11 Months old (and 1 week...later)

His favorite place to look out!
(His latest thing is to bite the lip!)
Hanging with mommy

(Look who's 11 months old!)


Last Sunday Parker turned 11 months old! That was the day we were beginning our journey home and the journey was a tough one!


He got ill on the way back (vomited all over the car...45 minutes before we got to my friends in OH!) Friday, I found out the high fever (on and off) was due to STREP! The kid was fine on Monday and Tuesday and then started acting disinterested in food and spiked a fever by Friday again! So I knew it was time to head to the Dr. I knew there was a virus going around...but I am glad that I finally took him in!


He had strep last month and apparently picks it up easily. He has a high pain tolerance and only shows signs of "illness" by refusing to eat!


He currently weighs 20 lbs 10 oz...he has long legs and no waist! It is funny to get pants to fit the boy!


So here we are at 11 months:





His favorite food: Mac & Cheese /or Chicken nuggets


Favorite Toy: Daddy's mouse out of his computer bag


Favorite book:Good Morning., Good Night (another touch & feel book)
Favorite game: hiding under Blanket with Daddy (or playing....Peek-a-boo)


The crawling has become a daily ritual and you will see his favorite "hangout" on the video!


We are getting ready for his first birthday clebration (here in GA) and will have a Baseball theme!
Looking forward to his first birthday....but still wondering where the time all went!


Jenn, Mike and Parker

Parker's Birthday Celebration in MI

Here is the 2nd slideshow of our time in MI!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Vacation Slideshow (#1)

Here is the first slideshow of our time in NY and Michigan!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Miles, More Miles & Memories from NY & MI!

We are home sweet home! (To be exact we had a grand total of 1,836 miles from Atlanta to (Marathon, NY, ;Marathon, NY to Zeeland, MI; Zeeland, MI back to Atlanta!)
Parker is taking (hopefully his 2 hour nap) and hopefully I can get caught up, laundry done and relax too!
Not sure where to begin or how to sumarize the 10 days of time with family into 1 entry!?
New York:
We left Atlanta and went to Mom & Dad Riese's on July 10th! Parker was enamored by all the exciting nick-nacks in Grammy & Big Poppy's house! We enjoyed a picnic on Friday night with some of the family and just relaxed! (Of course-Mike and his dad found time to get in some "tee-time")
Parker spent most of Saturday with Aunt Jackie while we atteded the wedding! It was nice to have a Date away and bond with Mom & Dad Riese!
We made sure to fit in time to attend our old church in Liverpool, NY! It was special to see many old friends and show off Parker! We had lunch with Mom & Dad Riese and then we onto our next road trip....
Michigan
We got to stop in OH and visit Mike's Uncle Dan & Aunt Bonnie before we made it to MI! It was a good break for Parker and allowed some good fellowship with family.
We got to MI @ 3 AM. We really do not like driving through the night, but we do know that Parker sleeps well and we get there much quicker.
Monday we made it out on the Family boat and enjoyed seeing Lake Macatawa and parts of Lake Michigan! Parker was so good and just went with the flow, each day as it came!

Monday night my mom got a call that her mother was in her last few hours of life! Grandma Wilson passed away on Tuesday morning! She was my last grandparent alive! It was sad that Parker never got to meet her, but we are rejoicing that she is in a much better place! Due to distance and timing we were unable to attend the funeral out in CO. We hope to make it out later in the fall and visit her gravesite! Many of you sent cards, and notes (via texting) and it was so encouraging. Death is never easy to deal with -but much more uplifting when we know they are with the Lord. I was so thankful that the Lord had me with my mom during the week, so I could be there to support her! Grandma Wilson was so supportive and I will always cherish her handmade goods, recipes, visits to MI (especially my graduation & wedding in NY), and all her love and prayers!
Despite the damper of Grandma's passing, we still made time to enjoy with family, friends and even fit in Parker's first birthday party (1 month early!)

