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

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