From Two to Three

It's Beginning.

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:57:00 +0000

To look a lot like Christmas. Or something!

This morning while ~~driving~~ riding to work (as the passenger, love you Aaron!) the rain just looked funny. Like it was splotchy and... WHITE! That's right, this morning, in sunny California at a seasoned 36 degrees we were driving through...

Yes, that is SNOW! It does NOT snow where I live. I mean, obviously it does, but it's not anything we regularly see, or had yet to see until this morning. Let me just tell you I was so excited to have my camera (even if I forgot the memory card so I could only take ONE picture) to take that ~~clear vibrant snowy~~ fuzzy, messy but SNOWY picture!

It was dark out still and I rolled down the window to try and show the snow was sticking to the sides of the road and obvously you can't really tell (unless you were there) but those flurries are the real deal. This was a great way to start the week and made the traffic worth sitting in!

Mother of the Year, Again?

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:01:00 +0000

So I think this will be a new tradition for me, to see how many times I can get this award in just one year's time. I just realized ~~when I was complaining to Jessica that I had not seen pictures from her recently~~ that I have not taken a picture of Parker in about a month. Seriously? I let a month slip by without a picture? Well he did get professional ones done thanks to my mom (who took him when we were in Vegas) so I do have proof of his existence for the month but I can't believe I did that. Tonight I'm going to shove that camera in his face until he cries. Ok ok, I'm not going to do that obviously, but I feel like I missed out. I mean it wasn't like I haven't taken the camera with me, it's in the car, I even had it inside on Thanksgiving, why didn't I take any pictures? I have no reason, but just know that in the next few days you may be blown away with all the pictures I post, I hope!

Not That Mom

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:54:00 +0000

UPDATE:
Parker's wonderfully, loving, caring, sarcastic Aunty (aka my sister) reminded me of two things. Last week she gave Parker a cheeseburger. Supposedly he ate it (obviously not the whole thing) but there was no ketchup on his shirt (I don't think she believes in bibs if I don't send Parker with one on) so I have no proof! :-)
She also weaned Parker from formula. Actually weaned isn't the appropriate term, cut him off cold-turkey is more like it. The first week we switched him to milk he liked formula mixed into it. I talk to my sister everyday and figured I had mentioned this, so when I packed him milk and formula I figured she'd mix 'em together. Apparently I never mentioned it and she didn't mix them. Once I saw the full formula container at the end of the day I decided if Parker would take straight milk for his Aunty, he'd take it without formula for me too! So there you go, Parker's Aunty ROCKS!

So since I started actually posting to this blog last January (as my New Year's resolution) I have posted every month on the 18th with pictures of Parker and how he was doing and what he was into as of that "month day". Well after Parker turned a year old I decided that I did not need to celebrate each month day with a blog and pictures. I mean I know you cared about Parker being 10 months old and 11 months old. But 13 months? Come on. I'm not that mom. If I were that mom I might schedule a blog to post 1 week, 1 day, 1 hour and 1 minute before Parker was born, just because I thought it was cool. Then, then I'd be that mom. But since I'm not that mom I thought I'd just update how Parker has been lately (at least so I remember, even if you're not really that interested, but you are, right?)

So Parker has made the full transition to whole milk vs. formula, whichissobudgetfriendly, just saying! But he has not yet transitioned to a sippy cup. This is not without trying, because I know I have mentioned before that I was NOT going to have a 1 year old still on a bottle. Well since we have been trying since he was at least 9 months with several different brands I have decided that I need to let be what is to be. When he is ready I'm sure he'll let us know. This weekend however we had a little progress. He took 4 oz. of a water/juice combination from a sippy cup. Did he hold it by himself the whole time, umm, NO! But he drank it. Baby steps I tell ya!

He is still on baby food a good 95% of the time. My sister watches Parker on Fridays and she has been trying to feed him more solid food. ~~Apparently vomit in her face doesn't scare her.~~ And since then we have successfully given him macaroni and cheese, spaghetti-o's and just this weekend I mixed peas into some mashed potatoes and he ate it like a champ. I'm not thinking we'll be at steak next week, but if we can slowly start integrating more table foods I would be so happy! Since he was fine with macaroni and cheese and spaghetti-o's I knew he liked smooth textures but I want him to eat more than that! Last night I tried some instant grits that I put brown sugar and cinnamon into. While I don't know that he loved it, he did eat it. Unlike his mother, he rarely, ok NEVER, shows any emotion over food. I couldn't even tell you a favorite food of his. Whenever you put something in his mouth he gives a funny unsure face and then continues to eat it but doesn't go crazy over anything.

