Saturday, November 29, 2008

Love at First Bite

On Friday morning, I went to Target early for some of the Black Friday specials. I was able to pick up a few Christmas presents for various people on my list. On my way home, I stopped by Krispy Kreme to pick up doughnuts for breakfast. This was Drew's first doughnut and he loved every bite. Here is Andy showing him the doughnuts...

He immediately grabbed the chocolate iced with sprinkles with a tight grip...

Enjoying his doughnut...

Turkey Day

The Parkers had a fun Turkey Day and definitely gobbled 'til we wobbled. Our first stop was the Williamson County Habitrot, a 5K run around Cool Springs. Drew was not a fan of his coat or hat and screamed until we took them off. After a little nap for Drew, we headed to Columbia for lunch with my family. Lots of good food while we watched the Titans pound the Lions! After that, Andy, my brother, and Jackson played football outside. This was Jackson's favorite part of the day (along with the turkey and ham...I think he was on a low carb diet yesterday). Drew loved the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, however we were not feeding them to him fast enough so he started just grabbing handfuls and shoving it in his mouth. He prefers to inhale his food rather than eat it. For dinner, we went to Andy's aunt's house in West Nashville. Jackson and Drew enjoyed playing with some of their cousins. We are so thankful to live close to both our families and be able to enjoy part of the day with each of them.
This is Drew crawling under the table. He did this before, during and after we ate.

Grammy and Papa with Drew

Me and my brother Andrew

Jackson kicking off during the football game
According to Jackson, he is thankful for...
  • God in heaven
  • Sports
  • Lambie
  • His bedroom
  • Tennessee Vols
  • Titans
  • puzzles

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

What a Weekend!

Last weekend was pretty busy for me. On Friday night, I went to see the Twilight movie with some girls (thanks to April, Elisha, and Lori for inviting me). We actually went to the 9:45 pm show, which is LATE for me. I am usually in my pajamas by this time and ready to call it a night. However, I purchased a diet coke for $4.35 (isn't that price gouging) and stayed awake.
I was really excited to see the Twilight movie after reading the books. At the theater, it was crazy. Girls, only a few guys were there, were wearing Team Jacob and Team Edward t-shirts. When Edward came on the screen, girls were screaming. Overall, I liked the movie. Of course, parts of it were different from the book. They were definitely setting the stage for the other movies with a little foreshadowing. Random thought...Rosalie reminded me of Madonna and Carlisle was not handsome but creepy!
I got to my house at 12:45 am on Saturday morning and left again at 6:45 am to go to the flea market. For months, I have been saving and looking on the internet for some furniture for our "mud area" and Jackson's room. I got there early and made an order with a furniture guy and then headed downtown to meet Amy and Jenn to go to the Kelly's Kids warehouse sale. Another crazy event with women (just older than the Twilight crowd). People were hording clothes like crazy. We got some stuff from the racks and then walked around waiting for people to discard some of their finds. After that I met up with Andy to get the boys because he was going to the UT/Vandy game (finally a win for the Vols!).
On Saturday night, Andy and I went to see Quantom of Solace. Andy is a James Bond fan. I liked the movie, because there was more of a storyline than the other 007 movies. It has been since the early 90's probably that I have been to two movies in one weekend.

On Sunday, Andy, Jackson, my mom and I went to the Titans game. Unfortunately they lost to the Jets and we had to sit by some obnoxious Jets fan. Jackson was worried because Albert Haynesworth got hurt twice.

Sunday night, we had fun watching 24:Redemption with some friends. It was really good and made me excited about next season which starts in January. Only Jack Bauer could take out an entire block of snipers by himself with a handgun!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

24 Reasons Why Jack Bauer Rules

Okay...the 24 television event (or whatever they are calling it) is merely hours away. YEAH! I found these 24 reasons why Jack Bauer rules on the Fox website and had to post it.
1. Jack makes carrying a purse masculine.
2. He gets perfect cell phone reception, regardless of his location.
3. He's tough enough to withstand torture, but isn't ashamed to cry.
4. He gave Cheng the silent treatment for 2 years.
5. Jack can fly a plane and a helicopter.
6. Jack doesn't care what other people think of him.
7. Jack Bauer is always right.
8. He got Erin Driscoll to listen to him eventually.
9. He pulled the trigger on Chase. Talk about dedication to his work.
10. Despite suffering from Herion withdrawl, he was able to break Ramon Salazaar out of prison.
11. He broke Ramon out of prison in less than an hour. It took Michael Scofield a whole season to break out of Fox River.
12. Hacksaw.
13. He doesn't always listen to orders, because he knows he's right.
14. Jack hurt that annoying scumbag Joe Prado.
15. He killed the whole Drazen gang by himself.
16. He figured out to look up presumed dead people in order to find Saunders.
17. He can hold his breath forever.
18. His magic hoodie is very impressive.
19. Straight men have crushes on him.
20. He can kill people without using his hands or legs.
21. He asked for forgiveness before killing Chapelle.
22. He's "died" twice and yet seems to be in great health.
23. He trusted George to take the plane down.
24. Despite saving millions of people over and over again, he has never asked for a thank you!

