Parker's First Birthday!

It worked out perfectly that Parker's first birthday actually fell on a Saturday over the time we were in Arkansas.  We had a very laid-back, but great party for him at my Dad and Kim's house- and we had a fabulous turn-out!  Even my aunt and uncle from Dallas came in town to celebrate with us!

Mitchell and his friends were AWESOME and dressed up as the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 & 2!  Super impressed that a few 15 year olds would do this so willingly for a little guy's birthday!

Now, if you know me, I am not much into event planning.  But I actually did have a theme of Dr. Seuss for his party, as reading is one of our most favorite activities to do together- especially Dr. Seuss!  Parker of course was oblivious that the party was for him, but I think he did get excited about his own personal smash cake.  It was really special for us to celebrate his birthday with our families!

Parker is of course wearing his "Green Eggs & Ham" t-shirt

The pom poms I made out of tissue paper, and I printed out all of Parker's pictures from 0-12 months for the banner.  The rest was just bright primary colors and Dr. Seuss books everywhere.

Mama & Papa

Partying with KK

Spence and Uncle Daniel

Aunt Suzy & Cousin Jim

Spence's cousin Rob, Aunt Margaret and Uncle Dick came to celebrate

Aunt Cindy & Uncle Joe came all the way from Dallas

My lifelong best friend, Rachel

Nana and G gave Parker a rocking chair that was Kim's from her childhood

The line of paparazzi to capture pictures of Parker eating his cake!

We had to help him get started

But he figured it out pretty quickly on his own

After a long nap, Parker played with his new toys, but his favorite activity was trying to stand up over and over and over again in the rocking chair. 

Finished his night reading Dr. Seuss with Big Poppa.  Dr. Seuss has always been one of my favorite authors, and I think it is because I have so many memories of sitting with my Dad and reading Green Eggs and Ham, reciting One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and celebrating Christmas with reading/watching The Grinch.  I love that Parker enjoys the books already too! 

Christmas in NWA

Celebrating a white Christmas

After Spencer and I finished our Christmas week work obligations, we said goodbye to my mom, and headed to Arkansas to see the rest of our families.  We started out in Fayetteville with the Duttons.  We were really excited to see snow when we first got there!  Parker was very unsure of what to do with the snow....

Checking out "G"

Papa and Mama

My Uncle Joe and Aunt Cindy came in from Dallas

Merry Christmas!

Parker with Mimi

Our first family Christmas was spent at home in South Carolina.  Unfortunately, I worked Day Shift 7a-7p and Spencer worked Night Shift 7p-7a.  We wished one another a Merry Christmas at the hospital.  We both have to work so many holidays, which is an unfortunate thing of working in acute care.  Fortunately, my mom came to town to spend Christmas with us and help out with Parker with our work schedules.  We had a nice holiday, and Parker got to stay up late to open presents with me!

driving through the Christmas light display with Dad

Leaving cookies out for Santa

He LOVED his new Little Tykes truck- everytime he had a bottle he went to his truck to drink it

So, one of the things I have been debating for a long time was how to handle Christmas presents for our child(ren).  I know how easy it is at this time of year to go overboard.  After talking with some friends- I got a couple of great ideas.  One friend does 3 gifts per child.  Jesus received 3 gifts after his birth, so it helps keep things in perspective a bit.  Another friend suggested 4: 1) Something they want; 2) Something they Need; 3) Something they wear; and 4) Something they Read- I LOVE this!  Parker received 3 gifts from us this year: A rocking horse, a music set, and a farm animal set.  Just as everyone says- he spent more time climbing in and out of boxes and ripping up paper than he did with the toys, but I think it was a success!

Opening presents

a music making set

He is really into his rocking horse- mostly the sounds it makes when he presses the ears

Merry Christmas sweet Parker

Parker's first Christmas Gift

Our friend Jake knows Spencer all too well.  When Spence is at home- he can almost assuredly be found in his brown leather recliner with a coke and a remote in his hand- and usually a radio listening to EMS calls.  

So Jake came over tonight and brought Parker his very first Christmas gift- very fitting for Spencer's mini-me.

look at this HAPPY happy boy!

Getting ready for Christmas!!

Our Christmas Card this year- LOVE this picture of Parker!

We are gearing up for Parker's first Christmas.  Somehow we have multiple Santa outfits and pajamas, and we actually have the tree up in the house.  Talk about making the most out of naptime!

sweet Christmas outfit from Honey

Erica and I took the boys to see Santa.  Parker- the child who never cries and goes to everyone did NOT like Santa.  He cried the entire time!!  Classic pictures.

finally getting used to him- he was a really great Santa!

Afterwards heading home- relieved to be done with the Santa visit

Thanksgiving in Fayetteville

Are we there yet?

After being with the Robinson family, we packed up little P and drove 3 hours north, arriving in Fayetteville for the annual Arkansas-LSU game- literally we pulled into town directly at the tailgate!  My parents have a GREAT spot across from the stadium with friends, and hosted a big pot of warm gumbo before gametime.  Parker's first real tailgate experience.  Kim "volunteered" to take Parker home while Spence and I endured the first half- we were almost hopeful for a victory, but we lost 13-20.  Regardless- Geaux Hogs Geaux!

Excited to see "Big Poppa"

James was in from NY!

The Dutton crew at the tailgate

trying to sneak a drink

LOVE being at Razorback Stadium!!

We had a great time being back home.  It is so exciting to see Parker with everyone.  It makes me so happy to see him getting to know his family!

visiting with G and Nana

getting geared up for Christmas now!

Parker with his 15 year old Uncle Mitchell

Happy Thanksgiving!!