Trick-or-Treating Fun

We did it! We had our 1st "official" Halloween trick-or-treat. Despite the drizzling rain, we made the best out of our Halloween night. Brad decided he would stay home and pass out candy, so I took Parker and Jake to a few of our neighbor's houses. Parker loved riding in the wagon, but as soon as we stopped to ring the doorbell and say, "trick or treat," he would get a little fussy. I would put him back in the wagon and he would be just fine again! Jake really didn't know what to think. Between being in his hot dog costume and sitting in the wagon, I think he was just trying to figure out what was going on.

Here is Parker lounging with Brad after dinner, before heading out for our big night!


We started out once, but then it began to rain. So, we came back in the house for a while, to wait for the rain to pass so we could go trick-or-treating!


Finally, a break in the rain - the boys are ready to go!

Let's go Jake!

I was a cute pumpkin! Look at all my yummy treats!

The neighbor's houses we went to said, "Well, Parker probably can't each much of this candy, so get something you and Brad like!" I told them that we really didn't need any candy, we were just coming to say hello and trick-or-treat. They all said, "Well, you still need candy, so what kind of candy do you and Brad like?" It was pretty funny.

So, thanks Parker, for being such a cute pumpkin so mom and dad could eat your candy!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to all our family and friends. I can't believe we are celebrating Parker's 2nd Halloween. We are so excited to get to take Parker around our neighborhood for "treats" tonight. Even though he's still too young to understand the holiday, it will still be fun for us to celebrate with him. We'll be toting Parker the Pumpkin and Jake the Hot Dog in the wagon tonight in our neighborhood. Hopefully the rain holds off!

I think Parker and Jake are both thinking the same thing, "I can't believe Mom has dressed us up this way!"


Why, mom, why? I feel like such a weiner!






I just love Parker's little shirt. He only has 2 personalized items and this is one of them.

Parker 1 year ago - can you believe it? He was 1 month old!

Parker and Jake with their pumpkins.

Weekend Fun!

Sunday we took a day trip to Amicalola Falls, just north of where we live. We had a good time, the weather was beautiful, and Parker and Jake loved it! The air was so clean and the leaves on the trees were really pretty. There were lots of people out because this was one of the few weekends in October that the weather has been nice. It felt so good to be outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine!

This picture was taken outside the Amicalola Lodge that overlooked beautiful mountain views.
Parker had a great time with this big pumpkin! He just stood there touching it and pounding it with his hand.


Brad at the Falls with Parker. It was really cool. Parker was amazed by the waterfall. We could barely get a good picture because all he wanted to do was stare at the Falls.

Yes, this is Jake in Parker's stroller. The walkway across the Falls was pretty crowded, so I stayed behind with Jake and let Brad take Parker across, so they could walk down the stairs along the Falls. I decided to put Jake in the stroller because I was afraid he would get in people's way. I have to tell you, I did get some crazy looks - most people laughed and thought it was pretty funny. I heard one person say, "I have seen it all." I had to tell them that it really was a baby stroller and not a doggie stroller. It was pretty funny!

Parker and mom at the Falls.

Amicalola Falls - really cool!

Saturday we went to my mom's in Chattanooga. My brother and his family came down too, so it was great getting to spend some time with them. They live in Knoxville, so I don't get to see them that much, so it's always nice when we are able to get together.

My nephew is Dakota. He is in 6th grade now. I just can't believe that he's already in middle school. He really enjoyed entertaining Parker. Dakota talked with him, played with him, and combed his hair. It was awesome and very sweet to watch the two of them interact.

I think this is a cute picture. Parker was fascinated with Dakota!

This has to be the best picture ever!

Parker with Uncle Ryan

Parker taking a nap after a fun afternoon of playing. When I went to check on him, this is what I saw. It was hilarious, but don't worry, I did move his head off the pillow.

Parker having fun entertaining himself with his blocks.

He loves dumping out the blocks and eating them!

Grandma and Parker talking to each other.

Stepping Adventures

Parker has really been doing well during the past week. We're still working with him on walking, with support, but he's really starting to get the idea. We hold him under his arms and we say, "Step and step," and he picks up his leg and moves it forward. We've been doing this for a couple of weeks now, but he's really starting to understand the concept. We are very proud of him!

I think he's saying, "Whoa, dad, I'm putting on the brakes!"


Here we go - step and step!


After Parker does this a while, he plops down and needs a rest break. Thank goodness Jake was there for moral support!

And, we're off . . . crawling this time.

One of Parker's favorite places to be - hardwood floors & the carpet.

