Fa La La La La La La La La!

We have been busy here at the Parker house for the past week and a half or so. Uncle Marshall arrived on the 12th, which was perfect because Brandon & I were able to attend his work Holiday party. It was nice to have an evening out, as I think August was the last time we were out together. No, I KNOW it was August!

The next day, we all went to find a Christmas tree. Much to my dismay, people don't "do" Christmas trees in the south like we do in PA. One of the greatest things about getting your Christmas tree, is cutting it down, right? Well, not so much here in Alabama...or in Shreveport...or in Lancaster, CA for that matter. Anyway, we found a beautiful tree and as you can see, Pierce was more interested in the tag than the tree. It's the small things in life! :) He did like helping with the decorations, even if he wasn't allowed to put them in his mouth.

While B and Marshall had some brother time, Pierce & I met our friends at the zoo. It was his first trip to the zoo out of utero. (I waddled around the zoo about a week before I had him) For those of you who don't know, he LOVES to be outside and LOVES leaves. So, when we took the train ride around the zoo, Pierce was in awe of all the TREES along the way...couldn't have cared less about the animals! Gotta love it! He had quite a few friends there, too. Jocelyn & Sarah are walking hand in hand, Anna really didn't want to be in her stroller and Rock was just chillin'.

While Brandon was finishing a lot of reading and writing his last paper before the holiday break, Marshall, Pierce & I were deligently buying gifts, wrapping gifts, hanging out together, etc. Ma & Doug arrived on the 20th, after a very long drive. As I quickly found out, any little noise made by Pierce was a signal for the closest visitor to pick him up....oh, how I hope he understands he will NOT be held like this in 2009! :)

Sarah, Anna & Pierce all exchanged gifts a couple days before Christmas. As you can see, Pierce was very interested in Sarah's book & CD. It's always good fun when they play together and always a great time for a photo op.

On Christmas Eve day, we took Pierce to the park, where he got to hang out on his blanket with Anna. No matter how many toys we put out for them, they really enjoy the toy the other one has! It was a fairly warm day, a little overcast and sort of windy, BUT we had good fellowship hanging out with our friends and family. As you can see, Pierce tried to wrestle his dad, Anna tried to wrestle Pierce, & Pierce got on the swings & jungle gym. Sarah and Allison had a great time playing together, too!

I'm currently baking the sweet potato pies, as the pumpkin pie cools. The house is warm and cozy and smells of the wonderful season that is upon us. We are so very blessed and can't wait to celebrate the birth of our Savior! Happy Birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas...only 1 more day!

He Did It!!

Piercey crawled last night!! Yeah for our little guy! He's been on his hands and knees rocking for what seems like forever, but he finally scooted his way across the carpet...all in an effort to get my Parents magazine. Wonder if he wants to read it so he can give us a couple pointers!!? We're so excited for him and I'm now realizing my days just got a whole lot busier! :)
Merry Christmas...only 13 more days!

7 Months Already!

It's been awhile since I've blogged...what can I say? We enjoyed Thanksgiving, quietly and hosted an Officer Trainee from the base. He was a very nice young man & we were happy to be able to fellowship with him. We hope that once he gets privileges, he'll come back so B can smoke some meat for him and he can just relax (and watch some TV)!

I can't believe it, but my little Sugar Bear is already 7 months old!! Where does the time go? I got a great tip from some friends of mine. They suggested that I take his pic on the first of the month, every month, with the same toy/backdrop so we can see how much he's grown from month to month. SO, I'm posting some of Pierce's past and current monthly pics! (Obviously, they start with 1 month and work their way up to 7 months)







Pierce recovered nicely from his ear infections and has now moved onto trying to crawl. He gets up on all fours and rocks...and rocks...and rocks...and smiles...and rocks! He's slowly getting the idea, but when we entice him with a toy, he has quickly figured out that he's long enough to just fall back to his belly and reach for it! Silly Mommy & Daddy! :)

He still doesn't have any teeth, but by the looks of all that drool, they're definitely on their way. You may not have noticed, but our Piercey has a TON of hair and it just keeps growing and growing and getting more and more out of control, so we've decided to quit trying to comb it straight and just let the curls be. He could really care less, but it seems to be a little easier to manage. So, we'll see.

