Celebrating Parker

My Baby is TWO!!!

Two years ago this HUGE 10 lb 6 oz baby joined us, this lil guy was so over due, swollen and looked so uncomfortable, BUT he was so beautiful with his dark hair and BIG BLUE eyes. One thing I enjoyed was since Braden was around everyone was worried about how he felt so I got alot of time with Parker. Lots of snuggle time, gazing time, oh how I miss that. Parker was a momma's boy for a little time! One lil piece of information on how two babies can be so different. Parker was 10lbs 6 oz's - at a year he was 20lbs
Braden was 8 lbs 2.5 oz's - at a year he was 31 lbs
Parker is I believe right at 30 lbs now (when wet)
Braden is around 45 lbs .
Parker was born with dark hair - and now has WHITE blonde hair
Braden was born with a redish brown FUZZ --- now has dirty dishwater blonde hair like his momma.
Parker has BRIGHT light blue eyes like my Grandpa Bentley
Braden has dark deep blue eyes like his father.
Gotta love what the lord creates! Two beautiful little boys.

Okay forgive me the photos are in reverse order, silly blogger thing takes them and reverses them which I forget about till I already upload them. I would rearrange them but then you wouldn't be able to enlarge them.

Here is Parker with his cake!

Parker was soooo Proud of himself - blew the candles out in one lil blow.

He loved getting sung to!

Goofy look....

Braden loves birthdays and will tell you that his is coming up soon. (Not till November) But he at least can be happy for his brother's birthday.

Parker Wayne is a pure joy. He is literally a child that makes you want to have 10 more. He has a sweet spirit. Loves his brother. Puts up with allot of bossing around by his brother. His smile and giggle are the sweetest, cutest, melt your heart things I've ever experienced. He is a good helper! Wonderful sorter! Picky eater, doesn't seem to like meat right now. Polite child. He might of been an accident but oh what a wonderful one he is!
He has hit the terrible twos, can throw a good fit when he is ticked off, yells at me when his brother gets in trouble, and can be very demanding, especially hates when you don't move fast enough for him after he has said Pweeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.
I do love my Parker Wayne

Cool Dude

Parker Loves his brothers sun glasses - I repeat L-O-V-E-S them. There are moments in the day that it becomes a very annoying compulsive behavior. He will bring them to you and request help to get them on his face. Then will take a few steps they will fall down cause they are HUGE on his face. The the whole things starts again. We will do this for an hour some days. This is a photo from a few weeks ago - we were playing as a family in the living room and out of like 25 photos this is the best one and this one has been doctored. Yes I photoshop his face.... a motherly task of cleaning his face.
Saturday is Bradens 3rd birthday, we are so excited around here. We are doing a small family gathering. My parents, Brants parents, Brock (Brants brother) and his girlfriend Stefani and possibly my brother. I will be attempting to make a "boot" cake. We are doing a cowboy theme since he is all about cowboys right now. It will be nice to see family again, we havent seen my in-laws in ...... a month? or more. Crud I cant remember. With the whole "move" weighing on my mind sure makes these moments more special. Who knows what next November will hold for us.

Quick Photos and Philosphy

Friday night was Halloween. This is the first Halloween we did more than two houses. It was a long night. I do think the boys had a decent time. Braden got many compliments on his "cowboy" costume and again the "skunk" costume was gushed over.

Today (Sunday) I had to teach Young Womens at our ward. A lesson that I didn't feel I should give, smile, but we don't get to pick the lessons we want to teach. I'm sure this was to help me as much as the girls.

I've decided that I need to become more Black and White in my life. I've always accepted alot of grey. But I'm learning that grey area's don't work. Things I've found out the past month. Time is important. It is all about time. Making time for the things that are important. Important to the progression of my family and those goals that we have. Character, it is so important. Just like we discussed today, surrounding ourselves with things and people that bring light into our life, that sustain us in our lives. I've figured out that when there are things that bring darkness it can consume you.

