Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Labor Day Weekend

It was SO NICE having a 3-day weekend together as a family where we spent most of the time together, outside, doing fun stuff that didn't involve housework.  Well, Ry did a little bit of bathroom work, but other than that--all fam time!

Saturday morning Parker and I headed to the beach for a "beach day" with my Mom and sister at about 8am.  Ryan met us down there at about noon.  The BFF, Amy, and her sweetie-pie, Wyatt, also known as Parker's BFF, joined Parker and my mom and sis for some early morning sand-time (lots of commas!).

 Wyatt and Parker didn't really play together much because Parker ended up taking a good-sized nap and, well, Wyatt did not.  Because of this, Amy had to leave around 1130 to get the boy to go to sleep!
 Parker was really good about keeping close and staying mostly in the shade while we were there.  The beach is great because if he takes a fall it is not a problem.  My kind of playground!

 There was a point where sand-tossing started. 
 He really enjoyed that!
 There was sand.........everywhere.
 Doesn't he look like SUCH a big boy here?  *tear*

 On Saturday evening, we had an impromptu dinner with our friends, Nate and Kim, and their daughter, Kaley AKA Parker's current girlfriend.  Haha!  We had sandwiches, which was the perfect meal to end a long day at the beach.
 After dinner, we walked to their neighborhood park to do some swinging...
... rock climbing...
 
...and sliding!  I promise that Parker's leg is NOT broken--it's just weird positioning of the legs.  There were a few big kids there being a little rowdy, so the park trip ended pretty quickly.

Alas, we did not take any pictures on Sunday, but it was truly a whirlwind of church, lunch, beach, Omi and Opa's for swimming and dinner, and then back to the beach again.  We stayed the night there and had a drink at Waterman's again with the BFF Amy and her husband, Jimmy.  I had an Orange Crush which was sooo yummy but also sooo dangerous.  One was enough for me that night!
There were only FOUR decent pictures taken on Memorial Day and this was the best one.  We spent the entire day at Ryan's parents' house.  Parker has a float like this at Honey's house and Omi's house.  I think it is the perfect float for his age.  He's got a perfect arm rest AND a place to set toys.  I love it! 

We really did have an amazing and fun weekend but we were both SO SO tired last night and both not too exciting about going "back to work" today.  It wasn't too bad, but I am already looking forward to our next 3-day weekend together.  July 4th anyone?

Friday, May 27, 2011

Wild and Wonderful

It's the motto of the good ol' state of West Virginia.  We didn't really get wild, but the trip was wonderful, and it was nice to see members of Ryan's family that we only get to see once every couple of years.  His Mom's sister, Peach, and brother, Woody, live in WV.  Her other sister, Freda, lives in Georgia, but she drove up so that we could all get together at the same time.  It took about 6.5 hours to get there NOT including stops--Parker's longest car-ride yet.  This was also his first trip out of the state!  He did really well in the car for the most part, which made me happy.  He didn't do as well sleeping in his packnplay in the hotel room, which made me not-so-happy.  Everything in between was great.  He was very sweet and showed all of our relatives the side of him that we know and love.  
This is Peach (who is wearing a Peach shirt--haha), Louise (aka Honey), and Freda (aka Freewee).
Probably one of the absolute best pictures I've ever seen of the three of them.  Photography credit:  Ryan. :)
This is Peach, Woody (the brother), Freda and Louise.
Again, another great picture of the brother and sisters.  It seems like one of them is always looking in a different direction, not smiling, or making a weird face when we try to get these pictures.  Why are all group photos usually so hard to take?
This is what it looks like when a bunch of Virginians and West Virginians get together.  We all congregated at Peach's house for socialization!
Parker was very excited that we were eating at The Poky Dot.
We ate out every.single.meal.  It's a LOT of eating out, but all of the food was good so I really couldn't complain.  
Checking out the resident "old people."
Rog and Weezie
Lace and Bry
Our fam--clearly, Parker was not so excited anymore by the end of the meal.
Lace and I felt like we needed to take a picture in the red phone booth outside of the restaurant.
We just had to!
And then, of course, Parker was begging me to take his picture in the phone booth, too.  I obliged.
This was the "group photo" we took on our last day.  From left to right: Freda, Peach, Louise, Roger, me, Parker, Ryan, Ben (the dog--haha), Bryan, Lacy, Woody and Patty.  Peach's boyfriend, Ronnie, took the picture.  