So there you have it, we're still bottlin' it up, still jarrin' it up but we're still lovin' it up too. I am still as happy as ever and during this week I am reminded to be thankful for everything Parker is to us. While I still will not be that mom that posts every single month on Parker's month day past the first year, I will be that mom who has a heart overflowing with love.

~~Please don't mind the fact that this post is pictureless, I definitely have not been the mamarazzi lately~~ I will post pictures soon!

No More Flights

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:56:00 +0000

I am not a flyer. I will fly. I don't like to fly. I do like Hawaii. I do like Florida. And I do like Vegas. I do not like turbulance. I do not like strange noises at 35,000 ft. in the air. I do like Virgin America business class. I do not like Virgin America row 26 coach. I do like to travel.

Ok all of the above statements are true but this is coming from my recent travels. I flew 4 flights in 9 days, two with Parker, 1 with Aaron and 1 by myself. Too many if you ask me. And while I enjoyed each trip, getting there and coming back is NOT my thing! While I know air travel is safe and has a very small chance of anything happening I still freak out EVERY flight I take. I cannot help it. I am constantly looking at the faces of the flight attendants for reassurance. I am looking for them to be nervous during turbulance. If they look calm I can usually calm myself down and realize it's relatively normal. Have I mentioned I hate flying? Just making sure!

So right now I have no flights booked and am not planning on flying until I set sail on this beauty. I am looking forward enough to that trip that the flight will be WELL worth it.

Oh and off topic. Have you checked out my weight loss blog lately? You can get to it also by clicking on the button in my sidebar. My design is complete and it is amazing, Jessica did an awesome job. I am also starting a new journey over there called Couch to 5K, if you haven't heard about it, check it out!

Post It Notes - Battle of the Sisters

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:20:00 +0000

TUESDAY TUESDAY TUESDAY!! One of my favorite bloggy days, yay! It's time for Supah's Post It Note Tuesday, Battle of the Sister's edition. I already know I lost (and I had an advantage, I read hers first) but seriously, check my sister's out, they might make you pee a little!

Stay tuned for next week's edition of Superstickies brought to you by Supah!

Vegas Bound

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:44:00 +0000

That's right, in a few short hours I will board a plane heading to Vegas. I think this is the first trip in a long time where I will not be bringing my laptop (Can we say you're out of your mind at $14.99/day Vegas strip hotel?!) So no blogging from me this weekend.

Please pray that I don't go crazy from missing Parker. He'll be in excellent care with my parents so I'm not worried about that, just mostly the fact that I will miss him. Yeah, I'm THAT mom. Sorry!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Happy early first birthday to my littlest nephew, Tyson, love you buddy, can't believe you are one. Sorry Aunty and Dodo won't be at your party but Parker will come to celebrate with you!

Parker, have fun with Grandma, Mommy and Daddy LOOOOOVE you!

Vegas or Bust!

Post It Note Tuesday (Monday Style)

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:18:00 +0000

Here it is, the moment ~~we've~~ I've been waiting for all week. It's Supah's Post It Note Tuesday!
So for real, it's Monday but Supah posted hers early so I figure I can too, right? Right!

Last week when I found out that Stellan was going to have an ablation tomorrow (Tuesday) I thought I'd do a Post It Note Tuesday dedicated to him. Well things went awry and he ended up having the ablation today so now I already know the results (talk about a homerun!) so instead of doing one just for him, I have decided to do some shout out post its for some of my fave blogs. Hope that works for you!

There are a lot more blogs that I love, so maybe I can do this again, but in the mean time, go check out everyone else's post it's!

I Really Am Just Curious

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:37:00 +0000

Fair Warning: I think this might be my first mini-rant on my blog.

Edited to add my final statement at the bottom.

I don't claim to be ANY type of expert, and DEFINITELY not a blog expert. I have only been here in this "blog world" for a little over a year (which I love by the way) but lately something is sort of bugging me. This has happened most definitely on MORE than one occasion so I don't think it's something that only the blogs I am reading are facing, and I really am just curious.

