Race Day

This past weekend, John and our friend Anthony ran in the "Run for the Kids" 5K. The weather was amazing that morning. The course was a combination of hills, but they ran it with ease.





As you can see from the photos, they had quite the cheering section. John Parker enjoyed cheering with his Grandma and Grandpa. This was their first 5K race, as well. I think they all are looking forward to more races in the future.





John said that little JP was the best prize once he finished his run. As you can see, he was just as spent as his daddy!

Art in the Park

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend; it was nice to soak up the last little bit of warmth before the weather turns cooler. Our weekend was packed with my friend Teila's wedding and my parent's visit. We went to the Marietta Art in the Park Festival. As you can tell, all the activity really wore our little guy out. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.







I think John Parker might like donuts. :)

Holding On...

John Parker turned 3 months old yesterday! While each day continues to get better and better; I find myself a little sad that my little one is growing so quickly. I wish I could keep him small and cuddly forever, but I know we have so many great adventures ahead of us.

This week he is really holding on to toys and rattles. He is enjoying his squeaky new toy giraffe. It's so fascinating to see his little mind at work trying to process the world around him. I truly can't thank the Lord enough for such an incredible gift.

Daddy's Photo Shoot

Today, John decided to break out his old tripod and take a few photos of John Parker. As you can see, our little guy has discovered his hands in the last two weeks. Here are a few of my favorites!

JP's Month 2 Highlights

Enjoy!

John Parker Month 2

Great Baby Deals Website

I wanted to pass along a great website that I recently stumbled across that offers one item at 50-80% off each day. If you are like me, you love to find a good deal. Go ahead and check it out; they have some great items. Just make sure to order early as it's a first come, first serve website.

http://www.babysteals.com

My Little Mr. Sunshine

John Parker is 2 months old today. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. He's been smiling for about a month now. Each time he smiles; I melt. I just can't get enough of his precious smile. Here is a picture of my Little Mr. Sunshine.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This entry is long overdue. We have been so moved by your generosity and kindness. As we reach the two month point, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank our family and friends for the tremendous support and encouragement that you have shown us over the last few months. This journey has been so much more rich since you've come alongside us. We can't thank you enough for the visits, warm meals, cards, gifts, and phone calls. We truly feel blessed to be surrounded by such a great support network. Enjoy some photos from the last two months...

I thank my God every time I remember you. --Phillipians 1:3

Closing a Chapter

I have always thought of myself as one that thrives on change. Afterall, variety is the spice of life, right? Lately, I've started to think that I might not be as adaptable as I once thought. Perhaps, it's because I feel like so much in my life is changing at the same time.

The biggest change in my life next to having John Parker has been deciding to be a stay at home mommy. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to invest in our little guy and to experience all of his firsts. As most of you know, I like to celebrate the little things and each day with him is filled with so many exciting little things.

Last week was harder than I expected. I went into WellCare to turn in my equipment and to say my good-byes. I found myself filled with mixed emotions as I talked with collegues and friends. Working in corporate America has been one of my identities for the last 8 years. I feel blessed to have worked with some amazing people and to have been challenged to really grow as a HR Generalist/Recruiter. While I know those friendships remain, I know that this chapter of my life has closed for now.

Am I excited about the next chapter of my life story? The answer is a resounding yes. I just need to accept that this change from full time employee to stay at home mom isn't going to happen overnight. That's the beauty of life--we can reflect on each closed chapter and be filled with delight as we embrace a new chapter.

Visit from Nana and Pops

Last weekend, we enjoyed a nice visit from Nana and Pops. My mom stocked our kitchen cupboards and freezer as she always does. Having prepared meals during these early weeks is such a blessing.

One of the highlights of our weekend was our trip to J. Christopher's for brunch. This was John Parker's first official outing to a restaurant. He slept like a champ through all the clanging plates and loud commotion. John Parker loved all the cuddle time that he had with his Nana and Pops. Even Duke felt loved with plenty of long walks with his Pops. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.