3 bandaids, a cotton ball, and a blister….

…who knew being 1 was such an ordeal?





I know it’s been a while, and much has happened in the Parker Household in the past couple of months, so this post will be an attempt to catch you up and relieve myself of some serious blog-guilt.



So, we’ll start with Christmas…We got a special gift this year in that Kevin was able to be off for our anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas, and New Year’s eve. I tried to really enjoy it, knowing that this will most likely never happen again. We went to Austin to see Kevin’s parents. We decided that driving in the middle of the night after Kevin got off work at 11 was the best way to get there and spend the most time with the family and mess up Little Bit’s routine the least. That whole theory was contingent on her immediately going back to sleep when we got into the car. No such luck. Once we woke her up at 11 and got her in the car, she was wide awake. Not crying or anything, just wide awake. Until Smithville…which is over halfway to Austin. Needless to say, there was an extra nap involved the next day. Christmas was great…Laurel wasn’t quite sure what to do with the presents, and tissue paper was the best gift of all. The day after Christmas we drove straight to the airport, and Laurel and I headed to Missouri to see my family. This was my first flight without an extra baggage hauler, so I was a bit nervous. I was so thankful that some of our friends, Curtis and Amanda, were on the exact same flights all the way to Springfield, which meant I could go to the restroom without carrying everything I own. Such a blessing!



Missouri was great…Laurel charmed all the grandparents and great-grandparents. And, we returned with suitcases MUCH heavier than we left with. The miracle of the trip was at no point in any of the airports was any of our baggage weighed. And let me tell you, if it would have been, there would have been some extra fees to be paid. Missouri is always so bittersweet…I love my family there, love being around them, love watching Laurel around them, and hate to leave…but also, hate to think about leaving life as we know it here. Maybe one day they’ll all move south…I know, wishful thinking.



As the new year arrived, we got some other new additions…molars. I am so thankful these guys are almost all in. Laurel has been chewing on everything and is now an emotional roller coaster. The new favorite part of the day is when she gets Tylenol before bed and the favorite teething toy is my shoulder…it’s nice and bony, right at mouth height when I pick her up.



And, the biggest news of all…Laurel turned one on February 6th. I have no idea where this year has gone…it is honestly a blur. There are some moments I am so thankful have passed, and some that I would give anything to have back again. She has been such a joy to my heart and taught me so many things about life and priorities. We have yet to have her birthday party…that will come next weekend. But, we did have a cake experience…and what an experience it was! I bought her a cupcake for the day (I’ll be a good mom and make the cake next week). It was pre-equipped with a candle, covered in purple icing…perfect for a 1-year-old mess. I lit the candle and blew it out in front of her to show her what to do, set the cupcake in front of her, re-lit it, and instead of blowing, she reached up before we could stop her and put out the tiny flame with her fingers. The ensuing screams and meltdown prevented any cake from being eaten. She still bears the remnants of a blister on her little index finger. Hopefully the cake experience at the party will go better.



Finally, as a 1-year-old, we had to go to our 1-year check up with the pediatrician. I had heard rumor of what happens at this appointment and was not at all looking forward to it. Three shots later, we had to get blood taken like a big girl. That’s right…rubberband around the arm, drawing blood like you’re giving it. Apparently, Little Bit has “tough veins” because it took at least 5 minutes to get the needle to go into the vein. 5 minutes of screaming (not that I blame her!). But, all is well now…just a tiny bruise to remind us that she is not a baby anymore. Nope…21 lbs 10 oz and 29 ¾” long of a toddler.

If time flies when you're having fun...

...then we must be having a stinking blast.

I've been reminded this week about how quickly time is going by these days. First of all, what happened to November? Does anybody else feel this way? I feel like I blinked and all of the sudden it's Christmas. I remember when the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas was the longest month ever. I thought it would never get here. Now, I can't even keep up with the "Christmas Countdown" sign on my door.

