Christmas, Christmas Time is Here

This Christmas is going to be sooooo much fun!  The best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of a child.  Parker woke up the day after we had put up the Christmas decorations and said "I like trees, I like Christmas, I do, I do!"  (thank you to Dr. Seuss)

Parker's favorite song right now is from Alvin and the Chipmunks... He has changed the lyrics slightly... "Christmas, Christmas time is here.  Time for toys and not for tears."

While driving to Nana and Papa's this weekend to watch the demolition of my Red Raiders (boo OU)  Parker asked to use my phone.  I said, "Who do you want to call?"  He replied "Santa"!

So we called Santa (aka Uncle Jim) in this story.  I was laughing so hard that I cried as I heard the "Ho, Ho, Ho's" from my backseat and the belly laughs from my son.  He got off the phone and told me, "Santa's gonna bring me presents."  

I love the pure joy and excitement that the holidays hold for children.  Santa even made our nightly prayers, along with Kung Fu Panda and pizza :)  

Have I mentioned how much Jared and I love our kids.  Avery is 3 months old this week.  Hard to believe that she's been here for 3 whole months.  

Halloween Pictures

Thomas the Train going trick or treating at Nana and Papa's church.  Parker was so hot in his costume since it is around 80 at the end of October.... I don't think we are ever going to see winter this year!

My littlest pumpkin!  How precious is she?

Too busy to write much but I wanted everyone to see my little cuties in their Halloween outfits.  I love my family!

I will leave you with the cutest progression of photos.  Notice the smile on Avery's face pre- bow.... then the cute little pouty face after the bow was put on.  

On the Road Again

Well, this family can definitely wait to get on the road again.  Although we had a wonderful time visiting our family in Atlanta and South Carolina, the drive with 2 kiddos is not one we want to repeat anytime soon.  They were actually very good kids, but 13 hours in a car is a lot!  

We visited Jared's brother in Atlanta.  Jan and Mark are so wonderful and hospitable.  We had a great time watching all the kids play.  Parker became quite fond of Gracie's tea set and didn't want to leave.  We visited the humungous Georgia Aquarium while we were there.  It was a sight to see!

Then, we drove on to South Carolina to see my aunt and uncle.  Jim and Carlita just bought a new house in Aiken, SC which is a horse lovers dream.  There were horse farms galore.  Parker was not afraid of those horses at all.  He walked around like he owned the farm.

We enjoyed our first Steeplechase while in Aiken.  We just happened to be there during their bi-annual Steeplechase week.  It was certainly a first for Parker.  Jared's horse was the only one who won a race.  He won a whopping $4 :)

Growing Like a Weed

Avery went for her 8 week checkup this week.  She is 9 weeks old today!  

Stats:

Height: 22 1/4 inches, 25-50% 

Weight: 10 lbs, 25-50%

Head: 15 inches, 25-50%

She is my petite little one, unlike her 95% brother :)

We also decided to go with an alternative immunization schedule, so she only had 2 shots today.  It was much less traumatic than with Parker.  I feel bad for not asking for the sae thing with Parker, but you learn on your first, I guess.

Family Fun Day

Mama's sweet boy!  We enjoyed a day at the Dallas Arboretum with our friends.  Parker loved running around with the pumpkins and playing outside. 

He loves his baby sister!  He talks to her in a baby voice and calls her whatever mama calls her that day... ranging from "Pretty Princess" to "High Maintenance Honey" depending on her mood.
I look at these pictures and think how pleased I am that Parker seems happy and adjusted. I am constantly worrying lately about whether he feels loved enough.  I can't give him 100% attention anymore with breast-feeding and Avery's needs throughout the day but overall, I think he still knows he's Mama's boy!

Of course Dada will argue that he is Dada's boy, especially now.  It feels like we divide and conquer at times... he gets Parker and I get Avery.  I am a bit jealous that I can't get Parker alone more.

Taking in his surroundings.
Handsome Boy!!

I will leave you with three of the funniest things Parker has said this week...

1.  After his prayers instead of saying "Amen", he says "All Da Men".  Guess he thinks God only listens to All Da Men :)

2.  After sneezing, if I don't say "Bless you" right away, he says " Bless You Me, Mama!"  

3.  While cooking dinner this week, Parker was sitting in his highchair eating when I hear "Mama, I'm a F*%! Head."  I immediately turn around ready to scold him for saying such an awful word.... when I see him smiling with a fork on top of his head.  "I'm a fork head, Mama!"  I cracked up and gave him the biggest kiss.  

Mommy Madness

I am soooo enjoying the freedom of being a stay at home mommy!  I know I have to return to work part-time in another month... but I will cherish my days off with the kids.  There are so many great activities to do with Parker at his age.  All these activities have the potential to really wear me out if Parker has a tantrum, but when he's in a good mood it makes the day fly by for both of us.  I go a little stir crazy if I have an entire day at home with nothing planned for him to do... guess that's the old teacher in me coming out.  

On Mondays there is the Arboretum's Mommy Mondays with crafts, face painting, pumpkin patch, music and tons of fun for the kids.  This week we went with my friend Julie

and her adorable kids Mollie and Gabe.  Mollie and Parker were dancing fools.  

If Parker and Mollie were to get married they would have the clumsiest children on the planet with the curliest hair... don't ya think Julie?

Tuesday is school day for Parker... which translates to sleep for Mommy and playing dress up with Avery when I get bored.

Wednesday we go to the library for Toddler Time with stories, singing songs, and crafts.  

Thursdays I can go stroller skating with Avery while Parker is at school.  See previous post for pics of that fun.

Fridays are just fun days to have play dates with friends, like this week when we had two in one day.  I had lunch with Heather and Michelle and their kiddos.  Michelle and Heather have been my friends since the 4th grade and now all of our kids are around the same age and can play together.  Then, my roommate from college came over with her son Ethan to play and meet Avery.  She has another boy on the way, so it was good practice for Ethan to be around a baby!

I could really get used to this lifestyle.  Now, if only I were rich and could afford to do more :)

A Week in Review

Avery is 4 weeks old now... time sure does fly!  I am a little sad because that means I only have one more month of maternity leave before having to leave her a few days a week. She enjoys her tummy time more than Parker did, thank goodness.  I'm sure a 50% noggin helps.  

Parker decided that he likes school this week, which is a blessing, except when that means that he screams and cries when it is time to leave.  After open house on Tuesday he decided that he wanted to stay with Ms. Martha and not come home with us.  It was pretty pitiful.  He toddled right into the room on Thursday without a single tear shed.  This was a pleasant change from the guilt trips of last week where he cried... Don't leave me momma!  After I dropped him off at school, Avery and I enjoyed a trip down memory lane (for me anyway).  We went to the Thunderbird skating rink where I had gone for many birthday parties as a child and went stroller skating with some of my mommy friends from work.  It was a blast and a serious butt workout that I needed.  

Then, on Friday we went to a birthday party for one of Parker's friends from school.  Thought this was a good idea... Parker was excited.  Then we arrived and had our first full blown terrible two year old meltdown!  He cried and cried "Don't leave me Momma!"  He did not listen to me explaining that I was staying to play, he just bawled his eyes out, which made me want to do the same.  All the parents were so sweet but I know they secretly thought... "Thank God that's not me!"  I was mortified.  He played well for about 10 minutes and then we had to leave because it was so awful.  

I think Parker just wants to be the baby sometimes that crawls into my lap and gets cuddled.  He acts like he enjoys being a big brother, but I think it is hard to process sometimes for him that he has to share Mommy.  

Please pray for more sleep and less tantrums next week!