Our June Day Adventures

We are staying busy and I am still feeling SICK most days, but not letting it keep me from enjoying the time with Parker and Mike! Hopefully, I only have 2 more weeks of the all day nausea and vomiting. I must say that this little sweetpea has made me much sicker, then I was with Parker! Some days, January seems SO far off-but before I know it summer will be over and the winter will be here!
A couple of weeks ago I had my friends over to make strawberry freezer jam. It was a huge success. Amongst the 3 of us-we made 38 jars of jam! So happy to have the freezer stocked with jam available for PB&J's for Parker!
Father's Day Sunday, we took Mike out to Mexican (his favorite), got him a new shredder and he went to play soccer that evening! Unfortunately, the day ended on a sad note for Parker. Mike was playing soccer near by, and I was getting Parker ready for his bath. On the way up the stairs he battled me (refusing to go) and fell-HEAD FIRST, landing on the tile floor! I panicked and called Lorelei to come and check him out. The 2 of us agreed that he should be checked out. His poor little nose looked broken. So, I called Mike My friend Samantha, had to get Mike off the soccer field-she was also playing soccer at the same park. We took Parker to the local Children's Urgent Care, and thankfully no broken bones in his head or face.Aside from falling, it looks like we have a climber too! We will be moving Parker very soon to his Big Boy room. He has already discovered how to climb out of his bed! So, it is just a matter of us getting the new furniture and the big boy room ready! (Oh the joy's of raising an almost 2 year old BOY-who is ALL boy!!)
Yesterday, Mike and I got to go to the Braves/Red Sox Games with our good friends, Chris & Meghan. They take us each summer to the Braves/Red Sox game -and Chris was very happy to see the Red Sox win! They have a little girl, Emma who is 10 months old, and she went to the game with us. It was close to 100 degrees and she was a real trooper! Parker stayed back with "Uncle Rick & Aunt La-la!" Thank you SO much for allowing us to get out and enjoy the game (despite the heat)! (Emma all geared up for the game!)
This coming Tuesday, Nana (Mike's Mom,) is flying in for 10 days! We are SO excited to have her visit. She always is a big help, and of course a free babysitter for Parker! She will be able to go to my next OB appointment and get to hear Sweet pea’s heartbeat. (When I was pregnant with Parker, she was never in town for the appointments, so hopefully it will be special for her to hear the heartbeat.) We are looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July with Nana and my good friend, Christy and her family. Christy and I went to college together. It has actually been 10 years since we last saw each other! We are so excited to finally re-connect and get the kids to meet. Parker and her son are 4 months apart. She also has a daughter, Hannah that will be 4 in September. We will be playing the day by ear-since the kids all take naps and just trying to enjoy the time together!
We hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Life at the Riese

We are staying busy and I am still feeling SICK most days, but not letting it keep me from enjoying the time with Parker and Mike! Hopefully, I only have 2 more weeks of the all day nausea and vomiting. January seems SO far off-but before we know it summer will be over and the winter will be here!
A couple of weeks ago I had my friends over to make strawberry freezer jam. It was a huge success. Amongst the 3 of us-we made 38 jars of jam! So happy to have the freezer stocked with jam available for PB&J's for Parker!
Father's Day Sunday, ended on a damper. Mike was playing soccer near by, and I was getting Parker ready for his bath. On the way up the stairs he battled me (refusing to go) and fell-HEAD FIRST, landing on the tile floor! I panicked and called Lorelei to come and check him out. The 2 of us agreed that he should be checked out. His poor little nose looked broken. So, I called Mike My friend Samantha, had to get Mike off the soccer field-she was also playing soccer at the same park. We took Parker to the local Children's Urgent Care, and thankfully no broken bones in his head or face. Aside from falling, it looks like we have a climber too! We will be moving Parker very soon to his Big Boy room. He has already discovered how to climb out of his bed! So, it is just a matter of us getting the new furniture and the big boy room ready! (Oh the joy's of raising an almost 2 year old BOY-who is ALL boy!!)
Yesterday, Mike and I got to go to the Braves/Red Sox Games with our good friends, Chris & Meghan. They take us each summer to the Braves/Red Sox game -and Chris was very happy to see the Red Sox win! They have a little girl, Emma who is 10 months old, and she went to the game with us. It was close to 100 degrees and she was a real trooper! Parker stayed back with "Uncle Rick & Aunt La-la!" Thank you SO much for allowing us to get out and enjoy the game (despite the heat)!
This coming Tuesday, Nana (Mike's Mom,) is flying in for 10 days! We are SO excited to have her visit. She always is a big help, and of course a free babysitter for Parker! She will be able to go to my next OB appointment and get to hear Sweet pea’s heartbeat. (When I was pregnant with Parker, she was never in town for the appointments, so hopefully it will be special for her to hear the heartbeat.) We are looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July with Nana and my good friend, Christy and her family. Christy and I went to college together. It has actually been 10 years since we last saw each other! We are so excited to finally re-connect and get the kids to meet. Parker and her son are 4 months apart. She also has a daughter, Hannah that will be 4 in September. We will be playing the day by ear-since the kids all take naps and just trying to enjoy the time together!
We hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Wordless Wednesday !

