Pickle Pucker

As I was preparing lunch to take to Jered's work, Parker insisted on eating at the counter right next to me. He feasted on a healthy snack of Cool Ranch chips (as is evident on his face and hands) and this picture was taken right after a big bite of pickle. Occasionally, I can get him to try a few pickle slices -- as close to vegetables as this boy is going to get right now!

Tool Time

When Jered mentioned he was going to get his tools to tighten the swing set, Parker ran to his room shouting, "I get my tools!" As you can see, he did get his toolbox but preferred to play with Daddy's real tools instead.

One Happy Boy and His Dog

Always a source of fun in the backyard -- blowing bubbles and having Prancer chase them.

Models in the Making

We had playgroup at the Cooney pool today and had such a fun time, as always! The title of this post is referring to the boys in the pictures and definitely not me.

Kissing Turtles

Parker's imagination has exploded lately. It is fun to watch him play and imagine and create things. Today, while we were playing with play-doh, he made the turtles walk, jump, talk, hug and kiss. This picture was taken right after he kissed the turtle.

Playing Chase

Parker thinks it is so much fun to try and get Tex to chase him around the house!

Getting Creative with Cars

With the horribly hot weather, no MDO, and me only a few weeks away from having a baby, we have been playing inside lots. Today I got creative while playing cars and drew streets and houses/buildings on Parker's Aqua Doodle. Our four locations: home, Daddy's work, HEB and the gas station. The places we tend to visit most often!

Surrounded by Construction

We literally have construction going on all around us, and Parker (and Daddy) love getting to watch all the big trucks drive by and do their thing.

Quick and Crazy Storm

This afternoon Jered and Parker sat on the back porch and watched the much-needed rain from the out-of-nowhere storm that rolled through town. Not long after I snapped this picture, the 40 mph winds changed directions and began blowing all the rain onto the back porch. Parker (and maybe Jered too ;) ) got a little scared and they came inside quick!

Saving Baby Bird

When Jered and Parker made a trip to the local nursery this morning to look at some plants, they came home with an unexpected surprise...a baby dove. They found the baby bird laying on the sidewalk and couldn't find the nest anywhere, so Jered did what any good veterinarian and bird hunter would do (right?!?) and brought the bird home. We already have a dove nest in our front yard in the tree behind Parker, so Jered just stuck the baby bird in that nest...with two other baby birds that are half the size. The momma bird hasn't kicked the "big" baby out yet, so hopefully they will all survive -- at least until dove season starts next week.

One Month to Go

The last 4-6 weeks are always B-I-G for me! I feel {and look} like I gain about a pound and an inch every day! I went for my 36 week check-up this morning and no exciting news to report. No dilation or anything going on yet, which is completely fine with me. I've still got a long to-do list before Ainsley can come!

Baby Seat

In continuing with our baby preparations around here, the car seat is officially ready for Ainsley. Parker even gave it a try! Now all we have to do is get it in the car. Hard to believe we are really that close to meeting Ainsley.

Five Hours of Fun

A little after 8 this morning, Kimberly dropped Creighton off to play for a few hours. She was able to take Griffin to the doctor and get some things done at home, and Parker and Creighton had so much fun playing together.


First item on the agenda was feeding the fish.


Then we played in the front yard/driveway for almost 2 hours.

Next stop was a snack and Mickey break.


Then it was out to the backyard for some more fun.

When we came inside, this is what the boys did while I made them lunch. After they had lunch, we took Creighton home and Parker laid down for an extra long nap!

Short and Sweet Visit

My grandparents drove down to visit today for a few hours. Parker had so much fun outside and playing blocks with Papa and reading with Grandma.

Parker Goes Potty

Today when Parker heard me flushing the toilet, he promptly ran into the bathroom shouting, "Parker go potty!" We got his shorts and diaper off and sat on his potty for a good 5 minutes. Nothing. The phone rang, I left to go answer it, and heard Parker's potty playing music -- the music it plays when you go potty in it. In the 30 seconds I was gone, Parker had tee-teed all by himself. I couldn't have been more proud of him. He was pretty proud of himself, too, as this picture was taken right after the big moment. Daddy also got home a few minutes later and was able to share in the celebration. He hasn't done it again yet, but he did sit on the potty trying to go last night for 10 minutes before he got in the bath.

