Already????

"Oh No! It's THAT time of year again!"

My daddy has been busy teaching me about and adding to the Stecher outdoor Christmas display for this year. He says it's a manly family tradition.

We added a new reindeer sign by our door,

Some giant light bulbs by the squirrel tree,

And a giant plastic Frosty.

"HEY! No sleeping on the job."

My dad worked really hard to make our house look festive!

I think I already love Christmas!

A full nights sleep

Last night was the first night sleeping all night here at our house! We slept all night in our big boy pack and play! Parker slept next to our bed from 9:30PM -5:30AM we were very excited!

Two nights ago this was the only way to get him to sleep in the pack and play.....propped up on a pillow from our bed. He didn't sleep all the way through that night.

This is Parker as I write this. Asleep, flat with no fluffy pillows...however that is a memory foam pad underneath him...ahhhh the comfort measures we'll give our children ;)
He's hoping for another full nights sleep!

Holiday Baking 2009

Mom and I started holiday baking this year early. Last year we were still pulling cookies out of the oven on Christmas eve...not really but almost!
So this year we got things started early! We baked for 8 hours straight today and are about 1/2 done with what we want for baking. Our backs hurt, feet ache and we both probably have new cavities from all the taste testing ;)
We had a great day and I'm in the holiday spirit now. We listened to Christmas music all day long! Did you know 96.1 is now playing all holiday music all the time? It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Below is a picture of some 1/2 finished reindeer suckers! Too CUTE!

Parker's Flowers

Yesterday on my first day back at school, by darling baby boy send me flowers!

Have a great first day back at school Mom! Don't worry about me! I'll see you after school! Love, Parker

They are beautiful and I have smelled the sweet smell of lilies all day long!

I smile and think of him each time I get a whiff!

First Day

Today was my first day back at school and Parker's first day at a non-related babysitter. We are very fortunate to have found such a caring and kind babysitter who watches Parker in her home. Kim and her daughter Renee are great!
Travis and I of course would have much rather stayed home with the little guy, but are happy to have Kim on Mon.-Wed.

This morning when we went to drop him off, Travis handed Parker to me, and I handed him to Kim (after one more snuggle :) ) Parker just hung out like no big deal. And then he saw their dog "Buddy".

Parker instantly light up and gave some smiles and grins. "Don't worry mom and dad! Kim, Buddy and I are going to have fun today! See you after work!"

I think Parker, Kim and "Buddy" are going to be good friends! :)

Thank you to everyone who sent notes, messages, and good thoughts my way today. It was hard, but not unbearable. I have a really great class and Mary Ann did a fantastic job getting them prepared for my arrival as well as the room. I walked in today after 8 weeks being away and just picked up like I had never left. I don't think that usually happens with a Maternity Sub. Mrs. Henderson was a huge part of that as well. I don't know what I'd do with out her!

I was surprised today with a beautiful flower arrangement from Parker around 11AM! I'll post a picture in the morning. This tired mama needs to get some sleep because I have to do it all again tomorrow! Sigh!

Favorite time of day

This is my favorite part of the day...

Parker gets up at 5:30-6:00 AM, I feed him and then we snuggle on the couch and fall asleep until Travis goes to work at 8:00AM


Travis got these shots a few mornings ago when Parker and I were in deep dreamland together. This is one of the things I will miss most starting on Monday. He's so warm, and snuggly, and beautiful, and perfect, and, full of hope, and giggly, full of love and, and, and....

Vaccinations

Today we had our 2 month check up and you know what that brings.....SHOTS!
YIKES! I must say Parker has been through a lot in his first 2 months of life and come out on the right side of all the obstacles of constant blood draws, a trip to Peoria, and an IV in the head. However, today was rough for his mama!
We were told we'd have an oral vaccine that babies don't like because it tastes bad....Parker laughed, smiled and gurgled through that.
Then he had 2 shots in his left leg. We were told to prepare our selves and help "comfort" him. He took the first shot like a champ, barely moving. He's used to this needle stuff!
The second shot in the left leg brought the tears...the mad kind...the kind where you have to blow in his face to get him to inhale. But again, nothing we haven't seen/dealt with. Then we were told to hang on for the right leg shot because that was the one that "hurt". Parker was crying with eyes squeezed shut when the right leg shot went in. His eyes flew open, slammed shut and then the REAL screaming began. The poor baby! He made sure that we indeed knew it hurt! It took some time to console him, but we got through it!
In honor of Veteran's Day he received these band aids..


Once we got home Parker had some Tylenol and a good nap on dad....but when he woke up.....
WOWZERS!

Travis and I agree Parker has never been so upset, mad, hurt, etc. at home than he was today. We now know what he is like when he doesn't feel good! To say he was crying is an understatement. Wailing might be closer, but that doesn't even do it justice... Oh yeah, did I mention that when this happened there were still 2 hours before we could give him more Tylenol?
Travis was a champ and got Parker to finally settle down after 45 minutes of a VERY unhappy baby.
Don't move....he's finally quiet...

I had a rough day...and I have to do it all over again in January! YIKES!

In other office news: He weighs 13lbs. 10 oz. and is 23 1/4 in. long.

That is 90th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for length. His head is in the 50th percentile for the circumference.

Family Photos

Jodie finished editing all of our Parker photos and family photos! They are GREAT! I have no idea how we will choose! Check out the final product :)

www.jodiemcnally.com/photography/stecher

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Yesterday was my 29th birthday! We celebrated all weekend long doing all sorts of things that I wanted to do.

Saturday we went to the Quad Cities:

• We went on a walk at Sunset Marina with Gma and Gpa Stecher and Chloe.
• Travis and I went to Old Navy, and Bed, Bath and Beyond
• Travis and I met Josh and Sarah for dinner at Granite City and saw the movie "Couples Retreat" (cute!)
• We went through the Hardee's Drive through really late so I could get a Hi-C orange drink

Sunday we:

• Ate Cherry Doughnuts for Breakfast (YUM!)
• Went to the mall
• I napped on the way home to Galesburg
• We went to my moms for the afternoon/evening with the fam.
• Had dinner with mom, dad, Justin
• Ate Cheesecake (noon) and Cherry Chocolate Cake (after dinner)

For my birthday I got lots of great things:

My hair low lighted,tickets to Mark Shultz, a new necklace, tickets to Bob Zaney, a car detail, a magazine subscription, a reed diffuser, a family light up sign, bath and Body works gift card, a Karen Kingsbury book, a necklace, and a flat iron for my hair, a massage, and I got to hold and snuggle with my baby all day long!

Thanks to everyone who made my 29th birthday great! The gifts, calls, well wishes, and thoughts were much appreciated!

Daddy's Day off

Travis had the day off today. Originally there were Parent/Teacher conferences scheduled, but the teachers voted to do 2 nights instead of a night and a morning.
Parker was excited to have his dad home today!


Daddy and Parker played with toys all afternoon!



What?!? Playtime is OVER?????

Parker and Mommy were happy to have Daddy home all day long!