Christmas

Opening his first present

PRESENTS!

Putting out reindeer food

P loved the neighbors Santa!

We left on Dec 23rd to head to Corpus Christi at 9AM. I was very proud of myself for actually being ready by then. We were making great timing then we hit Fenton, LA where the Chief of Police was waiting for speeders and caught us doing 65 in a 50. He has nothing to say and never checked for insurance or registration, just wrote us a ticket. So we get back on the road and keep going. Parker did pretty good. He was watching his TV and he did eventually sleep for about an hour. When we get to Houston, we get pulled over again in a construction zone. This cop had a lot more to say! He asked Danny why he was speeding, where we were headed, how long we had been on the road, and then suggested that he let me drive, but thankfully only gave us a warning! Danny did tell him he had already gotten a ticket, so I think he felt sorry for us. Parker was in the back seat telling him "hey". So we get back on the road and we are cruising along and another cop flies up on our bumper! By this time I really wanted to cry! Danny dropped his speed and finally the cop moves on around us! Once we got out of Houston and on down the road, he pulled over to let me drive. About 3 hours before we got to Grandpa and Mimi's Parker started saying "my booty hurts, Momma" Poor little fella! He was such a trooper!

Once we got to Grandpa and Mimi's Parker was very happy to get out of the car, as were we! Mimi had us some supper ready so we ate and visited. Danny laid down with Parker after he played for a little while and rearranged Mimi's decorations!

The next morning Danny's alarm clock went off for some reason so P woke up around 7:30. Mimi and I ran to Wal-Mart to get a few things then we all headed into Corpus Christi. The water was beautiful! I wish I would have gotten some pictures, but I didn't. We never got a chance to stop and get out to walk along the beach. After searching for somewhere to eat lunch for 2 hours (everything was closed because it was Christmas Eve) we head back to Portland and eat at Chili's, which Danny and I both love! We got back to the house and we all took a nap! After Parker woke up we decided to go outside and put the reindeer food so Santa and his reindeer would find him.

Teresa and Kelly finally made it after a long trip for them. They had tire problems :( We ordered Pizza for dinner and had a good time visiting. Teresa and Kelly agreed to be back at the house by 7 on Christmas morning to see Parker open his Christmas presents. They were such troopers! Parker woke up right at 7 on Christmas morning! I had bought him some cute little Christmas pajamas but the weather was a little warm for those fleece jammies, so I changed him before we got started. He did so good opening his gifts. Once he opened his Santa gifts he stacked them all in a nice little stack. Grandpa and Mimi got him a Radio Flyer tricycle that he LOVES! I will be riding (at home) and I hear him saying bring bring... so cute! I think he learned that from one of his books. Grandpa's sister and her family came over and joined us for Christmas lunch. It was a great time and visit. We had a Wii bowling tournament after lunch. Danny was the over all winner and he even played the championship game left handed. We are all still convinced that he cheated some how! Anthony and his girlfriend Sarah had finally made it by this time. Sarah was actually one of the finalist in the championship game! All in all it was a great day! After Kathy and her family left we all just hung around a visited the rest of the day. Parker played outside with his new Texas A&M balls that his Grandma and Grandma Kelly had given him.

The next morning P woke up a little before 7. Danny wanted to leave between 9 and 10, but we didn't make it. I had to wake him up at 9:15! Once we finally got everything together and and loaded in the car and got on the road it was around 10:40. Parker did so good on the ride home. He slept for two hours and was never fussy! Danny kept the cruise control set at the speed limit but about half way home I look over and the speedometer says we are going 30 mph which I knew was wrong. Sometimes it does that. So the rest of the way home we drove pretty slow to make sure we didn't get above speed limit. We got home around 8. P was soooo glad to be home. He was WILD!!!! He ran around and played so hard before he had to get in the bath tub.

We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! It was a long drive but so worth it just to have been able to spend the time with family!

Video of P opening his tricycle!

