Woohoo!

We purchased the frog potty! Parker loves it. He has used it frequently for #1 and last night he actually did #2 on it! I was so proud of him and I think he was a little shocked! I happened to have walked out of the bathroom because he was in there playing and was supposed to be tee teeing before bed. I heard him grunt and I ran in there. He was standing and looked at me and pointed and said Momma I poo poo in the frog potty (with a confused tone). I started saying yay and getting all excited so he knew it was ok. Then I did the poo poo dance (a friend at work swears that it works) for him. He kept telling me to do it again and again...lol Hopefully we are the right track and will be without diapers in no time =)

Last Saturday I laid him down for a nap and noticed about 30 minutes later that he was still awake and in there talking. I decided to go check on him, because I knew his movie had been off for a while. I walk into the room and immediately smell poop. I look on the floor and see Parker's pants. Then notice he is standing on his knees at the head of his crib with no diaper on. Ad I get closer I see two (no better way to put it) turds in the middle of his bed! I was horrified! I was like Parker, why did you do this? Where is your diaper. He said on the changing table (just that clear too). I was just in shock! So i get all that cleaned up and his diaper and pants back on and lay him back down and he went right on to sleep! Oh and he also pointed to "it" and said what's that momma? UGH! I was NOT very happy about this! So Sunday morning I got in the shower before he got up and by the time I got out he was awake. When I go into his room, again no diaper! No poop, but also no diaper! That is when I decided that he was going to wear big boy underwear the rest of the day (while at home). He did really good all day pulling down his underwear and going to the potty. I was so proud of him! Well, Monday night (I think) he did not go to bed as soon as he got in there, he played a little. By the time I get in bed he is starting to wind down and I hear his show go off and I am pretty sure he is asleep, but I was too lazy to go turn his TV off. So I wake up at 3AM to go to the bathroom and see the light light from the TV under his door. I go in there and see his pants on the floor. walk over to his bed and he has NO diaper on!!! WHAT??? and of course he bed and shirt and everything else is nice and wet! I get him all changed along with the bedding and go back to bed. So with all of that in the last several days, I am very anxious to get him potty trained!!!

Less than a month until Danny's graduation! I am so excited to go see him and to see him graduate into a Soldier! I couldn't be more proud of him! He seems to be doing really good! His platoon has won several competitions. He said if they win more they will get recognition at graduation. I sent him a couple of the pics of Parker that he had done at school. I just printed them off of the computer. He wrote me and said he could not believe how big he has gotten. He said he almost cried when he saw them. :( Parker is going to be so happy to see him! I can not wait to see the expression on his face! The part I will hate is when we have to leave him again for 12 more weeks. But hopefully during those weeks we will be able to talk more and maybe even Skype or something.

a month later

So since my last post I have received numerous letters from Danny and have been able to talk to him on Sunday's and was able to talk to him all day President's day. He seems to be enjoying it a lot more now. He told me this past Sunday that they have moved out of the red phase and into the white phase. So he was pretty excited about that. Apparently red phase is the worst, because that is the one where the drill sergeants are constantly in your face yelling at you! In a little over a month he will graduate! His graduation day is still set for April 8th. He will have family day on Thursday, graduate on Friday and fly to Virginia on Saturday. We can not wait to see him!!
Parker is getting so big and smart! It amazes me the things he can remember! This past weekend we went to Teresa and Kelly's for a visit and Teresa had a jewelry party. On Saturday I was laying down with Parker before the party to try and get him to go to sleep. He was doing everything he could to stay awake! I had my eyes closed so he would think I was asleep and I would try not to answer his numerous questions he kept asking me. Then I hear him singing Itsy Bitsy Spider. I open my eyes and he is doing hand motions and all. (I sang this to him all the time when he was little, now he will not let me) He got through the whole song and looked over at me and I had to tell him how good he did. I was so proud of him. We haven't sang that song in a long time and for him to remember it, I was amazed. Of course he could be hearing it at daycare...but I like to think he is just a genius!! =) I have also heard him count to ten several times! He will repeat anything you say to him....or at least try. For the most party I can understand what he is saying. He is just growing up so fast!
I picked him up last week from school and they had done pictures that day. The photographer was all set up in their room. He kept telling me there was a football over there. I had no idea what he was talking about and was in a hurry because we were going to Church. He is always talking about balls, so it didn't dawn on me that he was telling me that he had taken a picture with a football. The picture company provided all of the clothes and props for the kids. They did such a wonderful job! In the pictures you can tell he was having the best time! I can not wait to get them scanned so you can all see. They turned out really good!
Still not potty trained! He wants nothing to do with our potty at home or his potty. I think I am going to get him a frog potty and see if that will get him more excited about it. When we walk past them in Wal-Mart he is all about them...so we'll see. I just know that I am ready to be done with diapers!!! I guess I am going to have to commit a weekend to following him around with big boy underwear on and no diaper asking him if he needs to potty. They are working with him at school as well. I think he will potty there. It's something about our house...haha