I don't chose to read every blog out there, and heck, I'll even go as far to say that I don't LIKE every blog that I've read. Some you connect with, some you don't, it's pretty simple. Actually, it's like life itself, you don't like everybody, some you do some you don't. I'm just wondering though, if you don't like someone that you don't know very well do you go running to their face to tell them what you think are their flaws? I'm guessing not. If it's not someone you have to deal with on a personal level you probably just forget about them, at least I do. (This is not to say I've never said a mean thing, please don't think that I am trying to portray myself as perfect.)

But why? Why if you don't like a specific blog do you keep reading? (Please tell me, I really am curious.) And not only do you keep reading, you comment anonymously and say hurtful things? I get disagreeing, I really do. You might not agree with what the author is saying or doing. That's ok to disagree, even to let them know you disagree, but do you have to say it in a degrading way and also anonymously?

I understand being angry over being deceived by a blog. No one wants to be taken for a fool, but if you just disagree with a parenting style, how one chooses to live their life or the choices they make for their children, does it really affect you? I read quite a few blogs and don't comment on most of them, call me a lurker, that's ok. But never have I ever thought, "Well I don't agree with that, so let me bash them for it."

While I care about many children I have read about and even prayed for in the blog world, I don't mind if you do or don't travel with them, let them watch t.v. before they are 2 (guilty as charged), feed them peanut butter before the "proper" age, forward face them at 11 months or anything else parent related. It does not affect me. I do have my own opinions for all the listed items above but I am not going to tell you I am right (because I'm sure on some I'm not) and I'm definitely not going to tell you that you are wrong. I may ask your opinion because I really am just curious, but that's it.

My favorite (please note sarcasm), is not only when people bash another blogger, but a mommy blogger with a special needs child. (This is where this post came from.) I have NO idea what it means to be a mother of a special needs child (high maintenance? :-) I might have one of those children). I barely survived my 4 days with Parker in between the picu and pediatrics. So for someon who has NO idea what their life is like to judge another mom, I don't get it. I really am just curious. Aren't all of us mommy bloggers just that, moms? If anyone should get it, it should be us, right?

I know people make money by blogging (awesome!) And maybe this makes others jealous? I'm sure every mommy blogger out there would LOVE to make money having people read about their children, but most of us are content with creating a "scrapbook" of our lives with them. Having their life story on "paper" is good enough for us.

I really am just curious. If you know why people do this (other than out of jealousy) please do tell me because you know I really am just curious.

The only reason I can really come up with is to just plain be mean. If that really is the case, then STOP, seriously, STOP. I am sure unless you were raised by wolves that at some point in your life you were told by SOMEONE not to say anything if you didn't have anything nice to say!

End ~~mini~~ not so mini rant! ;-)

Sticky Note Tuesday

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Supersticky post-it notes, post 'em if you've got them! Visit Supah if you want the 411.

I actually tried a theme-ish style this week. It is in honor of my weight loss blog, My Road to Healthy.

So here it is, weight loss edition:

Hopefully this will get me motivated again, visit Supah if you want to read more Supersticky notes!

Monster's Inc - The Love Story

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:55:00 +0000

8 years ago today I fell in love, with ~~Pixar~~ Aaron. (I already loved Pixar)

If you're not into mushy, please click that little box with the "x" in the corner, you'll thank yourself later.
Ahem
Anyways. We were watching this movie:

See, it's says in theaters Nov. 2. I almost ALWAYS try to see Pixar movies the day they come out. I love them, seriously, I do. Not as much as Aaron, but you get the point. Anyways, back to my story. So in 2001 I was in my freshmen year of college down in Southern California and almost every weekend I would drive back to the bay area to see ~~my family~~ Aaron (sorry Mom!) So Fridays I would get in late, hence us not seeing Monsters Inc. the day it came out, but the day after, November 3rd, 2001.

I don't honestly believe watching Monsters Inc. made me fall in love with Aaron, but that is the place that I realized I loved him. Don't let the fact that we had not even discussed exactly what our relationship was at the time, or the fact that I introduced him as my friend to anyone who asked. I'm not even sure we had even kissed at this point. (Don't blame me, he was SSLLLOOOW!) But I just knew it.

So at some point during the movie I remember looking over and just feeling it. Weird, huh? I can remember exactly how he looked, what he was wearing, and the fact that he was wearing his glasses (which I still wish he would wear more than his contacts). The moment was special and I am glad I have that memory of actually feeling myself fall in love. I don't know that he felt the same way just yet, we were definitely not just friends (come on, you aren't both willing to drive 6 hours every weekend both ways because you are friends), but I must have grown on him because that year for Christmas he got me a promise ring. Seriously, Nov. 3rd we had not kissed, and the day after Thanksgiving he let me know he wanted to buy me that. That's when I asked the question, "Umm, Aaron, what are we?" He said "We're together" like I was stupid, but hey, if you never declare one way or another I don't want to be the moron who assumes.

