In the crook of my arm

In the crook of my arm- he snuggled into my chest as I rocked him and rocked him and rocked him tonight. I could not avert my gaze from his beautiful little face as his eyes grew heavier and heavier each time I rocked him. He was at peace in my arms- my big, dirty, macho little 15 month old who had be screaming and crying just a few minutes before. His little face is burned in my mind...all I could do was lay my cheek against his in between the moments that I would just gaze into my little man's droopy eyes. He's such a gift- he is my little piece of heaven that my heavenly Father gave to me to raise and love. He has completely stolen my heart and no matter what tests that little man put me through during the day- rocking him peacefully to sleep washed all of my days frustrations away. I didn't want to put him down- I didn't want this moment to end. The joy in my heart- the love I have for the child filled my heart to overflowing.

Father- you gave me Parker- you gave me this moment tonight- I loved this moment and I love my little boy. Thank you for him and thank you for the good in my life.

What he's been up to!

Parkerman is now 15 months and is turning into such a HAM! So what has this little guy been doing you ask?? Well..........

He now opens his mouth big and wide with a surprised look on his face about EVERYTHING (which, I must confess....I accidentally taught him that as I do that ALL THE TIME!)


He has learned how to blow on his food- which it doesn't matter if it's right in front of his mouth or on his little tray- he will BLOW, BLOW, BLOW and then demand the food be placed in his mouth.

He is learning to respond to my requests such as:
1. Point at the ceiling fan...
2. Point at the light...
3. Go get in your chair- let's eat
4. Where are your teeth? (He is still rusty on this one)

He holds the phone (or remote, or anything really) up to his ear and says "Ah- ya!" like he is saying hello...he will then blurt out a whole string of "Parker language" for his phone conversation!


He does a "cheesy grin" where he squints his eyes and gives the BIGGEST grin possible.

He loves to give high fives...but mainly to daddy!

And last but certainly NOT LEAST....he has learned to LOVE the swimming pool! For the first 3-4 times we would bring him to the pool he would cry the minute he saw the water fountains and the slides at our pool. However, I was determined to get him over this fear- so I kept bringing him and now he LOVES it! It is SUCH a blast!

Grammy Day in the sun!

Today was such a blast. Every Thursday is "Grammy Day"- where Blake's mom comes to see Parker and spend time with us. Today- we went to see Grammy at her house on Tiki Island. We decided because it was clear, beautiful, 90 degree weather that we should make a trip to the beach. So we loaded the car up, ran and grabbed a burger and then found the perfect spot on the beach.
Well, I realized that I need to take Parker to the beach and the pool a lot more because he was not a fan AT ALL! He hated everything- the sand, the water, the wind....everything! He did have moments where he would accompany me in digging in the dirt and playing- but they weren't long. However, I LOVED it and we are going again next Thursday. I think that Parker needs more sensory variety in his life- I need to give him opportunity after opportunity to experience life outside of our comfortable little shell of house, park, driveway- house, park, driveway.
On our way back from Tiki- Parker was in his car seat in the back and I was driving- I would reach back and tickle him to get those life giving giggles and at one point he caught my hand. I realized how special of a moment this was. I was driving down the road (obviously with my eyes glued to the road) holding my little man's hand....we were holding hands!! My heart was filled with pure joy.
So much of my days at home with my booger bear are just average days, average activities, yet extraordinary moments such as when I am washing dishes while he is running around and he runs up to me- wraps his arms around my legs and hugs me so tight for 3 full seconds and then lets go to run off to another adventure. I MUST love and STOP my world to cherish that hug as I will never know when it is the last time he will run up to me and hug my legs. To get the opportunity to experience life with my baby- to do what he loves and to love what he does- to let him experience life with me to make memories with me, (and of course with daddy too when we are lucky enough to have him home from conquering the world for us) someone who loves him with her whole heart. To teach him words and life lessons- to see him as a dry sponge soaking every word in and ever ACTION in....God- thank you....thank you for my job as a mommy and as a wife to the two most wonderful men in my life.

Today's Fun Day!

Today was a dream day. I got to spend my day having fun with my little boy. After his morning nap, we loaded up the car and went to the Children's Museum. They have a toddler room and he LOVED it. When we first got there- I had to sit on the floor with him and just hug him and put my arms around him to assure him that it was ok and that this really was a fun place. He then realized I was right and TOOK OFF! However, that little time we had at the beginning filled my heart to the brim and I cherished it!!! Anyways, he got to run around and play with light switches, nobs, doors, door bells, slides, stairs made of foam, mirrors, a red truck...everything...it was so fun to watch him light up and play hard.


After wearing him out there- we loaded up and drove down the street to Hermann Park where we found the best little spot for a fun picnic!
I had forgotten how easy it is to travel and do fun things when you have the Lord helping you! Before we left I prayed that God would help us find this place, parking, Hermann Park, a lunch spot, etc. Well- did He ever deliver, or what? Not only did he help me find the museum, but a FREE parking spot! Praise God! Okay- so once we were on to Hermann Park- he helped me find the park and then a parking spot RIGHT in front of a PERFECT picnic spot! Here is a picture of our car so that you can see how close we were to the car from our picnic!

