The One With Parker's Rough Day

Parker had a rough day today.

The kids usually come to the office with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then Eric is at home with them on Friday when I go in. This week since we are leaving to Portland, I'm working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday instead, with the kids there all three days, and Parker is having a terrible time adjusting.

He shut the door over his toe and pulled off the toenail on his middle toe on the right foot. Not the whole toenail, but the whole right side. I cleaned up the blood and then put him on the couch, turned on Toy Story, and put a bag of ice on it.

Then he pulled over a white board and the edge scratched up his face right under his left eye. Once again I cleaned up teh blood, put him on the couch to watch Toy Story and left.It's a little bruised now but mostly okay.

Then Parker was in Eric's office and smashed his finger between the chair and the desk. His middle finger was bleeding and is now quite bruised.

The other day, Parker, while in the process of potty training, jumped off the toilet and pinched his butt between the seat and the toilet base. I guess better his butt then the other side.

I used to think he was so coordinated. . . . .

The One With Preslie's First Word

Well it's official now. Besides the normal babble of "ma ma ma ma" and "da da da da" and "boo" Preslie has said her first word . . . .and you'll never guess what it is. =]

My first word was "fry" followed very quickly by "hot". Parker's first word was "more" except he said it more like "mow" but would sign it to, so we knew that's what he was getting at.

Preslie's first word was . . . . . . . . .

DRUMROLL PLEASE . . . . . . . . .






Minnie.




Hilarious right?
She got two Minnie Mouse stuffed animals in Disneyland. She always used to point at them and "oohh ooohhh ooohhh" until we gave them to her.

Now she just says, "ninnie" and points.

I love her cute little girl voice. For as loud as she is when she cries or yells or gets angry at us, when she talks it's so quiet and dainty. I LOVE it!

Also Sunday night, the 27th, she started walking. Well not really walking, or else that would be the title of this blog. But she will take a step or two without holding on to things. If Eric stands her up and I sit a few feet in front of her, she will take two very wary steps, and then stop, then sit down on her bum and crawl over to me. So she knows how to do it, she is just lazy I think.

Very exciting stuff for such a cute little girl!

The One With The Bananas

Bananas have become a hot commodity in our house. Eric and I have been trying to get the kids acquainted with all kinds of fruits and vegetables, dinner gets lame when the only variation is opening up a can of green beans or opening up a can of corn. Plus fruit out of a can is disgusting, so we always try and get fresh fruit, whatever is in season.

Parker is obsessed with bananas. He would probably eat ten a day if I would let him, and I would let him, if bananas in mass were as easy to get out as they were to get in . . . if you know what I mean.

This last weekend we got a Bountiful Basket. I hope too many people aren't reading this post as Bountiful Basket has become a family secret, and if too many people know about it, it won't be a secret anymore. Lo and BEHOLD there were two bunches of bananas in the box!

Eric picked up the box of fruits and vegetables at 7am Saturday morning. It is 9am Monday morning, and we are down to a half a bunch of bananas. If I break off a banana, Parker is suddenly at my feet with his hands outstretched saying "I want nana." I have to hide it up my sleeve or in my pocket or something.

This morning Eric and I stealthily snuck two bananas into our bag to go to work. Eric successfully got his banana down without Parker seeing him. I started peeling my banana while Parker was back in his room watching Toy Story. It's like he has dog ears. The first pull of banana peel and he was immediately right next to me asking for the banana.

I said, "But Parker, this is mommy's." And then I gave it to him anyways. I always feel bad for selfishly wanting things for only me - my Heath bars, time to get ready, my comfy bed in the morning - how am I ever supposed to teach Parker to share if I don't show him?

So I sadly handed him the banana and went back to my work. A few minutes later Parker comes back in with half of the banana in his hand and says, "Look Mom, I broke this nana for you."

I guess all my sharing has rubbed off on the little man. . . . and that banana was better than ever!


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In other news, we spent most of the weekend painting our room.

Eric and I have always loved the super modern look. I think anyone can tell that when they walk into our house, it's why we bought the house that we did! (We do what we can with it since it doesn't have concrete floors and cables for stair railings, but still we like it.) But recently we seem to have veered from the super cold modern look - like concrete floors, cables for stair railings, and monochromatic colors - to more of the organic modern look.

Our room started to look too cold, and drab, and the gray just didn't offer much variation. Pictures will come soon, but our walls were gray, with a multicolored gray block accent wall (sounds weird, but everyone has liked it) black and gray bedding, and black furniture. Can anyone say monochromatic? I loved the room, but it was getting old. We hadn't done anything different in it for the three years we have owned the house.

The walls are now a beige and we have very organic purple bedding. Amazingly, Eric picked out the bedspread . . . . purple and all. I will put some pictures up soon. So far the walls are painted, and the bedding is on, but as far as decorations it looks like our room is staged to sell, we have to finish hanging things.

