Happy Birthday Parker

So I am way late on this post but we have been so busy! I feel bad but none the less, here it is! As of November 15th, Parker is 1 year old! Oh my goodness! We have a one year old and a two year old.....CRAZY! I never pictured of things happening this way but am so thankful it did. Parker is such a great addition to our family. Tommorrow we go for the yearly check up so I will update with the boys stats then. But, Parker is pretty much done with the bottle and only takes one at bedtime right now, so not too bad. He is a walking machine, and is even starting to almost run. He loves to follow his brother around and laugh and laugh and laugh. You are also a great sleeper, which is just awesome! He is a snuggly boy and nothing is better then mommy or daddy, a blankie, and the thumb in the mouth. I love how you still like to snuggle and give loves and you have even started to give kisses! Your big blue eyes are mesmerizing and we can't help but love you to pieces!

Parker, you have changed our lives forever and for the best. You are your own little person and we wouldn't change anything about you! Love you always! -Mommy and Daddy

Dear Payton

Dear Payton,

Happy Birthday (sorry a day late), I can't believe you are two! Two years ago daddy and I were so excited to see you come into this world and it has been such a fun ride ever since! So much has happened for you in the last two years. We have moved, you've been in the hospital twice (scared mommy and daddy to death), you learned how to walk and talk (still working on that) and even begun pottying on your own potty, as well as many other things! You are so full of energy and are generally a very happy boy. You love following daddy around and helping him do things and then snuggling up with mommy when you are tired or just want some lovin. Your favorite things are choo-choo's and trucks and you can spot them from miles away. You love to read with mommy and daddy and look at books on your own. You are a very good big brother to Parker and even when it seems like you are annoyed with him you are always looking out for him and helping him out. Its crazy, I can't even remember what it was like before you were born. Well, I guess it was a little quieter....but sure not as fun. Happy 2nd Birthday and we love you so much and will forever.

Love, Mommy (and Daddy)

23 months and 11 months!

Update!

Payton: 23 months

• Likes to try and dress/undress himself, and don't ask if he wants help or else!
• Starting to talk more and become a bit clearer.
• Loves playing catch, and he has such an arm on him!
• Wears size 5 diapers, has miminal interest in the potty, but thats what we will work on next
• LOVES books and trains (choo-choos).
• Does not like people in costumes...yeah...Halloween should be interesting.
• Wears size 8 toddler shoes.

Parker: 11 months

• Has taken a few steps, stands on his own, but still thinks crawling is faster and/or easier
• Wears size 4 diapers (otherwise we have leaks)
• Says mama, nono, uh oh, and waves bye
• Doing pretty darn good at using a cup instead of a bottle
• Loves his blankie and thumb (like always)
• Is definitly a mama's boy, mommy can't leave the room without you going nuts!

Grad School

So, I feel the need to vent about Grad School. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it, but the workload is so getting to me right now. Not only do I have a minimum of 30 page paper due (a proposal for my grad project), I have to teach three more classes of student teaching in which I develop ALL of the content, have a paper in my online class due and a major project, all before December 3rd! Aghh, on top of all that I have our two boys birthdays Nov 10 and Nov 15th and we are moving into our house this week and I have MAJOR unpacking and organzing to do. And everyone knows that I need and thrive on order so I will be working on getting all that done right away because I am not built to live in chaos. Oh, yeah....and I work three days a week too! Ughh....I just keep telling myself take it one week at at time and that I should graduate in MAY!!!! Three years of working on my Masters and I will be finally done....done..done....DONE. Well, that was my venting! Sorry!

Quick Update

Well as many of you are probably wondering, yes we are still in the hotel awaiting the remodling of our new house to be complete, but we are planning on moving in next week! I am so excited you have no idea. It sucks having to pay for laundry, it sucks sharing a bedroom with the two boys (they are noisy sleepers!), it is just not home. However, I am thankful that we were able to stay in such a nice place and have a home that is now safe,clean, and much much nicer for our family to live in! Payton was officially 23 months yesterday! OMG! I know, next month he is two and Parker will be 1!! I can't believe how time flies. Well, sorry I can't update more, I am sure I will have lots to say in the upcoming months as many changes are in store I forsee (hehe). But don't worry, I still follow all of your blogs...I am kinda addicted :)

Falling into place....

Things in our life finally feel like they are beginning to fall into place. We officially sold and closed on our old home...which I feel good about....and have closed on our new house. Jeremy already got all the flooring tore out upstairs, trim and doors off, and the bathroom gutted. So, as soon as we get our updates/fixes complete we will move in. My goal is to be in there by early October. Don't get me wrong, hotel living has gotten a bit better as the boys have adjusted somewhat, but its not home and I don't want to be here any longer than necessary! I can't find my connecter thing to upload pictures since we moved, I probably packed it, so as of right now I can't upload pics. But, I will as soon as I can! Payton's doing well, no big news on him, except he has taken to pushing Parker when he gets mad.....yea...we gotta stop that. Parker on the other hand has gone from my great sleeper to my wakes up and screams bloody murder twice a night. Crazy for a kid that has slept thru the night since like 10 weeks old. I don't know if its the enviroment, that he hears everything in the room, as we are all sleeping in one bedroom, or if its a phase. He doesn't seem sick or in pain, so I don't know....ugh. Makes for a sleepy mommy and daddy. In regareds to school...I will be teaching my first lecture at Mount Mercy University on October 4th and am really excited to begin actually teaching (I am student teaching). Nervous yes, excited yes! Jeremy has been sooo busy with closing up lots of deals lately and then having a Parade home he represents, so thats good, but we miss him home every evening! All in all, everything is good, teh days ahead look great, and thats all for now!

Home.Sick.

Well, we have officially moved out of our house and into the hotel awaiting the closing of our new house. Not ideal, let me tell you. If the stupid mortage company would have just closed on our new house before our old house closed we wouldnt be stuck in a hotel for the next six weeks awaiting the closing and necessary fix ups before we can move in. I am so frustrated. I have been really sad all of a sudden about not being in our house anymore and I think its just because a hotel doesn't feel like home, but I am excited to have our new house and put our personal touches on it all the while not paying out the butt on our mortgage like we were doing! Its just so stressful with two kids, school, work, moving, ughh...I am just stressed. At least our room has a full kitchen, living room and seperate bedroom, but we are still all sharing one room for sleeping which sucks. Our boys are loud sleepers which equals no sleep for mommy! In other news Parker now has 4 teeth in on top (and still only two on bottom), he took one step tonght and stood by himself a few times tonight as well...he is getting so big! Payton is officially 22 months tommorrow and I can't believe he is almost 2 years old! Both boys have had a little cold the last few days but Payton has been down right crabby the last two nights, which a change in enviroment can't help that I'm sure. I just hope we can find a routine and make this our new normal for awhile...I just have to tell myself this is for the best and our current living situation isnt' forever. Don't get me wrong if it was just me and Jeremy, this would be like a fun little vacation, but that is what I am going to tryyy and make it for all four of us. Well, enough whining....better days ahead!