I. Met. SANTA!

Hello Everyone!
I don't have a lot to say for this post. I am very busy rolling around the living room floor, trying to break a tooth, and trying to crawl. Notice, I said TRYING on the last two items. I haven't had much luck so far and let's just say it makes me VERY frustrated! Luckily, Mom has been nice enough to avoid snapping pictures of me during these weak moments. I'll just say they involve a lot of whining, crying, and flapping my arms - not the prettiest of moments.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I was fortunate enough to meet one of the most famous men in the entire WORLD. That's right, not just Florida, but the WORLD! Who you might ask? Well, if you paid attention to the title of this post, you would already know. You got it - I met Mr. Santa Claus himself. I also met his lovely wife Mrs. Clause. By the way, anyone know what her first name is?
Now, you know how some babies are a bit terrified of this mysterious, only-seen-one-night-a-year man? Not me! I loved every minute of it. Now, it helped that our meeting was not a private one. In fact, there were tons of other strangers waiting for their turn to meet the jolly old man, and in the process, had all eyes on me. I couldn't possibly let them see fear, could I? Of course not! Instead, I gave them quite a show of smiles and giggles. What can I say? I know how to work a crowd.

Grandma & Grandpa Visit

At the beginning of December, Ryan's parents - Grandma & Grandpa - came to visit us for a week. It was Christmas time at Walt Disney World, so we spent most of the time park and hotel hopping to show them the amazing festivities that take place around WDW this time of year. Christmas time at Walt Disney world has to be one of my favorite times of year. The decorations are absolutely breathtaking. If it doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit, I don't think anything will.

The biggest event during their visit, was when we took them to see the Candlelight Processional. During the holidays, Walt Disney World presents the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, which is a nightly event where a celebrity guest speaker reads the birth of Christ from the book of Matthew, matched to Christmas songs performed by a full orchestra and choir. Every time I see it, I get chills thinking about what amazing gift we have been given in the form of Jesus and the salvation He brought with Him. Parker was absolutely amazed by the brilliant lights and sounds of the processional. If you are ever here during Christmas time, I can't recommend it enough. It's a yearly tradition for our family.

During their visit, Parker also tried bananas for the first time. So far, bananas seem to be Parker's favorite. I must admit, we have been great about having Parker try different foods, but terrible at being consistent with how many times we give him a particular food. I guess you can say that's one of our resolution of sorts.

The trip was packed with so many wonderful events. As always, when anyone visits, the time goes by so fast and we enjoy every minute of our time together.

Recent Events

"Wow" is all I can say when I look at this blog and realize how far behind I am in updating the events that have been unfolding in the Smith household. I know it's been said many times before, but I had the best of intentions of keeping up with this blog. However, as with many other things, life gets in the way. Not that it's a bad thing - that means we are spending precious time together living life, not just writing about it. Still, I know that this blog provides a way for family and friends to see what is happening, but also an online record keeping of the things we are seeing and experiences - moments that I know I will easily forget as time passes, but wish I could hang on to forever.

In November, after we arrived home from Kentucky, Parker took his first trip to the beach. We took an afternoon and drove to Tarpon Springs to enjoy some of our favorite Greek food, but more importantly our favorite ice cream shop. Seriously, if you are ever in Hudson, Fl, you must check out Hudson Beach Ice Cream Parlor. The ice cream is all homemade and is delish! The shop is nothing special. In fact, if you were driving through, you would probably pass right by, but I promise you, it is the most amazing ice cream you will ever have. After the ice cream, we drove a little farther south to Indian Rocks Beach. The weather was a bit cloudy and dreary, making for some cool temperatures, but because of that, it provided us with a near empty beach. We were able to take our time and let Parker experience his first beach. From the time he was born, Parker has been observant. So much so, that after he was born, he almost immediately stopped crying and simply looked around the hospital room at the all the objects and people. This time was no different. He didn't show a lot of emotion, but simply had his typical raised-eyebrow, furrowed-brow look - wondering what everything was. He was able to feel the sand, as well as let the water rush over his tiny toes. The beach has always been a big part of my life. I can remember many family vacations spent on various beaches and I can't wait for Parker to experience, and more importantly remember, the memories we will make as a family.

Also, during the month of November, we were lucky enough to spend a day with one of my dearest and oldest friends, Elizabeth, her husband Andrew, and their precious boy Wilson, who is a little less than 10 months older than Parker. I know that Parker and Wilson are still too young to remember each other, much less their day spent at Disney together, but I so look forward to the day when they will be friends and get excited for their visits from each other. One of the most precious moments of the trip took place while we were watching the American Idol Experience and Parker and Wilson decided it would be a perfect time to hold hands. I know what an important part my friends played in my growing up and who I am today, especially Elizabeth, and I pray that Parker develops the same strong bonds that I developed with my hometown friends growing up. It would only be sweeter if Wilson could be one of those friends.

