HHI: Day Trips

Going to the beach on the Atlantic is a little different from the Gulf. Not only is the water and sand not quite as picturesque (but the sand was much better for P to walk!), but you have to deal with the tide. Where we were staying, when the tide was high there was little to no beach. So, a couple of days we took a little "day trip" (really just half day trips). One day we went to Sea Pines, a community at the end of the Island. We saw a gator, had lunch, did a little shopping and went to the petting zoo.

Two gators! And I really wasn't zoomed in all that much.

Stair climbing.

P is such a pointer.

Harbour Town

Harbour Town

First lemon ;)

South Beach Marina

Lawton Stables

Lawton Stables

Lawton Stables

Another day we went to Bluffton. I love this little town. There were art galleries, children's shops, restaurants, parks, etc. We covered one little street and then had a picnic in a park, but there's so much more to explore and a return trip is on my list for our next HHI vacation.

I just love the moss covered trees.

While the girls shopped, the guys kept up with this little bundle of energy.



Post meltdown lunch at the park



Bluffton Oyster Company

HHI: Family Photos

[NOTE: I took WAY too many pictures at the beach. And they are all my favorite. And I have no idea how to organize them. So get ready for some random posts over the next week or so and lots of pictures.]

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Most of my pictures are solos of Parker. Sometimes I'll get a shot of Keith and Parker or he'll take a picture of me and Parker. It's rare to get a picture with all 3 of us. While we were on vacation we made an effort to get some family photos. Here are some of our fails:

 

 

 And here are some where P was a little more cooperative:

Of course, we had to try to get one of all 4 of us. Try being the key word.

Darcy Does Atlanta

Proof Darc was with us in ATL.

She and Elwood are buds. :)

Atlanta

Like I mentioned previously, on our way to Hilton Head Keith, Parker, Darcy and I stopped in Atlanta for a couple of days to see Greg, Kathy and Elwood. The last time Parker saw Lula and Pops he was a little sensitive and in a major Mommy phase. This time he was happier and much more social. Parker had a blast roaming the huge back yard, petting Elwood, climbing the stairs and playing with his new toys (Little People Batman is a big hit!). We all had a great couple of days catching up, eating lots, and relaxing.

Elwood

3D movie night

Parker and Pops

Obsessed. So glad we don't have stairs at our house!

Pops, Parker and Lula

(all pics taken with my iPhone)

Home Again, Home Again

So, we're home from a 10 day getaway. It's nice to be back, but we're missing the beach oh so much! We went to Hilton Head with Keith's parents, Aimee and Nick, and all the dogs. On our way there Keith, Parker, Darcy and I stopped in Atlanta to see Greg, Kathy and Elwood. It was a wonderful week and a half. Now, back to reality.

12 Month Highlights

Parker,

You're no longer our little baby. You are such a big boy! We've realized that more this last month. You've been such a blast learning and doing all sorts of fun, cute things. You are:

pointing

waving intentionally

following simple instructions

giving kisses (my favorite!) 

throwing your arms in the air

and sharing (toys, food, sippys, rocks, doesn't matter).

You'll discover something new and want to do it over and over. It usually involves climbing something- stairs, your chair, us! Keith and I are convinced that we're going to end up in the ER sooner rather than later. You have no fear.

You love bouncing on our backs or crawling over us while we're lying (laying? I always forget.) on the floor.

You like stealing Daddy's hat and putting it on your head. And you look adorable.

You love being outside. It doesn't matter if it's 90 degrees and your little face is beet red and your hair is sweaty. You do not want to go in!

We had zero issues eliminating your bottles. You didn't even realize they were gone. You drink at least 24 ounces of milk a day (we try not to let you drink more than this) plus at least 10 or so ounces of water. We've had to give you prune juice on several occasions and you'll drink it with no problems too.

You've started eating more meat. You've had salmon, chicken and turkey meatballs. You'd live off fruit, though, if we let you. Particularly watermelon. Pasta is a close second favorite.
You have 7 teeth- 4 on top and 3 on bottom. Your 8th is coming in on the bottom- verrry slowly. At least it doesn't seem to bother you most of the time.

You have us wrapped around your little finger, Parker man, and you know it. For example, the other night while I was chasing you around to put a diaper on that cute bottom you peed on the floor- and laughed! I just sat down, exhausted, and stared. You looked at me, walked over, gave me the biggest bear hug and the most slobbery kiss. I melted, of course, and all was forgotten. ;)

You're the center of attention everywhere we go. No one can get enough of those white blonde curls and that dimple. And you eat it up!

You make us laugh on a daily basis. The sound of your laugh is the greatest.

We love you, bud, so much!

 

Weekend Recap

Friday:
Year 2 of "Eat the Street" - Franklin's food truck festival.
This was last year when it was held at The Factory. P was about 2 weeks old.

This year the festival was moved to Main Street. Here's P.

What a difference a year makes! We grabbed some really good food from Smoke Et Al, sat on some stairs and watched P climb them over and over. He was not a happy camper when it started raining and we had to pull him away from his new fun activity. Although not pictured (not for lack of trying though), Darcy was there too this year.

Saturday:

P's first wedding. If you follow me on Instagram then you already know this, but when the son walked the mom down the aisle I definitely teared up. One day, that will be me and my baby. :)

Post wedding photo shoot (or attempt) and playtime in the backyard.

 

This may be one of my all time favorite pictures.

Sunday:

Sunday was my second (whatt??!!) Mother's Day! Keith (and Parker and Darcy) made me breakfast, we went to church (most touching service ever to hear the story of a disabled boy and the man who randomly encountered him one day and the progression of their relationship. Second time I cried in church this weeked.), and we had Keith's family over for lunch. After Parker's nap that afternoon Keith, Parker, Darcy and I went on a long walk and then played in the backyard. Parker LOVES being outside. He has literally thrown tantrums before when we've had to come in. He walks all over, swings, and plays with Darcy. He just learned to throw the ball for her and it is the cutest. I sure do love my two kiddos. :)

Breakfast. Darcy has gained some weight recently. Not sure how ;)

A flower from each of my loves and a "plant" I can't kill.

The best one we could get of all 3 of us.
Thanks Keith for taking these even if they were a little overexposed (hence B&W) :)



 



Typical (cute!) face



Darcy showing those pearly whites :)