Saturday I went and picked up my friend Samantha and her daughter Marlee . They were in MI for a wedding and she willingly agreed to drive back to MI with Parker and I (since Mike had to fly back in the middle of week for work!)
We had an adventurous time home! Parker and Marlee traveled well -despite Parker pooping and throwing up *(everywhere) 45 minutes before we got to my friend Cari's house in Cinncinati! (We were staying for the night at her house and it was a great 1/2 way point!) Cari was very hospitable and handled the baby "chaos" well! Parker had a fever of 102.5 so I took him to a walk-in center.I wanted to make sure he didn't have strep! Luckily it was just a virus and he was in much better spirits Monday morning. The 6 hour drive home on Monday was a little longer (due to stops for stetches and eating)-but we made it home safe and were never more excited to see the GA sign!!!! I can not thank Samantha and Marlee enough!!!
We both agreed not to take Parker and Marlee anywhere Tuesday! A day at home and chilling is so great after 2 days of travelling!
I am so thankful for the time with each of the family, and glad that Parker was so good-(even though he was cutting teeth most of the 10 days!)
I will post 2 slide shows of our weekly adventures!
Glad to be back and chilling today,
Jenn (& Parker)

Traveling the midwest...

We left Thursday night to head to NY to see Gramma & Big Poppy Riese.
We stopped in Knoxville to see Joy,David & Trey on the way to NY! It was a short and sweet visit! Parker slept for 9 hours of the 14 hour trip , so we were very thankful! We just got him a new car-seat and he loves it!
We are here in NY (Mom & Dad Riese's) attending a wedding today! (The wedding is for a friend Mike went to HS with and he was in our wedding.) So we wanted to be here for the event. Parker gets to spend the day with Aunt Jackie while we are away at the wedding.
Sunday we are leaving (once we visit our old church) for MI to see Grammy & Papa Clark and traveling another 11 hours ! We are looking forward to finally getting out on the family boat and having Parker in MI for his first summer!
I will post photos and share some highlights of our adventures once we get home!
Do pray for the trip back to GA (on the 20-21st). Mike is flying home on Tuesday, July 15th! With his new job he couldn't get a whole week off, so I will be staying for the rest of the week to visit more with my family. My friend Samantha who lives in GA will be in MI on the 17th for a friends wedding and she and Marlee (her 3 month old)will meet up with us and drive back to GA with Parker and me! Thank goodness I won't have to do the 10 hour trip alone! We plan to stop in OH and visit a HS friend of mine (and this will break our trip up)!
So hence the title....traveling the midwest!!!
Blessings to all,
Jenn, Mike & Parker

Parker's First July 4th

Parker had a nice normal day and didn't even know it was his first 4th of July!

To young to go out and see Fireworks, but happy and content to just be himself.

Here are a couple photos of him meeting us for Lunch (after the Race)-Aunt Yvette brought him to the restaurant to meet us.

We had a nice resting day (and he took a nice long nap for us too) as we tried to recover from our race.

We chased Parker around (litterally) & ate sausages,chips and watermelon.

I have a video (that I have tried to load 3 times... but won't upload!) I posted it on Facebook for all my Facebook friends and there you can see Parker's latest crawiling adventures.

Fireworks were heard all night but we settled in bed by 10 PM.

We were content and happy to be home celebrating as a family.

We hope you all had a nice 4th of July!

Blessings,

Jenn, Mike & Parker

Peachtree Race....here we come!

Mike and I will be running/walking the Peachtree Race tomorrow, bright and early!
We wouldn't be able to do it together, if it were not for Aunt Yvette! She will be watching Parker while we run the race.
I have been training for 5 months and will be able to run a good 3 miles. Mike just pulled a hamstring in Softball this week, so he won't be running much! If you do not have running times from previous races-you automatically go into the walk/run cateogory or get in the groups 3-9!
We are doing the race with 6 other friends-so we will see who we end up with at the end!
I will post our experiece and photos after the event!
Looking forward to the experience and eating some yummy pasta tonight!
(A must before a 10k!)

We wish all of you a Happy 4th of July!
Jenn, Mike & Parker

UPDATE:

WE DID IT! It was an amazing experience, and I am so glad that I pursued this challenge and completeted it! There are no words to express the feeling when you look up and see the letters: FINISH! (Knowing all that we had just done and personally never doing it before was a moment I will always remember!)

