Little fishy....

As soon as we got to my Granny's condo last Friday afternoon, we immediately hit the pool!  Parker loved the water last summer and we just hoped that he would love it the same this summer.  I've heard that somewhere between 1-3, kids learn to be afraid of water.  Well - not this child.  He would RUN and JUMP into the water without us even being ready in the water for him.  This kid is going to keep us on our toes this summer, that's for sure.  When we got back from our trip, and after 5 heart attacks, I bought a dumb-looking bathing suit for him that has the flotation things inside of it just in case he jumps in again with Chris or I ready for him.  Looks like we may have another life guard in the family!

Funny story - Chris was the life guard at our country club pool in Waycross.  Well, actually, "The Club" (the only one near our home town) was actually in Blackshear, GA.  Anyway - every day of that summer that he was a life guard, I would make my mom drive me out to the club pool so that I could "lay out" and she would come pick me up several hours later.  However - SOME days, I would decide that once we got out there, I didn't feel like laying out anymore.  Well - my decision was SOLELY based on the fact that if Chris' Jimmy (an old truck) that he drove was parked under the big tree or not.  If his Jimmy was there - I was GOOD to stay - as LONG as my mom would allow me to.  If his Jimmy wasn't there - I didn't stay :)  This is also a time when Chris LITERALLY had no idea that I even existed.  But I would sit by the pool and literally stare at him with my sunglasses on every day that summer.   We never spoke to each other.  Ever.  I'm sure I even contemplated a "pretend" drown so that he could give me CPR.... but I never got that desperate :)

Anyway - here's some pix of the old life guard teaching the young life guard the ropes of the trade!

I'm sorry but I am convinced this child looks NOTHING like me.  Some people say he does - but he looks every bit like Chris every day I see him. 

 This kick board is supposed to be used for ages 6 and up. Well - Park has already  mastered it.

 He LOVED all the big leaves that would sometimes float into the pool.  He even made "Leaf Soup" for Chris and I in his big bucket.  Yum yum!

 I hate that this is blurry - but after Parker would jump in - Chris would dunk him under water for a few seconds and THIS is the face he would have when coming OUT of the water.  Pure bliss....

 

 I have two random pictures that I need to put somewhere :)

Here are my parents in the spot where Chris and I were married.

 And here Parker and I are with Granny - she's 90, by the way.  And awesomely healthy.  

Praying I have her genes!  This lady is going to live to be 200.

On Chris' ACTUAL 30th birthday!

So - the celebrating didn't stop after I surprised him with a trip to the Hawk's game, nor did it stop after I surprised him with a new TV (that he picked out and actually bought himself), nor did it stop after I surprised him with satellite TV, nor did it stop after his family came up for a weekend to celebrate, nor did it stop after I surprised him with his sketch of me and Parker....  On his actual 30th birthday, we left Parker at home with our awesome neighbors, Jon and Robin, and we headed out to one of our favorite places that we've been CRAVING the past few months!  OLIVE GARDEN!  We haven't been there since we moved to Cumming and that has been way too long.  We drove the 20 minute drive to Canton and enjoyed every minute of our dinner together :)

Every night, I look about 3 months more pregnant than I actually am, so here is a picture of me the night of Chris' birthday (when I'm normally big anyway) AND after 5 helpings of OG salad, 2 breadsticks and 1/2 serving of cheese ravioli.... yummmmm! 

Happy birthday baby - I love all 30 years of you.  XO

10.5 weeks
I'm a little behind so I'm actually 12 weeks the day this is posting.... but I haven't taken a belly pic since then so this'll hafta do.  Kinda funny how it just doesn't seem to be that important to me to get the belly pictures every week second time around.... I was neurotic about it the first time.... 

Oh and you'll have to excuse the birthday decorations from Parker's birthday still in the back ground.  He LOVES to look at his balloons and cards on the mantle every day - I'm not sure I'll ever take them down!

Then and Now....

Chris and I both got Good Friday off last week so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go spend the extra time off with family!  We chose to go down to Cocoa, Florida where my Grandma lives to visit.  We haven't been down there since our wedding weekend 4 years ago!  I think a trip was due!  I have lots to update about the weekend, but first I want to post some fun pictures we took on Saturday - almost 4 years to the day after our wedding day.  We had my parents take a few pictures of us in the same places we had our wedding pictures taken.  We loved reminiscing about everything that we've gone through in the 4 years since that day.... wow... God has been so amazing to us and we are so blessed.  3 houses, 2 jobs for me, 5 or 6 jobs for Chris (I lost count), getting pregnant with Parker!!!!, building our first house, Chris graduating from college, finding amazing jobs we both love and intend (with God's blessing) to be at for a long, long time, and finally adding one more to our family of 3!  So much can change in 4 years!  