Oh, I went to see the much anticipated Twilight movie last night. More to come about my feelings on that...

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Applause of Heaven

Last night Drew and I were downstairs ready to leave for church. I called for Jackson to come downstairs so we could go. When he got downstairs, I asked what he was doing. Here is our conversation.
Jackson: "I was talking to God"
Me: "Oh...what were you talking about?"
Jackson: "I told him we were going to church and God was clapping and Jesus was clapping, too."
Me: "Why were they clapping?"
Jackson: "They are happy because we are going to church."
Me: "Oh..."
Jackson: "You know we worship God and Jesus at church."
Me: "That's great!"

Children never cease to amaze me!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Overtime!

Last weekend Jackson and I had the opportunity to attend a Predators game and a Titans game. On Saturday night, all of us went to see the Predators play the Panthers. We went with a company Andy works with and got to see how "the other half" lives. We parked in the garage attached to the Sommett and sat in a box. Wow! It was really fun and lots of food. Drew was loving the popcorn and Jackson loved the hot dogs and Pepsi. In case you did not know, Jackson LOVES the Predators. He knows a lot of the players and their numbers, plays hockey in his room all the time, and wants Hockey Guys for Christmas. When he goes to a game, he is serious and intense. Jackson wanted to go early to see the Skate Around. The Predators did win in an overtime shootout which was super cool!

All of my boys are ready for the game.

Jackson is very thrilled to be at the game! He wants to play for the Predators and be the goalie like Dan Ellis.
Drew and Daddy wach the pre-game warm-up. Drew liked the beginning of the game, but then he got tired.
On Sunday afternoon, Jackson and I went to the Titans game with my parents. Jackson was again pumped. Andy dropped us off after church and we watched the Titans practice. Jackson also adores the Titans. His favorite players are Chris Johnson, Keith Bulluck, Albert Haynesworth and Jevon Kearse. He wants to play on the line when he gets big so he can sack the quarterback. We were thrilled to see the Tiatns beat the Packers in overtime and stay undefeated.
Jackson enjoying some cotton candy during the game. The package comes with a mix of pink and blue. He would only he eat the blue, because it is the "boy cotton candy."

Monday, November 3, 2008

Halloween Week in Review

Whew...our Halloween week was full of fun and excitement. It was a very busy and crazy week for all of us. We made a lot of great memories! This had to be one of the busiest weeks of our year. Here is the Parker's Halloween week in review.
Monday Night Football--Titans Code Blue
Andy and I went with my parents to see the Titans play the Colts. It was an awesome game (much different than the Tennessee/Alabama game we had gone to only days earlier). We were so pumped to see the Titans remain undefeated! Thanks to an exciting game it didn't seem so cold to us. Everyone at the game got light blue shirts when they came in, so the stadium was all blue...really neat to see!
Wednesday night--Trunk or Treat at Brentwood Hills
Jackson was so excited about the kiddie bounce house that he did not want to "trunk or treat." I had to make him do it so he wouldn't pout later if he missed. He had so much jumping with all of his buddies from church.
Jackson and Tyler with their super cool friend, Hunter
Rebekah with Drew, Laura with Colton, Natalie with Easton, and Leslie (Harris is in the stroller)
Mommy and her sweet little puppy

Thursday--Fall into Fun Party at Jackson's preschool
Jackson and his friend Emerson (Fancy Nancy) work on a silly face pumpkin

The Spidermen are showing off their muscles!

Mommy with her cute (and muscular) Spiderman
More Thursday fun--Trip to Walden Farm

We had gone to Walden Farm earlier, but did not get a pumpkin because they were closing when we finished all the activities. I decided to take the boys on Thursday afternoon to pick out a pumpkin. We could not have trick or treaters on Friday evening and no pumpkin..right?!?

Jackson wanted the "biggest pumpkin of all." This, of course, meant the most expensive as well.

