6 Months and Going....

When I asked Robbie (totally on the spot and of course he had no idea I'd be putting this on our blog) what words he would use to describe the past 6 months of our lives he said (in this order): Crazy. Adventurous. Wonderful. And having a love I couldn't even imagine.

Let me say this clearly: My husband is right. This time it's easy to admitt. Somehow I find it hard to believe that Parker is 6 months old today, but then again I just can't imagine life without him. And I wish I could just freeze him in time because this age is SO fun. He is playing, laughing, smiling, snuggling, and just melting our hearts. Yes this past 6 months has been full of adventure (most times the adventure is less thrilling in the moment) and definitely full of ups and downs. There have been lots of tears and screaming (Parkers and mine!), rough nights, and lots of kisses and smiles and laughing. Lots of laughing. What a gift to have a precious little baby like Parker in your life.



Here are just some of the things that Parker is doing now:
- Eating baby foods - He has pretty much had every veggie and fruit they make and hasn't turned any down!
- Playing with all his toys
- Laughing... He is very ticklish!
- Sitting up all by himself
- Rolling over tummy to back and back to tummy
- Recognizing his mommy and daddy
- LOVES watching Sam or any other dog
- Talking alot and making all kinds of sounds
- Entertaining himself. Lots of times when he is napping he wakes up and just plays in his crib and talks until we find him like that
- Sleeping through the night and on a pretty regular sleep schedule (3 naps)
- Working on his top 2 teeth- both have come through the skin and his bottom 2 are all in so that's 4 total teeth!

He is sitting up really well but still has some wobbly moments and wipe outs!

Yummy yummy to his tummy

This month Parker has entered the world of baby food and is LOVING it. It's like he finally realized we've been holding out on him all this time. He is still on Alimentum for the milk protein allergy but fortunately has done great with all the solids so far. He got a highchair for Christmas and also loves sitting it just to play. We are introducing one at a time but here is what he has had so far: Squash, Applesauce, Green Beans, Sweet Potatos, and Bananas.

Favs from 2009

Okay I know we are already over a week-deep in 2010 but I wanted to share my Top 10 list of Favorite Products from 2009. I realize that there will probably not be an upcoming shortage of these items in the marketplace based on my reviews like for "Oprah's Favorite Things" but I'm not competing with her nor do I agree with the scope of her influence but that's another post. Disclaimer: These are my fav "products" so most will be shallow and/or seemingly meaningless (until you try them) and of course I know there is more to life but again that's another post. And no baby products are covered here (sorry) so maybe I'll try for that another day. So for my great audience out there (all 2 of you) here are some of MY favorite products (in random order).

Praise Baby cd and dvd collection. I know this is supposed to be for Parker but I have loved them as much as he has I know. My mom bought me the first cd when I was pregnant and I have listened to the cds in the car, in his nursery, and now on dvd since he was in my womb. Precious.

Laundry: Chlorox II and Oxi Clean Stain Removal Spray. These are not just mom products (although great for those spit up and food stains. And FYI Chlorox II comes in "free" which is sensitive so you can use it with Dreft for babies).

Touch screen cell phones with internet access. Let's face it, I'm not that technological and I said I never needed email on my phone but I'm sold! Call me shallow but how did I live without it!

Digital SLR Camera. Mine is the Nikon D40, got it last year for Christmas and would recommend to anyone who loves pictures to invest in one. They come in all styles and prices, but in my opinion is worth the investment.

Heated Seats in the car. Okay I am writing this now after over a week straight of below freezing temps day and night in Alabama so that may have swayed my decision. Still, they keep your buns toasty and just honestly warm your insides on a cold day. There, I said it.

Diet Coke and really good coffee with cream and splenda. These are a staple in my life. I realize I am no nutritionist and these both are certainly "no-no's" by any nutrition standpoint, but I don't care. These made the list because IF we are without either of these in my house on any given day, at any given moment, someone will make a trip to Publix. So, definitely a top 10 product.

Good candles. And recently I have been converted to reed diffusers. I love expensive candles and truly believe they are worth the cost. So for what it's worth, some of my favorite brands are: Voluspa, Tyler (best bang for your buck), Seda France, Archipelago, and Votivo.

Dyson Vacuum. I realize this is the 2nd cleaning product on my list, so after this I'm done and apparently need to get a life. But this vacuum is so great and worth the extra money if you have pet especially or just like really clean floors. Actually had my 3+ years and still going strong.

Three Designing Women Address Stamps. I'm a new and huge fan. In fact, this almost didn't make the list because I didn't get this product until Christmas 2009 but I'm in love. They make all kinds of designs and personalizations. If you want more info on this one: http://www.threedesigningwomen.com/productcart/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=41

DVR (Digital Video Recorder). Although I did not even know what DVR stood for until I wrote this, I feel strongly that this is one of those can't live without products. Otherwise I would never get to watch my favorite shows. Thanks to DVR you can watch them anytime and skip commercials. It's just great.

Treat yourself to any on the list and you won't be disappointed! Well, if you are, don't blame me. Just be glad you tried something new.

Happy 2010!

Happy New Years (somewhat belated). I am not really one do to New Years Resolutions but I am a huge fan of reflecting back and looking forward. I just think that if you want to start something new or change something, you can do that anyday. But I must admit that a new year brings new hope and excitment, and I love to think of new goals and dreams.

2009 has been a great year so for what it's worth here is the snapshot: 2nd year in our home we built in Madison and loving it, Pregnant for 7 months of 2009, Launched new program for work and moved to a new office, Took a trip to the mountains just me and Robbie, Got a new precious nephew Jon Walt, Cut back to part-time work in May, Did small projects around the house and created a nursery for baby Parker, Did not plant flowers for the first year ever since owning a home, Celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary, Did I mention I was pregnant for 7 out of 12 months because that seems like alot, Celebrated Sam's 4th birthday, Robbie at WellsFargo for 5 years, Celebrated my neice Peyton's 1st birthday, Made new friends and deeper friendships, Had our first baby boy in July, Welcome to Parenthood, 12 weeks off work at the EC but realized those 12 weeks were a new kind of work, Celebrated with other friends getting pregnant and having babies, Had lots of people come visit, Went to the beach with family, Oldest sister got remarried and so I got a new brother-in-law and neice Harley, Went back to work part-time and love it, Had a few treasured date nights since being parents, Found out 2 more neices/nephews on the way, Celebrated holidays with family, saw snow in Alabama. Wow 2009. 2010 here we come...

Deep thoughts

I once read that our lives are often split up into two categories: BC and AC.
Before Children and After Children
I believe it.

Christmas 2009... Family, PJs, and More

I really don't know what to say about our Christmas other than it was great. Yes we were tired and bounced from place to place, and Parker did not sleep well out of his crib and normal routine, but it was just wonderful. We had a great time with all of our family and loved spending it with Parker. So fun to experience a "first Christmas" and we had 2 in our family this year with Parker and Jon Walt. Next year we will have 2 more in our family! I took tons of pictures with all of our family so I've put them in a slide show (cheesy maybe, but my reason is really one of practicality...you can click on it to make the pictures bigger).

Funny side note: please notice all the outfit changes for Parker... on Christmas day he wore 5 different sets of Christmas PJs. Yes, literally 5 different Christmas pajamas. No, I'm not that obsessive (I only planned for 2) but that's what you get with a baby! He is drooling so much and he did have one major "blowout" all over his first set of Christmas jammies (the ones I searched weeks to find before we even made it to the Allens Christmas morning... go figure). So though I do love some baby jammies, I guess Christmas is not really about that. But they sure are cute.