D.D.=1-21-2010

Family time and Friends

(All BOY and creative!)

(Catch Dad!)

Parker and Mike have really been bonding with the "basketball" these past few weeks! According to Parker, Basketball is pronounced "Baket-ball!" Here are some photos to show how fun it is to play with Daddy, after he gets home from work! (OH-if it is a ball it is automatically called a "Baket-ball") Notice the football in the photo -He actually is working on saying "football" but it comes out more with a big head shake and "t-ball"! Mike has been coming home earlier then his 7:00 / 7:30 usual ,to take advantage of summer days. I have been trying to have dinner ready for all 3 of us by 6 . We LOVE eating on the patio and enjoying the family time! Parker is so happy when he sees daddy come home ~he is totally a Daddy's boy!

On Monday, Parker and I went to TN to visit Joy & Trey. David was headed out on a rafting trip with a friend. So, that allowed some great one-on-one time for Joy and Me! (And of course we allowed a ton of play time for the boys!) We took them to the local mall and let them run around the in-door play zone! (It was perfect!) Parker was worn out by the end of the week! Yesterday, he took a 4 & 1/2 hour nap! I was getting worried for a while -but then I realized his napping and sleeping were ALL off at the beginning of the week! I was thrilled to get some projects done!
Wednesday, we went over to Kayleigh's and hung out with her and her new baby sister, Caroline! Parker checked out Caroline for a few minutes but then got right to business (toys that is!) Parker and Kayleigh love each other so much and had fun playing in her backyard with her little pool and summer toys! Tonight we get to watch Kayleigh and Caroline so her mommy and daddy can have a date for their upcoming anniversary! So happy to help out and allow them FREE childcare!

Tomorrow we have another birthday party to go to-and it is a Firetruck theme! I think Parker will LOVE this. Following the birthday party (Parker will get his nap). Then we are off to the neighborhood pool party! Always a fun time and never a dull moment with Mike's presence in the crowd! LOL ~We may not have family in town-but our friends (who often treat us like family) sure keep us busy and on the go! :)

Kicking off the Summer

Last week, Parker and I went to an in-door play place called Jump-Its! (We were suppose to be at Noah and Sailor's house swimming. But, the rain changed those plans for us!) So, we met Noah, Sailor and Sweet little Charlotte and Marlee at Jump-Its! It ended up being a great plan B. We mommies sure got a work out too! I was convinced that I did not need to go to the Y that day, since I was chasing my 21 month old around. Aunt Sam, really got a BIG work out-she took the kids up and down the slides and I took photos! Thanks,Aunt Sam! A funny moment of the day was when, Parker was really thirsty and could only reach mommies 7-Up! So he got a nice shower when he reached for it off the table...LOL!

(Sizing up each other!!?? Hmm-who is taller?)

