She's Here!

Parker's "girlfriend" arrived last Wednesday morning!

Marlee Grace was born at 4:30 in the morning and she was 7 lbs 1 oz.

We have had fun joking about Parker and Marlee being "boyfirend/girlfriend" ~we just pray that they are good friends and grow up to love and serve the Lord!

We are excited for Samantha and Kendall and we know they will be great parents....(they are both teachers -so they have had many years of practice!)

I am working on another photo album of the pictures from our time with Gramma and Big Poppy ! I will post them soon!

Here is a video (below) of Parker doing his latest...clapping!

He loves to clap all the time and he is all boy (into everything with his hands).

We are enjoying his every new adventure.

Enjoy!

Jenn, Mike and Parker

Parker's 8 Month Photos

Look Who's 8 Months Old (on Sunday 4/20)!

We had a great time with Grammy & Big Poppy Riese! Unfortunately all good things must come to an end...and today we said goodbye. They are headed back home to NY (and stopping to see Brian and Courntney this weekend!)

Here are Parker's 8 month photos that we had taken, while Grammy & Big Poppy were here! He is changing more and more each month!

He loves to say "Da-da" , "Boo"- (We think for "book"), "na-na-na" (when he is teething), and the other day we think we heard "HI!" Does it surprise any of you that we have an expressive child?! Hmm-I wonder whom he takes after?

We will post the big photo album of our adventures with Grammy and Big Poppy soon!

We are getting ready for Mike's softball game and I am running behind-but had to get this post out!

Blessing to all of you!

Jenn

Company is coming...

Joy with Trey and Parker
Joy showing off her new hairdoo

He is a happy boy-swinging at Trey's house!
Trey and Parker -"so much exvcitement!"
At lunch with the boys!

Tomorrow morning, Mike's parents will arrive from NY! We are sad that the weather was 82 degrees today and it is dropping into the 60's next week. And, another storm is on the way-but they are coming to see Parker (and us) not really the weather! We are also excited to have Mike's college roommate-Chris and his wife Meghan coming for the weekend. They live in Charlotte,NC and have not met Parker yet. So we are thrilled to have them here. We are also planning on giving them lots of training-since they are expecting their first baby in September!
I have a new camera and I am awaiting Mike to get home so he can load the new USB cable into the computer. Once that is done-then I can upload my latest photos.
It has been Spring Break here in GA-so I had the week off and didn't have to watch Kayleigh on Monday or Tuesday. Parker and I took off Monday morning and went up to see Joy, David and Trey! We had a great 2 days and LOVED watching the boys interact with each other!
I will post the photos a.s.a.p. (Joy!)
This next week will be a busy one with Mom and Dad Riese here and the very big event of the weeek: our good friends Samantha and Kendall are having their baby girl on Wed.(scheduled induction) pending she does not go into labor this weekend! We will post photos soon of the many adventures!
Blessings,
Jenn, Mike & Parker

Spring Update

FINALLY! I have time to sit, chat(aka-blog) and just relax! Parker is sleeping and I must update what life has been like in the Riese household and where we have been! March was a BUSY month for us!
I was in charge of our neighborhood Easter Egg hunt on 3/22 and then I was involved with a bridal shower (in NY) for my sister-in-law on 3/29! Parker and I flew up to Rochester,NY and stayed with Mike's family for 4 days! We had a great time and saw a good snow fall! The shower was beautiful and I think we 3 Riese girls will make a great team one day, should we ever need to do another shower!
Now April has arrived and last night was my turn to host BUNKO! (I love my time with my BUNKO friends-but it is like getting ready for a big production when it is your turn!)
(I had some sleepless nights the past few weeks ~not to mention a lot of stress too! ) Thanks to a wonderful husband, friends and family, who all helped me get through these events the past month! I often caught myself saying "I am MORE busy being a SAHM (Stay at home mom),then I was being a full time teacher!?" WOW~
Parker will be 8 months on the 20th and I feel like I missed the past 3 weeks of his life, because I was so caught up on my events. I am glad to have a "quiet month" and enjoy time with Mike and Parker. We are also looking forward to Mike's parents coming for a visit, April 12-18! And the expected arrival of our friend's baby, Marlee Grace (any day now!) (Do I dare type that we have a quiet month?...Someone might find an event for me to host! OH DEAR!)
Enjoy the 2 slide shows. FYI: I did one show of Parker visiting my mother-in-law's school, and my old school Faith Heritage School . The second slide show is the Bridal shower I helped host with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for the next Mrs. Riese, who will be marrying Mike's youngest brother, Phil, in May!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Happy Spring to all of you!

