February Updates

Wait, it's almost March already?!  Michael and I set some exciting goals for ourselves this year and we started with some incredible memories!  Michael got a raise and is still loving his job.  Even though this move was unexpected and sudden, he is home for dinner most night and gets to spend a lot more time at home with us instead of in hotels.  My job is still going well, although I have had a few snow days lately, which are great, but they don't pay me to have snow days so it is a little frustrating.  To clarify...the company I work for is based out of New York, so when they get lots of snow and/or ice people tend to cancel their appointments, which means I do not have files to transcribe…

We have started the process of looking for our first home (again).  We really like our realtor and have looked at a few properties.  No signatures have hit paper yet, but we will be sure to keep you updated along the way!

Parker is still crazy as ever, and we could not be happier :)  His one year check went fantastic and the doctor said he is a perfectly proportioned 18-month-old…the kid weighs 28 pounds and is almost 3 feet tall!  

Instead of sharing a list of "firsts" now that we have celebrated his first birthday, I am going to share some of my favorite moments over the coming months:  

This is how he was watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse…crazy kid!

Somebody loves his Uncle Chris! 

He always has kisses for Nee Naw!  ALWAYS.

…and then there is this face.

Mommy's little buddy :) 

This is what I came into one morning.  His changing table is next to his crib and I guess he decided to steal his diapers out of the drawer!  Little thief!

Sliding at the playground with Mommy!

He wasn't really sure what to think of it all...

We started going to "Toddler Story Time" at Barnes and Noble.   Parker loves it and even colored a Valentine's Day picture for Daddy :)

We spent one of my "snow days" visiting Uncle Brian and Dwight since they were stuck in Orlando with flight delays.  Did I mention Parker cried when they left…? :(

"Dad.  This is MY crib.  Get out."

Riding the carousel at Sea World

Helping Pap Paw clean up!

And just for a little laugh…

To give you an idea of just what life is like with this crazy little boy, these are five photos I took over the course of 15 minutes one morning (10 Feb)...

Step 1: Yoga.

Step 2:  Music lessons.

Step 3:  Walk the dog.  And I would just like to add that Cooper's leash was hung up on our coat rack and I still have no clue how this little monkey got it…

Step 4:  Grab some Cheerios.

Step 5:  Try to climb the stairs and hope Mom doesn't notice...

Yes, 15 minutes.  He is a non-stop busy little ball of curious, and I love it!  It is never a dull moment in our house, but I wouldn't change it for anything!

All our love,

The Miller's :)   

Birthday and Family Photos

A few weeks before Parker's birthday, Auntie Mandy and Uncle Chris came over the Wesley Chapel for a visit!  While they were here, we went to an outdoor mall not too far from our house since it was a beautiful day.  Parker and Mommy took a train ride…

...Uncle Chris loaded Parker with sugar…

…and best of all…I won a photo session!!  There was a little market set up throughout the outdoor mall with various vendors and local businesses.  Kelly Smith from Real Life Photography of Tampa had a booth set up and stopped us to sign up to win a photo session.  I never win anything, EVER, but I put my email address down and sure enough, I won!!  Here are some of the photos what we got from the session:

What a great surprise, and such perfect timing!  Kelly captured this memorable time in our lives so wonderfully, and we are so grateful!

Happy Birthday, Parker!

People have told me throughout my entire life, "enjoy every minute because they will be 18 and out of the house before you know it!"  I hate to admit it, but that statement becomes my reality more and more every single day.

As we prepared for Parker's first birthday party, my first question to Michael: "What theme do you want?"  His response: "What theme?! You do realize he is turning one and won't care."  Yes, Michael, but it is no fun to plan a party without a theme.  Duh.  So he reluctantly chose race cars, and I went to town furiously browsing every pin on Pinterest to find the perfect decorations and party food…obviously.

As the planning began, Parker's Mimi and Papa (my parents) bought plane tickets and started making plans to join us for the party!  We also learned that Parker's Great Aunt Pam and Great Uncle Bob (my aunt and uncle) would be in Florida during the month of January, so they were going to be able to join us for the party as well!  The RSVP's started flying in and we were ready to party!

The food and decorations - Thank you, Pinterest!

Parker's Nana made his awesome smash cake (that he didn't really smash...) and it was yummy!

Parker was not a huge fan of cake being on his hands…

But we gave him a fork, and all was right with the birthday boy!

"Mom, I think I am done."

Parker's Great, Great Grandma (Nee Naw) joined us for the party.  For those of you that do not know, Nee Naw makes the most delicious banana nut bread on the planet, and she was kind enough to not only make some, but share her recipe with us!  She is the best :)

Visitors!  We had visitors from afar to celebrate this special day with us!  My two friends from high school made the 2 hour drive from Deland to make memories with us :)

Lindsey and Kayla!

Great Uncle Bob, Great Auntie Pam, and Pap Paw

"Uncle Chris, Mommy won't let me have any cake!"

Loong, Kristina, Uncle Chris, Jan, and Nee Naw during present time!

Parker getting acquainted with Makayla

We lost the birthday boy at one point for a brief attitude adjustment in his crib (lack of a nap will get the best of him!), but he returned shortly after to continue the party like nothing every happened!  Love this little monster!

Before leaving, everyone was asked to leave their thumbprint to create a balloon collage for Parker to always remember this special day.

It was an incredible day full of laughter, fun, and lifelong memories.  We are so thankful to everyone who was able to join us and for those that were not physically with us, but sent their warm wishes and generous gifts for Parker.  We love each and every one of you and cannot wait to share with you what the next year has in store for us!

All our love,
The Millers :)