Parker and Jake - best buddies!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Well, today is the day - Mom turns 31!! Wow - where has the time gone? I've had a pretty good day so far. It's a little chilly, but it's sunny, so it makes for a pretty day. We went to church this morning and Parker was great (although, he always does really well in church). Then, we went to eat breakfast. Later tonight, we will go out to eat at Red Lobster. That is one of my most favorite places to go and it's been a long time since I've been there. It's also where my dad and I used to go all the time to eat all-you-can-eat crab legs. I honestly think Red Lobster lost money during those times, because my dad and I could eat so many crab legs between the 2 of us!!

The last 2 weeks, Parker has been giving me some birthday presents:
-he only takes 1 bottle of formula now (just in the morning, but I'm about the cut that out)
-he drinks "big boy" milk for lunch and dinner and has some juice for a snack
-he's a great eater (last night he ate meatloaf for the 1st time and loved it!!)
-he's a great sleeper (goes to bed by 8:30pm and is asleep within 5 minutes; wakes up around 7am)
-he takes about an hour and a half nap in the morning and a 2 hour nap in the afternoon
-he loves crawling (he does the military/commando-style crawl); he goes everywhere, so we really have to keep our eye on him - we are starting to "baby-proof" the house
-he is very much interested in trying to pull up (he still needs a little assistance doing this, but we're getting there)
-he likes to stand and we're working on taking steps (he's getting the hang of it!)
-he loves to laugh and make his "Mr. McGoo" face (we call it his "McGruber" face)
-he's working on saying "mama" - right now it's just "ma"

Parker is a happy, healthy boy who has a great disposition and I couldn't imagine my life without him. Parker is the best birthday present I could ever ask for.


Here are some fun pics of Parker hanging out with his "friends." I don't really know what Parker was doing in these pics, but it looks like fun. As you can see, Jake is right there with Parker, on the lookout.

I LOVE YOU DAD!

Today, Sunday October 11, marks the 7 year anniversary of my dad's passing. Most of you who read this blog remember the unexpected passing of my dad and how hard it has been on me, my brother and sister. I still think of my dad every day, and though I don't cry every day, there are times where I still sit down and cry. I miss him dearly and I think about all the things he has missed out on and how it still seems so unfair. When I visit him and I'm sitting by his gravestone, I feel like someone has transported me through time. Honestly, even though it's been 7 years, it still doesn't feel real.
October is a bittersweet month for me - my dad's passing and my birthday are exactly 1 week apart. I still love October, but it's just a little sad at the same time. I look forward to when Parker is a little older and I can tell him all about his Grandpa Henry. I hope my niece and nephews never forget about Papaw Bill. I know that my dad is up in heaven looking down on my family and watching over us everyday!
I will always love you Dad!

13 months!

Thursday Parker turned 13 months. I have lots of random pics, so I hope you enjoy.

Here are some things Parker has been doing:
-he's scooching - not fully crawling yet, but he's definitely able to move all over the place to get where he needs to be
-he can stand propped on something - he's getting really good at this; he loves to stand up
-we are working on taking steps - he is catching on to this by actually picking up his leg and moving it forward - this is HUGE for Parker!
-he has started drinking whole milk 1 time a day - I have to add a scoop of formula to it, but at least we're headed in the right direction
-he loves to swing - we take him outside and as soon as we put him in the swing, he's grabbing on to the ropes; the past few days he's started shaking his legs when the swing starts to slow down (it's pretty funny)
-he's eating table food - his favorites are: chicken, applesauce, peaches, mac-n-cheese, and mashed potatoes
-he recognizes nose and mouth - we can say those 2 words and he can touch them on our faces
-he lets us know when he's still hungry or wants more by kicking his legs, grunting, or kindof screaming (a funny scream)

My mom got Parker this bat. It's a soft bat and Parker has figured out he really likes it. Brad and I say in this picture he is kissing the "sweet spot" on the bat.


Parker banging his bat on this tambourine. He loved it and thought it was so funny! He was giggling and laughing the entire time.



Kissing the sweet spot again!

Here we are standing on the crib - one of his favorite places to stand.

Parker is absolutely fascinated with our audio box in our tv cabinet. Everytime we put him in the floor - he always crawls to it. He loves punching all the buttons. We think he likes all the lights and we think he's figured out sound comes out of the box.

Parker in the "big boy" tub. My sister told me this would be a great blackmail pic when Parker is older. I'm definitely thinking this is one of those pics that will be in the "growing up" video at his wedding!

Ok, this one to me is just hilarious! This is what Parker does sometimes when he drinks his milk. He drinks most of it, then he starts swinging his sippy cup and then he turns the cup upside down over his head. This is the finished product after I caught Parker in the act!

Going for a ride in the wagon in his GA outfit.