Jenn, Mike and Parker

Happy Easter

(Parker at our Neighborhood Egg Hunt (that I was in charge of)



We had a wonderful Easter with Parker! We went to the 9:00 service and had a wonderful time reflecting on all that God has done for us! Following church we brought Parker home (so he could get a nap). We had reservations with our neighbors at The Old Mill. It was a special day for us (and a nice first Easter for Parker)that we will treasure! It was extra special spending it with the Hoeyes!
Happy Easter to all of you~
Love,
Mike, Jenn & Parker

Let me hold you longer...

Today Parker is 7 months old~ and the book "Let me hold you longer!" is really starting to hit home to my heart.
We got this book at one of my baby showers from Gramma Riese!
It is a tear jerker! It really makes you treasure every moment and grasp the fact that we capture photos for all our childrens's firsts, but we never know when their lasts will be? Their last: of waking up in the middle of the night, nursing, cuddle moment, last time they bring you flowers (etc) will be? So the words were so true tonight as I got Parker ready for bed... and I thought"let me hold you for just 5 more minutes...because you might not want to rock to sleep in another month?!" I would really encourage all you mom's and dad's to get the book by Karen Kingsbury!
Here are some precious moments we have captured the past 7 months!

We love this sweet boy that God has blessed us with and we are so thankful to be chosen as his mom and dad!

Rejoicing,
Jenn & Mike

A busy and memorable week behind us!

Parker is finally better from his long stretch of the flu! It was about 5 days of being 'under-the-weather' and he really was sick. His fever finally dropped on Friday, just in time to celebrate Daddy's birthday! I took Parker to see Dr. McGee for his 6 month check-up and he will actually get his shots this week! He is 17 lbs 4 oz and 27 & 1/2 inches long! (Once again he is 50 % for his weight and 90% for his height!) He has stumped us...we thought for sure he was over 20 lbs...but he is just a solid little boy! He already has 2 teeth and is about to crawl! He is very tickleish on his feet (and he takes after daddy when it comes to that!)I am posting a video of him and Abbey! (She use to like him...until she discovered that he "moves" toward her!!!!! OH NO! Poor Abbey!)
Saturday, Mike turned 28 and we celebrated at a Partner's house (whom Mike worked under, when he was with PWC!-(They invited us to their annual BBQ and it was a nice way to celebrate Mike's birthday!) We took our neighbors and good friends, Rick & Lorelei Hoeye and Terry Hoeye & his girlfriend Hilary.
The day was a memorable one...and the weather was what made it a memory for sure! I am sure you have heard in the news that Atlanta got hit with horrible tornadoes. We had 2 tornadoes pass over us and the most memorable part was the hail (the size of 1/2 dollars) and me nursing Parker in the closet! We are SAFE and did not get any damage from the storms! We are really praising God for his protection!
Enjoy the latest videos and photos!

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Happy St. Patricks Day to all you Irish folks out there~
Jenn, Mike & Parker

Influenza ...

Poor Baby Parker has the flu! :(

Not a fun thing for anyone, led alone a 6 month old! He got the flu vaccine when he got his shots at 4 months but only the Lord knows how he picked up! I could lose sleep over feeling like the worst mom in the world and him getting the flu. But instead, we are glad we caught it early enough and hope not to expose others to it! He is old enough to go on infant's motrin and it could be 8-10 days before he is better! His Dr. wants to see him on Wed. to make sure the fever is dropping. His fever spiked to 102.2 today! That was when we had to go in to the Walk-in-center and found out it was the flu for sure, through the flu swab test! All that said, we have to keep him away from babies and we will miss watching Kayleigh this week. We pray that mommy and daddy do not get it! I got the flu vaccine in January, but Mike has not had it! So the prayer here is that we both stay well enough to care for him.

