Thursday, February 18, 2010

Valentine's Day

This was mine and Jamie's 9th Valentine's Day together...only our 2nd as a married couple. We made a deal not to get each other gifts this year since we just got everything we wanted for Christmas and really don't need anything more at this moment. We found a cute outfit for Parker, but he's too little to recognize what this day is all about. Valentine's morning we got up and went to church and then to Bob Evans for breakfast...aren't we so romantic?? :) After breakfast, we had to go to Walmart to order contacts for Jamie, went to Menards to get more stuff for the basement, and then went home. Jamie took Parker downstairs to "help" work on the basement, so I took the opportunity to take a much needed nap. (best present ever!) I really thought this was the extent of our Valentine's Day...until Jamie brought Parker upstairs to wake me up and tell me it was my turn to change his diaper. Ok, so I'll admit I was a little annoyed by this since I was dreaming about a Caribbean cruise at the time (they say dreams really come true if you just believe, right....well, I believe with all my heart to at least have warm weather) ;) When I walked in to Parker's room, there was a bunch of Reese cups formed in the shape of a heart on his changing table. For those of you who don't know, I absolutely love Reese cups!! They were also scattered throughout his room on the railing of his crib and top of his dresser. Along with this delicious candy was a card...it was just a simple card that had a baby saying he "didn't love me this much" and told me to open the card...then each time I opened it, it told me no "not this much either". I finally opened it all the way and the little arms stretched out so big and said "I love you THIS MUCH Mommy!" I couldn't believe I had gotten my first Valentine's Day card from my SON!!! It was the most magical gift any mother could ever have gotten. As I looked at my baby boy through teary eyes, he looked up at me with a huge 2 teethed grin and said................... "DA DA". Ok, so no I'm not Da Da, but it was really cute and I laughed which made him giggle.

Well, I thought my Valentine's Day was over after that night, but my husband had a surprise up his sleeve! We had talked about going out to lunch on Monday since we both had the day off, but he wouldn't tell me where we were going. He gave me a hint that morning and said they have egg rolls there. I knew it had to be Chinese because we were just talking about it the other day. We drove over 45 min and I had no idea why he was driving so far away when there were Chinese restaurants in town by us. Then, I saw the sign.....BENNIGANS!!! This is my favorite restaurant, but recently they all closed down...or so I thought. Jamie looked online and found only 1 still open in this area. It wasn't the fancy restaurant that he used to take me to when we were dating, and we had a small little companion with us that we have never had on our romantic Valentine's dinner before, but it was the best surprise. I must recommend their chicken tenders..I know a little childish, but they are so delicious and I get them every single time I've ever been there.

How was your Valentine's Day? Did you share it with the love of your life, a special friend, or a little rug rat that makes your heart smile?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Ok, so I know I am probably the most horrible blogger ever! I just can't seem to find the time to post anything, but I just wanted to give an update on me, my wonderful husband, and our amazing little man that has taken over our hearts and home! (He literally has taken over our home lately!!!) I am absolutely loving my job...not only for the adorable kids I have the opportunity to spend my days with, but because it allows me to stay home with Parker. At this time I have two 1 1/2 year olds, a 9 month old, and Parker (who is 7 months). I will have a 2 month old starting in April, and another 2 month old starting in August. Yeah, you're probably thinking it...CRAZY! Although by the end of the day I am extremely tired and all I want is to speak to an adult (ok, truthfully...all I want is to not see another poopy diaper for the rest of the night, but let's be reasonable...Parker IS Jamison's son afterall!), I wouldn't change my days for anything. Jamison starts coaching track in about another month. Guess I will be a coaching widow once again. :( But, at least he gave up the other 4 sports he was coaching last year so he could be home at night with me and Parker. The track season only lasts for 6 weeks, and the weather will start to get nicer towards the end, so I plan on taking Parker to watch his Daddy in action. He is STILL in the process of finishing our basement. We have friends who built an entire house in the time it has taken him to create one room. He is currently working on our workout room...I am pushing him for this room because right now I have the motivation to work out, but I know it won't be there when he gets the room done (even if he were to finish it today) Don't judge...I am horrible and have an addiction to chocolate. I swear I can smell it 5 miles away!!!
And on to the cutest member of our family....RYKER!! Just kidding...it's really Parker!! :) Although Ryker is a very cute dog, he has been pushed to the backseat since Parker arrived. Parker is no longer a baby...we have upgraded to the big boy model. :) On his 6 month birthday (Dec. 23) he officially started crawling. He had been pushing himself up on all fours and moving one hand for a few weeks, but he took off across the room towards Jamie on this day! On that same day he sat himself up from a laying down position. This was HUGE...it meant we didn't have to move him to get toys or keep sitting him back up every time he fell over. We were so excited, until the next week when Parker grabbed on to the couch and pulled himself to a standing position. I was thrilled, but then it hit me that I no longer have a baby! I was watching him grow up way too fast and it tore at my heart because I realized what everybody had been telling me was right...Time truly DOES fly by. That same week his first tooth popped through without too much fussiness from him! It was a busy break for all of us, but we were blessed that we both had the opportunity to witness all of these cherished milestones together!



Parker is now 7 months old and getting into everything in sight! He just may be the happiest baby I've ever met. The other morning I heard him waking from a nap and when I went in to get him, he was standing up in his crib with the biggest smile plastered on his face...I said Hi Buddy, and he raised his little hand and waved at me!! Tears started falling down my cheeks as I picked him up! His smile and laugh are the most precious things and make my heart melt every time. I didn't know there was this much love to give someone.