Saturday, I had a baby shower to attend for a MOP's friend! (Forgot my camera, can you believe it?) However, I loved being out to celebrate with some of my MOP's friends, and Shannon(as she gets ready for Baby #4) ~She is a role-model to me! Following the baby shower, Mike, Parker and I had a 1st Birthday Party to go to for, Luke! It was so much fun to watch Luke dig in and eat his first cake! He sure is a boy after his momm'y own heart (he LOVES his sweets!) Congratulations to Todd and Shawna too, on making it through the first year!

(Luke sitting in his new wagon that Parker and Marlee got him for his birthday!)

Tomorrow, Parker and I are leaving for TN! David, Joy and Trey are in from AZ visiting his family. So, of course we have to take advantage of a visit while they are on this side of the country! It's always fun to see the boys together! Praying that Parker travels well for the 3 hours trip! I usually time it with his naps (finger's crossed he gets a good 2 hour nap.) We will be back Tuesday night (just in time for me to play Bunko in the neighborhood!) Trying not to miss a beat here! I will be crashing by the weekend-I am sure!

Wednesday, we are headed over to Kayleigh's house to finally play! It will be fun to see Parker explore baby Caroline. He has only seen her once (and it was for a brief minute.) I will let you know what he thinks!

As you can see, we are staying busy and so happy Summer is here!

Wordless Wednesday!

May Moments

I forgot to post my "Wordless Wednesday" photo and this is what I meant to post:

We spent Memorial Day with our Syracuse Group Friends! We had a cook-out with all of them at Chris and Erin’s house! Chris left some food on the grill a little too long (hence the photo of Erin, his Fiancé holding up the overcooked hot dog.) Despite some over-cooked meat, we still had plenty to eat and enjoyed getting caught up with each couple! Everyone was clearly entertained by Parker’s presence and his latest interests!

On Tuesday, we had a play day at Ellie's house! Parker loved hanging out at Ellie's. Ellie is a friend from our MOP's group. She had some exciting toys with Elmo and that was the highlight of his time ....or slamming doors with Tucker? Needless to say-it was a close tie. The boy was entertained. LOL! We always enjoy eating lunch and playing with our MOP's Friends!

(Ellie, being a big girl in my shoes)

The week before Memorial Day, I took Parker to the Atlanta Zoo with some Mom's in my MOP's group! Parker was fascinated by the entire collection of Abbey’s (Abbey: a.k.a. "Animals")! We stayed for about 2 hours and then it began to rain! It was the perfect 2 hour visit since Parker, still requires a good 2 hour nap! Thankfully he made it ALL the way home without falling asleep in the car. He ended up taking a good 3 hour nap that day. I was a happy mama!

We are amazed that June is just 2 days away and that means.....SUMMER...Yeah!

We have some exciting events coming up ; a trip to TN to visit with the Ashworths, Father's Day, a visit with Nana(flying in the end of the month), and a few other things we look forward to sharing with you soon!
Jenn :)

Wordless Wednesday(+a few words) & 21 Months

Big Sister, Kayleigh meeting-little sister, Caroline!

Caroline Elsyn Kaiser

7lbs 1.Oz

19 inches long

We are so excited for the Kaisers and for big sister, Kayleigh!

Parker can't wait to meet you!

Parker is 21 months old today!

In the last 2 weeks he has been fascinated with "Buh!" (a.k.a.Books)

Each morning when he wakes up he wants to read a book, look at it, laugh and then carry it around the house! (Hmm-I wonder if his mommy was/is a teacher?) So glad that it is finally kicking in to "love books"! We are so excited for this! Maybe story time will be his favorite time at Pre-school ?!

Can't wait to see your "Wordless Wednesday Blog!"

Baby Caroline's Birthday??!!

