14 Months

 

Wow this month has flown right  by. I can't believe Parker is already 14 months old, and has a big attitude! Gee I wonder who he got that from. Whats in the air?... we have a spoiled cute kid on our hands. I think he is definitely pushing my buttons to see how much he can get away with. He is going through two stages at once and they contradict each other. One stage is he only wants to be able to crawl/walk wherever and the other stage is he only wants to be held. He mostly wants to be held at home, which means its hard to get anything done. At church, sacrament has been tough. He wants to crawl under the pews and walk to the other kids. It wouldn't be so bad except for when we go get him he starts screaming and arching his back. Someone at church told Blake that from about 13 months to about 18 months is the hardest, since they just don't understand that they have to sit still. I have four more months of this...let the count down begin!

I just made him sound like a rotten child and hes not! He is super cuddly and sweet too! He loves giving me hugs and kisses. Occasionally he will give daddy hugs and kisses but he mostly saves them for me or the Newman kids! he he

His battle with walking is still going strong, some days he does better and can walk along time before falling over. He seems to walk better when we are at indoor play grounds or at stores. he needs something to encourage him, and everything at home is only crawl worthy! I read something the other day that said they look like a drunken sailor, I couldn't have explained it better.

He loves to talk and I have tried to get it on camera so you can hear how sweet he sounds but he's camera shy. He can say, what is that, I want some, and read it. Yeah those are full sentences, but he thinks they are just one word. I don't brag that he can say full sentences but right now I am! He just started the read it last week. He loves to read and would have me read to him all day if I really wanted to. I think I read to him a total of 2 hours a day, seriously maybe even longer. He actually picks up a book and hands it or throws it at me and says "read it". I love to read so I like that he like to too, I just can't wait until he can read to me instead!


He loves making sounds. When he sees a lion he says "ROAR", and makes monkey sounds, sometimes quacks and barks. For Christmas I read a Christmas book to him almost every night so he would kind of have an idea of what was going on. every time we said "Santa" we would follow with "HO HO HO". He started doing that if I said Santa, very cute!

He is doing so many fun things now that this post could go on forever if I could remember all the silly things he does. I am just so thankful that I get to stay home with him and enjoy every minute with him and not miss anything. I love being his mommy and I am glad I can give him my full attention!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did! On Christmas Eve we hung out with our good friends the Newman's. Thanks for having us over, Parker had a great time playing with Jacob and the girls!

On Christmas morning Parker woke up early as usual. So I feed him and then we opened presents. Santa brought him a activity table. He loves it. He actually played with it for a few days before it was wrapped up and put away. I won't be able to get away with that for much longer.

We headed over to my parents house to continue our Christmas morning. We walked in and all you could see was a heaping pile of presents for Parker. He is so spoiled. We are so thankful for my parents and brother, they go above and beyond to show how much they love Parker. He is one lucky kid!

We headed home with a trunk full of toys and put Parker down for a nap. While he napped Blake and I jammed out to our new  xbox kinect game, Dance Central. Neither of us are the best of dancers but we sure did have a blast playing!

We went to church for a lovely Sacrament meeting. The spirit was so strong, I think I actually teared up a few times. We are so Thankful for our Heavenly Father and the many blessing we have been blessed with. We are thankful for his birth, because of him we get to live such wonderful lives!

Just when you think we can finally go home to relax...nope we have one more place to go! We spend Christmas night with Blake's side of the family. We celebrated at The Elliott's new home, which was so cute! We all gathered together and ate Mexican food, and opened tons more presents for Parker. Thank you all for spoiling Parker. He loves all his toys! We exchange white elephant gifts every year and this year we actually walked away with some pretty decent gifts. Blake scored some Texas Rangers slippers and I got a key chain level and a pen screw driver, very handy!

After a long day we finally headed home to put Parker to bed. Blake and I stayed up and put his toys together for him to play with in the morning and watched Love Actually. We do that every year.

Merry Christmas!

Fight gone bad

The past few weeks Blake has been doing CIT (critical incident training). so pretty much weapon disarmament. Today he said I know how to take a gun away from someone if they are pointing it at me, and it's painful, for the other person. Well I sure hope so!