Summary:  we had a GREAT time and I would love to go back again!  Thankfully, next time we go back they will have a Holiday Inn Express and we can stay there.  My in-laws tell me they are AMAZING and that no other hotel compares..... :) 

What We've Been Up To This Month

A lot.  Here's a summary:
I've washed a LOT of sippy cups and snack traps.
Mother's Day came and went.  We tried to get a good picture...
You can see that this didn't really work out too well.  You can also see my ghastly white arms.  Eck.  Parker decided that I needed a new beach chair as a gift--the perfect gift since I don't even have one anymore!  We still haven't picked out said chair.  The arms are a dead giveaway that I obvi need the chair.
Parker took some baths with "vapor" bubble bath because he was super-congested for a while.  It seems to have cleared up, so we aren't doing the bubble bath anymore.  
He really liked it, though, so I bought some actual "bubble bath" this week.  
We've played outside in the yard after dinner many evenings.  
We've started blowing bubbles for Parker, who LOVES to chase after them.
 Parker has been loving on his Daddy.  Seriously--he looks at me like, "What do you want, woman?--where's Dad?  Is Dad here?"  Especially since Ryan's been off this week.  It's a little unnerving for me but I think things will be back to normal next week--haha :) 
 We've gone to the beach a couple of times.  We're going back tomorrow for some actually sunny daytime beach action and I.can't.wait.  Seriously--so excited! 
 I bought this jean jacket.  I've wanted it for a little while now and the Loft finally had another 30 percent off sale.  I love the jacket.  I also love the sweet little boy in all of these pictures.  

We also went to West Virginia to visit with Ryan's Mom's family, but that's enough pictures for a seperate post....

Monday, May 23, 2011

Oh, that's right--I have a blog!

It has definitely been a while.  An UNbelievably long while.  I will write a real blog tomorrow.  I just spent an hour editing pictures, so my brain is not functioning properly right now.  Here is a picture to hold you over.
It's my baby--one year ago (almost).  *tear*

Friday, May 6, 2011

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Parker and I had a really good time together this morning.  We played together, he played alone, and he also had some playtime with a special friend of his.
 Saddle up!

 Wait a second....
 ...this isn't a balance beam--it's your horsie!
 Much better.
 Dismounting
eyelashes 
wait--how did that get in there?  oh well--I guess I'll leave it. :)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Stuffy Nose

My baby has a stuffy nose.  I hate that because I know how it feels.  I don't like hearing my baby sound sad and pathetic and having the biggest sneezes ever with snot going everywhere.  I don't like hearing him snoring and stirring, not getting a super-good-night's sleep.  
At least he's got his puppy, blanket and knee-socks to keep him company for the night and keep him from waking all the way up.  If I could crawl up in the crib with him and snuggle and wipe his nose for him all night, I'd already be there.  Hmm...maybe I could make it work if I scrunch up my knees and turn my head a certain way?

Ah, motherhood.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Parker Likes the Beach!

We went to the beach today because a "family friend" is renting a condo right on the oceanfront for the month!  Long story short, we had a GREAT time.  There's not a lot to say about it, but of course, we took a TON of pictures.  
 Riding the waves.
 Playing with marbles!
 He loved his sand toys that Grammie got for him.
 These toes get me every time!
 Hair like his Momma's--sometimes it looks dark, sometimes it looks red, sometimes it looks blonde! 

 "You're still snapping pictures with that thing, Dad?"
 Possibly his first time in the ocean, but not sure.  What a great mother I am! 


 I just looooove the back of this boy's neck.
 Definitely not afraid of the sand and loved playing in it. 
Me and my boy.

Needless to say, I will be taking advantage of the convenience of having an indoor "homebase" down at the beach this month.  I am already looking forward to going back, and I think there may be a little boy upstairs dreaming about getting back in that sand!