4 years, 3 cities, 2 states, 1 family

It is hard to believe that Travis and I have been married for 4 years now! Our anniversary was on September 8th. In our first four years we have moved quite a bit for a young family! We started in Cheney, WA--to Richland, WA--to Oklahoma City(Tinker AFB), OK. We were so blessed to be able to celebrate our 4th anniversary as a family of 4!

So many things have happened and changed over the last 4 years...but the one constant is the amount of love I have for that man. Travis and I joke around...a lot...but I could not imagine my life with anyone else. He is my rock and the person who keeps me grounded. Every year I love him even more and have 2 beautiful children to show for it. I would not want to raise my kiddos with anyone else as a father and I am so blessed to live the life I do. I am so proud to be an Air Force wife!


Happy Anniversary to my husband, the father of my children, and the love of my life.

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In other news...Delainey is almost 2 weeks old now! Here are some pictures of her and Parker from our first 2 weeks as a family of 4!
{me and both my kiddos}

{my C-Section was on the morning of 8.29 and they let me leave around dinner time the next day...it was awesome!}
{first night sleeping at home...I have about a million pictures of Parker sleeping this exact same way right after coming home from the hospital too}
{first morning at home...such a good big brother already...he wants to hold sister all the time!}
{at the park near our house...the sunglasses are too big still...but so cute!!!}
{getting some energy out}
{our blue-eyed beauty}
Delainey now weights 7 lbs. 10 oz. and her hair is getting lighter every day! She is such a great sleeper and a wonderful addition to our family. We are all so happy to finally have her with us!

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Pictures of Nonni Donna's visit & Grandma Jammi's visit to come soon...well...as quickly as I can get around to it!

Happy Birthday Parker James!

Can you believe that my little guy turned 2 today??? The reality of the whole thing is a little overwhelming. He definitely acts two and looks two...so I guess it must be true!

Two years ago today we headed to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA for a scheduled induction. (Parker was due on the 14th of October...not the 18th but was stubborn even then and refused to come out) After 12 hours of being on Petocin, textbook contractions, having my water broken, and endless waiting around...Dr. Barrong finally decided that a C-Section was in order. Now after actually getting to know our little man...this is not surprising at all. He does his own thing and is not to be rushed! No matter how many times you are told that your life will never be the same...you just don't get it until that little blessing is in your arms and then everything that all those people were saying make sense all of a sudden. Then you can't imagine your life without them. You know that from that moment on your purpose in the world is greater because you have this sweet baby to care for and raise. Next, you become scared stiff that you aren't going to do it right, or that there is someone else out there that could do it better. Then you see how your child looks at you with so much love in their eyes and know that YOU, not those other people you thought could do it better, are the one that God chose because he knew that you were the perfect person to raise that child.

Over the last two years our kiddo has made me experience every emotion in the book...both good and bad. The way I see it...it is all part of the journey. I look back on the last two years and it brings a tear to my eye. Parker has grown so much. I can't believe that I am the Mommy of a two year old.
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Parker,

I do not know the words to use to tell you how much I love you. You are the light of my life and I couldn't imagine my life without you. I am so amazed by all the things that you know, say, and do. You are growing up so quickly and I can't wait to see what God has in store for your life. I'm positive that you will be amazing us and making our jaws drop to the floor for the rest of our lives. (Whether it be because you have done something fantastic...or something that requires being grounded) I know that you will give us a run for our money, you are insanely active even now. If you are anything like your Daddy you will get into your share of trouble...and we will still love you with all the love we have to give. You are so sweet and I am so glad that God chose me to be your Mommy. Your sweet little smile, blond hair, and big blue eyes melt my heart.

Your Daddy wishes that he could be here to spend your birthday with you, but he will be here soon enough! He misses you and loves you. He loves getting to hear you chatter in the background when Mommy is talking to him on the phone. Daddy is always impressed by how much more you are saying all the time!

I love you buddy,

Mommy

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Today for my little man's birthday I took him to see his 1st movie in the theater!!! We went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. We had the whole theater to ourselves and it was a blast. Parker was so good and loved it. What kiddo wouldn't love 2 hours full of Toy Story, popcorn, and gummy worms??? Mommy had fun too. I had never seen a movie in 3D before either.





Little man also got a present from Daddy in the mail today, all the way from Texas! He was so excited and wanted to carry the box around, sit on it, and play with the box before he even knew what was inside. Daddy got him a big Tonka truck...one of the actual metal ones that I thought they stopped making. He was so excited! (Even more exciting was that there was a HUGE ride-on Tonka truck at the movies today!)

to our 3rd year...

