What I Have to Show for Today

I literally spent the whole day cleaning Kenzie's room (I guess I did take "breaks" to feed Parker and go to the grocery store). I was so close to being done, but then I turned around and she'd gotten out two of her puzzle packs. So we sat down and spent a half hour putting together 52 two-part puzzles so they'd fit back in the box... anyways I had to take a picture to prove I'd done something today (because by this time tomorrow nobody will believe me!). I should've taken a "before" picture this morning, but I'd rather not admit how messy it can get!

Look Who Grew Up Overnight

That's right, Parker is 9 months old today. He's rolling around all over the place, and kicking his feet like crazy, but not quite crawling yet. (I'm in no rush for that; he already has wiggled over to Kenzie's Barbie accessories more than once...)

Since his feet were hanging over the edge of his baby car seat, Daddy figured it was time for his Big Boy seat. Parker thinks the lap bar makes a great drum!

Our February Picnic

I always say my kids don't really look alike, but the exception is when they watch TV!

Back to Business

Enough with the boring pet information, let's bring back the good stuff - may I present The Many Poses of Parker: The close-up The I'm-way-too-flexible pose

The bite-the-dog-and-hope-Mom'll-be-done-soon pose

The shy pose (Mommy's favorite!)

The stare-down-the-camera pose

The over-the-shoulder pose (he has a baseball on his bum, but it was too far down to show up!)

The new-teeth pose (at least nothing connects yet!)

The skinny-legs pose

The blink! (Definitely my second pick, I love when he blinks)

Aftermath of 4 Colds

Ugh, some President's Day weekend we had - all 4 of us caught a cold. We tried valiantly to stay on top of the dishes and laundry, but it was a losing battle. So today, since I'm feeling a bit better, I've been trying to really buckle down and clean. (But I confess, when Kenzie actually took a nap, Parker and I watched Forensic Files and ate Cheetos!)

And before any seasoned mother out there starts thinking, "Are you complaining about laundry and that's the pile? Just wait..." I'd like to point out that it is only two loads Parker is lounging in. The rest is still going...

Happy Valentine's Day!

What do you mean, it's not until tomorrow? We celebrated last night! We're not good at waiting for presents... Kenzie and Parker got little doggies (Kenzie promptly named them both, "Jelly"), Chris got an air mattress for his small tent and a carving knife, and I got a new watch. Our plans for the actual day are to make ourselves our own favorite meal -- Chris has been pricing out lobster tails and I'm trying to decide if I want bacon on my macaroni and cheese. Yeah, I'm really not kidding.

Everyone with the new twin air mattress. And as I told Chris, "Nothing quite says romance like, 'Go sleep by yourself!'"

Poor Neglected Girl

My poor baby doesn't have a bed to sleep in, she has to sleep on the floor!

Pets for Lease!

Disclaimer: Do NOT read this post if you are eating, or would like to do so soon...

For Lease: 1 Dog

Available for 1 Year Lease is this adorable dog. Likes kids, but barks insanely at those on skateboards. No longer jumps up on everyone due to stiffness. Afraid of raccoons. Hobbies include eating baby socks and dryer sheets, then barfing them up right by the washing machine for convenience. Can heel after only six blocks. He also likes to chew on Ove Gloves. Lease contract includes washcloths to clean small eye tumor.

For Lease: 1 Short-Haired Cat

Next up for your consideration - Seiko the cat. Good with kids, very tolerant. Purrs when sat upon, when tail is "doctored" by 2-year-olds, and after throwing up. Likes to dart under moving vehicles in the driveway, sleep on the kitchen table, and try to climb into the baby's crib. Thinks he can run on the treadmill. Needs a pill only twice a day, simply use your fingers to hide it in some wet cat food. Has been known to disturb naptime with loud meowling. Doesn't need a scratching post - the carpet is just fine. Lease will include one free bottle of Resolve for your upholstery.