I was able to leave Parker in the car while I set up the picnic and then go get him. It was ideal! Here is a picture of us having a wonderful picnic!



Once we got home- we were sitting out on the drive way waiting patiently for daddy to arrive as he was only a few minutes away and he was pushing his toy lawn mower around. He stopped at one point and came over to me and hugged me....PAUSE....please PAUSE my life for a moment so I can SOAK THIS IN!!! It was a little piece of heaven! He is growing up so fast and right now he needs me for those little hugs and reassurances, but I know they won't last for long!

What a day! Now he is napping and daddy is napping and I am having some quiet time to remember all of the fun this day held! Thank you Father that you have allowed me to stay home to share these precious moments with the baby boy you have entrusted into our hands!

His Little Words

So that I won't forget, I thought it would be fun to right down his little "words" he says right now at 14 months.

1. When he wakes up from sleeping and is standing in his crib- I walk in and turn the light on- he immediately starts pointing to things and saying "da?"
2. He walks around the house saying "oh...oh...OH...OH...OHHHHH!!!"
3. When he has something in his hand or just exploring, he excitedly says "Oby, Oby, Oby!!".
4. Not knowing if he is really calling daddy he says "da da?" "da da?"
5. Ah-ee, Ah-ee, Ah-ee
6. "Wha-duh?" as he points at anything and everything.

Right now a lot of what he says- he says with an inquisitive voice- making it sound as though he is asking us questions. It's the cutest thing on this Earth.

From what people tell me- their little "word" phases come and go so quickly and before you know it your little babbler is speaking in full sentences. I never want to forget these cute little babble stages!!

If it would only last forever...

A few things that I cherish everyday with Parker that I wish would last forever:

How he goes and gets a book and then walks over to me with it and as I open it, he crawls into my lap and waits anxiously for me to begin reading.

How at night when I rock him- he wraps his legs around my waist, his arms around my arms and lays his head on my chest as I sing to him.

How when he is outside walking around and he gets to what I call "BIG step, Parker"- he looks up at me and extends his hand to mine so that I can help him up and down the big steps of his little world.

How when he is upset, for whatever reason, he comes up to me and holds onto my legs and longs for me to pick him up.

I know that one day, my little man will grow up and no longer need me the way he does now. I know that he will one day fall in love with another woman and she will take the spot of #1 in his heart- but right now- I will cherish being his mommy- and I will cherish everyday I get with my little man, and I will cherish being needed for the "big steps" of his life.

A Much Needed Day

Well, today was a much needed day in every form of the phrase, and here is why:

First, I began my day with a door bell ring at 7:45am and my sweet mother-in-law had sent her house cleaning lady who was standing at my door ready to clean my house from top to bottom; EVERY-SQUARE-INCH! Oh what a sight for sore eyes.

Second, Parker and I left this beautiful cleaning lady to go over to see my grandparents for a crab legs and shrimp lunch. Now, as much as I LOVED the food, it was the date with my grandparents that I loved more. They will be 88 this May- and even though their mind is still in their 60's, their bodies are showing their age. I don't know how long I am going to have my grandparents in my life, but I never once want to regret not spending time or showing/telling them how much I love them, when my Lord decides to bring them home.

On the way home, Parker and I stopped off at the neighborhood park by our house. We stayed and played and Parker roamed around exploring every little square inch of that park. We went up the play gym and then slid down the slide...Parker squealing and laughing; grinning ear-to-ear as we slid down that slide. I hope I can brand that image into my mind.

After dinner it was off to bath time. I do love bath time, but there is a part in his bath book where I hold my hand up and then SPLASH it into the water to go along with the book. Well, tonight, he expected it!! He got really excited and closed his eyes and then after the splash, he stuck his hands up in the air and SPLASHED!!! The most fun part, is that we would get into splashing wars- and after the walls, toilet, floor and mirror were all splashed with water- bath time was over.

Once Parker had his PJ's on- we went into the living room where I usually watch TV and he walks around and plays for the little bit of time before bed- but tonight he was SO GRUMPY. I thought "Hmm...Parker, are you going to make it to 7 or will this be a 6:30 bedtime night?". We went in his room and that is where I realized that all he wanted was for me to sit down with him and let him play while I watched. I would then grab him and lay on my back and fly him through the air...he laughed so hard, he got the hick-ups...then we tickled and played and flew and tickled. It was so fun. As the night wound down and his eyes began to get droopy I sat him in my lap and put his head on my chest and sang...it was all history from there.

The point of the blog- is to remind me that the beautiful things in life are still there. It is so easy to forget while I am going through this first trimester of pregnancy and I am SO exhausted and I don't feel good and my motivation for anything in life is gone...today reminded me that life is still so so good and even though this short period of time, my physical energy does not match my mental/emotional energy, this will pass, but I can't let these little joys in life such as today pass me by.

TODAY, was a much needed day!!!