Retiring #8

Lily has decided that she will be leaving the Fireballs, her team of three seasons, and she will be moving on to play softball in the fall. I'm really excited for her to play with girls. I hope she'll see how much other girls enjoy it and perhaps enjoy it more. I'm really hoping she'll get to play some other positions. She's really ready to get out of the outfield and play some infield ball.





I'm really going to miss her coaches and lots of the parents who I have become friends with. We really have loved playing ball at Ridge Road, and I'm sure we'll visit often when Shane plays ball there or when Chase's games are there.



I'm so so thrilled that Lily is involved in ball. She has the potential to be absolutely amazing if she works hard and sticks with it. I always wanted to be really good at something, and I think if you start really young, that can happen.

Caught Red Handed

I guess the brand new walker I bought isn't nearly as much fun as dog food...

First Major Punishment

It was bound to happen, but it doesn't make it any easier. Next thing you know, she'll be borrowing my car to drive to see a boy without asking. Not that I EVER did that in high school...

Tonight, I cooked tuna noodle casserole for the first time (it was awful, by the way). We were sitting in the living room while Lily was finishing her dinner. Shane heard Oscar eating something, and he walked in to find Lily standing over Oscar holding her plate.

Shane: "Are you feeding your dinner to Oscar?"
Lily: "No."
Shane: "Lily, are you telling me the truth?"
Lily (deadpan): "Yes. I didn't feed him."

This went on for a few minutes. I could tell immediately that she was lying. Although acting is in her blood, so she may have a future in it if she keeps it up.

Shane: "Lily, you have to tell me the truth."

Lily finally breaks down crying and apologizes. Shane sends her to her room. Oscar licks his chops.

As a result, Lily is grounded until Thursday, which includes no playing outside with friends, having friends over, or playing the Wii. Also, her beloved Polly Pockets are now sitting in my closet.

First real punishment. I remember how AWFUL it was to be punished by my parents. Usually it was no dessert. And it was torture. My parents always guilted me every time I got in trouble. They were so disappointed and sad I still feel guilty alot because of this. Thanks Mom! However, we did go in to Lily's room together and tell her how sad we were when she lied. Hopefully we handled this situation well.

It may be a long couple days for Mommy.

Mother's Day 2011

My Mother's Day gets better every year. I'll never forget the year I was pregnant with Lily, and Shane got me a beautiful cross necklace. Since then, I've been treated like a queen on Mother's Day. This is my first Mother's Day with two kiddos too!

Oh and of course, I have to wish my own wonderful Mama a Happy Mother's Day too!! Love you Mom.

Our day: Parker gave me perhaps the best gift of all-sleeping from 9pm-730am, waking to nurse, and going back to sleep until 9. Perfection. Shane gave me a pedicure (well, a pedicure at a nail salon, not by him!), and Lily gave me the sweetest card, a bag of Reeses, a cake from Publix (good grief! Mom will need some help with all this food) and a great flower and flower pot.

We got ready for church and went by Dunkin Donuts, where we feasted on Munchkins. Church was great today-it was all about Moms! They gave all the moms a rose, and they also had the Baby Dedication today, where my sweet friend's insanely adorable baby girl got dedicated.

After church, we came home and actually rested most of the day. It.was.amazing. We never get to do that. And we finished up the day by loading up on carbs at Olive Garden.

Here are the pictures from my mother's day...the two outtakes are first. :) Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there!




"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:2

Easter Sunday

After church on Sunday, we enjoyed an egg hunt and a family dinner at Shane's uncle Troy's house. The kids were so cute looking for eggs. It was a great relaxing day. Lily even found the prize egg-$5! Of course, she bought a Zooble. How else would you spend five dollars? Also, it was hot, in case you are wondering why Shane's shirt was off Easter Sunday. And don't forget that we do live in Paulding County. Duhhh...

Lily was Baptized

Lily was baptized Easter Sunday 4/24/11. It was such a special day for our whole family. Lily was baptized by Pastor Steve Flockhart at our church, New Season, in Hiram Ga. She received a beautiful new Bible from Shane's mother's parents, Pat and Robert. She also received an amazingly lovely purple music box engraved with her name and the date of her baptism from our sweet friends Matt and Jenny. We are so thankful for all our friends and family members who came. It was an amazing day. I only have a few pictures...

Look what I'm trying to win...

You can try too, I guess. But I really don't want you to beat me out for this adorable giveaway.

Sage Creeks Organic's Kimono Sets.
How Cute would P be in this???

Wish me luck!

9 Month Update

Happy 9 months (yesterday) Parker P!

At nine months, Parker...

*weighs at least twenty pounds
*crawls around like a madman
*says dog, dada, and bye bye
*waves and shakes his head no
*learned how to drink from a sippy cup
*has the pincher grasp almost down
*climbed the stairs from our living room to upstairs
*refuses baby food, but eats all the adult food he is allowed
*still nurses every 3 hours or so
*still gets up to nurse at night on occasion (yes! i know)
*is not a good napper



*can get into a standing position by himself as long as he has something to hold onto
*is very strong willed and already defiant
*tries to climb out of his stroller every chance he gets
*gives "love" aka his version of a hug
*is about to move to 9-12 month clothing
*has never had a drop of formula
*still falls asleep in his swing on occasion
*has been cloth diapered for over four months
*still sucks his Wubbanub to go to sleep
*sleeps in his crib and immediately rolls over on his tummy when I lay him down


Everything you ever wanted to know about him, right!? I can't believe he's been on the outside as long as he was baking on the inside.

Conference with Lily's teacher

"Lily is doing so great," says her teacher.

Then she pulls out some pictures.

"This is a picture of how you spend time together," says her teacher. "Mommy is cleaning, Daddy is playing Donkey Kong, and Lily is playing with her brother."

Couldn't be more true. Although, Lily is usually barking directions at Shane on what to do in the game, rather than playing sweetly with Parker on the floor.

My daughter cracks me up.

I wish I had this on film

But I'll try to paint a decent picture for you.

Now that Parker is almost nine months, he sort of understands what no means. I figured this out yesterday. He also understands when he isn't getting his way.

Yesterday, he was obsessed with this mini, super sharp screw driver. I was organizing some stuff (what else is new), and he pulled it out of of container and fell in love. He held it. He threw it and crawled to it. Wanted to chew on it. Hit the dog with it. He was so happy. I took it away when I finally realized how sharp it was at the end (way to go Mommy!), but he screamed. And screamed. His face was so so red. He fell out on the floor like I had taken away his best friend.

Nope, not his first tantrum. But his first tantrum with me taking something away from him. So I decided to see exactly what he understood. I waited for the next opportunity.

Flash forward 15 hours later (not really, but it felt like that long of a day) and we are at Shane's work waiting on Daddy. Parker kept trying to chew on this glass table. "Parker," I say to distract him (technique from a peaceful parenting website. Note, this doesn't work for him). He looks at me and smiles. And goes back to gnawing on the said glass table. "No, no," I say, rather sweetly. In slow motion, he slowly stops chewing, looks at me, and grunts the ugliest noise I have ever heard. HOW DARE YOU TEL ME NO!!!???!!! He gives me a you no what type of look, his face red from the grunting, and returns to chewing on the glass table.

Do I have my hands full or what? Just mentioning getting in trouble, Lily turns into a cherub. Better start praying for strength. Especially if he's going to be walking soon.