For Lease: 1 Long-Haired Cat

Up last is Muffy (back to the camera). She enjoys leaving clumps of hair around the house, smelling like the litter box, and trying to sleep on clean baby blankets. Fur is impervious to most electric razors. Has been known to poop on the floor. Likes to lick plastic bags, diaper packaging, and magazine covers. Has been caught sitting on the toilet on numerous occasions. Primary-aged girls have accused this cat of passing gas during activities, but that claim has not been corroborated. Contact me for further lease info, including instructions for removing her from cupboards. Note: 1 Year Lease will expire when in-laws return from France to take repossession of their animals.

Book Parties

After going to the library, I always feel like such a Good Mom. It's free, educational, quiet... but the best part is what Kenzie has dubbed, "Book Parties" -- when we get back home, we all sit and look at our respective piles of books. (Don't you love Parker's little feet [in those gargantuan socks] poking out from under the huge book?)

Parkee Blue Eyes

I have come to the conclusion we have a future heartbreaker in our midst - just look at those blue eyes! That's pretty much the only point of this post - to state again that Parker's cute! (This really shouldn't surprise anyone by now, though, I must say. My opinion is pretty well documented)

He looked so little in the high chair tonight... I forgave him for having 5 poopy diapers!

Kenzie's First Cake

Ever since she saw a package of those nasty "cake decorations" (processed royal icing hearts) at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago, Kenzie has wanted so badly to make a Valentine's Day cake. So here it is - I wanted to try a frozen buttercream transfer anyways, so I got some practice in, and she got to stick those hearts all over it!

Kenzie with her finished product (and her balloon - she finally is ready to get balloons again. After losing her's several months ago, she was too scared of letting go to ever get a balloon.)

I didn't notice she'd smudged the border until after I took all the pictures, but oh well. She is proud of her cake (a carrot cake, of course, for my veggie-loving girl) and can't wait to show her cousins tomorrow

Two for the Price of One (Teeth, That Is)

This morning Parker woke up at 6am just screaming his head off. I couldn't figure out what was wrong until much later, when I noticed he had two top teeth break through! Poor guy.The weird thing is, it's not the front two teeth that came through first, it's the next ones on either side. So, he's going to look goofy with "fangs" until he gets his front teeth! (I was telling my mom about it this afternoon, though, and she said, "That's how your teeth came in! Everyone kept calling my baby a vampire!" So I guess that's where he gets it. Poor guy.)

He's happier now, though - here he is enjoying Hockey Night with Uncle Mark and Uncle Fred

Relaxing on Daddy's lap after eating a whole breadstick and a large jar of baby food

Horse Race

The Arnold racetrack

Kenzie gauging Parker's lead... Parker eying her back!

Then they both gave up and went to watch Ni-Hao Kai Lan in the tent -- Yup, that's an eventful Friday afternoon for us!

Change Your Gender for Only a Dollar

All this time we've been operating under the assumption Teddy's a boy. I've called Teddy "HE" for 3 years now. This week, however, Kenzie had been upset that Teddy was naked, so we went to the local thrift store to find a tiny baby outfit. Kenzie kept pointing out pink things, so I said, "I thought Teddy was a boy!" "Um, no," she said thoughtfully, eying the pink dresses, "Teddy is a girl!" So the bear is dressed, and Kenzie is thrilled. The little baby outfit even has a little pink teddy on it. Here's Kenzie and Miss Teddy, getting their nightly horsie ride from Daddy

Jeanne's Card

Kenzie loves getting mail, and so today when she got a letter from our friend, Jeanne, well... you can just see the look on her face!

She's hard at work making her own "Valentimes" for her Sunbeam friends

Here's how Parker prepares for any event!

Happy Love Month

I've never been a big fan of all the sap that accompanies Valentine's Day, but this year Kenzie's excited for it. "It's Balentine's Day. We just say we love each other!" she tells me. I always think I'll be the super-crafty Mom and make some Valentine's with her, but we'll see... I'm tired just thinking about it! Here's this morning before church - we were actually ready on time, so of course I took a picture. And then four more. I was so busy waving Teddy around to get them to smile that I forgot to hold the camera straight and center the picture! Oh, well, maybe I'll get this down after another 3890 pictures!