So long 2009, HELLO 2010!

I am fully aware that the longer I wait to blog, the harder it gets to catch everyone up on what has happened in our CRAZY HIGH SPEED LIFE! I have said it a dozen times and will say it again, life has definitely only gotten crazier with a lil one! There is no slowing down in our life AT ALL! So, what has happened in the last 2 weeks... Let me attempt to catch you up on a few things!

1- Cade is growing...he has quickly learned the art of cause/effect. Complete with sticking out his tongue at you (my favorite) if you show him yours. It is the best EVER! He also likes peek-a-boo and checking out everything around him. He does not like to be laid down and prefers to be sitting up where he can see all the action! He will even squeal at you if you start to ignore him for even one second! He is now up to 7 ounces every 3 hours and sleeps 8-10 hours a night. We believe he weighs almost 16 pounds, which is double his birth weight! He is simply the happiest baby you could ever imagine. We are so blessed by his love and personality!

2- I can't believe Christmas is over already. Every year I look forward to this time of year as I believe that it is a time of remembrance of our Savior and most importantly a time of reconnection and growth in him. This Christmas took on another meaning with Cade present. The giddy Christmas spirit and magical beliefs came to life once again for us. This was our first Christmas at home, as we usually go to Lubbock. The only thing missing this Christmas was my Grandma. It is so hard for me to realize she is not "just a phone call away" and the pain seems to get worse as it slowly sinks in that she is gone. Even through the pain, it was a Christmas I will never forget, perhaps the best one ever.

We started by celebrating with Charles' family here in Spring, TX on the 22nd. We had a great day of hanging out, talking, EATING, and opening gifts. Of course, Cade was the star of the show and it was a blast to watch him pull off the wrapping paper! His favorite gifts (in my humble opinion) was his cell phone by Uncle Corey and his rocking horse by Gam-ee and Gramp-ee. The cell phone has already saved us quite a few times at resturants! :) Charles' parents decided Charles and I should have a "throw back" Christmas with toys of our own since Cade got toys. It was hillarious! I got a Hug-A-Bunch and Mario Brother PJ's (Don't be jealous everyone, they ROCK! And... I am still the champ of Mario Brothers and will take you DOWN Mendy!). Charles got to play with his He-Man set, including the Castle, PJ's, and matching lunchbox! We had so much fun!

On the 23rd, we went to Round Rock for the week to celebrate Christmas with my parents, Sis, Bro-in-Law Chris and neice Mackenzie (Kennybug). It was a fun week that flew by so fast. The week consisted of shopping, cooking, playing games, lounging around in matching PJ's, eating, more gifts and watching Kennybug play with "Baby Cade". On Christmas Eve as we were leaving to go to church, it snowed for about 15 minutes! I stopped what I was doing and got to run around like a little girl in the snow (OK, flurries) with Kennybug. I loved it! Everyone stayed the night at my parents house on Christmas Eve so that the kids could open gifts from Santa together. Nana and Papa had bought Cade and Kennybug matching PJ's and they were all set for Santa! Christmas morning was even more fun watching Kennybug go through each little gift from Santa. I had no idea Santa was so rich! He did a great job! Even Cade got his gifts and he's only 4 1/2 months old!

3- 2010 is here! We rang in the new year with a group of friends in Conroe, and even woke Cade up at Midnight for hugs and kisses (he was REAL IMPRESSED, NOT!). We had a great dinner together, wine, games, and lots of laughter.

When I look back on 2009, I realize that it was such a beautiful year that I was sad to let it go. All in one year we accomplished so much as a family and gained countless blessings. To name a few: my pregnancy, Cade's birth, Babymoon, Celebrated 5 years of Marriage, Baby Showers, my new job, Charles continuing his Doctorates, Baylor turned 5 years old, and who could forget my 10 yr High School Reunion! Our hope is that 2010 can be another year of growth for our family and committment in our Lord.

OK, that's all for now...I am not a lengthy blogger, so this is all you get! As always, I will try to post more often, but sometimes I give in to that lil smile on Cade's face and do nothing but snuggle on the couch next to Charles with him in my arms. Hope everyone is having a great year so far and May God continue to Bless us all! Merry Christmas

Cade's Rocking Horse
Opening gifts with Gramp-ee
The infamous cell phone by Uncle Corey

All tuckered out on Gam-ee's lap after opening gifts

Our Willowtree Angel with a Baby

My Parents beautiful Christmas decor

Kennybug and I playing in the flurries

The Cousins on Christmas Eve

Before Church on Christmas Eve

Nana and Papa with their "Babies"

Cade's first toy box

Riding Dump Truck by Nana and Papa

Charles reading "Twas the Night before Christmas" just like his Grandma ("Mumps") would always read.

Matching PJ's

Happy Dreams of Santa...no joke, he smiles in his sleep all the time!

Look what came in Santa's bag!

My Grandma Parks' Christmas China, it was amazing

Kennybug and Cade in their matching PJ's for Santa

Baylor waiting for his treat too!

My perfect Angel

We are so blessed...

So, as time passes and life keeps passing, the memories pile up. I simply cannot believe Cade is turning 4 months in just a few days. I am continued to be amazed at what joys God has blessed our life with. Here are some catch up pictures to enjoy.

