"Words of Praise" Wednesday

I usually post just a photo on Wed...However, here are a few photos with a deep appreciation of praise!
My long awaited Kitchen table has arrived! After 6 months of shopping and researching, I finally got the Counter Height Cherry Wood Kitchen table, I had been looking for! It also has a built in leaf! It was all on a great sale too at J.C. Penney Home store! Good things do come to those who wait! Over the years, (and since being married to my wonderful FRUGAL husband) - I have learned to not impulsively buy when you need something and have the $$. You really need to shop around and get the best deal for your money!
I am thrilled that I waited and searched for this table! I must give deep appreciation to my dear husband for taking 1/2 day off work to put it together! I hosted Bunko last night and had to have the table up in time for the event. (The table arrived at the store at 9AM yesterday and Bunko started at 7PM!) We ordered it 2 weeks ago, but had to wait for it to arrive at the store!
I am so happy to check this off the "needs/wants"...now onto the bedroom furniture that I am still searching for, for Parker's big boy room! (Just kidding Mike-I will wait a little while longer!)

Filled with praise,
Jenn :)

Sweet Pea's 20 week appointment

(Sweet pea with eyes closed and hand near face)

(Sweet pea with its right eye open)

I was a very good "wife/girl" today! Today, we had the long awaited 20 week sonogram.

(The popular visit that allows you to find out the gender of your baby!)

I did not give in to my tempting urge to know the sex of baby 2! As you all know, Mike, (MORE then me) did not want to find out the gender of the baby! It was very hard, but some good friends who have waited encouraged me not to find out- and I did it for Mike's wishes too! I LOVE you Mike!
So, we got to see the baby and looked away at the moment! "Sweet pea" is healthy and measuring 1 week earlier then expected. We are very thankful for the good report today. Long arms, legs and nice big belly. (Hmmm?-Must be all those donuts and sweets I have enjoyed!)
Beating heart during the sonogram was 144 beats per min./ Beating Heart when I saw my Dr. was 162! So, guess what you want....we will tell you on delivery day! Place your vote on our poll (off to the right side of our blog).

So happy the journey is 1/2 way over...Now for the Holidays to arrive (YIKES... so much to do between now and then) But so excited for January to come!

We can't wait to meet you little "Sweet Pea!"

YEAH! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Party Photos & New Beginnings

This past Saturday, we had a party with friends for Parker's 2nd birthday.
It was a combination of Elmo & Sports theme! The kids had a blast with Parker's new birthday present from Aunt LaLa & Uncle Rick, a water table! It was the perfect present for a 90-degree day! We also had a blow up jumper for them to play in as well! I was a little carried away with the goody bags for the kids. A week before the party I woke up at four am (my usual pregnancy potty time) and thought of Elmo Goody bags! (I was actually thrilled with how they turned out :) The real test passed when Parker ran to the bag saying "Elmo!" I had a friend from my M.O.P's group make Elmo cupcakes and the kids loved them but I think all of us adults loved them even more :) (Parker clapping when all were singing to him... it was SO cute!) We were so appreciative of all the friends that came out for Parker's birthday and of course he was blessed with too many toys ~but I am sure they will entertain for quite awhile. In addition, I put some away to bring out later :)! Thank you to all who came out to help us celebrate another year!
This coming Wednesday, Parker begins 2-year Pre-school, 2 days a week! It is called Mom's Morning Out and the title speaks volumes. As a stay at home mom, I cherish every moment with him. However, Mike and I also believe that he needs some good socialization. Therefore, our church offers M.M.O at a very reasonable price! I am thrilled that we will have Parker in this program, especially since we have a baby on the way. It might actually allow me some "down-time or bonding" just with sweet pea. He starts this Wednesday and Kayleigh will be in the same class-YEAH! They will go on Mon/Wed. I took him in last week to meet his teachers, Ms. Kathy and Ms. Melissa -he loved all the toys but was more reserved on speaking with them. I know he will love them and we are thrilled with the program and all that he will be learning; shapes, colors, numbers and most of all Biblical Integration throughout the program!
Every other Tuesday we will be at M.O.P.s-so, we pretty much have a schedule M-Wed each week! I am excited to start back up with M.O.P.s tomorrow! It is so refreshing to be amongst other mom's who can connect and share so many things that I am currently experiencing as well!
I must not forget to mention that we have a big ending to our week! We have our 20-week OB appointment with Sweet pea on Friday morning! It is also the big sonogram. I am sure you are wondering if we are we going to find out the sex. Well we are going to pass! Actually, I am currently hearing more and more couples opting NOT to find out the gender of their upcoming babies too and it makes me smile. There are not too many surprises in life. It really makes me anxious for January to arrive so I can hold our new little baby! I have added a poll off to the side of our blog for all of you faithful blog friends-tell us what you predict sweet pea is! We will share the big news on delivery day! Most of all, we covet your prayers for a healthy pregnancy the remaining 4 months & a healthy baby boy or girl!

