Two Months Old

Dear Parker,
Today you are TWO months old. Mommy cannot believe it. You are growing and changing so much everyday. Daddy and I are loving every second we have with you. We are so blessed to have such an awesome little guy in our lives. You bring us so much joy. What did we ever do before you? We thank God everyday for blessing us with such a healthy, happy baby. Here are some things you've accomplished this month:

• You pay more attention to the world around you. Noticing EVERYTHING!
• You are now holding your head up more steadily and for longer periods of time.
• You can follow objects or people with real concentration.
• You recognize certain people's voices and will turn your head to see them.
• You squeal when you get really excited.
• Your smile brightens up the whole room.
• During your "playtime", you like to talk and coo. You are getting out some really good coos lately.
• You try to mimic certain sounds that we make.
• When we sing to you, you coo back.
• You are discovering your hands and have great control of them. You will suck your fingers and rub your nose or eyes.
• You are learning to control your arms and legs by kicking and grabbing at toys or people.
• You straighten your legs and try to stand up when we hold you on our laps. (Mommy doesn't want you to grow up so fast!)

Here are some things you enjoy doing lately:

• Taking walks. The ride in your stroller usually puts you right to sleep.
• Getting out of the house to see things. You are definitely a people person.
• Swinging in your baby swing.
• EATING! You are a growing boy. Still every 3 hours.
• SLEEPING! You sleep from 9pm until 3am at night. And from 3am until 6am.
• Hanging out with Daddy! You are an early bird like your Daddy. When you wake up after your last feeding, Daddy gets up and plays with you so Mommy can get some extra sleep. We ♥ you Daddy!

WE LOVE YOU LITTLE MAN! May you continue to grow happily and healthily!

Oktoberfest = Mudfest

This past weekend my friend Ashlee came up to stay with us. Friday night we enjoyed a nice Mexican dinner with our old friend Jose! Man, I've missed him!!

Saturday night we met The Garrett's and The Swain's for a night of fun at Oktoberfest. Daron and Ashlee had never been to Oktoberfest and I told them they were in for a treat. Each year the festival is held at Sertoma Field in Walhalla. This is the same field that just weeks earlier flooded with water from all the rain we've had recently.

Rain + Field = MUD and lots of it!



(These pictures were stolen borrowed from two of my friends Facebook pages. shhhhh...)

When we first arrived at Oktoberfest, we all just stood around and took it all in. I have never seen so much mud in my entire life. AND people were tromping through it, pushing strollers like it was no big deal.(and to think I asked Daron as we were leaving the house why he was wearing his old boots. HA!) We then made our way to the huge tent in the middle of the field where we listened to The Little German Band play and watched the German dancers and "others" twirl around and make fools of themselves do dances like The Chicken Dance. This was highly entertaining. The men enjoyed some authentic German food and us girls stuck to Chic-fil-a and funnel cakes. What's a festival without a funnel cake? Right Daron??? We ended the night back at Tyler's parent's house. The fireworks for Oktoberfest were shot right in the Garrett's backyard so needless to say we had great seats. We had a great weekend and can't wait to do it again next year. Minus the mud of course.

If you've never experienced the Oktoberfest, you should check it out next year.

Happy Fall Ya'll

A few weeks ago my Aunt Lisa came for a visit. While she was here, she and my mom planted fall flowers in all of my planters on my front porch. Here is our front porch decorated for fall. Thanks Ladies!!! It looks beeee-U-ti-ful!



Last weekend we set out to the little Pumpkin Patch that is down from our house with friends. Parker picked out a lil' pumpkin with his friend Nolan. He also enjoyed posing for pictures with all of the pumpkins.



Here are Parker's five and six week pictures. It is getting harder and harder to find time to blog with a newborn. He doesn't sleep as long as he did those first few weeks!

Two Years Ago...

I walked down the aisle to marry my best friend! Happy Anniversary, Daron! You are such a wonderful husband and father!!! I love you!



We're off to celebrate here!

One Month Old

Dear Parker,
Today you are ONE MONTH OLD! Before you were born, I never knew I could love something so much. People tried to tell me that having a child was a love like no other. It wasn't that I didn't believe them, it was just that I had never experienced a love like this before. From the moment your lungs filled with air to take your first breath and you let out a wail that rang through the hospital halls,
I was in love. This past month it has been so much fun watching you experience things for the first time: cool air, a warm blanket, the soft touch of those who love you, loud noises, pain, and hunger. We are getting so much joy out of holding you tight, loving you like crazy, and watching you grow. May you always know how much we love you and how happy we are that God gave us you.
Here are some things you have accomplished your first month:
Mommy can't believe how much you are growing and changing everyday. You are such a happy and content baby. You only cry when you are hungry or need your diaper changed. When you smile your whole face lights up, and my heart just melts. You are such a smart cookie. You listen so intently when we read to you and talk to you. You are starting to like laying on your tummy. Tummy time is one of your favorite times of the day. You are lifting your head up and will turn your head to follow things. You also enjoy listening to your Baby Einstein Classical music. You are definitely a people person. The more people around the better. When people talk to you, you look directly into their eyes and smile. You try your best to talk back by moving your mouth and tongue. You love to ride in the car. A bumpy ride puts you right to sleep. You also like to take walks in your stroller.
Parker Allen, you are such a blessing to Daddy and me. We can't imagine what life would be like without you. We love you so much!!!

Three Weeks Old

Parker is 3 weeks old!!! We were just talking at lunch today how the day of Parker's birth seems so long ago. Although his "birth" day seems so long ago, it seems like he is growing way too fast!

Here are some highlights from his 3rd week:

Playing with his toys.


Nanny (Great-Grandmother)feeding Parker.


Meeting Lucy! She tried to steal his little socks right off his feet!


Hanging out at Gram and Papa's!


Playing with Uncle Justin!


Snuggling with Daddy!


Taking lots of naps! Must be growing!



Meeting his Future girlfriend, Zuri!

Two Weeks Old

I can't believe Parker is 2 weeks old today. He has grown and changed so much since the day he was born. We are starting to settle into a routine and are getting more accustomed to having a newborn in the house.

Here are a few highlights of Parker's 2nd week:




This week Parker's cord fell off so he had his first "real" bath. He LOVES taking a bath. His favorite part is having his hair washed. He looks up and waits for you to pour the warm water over his head.



He enjoys storytime each day. He looks at the pictures and listens so intently.




He is starting to smile alot more and he LOVES for people to talk to him. He tries his best to talk back.



He is starting to notice the toys in his cradle. He reaches for them and "talks" to them.



He also laid in his crib this week while Mommy folded clothes. He loved looking at his mobile and the animals on the side of his bumper.



This week he also tried a Paci for the first time. He likes to have it when he's trying to fall asleep.



This weekend my cousin Megan came to meet Parker. We had fun hanging out and watching the Tigers play.



Auntie Ashlee also came to visit us this weekend. This is the outfit that she gave Parker.