Disney - Third Times a Charm

We took Parker to Disney World a few weekends ago. It was a blast for Mommy and Daddy to spend time with our first baby, P-man. He loves his brother and sister, but they sure have rocked his world for better or worse. Both Chris and I do our best to spend one on one time with him but in all reality it doesn't happen much.
We had gone to Disney back in February with my parents and my sister. It was fun to go as one big happy family, but in all honesty I don't think anyone really enjoyed themselves. During our last visit, we bought four day passes that were going to expire by the end of May, so it was essential that we go back.
My sister, who is always there when we need her, offered to watch the twins so we could take Parker. We left on a Sunday morning and headed up to Orlando. We arrived there about 10:30am and decided to see if the hotel would let us check in. Yes!!! We got all checked in, explored the hotel for a while, and then all three of us took a nap. After we woke up, it was time to head over to the Magic Kingdom. Parker seemed to enjoy most of the rides we took him on. He was really afraid of Philhar-Magic. Loved the teacups!!!
Pointing at the parade.

Totally blurry but love the clapping..

He wasn't so sure about the race cars, but he gave us a smile anyway.

I wish I got a better picture of this, but you can see the happiness in his face.

On Monday, Animal Kingdom was next on the list. Parker went on the Safari Jeep ride and a train. He enjoyed the animals. Around 1pm he dozed off in his stroller so we headed back to Sarasota.
I loved the fact that we could do Disney around his schedule. I am thankful that we don't have to pay thousands of dollars and make sure that we see EVERYTHING in just a few days. We can go whenever we want and spend as much time or as little time as we want. But the best part was being with Parker. Chris and I loved giving him all the attention he wanted!!!

Mason and Audrey Spot a Reality TV Celeb

One of my co-workers, Missy, was asked to participate in the 65th anniversary party of Tervis Tumbler. (If you have never used a Tervis..you should try it!) As part of the celebration, they asked many local bakers to participate in a cake decorating contest. The best part was a celebrity judge, Duff from Ace of Cakes. I figured if we had nothing planned on this particular Saturday afternoon we would go partake in the fun. Our nap schedule didn't exactly align with the excitement, so I decided to take the babies while Parker was taking his nap. I loaded them into the car and headed 10 minutes south to the big event. You had to wait in line to meet Duff after the contest was over. I hopped in line with one of my friends and her two daughters.

As we stood there, some Tervis employees were taking a count asking if we would want an autograph. I really didn't have a desire to get his autograph but I thought it would be fun to get a picture. After what seemed like a lifetime, Duff came out and the line started moving. I approached the table where Duff was sitting with a baby on each hip, something I do often, and some cRaZy Tervis Tumbler Lady yelled, "You can't take those babies up there!!! You need to move out of line" He was on a platfrom a foot off the ground. I looked at her like "Lady I have been carrying these two around for the past 9 months I think I am good. And I have just stood in your damn line for an hour you better let me at least get a picture." Another manager stepped in and said, "Wait a minute you can just stand on the ground and take your picture." My friend stepped back to take the picture and the psycho Tervis lady was at it again. This time yelling, "Take the picture NOW or you don't get one." So, Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the one picture we got with Duff......

Meeting a celebrity is hard work.

Is it too good to be true???

About two weeks ago on a Tuesday, Parker came home from school and said he wanted to use the potty. Rewind about 10 months ago, we bought him a potty. We have had the potty in the bathroom and let him sit on it when he wanted. I decided that Summer 2011 would be Potty Training Time! With two working parents and set of twins I wasn't in any hurry. Since I am off all summer I figured it would be a fantastic time to work on our potty skills. He started showing a lot more interest over the past few months. Elmo Potty Time became a huge favorite while eating his morning breakfast and sometimes his TV before bed. As his interest was growing, I figured it was time to invest in a second potty because we have a two-story house. We went to Target to pick out another potty. He first picked out a pink Dora potty. I asked him to pick a different one. Then he literally picked the most expensive potty in the aisle. I am pretty sure I could have gone to Lowes or Home Depot and bought a real toilet for the price of this one.

Ok back to the best Tuesday of 2011. As I said, he came home and told me he wanted to use the potty. :::::Insert Mommy Eye Roll::::::: Ok, if you really want. Sure enough he did his business. This continued all evening. Then he told me he was ready to poop. I pinched myself because there was NO WAY this was happening. And in Parker fashion he struted out of the bathroom yelling, "I DID IT!!!" Yes, he did! Ever since that fabulous Tuesday he has been using the potty 90% of the time. He has not had one accident. I do put a diaper on if we go out of the house and at night. I am not ready to tackle those two tasks yet. He is also consistantly using the potty at preschool. They use potty charts, treats, and a treasure box to keep the kids interested. I did use smarties and m&ms for a few days at home but he stopped asking for them.

I won't embarass the boy by posting any potty pictures. But here are few pictures of him helping Daddy wash the poor car that has to travel to and from Tampa every day.

Wordless Wednesday

This what 7pm looks like in our house.

9 months, are you for realz????

