Birthday Success!

I'm pretty sure by looking at these pictures you can tell that Chase Parker enjoyed his birthday thoroughly.  (especially his cupcake!)

He ate a pile of spaghetti for dinner with a bread and watermelon.  His tummy was full full full afterwards.

We can't wait to celebrate with family and friends this weekend. . . stay tuned for more pictures coming soon.

He's Cute And He's Two!!!!

This morning when I heard Chase Parker waking up around 7AM I woke Daddy up and then went in to Zach's room to wake him up.  The plan was to all go in as a family and serenade Chase Parker with the birthday song.  Well, it took me about 10 minutes to get the guys going.  Daddy was putting his contacts in while I was still trying to get Zach up.  He told me he wanted to go sing to Chase as long as I let him "come back to bed and charge his batteries just a teeny weeny bit more".  I told him that was a deal.  So, here we go, into Chase's bedroom with our beautiful voices singing.  When we opened his door he was, of course, standing up in his crib.  He had a look of "what in the world?" on his face.  He then got so shy that he hid his face!  It was the cutest thing!  He didn't have a clue that today was his big day.   He quickly figured it out though and enjoyed being the center of attention this morning.

We ate breakfast and got ready to head out to take Zach to camp and Chase Parker to school.  When we arrived at school he proudly told his teachers that he was TWO!  I'm sure he will be pampered at school as usual but we will also have fun pampering him tonight.  Sunday we plan to pamper even more with a party of course!

I guess every mother thinks of the day their baby was born when it's his or her birthday.  Remembering that day brings so much joy to my heart but also a memory of one of the most difficult times in my life.  Many of you know he was born 6.5 weeks early.  While he was healthy as a horse, thankfully, it was still a very difficult time because it meant being discharged from the hospital without my baby boy.  That was rough to say the least.  He only stayed in NICU 16 days but that was the longest 16 days ever!

From a preemie baby of just 5lbs. he has chunked up now!  I'm so thankful that God has brought him through preemiehood and months of physical therapy and now he is a happy, healthy, thriving boy.

He's such a different child from Zachary.  I have both ends of the spectrum with my two boys.  Definitely makes for an interesting life!

I'll leave you with some fun facts about Chase Parker at TWO. . . (and, of course, some photos!!)

Favorite Snack:  Any type of crackers!  If it makes a crunch in his mouth he likes it!

Favorite Dinner:  Spaghetti (that's what we are having tonight!)

Favorite Fruit:  Watermelon (he can put it away if the mood strikes him)

Favorite Sayings:  "More of this!", "Mama sit!", "Mama watch!"

Favorite Person:  PAPA!!!  No doubt.  The boy loves him some Papa!!

Bedtime:  Still between 6 and 6:30pm.

Wakes Up:  Around 7AM

Favorite Toys:  Trains and Trucks (typical boy!)

Favorite Outside Activity:  Water!  He loves the pool and has no fear (bless my heart!)

Odd Favorite:  He LOVES brushing his teeth.  I think he would do it all day long if I let him.

He loves to rub people's heads.  Anybody, he doesn't care.  But, he likes shorter hair the better.  We were in the dentist office waiting room (waiting on Zach) one day and I had such a hard time keeping him from going up to everyone to rub their head!

He is LOUD LOUD LOUD!  The boy only knows the loud button.  I really am praying for the day when the little tike finds his inside voice!

He loves to give hugs and kisses.  He is irresistible when he comes up to you saying "Hugs! Hugs!" and then wraps his little arms around you and plants a wet one on you.

We love our boy!  

Happy Birthday Chase Parker!!!

   Here he is on his first day home almost 2 years ago.

Here is Chase Parker at ONE!

and now at TWO!!

and lastly, this is a sweet picture I snapped this morning.  I love, love, love his eye lashes!  I was so happy to get this sweet little expression.  Captured on camera and now mine forever to remember.
I love you Chase Parker!

I Stink Lately!

Wow, I see that it's been 24 days since my last blog entry.  Sad.

I was telling my bestie today how completely guilty I feel about my family blog.  I have definitely been neglecting it lately. . . but, with good reason.

I wish I could have about 48 hours in each day right now.  Between shuffling the boys to preschool and different camps during the weeks, being out of town quite a bit, keeping home responsibilities going, keeping a husband straight, photoshoots, and getting down to the wire of my new website launching, I have been SWAMPED to say the least.