Kayleigh's Mom and Dad are expecting their 2nd Baby girl and today is the day! I got a phone call at 6:30 AM and I was SO excited. About 15 minutes later, we met downstairs (I passed off my camera (happily-since Liz can't find her charger for hers) and they gave me Kayleigh! We will have a fun day with her till her grandparents arrive from AL! Please keep them in your prayers as she is in labor today. We are not sure if Caroline will be born c-section or vaginally. As of last week, Baby Caroline was still in the transverse breech position! I told Liz, as soon as she gets to the hospital to have them do an ultra-sound! My younger sister, Julie, was in labor for over 6 hours with my nephew,Jack. He had been breech for a few weeks and they didn't check her when she arrived at the hospital. He was still breech after she labored 1/2 the day! So, fingers crossed that Caroline has flipped ! Praying that she has a healthy birth and hopefully a vaginal one! But, Craig & Liz are fine with the c-section. They just want her to arrive healthy-like any great parents would wish!
I will keep you all posted!
Jenn :)

Wordless Wednesday!

(I tag all my blogging buddies to do this too!)

(Thanks for the awesome idea Lindsey!)

Mother's Day Moments

(Mother's Day-2009)
I still am amazed at this huge blessing, yet vast responsibility to be a MOM! I was just reading today, that a Stay at Home Mom, would make a salary of over $130,000 a year for ALL that we do! WOW!!! I am sure it goes up for the more children you have! However, I must say that it is rewarding enough to not get paid and just see the daily firsts like: exploring caterpillars, bugs, dirt and this great thing called a stick, walking backwards for the first time,recognizing characters on t.v., drinking out of a cup, throwing/ fetching a ball, speaking new words, reaching up for a hug, smiling at something funny...the list goes on! These moments have been priceless and the joy he brings to me each day is so rewarding and worth not getting a paycheck. Mike and Parker found many ways to make me feel important yesterday, and here are some memorable moments that we shared:

Moment 1:
8:15 AM (I get awakened by Mike )

M: Jenn, I think it is suppose to rain by 10 AM. I really want to make you breakfast in bed, but I want to get the lawn mowed first!

J: OK! How about we get Dunkin Donuts today!!!

(We used to get it often on Sundays and I LOVE their vanilla chai tea)

M: OK! That works for me! Are you sure you don't want me to make you breakfast?

J: Nope-donuts is what I would LOVE today, but more so,the vanilla chai!

(To make this funnier, Mike got the yard mowed in 1 hour and it did not rain till 4!)

So we managed to leave the house by 9;45-got our donuts and my chai tea by 10:00 and we were 15 minutes early to church!!! WOW! We need to do that more often!

Moment 2:

When I picked up Parker from his Sunday School Class, I was greeted with his usual grin and a special gift! This is the first project he has ever made me and it truly melted my heart!

Moment 3:

We made a special trip to Costco for steaks ,but somehow I was in favor of this instead! Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs (and they were sampling them and we LOVED them!) The great thing that made this moment so memorable-was we fed P samples of peaches, meatballs and yogurt~ (YUP-that was a meal indeed for him-and we got home just in time for a nap. HAHA~ So, Mike and I had a nice quiet afternoon and a great meal! It was a delicious meal cooked all by Mike. (OK, I assisted a little~I told him mashed potatoes would be great with it-so I showed him how to make them)

Moment 4 & 5

Sweet flowers from the sweetest guys in my life And ....of course the gift...and it is a REAL Coach BAG!

He gave in and finally invested in the purse/bag that he said he would never get. (And he had a little help from my great friend, Lorelei, who happily picked it up at the Outlets...but it is the gift thought that counts right? Not how he got it??! HAHA!)

He always knows how to make me feel special on Mother's Day!

I am so thankful for my teammate MIKE, and my biggest supporters/cheerleaders, my Mom and Mother-in-law ! Your love and encouragement thus far has gotten me to this point and I am forever grateful for you both! Thank you for making this journey easier with all your support! I have so many other friends too, who have helped this journey be so refreshing at times too! (Thanks for all the breaks so many of you give at the just the right times-(Lorelei and Sam especially!)

Thank you, Mike and Parker, for making the day so special!

I love you both! :)