Parker's visit with Santa

Today I ventured into the mall.  I have not been in a mall in several years, so this was quite a trip for Parker and I.  It was funny because I parked in the quickest spot I could find and as soon as I made it into the middle of the mall, I went straight for the directory!  HAH!  I had to go to a couple of specific stores for my niece and nephew (I hope they appreciate that when they get their Christmas gift). 

It just so happened that where we came into the mall was right where Santa was.  Of course, he was "out to lunch" when we got there, but it said he would be back in an hour.  So, I told Parker if he was there and the line wasn't too long, we would see Santa on our way out.

We finished our shopping and headed for Santa.  He was there and the line wasn't long - we probably waited 30 minutes - not too bad. 

Everything was going great - Parker was happy, playing with his elephant, listening to the Christmas music.  Then, I noticed this . . .

I was like, you have got to be kidding me!  So, I thought if I leave him alone, he can get a nap in while we wait for Santa.  So, I did, but I prepared myself for when he woke up, he may not be happy.  I waited to wake him up until it was almost our turn.  When I picked him up, he was still asleep - his head was nuzzled in my neck!  It just killed me to wake him up, but Santa was waiting.  He did cry just a little, but then he actually was ok once Santa was holding him.  I was able to purchase a couple of pictures and they let you take a picture with your own camera as well. 

Not too bad, for just waking up!  How cute is this picture??  I want to believe Parker is saying, "Hey, who are you?"  But, he's probably saying, "Can I please go back to sleep?"

How cute is this!  Great Santa, huh? 

Parker Fun

Monday, Parker got a walker.  I went to Target and found this cute Elmo one.  We had to find one pretty basic - one without all the gadgets.  Parker really studies things, so we knew if it had a lot of "stuff" on the top, he would play with that, instead of focusing on moving the walker.

We put him in it Monday and he was like a frozen pizza - he didn't move.  Kindof like when I put an outfit on Jake!  HAH!  So, Brad and I said we would put him in it for about 15 minutes each night until he got used to it.

Well, it didn't take him long to get the hang of it.  I put him back in it Tuesday afternoon and he took off!  It was awesome!  I was working on my laptop in the kitchen with him, then all of a sudden he started moving all over the kitchen and the living room.  It was great!  I was following him around with the laptop in my arms - it was pretty funny (and no, I didn't take a picture of me holding my laptop)!  He really seems to enjoy his new found movements!  We hope this walker will help him feel more comfortable at walking.

We put him on his Lightning McQueen truck tonight and he did great.  We think he's grown because he can put both his feet flat on the ground now.  A couple of weeks ago, he couldn't do that.  When he got on his truck he pushed a little forward and some backward, then he would stand up.  This was the first time he has done all those movements on his own.  Before, we would push him and he would just hold his feet up and enjoy the ride!  It was really great to see him getting the hang of it and enjoying his truck.

 

Here is Brad's newest thing with Parker - working on push-ups.  Right now, it's more like Brad doing push-ups and Parker looking at him and laughing!  Brad is doing this every night with Parker in hopes that Parker will one day join in.  I'll let you know how that goes!

Thanksgiving in Nebraska

We had a great time in Nebraska for Thanksgiving. The weather was great and we got to eat lots of great food, see Brad's family, and enjoy some time with our friends (whom we only get to see once a year). The trip took 15 hours (one way) - yes, we drove! Parker did great on the trip - a lot better than me! We did the trip in 2 days because it's just too hard to drive straight through with Parker. Jake did great too - he slept almost the entire way there and back home. We hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving with your family and friends as well. We have lots of pictures below from our trip - enjoy!

Brad always goes duck hunting with his dad while in Nebraska. Brad always hopes to shoot lots of ducks - I always hope he doesn't! HAH! However, this day Brad (unfortunately) came home with 4 ducks. So, the tradition is to get a picture with the ducks and the hunters. I am glad to see Parker turning his head away from the ducks!

Jake sniffing the ducks.  We don't think Jake would make a good hunting dog because Brad blew his duck call for Parker and Jake, and Jake barked every time.  I've trained Jake well!

After the first couple of days, Parker adjusted to central time and Jake was worn out!  I think by these 2 pictures - you can see why!

Parker doing some exercises on the workout ball.

Grandma "working out" with Parker.  She taught Parker to do a leg workout with her.  They lay on their backs, put their feet in the air, and bring their feet together, then apart.  Parker would do this for several minutes.  All of us got worn out way before Parker did.  It was hilarious!  Parker will even do it now when he's laying on his back or waiting for his diaper to be changed.

Brad working with Parker on some push-ups.

Jake wondering why he can't find some peace and quiet to sleep.

Beautiful sunset views from Brad's parents backyard.  You just don't see sunsets like this in Georgia or Tennessee!

