Parker's 2nd Christmas

Parker had a great 2nd Christmas.  Parker got several nice things from us, Santa, and our families.  We went to church Christmas morning, came back to our house and opened presents, then headed to Chattanooga to my mom's house.  I was excited to get to my mom's because both my brother and sister and their families were going to be there.  I've got several pics posted of Parker's Christmas fun - hope you enjoy!

Parker seeing what Santa brought him.

Parker on his "Rocky" horse from Santa - he loves it!  When you push his ears, the horse sings, talks and neighs and his mouth moves - it's awesome!

Parker - 1 year ago - his first Christmas when he was 3 months old.  WOW!

Parker seemed to like the wrapping paper more than his pajamas.  Why does that always happen?

Parker loved this little NE truck Santa brought him.  He was fascinated by the wheels!

Of course, we didn't leave out Jake.  He was well-taken care of by Santa, us, and both our families!

Parker with his cow book and red barn from Grandpa and Grandma Kleeman.

Parker with a couple of his toys from Grandma Henry and Uncle Ryan.

My sister Amber (in the middle), and her 2 kids, Dustin and Shelby.  My nephew Dustin, turned 18 on Christmas Eve.  He has decided to go to Navy and we are all super excited and very proud of him for that.  My neice Shelby, is a sophomore in high school.  I just can't believe how they have grown up!

My brother, Ryan and Parker.  Parker really likes his Uncle Ryan.  Ryan always plays with Parker and he always giggles around his Uncle.  I mean, look at Parker's cute smile!  Out of all the pictures we took, being with his Uncle Ryan was the only time he really smiled!

My sister, Amber with Parker.  Parker liked snuggling with his Aunt Amber and rubbing noses with her.  This was actually the first time my sister got to meet Parker.

My mom with Parker.  Grandma Henry just spoils Parker to death!  I guess that's what Grandma's are supposed to do.

Grandma Henry and Parker - 1 year ago.  Parker was 3 months old in this picture.















My mom with her 3 kids and 4 grandkids.















We had a nice Christmas with my family.  It was great getting to see my brother and sister, neither of whom I get to see very often. 

Every Christmas, we always go by my dad's grave to "see" him and give him an update on everything.  It's been 7 years, but it still seems like yesterday.  I know most people say it gets easier over time, but for me, it gets harder every year - especially around the holidays.  I really miss him and it's just so surreal for me to be standing by his headstone.  For those of you that still have your dad living, tell him how much he means to you.  What I wouldn't give to have 1 more day with my dad to tell him how much he meant to me.

Parker at Grandpa Henry's grave. . .1 year ago.

From our family to yours - we hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends!

Christmas Eve Fun!

It's Christmas Eve - yeah!  I am so thankful to get to spend another Christmas with Parker, Brad and Jake.  I can't wait to see how Parker reacts to his gifts from Santa on Christmas morning.

Today, we went to eat at Zaxby's and then went to the grocery store to pick up a few baking items.  We got home and I started baking and Parker crawled all over the house - even over to the gifts under the tree!  I had to tell him he has to wait a few more hours - hah!  While I was baking, he played with his truck in the kitchen and kept me company.

I am baking something new this year - red velvet cake balls.  I found the recipe from a girl's blog I read.  Very easy recipe and pretty yummy.

I also made rice krispies!  I know, I'm such a kid, but Christmas is the only time I make them.  I'm also making sausage balls, a spinach dip, and of course - sugar cookies. 














Here are our sugar cookies all decorated.  We made a little gingerbread family and Jake got his cookie bone.  We gave 3 to Santa - hope he likes them.

Parker testing out his cookies.  In the 2nd picture, he tasted the icing and liked it.  Then, he decided to get it all over his hands and pants. 

Parker's cookies, milk, and letter for Santa.  We started the letter last year, so we'll continue that for as long as we can!

Parker and his letter for Santa, before going to bed.

To all our wonderful family and friends - we hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  I will post more pics in the next few days.

Parker's Christmas Tree & Adventures

Here is Parker's blue tree.  This was a new tree I put up this year.  This tree is in my office and Parker loves it!  He's always crawling over to it and playing with the ornaments on the very bottom.  This is a very rare pic of where I was able to get Parker to sit still long enough to take a picture.  (I had to give him something to occupy him while I took the pic, hence why Rudolph is being eaten!)

