7516 is Coming Along Nicely.

Kevin and I have spent the last 5 weekends working on our new home and I could not be more proud of how things have turned out.  We have really put a lot of work into it and I can't wait to move in and make it home. 

Our entry way was a big project that we finally finished last weekend.  The tile is metallic and changes color!  I still have to pick a new front door.  It will most likely be bright yellow on the outside and white inside. 

The floors and carpet have also gone in.  We have ordered new cabinet doors and now need to work on tiling the master bath and boys' bathroom.  Hope to start the move in process next weekend.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Just A Photo of My Cute Kid.

I'm just like every mom out there, I think my kid is the cutest.  Here's a photo to brighten your Friday afternoon and weekend.

He's working hard on a puzzle that his Grammy and Grandpa Lewis sent him.  It's a big puzzle made up of images of Parker over the last 18 months.  It's so wild to see how much he has changed and a bit scary to see what we are going to be going back to in just a few short weeks.

Baby #2 will be making his arrival some time around the second week of July.  Ready or not, here we go!

Big Baby No Name

We had a bit of a scare on Monday.  I went in for a routine visit.  My doctor told me I was measuring small and asked me to get an ultrasound.  We had to wait three days to get an appointment.  In the mean time, I tried to avoid worrying about what this might mean.

Much to my relief, the ultrasound went really well.  Not only is Baby No Name doing really well, he is measuring almost two weeks larger than expected!  We have another chubby baby on our hands and only 70 more days until we get to meet him.

I wouldn't be surprised if our little surprise makes a grand entrance earlier than expected.  Early July, here we come!

Baby Big Foot

7516 Lighthouse Drive

We finally closed on our house!  Demo has begun and we are moving forward.  Kevin started by removing a small pantry between the kitchen and living room.  It wasn't very pretty nor was it necessary.

Wasted Pantry Gone

It really opens up the space.  We spent most of last weekend ripping out 30 years of old wallpaper as well. Not so much fun.  This weekend will be dedicated to prepping for paint and texture and starting to order flooring.

I am loving this process and can't wait to make this our new home. It will all be worth it in the end, especially with a view like this!

6AM on the Lake

Hide and Go Seek

Parker thinks hide and go seek is great fun, however he hasn't perfected his hiding skills.  He only hides for a few seconds and never manages to get his entire body hidden before he pops out and screams.  I have tried unsuccessfully to get him to just stand still.  This is my latest attempt...epic fail.

Serious Sweet Tooth.

Parker has a thing for sweets, a serious thing, and while I completely understand where is he coming from, I can't seem to get him to understand that M&Ms don't constitute a well balanced meal.

We are working on his little addiction.  Also working on brushing his teeth.  He likes to bite, hard.  I have started just giving the toothbrush to him, he has to learn at some point and I really like having all my fingers.

What a Great Helper?

Parker has really found his voice over the last few weeks and in doing so, he has also really become pushy and demanding.  He likes to point his little tiny finger and bark orders.  There's just one problem, his orders are in a completely foreign language and when his orders are strictly followed, he gets mad. 

One nice sunny Saturday afternoon, Parker helped Grandpa Worley wash the car and then Webber.  While barking orders, he had a bit of a fall into a rather large puddle of water.  I must admit, I found this hysterical.

His wet bottom did not stop him from giving orders. Parker had a job to do.  He quickly picked himself up and resumed right where he left off, fingering pointing and mouth moving.

When he was done, the car was washed, the dog was clean and everyone had a good laugh. Our little boy gets more fun every day.

One Senator, One Bank Robber

According to Alec Baldwin, when a family has two boys, the first one always turns out to be a Senator and the second, a bank robber.  Looks like Parker will be running for Congress in about 35 years while his baby brother will be running from the law.

We are excited to announce that we are expecting baby boy #2, received confirmation on Monday.  I knew all along, but Kevin seemed convinced this one was a girl.  The ultrasound of our little one went very smoothly, everything is in place and measuring well.  He even gave us a little wave while the tech attempted to get a profile shot.

Now, on to picking out names.  Suggestions?

Great Visit Home

It's been a few weeks since my last post and a lot has happened in our lives. Let's start from the last post, baby steps.

We visited Kansas City.  It was a nice escape and really nice to see family.  The last time we my parents saw Parker, he was barely walking.  This time, he was almost running.  He seemed to really enjoy himself and especially enjoyed taking Uncle Steve's dirt bike for a ride!

Parker took cycling very seriously at first but within a few circles around the back yard, he was riding with one hand, which really terrified me.  I think he is going to be a real dare devil, especially with his Uncle and dad's love for motorcycles. 

We also made the time to get Parker's first hair cut while in town.  He was a star!  I fully expected him to be a maniac in the chair, but he really seemed enthralled with the entire event.  He sat really still and just stared at himself in the mirror.  I was shocked. 

The end result was really nice, his mullet is now gone and he's a baby no more.

2012: What A Year It Will Be

2011 ended with a large bang and 2012 started with one.  I have never experienced so much change in just  matter of weeks.

Where to begin?  Kevin accepted a job offer in California, he had to report just ten days after acceptance.  I couldn't imagine packing up our lives in ten days, so I opted to stay behind in New Orleans to begin the job of packing.  Kevin was gone for three extremely long weeks.  Parker and I managed to survive, but just barely.  I was so relieved when Santa airmailed Kevin back to us on Christmas Eve.  I think Parker was really excited too, I could not have asked for a better Christmas gift.

We spent the week after Christmas packing up and headed out West on New Year's Eve.  Parker left a few days prior to us with his Grandma Worley and Lola.  Dexter made the trip with Kevin and me.

We are finally in Stockton and on the hunt for a house as well as a new job for me.  Thankfully, my job in New Orleans is keeping me on as a contractor worker.  This arrangement definitely works well for me, it's nice to still be contributing to the family.

Not only did 2012 bring us a huge move, but it brought a few other things for us...

1.  A potential career change?  While I am still actively searching the job market for a new job, I am also taking classes to become a teacher.  I will be able to apply for jobs this summer and potentially start working this fall.  I would really like to be a middle school math teacher.

2.  A new addition.  Yes, you heard that right.  We are expecting #2 in July, the 16th to be exact.  Should make for an interesting summer.  Parker is a wild man now, into everything and all over the place.  I hope that Kevin and I can keep up.

I'm ready for you 2012.  Give me your best shot.  I know our growing family will turn out better and stronger in the end!