So it might be too early for a yearly resolution but I have had a personal revelation that started three Sundays ago. A lesson that at the time didn't seem to apply but within two days everything that was discussed started happening in my life and I was confronted on how to handle it. I now know what problems I have to work on. It is hard teaching the youth in our church. They look to you to be an example. How poor of an example I can be with some things I allow or accept in my life. Time for an adjustment. I'm ready for this adjustment.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. November is here and with it a time for reflection on the things that we are thankful for. Its also the month that Braden will turn 3. How exciting. The next two months go by fast and I'm tightening my seat belt.

What a Week!

Okay so what a week! It has been one accident after another lately. Monday I fell down the stairs. I was holding Parker. Since I was holding him and trying to break his fall I did not do a very good job at saving myself. I think Parker walked away with a small bruise on his cheek ... tears quickly stopped. Mine on the other hand. Lingered... Still Lingers! So when this happened my husband was upstairs asleep since he had gotten off a night rotation. I screamed for help cause first I needed to make sure Parker was okay and I was unable to move much. I'm a wuss I think. I've never broke a bone. Only had one sprain that I knew of and that was over within a day. So I couldn't tell if I had broke my ankle, toe, foot, but it was in pain. Husband immediately put ice on it. Everything calmed down and he went upstairs to go back to sleep. Still unable to move I didn't see my little Parker crawl under a table, he messed with a ladder that has sat there forever and never gets touched. On top of the ladder was a speaker. At least a 5 pound speaker. It came hurling down and punctured Parker in the head... so here I am gimping under the table... blood gushing from a head wound... Brant awoke to the screams of the baby and me saying Brant there is Blood I need you. Brant decided maybe sleep wasn't in his cards. So he stayed awake. I waited for a doctor to call me back on what I should do about this ankle. Finally around 5 30 we dropped the boys off at my parents and went to an urgent care clinic. Nothing was broke. Just sprained. I've heard it might have felt better if it had just broke.
So Tuesday night I went to the church to set up for the Halloween party. Brant had bowling league. He opted to take Braden with him. Braden was fascinated with the arcade. He wasn't well supervised but Brant did manage to catch a glimpse of him bending over looking at his toes as he jumped from one of the "car" arcade games. He went face first into the box where the seat is. First real nice shiner!

Same night I had mom watch Parker as I was decorating. Parker managed to go face first into the bricks around mom's flower beds. Tooth almost through the lip. Seriously can anything more happen this week? I'm not sure I can handle anything more "injury wise".

So Wednesday we had part 1 of our Halloween adventure. Ward Halloween Party. Braden was a cowboy. Parker a skunk.

A deadly skunk.

That loves BALLS.

Braden loves his 8 or older cap guns his father picked up for him. I have a feeling he will have them taken away alot. He shoots everyone and then tells them to Die. I told him that we only shoot bad guys. So He proclaimed that Papa B was a bad guy and shot him.

Today as I'm getting onto him I told him he was being a bad boy. He laughed and told me to shoot him.

Stink eye from the skunk. This costume was Braden's first one. I had picked it cause that child had some stinky diapers. Parker fits this costume cause he has the attitude and looks of a skunk most days.

As some might now tomorrow is my mothers Birthday! So we are going over there. We will be trick and treating and then handing out candy. And celebrating moms birthday! I'm looking forward to it. My mom is my best friend. She is there for me whenever I need her. She listens and doesn't judge me. She understands my trials. She knows my heartaches. And hey she loves my kids... okay she might have too but .... she's pretty darn awesome. I'm very lucky to have her so close and so available. I count that blessing every night.

So I'll have more photos tomorrow (or tonight for those that check the time stamp). I'm hoping Braden has fun getting candy from people. He enjoyed it the other night at the trunk or treat. I think he will enjoy giving the candy most of all. And that might be the best thing since Mommas toes still can not handle alot of pressure.

An October Day...

LOWES ROCKS

Saturday a friend reminded me that Lowe's was having their bi-monthly lil builder day. I didn't know how Braden would be able to handle this, let alone how I would handle him doing a "project" of sorts. But all in all it was a tremendous day! I was so impressed with Braden's "hand, eye" coordination. He didn't hit his or my finger the whole time... I on the other hand hit my own finger several times.
For those of you that have little ones and want a fun "FREE" project to do with your kids. Boy or Girl. Check out your local Lowes (not sure if Home Depot does it - we don't have one of those). On November 9th they are doing a Semi-Truck. Parker was signed up for that one. That will be a mommy project for P Wayne so that we don't have fights over the truck!

