3 of them on. If they are off, he wants all of them off.

*Parker has a pattern of things to do before going to bed. If we forget one of these, he makes sure that we remember...pajamas, teeth, turn on music, turn off light, tuck in with animals.

*Yesterday was one of those days that I was struggling to get him to eat. I decided to turn on a song called "Octopus" because in the song, it says "gulp, gulp, gulp." Everytime it said "gulp," he would take a bite. To my amazement, it worked. Today when it was time to eat, he asked for music. I turned music on in the kitchen, but that was the wrong music. He wanted the octopus song! Will this be a pattern?!

*This is a repeat...but in California, we had 2 beach chairs. The first day, I sat in one chair and Parker was sitting in the other chair. I had gotten up for a little bit and Rich sat in my chair. This was not okay in Parker's mind because it was "Ma ma's" chair. The next day it was Parker and Grandpa who sat in the chairs...for the rest of the day, these chairs were taken. No one else was supposed to use them!

*After meals, we always wash Parker's hands and face. Sometimes, I decide to bathe Parker right after a meal because of how messy he got. I figure that we'll just wash his hands and face in the bath, right? Well, Parker continues to say "wash" because he knows we wash after meals (and it must not be the same to wash in the tub!)

*Parker is constantly closing any cupboards, doors, or drawers that are open. I guess that he didn't get the Tate gene on that!

*Parker always wants to have his own Hymn Book during Sacrament meeting (and often more than one). He will stop whatever he is doing when we sing so that he can hold a book.

*Parker is in the "What's that?" stage and asks that question about 100 times a day. If I don't give him what he deems to be the right answer, he will ask the question again until I get it right. One of these is when he points to the picture of the temple that is above our bed. If I respond with "temple," he will continue asking it until I sing "I Love to See the Temple." For some reason the song needs to be sung in response to his question. When I ask him what it is, however, he is fine with just saying temple. No singing from him.

*Last week, Rich needed my help doing something on the car. I tried to put shoes on Parker while he was still in his pajamas. This was not okay. He needed to get dressed first - even if it was just to go to the garage. Pajamas and shoes don't mix!

*The other day it was really hot, Parker had gotten his shirt all dirty during lunch (surprise, surprise!). We decided since it was so hot that we would just let Parker take his nap in his diaper. We started to put him in his crib and he freaked out. "Get dressed," "Shirt," "Pants." So, now we know...Parker doesn't like to sleep in just a diaper.

*Here is another shirtless disaster. Parker was wearing a new shirt and we were eating pasta. If you know my son, a bib doesn't always cut it. So, I decided to take his shirt off and put the bib on to save his shirt. Parker did not think that this was a very good idea. He couldn't eat without his shirt!

I am sure that there are dozens more, but this just goes to show how important order is. He has definitely caught on to what we do and will hold us to it...this is not to mean that he runs the house, it just shows some fun quirks about Parker!