I ran the race with my friend Samantha and we walked about 2 miles of it -broken up and ran the other 4.3! Mike walked the whole race and enjoyed his time with his IPOD! It would have been fun to run it with him (but injury wouldn't alllow) so he had me go on and aim for this goal that I wanted to reach!

Now that the race is behind me, that wonderful Mother's Day Spa Gift Certificate is calling for some needed attention!

I will make use of a SO needed massage today!

YEAH!

6 Year Anniversary

Today we celebrate 6 years of marriage!

What a joy it has been to be married to you, Mike! I love you and consider it a real honor, joy and privilege to be married to YOU! Thank you for being a godly, fun-loving, energetic, & most of all lovable man! You have been an incredible friend, husband and father! I have cherished the last 6 years of marriage and can't believe that we have been together almost 10 years!

Tonight we got out to dinner at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant! (One of my favorites)~The dinner was a real treat since it was just the 2 of us! We had a great time reminiscing over some of most memorable moments! Special thanks to Scott and Audrey ( some of our PWC friends )for watching Parker while we had a nice dinner ALONE!

Such a gift that we treasure....now that we are parents!

I look forward to 40 + more years with you!

XO

Jenn

10 months...

and crawling!
I posted a video of Parker crawling (below). He just got the hang of it this week! We thought that he wasn't going to take an interest. He sure loves to go for Daddy's Blackberry...and that has really got him movin
Parker's latest trends besides crawling and eating cords...
Favorite snack-white cheddar cheese puffs
Favorite meal-Mac & Cheese (and he must feed himself...see photo below)
Favorite Book-Any book we read & he can chew
Most quoted word-"DADA" (*sigh...only mama when he is upset!")
Favorite game: Patty-cake
Favorite toy: mini keyboard (HE LOVES MUSIC)

Happy Belated Father's Day to the 2 best dads! We feel so blessed to have each of you in our lives! You have been so supportive and encouraging to each one of us over the years! Thank you for being great role models for us! Mike's first father's day present is Atlanta Braves Tickets! Mike is not to keen on going all out for him...but we will be going Monday night to celebrate "Father's Day!"


We have been BUSY and hence the reason for no blog last Sunday! Mike was playing Softball and we went to watch in the HOTlanta weather.The house didn't feel cool when we returned from the hot day! I called a local AC/ & Heating company and we got the sad news that our AC is out (downstairs) the compressor died! (Obviously ,we knew it was almost time-it is the original unit! The good news is that we own a 2 story home and have 2 AC (central air/furnaces) so the upstairs is cool! After 4 quotes from different companies , and an exhausting week of praying and choosing-we finally will have a new furnace & AC unit next Tuesday! It is like shopping for a car...you don't just pick any one! We are Dave Ramsey fanatics and have the Emergency Fund in place for these BIG purchases, so we are grateful to the Lord that we can pay CASH for the Furnace & AC next week!
So you can see he is getting big and starting to look like a little boy! Uncle Phil and the NEW Aunt Miracle are in town this weekend for a wedding (she was in). So we have enjoyed the company! We hope that Summer is off to a great start for all of you! Off to bed ....and upstairs where it is Much cooler.
So glad Tuesday is just around the corner and we will have AC again -down here!

Blessings,
Jenn, Mike & Parker

Nebulizer Baby

YUP! We just bacame the owners of a nebulizer today! Parker has been coughing on and off for 2 weeks now. Of course, he had croupe in April~so I have been thinking "it never got better!"

So, I called his Pediatric office this morning (knowing his pediatrician was on vacation) and I took whoever we could see)! I was impressed with the Dr. we saw today. She was very thorough and walked all over the office with him to see if she could move him enough to hear the "Asthma/wheezing" sound! (She jumped to investigate him well because I told her that I have asthma!) ( I didn't realize it is so heriditary!) She heard the horrible cough and investigated his ears and then the throat......was beating red! My instant thoughts "Oh dear...Not Strep... 5 minutes later nurse says "YUP, STREP!"