During the week, we got to visit with our friends, Donnie and Shannon.  It's always so nice to see them because we only get to see them once a year.  They have 2 sweet girls, Sidney and Charlotte, and another girl on the way.  We told Parker he was going to their house to see his "girlfriends."  We were anxious to see what Parker would do because this is really the first time he has interacted with "little people" for an extended period of time.  It was really cute to watch all 3 of them play with each other. 

Parker wanting what Charlotte has.

He's very persistent!

Parker really liked Charlotte, but she was a little skeptical.  Sidney just did her own thing. 

Parker starting to climb on Shannon, with Charlotte looking on.

Parker happy - Charlotte NOT!

Parker then moved on to petting their dog, Jericho.

As you know, Thursday is the big day for the sale ads from all the stores for Black Friday.  I have been out in the madness before, but I didn't venture out this year.  However, I am proud to say my mom and sister did.  My sister went at midnight, then got up again around 3:30am to head to the stores!  My mom got to Wal-Mart at 5:15am, then on to Toys'R'Us by 6:30am.  I wanted to get Parker a rocking horse for Christmas, and wanted to go, but our car space was limited, so I knew we wouldn't have room.  Luckily, my mom was able to get the rocking horse for me - thanks mom!  So, I didn't participate in the early morning crazies, but Brad and I did go out later Friday morning, so Parker and Jake looked through the sale ads with me to see if there were any good buys. 

We always go to Brad's aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving.  The food is so good - turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli casserole, and pies!!  One of the best dishes is the corn.  It is sweet corn - "real" corn from the corn fields.  Oh my - it is the best ever!  We rarely eat corn in Georgia because we are so spoiled with the sweet corn!  Trust me, once you have this corn - you will know the difference in "real" corn and frozen and canned corn.  The same is true with the steaks.  Brad and I only eat steaks when we are in Nebraska because the meat is that much better!

We had a little bit of drama on Thanksgiving.  You will notice in these next 2 pictures that Parker has on 2 different outfits.  Well, after eating lunch, Parker started crying, then he got really warm.  We tried playing with him, walking him around, laying him down - nothing helped.  So, I sat down with him and started rocking him.  He was almost asleep when he started crying again.  Parker never cries - so we knew something was wrong.  I got up to walk him around again and out came his lunch - all over him - all over me - all over Aunt Anita's carpet!  It was just gross!  Luckily, after Parker "lost" his lunch, he was fine!  That is only the 2nd time he has ever thrown up, so I know we are lucky.  We think it may have been the mashed potatoes being too sweet for him.  

So, Parker's clothes had to be changed.  I did not have any pants for him, so we borrowed a 3T pair from Parker's 2nd cousin Landon - thanks Landon!  Aunt Anita was sweet enough to wash my sweater and Parker's clothes while we were there also - thanks Aunt Anita!

Luckily, we were able to stay at Aunt Anita's, so Brad and I were glad about that.  After a couple of hours, Parker drank some apple juice, ate his dinner and all was well!

Parker with 2 of his great aunts - Corrine and Anita.

The picture below is last Thanksgiving with Great Aunt Corrine.  Parker was a little over 2 months old!  Wow - what a different a year makes!

Here's Grandma Kleeman working with Parker on "rockin" on all fours.

Great Grandma Kleeman with Parker and her version of "Paddy-Cake."  Parker loved it!

Parker walking with Daddy before the Nebraska football game.

Jake relaxing on the sofa watching the NE game.

Parker and Jake watching the NE game.

Parker in his new NE outfit with his phone Great Grandma Kleeman got him for Christmas.  He loves it - thanks Great Grandma!

Parker was absolutely fascinated by these encyclopedias!  Every time we were downstairs, he would crawl right to the bookcase and "pat-pat" the books and trace them with his fingers.

Thanks Mom and Dad Kleeman for a great week!  We enjoyed every minute and we thank you for everything.  We are thankful to have you in our lives!

On the way home, Jake was sleeping and Parker was playing with this book.  Parker got tired of the book and tossed it over and it just happened to land this way on Jake's head.  I turned around and saw this and had to get a picture!  Just look at Jake's face - I'm sure he's saying, "Are you kidding me?  First off, this is all the space I get in the backseat, and now I have a book on my head!"

I wanted to take this picture of Parker sleeping because he really didn't sleep much at all going there or coming home.  We drove a total of 30 hours round trip, and Parker probably slept for 3 hours total.  Jake slept about 28 hours total!  HAH!

The traffic was awful coming home Sunday.  What should have taken us 5 hours to get home, took almost 7!!  However, overall - we had a great trip.  We always enjoy our time in Nebraska, but it always seems to go by so fast!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!