A few weeks ago we all headed up to Chattanooga for Parker and Bennett's cousin Taylor's Baptism. Below is a picture of my brother Michael, his wife Crissie and their son Taylor who was born in April. We had a wonderful time visiting with our family and Crissie's family.

Below is a picture of Papa Jack and Coco with their three grandchildren. They are looking forward to #4 - Crosby, Jr. who will be joining us in December.

Finally, Coco got a moment to hold and feed Bennett his bottle.

Bennett's first smile!
He couldn't figure out why we were so excited
Here we go again....what an adorable smile!
Clif's mini-me...pretty scary don't you think!

More pictures coming soon of our growing boy, our trip to Chattanooga for Taylor's Baptism, and Parker's trip to Atlanta. And if that wasn't enough, Parker will be going to Centralia to visit Coco and Papa Jack and to be in Centralia's Annual Halloween parade! I hope y'all are as excited as we are!

While Parker was in Atlanta she went to a Pumpkin Patch!

Here is Parker hanging out with a huge pumpkin

And here with her Poopaw and YaYa

Parker even got her face painted

She treated the little pumpkins like she was on an Easter Egg hunt

Here she is scouting out the best pumpkin to take home
Posing with the scarecrow
Parker didn't want anything to do with cleaning out her pumpkin
Here is Parker's pumpkin she brought home to Greenwood!

Parker in Atlanta

Parker went to Atlanta this past weekend with Grandpa Eddie to meet YaYa. She had a great time and did some fun things.

First she took her picture with Santa Bear at the Build-a-Bear store
Next she watched as she selected her new toy to be stuffed
Here she used a foot pump to pump the stuffing into her new toy
Then she watched as her new toy was washed and fluffed to get ready to go home with her
And here Parker is with her new Build-a-Cat...Yazoo! Go figure she didn't want a bear at the Build-a-Bear store!

Parker's caregiver, Mrs. Lynn, gave me her camera's memory card so that I could copy some of the pictures that she has taken of Parker and her friends since she starting go to her house in July. The first one is of Parker and her buddy Anna playing outside. Anna is 1 1/2 and follows Parker around everywhere!

This one is of Parker and Anna making and eating pudding!

Mrs. Lynn has a pool and during the summer when it was so hot they swam most afternoons.

This is a picture taken today. The young man is Parker's cousin Ethan Barnes. He just moved to Greenwood and is going to be going to Mrs. Lynn's on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, today was Bennett's first day. I took him for the afternoon which of course he slept the whole time! I'm not back at work rather just coming and going on a more regular basis.

Mickey Mouse cake

Parker blowing out her candles and making a wish!

PFB doll

Parker's "mini-me" doll

Parker had a wonderful 2nd birthday. We wish all of y'all could have been with us to celebrate. I'm going to send out most of the pictures via Shutterfly but here are a few to get you started. I'm also going to post a video or two later. Enjoy!

Everyone had fun blowing bubbles. I have a cute video for later if I can just figure out how to get it posted.

The Mickey Mouse cake was a hit!

Hey everyone! We are still here but have been busy adjusting. We are planning for Parker's 2nd birthday this weekend. We wish everyone could be here to celebrate with us. We will post more pictures soon but for the meantime here are a few of us hanging around.

Here we are again....asleep!

Bennett received a gift today and along with it was one for Parker. Below is a picture of Parker in her new big sister outfit. Isn't she cute?!

What a fun weekend! Crosby and Lauren AND Michael, Crissie and Taylor stopped by for a visit. We tried to get some pictures but you can imagine the excitement that was going on in the house. Parker loved seeing Taylor again. He is so much fun to interact with. Michael and Crissie also brought some hand-me-downs for Bennett.

Just wanted to show everyone how much Bennett looks like Parker's baby pictures. The first picture is of Parker and the second is of Bennett. She was definitely smaller but they do look alike.

Parker has been so good (as good as a 2 year old can be) since Bennett was born. Unfortunately, she loves to watch Mickey Mouse and Barney way too much...but I guess it could be worse she could like the Wiggles! Below are some cute pictures of her being way too comfortable in her chair that Uncle Shannon and Sarah gave her. If she is in the family room, she is in her chair except when she is with Coco!

I threw this one in just for fun! Isn't she a hoot. This was taken one weekend right before Bennett was born and the A/C was not working on the family room side of the house so we were confined to the bedrooms. Also, this particular day Parker did not want to take a nap so we painted our nails and toenails and played with stickers which, as you can tell, she thoroughly enjoyed!

First of all, I just want to thank everyone for all their thoughts and prayers for us over the past week. We are all doing great and adjusting to our new little one. Parker is doing wonderful and doesn't really notice that much has changed....yet! I wonder what she will do in just a few months when Bennett becomes more animated and can interact a little more with her. Right now, all she wants to do is pet him and hold him. It is very sweet.

Well, we just spent out first weekend alone without any in home help (a.k.a grandparents) and it went smoothly. Coco was here from the Monday before Bennett was born up until this last Friday and we couldn't have made it through without her help. Thank you mom! You are the best!

Last Tuesday, Bennett had his first check up and did great. He weight 7 lbs 2 oz so he only lost 1 oz since leaving the hospital. We go back tomorrow to check his weight again. Keep your fingers crossed that he is back up to his birth weight!

Below are a few pictures of Bennett that mom and I took over the past week.

Clif's mom is coming to town on Wednesday to help out through the weekend and Crosby and Lauren are coming to meet Bennett and visit with us over the holiday weekend. In addition to that, Michael, Crissie and Taylor will be passing through on their way back to Chattanooga to pay us a visit. We are so excited to have such a wonderful family and we can't wait to introduce them to Bennett! So after the weekend we will have lots of fun pictures to post for y'all to see!

Bennett Rivers Barnes

It's a BOY!!!!!!!

Baby Boy Barnes is here. No name yet! Everybody is doing great. I will post some pictures soon. They tell us he has red hair and looks like Parker. Crissie

1:21 pm
7 lb 9 oz
20 inches

It's a......

SURPRISE still!
Do you think I would go this long and just now find out. I went to the Doctor on Friday and had my last ultrasound. Above is a picture of Baby Barnes' face. You can make out a chubby cheek, eyes, nose and mouth. Below is a picture of the foot that keeps kicking me in my left side (the foot looks like it is sticking straight up in the air).


I go back to the Doctor next Friday but we have set a date for the 15th to head to the hospital. Only 10 days away. We can't wait!

I hope you aren't tired of videos yet. Below is a clip of Parker at the Tennessee Aquarium in front of the Penguin exhibit. It took her a minute to catch on but she really liked to watch them after that.

If you aren't able to view the video click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3q4WmUwSMo

Below is a video of Parker giggling at the TV. I can't recall what was on but she seemed to think that it was pretty funny! It was probably recorded when she was 9 or 10 months old.

If you aren't able to view the video click on this link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYGFNPgsy8s

It seems that I've got this video thing down now...with sound! Below is a video we took at Easter of Parker at her first Easter Egg Hunt at the Country Club. I don't recommend the type of basket she carried but it sure was cute!

If you aren't able to view the video click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZQn809Qz08

I will be posting some old videos that we have taken of Parker of the past two years and never gotten to share with some of y'all.

Also, the countdown in on for new Baby Barnes. He/She will be here in no time and I'm certain that we will be posting videos soon.