12/14/10

So this past weekend was pretty busy for us. Danny left Friday morning to go on his annual trip to New Orleans to "watch the high school football championship games." I started getting a soar throat mid week last week. By Friday I sounded and felt terrible. Friday night I had my second jewelry party for a friend of mine from work. She welcomed me bringing Parker since Danny was not going to be home to watch him. Her two boys were there along with their nanny. Parker was so good all night. He immediately recognized a lady from our church whom he LOVES! he had a wonderful time playing with her and my the other boys. The show turned out to be wonderful even though I didn't feel up to par. Once P and I got home he wasn't quiet ready for bed so we stayed up for about 30 more minutes. I put him down about 10:00. At 3 AM he woke up crying. I went into his room and tried to sooth him back to sleep. After that failed attempt I just brought him to bed with me because I was so tired and felt so bad. He went on back to sleep but I didn't due to my nose being all stopped up and running at the same time. I also was concerned about getting Parker back into his bed so that I would be able to get in the shower before he woke up the next morning. So about 5 AM, I think P is good and out of it and try to move him back to his bed. WRONG! He was not too happy at all. He cried and I tried to sooth, finally resorting to "you want me to turn on Toy Story" he said ok. So after a few minutes of TS he was right back asleep as was I. At 7:30 after hitting snooze a few times, I finally got up and got in the shower. Parker slept until 9:30! I so wish he would do that on the days we have no where to be! I feed him, bathe him and get him dressed and we head to Target for diapers, then head to my friend Kelli's baby shower, where I was a hostess. It seems like forever since I have seen her, so I was very excited! She is just a gorgeous as ever with a baby bump. Parker was such a good boy at the Shower. He had a couple of kids to play with so he was having a blast!
By the time I left there, I was feeling horrible! I had to run over to my Aunt Susie's to get her close out order from her jewelry party from last weekend. Then went to meet my sister Sheryl to eat supper. Parker was so funny! We were at Raising Canes and Sheryl just gave him a piece of her chicken and a few fries. He had a Little cup of ketchup he was dipping his food into, but when he saw Sheryl dipping her chicken in the canes sauce, he wanted some too. So he would dip in the ketchup and then the canes sauce. Poor Sheryl had to eat it after he double dipped! He was loving the sauce! We were supposed to go shopping with Sheryl, but by the time her and P ate, I felt even worse, so P and I headed home. I hated not being able to go shopping with my sister. I love spending time with her! We got home and went to bed! Sunday we didn't make it to Church. We stayed home and inside all day. I felt a little better than I did on Saturday, but still pretty rough. Danny finally made it home around 9 PM. P asked all weekend "where my daddy go?" It will be a long 5 months come January 24th, but we will survive.
I called the Doctor first thing Monday morning and went and got two shots, some antibiotics and some cough syrup! I feel much better today!

Santy Caus

I asked Parker when I picked him up from school on Friday, if he wanted to go see Santa Claus Saturday morning. So he talked about "Santy Caus" all night and the next morning. CenturyLink was having their Children's Christmas party at the bowling ally so we decided to take him. He was so excited all morning about going! Once we got there he would not let go of Danny in order to get his picture taken with Santa. CTL had several bowling lanes rented out, but by the time we got there they were all taken. One lady asked her little boy to let Parker bowl once, so he did get to push the ball down the lane once. We left there and had to run to the mall to get a baby shower gift for a friend so we decided to take him to see the Santa in the mall. We did not set him up there for a picture but he did check him out from a far!

Sunday we went to Church then picked up some lunch and rushed home. I had to leave around 1:00 to stop by the Dollar Store and get to my first home show as a Jeweler, in order to set up my display before the party started. I put P down for his nap and headed out. The party was at my Aunt Susie's house and her daughter and my other cousin came. Susie was a little disappointed because not a lot of people showed up. It was great practice for me, since it was my first show. I forgot a few things to do, so I have decided I need to make myself a checklist for everything I am supposed to talk about. Once I start talking in front of people, I get nervous and forget what I am supposed to say.

Got home after the party and Parker's best friend Madyson and her mom were on the way to our house to bring P his birthday present. They got him a cool Diego 3 wheeler. He LOVES it. He had been talking about Madyson for about a week because he had not seen her in a while. He was so excited to see her!

After I was finally able to get him off the "bicycle" and put him to bed, Danny and I finally put up the Christmas tree. I figured Parker would rearrange or at least pull the balls off this morning when he got up, but he didn't. I was very shocked. All he did was look at it and say Santy Caussss! He is such a blessing!!!

