Almost 2...really?

It is so very hard to believe that my little "baby" is almost 2 years old! It really does feel like yesterday that I was laying on a surgery table waiting to hear the first sounds of his cry. It truly is amazing how fast he has grown up. I can't say he is the best speaking almost 2 year old, but he knows alot about sports and how to throw a ball!

So in planning his birthday party this year, I wanted to stick with a theme that I knew he would enjoy. We (Braxton and I) threw around the idea of Elmo, Mickey Mouse or maybe Sesame Street. Well, we finally decided on one with the hlep of Parker! MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE!

The boy loves that little mouse and all his friends. He calls Mickey (and Minnie) "Mimee" - he has a tough time with the "ck". But he knows all of the characters from Donald and Daisey to Goofy, Pluto and even Pete on the tv show.

Here are the cute finds for his party...

Balloon for the guest of honor! (The thing is huge!)

Dessert Plates for Mickey cake and ice cream

Instead of hats we have Mickey Ears (I have tried to get Parker to wear his and he refuses!)

And last, but not least! A Pinata for the kids - with lots of candy!

Maybe Parker will remember this one as a memorable day with his closest friends and wonderful family. And just maybe we can have some spring like weather that day just like last year! Parker is getting a big surprise for his birthday...a outdoor swing set and slide! Now it will even be harder to get him to come in from outside.

Snow...in Alabama!

While all the "northerners" laugh at the southerners, we were enjoying the snow! Yes, it never snows and it especially never snows in Hayden, Alabama! But it did this past Friday. We knew there was a threat, and of course the schools canceled classes. To everyone's disappointment we woke up to nothing! But that didn't last long....around 10:00am the first BIG flakes began to fall. It was a pretty snow.

Even though the church was closed (because the daycare was closed) I still needed to go into work and complete the bulletins. Nanny (Braxton's grandmother) kept Parker for a few hours. We got home around 3:00 and waited for Daddy to arrive so we could play in the snow. Even though we have had a few minor snow storms (hahahaha!), Parker has never really had the chance to play in it. This was his first experience. And boy did he love it!

His first taste of snow! I love this little boy!!!!

Daddy trying to get him to sit on the trashcan lid and ride down the hill. He did not want to do this!! It was my idea!!!

Learning to throw snow balls at Daddy!

All bundled up and having fun!

He kept getting closer and closer and we kept hitting him with snowballs!

On another note....it was Valentine's weekend. I celebrated my 6th Valentine's Day with Braxton. We actually had our first date on Valentine's Day in 2004, when we went and watched "50 First Dates". I love my husband so much and I am so glad that we are spending our lives together...forever!

Reading List...

I promised myself I would be better about blogging...well that hasn't happened! How will I find the time to blog when there are 2 kids to tend to? I must find the time, and I will find the time!
It is hard to believe that January is long gone and we are almost to the 1/2 way point of February. Time flies when you are busy and having fun. I wish I was having more fun than being busy. So what has consumed me the month of January? The answer would be READING! I don't really know why I am on a reading kick. It usually hits me around the summer months when I can sit out side, or hang out at the lake with my family, or better yet sit on the beach listening to the ocean waves. But no, my reading kick hit during the cold month of January. Since January 1, I have completed 5 books, and my 6th book will be finished by Tuesday evening!

Here is my list...

1. "When Joy Came To Stay" by Karen Kingsbury

2. "Nanny Returns" by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

3. "Left Behind" by Lahaye and Jenkins

4. "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks

5. "Tribulation Force" by Lahaye and Jenkins

I am going back and reading the Left Behind series because I never finished them up when I graduated college. I read books 1-7, but then stopped. So I am going back and reading them now. And I am enjoying them so much! I have a goal of 20 books in 2010. I have gotten off to a pretty good start!

I am one of those readers that wants every book to become a movie! Even though I am talking about myself, I have to say that I have one of the best imaginations. The imagination can really make the book come alive.

July 30, 2010

Braxton and I started our family on March 18, 2006.

We had our son on March 16, 2008.

Our new bundle of joy is due July 30, 2010!

Yes, we are expecting child number 2! We are thrilled. A little on the nervous side but happy to know we will become parents for the second time. The news was a little unexpected, but when you are not preventing it, then it should not be unexpected!

How did we find out? The day before Thanksgiving I went to the ER because I was having severe lower abdominal pain. When it started hurting on the right side, I thought it was an appendicitis. They asked if I was pregnant and I told them "NO". (I had taken a pregnancy test just 2 weeks before and it was negative!) They did a CT scan and discovered I had an enlarged ovary. AND after the blood test and urine test, discovered I was PREGNANT!

I called and scheduled my appointment with my OB and took an at home pregnancy test the next week. And today I began my monthly OB visits. They will perform an ultrasound next Monday just to be sure everything is okay with the ovary.

Braxton, Parker and I so thankful that God has blessed our family with our new miracle!

Pumpkin Patch

Fall is here and it is lovely. Well, some of the days have been lovely. It would be nice if the rain would hold off a bit so we can at least enjoy the fall weather. We did find a break in the clouds and took Parker for the first time to the Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden, Alabama. This particular pumpkin patch is located close to where we live.

I have to be honest and say that I did not grow up visiting the pumpkin patch as a child. To my knowledge I never visited a pumpkin patch with my family or with my school. And no, I don't hold a grudge because I can list numerous items that other people never had the opportunity to do, but I did! But as a first time mom, I wanted to be sure that my son got to experience the pumpkin patch.

Sunday, we made our plans. Parker fell asleep in the truck on the way home from church, so we let him sleep while Braxton and I went by the house to change clothes. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at the local mexican restaurant, then headed to the patch. Just as we arrived, the sun came out! Yippee!!! The first thing that caught Parker's eye was the big green and yellow tractor. See, Parker loves Braxton's lawnmower, but more than that Parker loves his Papa's lawnmower. Every afternoon when I get Parker out of his carseat, he immediately runs to Braxton's riding lawnmower and climbs up. He thinks he is such a big boy sitting up there acting as if he was driving. So when he saw big JOHN DEERE TRACTOR, wow was he impressed!

After we convinced him to get off the tractor, we visited some of the decorations for a couple of photo ops. As any 18 month, almost 19month old would...he wouldn't look at the camera. OH WELL! Those are the memories we have!

Parker as the Pumpkin Sheriff! He loved smiling for this picture!

Wondering why he was holding this thing!

Still not real sure about the pumpkins! They looked like balls, but they were not as light!

Next on to the wagon ride and to pick out our pumpkin! I was excited about the wagon ride. Parker of course could not take his eyes off of the tractor that was going to be pulling our wagon. His eyes were glued. The ride didn't bother him and we know he is not allergic to hay! We found two great pumpkins to decorate our porch. No carving this year....maybe we will try it when he is 2 and 1/2!

Waiting for the Wagon to arrive

He was not about to take his eyes off that tractor!

Enjoying the ride!

Not real sure about all the pumpkins. He mainly liked the ones that were rotting!

Although there was so much more to do besides just getting a pumpkin, we decided that we would add something new each year. Probably the Pony Rides and the Petting Zoo next year. Then when he is a little older (and it is worth the money), he can enjoy the inflatables. Of course we did let him go by the tractor one more time! Here he is with his Mommy. And yes he refused to look at the camera again.

Fall Has Come! Or at least FOOTBALL SEASON!

Yes, the Reno family still exists! Wow and have we been busy. It is hard to believe I haven't posted in almost 2 months. Sorry followers!!! So here is a little update!

JULY

July was a great month for us. We went on our annual beach trip with the Reno family. This was the first time I have ever stayed at the beach for a whole 7 days! It was great. We had great weather and Parker LOVED the beach - including the sand and the ocean. Not that I am trying to rush through the next year, but I know he will have even more fun in 2010 at the beach! The rest of July was the same old thing. Work, church, family time and just enjoying the summer and beautiful weather.

AUGUST
August was a busy month for the Reno family. Every weekend was booked with family time and home improvement projects. During the month we actually laid SOD in our front yard and on the sides. It was alot of hard work for the guys who helped out and it looks great. Braxton likes it because he hasn't had to cut the front yard in over a month! HA! Parker also got tubes put in his ears at the end of the month. He had 9 ear infections in the last 12 months. It was time and I can already tell a difference! Once again we spent the month enjoying the weather and staying busy with work, church, family and friends!



NOW....can you believe it is already September? CRAZY! And best of all.....FOOTBALL SEASON is here!! So this is the first weekend of college football and Braxton made it known on the fridge calendar "No work! Only football" for Saturday, September 5th! And that has been pretty much it for him! And I am glad he has gotten to enjoy it. I on the other hand get a little bit of cleaning down to the house.


Last night I had the opportunity to attend my first Kelly's Kids clothing party. It was so tough to decide what to buy. We have been VERY blessed by my sister who has passed down all of my nephew's (Gavin) clothing to us for Parker. Not only is she what I would call a shopaholic for her children, but she kept the clothes in great shape! So we have been fortunate to not have to spend alot of money on clothing for Parker - just a few things here and there because of Gavin being born in November and Parker being born in March. So....I splurged a little!
A MUST have for this football family! I didn't get it monogrammed because I want to be able to use it for another boy (if we have another boy)!I did get this shirt monogrammed with Parker. Aren't the pants adorable?!!?!?! This outfit will probably be used for his 2 year pictures! So it was worth it...at least that is what I keep telling myself.
So we have had a great weekend so far and looking forward to the rest of the weekend with the Duckworth family at Lake Guntersville. Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Huntsville Weekend

I had a successful first week on my new job. I loved it! The atmosphere was great. I got so much done, and some of my tasks are already being put into action! So after a great work week, we were excited to spend some time with my family in Huntsville.

Friday night we hung around my parents' house. We were outside playing and heard the ice cream truck. Parker got to purchase and eat his first Popsicle! Let me just say that prices have gone WAY UP! We paid $2 for a rocket popsicle! CRAZY!!! I remember when I could buy a rocket popsicle for under a $1. Oh well, he had a great time eating it and got it everywhere. We tried to get him to play in the sprinkler when he was finished, but he wasn't game for that!

Saturday morning we spent time around the house. Then we met for my dad's birthday celebration lunch at Red Robin which is located at Bridge Street. We had a great lunch with the entire family (minus Brant because he had to work at the fire station). Lunch was yummy and my dad had the opportunity to turn red as they sang happy birthday to him. I must say I love their food and the entire atmosphere. Plus if you have kids, they can be as loud as the like! Me, my mom and my sister pitched in and bought my dad a GPS for his father's day/birthday. Too bad he can't find my address on there!

Papa with his grandkids - Dakota, Gavin & Parker

After lunch we walked through Bridge Street and let the kids play in their "mini water park". I guess you could say this is Bridge Street's version of Gardendale's Splash Pad! Parker was a little unsure at first, but then he warmed up to it...with the help of Dakota and Gavin!

Parker Enjoying The Water!

Dakota Teaching Parker What To Do!

Dakota and Gavin

Saturday afternoon we had to go to Athens to pick up Briella, Braxton's sister, and take her to her parents' house. Then we rushed into Birmingham to meet friends for date night - dinner and a movie. We ate at Moe's, which I LOVE!!! And then went to see The Proposal. It was a great movie and I will be buying it when it comes out on DVD!

Sunday we went to church and then over to Brandie and Rodney's for Briella's 15th Birthday party. It is hard to believe she is 15 years old! I don't have any pictures from the day because I was actually in the pool enjoying swimming with Parker and Braxton. It was the first time Braxton had swam in the pool with Parker since last summer. He was so happy to be in that pool and he did not want to have to get out!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! And Melissa, if you are reading this....hope you are doing well and hope Erik is doing well!!

Change In Employment

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I have quoted this scripture many times as I have grown up. For so many situations, this scripture fits to a T. God is so real and he knows exactly what we need when we need it.