If you think of it, say a prayer for Parker!

Thanks so much,

Jenn, Mike and Parker

Parker's Easter Photos

Yesterday I took Parker for a "first" and did some photos with bunnies. I was not planning on doing Easter photos, but got a great deal. It was a fun part of my day. He was really good, and the photographer got a couple of smiles! (YEAH-since we rarely get him smiling for the camera!) It was a short, sweet and a first memorable moment (for me) !

Here is the link (below) to see Parker's photos with the bunnies.
Here are the directions to see his photos:
1. click on calendar and scroll to bottom of page to view online images
2.click on Quick Take Portraits
3. Finally Select "Riese"
4. type in password-Parker
ENJOY~
Blessings,
Jenn ;)
http://www.ltphotodesigns.com/

A Baby Shower for Parker's future girlfriend!

Last Saturday, we hosted a baby shower for our friends Samantha and Kendall. Samantha is my old co-worker. They are expecting their first baby in April (Girl-Marlee Grace)! We also like to call Marlee "Parker's little girl friend!" It was a couple's Baby Shower and made it more entertaining. Especially, when Kendall had to tell everyone what the gifts all were. (ie: he was unsure what to make out of the bottle brush!) They got great gifts (and the group gift we went in on...the car-seat) and made some great memories. Here are a few photos from the shower.

Parker Update:
Last week I took Parker back to the Specialist for another scan of his head. His head is improving on its own in the ( Brakeiocephaly ? I am not sure how to spell it ), (his head is starting to form properly. (It was shaped more like a melon ball and now it's starting to form more of an egg...the way it is suppose to look. But the (Plagiocephaly) area is still the same. We will go back on April 8th. They will do one more scan and then a decision will be made for a helmet or not.
We have reached a new milestone in Parker's life....he is sitting up all on his own! Which means he gets to sit in the shopping carts at stores and highchairs at restaurants! He is getting to be such a cute little boy and leaving behind his baby phase! (Makes us shocked at how fast the time has truly flown by!)
Tomorrow he is getting to do a photo shoot with live bunnies. I got in on a special with a children's boutique. ( they had a deal set up with this professional photographer http://www.ltphotodesigns.com/ )
This is where we are going~ ( click on information and you'll see some bunnies with children.)
I am excited...Daddy is not sure what to think of it! (Just leave it up to me to capture some special milestones!)

Blessings to you all and Happy March!
Jenn, Mike and Parker :)

I Love my book Gramma Riese!

Parker was 6 months old on the 20th and 4 days later he was sitting up! Here is the latest video of him in action. He loves this book from Gramma Riese because it lights up and plays music.

He is starting to get his first tooth.We can feel it trying to come through and he is being so good, despite the discomfort. Thank goodness for Baby Tylenol!
(Click on the red x if the video doesn't show up and it should go to the video)


Enjoy,
Jenn, Mike and Parker

Parker's first time in MI

Here is a scrapboook and a couple videos of our trip to MI! We had a great time!
Thanks again, Dad for picking us up and taking us back to the airport! Julie and Rob, thanks for ALL the hospitality!
Love ,
Jenn (& Parker)

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

6 months old!

Today Parker is 1/2 a year old! He is becoming such a sweet little boy and growing out of the "baby phase." It makes us sad, but so excited to see all his new changes. Litterally over night he just blossomed and became "Mr. Personality" much like his dad. He laughs a ton and is very content in most situations-even in the car (as long as he has a toy.) He is almost sitting up on his own. We just got him a new sippy cup and he is enamored by it and LOVES the juice coming out of it. I started making his baby food (about 2 months ago) for a hobby! He loves it all! He absolutely loves Squash, and that is one that I am not making right now.So ,we stock up on Gerber squash. No teeth yet, that we can tell-but I know it is just around the corner with all the drooling and nawing he's been doing. He has his 6 month check up in about 2 weeks. I think he is at 20 lbs already! I will let you all know soon! He is wearing 9 month clothing comfortably, but I am already getting out some 12 months too. (He is very long!) There isn't a day that goes by, that we do not Thank the Lord for him! He is such a blessing in our lives. Speaking of blessings...Mike has started his new job at GE and it is SUCH a blessing to have him home at night! PTL! He is off to a good start and we are so thankful for this new change.
Here are a couple more of Parker's latest photos (while in MI)... I am downloading all my photos from MI. (There a ton-that post will come shortly!)