Hauling his pumpkin to the car

Drew with all the pumpkins

Thursday night--Neighborhood Halloween Party

Our neighborhood had a Halloween Party at the clubhouse for all the kids. They had games and activities for them to do. At the end, there was a flashlight hunt for candy in the field.Jackson is making/eating a marshmallow mummy. I put Drew on the floor while I helped Jackson, and he was picking up the scrap fruit rollups. Yuck!Drew and Daddy with some food...the kid can spot food a mile away!
Friday--Trick or Treat

Jackson asked me several times when the real trick or treat was. I guess there was too much fanfare involved in Halloween for him. While we trick or treating, he wanted to go back to our house and hand out candy. He asked to eat one piece of candy after our last house and has not mentioned it since then. Unbelievable! I have had the bags on the counter since Friday night and still no acknowledgement of the candy, so Andy and I have been taking liberties with his loot.Ready to go! Jackson's first stop... Friends from our cul-de-sac


All About Drew

  • Drew weighed 25 pounds (80th percentile) and was 31 1/4 inches (90th percentile) tall at one year old.
  • Drew loves to eat. He is very impatient when it is time to eat. You better have food ready when you put him in his highchair. Some of his favorites are grapes, yogurt, bananas, oatmeal, applesauce, pancakes and any kind of bread. We usually have to "cut him off" at mealtimes. He is also a messy eater.
  • Drew wants to be big like Jackson. He gets so frustrated when he cannot be right in the middle of whatever Jackson is doing. It also frustrating for Jackson because he does not want Drew to "mess anything up."
  • Drew loves to play with a ball of any type. He will throw it in the air and say, "whoa." He also enjoys watching Jackson playing football, basketball, soccer, and hockey.
  • Drew is definitely a Daddy's boy. Andy gives me a hard time that all his bibs say stuff about Mommy, however Daddy is definitely his favorite. He will fuss to go to Andy when I am holding him or pitch a fit if Andy leaves the room.
  • Drew can be very fiesty and stubborn at times. I do not think he will be backing down from many fights when he is older. He has been very stubborn with his sippy cup lately. He can definitely drink out of it, but he chooses not to most of the time. Tough luck for him because the bottles are gone.
  • Drew loves to wrestle with Jackson and Daddy. He crawls over and tries to get into the fun.
  • Drew loves to play in Jackson's room. He always crawls in there and plays for a long time.
  • Obviously, Drew is not walking, cruising, or attempting to do that. This is skill my children acquire much later. He is pulling up and will stand for a few minutes holding on to something.
  • Drew is a sweet cuddler. When he is sleepy, he will hold his lovie, suck his thumb, and lay on my shoulder. It is so precious. I love every minute of reading to him and rocking him.
  • Drew really loves to take a bath. He splashes really big and even puts his whole head in the water and blows bubbles. I was astonished the first time he did it, because we had not showed him how to do it. He ducks his head, blows bubbles, looks up, and smiles. Definitely no fear of the water for him. I even put him in the tub while Jackson took a shower and he let the water spray all over his face and body.
  • Drew enjoys being outside as well. He loves to ride on Jackson's gator, swing, or go for a ride in the stroller.
  • Drew says "oooooooo" all the time when he is playing with his toys. He is so fascinated by everything.
  • Drew despises having his diaper and clothes changed. He goes crazy when I put him on the changing table.

This is more than you ever wanted to know about my sweet little baby, however I wanted to put it into words before he is all big and grown up.


Drew's First Birthday

Last Sunday, we had Drew's first birthday party (lunch with our families). It was so great to have everyone (except Uncle Andrew) at our house to celebrate. We wanted Drew to be surrounded by is family on his birthday. Here is my happy little birthday boy at the party. He has the best smile...big open mouth, eyes lighting up, and all those cute teeth:)
Here is an attempt at putting his festive birthday hat on him. He really wanted to take it off NOW.
Jackson helped Drew open his presents. Drew loved all his gifts. Mommy and Daddy got him an outdoor swing, Grammy and Papa got him puzzles, Mama Linda got him a ball popper and a Titans outfit, and Aunt Amanda got him pajamas, socks, and Gerber Puffs and Wagon Wheels (probably his favorite). For some reason, everyone also brought a gift for Jackson, which made him think Drew's party was awesome!
Daddy, the birthday boy, and Mommy
This is Drew's first taste of his cake, and he LOVED it. The sweet boy did not hold back. If you could see him when he eats, you would understands. He wants his food and fast. He dove right in to his cake with his hands and eventually his entire face.
The cake was no match for Drew. He was not happy when we called it quits and took the cake away.
The birthday boy is his birthday suit. We had to give him a bath after he finished his cake.
Grandaddy, Aunt Amanda, Andy with Drew, Mama Linda, Mama Gwen, and Daddy Parker
Andy with an unhappy Drew (he was ready for a nap), me with Jackson, Papa, Granny, Grandaddy, Granny Evans, Aunt Gertie, and Grammy