As you can see below, he just wants to move all over the place, so taking a good picture lately has been a little challenging!

My mom is here this weekend, so Parker has been getting very spoiled by Grandma Henry!  Below are a few pictures of our adventures the past few days.

Of course we ate at Chick-Fil-A, and the cow was there, so we got a cute picture.  Parker didn't really know what to think at first, but he finally warmed up to the cow and wanted to touch him. 

I put this picture in because everyone at CFA commented on his shirt.  Look closely - it's so true, "What Santa doesn't bring me, Grandma will!"















After CFA, we went to a couple of stores, to get some last minute gifts and Parker was such a trooper.  When we were headed for home, we got stopped at a stop light.  I turned around and this is what I saw . . . I think this is Parker's way of telling me he had "shopped 'til he dropped!"

Another Milestone!

We have reached another milestone! Wednesday morning Parker pulled up and stood in his crib for the very first time!  Quick story of how it happened: I laid him down for a nap.  He was moving all over and babbling (which is normal for him when I first lay him down).  I was in my office working, when I heard him say, "mama, mama."  I looked at the monitor and all I could see was his legs.  I looked closer and realized he was standing!  For a split second, I was like, "Yeah!"  Then, I almost had heart failure because I realized the crib is only halfway down (as you can see by the picture).  Luckily, the camera was right beside me, so I grabbed the camera and went to his room.  When I opened the door, he looked at me, laughed, and started banging on the side of the crib.  It was awesome!

So, needless to say, his crib is now all the way down.  I'm curious to see how long it takes him to figure out how to stand up now that the crib is all the way down.

Jake looking on making sure Brad is securing Parker's bed.  Parker doesn't seem to worried!

Here's the finished product.  Parker testing out his new "digs."  It looks like he's in baby jail.

In other news. . .

Parker is really crawling fast!  Just in the past couple of days, it's like he's kicked it into high gear.  He is military/commando crawling and he's just all over the place.  He's also pulling up and crawling over everything.  He still needs a little support pulling up, but not much.  Oh boy - here we go!  All my friends told me, once they get mobile and figure out the pulling up-thing, our lives won't be the same.  It's already starting to change.  He moves so quickly now from room to room - it's amazing.  Below are some pics of his latest fascinations.

Parker is fascinated with the walls and the vent.

Parker is fascinated with Jake's bowls and the bell Jake rings when he needs to go outside.

Parker is fascinated with doors, drawers and handles.

15 Months!

Parker turned 15 months on the 8th!  I can't believe how fast time is going.  It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating his 1st Christmas and now it's almost time to celebrate a 2nd Christmas with him.  He has really come a long way since August with his development.  We say that Parker is on his own timeline - if he doesn't feel like doing something, he's not going to do it.  I believe he comes by that honestly because Brad and I are that way.  I come by it honestly because I got that from my dad.  

However, we are making progress and it's fun for Brad and I to guess at what month he'll be doing certain things.  Here are a few new things he is doing:

--he crawls "commando-style" now (He was doing this before, but now he's super fast.  He can move all over the floor - you can't take your eyes off him for a second!)

--he wants to pull up all the time and he loves crawling over Brad and I

--he is a squirmy little guy when it comes to changing his clothes and his diaper (I have to have something nearby to distract him while I try to change him.)

--he can feed himself with his "spork" and he's eaten a grilled cheese

--he loves brushing his teeth and he rarely lets me do it for him (He takes the toothbrush from me and pokes it in his mouth and goes side-to-side and twists the brush.)

--he has another tooth coming in on the top (5 teeth total)

--he can say "mama" and sometimes he babbles other sounds

--he LOVES the Christmas tree ornaments (He will crawl to the Christmas tree and hit the ornament until it falls off.  Then, he wants to pick it up and bang it or eat it.)

--he likes his walker (As soon as I put him in it, he's moving all over the house.  We have hardwoods in our house, so it's very easy for him to move.)

Our Christmas cards will be coming soon, but here's a preview!

Can't you tell Jake is loving this??

Parker and Jake - great buddies now!

Parker trying to figure out what this is.  I can't wait until Christmas for him!

Look closely at this picture.  Jake looks like he's snarling and Parker doesn't look super happy either.  Sometimes Jake's lip gets caught on his gum and it looks like he's snarling - it's so funny!  This did not go on a Christmas card, but it does make for a cute picture. 

I think at this point, both the boys were done with me snapping pictures!