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Preslie is sick. Poor little girl has had a terrible case of the runs for DAYS now. Eric called me at work on Friday and said that when she got up that morning she was covered in poo, all up to her shoulders, puddled in her footie pajamas.

Eric doesn't like changing Preslie. He thinks it's against nature. I tell him it's okay because he's her Dad. So naturally I thought he was exaggerating.

Well after a similar experience waking up with her on Saturday and Sunday morning I no longer think he was exaggerating. We have gone through an entire box of diapers - that usually lasts us an entire month. And now her butt is all red and raw and I feel so terrible for the little girl.

All she wants to do is watch Sesame Street.

The One With All The Shows

With the addition of Netflix, AppleTV and Vudu, and the cancellation of our satellite (since we weren't really watching it anyways) a whole new world of movies and television shows has opened up. We all have our favorites.

When Parker was little, there was nothing we could do to keep him still for longer than 30 seconds. He didn't like playing with pots, any of his toys, he woudl sit in his swing and yell until I took him out. It wasn't until we put on "Finding Nemo" one day that he sat for the entire show GLUED to the TV. It was UTOPIA! He still will sit and not move while he watches it, it's like a drug . . . . and I keep giving it to him.

Preslie has been harder, she keeps herself entertained amazingly, but I always feel bad that she's just sitting in some corner somewhere playing with dust bunnies. WELL . . . . Eric figured out the cure.

Preslie's new favorite show is Sesame Street. And she will sit, on her bum, cross-legged, with her blanket in her lap, sippie cup in one hand and binky in the other and just stare at the TV. I think she has a crush on Elmo.

Parker has a million shows he wants to watch. He loves Sid the Science Kid, which is awesome, cause if he watches mroe than one episode at a time while I clean the house I feel like at least he is learning something. He also loves Phineas and Ferb  . . . . . I love constantly hearing Ashley Tisdale scream "PHINEAS!!!!!!" Seriously, it is my favorite. And his new favorite today is Jimmy Neutron. I guess we will end up with a genius troublemaker for a son. We also just watched Dispicable me, which he has decided is called "Despicable Daddy" because he takes it to literally when Eric says it.

I too have found the joys of the "TV Series" category on Netflix. In addition to watching an entire Hollywood Video's worth of rented movies, I have watched the entire series of Prison Break, Friends, caught myself up on Bone's and Grey's Anatomy (I am very excited that both of these shows are currently in season) and have currently set my tastes on Pushing Daisies. Dirt, Cougar Town, and the Tudors are in my sights as well, although I am open to suggestions.

Eric . . . . he pretty much watches what I have on. I'm a hog like that. We tried watching Lost together, but honestly got bored after episode 7 . . . . . how long before something happens in this show? Besides that, we already heard that the series ends lame, major turn off. Then we tried watching Bone's together, but I got too into it and watched most of it without him. We watched a few episodes of Weeds last night . . . . Eric thinks its hilarious, I mostly don't know what's going on. . . . . we'll see how long this one lasts.

As a family we watch Bizarre Foods, or as Parker calls it "Czar food".

Good times. We will have well television versed children.

The One With All the Disneyland Pictures

Monday afternoon we got off the plane, grabbed all of our luggage (it is seriously amazing how much we had, a bag for Eric, a bag for Me, a bag each for Parker and Preslie, Preslie's car seat, a booster for Parker, a stroller) and went and checked in at our hotel. We threw all of our luggage into our room, an then walked to Disneyland.

We were lucky enough to be in the hotel right across from the entrance to Disneyland. Literally, you walked in front of our hotel, across the street, and there was Disneyland. It was awesome.

WE went on Peter Pan first. It is Kellie's (Eric's Mom) favorite ride. I love the ride, but I hate the LINE! And there is always a line! I love Disneyland. I love the experience, I love the rides, I love the food, but I hate the lines. We have learned that February and September are the best times to go to avoid massive lines. February because it is right after the holidays when so many people go, and yet still before Spring Break. It's warm enough in California that you can get away with wearing a t-shirt during the day and a sweater at night. And September is good because it's right after school starts, and most parents don't want to take their kids out for a week right after they start.

But lines are something you just have to deal with at Disneyland. A line to get your bag searched. A line to get your rented stroller. A line to get into the park. Lines to see the characters. Lines at the rides. Lines to walk down the street. Lines to get into stores. Lines to buy things. Lines at dinner. It is a place based on lines! It's funny because I think we probably only ended up getting on 10 rides (MAX) a day. That's not a ton, but it's so fun. IF it wasn't for the atmosphere and the fun you get to see your kids having, I don't think anyone would wait in all those lines.

Parker and Preslie on our first day just walking in to Disneyland! Can you see the excitement!?!? Ha ha.

Can you believe this is a "non-crowded" Disneyland? We were SO excited to FINALLY be there!

