Parker's 1st Birthday Photo Shoot

Parker turned one, ONE, yes O-N-E- (Can you tell I'm having some trouble accepting this?) on April 6th. This post is just pictures.  The photographer is Laura Veno, and she is wonderful!  Here are a few other blog posts about Parker's birthday.  http://lauravenophotography.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-perfect-pink-puppy-birthday-party.html
http://thesals.blogspot.com/2013/04/parkers-puppy-party.html
 http://lauravenophotography.blogspot.com/2013/04/pink-puppy-dog-tails-precious-parker.html

I will post her birthday party post today or tomorrow, but I just had to share these photos from her photo shoot.

 

 

 

Daddy & Daughter

There is something so special about a father/daughter relationship.  Jon is a great Daddy, and Parker loves screaming the word "Dat" whenever she thinks he is nearby...when the garage opens, when Mommy is attempting to make her nap, when she sees a picture of a man holding a child, etc.  These are just a few snapshots that show their special bond.  Don't worry I'll do a "real" blog post soon too!

 Here they are "working" had.  You will especially love the video posted last of them "working".

 Daddy teaching Parker how to make bubbles.

 Success!

 Just smelling the flowers and assessing their landscape.

 Parker waving and being friendly to all (just like Dad).

In case you can't tell, Parker is in her Snow White costume. She is Daddy's little princess after all.

 Dancing at dinner together.

Both are obsessed with their dogs.

 

 I would find Parker's "working" distracting, but Dad is able to handle it!

 

 

A Week in the Life of Pip

I know what you're thinking...I haven't posted in a week!  Well, Parker, Jon and I have been busy (a fun kind of busy).  The weather has been so wonderful that Parker and I have been enjoying spending time outside everyday...before it gets too hot!
 I love, love, love staying at home with Parker, but I also like to make sure we have plenty of activities to keep us entertained.  Otherwise Parker (cough or mommy cough) will go stir crazy.  I have been studying some toddler activity books, and I stumbled across this genius idea.  If you want to have activities to do at home, you have to plan for them!  Well, you would think I could have figured this out on my own, but I credit the book!  So, now, I use my beautiful MayBook (click on the link to order) notebook, to plan for creative toddler activities.  Anyone who knows me, knows I must have an adorable notebook at all times.  It is the teacher in me.

 

Here are a few of our fun activities:

 

 Parker mixing flour and water.  Who would have thought this would entertain her for so long?  Plus, I didn't have to shop for those ingredients.

This was a major winner...sidewalk chalk paint!  It is 2T cornstarch to 2T water plus food coloring.  Parker worked on her "masterpieces" for at least an hour.  Obviously, she tasted the paint, but it is totally baby safe!  Then the paint just washed right off with water.  Big success and lots of fun to watch Parker explore her artistic side.

Parker and I went to the zoo for the first time this week too.  We met up with our friends Paisley and Jennifer and had fun exploring.  I don't know if Pip was more interested in all of the people or the animals, but we had so much fun. Parker loved "mooing" at all of the animals...

 

 

 

 Hmmm...those shades didn't last long!  Parker always has to have her cup holders full of puffs.  I've just given into this demand. 

 

 

 Pointing and mooing!

 Somehow, Parker knew how to work an ice cream cone...Delicious!  Please notice there is a healthy food in her cup holder at least...bananas!

 Parker also went and had a fun time at Cookie and Bevo's house, and Mommy organized this pantry!  Four days later, it is still looking organized! Hopefully, it lasts...

 

Here are a few more photos of us enjoying the outdoors:

 

 

 Oh, and how could I forget...after all of this outdoor play, Parker asked for a little "pampering time", so of course I gave into her demands...She had her first pedicure.  Not really, just a little polish, but still just as fun!

 

 

Last, but not least, Parker's video of her golf talents...hmmm...I think she needs lessons!

 

 See you in a few days, I promise :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where have we been?

When Parker was first born I promised myself and my family that I would actively post photos and updates on our blog. 

 

It has been one year, Parker looks like this now:

and I have only written FIVE blog entries.

 

So now, I am launching a new blog and starting fresh, and I am once again promising to actively post pictures and updates...this time I plan to keep that promise!

 

Parker is one year and one week old today.  She weighs a whopping 19.8 pounds and is 29 inches long. She is the light of our lives.  She is such a little entertainer like her daddy.  She loves "singing" (even though the only part she sings is E-I-E-I-O), talking (I use this term loosely as she mostly says "dog", "moo", and "outdog"), being outside, playing, and just having fun.

 

Here are just a few photos of Parker recently.

 

 Playing at swim class with Daddy!

 Shopping with her best friends, Hattie and Logan!

 Posing for her 1st birthday photo shoot---and looking quite adorable, if I do say so myself!

 Did I mention she loves bath time??? Just in case you couldn't tell.

Parker is a talented little gymnast these days.

 

Our lives have changed dramatically with the addition of Parker, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  In fact, I can't imagine life before Parker.  That being said, Jon and I still try to have hobbies outside of Parker (when we aren't too exhausted or covered in poop/throw-up/baby food/etc.).  Jon loves his new job with Stryker Medical, and Parker even dresses up like Daddy in her own scrubs...I'll have to post pic later.  Although Stryker has put Jon's golf game on the back burner, he still finds the time for tournament play.  Jon is very excited to throw a crawfish boil next weekend with old friends.  Did I mention he order 100 POUNDS of crawfish?!?!?

 Jon loves wearing scrubs to work...who wouldn't???

 Parker has managed to "purchase" her own pair of golf clubs.  I think she'll be joining Daddy soon.

Below: Daddy treating Parker to her first taste of ice cream...Yummy!

 

I have met a great group of girlfriends, Chelsea and Kimba, who just happen to have babies that are Parker's best friends.  Hmm, I wonder how that happened? It is so great to have mommy friends! We enjoy our weekly bible study nights ("studying" comes after the chit-chatting and wine...don't judge!), weekends away, and an unbelievable couples trip to Tahoe together (kid free I might add)! I've also launched a personalization business called "Stitches N Such" and am enjoying my role as a stay at home mom.   

 

 Parker and I strolling downtown Fort Worth.

 Girls weekend!

Bottoms Up on our Tahoe Trip...I think our husbands were gambling somewhere!

 

 

 

Below: My business logo--Click on it to check-out my website (Yes, it needs an update too.).

 

Here is one last photo of Parker's 1st birthday.  I promise (and I mean it this time) to post more about her party later.