Sure enough his visit today for what I thought was a "cold or upper respiratory infection" turned into Asthma and Strep! "Mommy wasn't ready for that shock ,since he is only 9 1/2 mths!" The Dr. diagnosed his Asthma and got us a Nebulizer-so today we began treatments(we hope he will be good 3 x a day for 2 weeks!) He got his first treatment in the office and was a gem! (5 nurses were standing around and in "awe" of his happy spirits,even though he looked like Darth Vadar and was confined to a face mask!) Tonight he wasn't so keen about the process!?!
So our happy baby has a very high pain tolerance! I had no clue about his sore throat, and fever!I felt so bad to get all the news today. He still has been sleeping 10-11 hours each night, but the coughing has progressed! I am thankful that I am a very detailed person and I pay attention to the littlest things! I think God has blessed me in this area, and of course given me that natural "mommy instinct" (it obviously helped me to protect Parker from getting worse). Thank you, Lord!

We will see how he is doing in 2 weeks! I am very thankful for great health insurance and that we didn't have to pay for the nebulizer!

Following the Dr. we were at the pharmacist to get all the medicine and antibiotics! And next thing I knew it was nap time....we missed a good time to go to the pool. He slept the afternoon away~(poor little guy)!

Looks like we will wait till next week for the pool!

Jenn ")

Sweet moments...

Here are 3 of my favorites thus far...
Here is the latest of him swimming at the pool. We got him this raft and he LOVES to float around in it! He giggles if we go under water and sneek up on him. Unfortunately, it has been TOO hot to be at the pool during the day! So, we have been going around 7 PM! Looks like we have a little "Nemo!"

I am sure he will be mad at me when he is older for posing him by "flowers!" (Notice the classic "Mike" smile!) Many of you know that I love Hydrangeas & I love this sweet boy of ours...so I had to pose 2 of my favorites together!

Here is a video of him & Mike in the pool!

Happy Summer to all,

Jenn, Mike & Parker

Anniversary Celebration on Broadway

( Good ol' NYC pizza)


(Notice the "RIESE" below the TGI Friday's-we were very proud to see our name there)

Mike and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary on the 29th! So we decided to take advantage of free babysitting by Gramma! We went to NewYork City (following the wedding)to celebrate ! We decided (after much convincing and searching for good tickets) to see the broadway musical "Mama Mia!" We were TIRED when we got back to the hotel, but it was the best date we'd had in awhile! We didn't waste anytime while we were there!

Mike's older Brother Brian, and his wife, Courtney also joined us! We had to take a bus to the city and then we walked about 5 blocks. Once we found the theater we devoured some good ol' NY style pizza! There is this thrill that you get when you are in the city! MaMa Mia was fabulous. We could not have picked a better show! (It was a fun perk being 8 rows from the stage too!) We highly recommend all to see it-if you are looking for a good broadway. It is full of humor, romance, and advanture.
Thanks Mom Riese for watching Parker for us! It was a wonderful celebration and we truely enjoyed the date-it would not have been possible with out your help!

Thanks Michael for going to see the show. I LOVE YOU! Can't believe it has almost been 6 years! I know it took some convincing and I am so glad we went.

Jenn :)

Baby Phil is married!!!

We went to New Jersey for Phil's wedding, last weekend! Thanks for all the prayers! The wedding was beautiful and Miracle was an elegant bride. It rained for about 10 minutes during the (outside ceremony) ,but the memories and wedding itself measures more then the little rain! Her father is recovering well from his by-pass surgery! Miracle's father sent a charge to Phil and Miracle (via-email) with words of wisdom and a special blessing to them as they embark upon their marriage. All were moved to tears as her brother read the letter. We were so happy to be there and share in their special day!

Parker was a trooper-considering that he only got 1 nap a day! The flight to New Jersey was short and sweet, but the flight home was delayed 1 hour and 15 minutes! (Never fun with a 9 month old-but he slept over an hour coming back~so we were thrilled!)

We are looking forward to seeing Phil and Miracle in just 3 weeks. One of Miracle's bridesmaids is getting married here in GA, and they will be staying with us that weekend!



