Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Parker's First Christmas {San Antonio, TX}
Daniel, Parker, the girls and I headed back to SA on the 26th. We had another Christmas to put on, this time at our house. I was so excited that my family would be driving out to see us and spend a few days with us in our home. Parker does great on the road, but life is so much easier when we have our own space. Everyone arrived midday on the 27th. Parker was thrilled to see his Chief, Cookie, Baba, Hannah, Bekah, Maegan, Rocky and Ruby. They'd been waiting an entire week to celebrate Christmas with the man, so Daniel and I trekked off on some errands while the crew stayed here. A simple dinner was started, Santa set up his loot, the presents were distributed and it was time to dig in. The Wilsons love celebrating and gift giving so there was a lot of opening taking place. Parker was so so sweet as he checked out his Santa gifts. The image of him on his knees makes me all teary eyed.
Everything he got made noise...the look on his face told us he was completely overwhelmed.
Total cuteness.
Baby house shoes.
Daniel had to work all week so it was especially wonderful to have company throughout the day. We hung things around the house, cleaned up, unpacked the very last box from the move, ran errands and did a little bit of shopping.
Parker looooved having his wildest, loudest aunt here to play.
Group photos are a favorite tradition. Here we are in 2008, 2009, 2010.
How many dogs do you spy? We always include them in our photos.
Parker and Chief.
Parker started pulling up on everything this week. He's all over the place and has to watched every single second. I'm definitely a busy Mama.
Everything he got made noise...the look on his face told us he was completely overwhelmed.
Total cuteness.
Baby house shoes.
Daniel had to work all week so it was especially wonderful to have company throughout the day. We hung things around the house, cleaned up, unpacked the very last box from the move, ran errands and did a little bit of shopping.
Parker looooved having his wildest, loudest aunt here to play.
Group photos are a favorite tradition. Here we are in 2008, 2009, 2010.
How many dogs do you spy? We always include them in our photos.
Parker and Chief.
Parker started pulling up on everything this week. He's all over the place and has to watched every single second. I'm definitely a busy Mama.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Parker's First Christmas {Van Vleck, TX}
This year was to be a Shalley Christmas. We packed up {what felt like} our whole lives and hit the road for VV. I was excited and knew it would be fun to all be under the same roof. It's been a long time since all six sisters and brothers in law were together. We have such a good time and usually laugh our faces off when we get to see one another. It was also special that Great Grandmother would be spending a few days with us and have some time with Parker too. The first night, it was just the three of us and Papa. We put Parker down and watched some football before going to bed. The next day, the house was filled with people! Parker absolutely loved being the center of attention. He knows exactly how to get all eyes on him. It's hilarious. Poor man was teething like nobody's business and SIX teeth were working their way through all week. There was some fussing but overall he did really great and I'm so proud of him. Park napped well and um, ended up sleeping with us almost every night. The night time sleep wasn't so good for any of us but we survived it. Christmas Eve service was wonderful. Parker sat in my lap and snacked on cheerios for over an hour. Only once did he pipe up during a song...maybe he felt like he should contribute! I was shocked and oh so grateful that we made it through the entire thing without having to make an emergency exit. I didn't grow up attending a Christmas Eve service each year, but I think we'll try and make this tradition stick. It's magical to be in God's house celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas time.
Our man was soooo adorable!
Christmas morning was such fun. I've never loved Christmas. I love what it's about, but it usually stresses me out. I worry over gifts and can't stand fighting the crowds to shop. This year was an entirely different experience. I personalized most of our gifts and couldn't wait to see everyone open them. I know they were a hit! Who couldn't love something featuring Parker man's sweet face?
Park's Grandmother gave him a recordable story book featuring The Night Before Christmas. I'm putting it away until next Christmas. I know he'll love hearing this each year.
Silly family!
Precious boy! He lit up the morning!
Boxes and paper were a hit. What baby doesn't love them their first Christmas.
The remainder of our time in VV was spent eating yummy food, playing games, watching movies, laughing with Parker and soaking up sweet family time. Next Shalley Christmas we'll have at least two boys running around. It'll be even sweeter!