He passed off on his baton test last week. The instructors were dressed in the red man outfit and they had to go in fighting with their batons. I guess at one point the instructor took a hold of Blake's baton and they have to fight them off. Blake got him off by kicking the instructor in the balls. That will do it!

Today during lunch Blake called me like he always does and said they had to slap the crap out of each other. I guess the instructor wanted to make sure everyone wasn't afraid to slap someone. so they had everyone line up in two lines facing each other and take turns slapping each other. If the instructors saw someone give a wimpy slap they had to get slapped by the instructors. ouch. Blake had to get slapped twice since his guy gave a first wimpy slap and they made him redo it. So needless to say when it was Blake's turn to slap he said this is payback and gave the guy a nice slap. All my How I met your Mother Fans...Happy Slapsgiving!

I pretty much created this post so I could write about Blake getting slapped...I thought it was funny they had to do that.

Fight gone bad is a work out they had to do today. They say when your done with it is how you feel after a fight. Blake said he almost threw up. I won't be fighting with him anytime soon, I don't want to get thrown up on.

ONLY 2 MORE MONTHS!

Time to catch up on Blake's academy progress.

Lets see...He has completed a Spanish class. They only took Spanish for a week, a joke if you ask me. He pretty much learned the basics to service while he is on duty. He learned the alphabet,and numbers. They learned how to say things like shoot him, put your hands behind your back, slow down, and drivers license and insurance. He would come home and practice saying things to me and half the time I didn't understand what he was saying because it never sounded right. I definitely made him work on the accent part and rolling his r's. By the end of the week he was doing pretty well. I am a proud Hispanic wife! ha ha

He also completed a DAY, yes you read a day of sign language. The learned the basics, alphabet and how to sign do you need help, obey the law, and more stuff that I can't remember. I had already shown him a few things since I use sign language with Parker.

He had his 2nd mid-term and he got a 96. AWESOME! He is doing great on all his test and workouts. He truly is giving his all and that's whats going to make him such a great officer! I am lucky to have him as a husband and father to my children!

On December 3rd he ran with class 129 in the Jingle Bell run. They had to stay together as a class and sing cadences the whole time. Blake came home and said they were like celebrities. People would run up to them and give them high fives and bring them snacks and water after the race. He said a few people joined in while running to sing cadences. He had a great time!

Burr...It has officially gotten cold in Texas! temps have gotten into the low 20 recently and Blake has had to run 3 miles in it. Sucks and I know from experience...right Alycia. They were actually nice to them one day and didn't make them run when it was cold and rainy. Its the wind that's the crappy part. When the low would be in the 40's and 50's the guys all complained that it was cold and I keep telling Blake nope you don't know what cold is yet. Well the past week he got a nice taste of the cold! only 2 more months you can do it!

below you will see a video of the baton they gave Blake. It's lethal. I sure don't ever want to be hit by that.

He also has started wearing his bullet proof vest. They have them start wearing it now so it can form to their bodies.

speaking of body...He is turning into pure muscle! his body fat when he started out as 10% and now he has 6% body fat. That's really good. Woot Woot my hubby is hot stuff!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at our house so we didn't have to go anywhere! It was so nice! I enjoyed spending time with my family, huddled together watching movies and eating pie!In our home we don't wait until after dinner for our dessert! My mom and I spend most of the morning slaving away in the kitchen but it was fun! Parker had a blast being the center of attention as always!

We have along list of things we are THANKFUL for but most of all we are thankful for our little family! Parker has brightened our days and we are truly blessed to have a healthy, handsome, super smart boy!Parker also turned 13 months on Thanksgiving! He has still not started walking but hes getting there. He has taken up to 6 steps and then falls down. Last night he actually took off after a nativity set at his aunt Sherri's house, so he can walk he just chooses not to.

Even though I hate comparing him to other kids I am going to share Parker's 1 year stats.

weight 20 lbs, height 29", head circ 17.5

He can say more words than required too!

Parker loves his daddy!

 and his grandma! rolling around on us is his new favorite thing!

looking through the ads to see if there was anything we felt we needed. Shopping started at 10 p.m and 12 midnight...we ended up staying home. good thing because we went Friday morning and everything we wanted was still there!