Congrats Phil and Miracle. Welcome to the family,Miracle!

We love you both,

Jenn, Mike & Parker

(Enjoy the photos in the smilebox!)
(I did one slide show of the rehearsal and another one of the wedding day!)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Growing like a weed...

(Drinking Juice while we wait for Dr. McGee)
(Parker giving Dr. McGee a photo of him for her board!)

Last Wednesday I took Parker to Dr. McGee for his 9 month well-check up!

He loves to see Dr. McGee (and I could not have asked for a better Pediatrician) and nurse Shayla (even though she gives him the shots)!

He is such a happy boy whenever we go for his well-check-ups and we love to visit (and flirt) with all who are there!

Parker is 29 inches long (75 %) which is the height of a 12 month old -and a perfect explanation for the 12 month old clothes!)

He is slowing down on his weight...He is 19 lbs & 5 oz (40%)! I just stopped nursing him and he takes a bottle or sippy cup very well! His iron count was down! Hopefully with some good green vegetables( he is not to keen about them) and similac at night, his iron count will be back up in August!

Can't believe we will be celebrating his first birthday in just 2 & 1/2 more months! WOW!

Blessings,

Jenn

Triple prayers needed

I am in the midst of making a list of all the things I need to take to New Jersey for Mike's youngest brother's wedding! We did this "family wedding-thing" when Parker was 9 weeks, and here we are again-but now he is 9 months! We fly out Thursday afternoon, and it is coming quickly.
This weekend, Phil will be getting married to Miracle! We are excited for them and know it will be a beautiful day. Unfortunately, Miracle's mom passed away 2 years ago and her father is having Open Heart surgery today (in the Phillippines) so he will not be able to give her away. Please pray for Miracle as this will be a bitter-sweet time for her! She is gaining the most wonderful in-laws and yet, her parents unable to attend one of the biggest days of her life. I will post photos when we get back.
My heart's prayer has been for the loss of two families!
As many of you know -Christian Artist, Steven Curtis Chapman lost his 5 year old girl (last Wed.)! It was a tragic event and yet a STRONG reminder that "Life is but a vapor", and I was reminded today in the book of Jeremiah "that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." God has a special plan for each one of us! Live each day to the fullest!
The other family is the Stroud family (here in our neighborhood). Courtney Stroud (17 years old) just graduted Saturday from our local H.S. and was killed yesterday at 1:00 in a car accident (1 mile from our neighborhood)! I went with my neighbors to the site of her accident and attended the memorial service. I did not know her personally, but had seen her in the neighborhood at times. It appears that she was a believer and had a very strong faith! Once again, another reminder that our life is in God's hands! We do not know when our last day will be!
In moments like this (as a parent) it makes me hug& cling to Parker more and more! More importantly these moments have me seek the Lord and ask him to comfort the ones who have lost their child! I can not imagine the void and loss!?
If you are a parent, hug your child and thank the Lord for each day with them! (Even if it has been tough, long and tireing).
So these are my thoughts and prayers lately!
Thanks for letting me share my heart and thank you for all the prayers!
I will post photos when we return from the wedding! Tonight Joy, Trey and another friend from College are coming for a visit! We have alot going on before the wedding and the clock is ticking! Off to finish cleaning-packing-laundry-(ahh the list keeps going!!!)
Blessings,
Jenn

Look Who's 9 Months

YUP-just 3 more months and the big 1 year celebration will be here!

We took this photo on Mother's Day (just before we went out to dinner!) It was to funny not to post! Do you think he looks like he has his mind all made up?

He is not interrested at ALL in crawling. His cousin (Jack) decided not to crawl either around this age (until after he began to walk!) Parker does loves to stand and I imagine he WILL be into walking really soon!

I posted a recent video of him "dancing" to his keyboard! HE LOVES music and sings "AHHH" to any musical sounds he hears!

Update:

He came down last week with "Hand,Foot and mouth" virus. He got it from the church nursery,and he was pretty miserable Monday & Tuesday. He had a really sore throat and a HIGH fever of 103 on Monday. So we took him in and found out that's what it was!

This week he is back to normal and doing great!