I took Pierce to try to get some pics for our Christmas card, so here are a few previews. He really loves the camera and normally looks right at me when I pick it up. My friend, Kerry helped us out and took a family photo for us. She did a great job...as did her assistant, Sarah! After we were finished with the 3 of us, Sarah joined our family pic. We would have her any day of the week in our family!!





We're looking forward to all our holiday guests and surely, I will blog more often in December, than I did in November. Merry Christmas...only 18 more days!

Again this week, we've had a bunch of friends who were blessed with new babies! Congrats to Lara & Ho and beautiful baby Maddox Yong-min, who was born on Dec 2. He weighed 8 lbs 15.4 oz...let's just say 9 lbs! :) Leslie & Chris had Josephine Maria on 3 Dec. She weighed in at 9 lbs 2 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. And finally, Mark & Sloan had TWINS!! Adelyn Sloan was 5 lbs 14 oz and Mason Saterllee was 5 lbs 9 oz. All moms, dads and babies are doing well! We love you guys and CONGRATS again!!

Not 1, But 2!

Pierce had his 6-month shots last Wednesday and seemed to have picked up a little bit of cold by Thursday. He had a slight fever, but only for a day or so (we've chalked it up to the shots), but really wasn't getting any better by Wednesday of this week. SO, after many battles over his food, many crying sessions over who knows what, after numerous hugging and cuddling sessions with Mommy, I decided to make him an appointment with his doctor. We went to see Dr. Trumbull yesterday and sure enough...Pierce doesn't have 1 ear infection, he has 2!! Maybe that's why he just wasn't quite himself. Poor little guy!! We've started him on an antibiotic and hope that he will be back to his old self in no time. Who would've thunk it??!!

On a lighter note, we're so excited to have many, many babies being born to our friends and family. My college roommate, Michelle & her husband, Bill, welcomed their son, William Lee Porter III (a.k.a. Trey) on 28 Oct, back in PA. Our good friends, Angel & Dominque Torres welcomed Isabella Dominique on 5 Nov in Shreveport, LA. AND, Brian & Anne Bartels had Tyler John on 10 Nov, also in Shreveport. We were stationed with Dominque & the Bartels in Shreveport and in Minot. All the babies were born healthy and are so blessed to have such wonderful parents! God is so good! Congratulations to all of you from us!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I just wanted to say "Congrats" to our very good friends, Renee & Joe! They are engaged...YEAH!! Renee & I worked together in Shreveport and she's just awesome. She is a wonderful friend and they're blessed to have each other. We're so very excited for you both. MUAH!

Just VOTE!

So, yesterday was the day that history was made! Yes, Pierce went with me to the polls to vote, all decked out in his USA t-shirt & hat! I really felt empowered as I was filling out my ballot. I've never voted in person, as I always voted by absentee ballot when I was in the Air Force. What an amazing feeling! I truly can't wait to tell Pierce about Nov 4, 2008, when he grows up. God Bless America!

Trick Or Treat...Smell My Feet

Last week was great! We continued to expand Pierce's solid food repertoire and it now includes: carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, peas, bananas & cereal. He seems to like them all, but he ALWAYS makes a horrible face with every first bite! It's absolutely hilarious. I never get tired of these pics...you know, the ones with food all over his face and if you're lucky, even in his hair!

For Halloween, we went to the park with some of Pierce's friends. Sarah, Anna, & Rock were all there and it was a beautiful day! We also took some pics in Daddy's leather chair. Don't you just love how Pierce positions his hands?!

Now, anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE carving jack-o-lanterns! I look forward to it every year and it's really a sign for me that fall is upon us. For trick-or-treat, we dressed Piercey up as a skunk and he handed out candy with us in the driveway. Sarah (the most beautiful cowgirl) and Anna (the sweetest little fairy) came by to see us. We really enjoyed ourselves and I think Pierce really liked his first Halloween!





We went to a picnic last weekend and we had a bonfire. I'm also including a pic of Piercey in the hay!

I took this pic of my guys before church last weekend and I just love it!