Little Vacuum

Any time I get the big vacuum out, Parker insists on getting the little vacuum out to help Mommy. He is always such a good little helper!

Pretty in Pink

I bought some Dreft yesterday and got to washing today. This is what I've been doing to get ready for Ainsley's upcoming arrival. Love all the pink, girly things!

Brodie's Backyard Birthday Bash

We had so much fun celebrating Brodie's 2nd Birthday today!

Strawberry Smoothie

In my attempt to incorporate more fruit into Parker's diet, we have been making lots of smoothies lately. Some days he thinks they are great and other days he could care less about them.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

When Grandma came into town yesterday, she came bearing gifts for Parker. This is his new favorite book that he's reading with T-Ma and now it's a must read before bed every night.

Ainsley's Sweet Celebration

This evening some of my sweet friends hosted a wonderful baby shower honoring Ainsley and our family. It was such a special time with friends and family and got me really excited about having a little girl in our home so soon. I was blessed to receive all of my bedding, lots of cute clothes, bibs and socks galore, several adorable blankets and some other much needed items to get us ready for Ainsley's arrival.

Me with the fabulous hostesses: Stephanie, me, Kimberly (who was there one week after having a baby!), Nicki and Kendra

How Does This Happen?

This is what I found when I went in to get Parker this morning.

Six Years of Wedded Bliss

Jered and I spent our 6th wedding anniversary on the road for 5 hours driving home from Corpus. Romantic, right? I couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful husband and father Jered is and how hard he works for our family. I cannot wait to see the relationship between him and his baby girl in the coming months. Here's to six years of wedded bliss and to many, many more! Love you, babe!!

Way Past Bedtime

This evening we helped Jerry and Tracy host a wedding shower at their home for one of Jered's cousins. Guests stayed well into the evening and way past Parker's bedtime. This might be the second time in his life that Parker has seen what nighttime looks like, as he is usually in bed before the sun goes down!

Tech-Savvy Tots

Today Jered, Jody, Anna and Judd arrived in Corpus for the weekend. We were all there to help Jerry and Tracy host a wedding shower at their home for one of Jered's cousins. LOVE these pictures of our tech-savvy tots carried away in their own little conversation!

J-Pa's Sidekick

Parker spent much of the day (really most of the week) being J-Pa's sidekick. He helped J-Pa drive his truck and get water many, many times, drive the tractor, and deliver hay. Parker enjoyed every minute of getting to be outside and "help" J-Pa with all his chores.

Beach Boy

After my appointment yesterday, Parker and I left with T-Ma and drove down to Corpus for the week. This morning T-Ma, Parker and I drove to Rockport to meet up with Jody, Stephen and Anna for a fun morning at the beach. This was Parker's first trip to the beach and the boy absolutely LOVED it! You combine two of his favorites -- sand and water -- and he was in heaven.

Ainsley at 34 Weeks

I went to the doctor today for my 34 week check-up and an ultrasound. Everything looks and sounds great and Ainsley is weighing in at about 4.6 pounds. She is measuring about a week behind her due date, but the doctor said that was completely normal as long as she was within three weeks of her expected due date. He said the ultrasound measurements didn't give him reason to change the due date at this point. I didn't realize how difficult it is to get a good glimpse at the baby this far along in your pregnancy. Since the baby is so big now, you only see an arm here and a foot there on the screen. The ultrasound guy worked really hard and finally got us this profile picture. He also confirmed that Ainsley is still a girl. :)

A Buzz and a Bike

Here's a look at Parker's new buzz cut Daddy gave him yesterday.

Look What Daddy Did Today

Right after Parker woke up from his nap this afternoon, and his long hair was sticking up everywhere, Jered decided it was time for a buzz. Parker, still a little sleepy, was unsure about the haircut at first. Jered knows I prefer Parker's hair longer, but I told him he could be in charge of Parker's hair as long as he never shaved Ainsley's head!

My Mowing Men

If Parker is awake when Daddy's mowing and weedeating, he has to be out there helping!


Taking a water break after all that hard yard work! These days, Parker loves drinking from "big boy" cups.