Looking forward to the next 6 months with Parker...(yikes...the crawling is on the way!)
Blessings,
Jenn, Mike and Parker

Time as a family....finally!

Well, as you can see from my last blog...we have finally been spending time with Mike! We went to Don Pablos at 6:00 Friday to celebrate Mike's "freedom" from PWC. We have really had fun as a family and just enjoyed the time together. Although, I purchased a ticket 2 months ago to go to MI...and little did we know, that it would be the one week, Mike would be in transition from the 2 jobs! I told him he could come with us...but after hearing about the single digit temperatures and massive snow mountains-he quickly said "Nah-I think I need to stay home!" Besides that, my "honey-do-list" is really needing some attention!
Parker and I flew out this morning for MI! We had a great trip and are staying with Julie, Rob and Jack. This is the first time for Parker and Jack to get acquainted! It has been a blast already. Looking forward to the next 5 days~so many projects to do! Yet-I am feeling like the cold weather is already getting to me. Yikes, cold coming on and possible laryngitis! (Hopefully my sister's remedy of water, lemon, honey and vinegar will do it's magic! YUCK! Of course she had to laugh herself crazy as I was tortured with this concoction!) We are off to bed! I will post photos once we return!
Blessings to you all,
Jennifer

3 more (long) days...hopefully they'll go fast!

It has been quite a journey the last 2 weeks. Mike is into his last 3 days of working at PWC. I am physically worn out from being a "single parent" since Mike is not getting home until after 10 PM! I am so thankful for the new transition that will take place soon! I feel bad for Mike and Parker, not seeing each other! Our prayer is that with the new job (GE) will allow a few hours a night for Mike and Parker to bond! I do have to say that so many of my friends (especially Lorelei, Aunt Yvette, and Samantha have all helped me stay "sane!" They have been great to give me breaks when I've needed it!) I really do not know how single mom's do it? I am so thankful for the support that I do have from Mike overall and really appreciate it when he is here! I am physically drained and Mike (as you can imagine) is mentally drained from the world of "audit!" He is not really going to miss that at all!
Keep us in your prayers these next 3 days~ Thanks!
Off to put a fussy boy down for a nap...fighting it today!
Jenn

Here is Parker in action...eating a lemon.

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

I Love my Pedi-Ped's "Aunt Juey"

My sister Julie passed down Jack's, Pedi-Peds (shoes) to Parker. I fell in love with them instantly and have wanted another pair for awhile! They are not cheap, but a great shoe. (Here is Parker wearing the red ones from Jack).

Parents magazine had a coupon for free shipping on Pedi-Peds,so I opted to make this "must-have" investment in these shoes. I really have NOT bought many things for Parker at all! He got so much stuff from all his showers, and dear cousins! (Josh, Sam & Jack!) So, I splurged and made this nice little investment!
I LOVE THEM! They are real leather and comfy to be like a slipper too. My main reason is-he needed a great pair of dress-up shoes for Sunday. I also think he will get to wear them for Uncle Phil's wedding! I got the 6-12 month size...and they are great. I am in love with their boy shoes...but oh my goodness, the girl ones are adorable! (Maybe someday!)
We also love Robeez but Pedi-Peds are our favorite!
If you want the code for free shipping-just email me!
Here is Parker trying out his new shoes!
The hat is compliments of " Aunt Juey" too!




THANKS-for introducing me to Pedi-Ped's, Aunt Juey!
(I got a pair for Jack too, for his first birthday!)

Love,
Parker (& Mommy)

Back to the world of Soccer

Mike is a soccer player (big time) and always has loved playing it! He played on a league 2 years ago on Sundays & he's gotten back into it! It is a great workout for him since the work week consumes so much time! So off we go on Sunday afternoons to watch him play! Next thing it will be time for Softball!
Here is my soccer player....before to long we will have Parker out there too!



Here is Parker and Kayleigh bonding the other day while they were waiting for me to feed them!!