I can't believe that Mason and Audrey are NINE months old???!!!! The past nine months have gone faster than I ever imagined. With Parker, it seemed that I was waiting forever for him to hit new milestones, but now the milestones are coming faster than I can keep up with.

Mason: He continues to be one of the happiest babies in our family. He smiles at anyone and anything. He does not like going to bed. Poor Audrey has to listen to his sob story every single night. He is still wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 months clothes. I thought for sure he would be in 12 months by now. His growing has definitely slowed down a little bit. He isn't too crazy about eating, he must take after Parker. He recently starting pushing my hand away when I try to feed him. He is doing great at eating most table foods. The boy is cruising around our house like he owns it. I am sure he will walk before his first birthday, but I think we still have some time. He is also doing a lot babbling, still mostly DaDaDa. He has figured out how to turn on the Blu-Ray player and disrupt any show his brother is watching. Last week, he decided that Parker's peanut butter toast looked really yummy and decided to try it for breakfast. Overall, he is such a happy boy and keeps his Mommy on her toes at all times.

Audrey: The girl loves to eat!!!! She will literally eat anything you put on her tray. She cries when you feed Mason and gives you the stare down if you are eating and not feeding her. She can pick up food and get it into her mouth in seconds flat. It is truly an amazing sight. She is still wearing a size 3 diaper and 6-9 months clothes. She loves to babble also. I am hearing new constants all the time. She is also crawling!!!!! Yeah our low-muscle tone baby is doing great. She is the champion of going from belly to a sitting position. She is such an angel about going to sleep. I give her a paci and lay her down, then I never hear another peep until morning. Her naps still leave much left to be desired, but I won't complain. She loves to giggle at both of her brothers. It melts my heart every time I see her laughing at them. Audrey is such a sweet angel and is laid back about most things except her food.

They will go for their 9 month well visit on Friday and I will be sure to post their lastest stats!

Mother's Day 2011

My first Mother's Day as a mother of three was fantastic. I love my husband dearly, but I never have high expectations of being wined and dined on any given holiday. He spoils me rotten when I ask him to, but he isn't big on surprises. On Mother's Day morning, he wished me a Happy Mother's Day before his eyes were barely open. Awwww! After we finished feeding the babies, I asked him what kind of gourmet breakfast he was going to cook me. His kind response was, "I will buy you a gourmet breakfast." Parker and Daddy set off to buy me a souffle from Panera Bread along with a blueberry muffin to share with Parker. When they arrived home with my breakfast they also had a bouquet of flowers and a card.

Parker also made me an adorable picture flower bouquet at school.

To finish out the day, we went to my Mom's house to celebrate with the rest of the family.

My mom has meant more to me over the past year and a half that she ever has. When I found out I was pregnant with the twins, I knew I was going to need our family's help. I never dreamed that our life would have changed as much as it has. My Mom has always been there for me, but over the past year she has dropped anything she was working on to help us. When I went on bedrest, she watched Parker almost every single day so I could follow my doctor's orders. She took me to the hospital twice and to the doctors once a week for the last six weeks of my pregnancy. She picks Parker up from school almost every day she is off. She watches the twins when our babysitter can't. She took all three of our kids for five days so we could go to the Bahamas to see my friend get married. She makes us dinners and does our laundry pretty much everytime she is here visiting. I never have to ask my Mom to do much because she just knows what needs to do done. (Hi Mom! because I am sure you are reading this) My mom also has her own husband to take care of and a full-time job as a nurse. As you can see, she still manages to take of us too. She is a pretty amazing woman. I love you and wouldn't know what to do without you.

Oh, and this is my handsome brother. He is officially taken and going to get hitched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our family couldn't be more happy, it only took almost 10 years. We will miss them terribly as they take on a new adventure in Seattle, Washington.

Wishlist Wednesday

I haven't done this in a while. A girl can dream right??!!

If my husband ever wants to have a really happy wife, he can buy me one of these. The Audi Q7 will fit all of our kids with a third row. Also, it comes in a TDI which means the fuel efficency is great.

Or how about getting this body back?? Back then, I thought my body was so terrible. ::Sigh::

A new house?? I do love our townhouse, but it isn't ideal with three kids. I don't even need a big house or more square footage just a new floor plan. It will be tough to give up all the amenities and locate of our place, but it would be worth it. An open floor plan, with a master split, 3 additional bedrooms, a pool, and a three car garage would work best. Please and thank you.

Ok dream over...

Braggin' on my Boy

Words can't express how much I love my first baby. I know I am completely biased because I am his Mommy, but some days I just wonder how he is so darn smart. Well, he obviously gets it from his Daddy. Here are some recent funnies from a very special two year old boy....

-Mommy, this fish from Africa!
-Daddy: Are you ready for bed Parker? Parker: Not quite
-After reading, David Gets in Trouble. Parker: Mommy, I get in trouble. I knock coke over. :::Insert tiny giggles::: as I enter the kitchen to see cans of coke all over the floor.
- one, three, four, five, seven, eight, nine, ten. (Not sure what happened to two and six)
-Mommy, monkey took my pants. Call zoo and get them back.
-Mason knock my table over. (As I see his table flipped over and innocent Mason next to it)

And a cute picture....