Every year after Thanksgiving we put up our Christmas tree. This is Parker's 2nd Christmas but this year he gets to really experience it! As you can see he already like the box.

We started putting the tree together and he was pointing at it and saying "whats that". When we took the ornaments out all we hard was BALL...Ball. I think hes going to like Christmas!

Daddy being silly. stylish!

I made a yelling noise and he yelled back at me!

Look aunt Karen and Deanna I am wearing the overalls you bought me!

He looks so freaking cute!

Car in hand...all boy!

Parker playing after our Sunday Thanksgiving Dinner with Blake's side of the family. He had so much fun playing with his BIG cousins he was wide awake and didn't want to go to bed.

Just Aunt Christine

I am so thankful for the opportunity I have had the past 8 months to watch Devin. Being able to watch him was a huge blessing for my family and was the reason we were able to have me stay home with Parker! Thanks Rachel and James for trusting me with your baby boy, Parker and I will miss him!

As much as we will miss him, I am excited to only have ONE kid to watch now! Watching two kids under the age of one has been nothing but a challenge. I couldn't imagine having twins and pray I never have twins! For the past 8 months on days that I had Devin I was seriously changing diapers, feeding them, putting them to sleep, and saying NO all day long. I really am going to miss watching them play together though. Now that they are getting older they were starting to actually get along and play really well together.For a few months I was worried because Devin didn't like for Parker to come near him. I guess this  just means family gatherings will be special getting to watch them play!

I look forward to just being Aunt Christine!

Don't Drink and Drive

Last week Blake was learning about dealing with DWI's (Driving while intoxicated). On Thursday and Friday they had to take a live test, meaning they actually had to perform the sobriety test on drunk people. Blake really wanted our cousin Jared to go but he had to work...boo for working. So instead one of my friends Matt offered to help Blake out. Free drinks, we had to really twist his arm to go! Thanks Matt for going!

The Fort Worth Police Academy is one of very few academy's that still does this.  I think its a great way to better prepare our officers. Especially since drunk drivers are the leading cause of death, to bad they have to get several DWI's before serving any jail time.

The Academy provided about 400 dollars of good liquor for those drinking. They gave you two options, you could drink until you got to the limit, which is about 4 drinks or you could get completely wasted. Blake told me a few people were throwing up because they drank so much. He said it was pretty funny because they are stumbling all over the place. He told me one lady was so drunk every time they started the test on her she would try to act all serious then start laughing and couldn't get he to start. I kinda wish I was there to just watch, not drink. It would have been a very entertaining night.

Blake tried to practice the sobriety test on me one night but I failed sober! He said I lost interest to quickly. I was just drunk...from exhaustion that day!

Night shoot

November 3rd and 4th Blake worked from 1-11. They had to practice shooting at night. Blake had a blast. when he woke up the next morning he looked like a little boy on Christmas morning. He was so anxious to tell me all about it!

The first night he said they just practiced shooting at the targets. The second night was the fun night. He said they had them stand outside of the range for about 20 minutes and then they  had them come in in groups of 5. When they walked in they had barrels set up for the guys to hide behind and squad cars inside with the sirens and lights going off. They had to shoot at moving targets and maybe even moving from barrel to barrel. While they were concentrating on shooting they would shoot off fireworks and one of the trainers would come by with an AK ( I think that's what Blake said...I am no gun expert!) and would shoot it right by their head to try to distract them. Blake said they would also shoot off something that made the whole ground shake. He said it was AWESOME! I wish I could have experienced that. He has such a cool job, well until it get dangerous!

Parker's First Birthday Party!

Let me just start by saying I "SURVIVED" well barely! I really don't like to be the host and the one responsible for entertaining a crowd of people. I get so stressed and for get to eat, and think. I always make way to much food or forget to do something. This time I made cafe rio sweet pork burritos and I totally forgot to pull out the lettuce and tomatoes. I worked so hard at getting it all ready too...ugh.

Other than me going a little crazy the party surprisingly turned out very well. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time! Thank you everyone who could be a part of this special day! and those who couldn't be there you were missed.

