Child Labor

Now that we are living in a larger house I discovered I could use a little help keeping the place in order. In an effort to avoid having to hire someone I've been training my 11 month old to pull his weight around here. He seems to be catching on. So far his two favorite chores are sweeping and unloading the dishwasher. Occasionally he will also help out with the laundry. What a great kid!

Parenting x4

For Christmas last year all the employees at Jeff's work got together and gave Rob, the company owner, a weekend away with his wife. The plan was to pay for Rob and Haley to have a night at a hotel and give them some spending money for eating out and entertainment. One key to creating a much-deserved, stress-free night away was to arrange for free childcare for their children (for those who haven't been keeping up that would be Cobb - 4.5, Charly 2.5 and Ridge 14 months).

The answer to that dilemma: me and Jeff! Why of course we would watch them...we live close, we aren't total strangers and we have managed to keep our own child alive for almost an entire year. Truly, we were almost overqualified for the job.

Rob and Haley were gone from Friday afternoon to Saturday night so that gave us about 30 hours to try to keep four children from electrocuting themselves, burning down the house or falling down the stairs and splitting their heads open.

I'm thrilled to report that not ONLY did we manage to make it through the weekend without losing one of them, all kids were clean, well-fed and relatively happy when our shift was complete. Success!

Truly, the Thomas kiddos are absolutely fabulous and we had a great time with them. Cobb and Charly are a riot and Ridge is a wonderfully laid back and happy baby. They were great listeners, went to bed without a fuss and were kind to each other and to Bennett. They couldn't have been better.

Here are a few pictures from our weekend (I'm so sad to have not taken a picture of the four kids together!).

Bennett and Ridge getting clean. I'm sure they will thank us for these pictures later. Ha!

The little boys are such cute playmates.

I discovered I am completely inept at doing a little girl's hair. Sweet Charly was patient with me as I tried at least three times to get her little pigtails somewhat symmetrical. I never did get it quite right.

Sadly for us, Charly spent most of Saturday with at her cousins' house. It was nice of the family to arrange for us to have one less child to watch but we missed her!

These boys love to eat!

Cobb licks a yogurt lid and shows off his war wound from roughhousing with Jeff in the backyard. He so kindly described the incident to his parents as "Jeff accidentally scratched me with his shoe". This is a euphemism for "Jeff kicked me in the face."


Saturday afternoon was beautiful and so we took a walk to the park with the babies in the double stroller, Cobb on his bike and dog Mulligan in tow.

Jeff played with Cobb on the swings, slide and climbing gym while I tried to entertain two non-walkers and keep them from eating the ground cover.

I was not terribly successful. Oh well, extra fiber...right?

My mom called Saturday night to see if we survived our parenting experiment. She asked "do you still think you want four kids?". I'm not scared off yet. But maybe we'll try to arrange to not have four that are all under the age of five.

Wish us luck!

On the (Blogging) Road Again

I can't believe it has been almost a whole month since I last posted! We have been in the process of moving into our new house (yea!) which rendered us internet-less for two weeks (boo!).

I have quite a backlog of pictures and stories to share so in between taking care of a boogery, coughing baby and unpacking boxes I'll try to give you a glimpse into the last few weeks of our lives. To ensure your return here's a little taste of what is to come:

- We become parents of four
- Jeff turns 30
- Bennett cleans house
- Steak!

I Just Knew It Was Too Quiet...

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

For months now been threatening to chop all my hair off. First it was falling out by the fist full (another lovely result of having a baby). Then it started falling out by Bennett fist-full when he learned to grab and yank. Ouch! I continued procrastinating though. I didn't know what I wanted done and I don't have a "hair person" so I didn't know where to go or who to see.

Recently it had gotten so long and heavy that my go-to hairstyle of a ponytail or messy knot was literally giving me headaches. A couple of Sundays ago I saw yet another friend with a cute new hair cut. When I commented on it she recommended her stylist and I called the next day.

Today I sat down with Lee and as he kindly asked me what I was looking for, if I'd seen any pictures I liked or what celebrities hair styles I envied I simply repeated my mantra "just take it off". I told him to feel free to do whatever he wanted with the caveat that it should not require maintenance other than regular washing.

It took a bit of convincing for him to understand that I really, REALLY didn't have an opinion other than "take it off". So he did! Almost 12 inches!

Here is a before picture to show how long my hair had gotten. I wasn't trying to grow it out...this is just what happens when you don't go to the salon for 9 or 10 months.

And after! Bennett seems to approve. Of course it may never look this pretty and shiny again, but it doesn't matter to me because although I like how it looks I love, love, LOVE how it feels!

Fun in Fort Worth

Jeff spent a few days in Vegas last week with a bunch of college buddies to celebrate the year they are all turning 30. I didn't send the camera along with him (although I'm doubtful that he would have remembered to use it much) so hopefully Hank or someone will share a few photos with us. Jeff had a wonderful time and really enjoyed getting to spend time with some great old friends.

While Jeff was away Bennett and I hung out in Fort Worth with Gran, Papa J and Aunt Lisa. I packed what felt like a car load of "stuff" to survive three whole days away from home with a baby. Diapers, wipes, about a dozen outfits, toys, favorite blanket, lovey, noise maker, just-in-case-medicine supply, bibs, snacks, sippy cup, bath supplies, pacifiers...I remembered it all and then some!