In Chip & Dale's Tree house. I had never been in all the fun little houses and play areas in Toon Town! SO CUTE!

Mickey's house! It's funny because this is probably what Parker looked forward to the most, and yet it was the fastest moving line I think we were in the entire time!

Even Mickey Mouse wanted to wish Preslie a verry HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY! :)

Rain Forest Cafe for dinner the first night! THE LONGEST WAIT EVER! And we even had reservations! But the kids had so much fun, and we had a table right next to a huge aquarium!

Parker at the Bug's Life Ride. I loved all the movie posters they had hanging up.

It wouldn't be Disneyland without a TON of hats and Mickey Mouse Ears!

Parker's first roller coaster ride was Thunder Mountain Railroad, he loved it so much that Daddy took him on Matterhorn, which Parker refers to as "Hatterhone" when Mommy was back at the hotel sick with Preslie.

Parker got to meet so many fun people!

We rode the train back to the front of the park every night. They have changed that so much that it is almost a ride itself, even if it is just a quick way to get around the park!

Parker with Grammy and Papa

I love this picture because of how she is looking at Eric. She adores her Daddy.

I kept trying to squat so that Eric could take pictures with Parker, Preslie and I without there being a huge gap between us. Unfortunately, Parker saw me bend over, and he woudl do it too, every time! Funny little boy!

We sure do LOVE our little kiddos. Preslie's favorite ride was Small World, we rode it every night right before we went back to our hotel. Parker's favorite was Pirates of the Carribbean, and we rode that one every day a few times a day! We can't wait to go back and make more memories!

The One Where We Fly To John Wayne

Saturday we had lunch at Spaghetti Factory for Rita's 80th birthday. Sunday, the 20th, was Preslie's offical birthday. It was laid back and relaxed, and mostly filled with everyone finishing their packing for the trip we were taking the next day. But there were presents, and cupcakes, and Preslie had a good time.

Monday morning we got up early, got everything packed into our van, and went to the Portland airport. I LOVE the Portland airport, it is beautiful, and there is so much to do there. If you ever have to get laid over in an airport, make it the Portland airport.

Parker had such terrible ears when he was little, that planes were not fun for him. We always dosed him up on Benadryl so that he would sack out before we even got on the plane, and then we crossed our fingers that he would stay asleep the whole plane ride. This was the first plane trip where he had his own seat, and he did great. When we walked onto the plane, the stewardesses put him up in the cockpit and let him sit with the pilots for a bit. I am SO sad that we didnt' get a picture with him up there. Maybe he will be a firefighter AND a pilot.

Eric and I didn't have seats together on the ride down, and Horizon kept telling us that the flight was completely full an that there was no way we could move people around and sit together. I was so scared to have Preslie by myself and try and take care of her by myself while I was smashed in between (because yes I had the middle seat) two people. You always hear horror stories about people who had a plane ride and there was some baby on there that just cried the whole way and blah blah blah. People ALWAYS complain about screaming kids on airplanes and how annoying it is.

But it's like the don't think of it from the opposite side.

As a mother, I am PETRIFIED of my children being massive inconveniences on other people. So a plane ride was a nightmare for me. I just kept having these ideas that Preslie was going to freak out when the pressure change made her ears pop, and that I wouldn't be able to comfort her, and it's not like I can stand up anyways to calm her down, but especially when I was inbetween two people. And it's not like you can never expect little kids to get on planes. I mean, we can't drive EVERYWHERE with them.

So anyways, we start walking back to our chairs and we get to Eric and Parker's row, they have the middle and window seat, and there is already this guy sitting in the aisle seat. I walked past them and started to sit down in the row right behind them and then this amazing man says, "Do you guys want to sit all together?"

It was incredible! I literally almost cried. I was so relieved that Eric and I would be sitting together and that he would be there to help with Preslie if she got out of hand. A weight had seriously been lifted off my shoulders.

The guy started joking about how of course he would wind up witht he middle seat now, and Eric and I just kept thanking him.

Then down walks this family with a little boy about Preslie's age and they walk to the row with the guy who just gave me his seat and say, "Would you like to sit on the aisle? We would love to sit together." Which made me want to cry again because this guy had been so nice to us and given us his seat, and then he was rewarded for it. But then it got even better when they announced that although all the seats had been purchased, that a flight had been delayed and consequently our plane woudl only be 1/3 full. The family moved to their own row, and this sweet man got his own row, and the people in front of us kept turning around to play with Preslie and talk to Parker about flying, and it was just the nicest group of poeple I think I have ever been around, and the best flight we could ever ask for.

And we didn't even have to knock Preslie out with Benadryll!