Birthday/Thanksgiving weekend revised with pics

Wow, I feel like I haven't been able to blog in forever! I was off of work all last week busy busy getting my house ready for my training show jewelry party. The party turned out great and was a huge success! By the time the party rolled around, all the time I spent on getting my house ready was kind of pointless with a 2 year old. I have my first home show this coming weekend and hope I do as good of a job as Mrs. Sue (my mentor) does.
Parker's birthday was on Thanksgiving day this year and was a busy day. We got up early that morning and headed over to Pawpaw and Mimi's house to visit for a bit since they would not be at Thanksgiving lunch. Parker loves going to visit them and his uncle Adam always has a toy to give him. Once we left there we headed over to Danny's Uncle Larry and Aunt Renee's house for lunch. It was good to visit with everyone. Once we got finished eating and visiting we headed to my Aunt Bonnie's. When we got there Parker had been asleep so he was very "shy" at first. Once he woke up a little he opened presents and we all ate some cake to celebrate his birthday. He loved all of his toys he got through out the day. I think he was loving getting presents at each stop we made that day! Later we all ate and watched the Saints game. Once that was over and we all felt like we were going to have a heart attack from the game, we decided to head home. Danny had told a his friend Doug he would go to Toys R Us with him that night to get his little girl's swing set. They opened at 10 PM. So when we got home Danny head up there to meet him. The line was wrapped around the restaurant that is behind Toys R Us. It had started raining by the time they got there and had cooled off drastically! Once they finally got inside Doug picked up the last voucher for the swing set he went in after and a mini trampoline. Once they stood in the line for about two hours to check out the cashier told Doug they were out of swing sets and mini trampolines...even though he had a voucher. He was not very happy..but there wasn't much he could do about it unfortunately.
Friday we didn't do a whole lot. Teresa and Kelly got in to town and we went to meet them for an early dinner, since Danny was going to a football game that night. Once we got done with dinner, Teresa and Kelly came back to our house to play with Parker until he went to bed. On Saturday I was getting everything ready for the party on the inside and Danny worked on the outside. Danny and Kelly didn't care to stay for the jewelry party so they decided to go eat and took Parker to get him out of the house. The party was fun and a success.
After the party we went to eat (Teresa and I ate) then took Parker to the hotel to stay with Teresa and Kelly. Danny and I has plans with some friends. Sunday morning we went to get P and say bye to Teresa and Kelly. The rest of the day we just relaxed. I am glad to be back in routine this morning!
Thanks to everyone for Parker's birthday presents and for those who came and/or ordered jewelry for my first party!

Oh Dear!

Well, the thing I have been dreading happened Tuesday night. Parker climbed out of his crib! He has gotten to where he wants to play when I put him to bed instead of laying down and going to sleep. Monday night he was doing front flips in his crib! Tuesday night after he had been in there for about an hour Danny and I were watching TV and hear a bump then his door handle jiggling! We looked at each other and jumped up! When I opened the door Parker was so proud of himself! He started laughing and rolling around on the floor. He was so excited. All I could do was laugh, which made him even more excited. I had to laugh to keep from crying though..HA! All of this was after I had been in there several times to tell him to lay down. Once when I went in there he had emptied his dirty laundry basket into his bed. So we put him back in bed and moved everything away from his bed that might have helped him get out. After a couple more trips in there and me finally turning Toy Story off (yeah, yeah I know! I should have never started the movie at bed time thing) he finally laid down and went to sleep. The next morning I went in to get him dressed for school and moved everything back where it belonged, then witnessed how he managed to climb out because he did it again! He pulled the changing table close to him and pulled him self up right onto that. It's a wonder the whole table didn't fall over on him when he got down from it. Last night he laid right down and was asleep within 10 minutes....thank God! I think He knew my nerves could not handle another night of that. So anyway, I guess I need to get him a big boy bed. So much for the "fun" Christmas presents! But hopefully it will make potty training easier... maybe???
Update on Rudy...He is back to normal! Back to chasing cars and barking at everything!
Anthony aka Uncle Tony came to see us last night. Parker was so excited to see him. He loves some Uncle Tony! He liked playing with his facial hair since Danny doesn't have any anymore.

