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 birthday to THE BEST DAD

Today is my dad's birthday. I can't believe that he is 50! He doesn't look it at all. We have always been the girls with the "cool dad." The dad who takes all your friends out on the boat, coaches your soccer team, never gets mad, and almost always says yes! He is the grandpa that buys not just the little toys...but the awesome little dirt bikes because all 3 grandsons will get to have a blast on it. He is also that grandpa that loves to hold giggly babies and hand them right on back when they get fussy...or have a diaper that needs changed!!! It is hilarious.

I have always been a daddy's girl. Probably because my dad was my soccer coach (or the assistant coach) from the time I started playing soccer when I was 5. He is always there to push you along, pick you up when you fall, and let you know he cares...even if he doesn't always say it. He is such a blast to be around and really is the best dad in the world. I can't make this any longer or he will stop reading it!!!

So...I guess my point is Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

My high school graduation--2003

Mom & Dad's 25th Wedding Anniversary dinner

Family Photo...I don't remember when...it is obviously missing Trav, Drays, and Parks!

My college graduation in June 2007

Our wedding--September 2007

The day after Parker was born--October 2008

My point with all these pictures is that my dad looks exactly the same as when I was in high school. I cannot believe how well he has aged...and he isn't even Asian! ( We always joke that my mom has aged so well because she is Japanese.) Hopefully that will work out well for Sara and I later down the road!!!

Easter Weekend

For Easter weekend, we were lucky enough to get to spend the whole weekend with my family. It was such a blast! On Friday we went to the hockey game. My mom had picked up some earplugs for Parker because last time he would get scared and upset every time someone cheered. They actually worked pretty well! Thanks Nonni for lookin' out!

(Parker and Great-Grandpa Bob at the hockey game)

On Saturday my dad and Trav started work on a new pergola (spelling?) for their deck. Who knew there was enough sun to get burnt...but Travis sure did!!! Travis and I told my parents that we were going out to dinner with some friends of ours, so not to expect us for dinner that night. Really, my sister had been planning a surprise party for them. It was my mom's 50th birthday on March 22nd and my dad will be turning 50 on April 17th! It was so hard to keep it all a secret, and I think that several people (especially Scott & myself) almost blew it so many times! We were all waiting for them at the Crazy Moose Casino...they were both so surprised! I can't believe we actually pulled it off! Dinner and drinks were a blast. We all had such a great time. A special thanks to Chip's sister Kassie who watched Parker, Caleb, and Drayson that night! I'm sure having all three was quite the handful...but she handled it like a champ! I'm sure Caleb was a big help too (such a great big brother and cousin!)

(Travis & I at the party...check out his sunburn!)


(Sara-Mom-Me at the party)

Sunday was Easter obviously. Travis and Dad finished up the pergola while Mom and I went to church. Parker stayed home and took a nap. After church, we all headed over to my Grandma Janet and Grandpa Bill's house for yummy food and an Easter Egg Hunt!!! Parker did great and everyone had a good time. I, for some strange reason, did not take any pictures. Ugh...I know! Parker had finally warmed-up to Drayson. Of course it was on the day we were leaving! On the first night we were down...Parker would get scared and cry almost every time Drays made a loud noise. It was so sad. I'm sure once we move down there he will get used to all the noise and be just fine! I can only make so much noise in our little apartment...obviously I need to make more!

(Papa Kev-O and Parker hangin' out...you can really see where he inherited his blue eyes and white-blonde hair!)

Now that we are back home Parker is back to being himself. We are getting back on our schedule and he is as noisy as ever! He found a paper bag this morning and decided it was the best toy. He got mad at me when I took it away. He has also figured out how to roll all the way across the living room to get to what he wants. We are really going to have to watch him like a hawk now! It was pretty funny this morning when he rolled over to Deacon and rolled on to his paws. Deacon put up with it for a little bit before he ran away. Parker just wanted to play with his buddy!

Happy Wednesday!

April Journal Entry

outside my window:

It is so sunny and wonderful. I am glad to have the sun back and some warmer weather to go along with it. It has been nice to go for walks and just hang out outside with Parker and Deacon during the day while Trav is in class or at work. I am trying not to get too attached though in fear that it may snow again at any moment...this is Cheney after all.

i am thinking:

That I am so glad that Trav's parents were able to come last weekend to visit. I wish that his brothers were able to come too. I feel like we haven't seen "the uncles" in forever!!! I am also so excited to see my family this weekend for Easter. I just know that Parker and Drays are really going to start having fun together soon.

i am thankful for:

Parker...I think this is going to be a pretty common answer for most of my journal entries. He grows so much so quickly. He does new things everyday. I am so glad that he is a happy and healthy baby. I am also thankful that his little 5:30 a.m. "talk to himself for an hour" phase seems to be over. It is nice to have our 11 hour sleeping baby back!

from the kitchen:

Dishes from tacos last night. They were so yummy! I am excited that my wonderful hubby said that he would do them this morning...so they are staying in the sink until he wakes up! Yay!

i am wearing:

My pj's still. Not that it is a drastic change anyway! I am a sweats-lovin' gal! Travis doesn't comment if I AM wearing sweats...but only if I am NOT wearing them. I am up and down all day long and playing on the floor...jeans just don't cut it for that! I am the type of person who gets out of the shower and puts on a comfy pair of sweats! (Please don't turn me in to TLC's What Not To Wear...Stacey and Clinton would have a COW!)

i am going:

Hopefully for a walk today. We are playing outside with Deacon again today for sure! Parker was hilarious yesterday. We were throwing Deacon's squeaky ball for him (it is so annoying and sounds like a duck-call) and Parker would squeal with laughter every time we would throw the ball, Deacon would run after it, and every time he would bring it back to do it all over again. I am sure that everyone in our apartment complex thought that someone was letting their baby scream...nope...that's just what our kiddo sounds like when he is happy folks!

i am hoping:

That whatever is going on with Trav's car is not a big deal and that it will be an easy fix for my Dad.

i am hearing:

Parker playing on his activity mat. He has learned a new noise...it is basically a scream. He is totally entertained by it and I am sure that our neighbors LOVE it. I am also hearing the kitchen sink and the sound of my hubby doing the dishes now.

around the house:

Nothing much. I have already vacuumed this morning. I have to do it several times a day because Deacon sheds like a beast!

one of my favorite things:

QUIET! Parker goes down so quietly for naps most of the time. He falls asleep so fast. Although he has decided he is a big boy and can sleep on his tummy now. There is no stopping him!

some plans for the upcoming month:

Tri-Cities for Easter...Lots of walks...Nothing all that exciting for the month of April (other than my sister's birthday and my dad's birthday).

some pictures i am sharing:

Ahhh...the joys of teething. His first little tooth has broken the skin. He has actually been alright during the whole thing. We'll see if that keeps up!

He plays so well by himself. Such a good self-entertainer.

I just love his sweet smiles and giggles. He is a riot. You can hear him laughing from anywhere.

Ahhh...love! His new obsession is the cell phone. We had to dig up an old cell phone of mine so that he will chew on that instead of mine or the TV remote.