I don't think I've remembered this date in a couple years, well at least not on the exact day and this morning it popped into my head. 8 years, wow, who knew then that it would be what it is now, I couldn't be happier about it. I love you Aaron!

What A Difference

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:20:00 +0000

A Year Makes.

Here is last year on Halloween, Parker was 13 days old.

And here was Parker last night, on the eve of his 2nd Halloween.

Wow! What a difference a year makes!

Post 'em If You've Got 'em

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:22:00 +0000

And I've got them! Superstickies that is! It's Tuesday and it's time to play! I love Supersticky Tuesdays! Won't you join me? Check out Supah for all the 411.

There ya have it! Fun huh! I think so too! Thanks Supah, xoxoxo!

Homecoming - The Condensed Version

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:24:00 +0000

This is the season for Homecoming's right? For us it is that season too!
Exactly 52 weeks ago today was Parker's homecoming. This picture was taken on that day.

Yes, it took a little over a week to get him to his REAL home. Between the 18th and the 26th we spent time between my parents house and the hospital so this was a good feeling. We were truly home. Parker was born on Saturday evening and we went "home" Sunday evening. It was a late release from the hospital and I had my spinal headaches where I could not even stand up so we decided that we would stay at my parents house that night. The next day was Monday and I wanted to go back to the hospital to get a blood patch to rid myself of these awful headaches but the hospital insisted that I try to "ride it out". (By awful, I mean I could not sit up to nurse, couldn't walk to the shower, much less ride in the car for 45 minutes upright to get home.)

We had to bring Parker back on Tuesday for his 3 day check so we decided early on Monday we would just stay at my parents one more night. (If you knew me before I was not the one to need to stay with my mom after having a baby, I didn't need anyone to come to our house after the baby was born, I was going to be independent, until the stupid headaches came.)

Monday night ~~all hell broke loose~~ Parker stopped eating. At his 3 day appointment on Tuesday there was the issue of him not eating which concerned the doctors and the fact that while at the appointment he stopped breathing and turned bluish. And you wonder why I call myself a worrisome mother. Parker was not even 72 hours old!

They admitted him to the hospital and that is where he stayed until Saturday. To keep this story as short as possible there were several "diagnoses" and even a misdiagnosis that had us transferred to a bigger, better hospital. Eventually Parker started to eat at this bigger and better hospital and as long as he continued to do so we could go home. Friday evening I had a blood patch done by the head anasthesiologist and could sit up to hold Parker. Saturday we got to go "home," and decided once again to stay at my parents house for one more night. Although my headaches were gone I was still shaken by the week we had. I wanted one more night closer to a hospital and closer to my family.

But Sunday, Sunday was our homecoming and it was amazing. We went and showed Parker off to our neighbors (who took the picture above). We fed Parker, held him and just hung out as our new family. That is a memory that I will never forget. I have that picture in a frame in Parker's room because I loved that feeling so much. It was like our life was starting anew and it felt good!

Do we look tired in the picture? Of course, even Parker is yawning. Do we look nervous? Perhaps! But I know one thing, we WERE happy!

Wordless Wednesday - Can't Talk, Mouth Stuck Smiling!

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:17:00 +0000

I want to win!

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:06:00 +0000

Giveaways are one of the coolest parts about the bloggy world. Sometimes I don't enter and sometimes I do, but this one I am entering and going all out. It seems so cool! Jessica along with Uprinting is giving away 100 4 x 6 postcards. Color at that, double sided printing too! Now what would I do with these post cards? I'm not too sure yet, but maybe I'd sent out Valentine's day cards (kinda like holiday cards, but different.) I've never done that, but it sounds like a FABULOUS idea. Parker holding a heart with a pink background? Ok, ok maybe not a pink background, but you get the point. I could send a little love to pretty much EVERYONE I know with these. Anyways, you get the picture, I want to win. So DON'T go enter, you'll decrease my chances. Just kidding, enter if you must (because it's a super cool prize,) and TWO people are going to win, so it can be ME and YOU!

Superstickies-My New BFF*

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Yay, it's Tuesday again. Stuperstickie time! I'm a little late, but I'm here! And one day I'll coordinate all this to have a real theme.. really I will...someday!