Tommy Emmanuel-House Of The Rising Sun

The One With Tommy Emmanuel

February 17th Eric's Grammy, LouRita McNeil turned 80 years old! It's crazy to have a birthday party with a person who has lived a full life and seen so much, and a baby, turning one, who is just starting out. It's even more incredible to think that his Grandma was that age at one point in life, and now has become this amazing, incredible person who has raised 4 kids, 14 grandkids, and 5 great grandkids so far. It makes me excited to see what Parker and Preslie will become. . . . . although I am enjoying the ride in between and don't want this time to fly by.

On Friday night we went to a concert. Now I am slightly embarassed to admit this, but at 23 years old, this was only my second concert. When I was younger, my mom never let me go to concerts, she always said there was bad things that happened there so I couldn't go by myself, and she didn't want to go them either, so I couldn't have her as a chaperone. Our friends, Stan and Jenn invited us to go and see Dave Matthews Band in August, which was awesome! and it was one of Eric's favorite bands of all time. It was at the Taco Bell Arena and there were thousands of people there. This concert we went to in Portland was a little different, but still awesome.

It was at the Alladdin theater, and there were may 4oo people there. But this guy, Tommy Emmanuel, is incredible. I mean, it is the craziest thing you will ever see. He plays the guitar, but he more than just plays the guitar, it's hard to even describe. Look him up on YouTube because you will be blown away. I'm going to upload a video for you below, but you should still go and find this guy!

The One With the Carwash

Our trip to Portland and Disneyland was so full of fun, and we took so many pictures that if I put them all under one post it would be the longest post in Guiness world history! So I am going to break them up a little bit.

It has been FOUR YEARS since Eric and I have had a real vacation. We go out of town for a few days to spend the holidays with family occasionally, but the last time we had a real vacation was our Honeymoon where we went to Disneyland (ironic). I think Eric checked out right after New Years, we were so ready for a break. Work is hectic, family life is hectic, there are crazy medical issues happening, add in our church responsibilities (Eric is the Executive Secretary, and I am an Acitivity Days Leader) and we are lucky if we get 5 hours of sleep.

It's hard when you feel like you are trying to be a good parent by providing for your children - giving them a house to live in, and heat and air conditioning, food, clothes, etc -that all cost money, and so you work, and one day you wake up and feel like by providing financially for your family, you aren't getting to spend enough time as a family with them. So when Thursday, February 17th came, we were up and ready to leave our house at 9am.

It was SO COLD at our house, it had snowed, not much, but it had snowed! When we went to Disneyland for our Honeymoon in January of 2007 it SNOWED in ANAHEIM! The first time it had snowed there in like 25 years. We were joking about how with our luck we would go to Disneyland this time and the snow would follow us again.

The kids did great in the car. Parker watched movies, and Preslie watched movies and every couple of minutes she woudl start yelling at me, and I would turn around, give her a honey wheat pretzel (the really huge ones) and she would eat and be quiet for a little while again. She LOVES pretzels. She now also thinks that whenever she sits in her car seat she thinks it is time to eat. She yells at me and puts her hand out, and yells and yells until she gets what she wants.

Denny, Eric's Dad, always has us stop in Hood River, a city an hour outside of Portland, where his dental practice is for dental work every time we come up and visit. We got to Hood River about an hour early, so we went and grabbed some lunch and then Eric said he wanted to take the kids to a playground that he played at when he was younger.

He was telling me about this huge wood playground, but I wasn't expecting to see the playgroudn we pulled up to. It is AWESOME! I seriously want one even half the size of it in my yard someday. Look at it! Eric and I even wanted to play on it! :)

Preslie took her first ride down a slide with Mommy. And she took her first ride in a swing. She loved that too. She giggled and laughed the whole time, blew kisses to Daddy.

Parker made friends with a couple little girls and ran around the whole playground shooting guns, and laughing. I am so grateful that he knows how to make friends.

After we tired the kids out at the playground, we went and got our teeth worked on. Parker is a sippy cup kid. He LOVES chocolate milk, he loves juice, he always carries around his sippy, everywhere he goes. Apparently, although this is great for his hydration, it is NOT great for his teeth. Denny told us that his front four teeth were really badly damaged, even though we brush a lot, it wouldn't have helped. So now Parker gets a new GrIlL! At the end of March we are going back up to Portland and Parker is getting caps on his teeth. I'm a little nervous about how he is going to do in that chair.

After that we drove the rest of the way up to Portland, decided that our car, after having driven through snow in Boise, through snow over the Blues, and through snow in Portland, was disgustingly dirty, and went to through a car wash.

I have never seen Preslie so terrified in my life. It was hilarious and so sad all at the same time. Every time one of those big brushes came by her window she got so scared she couldn't even cry, and she would shake and look at us with her big brown eyes like she was about ready to die. That of course got Parker freaking out too. So we had two kids in the back seat crying and shaking convinced they were going to die, and Eric and I up front laughing and shaking, and yet trying to comfort them all at once.