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)

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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.

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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!

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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

January Days with Parker!

4 month checkup

Parker went to Dr. Mc Gee on Friday for his 4 month check-up! He is always SO happy when we go and ( clinging to me when we leave)due to his shots!
He is 15.4 lbs (50 percentile)and he is 25 & 1/2 in. long (75 percentile)! So he is doing great and Dr. Mc.Gee is thrilled with his growth! He is on food and LOVES to eat it! We have introduced cereal, pears, green beans, plums and this week,peaches and carrots! He was so funny on Saturday, he saw me eating some apple slices so I gave him a lick of it! He was so mad when I took the apple-slice away! Mike ended up letting him lick it, while I went and got some baby food for him! I think we have a baby BOY who will LOVE all kinds of food! "If it has flavor he happily accepts!"
On a more serious note-we have to go get some physical therapy for his head! Dr. Mc.Gee wants to make sure he is prevented from having a helmet in 6 more months! He has a flat head in the back-(basically as a result of a very deep sleeper...who sleeps around 14 hours a day;~9-10hrs.at night and then another 3 hours of napping!) So we will begin it soon and hope that more tummy time and therapy will prevent the helmet!!!
Today we were back to Kailee's! We go watch her at her house on Monday's, and Tuesday's she comes here!It is a great way to have a variety of toys for them...and it gets me going for the week. Here is a photo of her napping when she was here last! She is a great baby-like Parker! They love being together!

We are in the midst of getting back to the normal routine and Mike is back to work! We will keep you posted on life here in GA!
Until then-we hope the New Year has been off to a great start for you all!
Blessings,
Jenn, Mike & Parker

Parker's first New Year's Celebration with mommy, daddy and Friends!

Parker's First Christmas

We had a wonderful time in NY with the Riese family! Here are the photos that captured some of of time there! Parker was a great traveler and I had a fun time in the back seat, while Abbey bonded with Mike up front! We hope you all had a wonderful time this Christmas too!
May God bless you all in the New Year!
Jenn, Mike& Parker

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Christmas Letter -2007

WOW! Here we are again! It is amazing how fast the year flew by! Of course, this time last year-we had just found out the exciting news that we were expecting! The wonder of whom this "first" baby would be, would it be a healthy pregnancy and would he/she be with us for Christmas 2007?! Well, God answered our prayers and gave us Parker on August 27th and we rejoice for his healthy birth! At this time of year,we are reminded of the most precious baby given to us all, Jesus! He is the joy and the reason for the season! We are so grateful to God for ALL that he has done this year for us and we look forward to so many "firsts" in the next year with Parker.
Here is a reflection of the year for us:
Mike consumed more hours then he ever would have imagined with PWC and is grateful that the "distant-travel" to clients has dropped! He stayed involved with men's softball (and that is where we were most Friday nights)! Despite his crazy work schedule, he still finds time for Me, Parker (Abbey) and the good ol' X-box!
Jenn-finished out 7 years of teaching in June! We knew with the intense work schedule as a teacher,(the papers, being a leader of a team, (need I say any more) it would be so intense for me as a first time mom! God has allowed for me to stay home (financially) and do what I have dreamed of for many years- being a mom! It has been the most rewarding and challenging job! My day begins about 5:30 AM and I am ready to crash around 9PM! Yet, I have found the time and energy to continue playing "Bunco" in the neighborhood! It has been a great time for me to fellowship with the girls- and Mike to bond with Parker! ( I love the first Tuesday of the month!) I just took on a babysitting job 2 days a week! I watch a little 5 month old girl, Kailee! Her mom is a 3rd grade teacher (2 days a week) in the public school setting! I am BUSY these 2 days and yet, so thankful that God opened the door for a small job for me and some great socialization for Parker!
Mike and I have taken a year off of teaching Sunday School this year so we can focus on being "new parents!" We have been ministered to on Sunday's through the Young Marrieds Group . It has been a joy to have the prayer, support and hear their sides of being parents too!
Our letter would not be complete with out a few words about Parker and must we not forget "Miss Abbey!"
Parker will be 4 months old on Thursday! WOW! He is a blast! He has been very predictable with the sleep world- he crashes around 7 PM and he is up around 5 or 5:30! We are very grateful for the "sleepful nights" (knock on wood)! His personality is coming out more and more each day! He is grabbing for things and loves to smile when you sing to him! We can not wait for Christmas next year and see him "so into everything!"
Abbey has had a year of changes with Parker and my new schedule of being home! She has accepted Parker and has even protected him already (one night she was winning in his room, and basically told us he needed to be changed!) She LOVES having me home and being able to have time all day to chase her friends! She will always be our "girl-" but don't tell her that we love Parker more!

So here we are with Christmas just 6 days away! We will be joining Mike's family for Christmas and we are in the chaos of packing, (I am baking cookies like crazy) and wrapping gifts for my family. We would love to spend Christmas with all of you! We have really treasured the time so many of you took this year to visit and the gifts that were given as we welcomed Parker! It has been such a blessed year we have continually appreciated all the love and prayers!

May you all have a wonderful Christmas Holiday!
Love and Prayers for the new year!
Mike, Jenn, Parker and Abbey Riese

3 & 1/2 month old update

Parker is 3 & 1/2 months old~It is amazing how he has changed in just 3 months!
He is a drooler (big time) but a very happy ,baby boy! Mike loves to come home and have a "conversation" with him! It is really funny to watch them!
We are enjoying his new phases and looking forward to his first Christmas with Mike's family. With that said...Our biggest challenge is car rides...if he is tired he does not mind his car seat and will fall asleep quickly! However, if he is not tired-HE WANTS OUT! He does not like being confined to the car seat. So, Baby Einstein toys and some other gadgets have seemed to entertain him (from the top of his car-seat) for most of the car rides! Since this is our biggest challenge...we are planning to get most of the trip to NY done during the time he sleeps! (Looks like we will be driving during the night!) It will be an adventure!

Blessings to you all,
Jenn

Thanksgiving photos and time in TN

Here are the photos I have been wanting to share!
We hope you enjoy the photos.
Jenn

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