Enjoy the pix! 

Weekend with Mimi and Papa

Mimi and Papa were not able to come up for Parker's birthday party last week, so they came up this weekend instead!  We had so much fun hanging out with them all day Saturday.  Campbell came up for the day, too and we had had busy plans ahead.  

We started the day with homemade waffles - a weekend tradition by yours truly - then we headed to the park.  The same park where Parker had his party so that Mimi and Papa could see where all the action took place last Sunday.  

They both ran STRAIGHT to the swings as soon as we got there.

Papa played a funny game with the kiddos where he would stand in front of the swing and when their feet hit him, he would pretend like he got very hurt.  The kids thought this was HYSterical! 

Parker's turn!

The slides were next!

Then we headed to the covered bridge.

Mimi and Campbell enjoying the view.

Mimi and Papa and 1/2 of their grandkids.

Campbell wanted flowers in her hair!

Our attempt at a family picture... this was the best one.

Campbell likes for her picture to be taken :)

After the park, we headed to Moe's, then home where both the kids took a two hour nap.  When they woke up, it was time to dye Easter eggs!  We put some of Chris' old shirts on them so they wouldn't get dye on their clothes which they thought was way cool.

They were a little excited....

After Easter eggs, we had dinner!  Chris and I cooked steak and shrimp and pasta and after, we had home made strawberry cream pie for Chris' birthday.  We are completely caked and cupcaked out after an entire week celebration of Parker's birthday.  So the pie was a welcome change. 

When you have a two year old, you are no longer allowed to blow out your own candles.

Then - after pie - Chris got to open his LAST and final birthday gift!  This birthday has been huge for him.  He got a new TV, a satellite (after being without TV for 3 years!), a date night out to the Hawks game, and now - this!  I've been planning this for him since January.  Check it out....

Can't tell what it is?

Well now you can... I had an artist sketch a photo of Parker and I.  It's done in charcoal - it's absolutely amazing.

Right after he tore the plastic off.

THEN after gift time, we had an Easter egg hunt for the kids.  I wasn't sure if Parker would "get it" but oh boy did he ever.  I just had to show him one time how to find an egg and put it in his basket.  Well - he was all about it - almost psychotic about it - running all over the house looking for eggs!

Yes - our son put Easter eggs in a Halloween basket.  His basket was up in the attic and we didn't feel like getting it down - so we used his Halloween bag instead.  :)  He was SO proud of all his eggs he found!  He didn't put his bag of eggs down all day / evening long.  He put them right next to his crib while he slept and they were the first things he asked for when he woke up. 

Parker's Birthday Party

One week late - better late than never!

We had a Farmer themed birthday party for Park's second birthday!

  It was such a blast - here are some pictures. The party was at Poole's Mill Park which has an awesome play ground, a historical covered bridge, an awesome water rapids area and some neat places to walk around.  Did I do ANY of that at the party?  Nope!  Oh well - playing hostess was fun for me - but I don't think we'll be having another party for awhile!  The party was a week ago and I'm still recovering!

EG and A - partying it up with their drinks and shades!

Getting on our party hat!

Our friends from church - Ang, Kristin and her hubs Tyler

More of the kiddos table.

Parker's cousin, Griffin with Chris' brother, Jeff and his wife Lan - they are due for #2 in June!

Sippin on juice and juice....

 

Parker with the Farmer's daughter.

My best friend from college, Jess, and me.

His awesome cake!

More juice.

Ridin on the big tractor!

With Kaci and EG

My KSU college roommate, Christina and her son on the tractor.

Abby - who I started babysitting for when she was 9 months old.

All the preggo ladies from our small group!  From the right - Amy due August.  Ang due September.  Kristin due October and me due November.

Me and the Testani family - who I used to sit for til I had Parker.

Parker and his Aunt Ju Ju - not sure what I would have done without her at the party!  She chased hims everywhere!

Parker with my mom and dad.

When Chris' boss and his wife came out to get the tractor they let us borrow for the party, Ms. Corinne let Parker ride on the tractor with her!  This was definitley the highlight of the day!

Singing to the birthday boy!

BLOW!

Three of the Fab 5 babies - all born within weeks of PJ.

Sorry - these are all out of order!

Parker on the big tractor with his cousins.

 

It was SO stinking hot after his party, we let him play in his pool outside in the back yard - he was LOVING it!

Warning - sliding in just a swim diaper = wedgie.

Opening up presents!

Mowing in his wedgie.....

We are just a little redneck.....

Sitting in his new Thomas chair reading his new book!

KK had to help Parker open all his gifts!

No, No Parker! This way!

Happy Birthday little man!