Wanna participate? Go visit Supah for all the juicy details!

You know you wanna play. So Go! Supah Mommy is waiting!

*Not to replace my IRL BFF Chandel, but these supertstickies really do rock!

Today Was the Day...

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:36:00 +0000

To celebrate!

Today was Parker's First Birthday.

Did I cry? Just briefly last night before bed and tonight before bed. That's pretty good for me!

Did we have a great time? Most definitely. Lots of family and friends came out to celebrate the big day.

Was it the average 79 degrees for this time of year? Not even close, slightly windy and cool.

Was it still perfect? ABSOLUTELY!

Overall it was an awesome day and I couldn't be happier on how it turned out. I did stress a little about being on time, being ready and having everything perfect, but in the end, even if we did lose two mylar balloons, it was PERFECT!

Now for the mushy. As if the above was not mushy enough!

Parker,
The last year has been A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. You are our perfect baby boy. (And don't think that just because you are 1 or 21 for that matter that you won't always be our baby.) You are the reason for my highest highs and sometimes make me worry giving me some lowest lows, and I wouldn't change a thing! Having you has changed me, made me stronger and made me love our family even more.

I am so happy you are our son. You are cute, funny and make me smile. We rarely go out without someone commenting on how cute you are or that you have such a sweet smile. You are starting to think about walking, you'll push your walker, but don't have enough confidence quite yet to let go and gain your balance. You have tried whole milk now and are determining if you like it, you're not sure just yet. You are eating more and more and growing so big. You are 21 lbs. 15 oz. and 30.25" tall, a far cry from the 6 lbs. 4 oz. and 19.5" that we started at.

You were good at your party today. You loved to crawl around at the park and have everyone pay attention to you. You thought presents were just ok, the ones that were flat and you could bang on were your favorite. You didn't love the cake, not that we thought you would since you don't really put anything in your mouth. Although this means you don't feed yourself, it also means we don't have to worry when you see something small and potentially hazardous on the ground. You got tired towards the end of the party but you were a real trooper. Here are some pictures to prove it!

Family

Parker's wagon from Mom and Dad

Monkey cupcakes for the kids!

Parker's pillow made by Theresa

Parker with his God Mommy

I'm one today!

All smiles for the birthday boy!

Weren't those adorable?! Parker, you are an amazing one year old boy. You give me reason to live, love and blog. I am so proud of you. I love you forever and always, happy birthday!

Love,

Mom

One Year Ago Today.

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:31:00 +0000

I was in the hospital being induced. That is so crazy to think about. Tomorrow will be crazier to think about but I remember being so nervous, scared, excited and anxious all at the same time. Friday night last year was relatively calm, my parents dropped by with Jamba Juice that I barely touched, Aaron stayed with me while I went back and forth saying STAY.LEAVE.STAY.LEAVE. In my mind I knew it would be best for him to leave so he could get a good nights rest. In my heart I just could not let him go. I am glad I didn't have him leave since the next mornings events were crazy but maybe next time my mind will win, we'll see.

I still can't believe it's been a year. The time flew and I couldn't be happier. Tomorrow is Parker's birthday and we're having a party that I know I will blog about, but for now, I'm reminiscing on my time in the hospital before two became three.

Gone Are The Days...

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Gone are the days... I can leave Parker curled up in the corner of the couch for a nap (ok these days have been gone for quite a while)
Gone are the days... I can take Parker out in a sleeper without it being inappropriate. Little boys should get dressed everyday.
Gone are the days... I can talk on the phone without it being snatched out of my hand.
Gone are the days... I can lay Parker under the ceiling fan for entertainment. He wants "REAL" toys now. (And by real I mean flinging the door stopper to make an annoying noise.)
Gone are the days... That I don't need a baby gate for the stairs. Really gone are the days where I can leave this gate open because experimenting minds were not interested in the stairs.
Gone are the days... Where I had a baby who would gladly snuggle and nap on the couch with me at anytime. I'm only take a morning nap and afternoon nap, that's it Mom!
Gone are the days... I can say look at my wee little baby, isn't he the most precious thing you've ever seen. (Ok, ok, I may still do this, but people might laugh at the "wee little baby" part.)

Here are the days where I am a mom to a ~~toddler~~ practically one-year old. I couldn't be more happy, sad, excited and proud at the same time.