Saturday we had some fun. Brant took me to the Affair of the Heart in OKC. It is a craft fair, we are talking HUGE craft fair. I love attending. Last time I went Braden was lil. He was so manageable then. Myself and I think our Friends the Smiths are quickly finding we might need to invest in a good babysitter. I know of one that I'm sure could handle the chaos. Actually I can think of a couple. Next time I want to attend something they are so going to a baby sitter or the "Men Folk" can stay home and tend to the youngin's .
When we got home as a bribe to be good boys I told them they could play outside. It was a lovely fall day. Probably high 70's, with a crisp fall Oklahoma breeze. The boys played on the swing set and fort. Swung in the "Airplane" and the "Teddy Bear" both loved swinging.

This is one of Parkers faces he makes. He might grow up to be an entertainer. He seems to be preforming for his own make believe audience often. He seems to be a hit with them.

Braden is learning that the Big Boy swing is just as fun as the baby's airplane.

Here is Braden just about to head down the Slide. He Loves his fort. I cant wait to put the "tent" shade up. I know he will adore the feeling of his own place to be.

Okay this smile should be illegal! Finally got the Action Shot mode to work on the camera and oh my he was having a blast swinging back and forth.

Braden in the "infant" airplane swing. He loves this thing. It had been at grandma and papa B's house and not really getting much use out of it. It has a new FUN home now.

Can you believe this kid wrestles his brother, throws fits during the Primary Sacrament program, Say's no more than any human should be able to, can throw a toy down in disgust. Yes this sweet face. This lil angle does all of that... but most important he can be a sweet, hug and kiss giving, loving kid. What a doll!

We got the sidewalk chalk out and I helped draw their names and whatever else they wanted to see. Parker chewed on the chalk. Yellow and Blue do make green. Runny Green drool.

One of the places Braden loves to play is on his Papa G's trailer. We have it often at our house cause we are OFTEN doing home projects where we either need to go to the dump or buy way too much stuff at Lowe's. I think Braden also uses it as a stage. He is very animated when he plays on the trailer. Everything is always more fun on Papa's trailer.

Here the boys are celebrating that mommy is not begging them to get down off the trailer before they hurt themselves. Get a load out of Pwayne. This face is what you see when he is giggling in delight. ( that didn't sound very manly huh)

The boys played with the coupe alot. They shared the front seat which is SO very rare. They filled up their car with gas. Parker played "i want the door shut" game with Braden. Both thought it was HILARIOUS.

You know sometimes you see celebrities give the paparazzi looks when they are fed up with the intrusion? Yeah this is Parker's... "haven't you seen enough yet?" look.

Parker in mid laugh over the "Shut/Open" door game!

We had a decent Saturday. Loved going to the City. Didn't love my children's behavior. Got a few cute things to hang up on the walls and I will take photos asap. We have a list of renovations I need to accomplish before the holidays! Which are rapidly approaching.

Okay I have had around 15 hours of sleep total since Friday night. I must say goodnight/farewell/ ;)

This week is going to be filled with lots of candy, chaos and hopefully some fun. Hope the weather is nice. We have a church Halloween Party Wednesday, Downtown Ponca is having a Halloween carnival Thursday and then Friday is of course trick or treat night. I don't think Braden will make it to many doors but I know that as we Celebrate G'ma's birthday Halloween that he will enjoy handing out candy to all the cool costumes and such.

We hope everyone has a safe fun Halloween.

Ready for Halloween?