Busy Weekend

We had a pretty good weekend. Friday evening Parker and I went to my friend Susan's so he could play with her little girl (his BFF/GF), Madyson. Still being on the steroid Parker was pretty wild. Parker and Madyson had not seen each other in a while, so that didn't help matters either. But we had a good time.
Saturday morning Danny got up bright and early and headed to his first drill. Parker and I got ready and went to the Children's museum to meet Dewana, Blake, Addison and Alyssa. I was so excited to see them. Seems like it has been forever, even though Dewana and I talk several times a week. Parker was loving the museum and there was a birthday party there with bigger kids (mostly boys) and he thought he was just as big! He wanted to climb the latter in the little fire house/jail they have. He, Addison and Blake built some log houses with the Lincoln logs. I was very surprised how he sat there for a while and did that with Blake. He doesn't sit that still for me. (Saturday was the last day of the steroid and I had not been around him for a full day while he has been on it. So Saturday was very challenging for me!)
When we left the Children's museum we went to meet up with a few more friends at Peking. It was great to visit with everyone, what little visiting I was able to do with my wild man. By this time, he was ready for a nap. When we were leaving Dewana and family gave Parker his birthday present since they wouldn't be here for his birthday. He didn't really see it when I put it in the car and he was passed out within two minutes of driving home. So while he napped I got the present out of the box and had it waiting on him when he woke up. It was a Tball set. He absolutely loved it! He didn't get to play with it long before we had to leave again. His friend Madyson has one, so he knew what it was and how it worked. He can hit that ball pretty hard and far without hitting the T stand.
After drill Danny went to Doug and Susan's to "listen" to the LSU game, so Parker and I met him there. Even though he had a pretty long nap, he was still wild. The adults were all outside watching other games on TV, but since P had been coughing, I didn't want him outside in the cold, breathing in the smoke from the fire they had built. So me him and Madyson stayed inside. They played so hard! I was worn out by 8ish, so Parker and I headed home.
Our dog Rudy always runs up to the car and greets us when we get home. He didn't this night. So when I get out of the car I hear him kind of whining. I see him over in the flowerbed (if that's what you want to call it) laying down. P and I were both calling him over and he wouldn't come. Finally he walked over to us. I thought at fist maybe he got hit by a car or something, but when he started walking and not limping or anything, I wasn't sure what to think. I get Parker inside and put Toy Story on and get Rudy some food. He managed to come up the stairs and eat. Sunday morning I could hear him outside just whining, so I walk out there and he is laying at the top of the stairs and his teeth were chattering. I go inside and get him a blanket and cover him up. I go and find something warm for him to eat and I had to put the bowl in front of him, because he would not come over to where it was. After Parker and I got home from Church he was laying out in the sun, I guess trying to stay warm. By the time we left for Church his teeth had quit chattering. He seemed a little better through the day and last night I decided to give him some of Parker's Motrin. This morning he seemed much better. Maybe he has arthritis or something. It scared me! Parker was so sweet to him though. He was trying to hug him and cover him up with the blanket and kept asking him if he was ok, since he heard me asking it.
Parker was not nearly as wild and crazy on Sunday as he was on Friday and Saturday. I do however think he is getting his 2 year molars in. He has had some runny diapers, and I think that is where the biting is coming from. He bit me on Saturday at Peking! I caught him before he bit Madyson's foot on Saturday night. So between his raw bottom (from the runny diapers) and the biting, I decided to give him some Motrin last night too. His bottom seemed a little better this morning thank goodness!
I received my Jewelry package on Saturday! I am so excited! I tagged all of the jewelry yesterday. I have booked one party already :)
Danny came home yesterday evening worn out. He had a PT test (I am guessing Physical Training) yesterday morning where he had to do so many push ups in a minute, sit ups in a minute and run a mile in so many minutes. He passed, but he wants to work on doing better. He said he was in better shape than he thought he was, but still had a long way to go before Basic Training. They gave him a dvd about basic this weekend and we watched it on Saturday night. Please pray for him! That does not look like it will be easy at all!!!! I kind of wish I would have never watched it...lol I know he will do great though!

Begining of the Army life

Last night after Parker went to bed Danny shaved all of his hair (head and face) for his first drill this weekend. He usually has a full beard and a good bit of hair on his head. This morning after our normal routine, Parker was going in the bedroom to tell his daddy bye and he just stopped when he saw him. It was so obvious what he was thinking. He put his hand on Danny's face and then felt of his head. It was so funny. I guess I never thought about him not recognizing Danny afterwards, but He does look like a completely different person.
Even though Danny hasn't been to basic training yet, he is still required to go to drill once a month. I think he is getting excited about it, but he would never admit it. I am so proud of him!
Parker got in trouble for biting this week at school. I went to pick him up on Tuesday and the owner of the daycare walked down the hall with me to tell me P had bitten another child really bad. Parker has been bitten many times, but has never really been a biter. I was devestated! I asked her if they got on to him, because if I do now, then he will not know what I am talking about. She said that she talked to him about it and she usually doesn't. She said she usually lets the teachers talk to them. So Danny and I both talked to him all night about how biting is ugly. He would shake his head and say "no biting. ugy" I love to hear him talk, he's so funny and smart!
He still has the nagging cough. Tomorrow is the last day of the steroid and it it still doesn't sound any better. Please pray for him, that he gets rid of it soon. I have even been doing his breathing treatments longer than I had been doing them in hopes of it getting better. He goes back to the doctor 11/23. If he doesn't sound any better by next week, I will not wait until the 23rd. Please pray for him!