Hats off to new beginnings,
Jenn :)

Big Boy Bedding

Now that we officially have a 2 year old, we are transitioning to the “Big Boy Room!” Our plan is to have him in the "Big Boy Room", Labor Day Weekend!
I have searched & searched & searched for the big boy bedding! Finally, we found the perfect bedding for our "All Star-Ball Lover! In addition, I will admit something I loved!

I ordered him the All Star bedding set from JoJo Designs. It is perfect for him to grow into. I did not want something that he would outgrow in a few years, so this is very fitting for our sports lover! We are putting him in the full size bed that is currently in our guestroom! I think he will be extremely excited to get into the new room! As you can see from the photo, he is in love with the comforter! I ordered it Monday and it arrived on Wed! I had it sitting on the couch for him when he woke up Thurs. When he saw it, he ran to it saying "Bas-et-ball-Shoot the ball, bay-ball!" Parker immediately pulled it off the couch and wrapped up in it on the floor!
My parents will be down for a visit when Sweet pea arrives! Therefore, I am going to put my dad to work! He is very handy and I have a HUGE list! One of the chores is for him to put up Bead board in Parker's room and I must not forget to mention the “Sports Ceiling Fan!” Therefore, the room will finally be complete in January! In the meantime, we have lots to do before Sweet pea arrives...biggest one being Parker into his big boy bed! Speaking of Big Boy, we had his 2 year check up today and he is growing TALL and staying the same in weight! He is 35 & 3/4 in. and in the (80 % ) and he is 27 lbs even. (40 %)! Looks like we will have a tall boy! We will post the photos of the Big Boy room as we gradually get moved in!
Off to put some Party bags together for his little Birthday Party tomorrow! :)

Camp BaYouCa & Parker's 2nd Birthday

We are back from our vacation to Family Camp @ Camp BaYouCa! Camp BaYouCa is special to Mike and me ~it is the camp we met at, so this was our first time to go as a family and introduce BaYouCa to Parker! We had a blast watching Parker explore and spending time with some of Mike's family members!
I am not sure how I shall sum up the MANY adventures.
Here is a list of some of the MANY adventures we experienced while on vacation!
We Stopped in MD on our way to NY to visit Uncle Brian & Aunt Courtney! We had a blast hanging out with them and celebrating Aunt Courtney's birthday.

• Sunday, we attended Mike's Family Reunion on his Mom's side and participated in their version of "Parker Idol"
(Some of the Parker cousins being goofy in the pool )


• Monday -Friday, We stayed in a cabin at Camp BaYouCa in 90+ degree heat and NO A.C. ! (Nevertheless, I survived it being 4 & 1/2 months Prego...with seven fans!)
  
  (Mike and his cousin Chad with their H.School friend, Shawn...(who met Parker for the first time).
  
• We celebrated Parker's 2nd birthday during the week with the Family and had a special Elmo cake and lots of Elmo gifts!
  
  
  

(Celebrating with some of the family...he LOVED everyone singing to him)

(Officially 2 years old-taken on real birthday 8/20) (Smiling happily with Nene (as he calls her that now) and Pa-Pa) (Opening his gift from Grammy & Grandpa Clark...he LOVED the book all about trucks and it made noise!)

• We had Parker's 2 year old photo shoot done at Camp, by a good friend of mine from College. Tiffany is the Assistant Directors Wife~...Check out her blog and work... (I will post his 2 year old photos when she gets them all edited!) Here are just a few of my favorites...


• During Family Camp, we had to adopt a family secretly! The goal is that you pray for them daily and do little things for them! As a family, you are to give daily clues that hint who you are! We drew Mike's Aunt and Uncle, it was a BLAST to play it up, and we gave them clues that had nothing to do with us.
  
• Mom R and I snuck off and got Pedicures during the week-so nice and relaxing!




• Mike and his Aunt Bonnie participated in the Dinner Theater at Camp. To make matters funnier during the play-Mike had a major crush on her!