So we are so not ready for Halloween - i have some of Braden's costume I think. Heck if I know what he really wants to be. But I must make my mind of up this week. Parker will be a skunk, which is what Braden was his very first Halloween. He will make a cute skunk. I think we are either going to do Braden as a cowboy or Buzz Lightyear. I'm just torn right now. And he could probably care less.
This is a photo we took Thursday night. I need to send out Halloween cards to all the family and finally got around to getting a photo of the boys. This is as good as it gets with these two. Out of 15 shots this was the best. Both were attempting to look at the camera. Of course seconds after this shot Parker was not happy about the death grip "hug" Braden was laying on him.
Anyways - for those that are concerned Braden has had no more poop incidents this week. So I'm hoping we are getting somewhere.
Tomorrow we are headed to Shady Point Oklahoma, Poteau Oklahoma - the tallest hill! Shall be interesting. That part of Oklahoma is very pretty and it will be nice to see the sites. I bet the tree's will be beautiful with all the fall colors!

AAHHHHHH

Heavens, today has been a day. Actually this week has been a week! Oh and we are just on Wednesday! Someone say a prayer for me, wait no say a prayer for the kids.

So I need advice! Braden has been potty training himself. He got this idea on Monday. He had woke up early and decided that he was not wearing a diaper anymore. He refused to put on one and told me he needed to go potty. So he went first thing in the morning and actually went, like seriously went! I was impressed so we got the "cars" underwear back out and he was in Heaven with "Queen" on his tushy. No accidents all day! We even went to a friends house for a while and still no accident. I was so proud of him. Monday's naptime came and I put a diaper on him so that i could close his bedroom door and he would take a nap. I guess I'm going to have to get a baby monitor put in his room so i hear what he is doing up there because when I went upstairs to wake him up he had played in his poop. We are talking he had smear poop on everything.... I was livid... what a step backwards in the whole being a big boy... I put him in the cold shower to clean off while I scrubbed and scrubbed what smelt like a barn. I was actually getting sick to my stomach by the smell. I tried to be calm but this is a battle we've been doing with him over and over. No punishment seems to work.
Tuesday he did okay. He had one accident while we were at the hospital (will explain later) but other than that and naptime he pee'd we did great for the rest of the day. This morning (Wednesday) we awoke and did our business and then went to walmart to get some pull up's and another packaged of underwear cause I think he is pretty close to being ready. He did so good... no accident all morning. We put the pullup on for nap. Again I went up to wake them up and the smell of livestock overwhelmed me. Cold shower again. Told braden that he would be sitting on the couch for the rest of the afternoon with me and there would be no toys. Yes I was over reacting. No it didnt last all afternoon. His beloved grandma called to check on Parker (will explain later) and I told her of the naptime ritual. So grandma asked if he come to her house. To me this is kinda a reward but I was so upset with him and it wasnt right for me to keep him on the couch all evening. So we loaded up and he went to his grandma and might I add that he didnt have any accidents and even went number two (kinda) on the potty. Way to go.
So while he was gone I pine-sol'd everything in his room cause the smell is driving me crazy - I think I'm going to get the bathtub full of bleach and water tomorrow and soak all toys that arent cloth. I opened the windows lit a candle. It smelt better but i'm still smelling something! BOYS. As i was griping to my mother. She informed me it is a Bentley thing. My Father and his twin used to make Poop Art while they were in their cribs. JOY JOY JOY I called and talked to Brant and he said I should of disclosed this before we married.
So here is my plan of action and please someone let me know if they have any suggestions.
1. All toys are now located in the closet. This way I can lock them up if he misbehaves.
2. Cold showers
3. Extensive access to playdough so the "urge" might be taken away *giggle*

So I'm at a lost. I dont know how much longer I can take him making his room smell like a barn!

Okay so Parker. Poor Parker. He had his circumcision Tuesday morning. Poor guy has been kinda miserable. Today I had to take the wrapping and gauze off and oh my stars it ranks as the worse act i've had to do to one of my children. I was tearing up with the pain I was causing. He is a champ though. It was very traumatic but the pain meds are helping. Parker gets to see the doctor on Tuesday.. I'm sure everything is going to be great. But ouch ouch!

Brant will be on his long change (which is when he is off for 7 days) so we have a list of things to get done. We have painting to do. We have stuff to put in storage. We have furniture to move. We have so many things that hopefully I'll have so much information to blog on!
Sorry no photos. I'll try and get some new ones soon. The boys seem to be changing so much lately!

Trash-digger

So my husband had taken the sack out of the trashcan to fill it up more before heading it out to the ally. Parker found his spaghetti container from Pizza Hut.