Next, Laurel turned 10 months old today. Overnight, she turned into a little girl. I look back at pictures of her from her first few weeks, and it seems like she should still be there. But, no...she's a little wild woman. Wild hair... wild babbling, wild laughing, wild yelling at Toby the dog...just wild. She finally started crawling this week...a little late, yes. But, she's been too busy studying every little detail of everything around her. Why in the world did she need to move? This week, however, she decided she was ready to go, and she has only stopped to sleep.

The other big milestone in the Parker household this week is that Kevin and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on Thursday. I have to say that it feels like our wedding was longer than 4 years ago. I would guess it feels that way because we have had our share of change over the past 4 years....we are currently living in our 4th residence, I'm on my 3rd job, Kevin's on his 5th. I am glad to say the past 2 years have been much more stable, and that probably has a lot to do with the next milestone....I am quickly approaching my 29th birthday. I guess we can't live in restlessness our whole lives....eventually we have to grow up and settle down. And,in less than 2 weeks, I will be entering my last year in my 20's. Twenty-nine sounds older than I think I should be. I remember being in high school and thinking about being in my late 20's, mostly thinking I would have it all figured out by the time I was this old. Hmm...still working on that one.

I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that my blogging track record shows that this may be the last time you hear from me this month. Hopefully not. Hopefully I will be good and keep you posted on what's going on in our world, but as this month flies by and I try to cram in all the Christmas music I can into my ears, I may not find time to blog again. And, because I just ordered my Christmas cards (I know, most of you overachievers have already mailed yours), there's a good chance you won't even get a Christmas card in time. So, in light of all that, I hope and pray you have a wonderful Christmas season. Take time and enjoy it! 

Gratitude

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view
If no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...

I recently made a "running" playlist on my ipod. Basically, it's about 4 hours of music to run to, because I was getting really tired of searching for songs that would keep me going on my early morning runs. I've discovered that I'm a little picky about what I listen to while running. But, this is one of the songs that made the cut. It's called "Gratitude" by Nichole Nordeman. This morning, it captured my attention during my run, and I replayed it a couple of times because it was resonating in my heart so strongly. I've thought about this song all day, and tonight as I watch the electoral votes stack up for each presidential candidate, it still resounds. The portion that's bolded above is what first caught my attention, particularly as I've taken in all of the election talk. We've talked in our office about how fearful people seem these days....financial crisis...war...election...all of which are valid reasons to be afraid. But, a thought that keeps running through my head is a phrase that I feel like the Lord gave me a few years ago during a particularly confusing and tough time in my own personal life..."We don't respond as if we are people who have no hope." I feel like we forget that what we want may not be necessarily what we need...that maybe all of this is just a lesson to learn of how to trust in Him....an opportunity to understand that we are blessed beyond we could ever dream in abundance or in need. So, my encouragement to all of us (including/especially me) is that no matter what, we respond as though we are people who have hope, because, indeed, we do. 

...and if You never grant us peace....but Jesus, would you please...

A Fun Weekend...

It's been a busy and fun weekend in the Parker house. Yesterday marked Laurel's first Halloween, and she celebrated as a little lioness cub. I would love to say there was a deep and meaningful reason for her costume, but it basically boiled down to good old compromise. After searching through the plethora of infant costumes online, Kevin gave 3 choices...the lion, a whoopie cushion, or a hot dog. Do you now see why she was a lioness? I'm sure she would have made an adorable hot dog or whoopie cushion, but she was also pretty dang cute as a lioness, if I do say so myself. Kevin had to work during our church's fall festival, so the Altics were kind enough to let us tag along as part of the fam. Jayk was Curious George. I'm not sure which one was more enthralled with the other in costume.



Today, we visited Discovery Green in downtown Houston. The weather has been amazing here in Houston, so we've been trying to do as much as possible outside. There are lots of great sculptures down there, so we took the opportunity to take some fun pics....

We'll teach table manners later...