...wish you were here.

So...today is our anniversary. It is rainy and gloomy outside. (Totally the kind of day that Travis and I love to sit around with a cup of coffee on...too bad he isn't here to have one with me!) Instead he is stuck in Mississippi. We will be celebrating our anniversary in about a week when I fly to Mississippi to see him!!!


So here is to my amazing hubby on our anniversary:

Travis,

It is hard to believe that 3 years have already flown by. Where did the time go, really? It feels like just yesterday I was sitting on your lap in Luke's Explorer and not wanting to get up...because even though I barely knew you then...I knew that it was exactly where I belonged. From that night on I couldn't shake the feeling that with you was my place, my home. I had never been more sure of anything in my life (yet). That moment was the best in my life up 'til then..until the day you asked me to spend the rest of my life with you...then the moment I became your wife...then the moment we had Parker. There is one common piece among all of the best moments of my life, and that piece is you. Without you none of those moments would have been possible.

Three years ago today I married my best friend, the love of my life, and my own personal comedian, and my hero. Babe, look at how much you can grow in three years. Look at how our love has grown, how we have grown, how our family has grown, how our son has grown, and how our strength has grown. You make me proud everyday and I know that I am not only blessed to be your wife...but that I was meant to be your wife. God brings people into our lives at the exact right moments, He brought you to me at the perfect time--and he brought Parker to us at the perfect time.

So here's to 3 years of marriage--I'm so glad we both took a chance on each other so long ago. Who knew people really did fall in love with people they had just met???

The only thing that could make this day more perfect was if you were here. I miss you honey and I can't wait to see you in a week!

Happy anniversary baby--I love you and I miss you!

OMG...my son is 7 months old!

Today I woke up in shock that my son is already 7 months old. He is doing so many new things all the time and it always amazes me. Parker tries to pull himself up on anything around him. He has also started scooting around on his bum to get closer to things he wants! It is hilarious to look at him one second, turn away, and look back to see him about a foot away from where he was before. This morning he kept trying to get up on his knees and has started rocking back and forth once he finally gets onto them. For those of you with small kiddos...you know that means that crawling is just around the corner. Lord help us!

To My "Not So Little" Man,

Parker James I cannot believe that you are 7 months old today. You are such a blessing to your Daddy and I and we love you so much. You are growing up so quickly and all I want is for you to slow down. The things that seem to be so exhausting now are going to be the things that I will miss so much...

• the times when only Mommy will do
• when you are so tired, but don't want to be left alone in your crib for a nap and I have to go check on you every couple minutes
• you whining in your Jumperoo or Exersaucer when I am out of your sights for more than a couple seconds (you don't do that to Daddy!)
• when you just want to rub your face all over mine for what feels like forever (and kind of hurts when you head-butt me) because you are sleepy

All these things are going to be just a memory that bring a smile to my face once the time comes that you don't "need me" anymore. I know that children always need their mothers...but the time will come before I know it and you won't think that you do. As tiring as it can be sometimes...those little things make me feel so loved and needed...and the fact that sometimes you just want Mommy makes me smile too. (Even if they usually coincide with your fussy or sick days!)

There are so many things that I love about you Parker James and I know that every day for the rest of your life I will probably be able to think of more things to add to the list!

• I love that you think your Daddy is so funny and interesting.
• I love that you always roll over when I change your diaper.
• I love that you splash me when you take a bath.
• I love that you try to eat the faucet when you get a bath.
• I love that you try to eat Deacon's ears and Daddy's sandals.
• I love that you scream and squeal in delight when a water bottle is near.
• I love that you love fried rice (you are 1/8 Japanese after all).
• I love that you are mine.
• I love that you look so much like your Daddy...everyone tells me all the time.
• I love that you get compliments on what a good baby you are when we go places.
• I love that you give me your big cheeser grin all the time!
• I love you just for being you!

xoxox,
Mommy

Happy Birthday to "The Great Nan"

Today is Nan's birthday! Nan is Travis' mom's mom...does that makes sense? (Maternal Grandma) Nan is such an amazing woman and always a blast to be around. We miss her so much. She and Papa live in Yuma, Arizona. Our trip last February to visit them was one of the best trips we have ever taken. We had such a good time playing cards, dancing in Mexico, and checking out Yuma Territorial Prison. Basically we just love spending time with her! It seems like it has been forever since we last saw them...6 months to be exact. We were lucky enough to have her with us for Parker's birth. I can't wait for her to see him again. I'm sure that he will love his "Great Nan" as much as we do! Nan decided that she did not want to be called Great-Grandma, and would prefer to be called "The Great Nan!" So funny! So we appease her because she is so great and totally deserving of the title!