Again, first clue Parker was quiet. DUH MOMMY

TOYS TOYS TOYS

I've decided that my boys became very spoiled the month of July. Since we held off on celebrating Parkers Birthday - we decided to give Parker Nana and Papa Garrison's birthday gift. It was a rough day!!! Braden had a very hard time with it. He didnt understand it wasnt his. He didnt like Parker having the firetruck. Parker really has enjoyed it.

Here we are trying to get braden just to ride his tractor. Parker is wondering if he is going to be knocked off again.

Here we go.. Happy again.

Sharing is good right?

A wonderfully giving family in our church gave, yes GAVE, Braden and parker a coupe car, slide, picnic table and a shopping cart. My boys have been in heaven. Both boys have their own favorite thing to do. Parker loves the back seat and of course Braden thinks he is big stuff sitting in the front.

So as soon as Braden saw I had the pool out with water he wanted to put the slide in it... Shortly after putting this together Parker came along with a stick and poked a hole in the top ring... Parker loves sticks! He walks around chewing on them. It is pointless for me to keep yanking them out of his hands. I guess he is missing some fiber or something! Parker loves to sit on the picnic table.

Saturday we also got the boys two more things. A work bench with a ton of tools and a pit stop car tool cart with a gas pump. I will try and get some photos up of them playing with the new stuff... they've been having a BLAST. I enjoy watching them play together. There are moments where I think I can have ten. Yes- but shortly after that thought someone screams or cries, bites or pushes... ahhhhhhh 2 is okay for now.

Parker is 9 months

Today Parker went for his 9 month well baby check up. No Shots today YEAH YEAH YEAH.

Parker is 28 inches long, 20 lbs 5.5oz's and has an 18 inch noggin and Doctors words - just as cute and healthy as can be. He did take a moment to explain to me that sometimes you just cant feel the soft spots and he felt that Parkers head looked better anyhow - my personal opinion... he is goofy the child looks the same to me. OH WELL. He is healthy and doing everything he is supposed to be doing. Today he walked with my assistances... he had been bucking that... wouldnt ever make the step - it always ended with me dragging the little one.

Parker is now "average" ... he went from over the 100 percentile at birth ( I swear that child was overdue) to now at 9 months right at 50 percentile for weight and alittle under 50 percentile for height. He seems so much smaller and lighter than Braden. I was going to look it up prior to making this blog but didnt get a chance... but if my memory serves me correctly Braden was close to 23 pounds... maybe alittle more... but he seemed so much more heafty. I'll have to find my records and let you all know how much difference there is with the boys.




Parker at 9 months

Braden at 9 months

Easter 2008

I hope everyone had a beautiful Easter. We had one. Braden and Parker woke up around 8 and found that the Easter Bunny had left them some goodies. They were good enough to keep them entertained while Mommy got ready for church. We spent the majority of the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa Bentley, the Easter Bunny had left more stuff for them there!

Here are some photos of the boys playing with the Little People stuff they got over at Grandma and Grandpa Bentleys.

Today was even rather pretty, alittle brisk, but it was so pretty! We are all feeling better in the house, our tummy's are still alittle upset but I think we are on the downhill road.

I thought the boys looked rather handsome in their matchy matchy outfits. Braden is looking more and more like a little adult. I took this photo just before church. He insisted on taking his Easter card that he got from Nana and Papa Garrison. Doesnt he just make you melt.

I dont usually share my faith with people but I do feel as this Easter day closes I want each of those that take the time to read my blog/email that I am so THANKFUL for the sacrifice my Savior Jesus Christ made as he gave his life for me. I am very grateful for the many blessings that I have; my adorable, healthy kids, my marriage to a wonderful man, the chance to stay home with my boys as they grow up. I am so thankful for my church calling, I love getting to interact with the Young Women, they are wonderful examples to me, their faith and conviction to follow the Lords path motivates me to keep pushing along, trying to overcome those things that I need to work on. I'm so grateful that I have the ability to repent and keep trying.

Thank you to all of you, each of you touch and strengthen my life in many ways, most ways you're probably not even aware of.