July Adventure -Part 2 ...Beach Vacation!

We got away for 4 days to the beach! We actually went on a business trip with Mike, and made it a "vacation" Friday-Sunday! Mike had to visit a GE Plant in Dothan,AL. So we all left Wed. night to stay at a hotel and hang out for the day. We left Thursday afternoon for Port St. Joe, FL! We rented a beach cottage with our friends, The Fosters. We could not have picked a better family/friendly place. Parker and Marlee LOVED being together, getting into trouble together and experiencing the beach as well! Parker's first beach visit was in Feb (while we were on our Disney Cruise) but this time-he LOVED it (as long as Daddy or mommy were not being tossed away by the waves). We cooked most of the weekend and went to Panama City on Friday night to Pineapple Willies! (A must when you are in Panama City). Despite some rain on Saturday, we still enjoyed the local pool at Barefoot Cottage/Southern Resort, (where we stayed) and the time away from home! We hope to go back again next year!

This was our home away from home for the 4 days!

( Relaxing in the hot tub )

Every time we walked to the car....look where we found Parker!


(Parker and Marlee waiting for our table at Pineapple Willy's)

Dinner at Pineapple Willy's
Time for some fun at the beach...


(Check out Marlee's cute butterfly butt!)

Click on Photo (below)-it is a sign for "Parker, Fl"

July Adventures- Part 1

We kicked off the month with Mike's mom flying in for 10 days on June 30th. She just went home today. :( We also had a special visit July 4th weekend with my friend Christy, (who I met at college) and her family, from Clearwater, FL. ( Now that the company is all gone, I am reflecting on the past 10 days!) It is sad to have it so quiet here-but finally some time for me to catch up.
I always relish all the time I can get with my parents/ and Mike's parents visiting! Mom Riese really is a blessing to have around. I got a few mornings to sleep in (and I think I only bathed the boy 1 day the whole 10 days she was here, on top of preparing his meals too).
Here are the top 10 things she /we did while she was visiting.

1. July 4th -we had a BBQ with The Davis Family /then went to hear The Atlanta Symphony and the US Army Chorus, and saw incredible Fireworks.

2. She and I got out for a night alone to see The Proposal (...it was a great chic-flick movie).
3. I took her to my neighborhood Bunko
4. Went out for Mexican dinner with the Hoeyes

5. Celebrated her Birthday, at The World of Coke

6. Rented 2 Chick-Flicks (while Mike had prior engagements with work)
7.Played a TON in the backyard with Parker, (including blowing over 1,000 bubble for the boy)
8. I took her out to lunch at Bugaboo Creek for an early Birthday treat ,and she had to kiss the Mouse for her dessert!
9. We got Pedicures together
10. Found time to worked out at the YMCA.
As you can see I really do enjoy the time with my mother-in-law! It is a blessing that we do get along and have a great relationship. On top of all this-Parker loved having her here. Even though we would ask him to say "Nana" he would always say "Basketball!" Hilarious!
I think the biggest blessing in disguise while she was here was an unexpected Ultra-Sound for Sweet Pea (#2 on the way). I took her to my 12 week OB appointment. She never got to go to any of my appointments when I was Prego with Parker. So, the visit was to be a simple weigh in- and heart check on the baby! Dr. Pitcher could not get Sweet pea's heartbeat to appear from the Heart Doppler. I had a moment where I lost my breath (but in the back of my mind I wasn't to worried-since I am still throwing up over 4 to 5 times a day). So, Dr. Pitcher insisted on us going down the hall for an Ultra -Sound! Scary for me- but I was excited for Mom's first Ultra-Sound experience. (I of course was praying that Sweet Pea was fine and just being stubborn/ OR Sweet pea wanted to make sure that Nana saw him/her too, while she was in town?!!) Sure enough, a beating heart, kicking legs and waving an arm! Fe www eee! A huge weight was lifted off my chest, when I finally saw the beating heart! Mom, of course was in complete amazement with the modern technology today. Many of my friends are assuming that all the sickness (drama) and now the stubborn heart beat issue is making it out to be a girl!!! I am still thinking it is a boy! A girl would be sweet, it would even this house out and of course be a real blessing to us all. But we won't know till Delivery Day!!
Here are photos from our time with the Davis' family. It had been 10 years since I saw Christy. It was our first time to have our family's meet. We LOVED having them in town. The kids got along great and we hope that our next visit is much sooner then 10 years from now! :)

(Enjoying dinner out at Fusco's (without the kids);
Christy 31 weeks pregnant/me 12 weeks pregnant)

(Parker swimming in the pool on the 4th with daddy)Parker opening his birthday present from Hannah & Logan/he was mesmorized by the Thomas the Train toothbrush holder- He also got a super cute Gymboree Outfit for next summer! THANKS, Hannah & Logan!)

7 Years ago today...

I married the love of my life!

I must say that I love you, Michael, more then I did on our wedding day. The love has grown over the years! The trials and challenges have made us stronger and I appreciate you not giving up on me (when it has been my fault)! It is amazing how God directed our steps, and there is not a day that goes by where I regret marrying you! Thank you, for being a godly, fun-loving, hardworking (...that is understatement), humorous, laid-back, financial wiseguy, easy-going, supportive,caring, compassionate, and most of all PATIENT husband to me! And of course you have been the best father I could have ever imagined for Parker (and our little sweet pea on the way). I am so grateful to God for the godly heritage we both came from, and have been able to establish in our home! I pray that the next 20+ years to come will be growing, adventurous and most of all memorable years we walk together!

I love you!
Looking forward to dinner tonight with you!

Here is poem that I think is a recipe we are still creating...(and I must be the first to admit-you have more of the ingredients then I do)!

Hope this recipe speaks to many of you too!

Recipe For A Happy Marriage Poem
4 cups of Love

2 cups of Loyalty

Dash of Faith

3 cups of Kindness

4 cups of Understanding

1 cup of Friendship

5 spoonfuls of Hope

1 barrel of Laughter (You have about 10!)

Pinch of Forgiveness (no substitutions)

Dash of Thoughtfulness (not optional)
DIRECTIONS:

Take love and loyalty and mix thoroughly with faith.Blend in kindness and understanding, add friendship and hope.Sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Garnish with forgiveness and thoughtfulness.Bake with sunshine.Serve daily with generous helpings.

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!