The first hour pretty much we just let the kids play. My dear friend Amanda let me borrow her bounce house again! I so need to buy my own! The big kids pretty much stayed outside and the little ones played inside. Everyone looked so cute in their Halloween costumes!

Parker was a little skeptical at first to eat his cupcake but in the end really enjoyed it! I made gluten free cupcakes with sugar substitutes, but I couldn't bring myself to make anyone eat the sugar free cream cheese icing...gross. So he didn't get away with no sugar but a lot less than he would have if I would of bought him one. The things I do to make myself feel like a good mom...its so much work!

He loves all his new gifts! He has unwrapped a present before and had a blast so I am really surprised he didn't enjoy it more on his birthday. He doesn't do well with crowds like his momma! Thanks again for everything everyone!

After the party we headed over to our church for trunk or treat. We had a good time and enjoying spending more time with the cousins! The night ended pretty quickly after Niko feel and busted his chin open...I feel horrible. This is why I will NOT be playing with the kids anymore :(. I was the one chasing him when he tripped over his feet and fell. He had to get bonded back together because he wouldn't stay still for his stitches. I feel horrible, but now he will have a "cool" scar...i guess.

Half way done!

Last week was the half way mark for the academy! It feels like he has been in the academy forever. only three more months until graduation! How exciting!

They haven't been doing to much lately since they have been at the gun range. He qualified with the shotgun last week. Blake came home with a nice shotgun bruise. They had to shoot laying down and running too. Blake has surprised us all and has done such a GREAT job! I am so proud of him.

He also got CPR certified too.

well not much going on like I mentioned before. This coming up week should be fun they are having simunition rounds. They get to shoot each other like you do when you go shoot paint balls. More details to come after this week when I know what they really do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PARKER HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

On Friday, October 21st I took Parker to the Japanese Gardens to take his pictures. Let me just start by saying I have the cutest kid ever! He has such a silly personality and I love it!

I was running around like a crazy person trying to get the few good pictures I got. I don't know how I worked as a photographer for 5 years and kept up with all those kids. Parker is worth the chasing!

yesterday I was thinking about how a year ago I was running around like crazy trying to get everything ready for you since you surprised me and decided to join us TWO AND A HALF WEEKS EARLY! I was in denial for the whole morning until my midwife confirmed I was in labor.

This past year has been absolutely wonderful!

Dear Parker,

I can't believe today your turn 1. It still seems like just yesterday I got to hold you for the first time, you were so little! This time last year I was working very hard to bring you into this world. I was tired, scared, and anxious all at the same time. I could be upset with you for taking forever to be born but I'm not. After getting to know you this year I now know that's just part of your special personality. You arrived 2.5 weeks early, just like you chose to crawl early, and do so many other things ahead of schedule. You put me through 12 HOURS of active labor ( so worth it) just like it took you 6 weeks to sleep longer than 3 hours and in your own bed, and how you do things only when your ready...like walking...still patiently waiting for those cute baby steps by the way!

I want you to know that your mommy and daddy love you so much. You mean the world to us! You are so smart and I am amazed everyday by the things you do. I know you will grow up to be a very successful young man and we look forward to watching and helping you grow! I can't wait to see what the future holds for our sweet little family! WE LOVE YOU PARKER!

 

This past month you have enjoyed walking while holding onto our fingers and kicking the ball! you love playing with all your cars and your little friends, even though your play to rough and make them cry. We are working on that! You managed to swallow a battery that I never found. you will always be battery boy! I can't take my eyes off you because you get into everything, your so curious. You figured out one day that you could crawl behind the couch, thankfully you forgot about that or I would have one more place to clean. On October 9th you took two steps and mommy and daddy thought you would be a walking fool by now. you tricked us!You likes to stand and then fall forward and have us catch you.

you are trying to talk so bad, you loves the park where we go walking/running at. you points and yell duck at the ducks and birds! you can say duck, ball, hungry, water, and whats that. and so what if we are the only ones who know your saying that stuff!

you just got your 5th tooth. It's your top right middle tooth. you look like a jack-o-lantern! perfect for your Halloween. 

Today you actually may have a stomach bug :( Mommy had a fun play date planned but had to cancel when you showed signs of being sick.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER!