Chase Parker Birdwell's 9 Month Checkup. . .

On April 25th my baby boy turned nine months old.  Amazing!  

He is at such a cute age.  He is loving every new day so he can explore and see something different.  He's making the cutest noises, including "da da", and is totally thinking that spitting is the coolest thing ever.  Even though he doesn't have a formal vast vocabulary like his brother he definitely knows how to get his feelings across and communicate what he wants.  He LOVES his toes and apparently thinks they taste gourmet.  During playtime on the floor he is getting great at moving around in circles and getting up on his hands and knees and "rocking".  He is definitely on his way to crawling.  He loves standing up and always has.  He loves walks around the neighborhood, playing on his blanket outside, swinging outside, getting licked by his basset pups, playing with his big brother (his favorite "toy" still!), watching his kitties prance around, but his favorite time of day is when Daddy gets home.  His eyes light up and sparkle brightly when he sees his Daddy.  He could care less where Mom is when Daddy is home.  Of course this warms Pauls heart to no end.

As for bedtime routine, Chase is still spoiling us rotten.  He takes his last bottle at 5pm, eats his food around 5:30 and heads off to bed between 5:45 and 6pm.  We never hear a peep at night and he wakes up usually around 7AM but plays in his crib for another 30 minutes or so.  We have been so blessed to have TWO great sleeping kiddos!

I took him to Dr. Dalrymple today for his 9 month checkup.  We are thankful that he received a great report.  Dr. Dalrymple said he is in perfect health and his growth rate is right on target.  Chase has only had one cold that lasted three days and that is it for sickness for nine whole months!  Thankfully we have not had to deal with ear infections or other usual sicknesses.  Thank you Jesus!  

His 9 month stats are:

Height:  29 inches

Weight:  21lbs. 13oz

He's in the 80 percentile for height and weight

And, YES, I took a couple pictures at the doc's office!  I have a picture of Dr. D. with Zachary so in all fairness I HAD to get one for Chase!  (Dr. D. knows that I am a nutcase!)

Easter Weekend 2011. . .

The activities started on Thursday and didn't stop til late Sunday night!  This Mom is pooped from the Easter Weekend!  As tiring as it was our family really enjoyed our time together though.

Thursday, of course, was Zach's school Easter party and egg hunt.  I've blogged about that so you've seen those pictures.  As if he didn't have enough eggs we decided to go to Grammy's church on Saturday morning for another hunt!  Chase Parker and Daddy came with us so we all enjoyed a morning of egg hunting, bouncy houses, big slides, and yummy delicious food.  The highlight of that morning, for me, was seeing my mother go down the big huge slide!  Wow, she is a hoot!  (see picture below!)  Zachary, Chase and I also enjoyed the slide.  Daddy played photographer.  And, Zachary got a prize for winning the most eggs in his age group, 44!!  Yeow. . . as if I needed all that candy laying around!!

Saturday evening we dressed up and headed over to my cousin's surprise 40th birthday bash!  It was a fabulous party and she turned 40 in grand style!  She looked beautiful, calm and collected so I guess 40 must not be so bad!  It was nice to visit with my Uncle Larry and Aunt Beverly who came to Tally for the big shindig.  The New York theme for the party was because Philip, Angie's husband, surprised her with a week long trip to NYC coming up in June.  She has always wanted to go so she was over the moon!  We had a great time!

Sunday rolled around and we all enjoyed church together Easter morning.  Zachary sat in "big" church with us so that was a special treat.  Chase Parker lasted all the way to the closing prayer before he started getting a little rowdy.  Both boys were so good and this mom was SO proud of them.

After church we came home for a picnic lunch of hot dogs and the trimmings then we headed over to Aunt Faye's for yet ANOTHER egg hunt.  Zachary had a wonderful time playing with all his cousins.  It was a first time for some to meet Chase Parker so he had a blast being spoiled rotten too.

It was a fun, full weekend and we are so thankful for all the parties, fun, etc. but most of all, thankful for the reason that we are able to celebrate Easter. . .an empty tomb!

Enjoy the pictures below. . .

Easter Fun at Grammy's Church. . .

Look at my mother!!

Angie's Birthday Bash!

The dreaded 40 hat!  Nasty snake rattle even!!

Who Knew A Bird's Nest Would Taste So Good!

Today has been a VERY full day.  It's 9PM and I feel like I've been working nonstop for 48 hours.  Well, not really working very much. . . today has been pure fun fun fun!

Even though it is Thursday Zachary went to school.  His teacher invited him to come because they had scheduled their Easter Egg hunt for today.  He has been making eggs, making his egg basket, bunny hats, etc. all week in preparation for this day.  He was so excited!  And, it was exciting for me since I was able to go too and spend the morning with him.

Grammy came over to stay with Chase Parker so Zach and I could have our fun.  We arrived at school and headed into the classroom.  The kids were just arriving and sitting down to watch a cool Veggie Tales Easter video.  Then it was time to HUNT!  It was really neat because Zach's class first went outside into the garden to HIDE the eggs for their friends in Mrs. Duncan's class.  Then, they had storytime while that class was finding all their hidden eggs.  After Mrs. Duncan's class was done they hid more eggs for Zach's class.  What a neat way to do it.  The kids enjoyed hiding AND hunting!  I got millions of cute pictures.  Some are posted below and all of them are on my facebook profile.

After the egg hunt we all went inside for a special cake snack.  Zachary enjoyed it so much but then it was time for me and him to head home.  Grammy and Chase were waiting for us to make a special treat for Easter. . . . Bird Nests with Eggs!

First of all, Zachary had SO much fun making this with Grammy and secondly, my mother has the patience of a SAINT!  She was so patient with Zach, it was amazing.  They both enjoyed themselves so much.  I've included the recipe in case any of you want to try them.  They are yummy delicious!  We enjoyed ours tonight after dinner.  Daddy really enjoyed his.  Thank you very much Grammy!  We all love you so much.

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Tasty Birds’ Nests

(an “eggstra” special treat to make with children)

1/4 cup butter or margarine                                    4 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter                                1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 cups chow mein noodles                                    1 cup jelly beans or candy eggs

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and marshmallows until smooth, stirring occasionally.  Add the peanut butter and chocolate chips; heat and stir for about 2 minutes or until smooth.  Remove from the heat; stir in chow mein noodles until coated.  Divide into 12 mounds on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.  Using fingers, shape each into a nest; press an indentation in the center of each nest.  Fill nest with three or four jelly beans or candy eggs.  Cool.  Store in an airtight container.  

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Well, I am pooped!  I've had Easter fun, cooked a new chicken alfredo recipe (hubby LOVED it!) , done laundry, kept a baby happy and a 4 year old entertained all day.  I'd say it's time for a relaxing foot rub from the hubby.  I think I can talk him into that pretty easily!

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL Easter.  It is a fun holiday with all the bunnies, egg hunts, chocolate, etc. but I hope we all remember what we REALLY should be celebrating.  I was so impressed when Zachary came home a few days ago and told me the entire Easter story of Jesus dying on the cross, being in the tomb for three days and rising again.  They, of course, have been studying the REAL meaning of Easter at school, along with all the fun.

Enjoy the pictures below. . .the video of Grammy and Zach is not uploading so I'm working on it and hope to have it up soon.  Will upload it to facebook in the meantime. . .

Trinity United Easter Egg Hunt!

Great Balls of Fun!

Caught some cute shots of the daily races today. . . Papa and Zachary have an amazing love for each other and for those 15 balls.  These simple days will be the greatest memories for them both (and me too!).