Rewind: Christmas with Papa and GG

We were excited to have family with us for Christmas! Papa and GG made the trip up to the NW and we were so glad they did! They left on Christmas day, but we loved having them here for the morning festivities! Here are some pics from the 25th.

Camden rockin' out on his new dog guitar

Papa and GG with Parker on his first Christmas!

Parker's turn to wear the tree hat

Cute!

Snuggles from Papa before they headed to the airport

Papa and GG with our boys (Camden wasn't quite ready to ditch the PJ's)!

Rewind: Christmas Morning

I'm going to have to do quite a few "rewind" posts because I got WAY behind! So, just hang in there! We'll be going all the way back to the fall at some point (I wasn't kidding...way behind). It's not as fun when it's not Christmas time, but I have to document our life, even if it is months later!

We had a fabulous Christmas! It was our first one as a family of four! It's crazy having an October baby and a January baby...Camden was so tiny for his first Christmas and Parker was so big! Both of the boys were so fun! Camden was excited about everything! Lights, decorations, presents, anything that had to do with the holiday! Parker just wanted to play with the trash bag, wrapping paper, and bows. We had a wonderful day celebrating Jesus' birthday!

Blessed (and spoiled)! :)

Letters and presents from Santa

Camden checking it out

A skateboard! He's been wanting one for a long time!

A close up of the board

Stocking time! Undies, bandaids, paint, etc.

Yay for presents!

Is this for me?

Shake, shake, shake!

A new Priddy book...love these!

My boys!

Pooh Train

We bought Camden a ride-on Winnie the Pooh train for his second Christmas. Honestly, I'm not a huge Pooh fan, but we liked the buttons and music so we went with it! Camden loved it! I remember doing circles in our kitchen in CO for what seemed like hours! On January 1st, Parker took his first ride on the train! His big bro was right there to show him the ropes!

Camden giving Parker a little push

Showing him all of the buttons

Trying it out for himself!

A serious face, but he really liked it!

Camden going for his first ride (almost 15 months)!

Happy birthday, Memaw!

Today is Memaw's birthday! We are so grateful for you! You have such a big heart! We appreciate your little notes and texts. We also appreciate the fact that you pray for us every day--what a gift to us, thank you! We hope you are feeling extra special today. Know that we love you and are thinking about you!

Grandpa and Memaw with the boys in November

Playing with Parker at their house in May

Parker and Memaw (looking fabulous as the mom of the bride) at Krista's wedding

First day of Preschool

I toured a preschool at the beginning of November to begin the search for the fall (you have to register the kids in January). I went to one school, Noah's Ark, and loved it! There was no need for me to go anywhere else! I knew Camden was going to love it too! As I was walking through, I envisioned Camden in the classroom working on a project and singing his heart out during music. However, I didn't envision him there this school year! At the end of the tour, the director told me there was room in the one day/week class and she would make an exception (kids are supposed to be three by 8/31) if I thought Camden could handle it. We waited until after Christmas break then sent him off to his first day of preschool! Such a big boy!

My little stud

"I am a preschooler"

Not his real smile, but I'll take it!

Daddy went to work a little bit later so he could go to school with us

Silly!

On our way!

In the hallway waiting for the doors to open

This craft was sitting on the table. Camden walked right in, said hi to his teacher, and sat down to start making a snowman.

Love my boys!

Family shot just before leaving him there (such a weird feeling to drive home without him)

Camden did great! He was so excited to start school! No tears, no hesitation, not even a bit nervous (phew!). His teacher, "Teacher Annie," said, "He was amazing! It's like he's been here the whole time! He just jumped right in! The other teachers said, 'Wow! What a beautiful kid!' and I told them, 'I know, he's mine!'" It was pretty cute! Camden said his favorite part was snack and playing outside! Camden, we are so proud of you! We hope you are excited to start school every year! We love you! *Thanks to my fabulous friend, Laci, for letting me steal her sign idea!

01.05.12

Flashback Friday

It seems like it was just yesterday...

01.23.11

L is for Lion

While Parker was taking his morning nap, Camden and I had some fun with the letter L.

"Writing" the letter in flour

Concentrating

Making a lion on a paper plate with colorful noodles as the mane and spaghetti for the whiskers

The finished product!

01.09.12

..one..

I know, I know, I'm doing a lot of "one" posts...his first birthday party, thoughts about one, and now the photo shoot. This is the last one (maybe)!

I am loving this stage with Parker! He is full of personality! Such a happy little guy and so much fun!

Stats:

• Head: 90-95% (awesome)
• Weight: 22 lbs 14 oz (50-75%...kind of a big range)
• Height: 32.2" (off the chart)

You say/said...

• dada/mama
• hi (for a while it was hi there "hi dare")
• bye
• ba (ball)
• baby
• hop
• up
• duh (dog)
• /t/ (if you want to touch something or for tree)
• /s/ (see)
• uh-oh!
• allll duh (all done)
• wow (I think I'm the only who would recognize this one, it would probably sound like a big exhale to anyone else)
• mo (more. You also sign this, but it looks like clapping)
• you do the /b/ then the /t/ if you want to see a book (also sign it by clapping)
• put one finger to your mouth to sign "eat"
• nigh-nigh

Parker, you...

• are not walking, but you pull yourself up on everything (see photos below)! You love to cruise around the furniture.
• can stand on your own for a few seconds, but sit down once you realize what you're doing
• love other kids! You smile at them, wave, want to touch them, etc.
• have a thing for binkies. You never took one, but if a little babe has a bink in, you try to pull it out. You don't put it in your mouth (which is weird since everything else goes in there), but you want it out of theirs!
• get really excited when Daddy comes home. You crawl super fast to greet him!
• love your brother! You always smile when you see him...cute!
• are a fan of books, but you don't sit as still as Camden did. Today I was reading to you before your nap and halfway through you closed the book and said, "Allll duh!" Brown Bear is one of your favorites!
• have a toilet obsession! You used to just pull yourself up on it and hit the lid, but recently you've started to lift the lid...yikes!
• would be happy if your only toy was a ball
• don't like chunks of fruit/veggies. You will eat just about anything if it's pureed, but gag on the chunks. However, bread, graham crackers, and Annie's rabbits go down just fine.
• are a snacker (just like Mommy and Camden). Some of your favorites are yogurt melts, YoBaby, and fiddlesticks
• like to be outside (or just look out the window if it's raining)
• have mastered throwing a little tantrum when you're frustrated or something is taken away
• think your crib is a teether. As of your first birthday, you have 8 teeth!
• wake up smiling! I love going in to get you after you've been sleeping--you pull yourself up once you see me and give me a huge grin! Melts my heart!
• dance whenever you hear a beat. The other day Daddy was stirring his cereal (not sure why) and you started groovin'! Makes your mama proud!
• think it's funny to throw your cup off of your high chair tray
• love to snuggle
• pull off your bib at every meal (we need to get more with snaps rather than velcro)
• play peek-a-boo by covering your eyes...love this!
• point at everyone and everything!
• get upset when we turn the dust buster and vacuum off (completely different than your bro when it comes to those two things)
• always carry toys around the house and they are often in your mouth while you crawl
• think it's hilarious when you crawl up the stairs and Mommy/Daddy get you down

I could go on and on (obviously)! Now for the pics: