It's beginning to look a lot like

...a baby is coming!

You may wonder why start this post with a picture of Jack? Well, just keep reading. It seemed only fitting to let the world see our first "baby" and the teacher of many of our parenting lessons on patience and the art of laughing at, I mean with, your children.

:)

We can hardly believe it but in just 9 short weeks, baby Sebastian will be here. With one minor kink, we have finally gotten the walls painted! Donald attempted something that even a well-practiced mother may be intimidated by: he painted the room while in charge of a 2-year old and a golden retriever. Now, let me just say over our 5+ years of marriage, he has become an excellent painter. But even Picasso may have had trouble balancing our two "little ones" and a paintbrush. Anyone who knows our dog Jack knows that he is a 90 lb. baby. If he could crawl in your lap, he would. He is always one step behind and apparently this is even true when you're on a ladder. Donald took a step down and there was Jack and the paint tray! Blue paint on the carpet and the newly painted crib. Thanks to Jack, Sebastian's carpet already has its first stain so it's all ready for spit up!

As good as it gets

Oh, to have the life of a 2-year old! Loafing around in your p.j.'s watching LazyTown with your cousin...does it really get any better than this?

Fly to Jesus!

This post is dedicated to Josie Gray, A.K.A. Foofy. After a life-long battle with Cystic Fibrosis, she is now happy & healthy with Jesus. I feel as if I've known Josie, indirectly at least, most of her life: my mother taught Josie in nursery school, my brother-in-law has worked with her Dad and most recently, our babysitter is her Aunt Haley. If you ever met her, you would have immediately been smitten. Her unbreakable spirit was contagious and the wisdom in her young eyes told you she wasn't your average, silly 14-year-old. She came over with Haley several times during Christmas and even our reluctant Coco quickly became a fan. Coco dubbed Josie with the nickname "Foofy" in a 2-year old attempt to mimic Haley saying she was goofy. The name stuck and Josie liked it. Just after learning that Josie wasn't doing very well, we sang the song "Untitled Hymn" by Chris Rice in church. The lyrics are particularly well-suited to Josie's journey here on earth. Josie came to Jesus, sang for Jesus, fell on Jesus, cried to Jesus, danced for Jesus, kissed this world goodbye and flew to Jesus!

Josie touched our family forever and we are blessed to have known her.

We love you Foofy!

Haley & Josie: Summer 2008

P.S. This picture was on Josie's blog and I showed it to Coco several weeks ago. Now, every time she sees me at the computer, she asks to see Haley & Foofy. She wanted to look at it so often, I finally printed a copy out for her to hang in her room.

Sebastian Conrad Parr

Today was Sebastian's big day - his 3D/4D Ultrasound! He nearly slept through the entire thing only to rouse a little when his big sister was in the room crying. I think this technology is so amazing. You could see that he has a little bit of hair and he sleeps with his arms bent above his head. To rest our worries, we also confirmed that he is indeed a boy. :) We were holding off painting the nursery until further "evidence." He may have been modest about doing a little dance for us but was ready & willing to show us what color to paint!

a yawn

a pout

a precious sleeping baby

Coco's Big Day

At 2 years old, Coco has already made it through two big "growing up" rights of passage: the chicken pox and a tonsillectomy. This past Thursday, we checked into LeBonheur for the much-anticipated and much-dreaded day. After many bouts with ear infections, chronically enlarged tonsils and a bit of a snoring problem, we finally made the decision to get tubes and remove her adenoids & tonsils. Despite the sleepless night in the hospital, she is recovering beautifully. Much like her father and the beloved Dorothy, for Coco there really is "no place like home."

Local children's author book signing

Saturday, January 24th from 10 to 2
at the freckled frog

"Adventures? Bible stories? Angels?

All are included in the life of Tubby, a small turtle who has places to go and people to see. During this adventure, Tubby learns about the wonders of God along the way. Come join new author, Kimberly Smith, as she invites you into her book, Tubby Visits The Park, to enjoy the story of the creation all over again.

Come, adventure with Tubby! "

Happy Birthday Memaw!

We did it! We actually managed to pull off a surprise 75th birthday party for Ms. Thelma, a.k.a. Memaw. When she walked in the door, we weren't sure if she wanted to hug us or spank us. Attention isn't something she likes. She may not like it, but she surely deserves it. Memaw is so many things to so many people: a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a great grandmother, an aunt and a friend. We love you Memaw!