We also experienced Parker's first Thanksgiving. It was very low key, which was a perfect way to spend the evening. Morfar was in town and we had some of friends come over to share in the Thanksgiving festivities. Thanksgiving was held at our house this year, rather than Aunt Rachel's new apartment. However, Aunt Rachel was in charge of the turkey, and thanks to the help of her classroom teacher's aides, we had the most amazing turkey cooked in wonderful Puerto Rico spices. Parker slept through the entire dinner and woke up just in time to enjoy an evening full of games. No turkey for him this year.

Parker now laughs. A lot. It has to be one of the sweetest sounds in the world. 

I know this isn't all that has been happening in our world, but it's at least a start. My goal is to carve out time each week to make sure and update this blog. Not for anyone else, while that is a great tool in keeping up with out of town family and friends, but for me. I know the days slip by so quickly. Often, so fast that I forget to really stop and enjoy them. As Parker begins to change and grow at such a quick pace, I want to be able to look back and remember these moments. He has started sitting up on his own and laughing and trying incredibly hard to crawl. I know one day, while I will remember these moments happened, I won't remember them with vivid detail. That is why I want to make sure I update this blog. I want to be able to look back on these entries and remember just how special these moments were.

Update To The Recent Newsflash

Hello All. I just wanted to update you on my recent newsflash of eating real food. I am still eating real food and have even branched out to new varieties, which is the primary reason for this post. I. HATE. PEACHES.

Of course, this saddened my Mommy because peaches are one of her favorite foods. At first, I started out very excited for the new food I was about to try. After all, oatmeal cereal went wonderfully.

And then the first bite hit the taste buds on my tongue and I did not like what I was experiencing.

I tried to tell them I did not like what I was tasting, but they kept forcing me to eat more. I thought they were crazy at first. Then I got mad.

 Yet they still kept making me try them. Can you believe my parents?

They tried to mix oatmeal with the peaches to help me eat it. I still didn't like it. However, I was exhausted, so I just gave up.

The next week, they made me try a sweet potato. However, after my peach experience, I figured my hand would probably taste better.

I can't say I was right, but I can't say I was wrong either. I was pretty indifferent to the whole sweet potato experience.

 I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. However, my Mom and Dad were stupid silly and didn't put a bib on me. I made sure I let them know how crazy that was. I figured it was nice payback for the peach debacle. They now use a bib every time.

This weekend they said they are going to have me try a banana or maybe an apple. Yay. I can't wait. I'm sure my hands will taste better.

My (Mommy's) Old Kentucky Home

Howdy Ya'll! Parker Here!

I know Mommy has been playing catch up with the blog, and last time we left you, she was telling  you all about the exciting things we did in October. What she didn't tell you was that at the end of the month, we made the long 12 hour car ride back to my Mommy's home in Western Kentucky. We left at 8 p.m. Florida time so that I would sleep the whole way. For some reason, Mommy and Daddy thought I would do better if we drove all night so I could sleep and they were right. I slept the entire trip. I can't quite figure out why they were so happy about that.
So we loaded up the car and set out on our journey with 3 adults, 3 dogs, and me!  I thought it was a blast - the adults, not so much. Again, I can't figure out why.

It was a very short trip, but I met so many people! I got to meet so many members of my Mommy's, and now my, family.

Mommy's first cousin Denise

Mommy's Aunt Jo. This was my Mormor's sister. We didn't plan to match. Really, I think she wanted to dress like me because she knows what a stylish person I am.

My Mommy's Ma (and mine). She was my Mormor's Mom.

My Aunt Sharon - another one of Mormor's sisters. If you can't tell by my face, I think she's pretty cool.

My Mormor's first cousin Rena. She was not just a cousin, but also a good friend of Mormor's. She was so excited to see me, she woke me up from my nap  it made me wake up from my nap. Luckily, she let me fall back asleep.

My Mommy's first cousin Joel. I think I made him want a little Parker of his own. I tend to have that affect on people.

My Mommy's Aunt Terry. She's married to my Uncle Clay.

My Mommy's Uncle Clay. He was Mormor's brother. I really did like him. I promise I'm not afraid of him, despite the look on my face.

My Mommy's Farmor. This is my Morfar's Mom.

Of course, Wrigley had to get in on the picture. He's sort of obssessed with Farmor and me. Seriously. No Joke.

Along with meeting so many family members, we (well, not really me) got to eat at an amazing restaurant that is quite well known in my Mommy's home called Patti's. I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but I pretty much slept through the whole experience. I still can't quite figure out why Mommy gets so excited when I sleep while they're at a restaurant. Something about getting to use both hands to eat hot food. I think she's crazy. Of course, I was able to wake up in just enough time for a picture opportunity at the restaurant. Lucky me. 