Random

This is supposed to be after the other pics
since this was the final result of playing in the snow!


Parker and the neighbor's dog Buster

He was saying Buster where are you?

bc I told him not to throw them at Rudy..lol

Gotta love his outfit!

Danny was able to call me yesterday! YAY! It was so good to hear his voice and the excitement in it. He seemed very upbeat and happy. I had received several letters previous to yesterday's phone call and a letter for Parker. He was able to call me last Saturday to give me his address, but we were only able to talk for about 3 minutes. Just enough time to give me the address. So when I started getting letters from him I was so happy. I started writing them immediately as well. Yesterday he said he hasn't received any of my letters but has received the valentines day card I sent him. I hope he gets my letters soon, because one of them has a couple of pictures of Parker in it. The letter for Parker he sent was a bit of a tear jerker! I couldn't hardly read it to Parker without crying and Danny told me later in another letter that he had to quit writing because he was balling! We are ready to see him day before graduation day! I got a letter from his captain saying if all goes as planned graduation will be April 8th.

Parker has had a couple of snow days from school which has made me have a couple from work. The first one we didn't really get any snow, mostly just ice. The second time (a week later) we got a little snow. He has a good time making snow balls and throwing them at the dogs. When we came in from playing in the snow, he cried and said his socks hurt. I am assuming his feet were thawing out and it hurt...because that's what mine were doing. Poor fella! He didn't want anything to do with lunch. He just wanted me to hold him, then I got him a pillow and let him take his nap on the couch.

Yesterday after Church and nap time we went to Walmart for groceries and vday cards for his classmates. It was a mad house! I don't know why I do that to myself, but we survived. I had not thought about putting P in something red to wear to school until yesterday so I went to check out the shirts in Walmart. I found a cute red button up and the 3T didn't have a tag so I got another one with the tag for the cashier to scan. Once we got to the register and I had already ran to the frozen section as she rang stuff up because one of my items was open, she tried to ring up the shirt and it says they are unable to sale, because there is a recall. I was so frustrated! Why are they still out on the shelves if there is a recall??? So needless to say poor P is wearing a red St Louis Cardinals tshirt today, because that is the only red shirt we have that fits him. Of course he still looked cute, but I wanted him to be festive!

Week 1

So Parker and I survived the first week of Danny being gone. It hasn't been too bad, because Danny has been able to call and or text every day since he has been there. Right now he is in what they call reception and he said they don't really do much. He leaves that part tomorrow and starts Phase I of basic training. I am pretty sure our phone calls and text will be over other than the Sunday call...maybe. I told him to be sure and write me so I will know his address.
He has been pretty home sick since he has been there. They have not been busy at all so he has time to sit around and think... about wanting to come home. He has had some issues with his blood pressure, but the Dr said it wasn't too bad and that he could go on to the training. He has met a guy from Indiana who has become a pretty good friend to him. He has continued to motivate Danny and remind him of why he joined and just tried to keep his head on straight. I like this guy already!
Parker asks about him everyday, but hasn't cried or anything...thank goodness. The first few days when we came home he would walk in the door and say "where my daddy?" He was used to him always being there when we got home. Now he says "Daddy in Okahoma." He told me Sunday night that he wanted to go home and see his daddy. I had to remind him where he was and he seemed ok with that. He has talked to him a few times on the phone. I know he is ready to see him just as I am. It's looking like it will be early April for his graduation! Not sure of the specific date yet. They have a family day the Thursday before and then graduation on Friday. I am so ready for that day!

