I Think I Am Hot Stuff!

Surprise, surprise Parker has learned a few new tricks this week. It all started with him pulling up on the dogs water bowls. What a fun surprise to him to find water. His favorite thing to splash of course. But it didn't stop there....

He then found a better way to play with the toys on his bouncer. I guess he thinks he's too big to sit and play with toys now :)

And then to top it all off, I put Parker down for a nap but after about 10 minutes had passed he was still chatting and playing. Sure that sounds fine but I decided to click on the monitor to see what he was doing anyways (thank goodness we have a video monitor because what I saw was not what I expected).

Oh yes, my 6 month old baby was standing up in his crib. Very proud of himself I might add. Praise God we had lowered the crib last week. I guess it is time to lower it again. I wonder what he has in store for next week.

Our trip to South Carolina

Last weekend Parker and I traveled with my family to South Carolina to visit Parker's Great Grandma Lemley. We stayed with his Great Aunt Carol and Great Uncle Dave. Several cousins came while we were there too, including new editions Brecken and Ella as well as Great Aunt Laura and Great Uncle Ron. We spent some wonderful time with Grandma chatting and playing chicken foot. At night we enjoyed wonderful food and played games including Wii. The babies had a fun time getting to know each other. Parker had a fun time exploring a new house and meeting new dogs. Below are just a fw pictures from our trip. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

The family!

(Left) Cousins Brian, Melody and new edition Ella (4 months); Great Uncle Dave (in back) and Great Aunt Carol; Poppy (in back) GiGi, Mommy and Parker, Aunt Vicki, Aunt Kerry, Aunt Susie and Uncle Scott (in the back); Cousin Lee (in the back), Great Aunt Laura, Great Uncle Ron; Cousins Brecken (6 months), Kendall and Josh. And last but not least, roaming around are dogs Sadie (left) and Bentley (right)

The sisters Great Aunt Laura, Gigi, Great Aunt Carol and Great Grandma Lemley

Aunt Vicki enjoying a book with Cousin Brecken

Uncle Scott enjoying time with Parker

The Babies!

Brecken(in the back), Parker, and Ella

Cousin Ella's CRAZY hair

I'm Everywhere!!!

Parker began belly crawling right before Christmas but mostly short distances until he reached the toy he wanted. Within the last week or so he has truely discovered life. When on the floor he immediately goes to the dogs if they are around, if not he prefers their toys (ball, bone...) to his. Can you say YUCK! And trust me he regularly has toys down that he could play with. We even rotate them to decrease boredom. Well the next bit of pictures are Parker exploring. Needless to say we are expanding our babyproofing.

Initially intrigued by his reflection in the glass, Parker discovered the entertainment center. And yes, he opened that door all by himself.

This is one of Parker's favorites to go after. Of course I don't let him play with it I just took the picture before taking it away:) I felt it necessary to take a picture though since he is quite persistent about this one when it is around.
Does anyone see the baby? I can't find him. Oh wait, there he is between the couches discovering the lamp plug.

Hey I'd like to play with that ball

Please Copper can I play with your ball?

OK, I'd rather have the bone anyway!
As you can see not even sitting is child proof yet in our house.
Boy, Are we in for it!!!

Fun with Daddy!

One Saturday a month I work from 8-12 while Parker gets to stay home and have some daddy time. A week ago I came home from work and found Parker and Wally building forts and cubes and playing with the different letters and textures. They were having a ball.

Is it Spring or Winter?

We have all truely been enjoying this weather. Parker has been enjoying getting outside and being pulled in his wagon that friends Jeremy, Sara and Jake gave him. Even though he can sit by himself we are taking advantage of the bumbo seat for these rides. It fits perfectly in there. He's not quite mastered catching himself when he tips over and we don't want any spills in the wagon. No ER visits yet please. It's worked out great. Parker loves watching the cars go by and checking out diffrerent things we pass in everyone's yards.

I wanted to include this silly picture of my parents dog Jack. This is one of the ways he is enjoying the weather. Yes, he jumps up on their patio table and sits to watch the yard.

Parker's First Christmas

We had a wonderful time this Christmas. Parker decided that he was too excited about Santa to sleep so he woke us all up at 6am. We had a great time opening presents and seeing what he got. His Nana and Granddaddy even stopped by on their way to Grandma Griffin's house to see him and all his presents. Wally and I decided that since Parker wouldn't really understand what he was getting this year that we would each buy gifts for Parker, without out telling each other what we had bought. That way someone would be surprised and excited about what we were unwrapping. It was alot of fun and surprisingly enough we did not duplicate at all. The dogs as you can see enjoyed the bones that Santa had left for them too.

After we unwrapped all of our presents we went over to my parents (Gigi and Poppy's) house. All of my sisters were in town which was wonderful. We had a full house. Parker was spoiled as you all probably guessed. He got some great toys, clothes and new bath stuff. His Aunt Kerry got a new puppy for Christmas (Bella). He really liked watching and playing with her. She's quite a bit smaller then his dogs. Parker and I actually stayed at Gigi and Poppy's house for 3 nights while everyone was in town. It was easier than waking a sleeping baby and hoping he transitions well once we got home. Plus he could spend as much time with family while they were in town. Wally had to take care of our dogs and work some so he came over but went home to sleep. Great Aunt Laura and Great Uncle Ron came to visit the day after Christmas. He had fun playing with them and telling them all kinds of things (if we could only understand him). At night we played games. We had a new one this year called chickenfoot. It was a lot of fun. We played all 12 rounds and Poppy was the winner. Go Poppy!!! As always, all good things must come to an end. We had a great Christmas and are sad to see it go. We truely enjoyed visiting with all of our family.

Here are a few more Christmas pictures for you to enjoy!!!

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Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we traveled to Havelock to Wally's parents house to open some gifts before heading to his cousins house for a Christmas party. Parker had a great time visiting. He loves his Nana as you can see. She thought it would be cute to see if he fit in his stocking (as did we). Parker didn't mind at all. That night Parker got to meet some family that he hadn't met before including his Great Uncle Chuck and Great Aunt Billie (who are both soon to be grandparents - we can't wait). They gave Parker a Spongebob lifejacket. I'm sure he will put that to good use this summer. After the party we headed home and waited for Santa to come.

The big duck!

Parker loves his duck that Aunt Vicki gave him for the bath tub. He can sit up by himself in it and splash the water. I must say it is nice that the water splashing is contained by the tub now:) His favorite though is to suck on washcloths. I know it's gross but it's funny to watch him dunk it to get more water.

It's a girl!

Congratulations to friends Jeremy and Sara on the birth of their daughter Jenna Catherine. She was born December 19th. She's beautiful isn't she!!! Big brother Jake is excited she's here too. Congrats guys, we love you!