Day One Hundred and Sixty-Eight

Actual Date: Thursday, September 9, 2010

Guess who crawled for the first time today...Notice the tongue sticking out. I think it really does help when you're working hard.

"And then for my next trick, I think I'll pull to stand."

I love that he is so proud. I was literally in tears at this point because I was so excited. Crawling 3 days before his first Birthday! He has been working so hard at all of his physical therapy appointments every week and now it's like all of a sudden we are seeing all of this progress. It's so awesome. I'm so proud of him!

Day One Hundred and Sixty-Seven

Actual Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Ok so it's been awhile again. We've been busy with company and the holidays. But you don't hear me complaining. I wish we had a room on the house for every family member to move into! It's always so sad when they have to leave. It takes a few days for us to readjust to it being just the 5 of us again. But it's sure nice having family around while it lasts.

I am going to try my darnest to get caught up. I got really behind here and it's driving me crazy. So in the spirit of a new year, I am going to fast forward through some of the days so I can get caught up quicker. Plus, I think I might have gotten behind on taking pictures somewhere because I wasn't staying on top of it! So if I skip a day or two here or there, you know why.

Any who, getting back to this day... For two days it had been raining harder than I had ever experienced in my whole life. In fact, by the time I got all the kids unbuckled and ran inside to sign Brooke in at school this morning we all looked like we had stood in the shower fully clothed.

I thought that was bad but what is worse is driving over a dinky little bridge to take Parker to Physical Therapy, only to drive back to that same little bridge an hour and fifteen minutes later and find this...

This was around the corner from the bridge. That's how far the water reached. You can't even see where the bridge should be from this point. It was pretty crazy. I had never seen anything like that.

So I had to turn around and take a different way home. When I was sitting at the stop light down the street from my house I looked down at the HWY it was flooded over too! It's kinda hard to see in this picture but there are 4 lanes (2 each way) there with a very wide median because there is a creek that runs through it, and it is completely full of water. It looked like a lake!

And then this was on the way to pick up Brooke from school.

Apparently that little creek runs along that road too. I never knew it until that point. You can't really see it on a normal day when your driving. But you could REALLY see it today.


And this was on the way back over that same bridge by Brooke's school. Her school is by a golf course and the whole golf course was underwater.


But we made it over the bridge here too. And just in time too I think because I saw police out inspecting it when we were going back across.

This whole storm gave me a whole new respect for Mother Nature. It's amazing what she can do in just two days.

Day One Hundred and Sixty-Six

Actual Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010"Mommy take a picture for me for your puter."

"Don't forget mine leg!"


On this day, sadly we had to send Grandpa and Grandma home. It's always sad to say good bye but we were happy that they were able to be here for Parker's party (and grateful for their help!) and that we got to spend some good quality time with them before they headed home.

Day One Hundred and Sixty-Five

Actual Date: Monday, September 6, 2010

We went to the mall today to catch a break from the hot Texas heat.

Parker played in the water playground for the first time and LOVED it.

He would have spent all day there if we would have let him. It was equally entertaining for us to watch him and hear his little giggles.

The girls played in the water too but they loved the other playground just as much. They waited there with Daddy and Grandpa while Grandma and Mommy discovered the store Charming Charlie.

Oh my goodness, I am in L-O-V-E. It's one of my new favorite stores. The whole store is organized by color and they have everything from necklaces to cozy beer covers! We spent at least a good hour and a half in there. And there was more we could see but we were afraid that the boys were going to be mad at us for taking so long.

I believe I remember Brian's exact words being "We thought you'd died."

Day One Hundred and Sixty-Four

Actual Date: Sunday, September 5, 2010So after all the hustle and bustle of the big party we decided to stay home and rest on this day. Brian smoked some pork wrapped in bacon (my mouth is watering just remembering it) and I made a layered salad from the one and only Pioneer Woman of course. Here's the link if you're interested.

Day One Hundred and Sixty-Three

Actual Date: Saturday, September 4, 2010

Here are some pictures from the birthday boys very first party. It's hard for me, even now months after, to believe that he's one. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was having a panic attack on my bathroom floor because we were pregnant again?!

Pregnant again?! How could this be possible? We had only planned on having two!

It's true. We make plans and God laughs. But, I have to admit, His plan, as it always is, was much better than mine. We're complete now.

Treasure Chest favor boxes


Shrimp Kabobs

The Birthday boy enjoying some melons.

That face kills me.


Last minute pirate cake. I had originally planned on making these Martha Stewart Cupcakes but I could not find the stencils anywhere. So this is what I threw together at the last minute instead.






And this was the fab shirt that the Birthday boy wore from my friend Adrienne at Harper and Grace Boutique in Cleburne, Tx.


They have all kinds of adorable stuff. Like these adorable shoes. I already checked, and they do not come in adult sizes but rest assured if and when they do, I'll be rockin' the first pair! Be sure to check 'em out.


I've had this knife in the back of my knife drawer for a long time now. I got it from my Papa's house when we finally had to move him into a nursing home. I think I've used it maybe once to cut up a watermelon but the thing is so huge it's hard to handle. But I thought it looked like the perfect pirate sword to cut the cake with.

Then it was time for the fun part!

Parker figuring out if he wants any of what is going on here or not.

For awhile all he did was get a couple fingers in it and then wipe them off on his tray.


Then Daddy gave him a taste of the frosting off his finger and things got a little more intense and down to business.

And everything happened pretty quick after that.


I think it's safe to say he enjoyed it. I love how the chocolate made the perfect little goatee mustache.

Daddy and the Birthday Boy all cleaned up.

The chair however took a little more elbow grease.

He was saving some for later I guess.

Time to open presents. If you couldn't tell from the picture, he was very excited about this little tractor. It sings "Old McDonald Had A Farm" and he LOVES that song. He dances along with the music and sings "E-I-E-I-O" with it. Obsessed I tell you.

Now in the present day (December 10, 2010) he can also say "quack quack" when it gets to the duck part too. It's pretty darn cute.

And then there was a all out water war between Ava and Grandma Marcia.

Grandma Marcia: "Don't you dare."

Ava:"Bwhahaha."

Grandma Marcia: "Oh yeah!"

Ava: "Giggle. Squeal. Giggle."

Somebody is getting tired.

Grandpa Jim even got an earring in his party box!

Logan was sporting his cool pirate tattoo.

Jessica being her sweet self and Miles showing off his earrings too.

And that was the end of that. After all that swimming, cake eating, visiting with friends, and present opening, this little man was worn the heck out. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit that mattress.

Thank you to everyone who came and made his first birthday a great one!