I can't really remember an evening where I have gone to bed before 1AM when I've been in town.  I've even let my gym workouts go.  Not good!!

But, hopefully, it will all be worth it in a few weeks when I have some major deadlines met and goals finally accomplished.  At that time I hope to be able to get back to my "normal" blogging schedule!

For now though, I am going to leave you with some super cute instagram photos from recent weeks.  I promise one day I will return to the land of "real" photos!!  SOON!!!!


The boys have had so much fun at the beach this summer. . .

Chase Parker is a hoot!  Constantly messing with his brother is his favorite past time!

We've had lots of fun with Drew and Brady this summer. . .

He's pretending to be a couch potato!

I love these little things even though they drive me nuts!

Bella is ALL about Bella.  She enjoys her life for sure.  What more can I say?

My little comedian. . . so cute!!

And, yes, even with hectic schedules we've managed a few date nights!

Saturday Fun With Chase Parker. . .

It's been a fun Saturday. . .today Daddy and Zach spent a good majority of the day at the airfield.  Paul is practicing with his new helicopter and Zach was excited to go watch.  I decided to have a date day with my sweet baby boy Chase Parker.  Late this afternoon we decided to hit the pool to cool off.  I got some adorable pictures don't you think??  When we came inside to eat dinner he absolutely ate like a horse!  After his meal he asked for more watermelon and decided to eat three more big bowls of it.  I'm seeing so much progress in his eating now.  Relief!  And, today was the first day of the dreaded "why's".  I took a double take when I asked him to put a train back up on the table and he quickly responded "why?".  Oh boy. . . the "why" questions are coming!

Tomorrow the Birdwells are headed to the beach to have some more fun in the sun.  Monday will be here before we know it!

Overdue Update. . .

Lots of family happenings to catch you up on. . .

First of all, Zach had fun at his last day of school on May 31st.  I was there as a volunteer with the all day long party they had.  The kids had a blast and the teachers did too.  I can't believe this is his last year at Trinity.  Here he is below having his last review of the day with his beloved Mrs. Duclos.

And, the last picture of the day. . . with all of his buds as we walk to the car to leave.  A tear jerker!!!

And, summer has begun at the Birdwell abode!  Bouncehouse fun and more.

My sweet hubby surprised me one day recently and took the entire day off work to spend with me.  Our date day was FABULOUS.  We went shopping together, saw the Avengers, and ate at our favorite burger joint. . . Five Guys.  I miss spending time with him without the kids around so much.  He could tell that I needed it!  He is so freakin' sweet!!!

We had two people tell us that day that we needed our own comedy show.  I guess we were having fun together.  Here we are trying to find him some "clean" tennis shoes.  I let him try these suckers on but there was no way he was leaving with these "toe" tennis shoes.  Not a chance!!  I had fun taking pictures though.

We parked by this old, but still very cool, Land Rover at the movies.  I hope my car looks this good when it's that age!  She's seven years old and still goin' strong.

Chase Parker had his first swim lesson!  He cried the entire time  but he did everything she told him too.  He is a little trooper.  Zach has been taking refresher lessons as well.  Getting both boys used to the water for summertime!

 

And speaking of summertime. . . I just enjoyed a much needed girls weekend break with my bestie Erin.  She and I enjoyed Destin for a few days.  We had a blast relaxing on the beach, staying up late chatting, and eating delish food.  We both missed our boys though!

 

Chase Parker was originally scheduled to start school three mornings a week this coming August.  But, THANKFULLY, Trinity had an opening become available and he started the summer session.  Here  he is his first day of school trying with all his might to carry that big lunchbox.  He wants to carry it everyday.  He only cried one morning when I dropped him off.  Now he gives me and brother a wave and hug goodbye, hands his lunchbox to his teacher and off he goes to play.  Does a momma's heart SO good!  He is loving it.  When I pick him up after lunch his chest is puffed out a mile!

Erin, Drew and Brady invited us to go with them to the Florida Museum of Natural History and Butterfly Museum in Gainesville.  We had a blast.  I highly recommend this.  It is a great place for kids! 

 

Fun times at home with a completely spoiled rotten doggie!!