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR:

For good times...Cade celebrating with the KHS cheerleaders after the Playoff game victory!

For Friends... A night with the gals for Mommy! We went to see New Moon and then ate at Cheescake Factory! I am so thankful for each one of you!

For Grandma's...The two Grandma's comparing stories from our Baby books! I love looking at our baby books, it reminds me of just how special Cade is. He is growing like his Daddy, but is still his own lil man!

For Extra Breast Milk...Cade is happy and so are we with money savings!

For Family Memories...Thanksgiving 2009

For Play toys...Cade loves anything with noise and lights!

For Christmas coming...Happy Birthday Jesus!

For Santa... who is not really sure what exactly to bring Cade since he has it all!

For good sleep...Daddy's chest is the best!

For Cade's 1st Christmas Ornament...purchased with love by Nana and Papa Parks

Yes, I am aware that I need to actually put a picture of Cade in his ornament, not keep the random photo that came with it! That shall be my next project!

For Cade's Christmas Stocking...Made with love and hours of hardwork by Gam-ee Hall!

A lot in 10 days...

Even though it has only been 10 days since I last blogged, a lot has happened...here's an update, try to keep up!

1- Our family (Charles, My Sis Mendy, Charles' Dad Fred, and my Cousin Shelly) participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 day! If you are wondering what this is, let me just tell you! This is an AMAZING event that happens in only about 12 cities in the US each year. Dallas, TX happens to be one of these locations, and if you are an avid supporter of the fight for Breast Cancer, then it is just for you! Every walker must not only raise $2,300, but also condition, train, and walk 60 miles with thousands of others! The 60 mile journey includes walking an average of 20 miles per day (about 7-8 straight hours of walking per day) and camping out in tents the 2 nights in between. This may seem easy enough and one might even say, "wow, sounds like fun!"....but not always. For with every mile comes blisters, shin splits, stress fractures, fatigue, and sometimes tears. My favorite part of the walk is always geeting time to reflect on the reason why we do this. I know everyone has someone affected by Breast Cancer. For me, I have several and the memories of those individuals are so strong, that no blister in the world could compare! This year, I was busy with other "Mommy" duties and was not able to participate as a walker. However, this did not stop Cindy (Charles' Mom) and I from being "Walker Stalkers" and supporting our team every inch of the way! I am very proud of our "Rack Starz" Team and even prouder to say over the last 3 years of participating that we have raised over $25,000 for the fight against Breast Cancer! Go Team! The sea of pink tents!

"Save those boobs for me Dad!"
Of course we decorated the truck!

The sweep vans for injured walkers!

The "Boys" ready to camp for the night!

Team Rack Starz

Family Pic on Day 2!

Gramp-ee and Gam-ee

Cade with Dad, his shirt says, "I'm a Breast Baby!"

2- Cade is sleeping in his room! Yes, my lil munchin has moved into the ranks of a big boy and is now in his own room just before he turned 3 months. I was panicky and did not want this to happen, but my wonderful hubby convined me that he could not sleep in our room forever. I agreed, and spent the night holding the monitor and watching him sleep! Now, he is jus as cute as can be and sleeps a solid 8-10 hours each night in his own room! What a big boy...

3- I returned to work! After 12 weeks of time with Cade, I had to return to work. I am blessed that I love my job, and it was not as dreaded as it could have been. Cindy is keeping Cade full time, so I had a lot of peace knowing he would be with Grandma. How lucky are we to have such a loving Grandma that BEGS us to keep him! We save money and in return my son is loved on all day long. That is the best blessing ever! THANK YOU GAM-EE!!

4- I turned 29! As wierd as this may sound, I am ok with turning 29 years, at least it's not 30! Somehow, that simple fact makes me feel like I am still young! :) Ha!! One of the best gifts was that my parents drove in for the day and surprised me! So, I was like a little girl running to the front door in my PJ's to find them standing there and smiling! It was amazing and I loved it!

So, that is the updates for now and stay tuned for some Thanksgiving blogs!

So cute he's SCARY!!

Our 1st Halloween was nothing but perfect! Cade was the cutest lil man ever! He was Mommy's pumpkin as always! We started off the night by going to our church "Trunk or Treat" event where he got his first trick or treating experience. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed eating the few pieces of candy Cade got! Heehee! Then, after church we went to a "Spooky" car show. Cade enjoyed the music and all the lights. After the car show, Cade let us know he had had enough and it was time to eat and then go to bed! He slept 10 hours that night as he was extra tired (Did I mention he started sleeping 8 hours through the night at 9 weeks?)! So, Halloween is now over and he is 12 weeks old today. I just can't believe it...no matter how old he gets, he'll always be Mommy's lil pumpkin!Mommy made me wear this during the day, it looks like I just got out of Jail. :(
Mommy and her Pumpkin

I am so spoiled with gifts from my Gam-ee and Gramp-ee! Ps- My Mom and Dad even ate my Candied Apple...meanies!

Cade likes the older women! This is Blythe, his future wife...

Cade's first trick or treating experience

The Fam

Daddy and I with a good lookin car!

This one's for my Papa Parks! It's a 70's Barracuda!