I love you Parker, my less than one year old for 3 more days (and an hour and two minutes, but hey, who's counting!)

Post It Note Tuesday #2

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:15:00 +0000

Well here we are at Tuesday again and I was so excited to get to do Post IT Note Tuesday again, brought to you by Supah Mommy herself. Check her out, she's HILARIOUS!

So here are my randoms for the week (or just mostly this morning, it's hard to tell!)

Now you know that was fun. Go to Supah's blog and join the fun. Seriously. GO!

The ONE'S have it.

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:31:00 +0000

In *ONE* week, *ONE* day, *ONE* hour, and *ONE* minute my "baby" will officially be a *ONE* year old. That is *ONE* crazy idea for me to think about.

(This is all accurate if you are reading this the minute it posts at 4:31 pm on Saturday, October 10, 2009.)

Apple Hill

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Last weekend (I know, it's Thursday and I'm just posting this) we went to Apple Hill as a family for the first time. Aaron and I visited 2 years ago (but too late in the season) and we loved it. I knew once we had a family I would love to take them there. Last October (which is really the perfect month to go in my opinon) was a little too eventful and I don't think at just over a little week old it would have been a smart idea to bring Parker. So, we had to wait until this year.

Apple Hill is about 2 hours from our house, so we left early in the morning, picked up stuff for a picnic lunch on the way and got there a little after 10. It is basically a ton of (and I'm talking over 40) farms that grow apples amongst other fruits and vegetables. Some allow you to pick fruit or veggies yourself, some sell them fresh like a farmers market, some have petting zoos, some have activities for children and some sell delicious, and I mean delicious, treats!

I thought for sure we'd stop at a couple places and then head home. I wasn't sure if Parker would enjoy it or if we would enjoy it with him, but we had a great time. I forgot our carrier for him which meant pulling out the stroller at almost all stops so at first I thought we would never make it for the whole day, but we did. We went to several farms, saw animals, picked our own Pumpkin (Parker's first, we didn't get him one last year), picked an apple just to at least say we did it, since it was Apple Hill, ate delicious desserts and even saw an emu.

I can't wait to take Parker again next year. This is hopefully something we can make a tradition every year, it was so fun. Parker will be walking next year which I think will be fun, he'll be able to get his face painted if he wants, pick his own pumpkin by himself , feed the animals and maybe even eat some apple pie.

Whatever he choses to do at Apple Hill next year is fine by me as long as he has a good time and we get some great pictures again. What? You didn't see any pictures. Yes you did, look at the post below this one, that is the stem to Parker's pumpkin that I took holding it up towards the sky. You can even see the stand on the left that we paid for it at if you know what to look for. I loved the curliness of the stem and thought it was a cool picture.

Now here are some more pictures from our day. (Sorry if some are too small, I think you can click on them and they will open larger, if you're so inclined!)

Parker playing the pumpkin drums

Parker playing in the hay

Looking, finding and picking our pumpkin!

Searching and finding apples, yay!

And the emu!

Wordless Wednesday - Go ahead, take a guess!

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:53:00 +0000

Randoms!

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:50:00 +0000

I found a new bloggy thing called Post It Note Tuesday. It's brought to you by SupahMommy and was SUPAH fun! ;-)

So here are my thoughts!

So if you like this, go over and check out SupahMommy and play along. To get the stickies, go here

A Mama Knows!

l.jones@starstainless.com (Loni) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:09:00 +0000

When you have a child who shows no signs of being sick except having a persistent fever, you have to go by your best intuition. Parker is that child. He can have a 102 point something fever but still eats normal, plays like an 11 month old should and sleeps just fine. I learned with his first ear infection that a fever is the best indication of an ear infection for him. And now, when that fever goes UP while on tylenol I know it's time to call the docs!

That is where I spent my morning, at the doctors office. Parker had an ear infection #3 about 3 weeks ago and finished his antibiotics last week. Now the past couple of days the fever was back so we went in. Although it is not a double ear infection like last time, it is back in the right ear. So onto another antibiotic we go. Hopefully the saying 3rd times a charm is right, because this is antibiotic number 3 and is much stronger than the others.

Although I am glad that Parker shows minimal signs of being sick, I'd rather his fever be caused my something minimal like teething. However, I am always glad when I follow my intuition and am right. It's true what they say, a mother knows best. (Although his dad is pretty good at it too!) I hope we avoid any more ear infections because if we get one more we are off to see an ENT specialist and I don't want my baby to have to go through that!