Parker and Papa
Parker and Great Grandmother
The Center of attention, of course. And our traditional family photo. Look at us in 2007
and in 2009 {clearly I need to lose weight again! ah!}.
Our man was soooo adorable!
Christmas morning was such fun. I've never loved Christmas. I love what it's about, but it usually stresses me out. I worry over gifts and can't stand fighting the crowds to shop. This year was an entirely different experience. I personalized most of our gifts and couldn't wait to see everyone open them. I know they were a hit! Who couldn't love something featuring Parker man's sweet face?
Park's Grandmother gave him a recordable story book featuring The Night Before Christmas. I'm putting it away until next Christmas. I know he'll love hearing this each year.
Silly family!
Precious boy! He lit up the morning!
Boxes and paper were a hit. What baby doesn't love them their first Christmas.
The remainder of our time in VV was spent eating yummy food, playing games, watching movies, laughing with Parker and soaking up sweet family time. Next Shalley Christmas we'll have at least two boys running around. It'll be even sweeter!
Parker and Papa
Parker and Great Grandmother
The Center of attention, of course. And our traditional family photo. Look at us in 2007
and in 2009 {clearly I need to lose weight again! ah!}.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A Sweet Gift.
There are two precious girls who live across the street. They're beautiful and the moment I saw them, I wanted to be friends with them {they're 3 and 1}. Parker loves pretty girls and always enjoys seeing them when we're all out in the street. I know that over the years, he'll develop a good friendship with both Emma and Ellie. Emma was a doll and picked out a book for Parker...she even wrapped it herself. I had to document this precious little moment so that Parker can see it when he's older. Thanks, E! We love the books.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Parker {Eight Months}
My Wild Parker Boy,
You're growing so fast that I can hardly keep up with your monthly letters and sticker photo shoots. The 19th is always just around the corner. This month we celebrated Thanksgiving in both Van Vleck and Navasota, graduated to eating strictly finger foods, decorated for Christmas and spent more time indoors than usual. Your Daddy even put lights on the house! It's been cold off and on here in San Antonio but the winter has been mild so far. You have continued to learn more and more each day. I love the look in your eye as you think things through and then try and execute whatever it is that you have in mind. You have wanted to crawl so badly for so long and finally you gave in on the 12th of this month. I did have to get the video camera out to coax you off your booty, but you were headed my way before you ever knew what you'd done! What a proud moment for me. Admittedly, I teared up. I know that we have so many firsts together, but it's hitting this Mama hard that our first year of firsts is almost over. We were able to spend a lot of time with family over the holidays and you were the center of attention at every gathering. You are so loved and so so rotten because of it {I wouldn't have it any other way}. Your grandparents and aunts make over you like you're the only thing on earth that's ever been this cute...I think they're right. After all, you're the only thing in the world that I love so much.
Eating - You have mastered this skill. Since Thanksgiving, you've been eating three meals of finger food a day. You'll eat anything I give you and have no problem sharing my meal with me. This makes feeding you so much easier and I love it. You still drink your same four bottles a day and now drink water from a sippy cup with a straw. Yay!
Sleeping - You are an amazing sleeper. Finally. Oh, I'm so glad. I put you down for your naps and bedtime and you fall asleep all on your own. Big boy! You're taking two naps a day: usually 10-12 and 2/3- 4/5 and sleep a full twelve hour night from 8/8:30pm-8am. I love this! Occasionally when we travel, you don't do quite as well but I have learned to expect this. I don't sleep as well when I'm not at home either.
Measurements - I took you in for your second flu shot and you weighed in at 20.4 pounds. You're definitely a healthy man. You're wearing 9 month clothes.
All About You - You are so so happy. Every morning you greet me with a smile and immediately look to see where your dogs are. You've figure out that they follow Mama around all the time. You're so eager to eat that you'll let me feed you anything. We play hard for a few hours and then you take a good nap. I don't have to do much to help you fall asleep. You just talk and play until you fall over in your crib. It's pretty precious and I sometimes find you in the craziest positions. You are on the move! Still figuring out crawling, I know you'll soon be very speedy and I won't be able to keep up with you all the time. I certainly need to make sure I get the house as baby proofed as possible. You absolutely love to be out and about. You are the most curious baby and stare people down as you access them and the situation. I love to watch you watch people and things. We talk to everyone so you certainly aren't shy. You started going to school at Shearer Hills just one day a week and seem to do very well. As you get older, I know you will look forward to playing with friends and being around others. I'm proud that I can hand you over to just about anyone and you do fine {as long as Mama doesn't stick around}. You smile and laugh and talk all day. I love that your sounds are boy! There is an awful lot of spitting and grunting taking place. You can now say Mama , Baba. Da and Guh. I'm looking forward to watching you react to the events at Christmas. I know it'll be such a joy to have you here this year.