Dr appointment

Took Parker to the doctor yesterday and he said he was weezing. He told me to continue the breathing treatments and gave me a steroid to give him for five days. They said the steroid would make him very hyper, so I decided that he would get that medicine in the mornings before school...lol Parker was a trooper at the doctor and pharmacy. He kept telling Dr K that he wanted a "sucka". It was pretty cute!
Last night he kept saying "where's Cooper McCain" which is one of his friends from school. He said it over and over. Finally I said "Where's Parker Rachal" He said Parker Shelf...hahaha It was just too cute!

Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend! Danny didn't go to a Friday night football game this weekend so he was home with us. We had a nice quiet evening. Saturday I got up and went to meet with a Premier Jewelry jeweler and signed up to start selling Premier Jewelry. I am very excited to start a new little side business. It will give me something to focus on while Danny is gone for his Basic Training and AIT schooling. Hopefully it will make the time he is gone fly by! After meeting with Mrs Sue (my jewelry mentor) I went to Sam's to get me some new tires. I have put about 75K miles on the tires I have now and REALLY needed new ones. I got an awesome deal at Sam's on them, so if you need tires, I would recommend going there. I ran into Bonnie (my aunt)and Jerry (uncle) at Sam's and decided to head up to Marion to visit with them once Parker woke up from his nap. He was at home with Danny while I was out and about. He had a big time at Bonnie's. He played hard and loved playing with Caden and the basketball. Bonnie took some really cute pics of him (shown above). He was worn out by the time we left...and so was momma =)

Parker didn't understand the meaning of the time change meant you get to sleep an extra hour. He was up before 7AM. But it worked out ok, because I was able to do a few things around the house before having to get ready for Church. Usually I am rushing around like a crazy person. P loves talking about going to Church to see his bff Madyson and Ms Ashley and Ms Chelsey (the nursery workers) but when we got there he was not too sure about going in. Once in there he cried a good bit. Not sure what was going on with that. He fell asleep on the way home, so when we got home and ate I figured he would be ready for a nap...WRONG! He played, jumped in his bed and cried for a good hour after I layed him down. He was so tired, so I did not give up on the nap! He finally took one for about and hour or so. He was a grouch when he woke up! I am not sure if it was lack of sleep or what. He hasn't slept real good lately. He has had a cough for about 2 weeks now. I have been giving him breathing treatments for a week or so twice a day and it still doesn't sound too good. I am taking him to the doctor today. I will update tomorrow on what the doc says.

Face first

Yesterday I got a call from daycare saying that Parker was chasing a ball and fell face first into the gravel/dirt on the playground. She said that it was scratched up and she wanted to call and warn me before I got there to pick him up, so I wasn't shocked. She told me that it bled a good bit, but she finally got it cleaned up and got him to calm down. I asked if I should come and get him, but she said she thought he was fine now. When I got there yesterday after work, it was like he wouldn't even acknowledge me. He wouldn't look at me, come to me and acted like he never heard me calling his name. I'm not sure what that was all about. It took me a good 15 minutes to get him to the car. But his face wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be! I had prepared myself for the worst. This morning it looked worse than it did yesterday. I have been putting neosporin on it per his request to "put messin on it...nose".

I had been to Target at lunch to pick up some diapers and to get Toy Story 3 for Parker's birthday. Danny and I decided to give it to him early because we are very burned out on 1 & 2, plus the poor baby had a rough day (that's my justification for it)! So before we sat down to watch it I told Danny that just about everyone I talked to that had seen it said that it was kind of sad and that they had cried. Danny said "I'm not gonna cry watching Toy Story!" I said well, I might so be prepared. I never got the chance to cry because I was too busy laughing at Danny for crying after he said he would NOT!!! TS 3 was very cute and had some sad parts. We are just glad to watch something different that the first two. We still have a few things for him to open on his bday so he will not be deprived...lol!

Been Way too long

P as Yoda Halloween 2009

P as Woody Halloween 2010

Easter 2010

First Haircut

First birthday...he loved the cake!

P and Danny

First Snow Feb. 2010

So Parker will be two this month and I have not blogged since he was a new born. Shame on me! I don't even know where to start with him. He is growing up was too fast and becoming such a little man. He has been a very quick learner through out his two years. He talks all the time now and never stops moving. He is busy busy busy! At the moment he is very into Toy Story! He was Woody for Halloween this year. Toy Story 3 came out today so we will be getting that for him for his bday. Although we may have to give it to him early just because we are tired of 1 and 2...haha

Danny has recently signed up for the Louisiana Nation Guard and will leave for Basic Training January 24, 2011. I am very proud of him! He will be gone for about 19 - 20 weeks with basic training and his AIT school. I know he will do great! Parker and I will miss him while he is gone, but I know he is doing this for our family!

I will try to do better about blogging from here on out. Here are a few pics of P over the last couple of years.