The Water Hose.

The things I let my kid do in order to keep him happy...haha. I suppose all Mamas have to laugh at themselves.

Contained and Content.

Daniel and I spent some time working in the yard and the garage today. Parker was happy to sit in his truck and eat a popsicle.  Whatever it takes!

Texas Bluebonnets. {Parker}

The Texas bluebonnets and wildflowers have been BEAUTIFUL. I found a great field of them nearby and made plans with Daniel to have a little session with Parker. Boy did Park have different plans! I'm thinking he was over tired because he cried so so hard when we set him int he flowers. He curled his lip and screamed like he was afraid of them. I felt badly but it was also really difficult not to laugh. After an unsuccessful attempt at pics we decided to call it a day and come back the following day with all of our neighbors' kiddos. Thankfully Parker really enjoyed having a ton of people dance and sing behind me...those pictures ended up being much better! Whew, the hardest subject to photograph is my own kiddo.

He Found the Yard.

Parker spent all day playing on the porch. It took him several hours to discover the EDGE of the porch and get brave enough to crawl off and into the yard. He LOVES being outside so much! The house is full of flies from having the back door open all day.

Ruff-Ruff.

My big man is eating a banana all on his own and has now discovered how much more fun crawling IN the dog kennel is!

Parker {Eleven Months}

Parker Man,
I have to admit that I was a little bit sad today. You're eleven months old and I can't believe that there are just days standing between us and your first birthday. How did this happen so quickly? Your personality has taken off this month. You are cute and smart and so funny! I either shake my head or laugh at you all day. You are definitely a "first child", already showing your independence, determination and  {sometimes} defiance. I pray that these characteristics develop into traits that make you bold, accomplished and successful. I'm constantly trying to teach you NO or uh-uh-uh and you just aren't a fan of those words. I know you KNOW what I'm saying, but instead of listening you stare me down and repeat the behavior {usually several times}. IF I have to swat your baby hand you stick out your bottom lip and cry as though the world is coming to an end. You make it hard not to laugh. Some days are challenging but ohhhhh how I love being with you every moment of the day and I KNOW I would not change a single thing about getting to stay at home with you. You are my joy, sweet boy.

Eating - Your favorite things to eat are yogurt, rice pudding, applesauce, pizza, bread, macaroni,sweet potatoes, fruit, waffles, cheerios and ANYTHING that Mama is eating. If you aren't interested in eating, all I have to do is sit down to eat it myself and you come crawling as fast as you can. We're working on transferring to drinking out of a sippy cup more and more. You don't mind it but definitely can't swig it down like you do from a bottle. You drink milk in the mornings, mid day and again before bed.

Sleeping - You sleep great! :) Still a thankful Mama.

Measurements - I didn't weigh you this month {the batteries are dead} but your 12 month clothes are growing smaller and I think you weigh about 23-24 pounds.

Things You Do -

• Driving ANYTHING {dog bowls, cell phones, remotes, tupper ware, bottles, trucks, tractors, shoes}
• dropping loud bowls on the tile floor
• following the dogs around
• wave
• get in and out of your truck all by yourself

This Happened -

•  Baby Tate was born...you are a BIG COUSIN.
• you blew me a kiss/smacked your lips when I asked Can Mama have a kiss?
• you climbed the stairs all by yourself
• you climbed in the dog kennel

Saying - Mama, Dada, dog, down, uh-oh, ball,  more




You Like - playing outside {especially when all the other kiddos are out}, balls, water, popsicles



Mama Loves - every single thing you do to make me laugh.

Cozy Truck Love.

Parker LOVES his truck. He just learned to get in and out all by himself. When he finds the Cheerios in the back cup holder, he is so excited about them. The girls don't stray far and hope for a few to make it on the floor.

Baby Gate Needed.

Time for a baby gate! We walked in the door and as we were unloading bags, Parker started climbing the stairs. My goodness! He grew up a bunch this past week.

Craziness. {Spring Break}.

 March 9th-11th
I packed us up and we took off for Navasota/Houston for the week. It was a fabulous and a whirlwind. Parker was dropped off at Cookie's house so that I could have a girl's night at Liz's with a bunch of friends. We stayed up until 2am and then had a prayer breakfast the following morning. Since Liz was alone, Mom kept Parker a second night while we spent the day getting pedicures and eating popcorn for dinner at the movies. PERFECTION. The weather was crappy and it rained off and on all weekend. Just before I was leaving Liz's to go see my boy, all hell broke loose and her back room flooded. We ended up using every sheet and towel in the house to try and soak up the mess. After the first round of laundry was started, I shop-vac'd water from the room and back porch as we called in Jake and Ben for some additional help. It's so nice to have friends live close! Finally, I was on my way back to Nav and would get to see Parker's sweet face.











March 13th
Parker and I rarely get to be in front of the camera together. My sweet friend Amanda said that she'd be in College Station and would like to photograph us as a gift.....oh, how priceless the images turned out to be. I will FOREVER treasure them!
March 14th
Parker and I drove in to Houston to see Nanny at Hayley and Jake's. We were so glad she spent the week with all of us! Grandmother kept Parker at Hayley's while Mom, Baba, Hannah and I saw The Band Perry at the HLSR. It was great to get a few hours with my fave ladies without our boy with us. Parker and I spent the night in Houston and then headed to Nav the next morning so I could get my hair cut.

March 16-18
Hayley and I braved the trip to Liberty and had Amanda take pictures of our boys together. We will never forget the look on Parker's face when he saw the giant rabbit and baby chicks. Not a fan! Daniel hadn't seen any of us all week so he drove in to Houston to make the family complete...Sarabeth and Justin drove in from DFW to meet Tate! It was so fun to all be together. We ate yummy food and spent lots of time holding Tate and laughing at Parker as he played.


Parker's FIRST St. Patrick's Day!
It was a GREAT week and we are so thankful to the many homes that take us in and allow us to live with them a few days at a time!