Tonight at dinner, the little bit took matters into her own hands....literally. She has this incredibly independent side to her little personality (I have no idea where in the world she got that) and she decided she was fully capable of feeding herself, thank you very much. So, enjoy the first attempts at self-feeding, and be thankful you didn't have to clean up after her:).

It's been a while...so there are lots of random thoughts

First of all, I need to say thank you to anyone who's reading this...it only proves that you have faith that I would, indeed, blog again. 

The 6-week blog hiatus was not intentional...the first 3 weeks were legitimate--we had no Internet access at home. I must have actually gotten used to being disconnected because I really haven't been on the Internet much since we've gotten it back. As much as I complained about the lack of Internet, I guess I adjusted and managed just fine. Who knew?

So, as I re-enter blogland, here are a few things going on in our world....

1. Kevin got his permanent (well, at least one year) assignment with HPD. He's at the Northeast station, and working 3PM-11PM Friday-Tuesday. We thought this was the shift we would hate, and it's not the greatest, but there have been some really great things about it, including: 

• We now have Friday and Saturday mornings to hang out. We've taken Laurel to the park a couple of times, and she has loved it. 
  
• I no longer sleep on the couch because I dread getting ready to go to bed by myself. I was pathetic...when Kevin wasn't home, I couldn't motivate myself to go to bed. I'd end up sleeping in my regular clothes on the couch until about 3 AM, and then just go straight to bed like that. 
• Selfishly, since Kevin is home in the mornings, I get to run before work because he is home with Laurel. 
• I don't have to keep Kevin awake during church. Seriously, he could not stay awake when he was working nights. Not that I blame him. If I'd been up for 20+ hours, I'm sure I'd be nodding off too.

2. I have officially registered for the Austin Marathon. I was putting it off to see if I was really going to be able to train. There are no refunds, so I guess I'm in. If anyone doesn't have anything to do Valentine's weekend, you can come cheer me on in Austin:).

3. Our little pumpkin has been sick all weekend. She's got this random fever...no other symptoms. Well, none except being miserable when the Infant Motrin wears off. She woke up yesterday really whiny and tired acting, which just isn't her. She's gotten 5 teeth in the past 6 weeks (bringing her up to 7), so I didn't think there were many more for her to get. We were getting ready to go to Discovery Green when we noticed she was a really warm, and her mood was quickly disintegrating. We took her temp and it was 101.5. We decided to take her to her doctor, because they do sick visits on Saturday morning. By the time we got there, her temp was up to 102, and she just kept getting hotter. I've never seen her so miserable. Dr. Jung was afraid she had a urinary track infection, so he put a catheter in her to find out. Yes, a catheter. I couldn't even watch. Good news is there was no UTI, but we still don't know why she has such a high fever. So, no church today. It's funny since Sunday is a work day, I forget what it's like to be at home. Since our balcony windows look out onto the church parking lot, it was pretty strange watching everyone come and go while I watched the Disney channel and played with Laurel. By bedtime tonight, her fever was down to about 100, so I'm praying it will continue to drop tonight. There's nothing more miserable than watching her be miserable.

Okay, that's all for now. I promise to blog again soon. I repent from non-blogging. But, before I go, here is a picture from the park:)

Just a quick note...

...to let everyone know we are okay. Praise the Lord, we have no damage to our condo, but our complex did sustain some damage. Bayou Woods has a down fence and lots of tree limbs, but other than that,  compared to what went on in the rest of the city, we're good. We got our electricity back last night, and are waiting on the full return of water. Laurel and I left for Austin last night, mostly because of the lack of water and electricity. The electricity came on right after we had packed, but we decided it would be best for her to get out of town and get some Nanny and Papaw love in Austin for a few days. So, that's where we are until probably Tuesday. Kevin is working 12 hour shifts (6 PM-6 AM) until further notice with HPD until things get a little more back to normal. So, we are incredibly thankful. Please pray for the thousands who didn't fare so well. 

I'll write more later...I know, I know, I've been blog-slacking again:).