Parker's First Christmas

Here are the long awaited pictures from Parker's first Christmas.  I guess I may always wish that I had taken more pictures, but I was also trying to enjoy the moment and remember how great everything was.

We woke up at Benton's parents house, went to my parents house around 10am, Parker crashed and took a Christmas overload nap from 11am-1pm, then we ate lunch at Benton's parents, and then Parker decided not to nap again until 6pm!  Benton and I went to see Little Focker's with the Haneys and Parker was not very cooperative with Mimi and Daddy B and would not nap.  I got him to nap at 6pm, and then Mimi and Daddy B had to wake him up for dinner, bath and bottle duty while we went to my brother's house for the Appling Christmas.  Maybe Parker will be able to make it up past 7:30pm for Christmas night next year!

Christmas Eve before bedtime...

We were all still a little sleepy at 7:30am on Christmas morning...

On the move to the next gift..

Oooh, dad's fish fry mix...

The infamous piece of wrapping paper he threw up later...

Is there more?  I'm worn out...

I guess we could have just gotten him electrical cords for Christmas.  They're his favorite at the moment...

Mom, seriously...

Yum, socks...

Notice the lovely fire in the fireplace?  Made me nervous all weekend, but he never got to close to it.

New chair from Pottery Barn Kids...

Can I just climb on top of the box?  I really don't care about what's inside...

If you notice that he seems to be sucking on his arm in lots of pictures, I'm going to blame it on teething. =)

Is it time for breakfast Parker?

Not near as many pictures from my parents' house, but we were short on patience by that time anyway.  We love Tickle Me Elmo, but Parker's attention span is still too short to really appreciate the giggles...

Christmas overload, nap please!

Out of order...brushing teeth on Christmas Eve...

He got his two front teeth for Christmas...

Another cute shot of Parker with my dad, a.k.a. Pops...

Christmas morning at my parents, pre-meltdown...

Sunday night after Christmas with my mom, a.k.a. Nonnie...

My brother, Jason's girlfriend, Erika, on Christmas night...

Watching the Cowboys' game at Jason's house...

My Aunt Susie and Cousin Sarah...

Jack roasting by the fire (literally)...

Is it time for a haircut?

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Mischief

Here is what Parker has been up to lately...












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Parker's Firsts

Before Christmas, Parker ate his first piece of dog food. Jack's bowl is by the back door, and it is super tempting to Parker. We have to shoo him away from food and water bowls at least five times per day.  I was home with Parker and noticed that his drool was tinged with brown.  Odd, I thought.  I stuck my finger in his mouth and found a piece of dog food that he was sucking on - I guess he thought it was a puff and would dissolve.  Yuck!

Friday on New Years Eve, Parker said his first word - kinda.  Marking milestones is hard for me because I'm a perfectionist and I want to know for sure when its THE day of a milestone.  What day do I decide Parker's new tooth is "in"?  When it breaks through the gums?  When its all the way out and full-sized?  So I'm tentatively going to say that Parker's first word was Jack.  He loves Jack and when Jack came up on the bed to say good morning to Parker, Benton said, "Parker, say hi to Jack." And Parker responded with something like Jah - close enough.  Tonight in the bathtub, I also got duh for his bathtub ducks.  Pretty cool to know he's comprehending the world around him!

My best friend Hayley has also diagnosed Parker as a climber.  I didn't know there was such a thing, but my child does seem to want to get higher and higher, even though he's not yet walking.  On Friday, he climbed on top of his suitcase, onto his ottoman, and then stood up to touch things on top of his dresser.  We were both right there to supervise, but it does make you wonder what he'll be able to do once he is freely walking about on his own.

Last Thursday night after we got back from Austin, we also had our first "could be a concussion" moment.  Parker used a kitchen char to stand up and then decided it would be fun to literally hang from the top rung on the back of the chair.  I was three feet away, but couldn't get there before he timbered flat on his back and the chair landed on top of him.  He was so mad at the chair for not only causing him to hit the back of his head, but that it also smacked him in the forehead.  We waited over an hour to put him to bed and checked his pupils with my new mag light (thanks dad).  No concussion I guess, but I'm sure we'll have more scares in the future.

Last, but not least, today's was Parker's first trip to church and the church nursery.  He had no problem being handed over and when we picked him up they said he was the sweetest boy and he played great (there was only one other little girl in the infant room).  I'm sure they tell this to all of this first time moms.  It was nice to sit with Benton in church and not have to worry that Parker was crawling, climbing, or getting in to other trouble.  Now that we've broken the ice, we'll be attending church regularly in 2011 (one of my New Years Resolutions).

Top Ten of '10

Here are my highlights from 2010:

1) Birth of Parker Trimble Brown on April 9, 2010

2) Finally getting to bring Parker home nine days later:

3) Turning 30th with a fabulous fiesta party with our closest friends and family in September. This is one of my birthday presents...

4) Moving to our new house with our great big backyard (this is Jack's #1 for 2010).

5) Spending a pregnant New Year's Eve in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl:

6) Vino vacation in Napa for a friend's wedding in June:

7) First family vacation in Jackson Hole for a friend's wedding and my first time to go fly fishing (I'm "hooked"):

8) Being a stay home mom who works 19 hours each week.  I loved being at New Tech through April 1st, but I can't say enough about being home with Parker and Jack the last nine months.  I am so thankful that I have been able to work part time for the school district and have Elizabeth to watch Parker while I'm gone.  Its been a dream come true...

9) This is a terrible picture, but I'm thankful for my girlfriends in 2010.  These are my high school friends in the picture, but my college and work friends count too!  Six of us have a standing dinner each month that retains our sanity - Mi Cocina and some girl talk works wonders!

10) My parents and in-laws have been amazing this year.  I never imagined what they would be like as grandparents, but they have exceeded all expectations.  They are all crazy about Parker and will do anything for him.  Love you Nonnie, Pops, Mimi, and Daddy B!

I can't imagine a better year than 2010.  Here's to hoping that each year may be better than the last.  Hello 2011!