Can't believe 9 months is here! We have had a blast with you Parker!

We love you!

Mommy & Daddy

Mother's Day Blessings...(2008)

First Mother's Day-2008





(Here is a photo of Me & Parker, my friend Samantha & her sister Audrey with their girls! )

Mike and Parker really surprised me on Sunday!

( I think I better brag a little bit...but it is worth it!)

Mike made Breakfast in bed for me~if you know Mike-that was a big shock. (Pancakes, eggs, toast and orange Juice) When he goes all out-he goes above and beyond the expectations! Following breakfast he had my gifts all lined up and I had to open them up in order (1 from Abbey, Parker and then Mike)



He and Parker got me flowers, a new watch and a big shock ...$100.00 gift certificate to any spa of my choice. Yup, my wonderful frugal, awesome husband (but really Parker) got all this for my first Mother's Day! It was a special first Mother's Day. (Abbey's gift was a Michael Buble -CD-I like his music every now and then!)



It is a JOY to be the wife to the most wonderful man in the world, (who may be a frugal CPA-but so giving at the most unexpected times) and mother to the most precious baby boy!






Thank you to both of you!
Forever Grateful...

Jenn, (a.k.a. "J-Lo", sweetlips, and Mommy!)



Now to choose which spa and when to go?!

If Babies could talk...

it would make life so much easier!
At the beginning of the week, he was waking up a couple of times! (And that is not the Parker we know~ He is a deep sleeper!)
I should have known...he was cutting his top 2 teeth!
In March his bottom 2 teeth came in ! So, now he has 4 teeth total. They like to come in 2's too! Now we know when he is up-he really has an issue! I happily gave him some motrin the last couple nights and he slept great!
Here is a photo of the cute little teeth! Not the best looking photo -but it shows the teeth!

Happy Mother's Day to all our friends and family out there!

I am looking forward to celebrating my First Mother's Day with Mike and Parker. They were gone for 4 hours today-(I was able to enjoy time at the Y and got a pedicure! That was a great gift there!) I can't wait to see what has been planned for the day! Mike knows I love my gifts and he really had fun with Parker ("shopping" today!) The best gift is the joy of being Parker's mom! The days are flying by-yet I still stop at times,and I am in "awe" that God has blessed me and chosen me to be Parker's Mom!

We truly rejoice for the gift of being his Mom and Dad!

A special "Happy Mother's Day" to my Mom and Mother-in-law! You two are a real blessing and encouragement to me!

XO

Jenn, Mike and Parker





(Mother's Day Boquet from Mike-He picked them because of the purple and hydrangea!!!) 2 of my favorites! YEAH -Mike!

Happy May

Last weekend was a long one for all 3 of us. Parker woke up at 4 AM Saturday, and was wheezing and crying (out of control). It was not his norm! So, we both got up (Mike slept in the recliner with Parker ) while I called "Aunt Joy!" I figured she'd be available ( since she is a nurse who works night shifts). She chatted with me and said it sounded like Parker had croupe! We waited till 9AM (he only had a low fever and was not in distress) and went to the walk-in. Aunt Joy and Grammy Clark were both right! He had croupe. The Dr. we saw, gave him an oral steroid to help clear the throat passage! We did the humidifier treatments too! He is doing much better-now if we could just clear up the running nose!?

Here are some long overdo photos of our time with Mike Parents!

In the meantime, I have been staying busy going to the YMCA, Parker and I have been attending Mike's (many) Softball games, and enjoying the warm spring weather.
(I came home last weekend from the Y and found this) The two loves of my life-sound asleep.

Parker's favorites (thus far):

Food-Pasta (or Gerber Chicken Noodle) & Yogurt

Snack-Cheerios and Gerber Veggie Bites

Game-"peek-a-boo"

Book-Fuzzy Yellow Duckling (He loves books that have things to touch)

Toy-anything that he can get his mouth on-but lately it has been "daddy's Blackberry!"

Here is a photo from today~When Mike saw what Parker was dressed in-he had to wear the same thing.

So, needless to say-"Like Father, Like son!"

Happy May to all of you,

Jenn, Mike & Parker

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