Except I did forget to pack his booster seat/high chair. But have no fear, Aunt Lisa came to the rescue with an ingenious mealtime solution.


Yes, he's sitting on phone books (certainly you remember this trick from your younger years, right?) and lashed to the chair with a belt. Perfect!

The next day Gran decided she might as well by a booster seat to keep at her house.

It was a pretty lazy weekend. I got to hang out with my family and they got to play with the Bennett boy. I did a little shopping. A little napping. Hung out with some old friends. Dad and I beat Mom and Lisa at spades. Twice. All in all, a great weekend.

Sick Day

Last week our house was hit with the crud from all directions. On the same morning that Jeff was floored by a nasty stomach bug Bennett woke up congested and running a fever. I spent the day caring for my sick boys and attempting to not cross-contaminate.

Although I felt terrible for my sad, listless little boy it was kind of nice to be able to spend the day snuggling with him. He is so active these days he rarely finds time to cuddle any more.

Somehow I managed to escape the week without being brought down from either side. I credit years of working at the homeless shelter for my hearty immune system. I hope it holds up...I hear that mommies don't get sick days.

Jeff was significantly better within 24 hours and as good as new by Saturday. Bennett took some extra long naps for a couple of days and by Saturday was back to his squirmy, cheerful self.

Fun Weekend

It has been a busy week since closing on our new house. Bennett and I have been back and forth between Dallas and Allen almost every day.

Despite the Cowboys loss to the Giants (boo!) the Parker family had an enjoyable weekend. Friday evening we went to Fort Worth for a post-holiday dinner at David and Tricia's house with a bunch of my life-long friends. Bennett and Elliott were both perfect angels and allowed the adults (by the way, I have to say it feels so weird to write "adult" in reference to myself!) to eat and talk and enjoy one another.


Bennett was hilarious, showing off his standing and feeding himself skills, hamming it up with everyone and breaking out in a huge, toothy grin whenever we all laughed at something. I'm pretty sure he thought all the talking, laughing and excitement centered around him. Elliott was cool and calm and allowed us all to hold him and coo at him, occasionally treating us to a tired, lopsided smile. He's a doll!

The highlight of the night was our "regift exchange". Everyone had to bring something they had been given at Christmas to exchange white elephant style. It was a riot! Without a doubt we have created a new tradition that will live on for years to come. The following pictures have been edited to protect the innocent...er, purchasers...and possibly future recipients!





Saturday we headed up to Allen again. Our friends Clint and Lisa have been kind enough to store some of our belongings in their garage and they helped us haul them up to the new house. That afternoon we got to hang out with our soon-to-be neighbors the Thomas family. Rob and Haley have three precious kiddos including Ridge who is just three months older than Bennett.


The Thomas family's new fort/swing set was being installed in the back yard and when it was completed we got to be the first guests to play on it. It was fun to watch the big kids climb and swing and slide knowing that Ridge and Bennett are going to be joining them in no time!



Jeff and I also got to spend a lot of time just goofing off with our little boy this weekend. He is so playful these days! He loves to give big, wet, open-mouth kisses. He likes to hide and rediscover toys, plays catch (sort of), gets excited about singing familiar songs and even blows raspberries on our bellies. It is such a fun age!

Here are some pictures of our sweet, expressive little guy from this week.

Bennett can finish a banana in about 38 seconds. It is actually quite impressive.

Helping Daddy redecorate his office.

This is his "fake smile" that he uses when he sees the camera. I didn't realize kids this young could figure that out already!

He loves to read. Or rather, he loves to open and close and turn the pages of books. But that is getting close...right?

Bath time is fun!

Lovin' on Daddy.

Photo op with Mommy.

Homeowners!

It is official! Jeff and I signed our mortgage papers on Monday (all 12,373 of them) and have purchased our first house!

We were technically "homeowners" already since we own our condo but it there is just something extra-special about your first housewithayard. We are so excited!

Here is a sneak peek at our new pad:

Since we've not sold the condo yet we will be moving in little by little. I expect to be living in Allen full-time by the end of the month. If any of you just particularly love lifting and carrying boxes and furniture give us a holler - I'm sure we can put you to use. We'll provide the pizza!

The New Year and a Lesson Reminded (#2) for Dad

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -John 13:34-35

Stacey and I have talked a lot about Bennett's future. What his hands might someday hold? Where his feet shall step? What his ears will hear? What his eyes could witness? As a Dad, I have prayed often for these things - that Bennett's life would be filled with adventure, curiosity, travels, tender moments, graceful experiences, etc.

New Year's meant something different to me this year knowing that 2008 will be my first full year as a Dad and Bennett's first full year as, well, a human. So I paused to reflect on who I want to be in 2008 as the watchful eyes of my son are upon me.

I'm reminded that more than anything our lives are marked by the love we give to one another. It's not about money, work, houses, sports, and travels. As I often tell Bennett, the world does not any more men selfishly seeking their own ambitions, comfort and kingdoms. Instead, the world is in desperate need of men who will love others at all cost.

So I continue to pray that Bennett's life will take him to unique places where he will experience life to its fullest. How unique those places are and how full his life becomes will be determined by how much he loves.