Pink or Blue, Which Team Are You??

Well, this last week has been one of many excitements!  Not only is Parker officially potty trained, (way to go buddy!) but we also know what we are expecting in December.  

When we found out when I was pregnant with Parker, Philip and I both knew when we left the ultra sound.  We then told our friends and family by throwing a gender reveal party and had everyone take a bite into their own cupcake at the same time.  They found blue frosting in the middle to indicate that we were having a boy.  This time we decided to mix it up a little bit.  

A very sweet couple in the prodigy program (Stephanie and Skyler) offered to host a party for us!  They live in an awesome apartment in Uptown Charlotte. (Which is actually Charlotte's downtown area... don't ask me why it's called uptown, I don't understand either) The guys in the prodigy program decided they wanted to do a fantasy football league, (which Philip reluctantly agreed to, he's worried he'll get sucked in, which is why he's never done it before) and Stephanie thought this would be a good way to get together and do both the draft and gender reveal.  We thought it was a great idea, and decided to wait til the actual party to find out the gender with everyone else! 

We had the ultrasound done on Monday and got to see the beautiful profile and 3D face of the little bun.    

              

                        

Adorable, Right?

Then I found a stranger in the doctor's office to look in our sealed envelope with the baby's gender, and text our baker what we are having!  I didn't look in that envelope all week!  It started out on the kitchen counter, but then I had to hide it from myself so I didn't get tempted. I swear that thing was calling out to me to open it.  It took a lot of self control not to rip that thing open and find out, but I'm so glad we waited!

Friday night finally rolled around, we were all gathered around this adorable cake, and Stephanie had passed out buttons so everyone knew what team they were rooting for.  I was team pink, Philip was team blue.

BTW, if you are dying of suspense, you can just scroll down the page.

I won't be mad :)

                     

22 Weeks Pregnant, and Philip is supporting me as usual!

We had about 12 people around us with their camera phones pulled out, some were shooting pictures while others recorded.  Philip had a bit of a difficult time cutting the cake so I had to help him out a bit, but in the end after we finally cut a piece we found out that we are having a.....

Baby Boy!!

That's right, Parker will be getting a little playmate in December. He had no idea what was going on, other than the fact that he got to eat some delicious cake.  He couldn't figure out what everyone was looking at us for and why everyone was being so noisy.  I don't think he cared much once he got some cake though!

YUMM!

It was a great night, filled with great new friends.  The draft was drafted, the cake was eaten, and our questions were answered. I'd say it was a fun night for everyone.

With Love, From Charlotte.

Out and About

As we are getting used to the city of Charlotte, Parker and I have been trying to scope out what to do each day.  Not only is that a task in itself, but we have the rain to contend with so it has to be something inside!  Apparently this amount of rain is not normal for Charlotte at this time of year, but last week we had 4 straight days of rain, and well this desert rat isn't used to that.

Day 4 of rain...

So in order to keep our sanity we found a few gems around town to entertain the little man.  Our first stop, the library!  I'm a big fan of libraries for a few reasons: 1. They are free!  Need I say more?  2.There is always something to do. Even if a story time or activity isn't happening, at least there are books to read, puzzles to do, and computers with games.  3. It's inside.  Rain or shine it's a great way to get out of the house. 4. Despite the fact that it's a library, I don't feel like Parker has to be the perfect kid.  Desperate tired moms bring their kids here just like me, and I don't have to feel like Parker can't make noise and have fun!

While at the library I met another mom and her two daughters.  I asked her what she did with her kids on rainy days, and I got a great list from her.  Plus we both attended the Circus day at the mall the next day so I got to talk with her and ended up getting her information.  Mini rabbit trail alert! Which I then washed doing laundry later, so I have been praying that I'll see her at the library this next week.   Don't you hate when you do something like that? I mean it was the first person/friend that I made outside of church and I just washed away her number ughh, lame! Anyways....

The next day, as I said earlier, we went to the mall.  A couple times a month they have what they call family fun day, and they bring in different small acts or shows for the family.  (Also free) This one happened to be circus themed with a 45 minute comedy/interactive show for the kids.  

Parker enjoyed it, but got scared if he was too close, so I had to keep my distance.

Of course, my fall back, go to, always reliable entertainment on a rainy day is a cup o' joe and a nice stroll through the beloved Target.  I know you moms out there reading this are saying' "uh huh" and "preach it sista!".  There is nothing like pushing a cart up and down each aisle with no intention of buying a thing, (but always ending up with something) and enjoying pointing things out and talking with your kid.  I am embarrassed to say that "Target" is now a part of Parker's vocabulary, no judging!

On this particular trip to Target we got Parker his first pack of Big Boy underwear. (Cars themed)  Which he then proceeded to try on every single pair in the cart, at the store, before purchasing. More on potty training adventures to come in a later post.  Pray for me, we start Monday! 

 

We survived our first rainy week and I've now got a list of things to do!  We are loving making this home, but of course miss you all. Have a great weekend and give God the worship he deserves.  

With Love, From Charlotte

     

Home Away From Home

As many of you know, Philip and I have recently made a move across the country to North Carolina.  Philip was offered a spot in the Prodigy Program at Elevation Church here in Charlotte.  I will let Philip give more detail of what that actually entails, and I'll let you know what has been going on here at the home front!  

First of all we moved from Sierra Vista, Arizona from this home that we own. 

"Home Sweet Home"

We bought this house in April of 2011.  When we found out we were moving, I posted this picture on Facebook, by that night we had a renter.  That was one of the many affirmations from God that we were being called to Charlotte.  It's not supposed to be that easy!  

We said goodbye to the town that all three of us were born and raised in. The town that Philip and I met, dated, broke up (a few times :) got engaged, got married, had our first jobs, bought a house, and had a baby in.  If that's not a place that someone would call home, I don't know where is.

The morning we left we had the parents snap a few photos before we hit the road.  I'm sure we were quite the site to see at some points along our trip.  Let's just say the five of us had enough traveling after the 5 day trip. (Bella, our dog is not pictured)

Oh, by the way, we are pregnant with our second.  He or she is to make his or her appearance on December 31st!

 After the grueling drive, we arrived at our new home.  We left a four bedroom home with a back yard, garage and shed.  We now live in a two bedroom apartment. Needless to say, we had to sell half our stuff in Sierra Vista, and Shove the other half into this tiny little thing. (A separate post on the challenges of apartment living to come)

 The apartment looked like this for about a week.  Apparently I am not very fast at unpacking... It might have something to do with being 20 weeks pregnant, or having a 21 month old, or having no storage, but either way it just about drove me crazy! This is the final product of the apartment.

"Home Sweet Home"

We are all slowly getting used to living here in Charlotte, and making it our "home sweet home".  It rains much more than we are used to.  We are on green grass and trees overload, and the humidity... well, let's just say that us "dry heat" natives are swelling, sweating and frizzing a little more than we are accustomed to :)


More than that we are stretching ourselves to make new friends, learn a whole new culture of church, and rely on God a whole lot.  We miss our family and friends, but we also know that we are called to be here.  We will be ready to face time/skype with those that need a little parker lovin'. Have a great Sunday, and enjoy this day of rest that God blesses us with each week!

                                   With Love, From Charlotte