Thanksgiving in Pine Bluff

Parker with Sport (Spence's Dad)

Cuddling with Honey

Thanksgiving- the best holiday of the year!  I know Christmas is usually everyone's favorite, but for me, Thanksgiving is the one I look forward to the most.  Cooking all day, delicious food, amazing desserts, football, and just hanging out with everyone you love- perfect day.  No presents to stress over.

Since Spencer and I both work in a hospital- we both work holidays.  Weekends also are not as exciting because we spend a lot of Saturdays and Sundays at work.  We have worked the last 3 years for this holiday, so this year we went home for a change- it was wonderful!!  We spent a few days in Pine Bluff with Spence's family, then headed to Fayetteville to see mine.  It was SO great to see our families.  Now having Parker- of course I love seeing everyone for myself.  But, it is even more fun to watch everyone get to play with Parker!

Spence and his brother Daniel with their boys

Uncle Keith 

My sister-in-law, Suzy

Daniel's son, Jim, is really into golf- he takes that club everywhere!

out on the golf course Thanksgiving day with a lot of friends

Parker found some golf balls

a picture that I am certain Parker and Jim will hate one day....but they were so cute!

He LOVED the piano

he's a natural

Suzy and Jim

Parker's favorite toy- the Little Tykes car

Our turkey this year was cooked with an Infrared fryer- it was delicious!

We have so much to be thankful for- I could write a book of things!  But this year, I am so grateful that God blessed us with this sweet, wonderful, healthy little boy.  I would't change a thing about him or these last 11 months.

11 Months

Dearest Parker,

You are just growing and changing at the speed of light these days!  I have been WAY behind on the blog because I am just constantly chasing you around the house.  I know this is redundant to write, but this is definitely my favorite month with you so far.  Your little personality is just blossoming!

holding on while trying to walk

11 Month Stats:
Height: still about 28 inches
Weight: still around 22 pounds
Teeth: 7- we had a new one pop through last week
Sleep: You consistently sleep 10-11 hours every night.  Hallelujah!
Eating: 4-5 bottles of breastmilk a day.  You are the BEST eater (I think a Dutton quality).  You eat 3 solid meals a day.  We still do baby food, but you get really excited for our food.  You ate half of a salmon fillet this month, you love spaghetti sauce, chili, hummus, and many other items.  You even chowed down on a raw purple onion the other day- impressive.  You are also doing really well with your sippy cups.  I can hear you sucking on them, which is a new skill you've had to learn.
Talking: You said Da-da this month!!!!  And the first time you said it was when Dad and I were with you- I almost cried.  We also hear Ma-ma, Ga-ga, Ka-ka, and many other indiscernible sounds.  We still have Leila, your speech therapist, coming monthly to check up on you.
New skills: walking attempts, waving hello and goodbye, giving kisses on demand consistently, giving high fives

Going on a walk in your new wagon- a gift from Aunt Gail!  You love it.  I just have to keep you from standing up in it...

so cute!

We are officially entering the walking phase!  On 11/28 you took 5 steps on your own, and since then you are getting braver and braver with trying to walk from one spot to another.  My favorite part of your learning to walk is watching the joy on your face as you prepare yourself for each step.  Your mouth is open so wide, your arms wave in excitement, and there is this sparkle in your eye.  It warms my heart!

A photo shoot this month was near
impossible because you wanted to play
 with everything nearby.

You spend hours each day pulling every item out of every cabinet you can find around the house.  You are so curious about everything, and you honestly want to explore with those items more than you care about any toy we give you.  You especially love pulling out all of the pots, pans, and tupperware from the kitchen.  And you love music- you bounce to your own rhythm when music is playing.

I love your demeanor and personality.  You are quite honestly just happy to be alive.  You smile constantly, and truly you just love life.  You still go to anyone who reaches their arms out for you, but you are starting to show signs of being a momma's boy.  You are also just chattering constantly these days.  I can't wait to talk with you one day and hear what goes on in that little brain of yours.

Bath time is crazy these days- you think it's hilarious to splash us, and you constantly want to stand up in the sink and in the tub.  You also now dip your face in the water and try to drink it.  You are a handful!

One of the best things about this month was taking you home to Arkansas for Thanksgiving this year.  We go to see so many people who love you.  This is your mommy's favorite holiday of all- just a time to enjoy everyone we love and to intentionally give thanks for what we have.  Parker, I am over the moon thankful for every second God has blessed us with you.

Love,
Mom

Razorback Gameday

Parker looked great in his official jersey

We decided to be brave and take Parker to the Razorback game here in Columbia on Saturday.  Now, for the last 3 years, we have beaten the Gamecocks handily.  Spence and I have enjoyed the victories, talked a little trash, and walked a little taller in the days after around our friends and neighbors.  Then, this football season came, and with all of our coaching woes and difficult season- we have been dreading this game.  Needless to say, there was no trash talk this year- and thankfully so!  The poor Hogs couldn't hang in there.

we practiced calling the hogs on the way to the game too- he LOVED the cheer!

cheering with his daddy

But Spence and I still felt victorious- Parker LOVED his first gameday experience!  He watched the field, clapped and danced to the music, and never fussed for a second!  All morning before the game, we practiced calling the hogs, and he would raise both arms with a smile and giggle.  He may be South Carolina born, but he has Razorback red blood running through his veins.  I hope this is the first of many game days for him to experience.

We met up with the Duncans at halftime in the USC Lettermen's Club.  Parker and Maddie enjoyed a break from the sun

Getting geared up for the 2nd half

And in the 3rd quarter, he was done.  He just fell asleep.  We were so thrilled that he enjoyed the day!

Family Pictures

LOVE this shot

We had a family photo shoot this week.  I found this great local photographer that some friends at the hospital have used.  We went to the Clemson Road Farmer's Market area across from Sandhills.  There was a great barn there, in addition to a neat brick building and a peaceful wooded area.  Rachel with Willa Eve Photography is amazing!  These were just some of our sneak peeks, but the whole shoot was fabulous!  I highly recommend her.