Julie Parker

So we are going to pretend for just a minute that it hasn't been over a year since I have updated this blog...got that? Ok, I'll proceed

My baby, my BABY is going to celebrate her first birthday tomorrow. It was only yesterday that I had her wasn't it?

I can remember laying in the bed laboring for all I was worth and I clearly had a vision of the doctor handing me a baby wrapped in a blue blanket. Imagine my shock when my nurse said to Matt, "Well Daddy, tell her what it is" and Matt said, "We've got another girl!"

I was shocked, and thrilled, and speechless all at once. I took her in my arms and said, "Well hello Julie Parker, I'm your momma." She was beautiful, and sweet, and perfect. I couldn't have been happier. She had lots of dark hair and she was huge! Nine pounds and six ounces (exactly one pound bigger than her sister's birth weight). Her face was bruised and the nurses posted a sign in her bassinet so no one would think she was having trouble breathing. Alli came back to meet her and got to go out to the waiting room to announce the name and gender.

What a fun year it has been. Julie is the happiest baby I have ever know. She is so smiley that your face will hurt if you try to out smile her. She has the most beautiful blue eyes. I keep thinking they will turn brown like mine but for now they are as blue as can be. She is funny and curious and kind. She loves her big sister and always likes to be in the same room with her. She is a Daddy's girl and will cry if her dad walks by her and forgets to wave. And she loves her momma and wants to be tangled in my feet if not in my arms.

Julie Parker, we love you more than words can explain and we can't wait to see the smart, beautiful, kind, lady that you will become.

Daddy's big girl...Mommy's baby

Alli really is a big girl. It is hard for me to admit that my baby is growing and changing so much. She wears big girl panties now and is doing great. Of course there are accidents, but it sure beats diapers any day!!

She loves being independent (as most children her age do). I'm really trying to let her do more and more things around the house. In the morning, she gets up and comes downstairs to wake us up. One of the first things out of her mouth is "I'm hungry". So, she now starts getting her breakfast ready while Matt and I rub our eyes and start fumbling around in our dark room. She gets a bowl out of the cabinet and gets her cereal out of the pantry. With a little help to open the Tupperware container that holds the cereal, she can pour herself a bowl. She grabs a spoon from the utensil drawer and heads to the table...so proud of herself. I add the milk and she is good to go.

She also sets the table at dinnertime and helps to unload the dishwasher. She loves being my helper, and with baby #2 on the way, I'm planning on using this to my full advantage.

Her play has gotten more mature as well. This morning, she brought 3 baby dolls from her room down to my bathroom. She "fed" them all breakfast, "changed" their diapers, then put them down for their naps. Watching and listening from a distance as so not to intrude, I watched her care for her "babies". She is a good little momma, which makes me feel half way decent about the job I do being her momma. She speaks kindly to her "babies", sings to them, and is really sweet. I'm glad those are the things she chooses to imitate, because goodness knows I'm not at all as patient with my "baby" as she is with hers.

She says all the time, "I'm not a baby, I'm a big girl". But the other day she and I were at lunch and she looked at me and said, "I'm Mommy's baby and Daddy's big girl". I'm sure glad she still wants to be my baby.

Welcome Fall

So I know it has been a ridiculously long time since I have updated this silly thing. Maybe I should just give up the whole idea of blogging, but I love reading my friend's blogs. So here is my attempt at getting going again...

Things are starting to cool off here. By cool off, I mean that Matt and I are now actually able to accompany our daughter into the back yard for some play time. With September here, football season has begun and we get to spend time with old friends as we tailgate and cheer on our Raiders! Alli is learning early that football is a way of life in this household. Here we are at last week's game.

Alli also made her debut on the official MTSU athletic website. Here is the link to the site. She is picture #8.

On a different note, we as a family are preparing for baby #2. We won't be finding out the gender of the baby until January when he/she makes their grand appearance. Alli seems to be excited about being a big sister. She is really good at helping and I have her doing all types of jobs around the house.

We have a busy fall shaping up, but I will try a little (a lot) harder to get on here and post.

Kisses!
Kristi

Long time no post...

Well, it has been a very long time since I have blogged. Needless to say, I have been a bit busy lately. But, the good news is that I am
officially finished with school. I do not know yet when I will get to sit for my boards, but I am busy studying for them. I start my new job on June 1. I am scared out of my mind, but I guess that is why I will orient for 12 weeks.

On another note, Allison is growing sooo fast. She is about to be a year old. She isn't walking well yet, but she is taking some great steps.



More to come...I promise.

Blueberries for Breakfast

Alli loves the blueberries Sarah made for her...

On the move

She is officially on the move. On 2/12, Alli made her first forward progress. Matt and I are equally excited and scared to death. Come see us and she will show you her new trick.

As if her mobility weren't enough to send me into shock at the fact that my baby is growing up, Alli also discovered graham crackers this week. She is too funny eating her snack. She hasn't quite figured out that although her fingers taste good, it does not feel good to bite them. Many a tear has been shed over bitten fingers.

Alli's heart

Today Alli went to see a pediatric cardiologist to check on her heart murmur. We got the best news...the murmur is "innocent" and requires no further follow-up. Praise God!

On a different note, Matt and I went to a cocktail party on Saturday to celebrate the engagement of Owen and Jill. We got all dressed up and left Allison for the evening. We had a great time. I thought I would post the picture because I never post pics of us here...