While in Kentucky, I also got to experience fall colors on the tree. This was quite new to me, just like everything else in my life right now. Regardless, it was extremely pretty to look at. We definitely don't get colors like that in Florida. Mommy said the only problem is that after all the pretty colors happen, the leaves fall off the tress and it gets cooooolld. I don't know much about this cold thing, but it sure does sound miserable. I think I'll just stay a Florida baby.

While taking pictures, I got watch some ducks swim around the pond. They seemed pretty cool. We tried to feed them, but they didn't quite like the food we were trying to give them. Probably better anyway. I know how cranky I get when I'm hungry and I'm sure they're the same. I probably didn't want to get very close to them anyway. 

While in Kentucky, we got to visit with Mommy's friend Martin and his wife Cheryl. They're about to have a little baby of their own. I secretly hope it's a boy so we can be best friends one day. We also got to visit with the Lovett Family. Mommy tells me they are very special to her and Aunt Rachel and will be to me as well. We also were able to spend the evening with one of Mommy's good friends Ashley and her family, including her daughter Madison. Unfortunately, I didn't really get to "meet" Madison, because I slept most of the time we were there. Mommy says one day I will enjoy meeting girls, but it better not be for a very long time. Regardless, she didn't get pictures of any of that. I tell ya, sometimes I really think she slacks on her parental responsibilities of taking pictures!

Well, that's all for now. I'm sure I'll be around again soon. Mommy always seems to be super busy lately, which means the blog responsibility will probably fall on me. Mommy seems to think taking care of me, the house, and working is more important than a blog. Silly Mommy.

Good thing she has me to help! See ya soon!

So Many Things, So Little Time

I feel like it has been forever since I have been able to really sit down and blog about what is going on. Things are still very busy on the job front, but I (thankfully) feel like I am beginning to settle in and get a (slight) grip on things. I am still desperately trying to learn balance and scheduling. I think that is one of the biggest struggles that comes with working from home - learning when to stop. Learning when to take a step back, shut down the computer, and enjoy the beautiful family I have been blessed with. It's not easy. The job is always there. The same was true when I worked in a traditional classroom, but at least with that job, if need be, I could leave the papers, phone calls, etc in my classroom, lock the door, and leave. That isn't the case now. I still feel blessed beyond measure to have this opportunity and am still happier than I have ever been, especially now that Parker is changing on what seems like a daily basis, but I am still trying to learn the balance between everything that has to be done for both my job and my family. It is a daily struggle and daily learning experiences. Prayers are appreciated. :)

October was an extremely busy month for us. I don't think there was a free weekend the entire month, which of course, made the time fly by. With the exit of the Castleberry Family brought the entrance of Morfar (my dad). We spent some time enjoying Epcot and the Food and Wine Festival, which was in full swing.

Can you believe my mother? She will do anything for a picture, won't she? It doesn't matter that this hat is ridiculous or that there are tons of people standing around watching. I figured if I didn't smile, she would just quickly take the picture and move on.

Getting ready to ride the Mexico ride at Epcot - this was my 2nd ride ever at Epcot. I have to admit, I was pretty amazed by all the colors and this crazy duck they kept calling Donald, who I kept seeing the entire ride.

Yet another hat. Let's just take this quickly and move on please.

October also brought on some colder weather, which meant we had to make sure Parker was nice and bundled up on our morning walks.

I like this hat so much better!

October also means that Fall decorations are in full swing around Walt Disney World. While there is no doubt that Christmas is my favorite time in all of WDW, Fall has to be a close second.

We spent an afternoon having lunch with Aunt Rachel at Old Key West. I have to admit, my Aunt Rachel is pretty funny. Please ignore the fact that my pants are up to my armpits. I don't know what my mom was thinking that day.

October also marked Parker's first ever hockey game. He was, of course, proud to support the Buffalo Sabres while they fought (and unfortunately lost to) the Tampa Bay Lightning. We were a bit concerned about the volume level inside the area, but Parker did wonderfully. Of course, I worried all night long if he was going to be deaf when we left the arena. He was completely amazed by all the lights, screens, and sounds. I'm sure this was the first of many games he will attend during his life.

He spent most of the game like this:

And eventually became so sick of watching them lose and refuse to play like a team, that he spent the rest of the game like this:

Before the Sabres game, we decided to make a quick stop in Hudson to eat at one of our favorite restaurants that is located on the Gulf. It was an absolutely beautiful day - not a single cloud in an amazing blue sky.

Every day we are amazed at the things Parker is learning and even more amazed how lucky we are to be experiencing so many new things with him. We know he won't remember any of this, but we are enjoying taking him along and making him a part of our lives - sharing all the wonderful experiences that we love so much. He may not remember them now, but he will is growing up quicker than we know it and one day he will love them just like we do.