Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! I know that you really aren't supposed to tell people how old people are...but my mom is 50 today. You would never know it!!! Gotta' love those asian genes! She is absolutely beautiful and such a wonderful mom and nonni (grandma). I could not imagine growing up with a different mother. She is the type of mom that you can go to with ANYTHING and just simply have a good time with. Mom is one of my favorite people to go shopping with, have a drink with (we always try new stuff), talk with about everything, and just lounge around watching sappy movies with! Well...she really is the best mom in the entire world...enough said!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM--I LOVE YOU!

What a lucky mom...2 kiddos pregnant at the same time! My mom and sister were such an amazing support system during my pregnancy and labor. Who better to help you out than your two best friends???

This picture of my mom and Trav cracks me up! My mom is laughing because as they were walking down the aisle, Mom was starting to get "choked up" and instead of comforting her...my super sensitive (I wish you could sense my enourmous amout of sarcasm through the computer) told her to "LOCK IT UP."

I just love this picture of my parents and I. I cannot get over how beautiful my mom looked at my wedding...or how beautiful and young she looks everyday!

and so it begins...

Yup, we have started teething folks! Parker is one constant drool-fuss-bite fest! At least when he is biting now it is only a gummy bite.

We were able to head to the Tri-Cities over the weekend and spend time with my family. It was a blast. It is nice to get Parker down to hang out with cousins Caleb and Drayson too. They were all so cute together. I feel like Parker must have been watching "big boy Drayson" over the weekend and picking up on things he does because when we got back to Cheney it seemed like Parker was a month older after just a couple of days! It is hard to believe that he will be 5 months on Wednesday! He is just so big now.

Parker has started sitting up on his own now. He has also discovered that his toes taste wonderful! Yummy!

My family went to breakfast over the weekend for my mom and Trav's birthdays. Parker sat in a highchair for the first time (and a shopping cart at Target...such a big boy). The boys were all in matching shirts--it was so cute!

Parks and Drayson were playing together on the floor. They are starting to look like they are the same size now. Drayson just wants to touch and grab Parker...and Parker still isn't too sure if he is okay with that or not! It was hilarious to watch! It is funny to see them sitting next to each other because Drayson has the darkest brown eyes and dark, dark thin hair & Parker has these blue eyes and fluffy toe-head blonde hair!

Here is a funny video of Parker and "baby's best friend" Deacon! He has been infatuated with him lately and Deacon loves him right back!

yup...that's laughing, not crying

So, I guess a little background for this video would probably be good! Parker was protesting his nap the other day, so I went back to try to put him in a better mood. (Once he gets really worked up, a nap is out of the question!) I was playing with him with his "stuffie" (his little blanket with the elephant head)...all I had to do was drop it on his face and he would start squealing! Yup, most babies giggle or laugh, our son squeals like a piglet being tortured. I'm sure that our neighbors think that we are such mean parents. When I am on the phone with my mom and sister they always ask if he is laughing or crying...he is just so funny and easily entertained! I am telling you...this kiddo has some lungs on him that could make your ears ring.

At least he is usually laughing and barely ever crying.



In other news...Parker got to try sweet potatoes last night and is absolutely in love! You should have seen him...he was totally enthused! Now all of his washcloths are probably going to be stained with orange! It is so worth it for his happy little chubby face!

March Journal Entry

Outside my window:

There is actually sunshine and the snow is melting...I am shocked!

I am thinking:

That I am so proud of my hubby who just received a letter from the Dean of his Department letting him know that he made Dean's List again! I cannot believe all that he does to make sure that I get to stay home with Parker like I wanted: working all the time, going to class, getting his homework done, and still finding time to snuggle with Parker, Deacon and I.

I am thankful for:

So many things. Everyday I am thankful for Parker. He is the sweetest boy and has been such a blessing. I am thankful for my amazing husband...but I already went into that above...we don't want Trav getting a big head over all these compliments (hee hee). I am also thankful for my friends and family who keep me centered and grounded.

From the kitchen:

Tonight we are having steak (marinated in Jack Daniel's Marinade of course...is there any other way that tastes soooo good?), fried potatoes, mushrooms sauteed in butter and a little soy sauce, and rice...I can't wait! Leaving steak in a marinade for a couple days is always so hard...you just want to cook it and eat it right then, so hard to wait!

I am wearing:

Sweatpants and a sweatshirt...my usual mommy uniform. Who wants to get up and down, up and down all day in jeans??? They are way too constricting for that! Plus, now that Parker is eating oatmeal and rice cereal during the day, it is way too messy for me to wear nicer clothes!

I am creating:

Nothing at the moment, but I think I am about due for a project before I go stir-crazy!

I am going:

To the Tri-Cities next weekend. Travis needs to go meet with the Benton County Sheriff to set things up for his summer internship on Friday, we are headed to Yakima on Saturday and Parker is spending the evening with Nonni Donna and Papa Kev-O, then headed back to Cheney on Sunday.

I am reading:

Nothing right now, I have been pre-occupied by other things and have yet to finish my book. I have been almost done with it for quite some time now.

I am hoping:

That life gets easier for my friend who is going through a trying time. I hope she finds comfort in friends and family and also in God. There are few things that can really provide comfort at a time like this...it will just take time and a lot of prayers.

I am hearing:

Deacon growling because someone pulled into the parking lot...he is so crazy! Our little rescue will growl at you with his tail between his legs, while you are petting him...so strange!

Around the house:

There isn't really anything that needs to be done. Except maybe vacuuming...which I do about 3 times a day because Deacon sheds during the winter and not in the summer...he is confused.

One of my favorite things:

I have an ice cream obsession. Travis and I always have sugar cones in the cupboard and ice cream in the freezer. It is a sin that there is no Baskin Robbins in Cheney!

Some plans for the upcoming month:

Birthdays! My mom's birthday is on the 22nd and Trav's is on the 24th. So exciting!

A picture thought I am sharing:


This picture cracks me up. He was concentrating so hard on those toes and sitting like a big boy. It pulls at my heart strings.







No matter how I put him in his crib he always ends up on the other side pressed up against the edge and his rainforest pals! I try putting him all the way up against the other side with no luck at all. Only 4 1/2 months and already stuck in his ways...ugh...so much like his daddy!