The day came...he left for basic training

Danny left yesterday. His friend Doug picked him up around 7 AM as he had to be at the armory at 8. Parker woke up before he left so he went in his room to say bye to him...even though we were coming to the airport. It was really hard for both Danny and I. Parker seemed fine. He would say "you cryin momma?" with his head cocked to the side and a soft sweet voice. I would tell him "yeah, but momma is gonna be ok!" he would just hug me and tell me he was sorry. He also asked "daddy cryin?" I would say the same thing about him being ok too.
Danny called around 9 and said he was flying out at 10:45 and he would be at the airport around 10. So P and I got dressed and headed that way. I ran into lots of people from my work that were headed on business trips. They all flew with Danny to Dallas. They were already going through security by the time I got there, so we didn't have a lot of time. P was running around like normal and Danny decided he better go on through security as well. We said our goodbyes and we watched him at security for a minute but P was restless and wanted to go over and see his daddy, so we left.
Once Danny got to Dallas he had a 6 hour layover. So he called several times while he was at the airport waiting. He made it to OK around 7:30 and got on a bus to Ft Sill. He was able to have his phone until they drove up to the base. He text me at 9:45 to let me know they were pulling up and that he had to turn off his phone. I am not sure when I will talk to him again. I am hoping for Sunday! Yesterday seemed like the longest day! I know Danny must have felt the same.
Please keep Danny in your prayers. From what I have seen and read BT does not look like a walk in the park. I know Danny will do good, but I'm sure he could use some extra prayers. We all could, right. I know I do!
I did take a couple of before pictures yesterday morning and I will post them later.
One quick thing about Parker... He is so "helpful and independent." Last night he told me that he wanted some more milk and I guess I did not get in there quick enough. As I was on my way to the kitchen, he met me half way with the full gallon of milk he has gotten out of the fridge. He also had his cup in the other hand. He is so funny! He also loves to put his plate in the sink once he is done eating. Such a big helper =)

Counting down the days :(

So in a little less than two weeks Danny will be leaving for his basic training in Oklahoma. We will see him at his graduation after about 9 weeks and then he will fly out the next day to Virginia for about 10 more weeks. Saturday he had his weekend drill and all day long Parker asked "where daddy go?" I would say, he went to work. He is going to get really tired of that answer after 5 months of hearing it! I need to get busy and make some videos of them two together and put them on a DVD so Parker can watch them often. He LOVES to look at pictures so I need to take a bunch of pics of them as well and print them out.
Yesterday was an "ice day" for Parker so I got an ice day too. He has been coughing all weekend so I decided that since we were both off/out of school I would take him to the Dr to make sure it didn't get any worse. He was so excited when I told him we were going to the Dr. HA! He was such a big boy when Dr K was listening to his chest. His lungs were clear thank goodness. Then he started looking in his ears and said there was a lot of wax in his left ear. So he goes and gets the nurse to hold him down and his utensil to dig out the wax. P hates this!!! Dr K always lets me know that there is NO WAY I can do this at home. So then he looks at his right ear and it is infected. He did not pull anything out of that ear thank goodness!
We sit down and he tells me the medicines he is going to give him and I ask if he can get a shot to get him better quicker. I hate shots too, but I would much rather hurt for a few minutes to start feeling better than to wait on antibiotics to start working. He said he could give him a shot but he would still have to take an antibiotic. P got a play medical kit from his Grandma for Christmas and loves to give everyone a shot. So I told him "they are going to give you a shot like we do at home ok" he said "ok" all excited. My poor baby got a shot of Rocephin and Decadron all in one shot. Rocephin shots hurt soooo bad! I felt horrible for suggesting it! He cried and cried and cried. They even gave him a sucker on the way out and he wouldn't eat it because he couldn't quit crying. Talk about heart break! So I got him in the car and he would quit for a minute and start back up again. We had to get prescriptions filled so we went into Brookshires and he was still crying off and on. He did manage to eat his sucker though. They finally got his scripts ready and we headed home. I picked up his favorite cheeseburger and fries for lunch hoping that would make him feel better. When we got home I sat him on his little couch while I got his plate ready. He would not move to his picnic table once his plate was ready. I sat down there by him and handed him food. He ate pretty good. He was still saying his leg hurt to I decided to give him some Motrin to ease the pain. I laid him down for a nap and two and a half hours later he woke up to the happy little boy he was before he got the shot. I am not sure if I will ever suggest a shot again!