• On the way home-we spent the night in Roanoke, VA. to stay with our friends from Camp, the Abrams!
• Mike learned how to Wake Board in VA!
  
• We got out on a double date with the Abrams (no kids) and had to much fun!





• We traveled a total of 16 hours... 2 weekends in a row! After all the hours and PACKED Car-we've discovered that we must now purchase a mini-van in the future! ~We have outgrown the Rav 4! (Sigh...I love my little SUV!)
  
  I am not sure if we are more happy to have the A.C. back or be out of the car!
  Over all -being away was a refreshing, relaxing and made us appreciate each other more and appreciate all that God has done for us and given us!

Jenn :)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Parker-roo!

Our sweet boy is 2 years old today!

We are amazed at how fast the year has flown and the amount of growth that occured in the past year within you! We love you, Parker, and are so happy to be your mommy & daddy!

We are having a great week with you at Camp BaYouCa!

We love you & God loves you even more!

We can't wait to celebrate the next year with you!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Parker-roo!

XO,

Mommy & Daddy
Here is the link to the video we made of Parker's 2nd year-Enjoy!
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=94f600ad10add71adf4f22&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Wordless Wednesday-17 weeks

This is so funny-

Each week an email comes in to me explaining the size of our baby....and sweetpea at 17 weeks is in size comparison to a turnip!!!

LOL

Sweet Pea

I was out shopping the other day for a few items for Parker's 2 year photo shoot, that we will be doing in NY! While I was focused on my list for things to get for the trip, I made my first purchase for Sweet Pea! As you know-Sweet pea is baby #2 nickname! I was in Gymboree & they had a swaddling blanket that has "Sweet Pea" on it! I was in shock....and of course I got it ! Not sure if I was more excited to get it for 1/2 off, or the fact that it says-"Sweet Pea!"

My good friend, Christy got me hooked on these blankets. She got Parker his first one~ so, now I am a huge fan. Looking forward to meeting our "Sweet Pea" in January!

In the mean time-Parker will be 2 in 10 days ;and we will be in NY for Family Camp!
Not ready for our baby boy to be 2- but he is sure already a typical 2 year old!
I just got his 2 year old DVD done and ordered tonight from One True Media. I am sure you are curious to see it-while you will have to come back on his birthday, 8/20 to see it!

Off to go finish laundry -so I am packed before Friday!!

Wordless Wednesday !

Hunter's Baby Shower

Mike and I hosted a couples baby shower this past weekend with 2 other couples. We held the shower at the home of the parents to be,Rich and Julie! They are expecting their first baby boy,Hunter the middle of September! This shower was with all of Mike's PWC friends and their significant other! Mike and Julie worked at PWC in Syracuse, then Julie and Rich moved down here 2 years after we did!

We really enjoyed hosting the shower with some of our other PWC/Syracuse friends! Always so fun to cater to the new parents! Looks like Hunter's can come now that they have all the important necessities...well Julie wants him to wait till September though!

Julie decorated Hunter's room from the Pottery Barn Chase Baby room..it turned out awesome! Hunter's room really does look just like the catalog! (Julie always does Top-Notch with her decorating!)

We had a full course meal, 30 guests, great games and that brought on some awesome entertainment!

(Some of the photos are interesting to look at...but you can tell we were playing some games!)

I was in charge of the invitations, ordering the cake and games ; we all split up the food responsibilities! What Julie did not tell me, was that 5 of her friends attending the shower were expecting babies too! It was hilarious to see the look on some of the "non-pregnant" ladies walking around! They all kept saying "Don't drink the water!" HAHA! So for the memory we got a photo of the pregnant mommies! Julie's baby is due first, then the rest all follow within weeks of each other. Our little sweet pea is last to arrive! The picture is hilarious as you look at the size of the bellies-raging in (almost 8 months down to me at 4 months!) Oh-and all 4 of the girls in front of me are having a BOY (September -November!) SO, that makes me think we are having a Boy too! But, then again we are having a 2010 Baby (and they are all 2009 Fall & Winter Babies)...oh the mystery continues till sweet pea's delivery day!!

From Left to Right: Me (4 months pregnant-due Jan. 20), Forgot girl next to me name: (6 months-due Nov.12), Amanda (6 months-due Nov 3), Sarah (7 months-due Oct, 6), Julie (almost 8 months-due Sept. 22)

Can't believe that August is really here!

Our boy will be 2 in 3 weeks-let the parties begin!!