The Big 2-7!

How in the world did I get so old all of a sudden!!! I suddenly find myself a lot closer to thirty than seems possible. Didn't I just graduate college yesterday? Its funny how becoming a grown up sneaks up on you. I woke up yesterday morning at 4:30 in the morning, looked over at my husband and my son (who was awake and grinning at me), and realized that somewhere along the way I became a woman without even realizing it. As I lay there in the wee hours of my 27th birthday, playing with little Parker who was in one of his wonderful smiley morning moods, I really felt proud of the adult I had become.

We drove up to Chris' parents house on Saturday and a few friends came over to help celebrate my birthday. We ate good food, played with Parker, and relaxed. Chris' family got me a crock pot and slow cooker recipe book which I am very excited to use, and Chris got me a gift certificate to Bath and Body Works, which I will definitely enjoy. Today Beth (my mother-in-law)'s whole family came over and we ate a Christmas feast and exchanged gifts. This was the first time many of them were meeting Parker, so he got passed around for everyone to inspect and admire. Everyone agreed that he is wonderful and adorable. :)

The evening wound down, everyone went on their way, and now I'm the last one up on Christmas Eve enjoying a peaceful moment to myself. I baked some cinnamon rolls for breakfast in the morning and stuffed some stockings. This was the first year that I have been "Santa", which was a lot of fun. The torch has been passed and soon I will be the one creating whimsical memories of reindeers on rooftops and sleigh bells ringing. I can't wait to help create the same Christmas magic my parents always created for me as a child. Holidays suddenly have a whole new even more meaningful meaning.

This is also the first Christmas that I haven't been tucked snug in my bed at my parents house on Christmas Eve, which makes me a little sad. Along with the wonders of becoming a parent, there are also moments where you mourn the passing of your own childhood, which seems like just moments ago. I can only hope that I do as good a job raising my children as my mom and dad did with me. I think we're off to a good start, and are certainly learning every day.

I believe it is now Christmas and I better get a little sleep, so for now I will say "Ho, Ho, Ho,...Merry Christmas to All, and to all a good night."

HELLO!

AWWWWWWW....

SMILEY BOY!

Hey everyone! A few fun things to report this week. Parker has graduated from newborn size diapers to size 1! He has also lost all the hair on top of his head! LOL! Apparently a lot of newborns lose their baby hair and then it grows back a different color...strange! He has been eating like a champ and now has cute little chubby cheeks (I got mad at Chris yesterday when he called him a fat baby...he is pleasantly plump!). Parker is also starting to smile in response to us more. He wakes up in the best mood every day (he doesn't get that from either of us!) and coos and waves his arms around. It is so cute!

We had a fun visit with Leah last week...we went shopping, baked cookies, and went out to eat. Parker had a great time getting to know one of his aunties!! I also brought Parker out to Gainesville to meet all of my work friends and show him off to the kids. Everyone was very happy to meet Parker and to see me and we had a great time. Unfortunately I think we picked up a cold bug while we were there, because I got a cold the next day and Parker got a little congested. Luckily, he didn't get the full blown cold that I did, and we both seem to be feeling much better today.

Chris brought home our very first Christmas tree last week, and I had so much fun decorating it! I love Christmas!!! It is a beautiful tree, and Mom even sent out some of my old ornaments to adorn it with! I will have to take a picture of Parker with his very first Christmas tree. We got the tree in preparation for a 'Roaming Christmas Party' we were participating in. A number of friends in the neighborhood served a holiday drink and snacks and we walked from house to house. We served spiced rum cider and cheese ball. Both were a great hit! It was a very fun day and Parker was a sweet little thing all day long as usual. :)

Today I am enjoying some time to myself as Parker naps, and am getting some housework done. We are looking forward to spending my birthday and Christmas with Chris' family up in North Carolina. We also hope to see Chris' good friends Andy and Anna whom we have asked to be Parker's godparents. It should be a great trip!

Ta Ta For Now,

Laura and Santa's Little Helper (Parker)