Blessings,
Jenn

No wonder it is called Domestic Engineer

What a day! I did 7 loads of laundry yesterday, dusted (discovered the ceiling fans needed it badly), and sorted out some old clothes! I was worn out after 4 hours of it! I have to say that I still found time to get on the treadmill and shower during Parker's 2 hour morning nap!
I remember the days when I loved to do all our "weekly" laundry! The first year we were married, I would make Saturday morning my "laundry day!" Well, that is in the past and no longer an option!( I don't miss having to go hunt down quarters for the apartment machines!) Well, I feel that if I now choose to take 1 day off of laundry, I am backed up for the next 3 days! So 1 load a day I must do! Of course, Parker being on food now means lots of bibs! But I am really thinking that I need to get a bib that is re-usable and cleans quickly!(There are some great silicone ones!) I think I will be making this a purchase real soon.
I absolutely love being home, but some days I am completely struk back at how fast the day went by, or in this case (what the daily activity was)!
So glad that I can enjoy the day today with Parker!
We are headed to Lunch with a friend of mine from my college BBC.(She just moved here!) I will post more about how we got connected in our church! (It is really neat-you will have to come back later to hear the story!)

Blessings to you all,
Jenn

5 months old!

Parker is a great 5 month old and I am getting a work out already with him!
I took him on Friday to see a physical therapist for his head & development!
He is developmentally doing great. His flat head in the back, is the result of how he positions himself while he is sleeping! We had a scan of his head and has a mild case, so he is most likely not going to need a helmet! We will go back in 6 more weeks to see how he has improved. (They will do another scan.) He is up alot more (and loves being in the jumperoo!) The more he is up and off of his head-the better it will form on its own!
Here is another photo album of some of his latest!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

On the homefront here-I am the new Neighborhood Social Comittee Coordinator! I am in charge of planning all the neighborhood events-primarily for the kids! I told them at the meeting, I can't do it alone! I had a sign up sheet for some of the yearly events and I got a ton of volunteers! I am praying that it is a successful year and the help will pull through! The first big event is the Easter Egg hunt! I am looking forward to it! It makes me laugh and wonder if God was preparing me in college? I was the dorm social coordinator for a year!
Enjoy the photos!
Jenn

"Goodbye, P.W.C.-Hello G.E!"

YUP! The title speaks words to all of you who know that Mike works for PWC! As of February, he will no longer be with PWC, but an official employee for G.E.~(General Electric)!
During December, Mike was interviewing all over metro Atlanta to seek a new job! This was a big step for Mike to leave now (since it is busy season), but last January he worked about 18 hour days and he can not do that to Parker (or me again!) More then that-he was bored with "5 years of auditing" and tired of the long hours and wanting to do more with his Finance degree. He posted his resume online and the recruiters began calling! He was overwhelmed at first ,but knew he was doing the best thing!
He actually had 5 job offers from the 2 weeks of interviewing! (He even got one right on the spot!)
-After all the interviewing,Mike was in awe of how well he could do by leaving the firm and how much more TIME we can have together! The new job is 15 miles from us! The benefits were outstanding and the position was a deep interest for Mike! He will be a Controller for the company! Our good friend Cari, works for GE and she was very encouraging to Mike about potentially working with G.E.! She shared the pros and cons and coached him during the whole interview process! After lots of praying and seeking out which way to go, it was best to go with G.E. He could have taken a job right here in Kennesaw, but we had some red flags and weren't as familiar with the company. We feel that because he made the decision to leave PWC and is striving to put the family first, God is now going to give Mike a 36% increase in his salary (with GE)! PTL! It will be a blessing to know that he is much closer and not coming home around 2 AM (like he did sometimes when he was on clients with PWC)! We are praying that he is happier in the end with this new field of work!
Please keep Mike in your prayers as he embarks upon this new journey with G.E.!
I have to say that I am very proud of him and thanking him publically for making this big step to make time for us a family!
I love you Mike! You will do great at your new job!
P.S.
Some of you have asked if Parker has to change his name since Mike is leaving PWC (which is Parker's initials) NO!!
Maybe baby # 2 (one day) will have G.E. as their initials! (We really do not plan the names based on Mike's job!) It was just a fluke with Parker!

Rejoicing for Mike's new job,
Jenn, Mike & Parker