Our Velveteen Rabbitt

We aren't sure how it happened, but our son has found his best friend, object of affection and comfort, and napping pal. Around our house he is known as Blue Bear. Blue Bear was a gift from Parker's aunt CiCi, and was placed adoringly on a shelf in Parker's nursery for months.
Blue Bear before...

Then somehow, Blue Bear came down from the shelf and Parker began sleeping with him every night. Blue Bear travels with our family everywhere. We have to work very hard at keep Blue Bear in the crib for sleepy time or he would go everywhere Parker goes. One day when nap time was over, we found Parker awake in his crib, cooing and laughing swinging Blue Bear by one arm. One arm only, because the other arm was across the nursery. This was only the beginning. Blue Bear does attend day school with Parker at First Methodist, and is known well by the teachers. One day, mommy went to pick up Parker and the teachers explained something unfortunate had happened to Blue Bear.
Blue Bear now...

You see, Blue Bear is loved. If the picture above disturbs you, wait to see more below. No missing arms or head can separate Parker from his buddy.


Blue Bear is very loved, very real. And very stinky most days but that's another story.
The End

Epilogue
For those of you interested to know more about Blue Bear, I have located his manufacturer online at http://www.stephanbaby.net/ (also known as the Cuddle Bud Blankie). It appears that Blue Bear is a friend to many, as he is on back order until the end of September. I have also planned for our original Blue Bear to have a face lift performed by a dear friend of mine (and seamstress) who understands the love Parker has for him because she babysat them both over the summer.

Old friends, Good times, and Crazy boys!

Last weekend, Robbie, Parker, and I all took a roadtrip to visit our good friends the Duttons in Chattanooga. We had so much fun! Laura and I have such a sweet friendship that I treasure, time-tested and husband-approved. Now our boys - Pryce and Parker - are only a couple of months apart in age so that makes it even better! It's always fun to spend time with Laura and Luke, but now it's even better because we have constant entertainment (and a much earlier bed time!).
Here are some pictures from our weekend...


The boys played so good together. Loved bath time at night and getting into pretty much anything they could.




We took a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium on Saturday and it was AWESOME. The boys did great and we loved it too. Robbie's favorite was the jellyfish exhibit (why am I not surprised). I loved the Butterfly room, the huge sharks, and the penguins!



Thanks Laura, Luke, and Pryce for a great weekend!

View from a Tot Rod

It is always amazing to see how God teaches me through my child. It has become Parker and I's afternoon "outing" to make a road trip to the mail box in his new tot rod. Sometimes (since it's been so hot) we even turn the sprinklers on to shower us on our way. Yesterday we were cruising along and I noticed Parker's little arms (which are usually grasping the steering wheel, or a juice cup, or both) stretched outside the tot rod (safety hazard, I know, but hang with me...) and him reaching to grab around him, things I wasn't even noticing. Now keep in mind this "Tot Rod" maxes out at about 1 mph so it's not like I'm racing him around! But I decided to stop along and let him feel mommy's plants as we were watering. I showed him how to smell the geraniums and what the prickly end of a holly feels like. Then it hits me... this is the first time he has smelled a flower or felt a waxy holly leaf in his fingers. How cool is that?? I know, I know, only a parent could get this excited over seeing their child experience something new. I was in awe (and humbled to, just think I could play a role in Parker's introduction to things in our world). And I couldn't help but think God must have had that kind of feeling about Adam and Eve, when they were first experiencing the gifts of the garden. All of His creation! And don't you think God gets pleasure and pride watching me (and you) when we experience His creation in new or meaningful ways?

Sometimes we need a little perspective and yesterday gave mine a working on. What if I slowed down enough (Tot Rod style) to notice what or who God has put around me? To savor new experiences, or the gift of watching others experience something new? To notice when someone else needs help or encouragement? or just to take time to notice someone at all?

Just wanted to share my thoughts...take your own tot rod out for a spin and see how goes!

Santa Rosa Beach 2010

2010 has been a difficult year for our family, so my parents were gracious enough to invite us all to spend some much needed family time in Santa Rosa Beach. It was beautiful. The location is great - just minutes from San Destin and Seaside, and very close to all the shopping/eating in Destin as well. The house was awesome with plenty of space and had it's own pool so even when babies when down for naps, we could still enjoy the sunshine and water. We even had a shrimp boil one night by the pool! Vacations have certainly changed since the kiddos came along (there were 4 kids under the age of 4!)... in fact, our little crumb cruncher woke up several mornings by 6:30am and had no trouble waking up the rest of the crowd! But, regardless of the early mornings, it was a great time to spend with family. We missed Mills for sure, but I have a feeling every vacation we take as a family we will wish he was with us!

Parker's first time to the beach was when he was 2 months old, so this was a totally different experence! He loved the pool, the ocean, even the sand. All of the kids did great!


I have so many pictures that I decided to do a slideshow version of most of them, if you want to take a look...

This photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Parker's 1st Birthday - Part 2

Fun party, fun friends and family!






Parker's Pawpaw made him this firetruck toybox... so amazing! Just FYI, it also has a horn and siren feature. Why do grandparents treat us this way... is this payback for all the trouble Robbie caused as a child??



Robbie and I waited until Sunday (his actual birthday) to give him our present... a little Tot Rod. He is one cool dude riding in this! (It has become our tradition to ride Tot Rod to get the mail everytday... he cries when I take him out!)


What a little 1 year old blessing!

Parker's 1st Birthday

Finally, I am getting around to posting picture from Parker's birthday! We had a great time celebrating. Got in from the beach on Thursday, had a fun party with family and close friends on Saturday, and more fun just being together on Sunday. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
These are the before pictures...


He was funny with his cake. He was slow to start (a little cautious probably with all the cameras in his face) then he literally smashed both hands down (slammed them down really) and cake was EVERYWHERE. But hey, it's his birthday, and that's what the swiffer is for.