We hope she is having a wonderful birthday: full of sun, warm weather, yummy margaritas (make sure you don't tell them it's your birthday...you don't want another "special birthday drink"), and tons of love from all of us here in Washington! We miss you and we love you Nan!

• OUR WEDDING...SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

nan, papa, trav, lee, jammi--before wedding rehearsal

the duncan side--after the wedding ceremony (i'm so blessed to be a part of this family)

• SOME PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP TO YUMA...FEBRUARY 2008:

lee, jammi, nan, papa--nan & papa's place in yuma

nan, trav, & i in mexico (just a couple days before finding out i was pregnant)

jammi & nan in mexico--enjoying the warm weather and sunshine

nan doing what she does best--dancin' & havin' a good time! (there is a video that goes along with this...but because i love nan so much, i won't post it!)

we love this woman so much and can't wait for summer to get here!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT NAN!

Happy 6 Months Baby Boy

I cannot believe that 6 months have already gone by! It is amazing how quickly time flies. Parker seems so much older every single day and I cannot believe that I have been so blessed. He looks so much like Travis, it is fun to look at him and see so much of his daddy smiling back at me. Although he has been a little fussy lately, a mild fever all day yesterday, and doing weird things at night (waking up at random times to talk to himself or crying a little while still asleep) he is so much fun.

Some of the highlights about what Parker James is up to now :

• he is rolling all over the living room now...mostly trying to catch Deacon
• his new favorite noise is a very high-pitched & girly scream...he does it if he is mad or happy...pretty funny actually
• parks has 1 tooth and another already through the skin right next to it
  
• now it is hard to eat in front of him, even if he has already eaten because he is constantly reaching for our food
• he loves sweet potato, peach, and banana puffs (Gerber snacks that are crunchy but melt in your mouth)
• at lunch today he tried some pieces of tortilla (loved it) and some little bits of ice (also loved it)
• does not like green beans (but still won't spit them out...come on now...it's food after all!!!)
• loves playing fetch with Deacon outside
• finally figured out the jumperoo...but he more stands on his tip-toes then drops, it is funny
• is obsessed with Daddy

Here are what you are really wanting...THE PICTURES:


still lovin' his exersaucer...you can even see his little tooth!

his big blue eyes are my favorite thing

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Here is a little progression of how our "awake times" go:

step 1: parker rolls all the way across the living room to get over to Deacon


step 2: deacon still tolerating parker's presence because he hasn't reached him yet

step 3: parker finally gets to touch deacon

step 4: deacon acts like a grumpy old man and gets up a walks away...leaving a sad baby that worked so hard just to get to him a be his buddy


Just a couple pictures from today--notice the constant line of drool spilling out of his mouth...yummy!

Happy 27th Sis!

Well...it is my big sister's birthday today. I couldn't wish a happy day for anyone better. She is the most amazing sister, friend, mom, wife, daughter...I could go on...but you get the idea. She has always been there for me and I know that I can call her with all of my ridiculous questions.

While we were growing up, we got along pretty well. Although we weren't really friends until we were both in high school. It is then that I realized how lucky I was to have Sara as a sister and friend. Then she left for college. I wasn't expecting to miss her as much as I did and was always excited for her to come home. Then she moved even farther away...to Arizona. Going to visit her and Chip (and Ellie...ahh I miss that stubborn little dog) for spring break was such a blast! Before I knew it, she was getting married. I have never seen a more beautiful bride.

Then it was time for me to head off to college. While I was there I got the phone call that she was pregnant. I couldn't wait to be an aunt. I knew that Sara would be the best Mom! That time flew by too and Caleb joined the family. Sara is one of those pregnant women and all other pregnant women wish they could look like! Always stunning, always thin, always lookin' good!

Anyways...enough babbling on about the past. Time for the here and now! Sara and I had always joked that it would be fun to be pregnant at the same time. (Both knowing that I would be bitter and huge...and she would be glowing and little). We never really thought that it would happen, but miracles really do come true. My prediction was right, but all the same, she was the best support system and getting to be there while she delivered Drayson was the best prep ever! After that I was ready to go and knew that I could do it too! If you could have seen how beautiful she looked the whole time at the hospital it would make you sick!

Sara--my sister and friend...you have taught me more than you know and I couldn't have a better role model. You have shown me how to be a good friend, mom, and person. I can't wait until we are finally living in the same town and we can watch our little boys grow up together. Have a wonderful birthday. I love you!