Christmas part 2 and more

My nephew Canyon doing his Koby Bryant impression

P and Danny in the fort

The fort Nane got him

Triston holding up the Toy Story blanket for P

Wanting his daddy to open the box

We got together with my sister, her boys and my Mom on Monday night since Sheryl and her boys were sick on NYE. They came to our house and we ordered pizza. I told Parker when I picked him up who all was coming over and when we pulled up in the drive way he started wining. I said what is wrong, he said "aunt Sheryl" like you lied to me! Once they got there he was a wild man!

We ate and then opened presents. Sheryl got him a basket ball goal, some clothes and a Toy Story blanket. Mom got him a castle fort that he can color. He loved it all! He is very good at the basket ball too! I am pretty impressed.Thank God he got his daddy's athletic ability. I think Danny would be devastated if he would have gotten mine! Danny colored some of the fort after P went to bed...lol He is a great at coloring. We had a wonderful time visiting and playing. I love spending time with family!

I pick P up from school yesterday and the daycare worker told me he told her he needed to tee tee on the potty. She said she didn't believe him because his diaper was wet but she took him in there anyway and he did it! I was so proud. So this morning when I got him up to get him dressed I asked if he needed to use the potty and he said no, but then freaked out when I tried to put his diaper on. Then he told me he did need to use potty. So we go in there and he uses it. I was so excited!!! He didn't want to get off once he went, but then I told him he needed to flush and wash his hands (two things he loves to do) so he got up.

Last night after we got home Danny and I were in the kitchen cooking and P was playing in the living room. He comes into the kitchen and says look daddy. Danny asked what he had and he said booger. Danny said no I think that is poop! He loves to stick his hands down the back of his pants! GROSS! I said (in frustration without thinking) "keep your hand out of your butt!" So of course he repeats and repeats and repeats! Mommy has got to watch what she says!!! So back to the hands in diaper, we will start potty training full force soon! Thank goodness he came in and showed us his hand...i can't imagine if he hadn't!

NYE

Danny and I just before mid-night

Parker and Cooper playing

Happy New Year! New years eve we went to my Aunt Bonnie's for "my family's" Christmas and it was also my cousin Caden's birthday. My sister called and told me that she and her family were sick and would not make it. After cooking and getting ready we headed to Marion. We had a great visit. It was so good to have my Uncle Mark and his family there. He lives in Malaysia and was able to come home for Christmas for a couple of weeks. We don't see him often so we were very glad he was able to be with us for Christmas! He has a little boy that is 3 months older than Parker. His name is Cooper and he is precious. Poor little fella was not feeling well that day so he didn't feel like playing full force like Parker was.

Caden got lots of great gifts and seemed to be having a good time. I aksed him how it felt to have fireworks on his birthday every year. He said he loved it and he loved that people also did stunts for him on TV. He's so funny! After eating cake and once it got dark they popped some fireworks. Parker liked them much better than he did on 4th of July when I took him to the park to watch Monroe's fireworks.

Danny and I left Parker with my Mom and Aunt Bonnie for the night. He never even blinked when we left...HA! He was too busy playing. We went home to get ready to go meet our friends and go to a NYE party. We had a good time.

The next morning I called Mom to see how P was doing. I think he had worn her out! He didn't go to sleep until 11:30 PM and was up at 7:00 AM. She said when she opened her eyes that morning he was right in her face and put his hand up and said "hey Nane!"

Me, my friend Susan and her daughter Madyson aka P's girlfriend all went to get him in Marion. Madyson could not wait for him to see her new playground that Santa brought her. So we headed back to their house once we got back into Monroe. After we all took a nap we took the kids outside to play. They had a good time even though it was a bit chilly!

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.

2/6/09

I took Parker to the dr yesterday. He has some nasal congestion. The dr was not able to give me anything for it, but told me to continue his breathing treatments once or twice a day. He said I could also continue to put the saline drops in his nose. Parker only gained 6 ozs since last time we went to the dr on 1/16/09. I started feeding him 5 ozs of formula last night. He has been on 4 for a while. Since he started daycare he is skipping a feeding in the middle of the night, so I am guessing that is why he isn't gaining as fast. He doesn't wake up to eat at 3 AM anymore, so I sure am not going to wake him to feed him. Its probably time for him to go up an oz anyway.
He is smiling all the time now. He is so precious!!!
He did very good with his shots. I think I cried more than he did!
I am so ready for it to turn a little warmer so we can take him outside more and stroll him in his stroller.
I bought him some books for Valentine's Day. I went ahead and read him one the other night. He seemed to enjoy it pretty good.