These are a few of my favorite things...

These are just a few things that I LOVE and am so glad I have. Just thought I'd share!

Netflix

I mean, why didn't anyone tell me about this sooner? Lee's mom got me a subscription to this for Christmas, and it is fabulous. I get two movies at a time with an unlimited number of movies a month. I went online and created my "list" of movies, and I keep updating it. Netflix sends me two movies at a time. When I'm finished watching one, I stick it back in the prepaid envelope and stick it in my mailbox. Within two days, I get the next movie on my list. It is so great, and checking the mail is so fun. I have found that there's nothing but trash on TV during the day, so this keeps us entertained, especially with the freezing weather!

Flip Video Camera

This was a Christmas gift from my parents and one that I knew nothing about before we got it. It is a tiny video camera - about the size of a digital camera. There are no tapes. We just pick up the camera, turn it on, and shoot. The greatest thing is that there is a USB port on the side that plugs straight into the computer, which makes saving the videos so easy. It does only capture 60 minutes if video at a time, so it is just for short segments. But we haven't even used half of that time yet!

Sing Over Me

My mom gave me this cd and a cd player for Parker's nursery. At the time, I thought we would never use it, but it turns out that we have a baby who loves music! I turn it on every time I change his diaper or any other time we're in his nursery. It calms him down almost immediately. For the times when he is really unhappy and will not stop crying and I'm about to lose my mind (like at 2am), I sing the words outloud to remind myself how much God loves me and Parker and of his promise to take care of us. It sometimes makes me cry at the realization, and it normally quiets him down. In just this short amount of time, we know all the words. The artists are great and have the most soothing voices.

Blanket nightgowns

Ok, I mostly love these because they are so cute. But they're also really practical. We zip Parker up in these things to go to bed, and he's so warm. We also don't have to use a blanket in his bed, which makes me feel better (just in case). And changing a diaper in the middle of the night is so much easier when all you have to do is unzip the front. I also love just the regular nightgowns, but I wish they had a zipper!

7 Random Things...

I was hit by April, so I'm going to give this a shot. This is a very hard task for me since I tell people everything about myself. Let's see...

1. I was born in Singapore. My dad was not in the military...he works in the oil industry. My parents moved there when my mom was pregnant with me. We lived there for just a short while and came back, but I've been back a few times since. I love that place. It's one of my favorite places I have ever been.

2. I love COPS. Yes, the show. I realize this is so skanky, but I have always loved it...even when I was young. I think if it weren't so dangerous, I might would be a cop, but I'm too scared. In case you're wondering, it comes on every day from 11am-12pm and 6-7pm. And, as always, Saturday nights at 7pm.

3. A dog almost bit the left side of my lip off when I was 2 years old. It was completely my fault...I kicked sand in his eyes. This called for stitches and plastic surgery. I used to be very self-conscious about the scar on my lip and was obsessive about wearing lipstick to hide it, but I have given it up. I don't see it getting any better!!

4. I am a bookworm. It's really ridiculous. I am always reading something - books, magazines, etc. I almost always have a book in my purse (just in case I have time somewhere) and have been known to read while I'm walking from place to place. What a geek!

5. I hate to shop for clothes. I mean, I really can't stand it. I like to shop for almost anything else...just not clothes. This is mostly due to the fact that I never know what to buy. I normally rely on my mom and sisters to either buy things for me or go with me to pick things out. So if you ever see me in something you like (or don't), I get no credit for it. It was them!

6. I love licorice. Only the red kind. And not the kind from a gas station. I really love Twizzlers and Red Vines, and we almost always have some of either one in our house. And I love licorice ropes, which I recently found at Candy's Confections down the street from our house. Dangerous!

7. I hate to fly. This hatred is one I have developed in my later years. It never seemed to bother me until I was older. The funny thing is that I fly all the time, especially since my parents now live in Texas. But I still hate it. I get so worried and worked up every time we fly, and every bump sends me into a tailspin. I mean, I don't need medication or anything, I just don't like it. I think it's feeling so out of control that I can't stand.

Now that I'm finished, I tag Kara, Jennifer, and Jenny. Good luck, girls!

My Little Hunters

I realize this could be a little redneck, but I thought it was too cute to pass up. Lee went hunting yesterday morning with his dad, and Parker and I went to meet them after the hunt. I couldn't resist putting Parker in his own camouflage outfit in hopes of getting some good pictures. Aren't they so cute? It won't be long before we're really getting him ready to go out in the woods!!

Parker's Big Boy Bath

Parker took his first bath in his "big boy" tub today, and he loved it!! We had been using the little sponge, and he would scream and cry almost the whole time. We had to bathe him really fast because he hated it so much. I can't say I blame him...I wouldn't like a bird bath either. Too cold! Well, today we got out the big tub and had no problems. As a matter of fact, he almost fell asleep at the end of the bath...he was so relaxed!

Daddy and Parker's Favorite Spot

Our big red chair is Lee and Parker's favorite place to spend time together in our house. They can be found taking a nap, studying for law school, or just playing and singing together. It's so sweet and so fun.

We are now officially on our own. My sweet mom stayed here for two weeks with us to help us adjust. It was wonderful to wake up and feed him after a night with no sleep and hand him over to her while Lee and I went back to sleep. She kept our house in order, ran errands for us, and helped us learn the little things about taking care of a baby. A large amount of fear set in the day before my mom left. I just wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this by myself. But we've been ok. We're at least attempting now to get into a routine...as much as possible. We all get up in the mornings to eat and take baths so that we're all up and going by the time Lee leaves for school. It at least helps me to get up and out of my pajamas!! Parker is sleeping well at night most of the time....but not all the time. Last night was a nearly sleepless night, but we're learning the tricks. And every day gets better and better!

LIFE WITH PARKER

(this post was made by Jessica's mom)

Parker has invaded every inch of his parents' hearts and home! Life has, of course, not been the same since he arrived, but no one is complaining.
















Lee has taken advantage of every moment of his break from law school to coddle, change, and watch football games with his new son. This is his favorite position.


Parker sleeps for long stretches, so he spends a lot of time in his bassinet, with a skirt made by Jessica's grandmother.














Jessica and Lee are having a wonderful time as new parents.
















Playtime...bathtime...the fun never ends!

HE'S HERE!

Howard Parker Hill
was born Thursday, December 27 at 6:18 a.m.
8 lbs 5 oz
20 inches long
Mommy, Daddy and baby are doing just fine and will settle in at home on Sunday.

For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
(Psalm 139:13-14)

Parker's Nursery

Here are some pictures of Parker's cute nursery. If I had had anything to do with this creation at all, I would not be so proud. But...I can take no credit. My mom and Kelly came up with the whole idea, and my mom and Alyssa created it. My dad and Sam and Lee were wonderful and patient in putting it all together. I still can't believe how great it looks. We love it so much. It's very calm and soothing...Lee and I sometimes just sit in there and look around in disbelief. The things that make the room so neat are all the special touches that members of our family have put into it. Check out the slide show below to see each neat creation. Make sure to click on the pictures for the details. Thank you so much to everyone who helped...especially my family for giving up long weekends of time. Now we just need a baby for it!

Make a postcard!