Likes - eating, drinking, playing, cell phones, crawling, being as close to Mama as possible, bouncing, climbing up me, looking at new things, tv
Dislikes - being too far from Mama, not being picked up when you want to be, having to wait too long to eat, not being allowed to play with a cell phone
You're growing so fast that I can hardly keep up with your monthly letters and sticker photo shoots. The 19th is always just around the corner. This month we celebrated Thanksgiving in both Van Vleck and Navasota, graduated to eating strictly finger foods, decorated for Christmas and spent more time indoors than usual. Your Daddy even put lights on the house! It's been cold off and on here in San Antonio but the winter has been mild so far. You have continued to learn more and more each day. I love the look in your eye as you think things through and then try and execute whatever it is that you have in mind. You have wanted to crawl so badly for so long and finally you gave in on the 12th of this month. I did have to get the video camera out to coax you off your booty, but you were headed my way before you ever knew what you'd done! What a proud moment for me. Admittedly, I teared up. I know that we have so many firsts together, but it's hitting this Mama hard that our first year of firsts is almost over. We were able to spend a lot of time with family over the holidays and you were the center of attention at every gathering. You are so loved and so so rotten because of it {I wouldn't have it any other way}. Your grandparents and aunts make over you like you're the only thing on earth that's ever been this cute...I think they're right. After all, you're the only thing in the world that I love so much.
Eating - You have mastered this skill. Since Thanksgiving, you've been eating three meals of finger food a day. You'll eat anything I give you and have no problem sharing my meal with me. This makes feeding you so much easier and I love it. You still drink your same four bottles a day and now drink water from a sippy cup with a straw. Yay!
Sleeping - You are an amazing sleeper. Finally. Oh, I'm so glad. I put you down for your naps and bedtime and you fall asleep all on your own. Big boy! You're taking two naps a day: usually 10-12 and 2/3- 4/5 and sleep a full twelve hour night from 8/8:30pm-8am. I love this! Occasionally when we travel, you don't do quite as well but I have learned to expect this. I don't sleep as well when I'm not at home either.
Measurements - I took you in for your second flu shot and you weighed in at 20.4 pounds. You're definitely a healthy man. You're wearing 9 month clothes.
All About You - You are so so happy. Every morning you greet me with a smile and immediately look to see where your dogs are. You've figure out that they follow Mama around all the time. You're so eager to eat that you'll let me feed you anything. We play hard for a few hours and then you take a good nap. I don't have to do much to help you fall asleep. You just talk and play until you fall over in your crib. It's pretty precious and I sometimes find you in the craziest positions. You are on the move! Still figuring out crawling, I know you'll soon be very speedy and I won't be able to keep up with you all the time. I certainly need to make sure I get the house as baby proofed as possible. You absolutely love to be out and about. You are the most curious baby and stare people down as you access them and the situation. I love to watch you watch people and things. We talk to everyone so you certainly aren't shy. You started going to school at Shearer Hills just one day a week and seem to do very well. As you get older, I know you will look forward to playing with friends and being around others. I'm proud that I can hand you over to just about anyone and you do fine {as long as Mama doesn't stick around}. You smile and laugh and talk all day. I love that your sounds are boy! There is an awful lot of spitting and grunting taking place. You can now say Mama , Baba. Da and Guh. I'm looking forward to watching you react to the events at Christmas. I know it'll be such a joy to have you here this year.
Likes - eating, drinking, playing, cell phones, crawling, being as close to Mama as possible, bouncing, climbing up me, looking at new things, tv
Dislikes - being too far from Mama, not being picked up when you want to be, having to wait too long to eat, not being allowed to play with a cell phone
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