As a little background....I have been working in Huntsville, AL at Huntsville Hospital for the Foundation (the fundraising arm of the hospital) for the last 4 years. I started working for HHF in April of 2005, at the time I was living in Huntsville with my parents. Then after Braxton and I married in March 2006, I began the search for a job in Birmingham. From May '06 to August '06, I worked in Birmingham, but within my 90 days of leaving HHF (89 days to be exact!) I made the big decision to return! And I NEVER regretted my decision!

So for 3 years I have been driving 80 miles ONE WAY to work. That is 160 miles a day! 800 miles a week! I did break this up some by having the opportunity to work from home on some Fridays and by staying with my parents 2 nights a week. And for the last year and 2 months, I have toted Parker all along the way. Burning up I-65!!!

In February of this year, I started a long and rewarding process of interviewing for a job. During this long process many prayers and much fasting took place. I truly wanted God's will in my life. Two weeks ago I was offered (and I accepted) a job as an administrative assistant for ChristWay Church of God (my new "home" church). I will start my job June 22, which means my last week at HHF is this week.

This is a bittersweet opportunity. I will miss my friends and "family" at HHF. I will miss the awesome opportunities of growth I have had. And I will miss the awesome events I had the chance to plan and assist with. But I can honestly say, I will not miss driving! I am going to get the opportunity to be a wife, mother, housekeeper, and best friend to my husband 7 days a week! I feel like I am getting a part of my life back that was missing. Not only am I doing this for Parker and Braxton, I am also doing this for myself.

To my fellow employees at HHF, I will miss you all greatly! I will never work with another group of people who are so talented and devoted to their work as you all have been. I wish the Foundation much success and growth!

God has his perfect plan on his perfect timing. Thank you, Lord!

Parker aka the Musician

Okay, so my dad, my sister, my mom (a little bit) and myself are all musicians. My dad plays piano/keyboard, the trombone and in high school the tuba. In addition he is an awesome singer. My sister played the cello, clarinet and piano growing up, and is an awesome singer as well. My mom, well she sings. And myself, I play alto saxophone and I sing. SO....of course Parker has to have some musical talent in his blood.

Some of his favorite songs include....

• The Alabama Fight Song
• I Feel Good
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Song
• Clean Up, Clean Up
• If you're happy and you know it
  

Here are a few pictures of my little musician.

Parker's first experience playing the drums at his Auntie E's house. Thanks Gavin for letting us use your drums and you Disney World Drum Sticks!

Now...lets just hope he keeps the Duckworth family talent and maybe his dad's singing ability won't rub off too much!

Hair Cuts & T-Town

"Don't cut those curls!!!!" I can't tell you how many people said that to me this weekend. It was time. Parker has been a year old for over a month, and sticking the old wives' tale concerning cutting a child's hair, I have waited long enough! Plus...I can only imagine this summer in the HOT Alabama weather those precious curls matted to his sweaty forehead! Not so precious.

So, Saturday Braxton and I had hair appointments scheduled. I asked Shelly if she thought she could squeeze in Parker and she said it would be fine. So....goodbye curls? Parker sat in his daddy's lap while mommy took pictures (while having foil all in her hair!). He even got to wear a cute fish drape. He cried a little bit, but after bribery with marshmallows and singing songs from Sound of Music, he made it through.

The first locks gone!

Not a happy camper!!!!

Almost done!!! How handsome...and the curls are still there!

After the hair cuts it was time to drive to Tuscaloosa. It was our annual Reno Family trip to release balloons on campus in memory of Braxton's brother Bryan who passed away in 2003. This was only Parker's 2nd trip down to T-town. His first trip was last May and he was only 2 months old!

Alabama is #1....well really he is saying "I am 1"!

So, I am not wishing my son's life away, but it does mean alot to me to see my son on the University of Alabama campus. It is where Braxton and I met and I guess you could say we fell in love there, but UA has so many memories for both of us. And one day we do hope that Parker will follow in our footsteps and carry on the family tradition of Crimson and White!