Our Baby turns ONE!!

Wow! One year has passed since I gave birth to our precious baby boy! I seriously can't believe it has been a whole year already! Although it was VERY windy on his birthday we still had fun! Parker wasn't feeling all that well but he was a trooper! We had a great turnout of family and close friends...thanks to all who came to celebrate this special day with us!

Parker's Smash Cake!

The wind knocked over this box of cupcakes :( I was so upset but Heather calmed me down and said "at least it wasn't all of the cupcakes"! She was right...they still got eaten even looking like that!

Party favor and gift table

Parker's favorite character...ELMO!!

Parker and his buddy Brooks!

Brooks is so sweet to Parker...can't wait until they can run around and play in the dirt!

Parker and his GiGi!

Parker with his Munhey and Didi...he got distracted by Dian's glasses

Parker with Neil and Olivia!

Aunt Teresa, Parker and Nana (Parker just wanted to play with Nana's necklace)

What is going on??!

Parker and his friends, Brooks and Audrey. He was showing off his new Rangers hat from Lorie and Eddie! This hat is special because they gave him one the day he was born and now this hat on his 1st birthday!

"Give me some cake people!!"

Umm...what is this and what am I supposed to do with it??!!

Ok I got it...this stuff is good! And "stay away from it...it's mine"! :)

Our little family (I was really trying to keep Parker's hands away from me!)

Heather and Me with our sweet boys! I should have worn red!

Parker got a lot of good stuff! He got his very own police car, pools, A LOT of cute cute clothes, interactive toys and of course Elmo toys and books!

This year has been the best year of our lives! Thanks to everyone for all your support and love through Parker's first year of life!

Parker's 1st Happy Meal!

Parker's birthday celebration started out with his very first happy meal! He wasn't so sure at the beginning how to eat the burger and fries...but it didn't take him long to shove it all in :)

I love McD's!!

Mom...get me some apple juice!

I think that was only about 6 at a time....

Let's see how many I can get in this time!

Parker wasn't feeling all that great on his big day, so I am sure if we go back when he feels 100% he would eat the whole meal. He was so cute he carried around the Shrek toy the rest of the afternoon after we left. What a fun way to start out Parker's Celebration!

Family Zoo Day!

Matt and I decided to take the day off on Friday to spend the day as a family. We wanted to take Parker to the zoo for the first time. We had a great day! It wasn't too crowded, and it was overcast and Parker loved the animals!

Parker and his Daddy ready for the zoo!

Watching the Monkeys! My favorite part! Parker only seemed to see the bigger animals that were moving.

The little lizard was playing games with him...it was hilarious to see Parker's reaction! At first he liked the lizard and then he got kind of scared and wanted me to get up.

I found these rings in the car by mistake...an old toy that he hasn't seen in awhile and wouldn't let them go the whole time!

Parker saying "Hey big lizard come over here!"

The same spot where Matt and I took a picture when we were engaged!

Parker's first carousal ride. He wasn't so sure about it, so I held him the whole time.

Poor little guy was getting tired, but was mesmerized by the Elephants!

What a fun day with Mom and Dad!

Thanks Dad for taking me to the zoo!!

My breastfeeding days are over...

About three weeks ago I weaned Parker from his morning feedings and substituted it with whole milk in a sippy cup. I went to two feedings a day back in January because I was so tired of pumping at work. So morning and night was the only feedings we had left to wean before he turned ONE.

This week was supposed to be our LAST week of breastfeeding. :( I wasn't really thinking about it being our last week until about Tuesday night. Then it hit me...that my little boy was growing up. I got a little sad and was almost forcing him to eat at this point. All within a week he was done with bottles, done with formula, and done with breastfeeding. I guess he wanted to be a BIG boy by the time his birthday came around. I was being selfish because I wanted to be the one to say we were done, not the other way around. Well I didn't get my way...last night marked the night we were officially done. Only 3 days shy of his 1st birthday! He was more interested in playing and drinking his sippy cup, that he just didn't want to sit still with me. I did cry...a little :) At least he made it easier on me right?!

Before the thought of kids I had decided that I didn't want to nurse when I had kids. That just wasn't going to be for me...for selfish reasons. I didn't want to get "bigger" than I already was. Thanks to my sweet husband all he asked of me was to "try it". You see my Dad instilled a saying in me"As long as you tried your hardest that's all we ask"...and it stuck :). So I tried it and I am SOOOOOOO GLAD I did!! I can't describe the bond we had as mother and son this past year. I realize breastfeeding is not for everyone and I respect it. But, for me it turned out to be the BEST gift I could give my baby. Thanks to my Mom who helped me in the beginning when I wanted to give up because Parker wasn't eating. Thanks to the nurses at the hospital who were a TREMENDOUS help the first week trying to get used to it. And, a BIG thank you to my GOD who gave me the greatest gift of all...my son!

We will be celebrating Parker's 1st birthday this weekend. Pictures and videos will be posted as soon as I have time to sit and upload them. Wow! What a year this has been...and it will only get better. I am one happy Mommy!! :)

My 1st Mothers Day!

This Mothers day was very special for me, because last year I was miserable and BIG...this year I was able to celebrate with my precious baby boy! Motherhood has changed me so much and I am SO very thankful God gave me the opportunity to be Parker's Mommy. I have asked Matt over and over what did we ever do before him? Life to me now is so precious. Parker has completed our family in many ways we never knew was empty. He brings a smile to my face everyday! The bond we have as Mommy and Son is indescribable and incredible! I can't wait to celebrate his ONE year birthday in less than 2 weeks!

The day we met face to face...it was love at first sight! :)

Mothers Day 2010...Parker loves his Mommy! Mommy looks washed out due to my allergies going nuts that day!

Our family waiting for our table at Blue Mesa Grill

Parker's new smile...and he ADORES his Daddy lately! I have to say it makes me smile to watching them bond!

LOVE that precious face!

3 Generations! Celebrating all of us girls!

My 3 favorite boys!!

(Muney and DeDe)

After brunch we went home and took a MUCH needed nap! It was just what I needed after sneezing all day! Then we met up with the Ferrell family at Birra Poretti's. It was a fun filled day celebrating with family. Thanks to my hubby and my son for my upcoming pedicure! This Mommy needs some pampering!! :) I am one lucky girl!