Cousins

Saturday we high-tailed it to the middle of the mitten, to finally visit the Cawleys in their new home. Okay, let's be honest, they've lived there for a while now, but it's the first time we've been there! Just goes to show how terribly UNrelaxing our weekends are.

Maycie is simply adorable. She has big blue eyes and gleaming blond hair, and a darling little smile that peeks out from behind her pacifier. When she waves, it's just one arm up straight up in the air, kinda like a politician. She was so excited to see Paige, but for some strange reason, Paige took a while to warm up to her. Maycie went in for hug after hug, but Paige just wrestled away and used her "skill" of walking to her advantage...one that I don't think she'll have all to herself for long. Maycie is 11 months old, standing up, and will likely be walking soon. She has many adorable nicknames, like Square Bear, Mayciebell, Littlebug, Pickles...

Paige did end up having a great time, and we did too! We had three cameras trying desperately to catch a shot of the girls hugging or even sitting together. These are the best I got:

I really hope the girls will start seeing more of each other than they have. Maybe it won't happen until after I'm done with school. Maybe they'll move. Or we will. Who knows what God has in store? Although I have many wonderful cousins, we would grow apart, and I never stayed really super-close with them, like some people are. Which is fine, too. We all have very busy lives and families, unique personalities, and blessings all our own. I still love to see them when I can. So here's to all the cousins...hope you're having a blessed day, wherever you are!

Visions of Birthday Parties...

I came across an AMAZING giveaway over at Mayhem & Moxie's blog...the prizes are stupendous! I figured I may as well enter to win by blogging while telling a story or two...

Most people know that Matt is the cook in our family. While I can decorate a cake with the best of 'em, it will likely stay together only if made by Matt. He provides a firm (not too firm, yet moist) foundation, I just add the bling. Observe Paige's 1st Birthday cake:

As much as I stressed about this party, I loved the results. Most importantly, we had a great time, including Paige. I would love to use any of the prizes Mayhem & Moxie have available for her 2nd birthday! MamaKat's book would be a perfect gift, and the cupcake kit and birthday party kit would be perfect to help me put together the next party, especially since I'll be even busier with school...

Paige's 1st would be my biggest birthday party success thus far...but 2010 holds a 30th birthday for a certain husband...be prepared...it's gonna take a lot to out-do some of the awesome birthdays Matt has thrown for me...such as last year's 30th birthday surprise party, which he even planned so that my friend Emi could attend while she was in town from Colorado, and even featured my favorite band, the now-defunct Sweet Japonic (who featured Paige's dancing on their website)!

The grand prize to this giveaway is this beauty, ahem, "Bertie". Who better to gift it to than Matt...besides, I'm still feeling guilty that I refused to register for one when we were planning our wedding because I thought that people would think we were being greedy. How was I to know he would be professional grade himself when it came to cooking & baking?

I Heart Craigslist

Check out this find:

I know, Craigslist isn't new to, well, anyone, but this was my first purchase. And I love it. I've decided I'm sick and tired of our old computer/office chair, and the fact that it's too low, ugly, and my legs fall asleep in it during my weekly push to finish my homework. I did a quick scan of what was for sale (for cheap), and up popped this shabby-chic little turquoise number.

The story behind the chair is even better...I met the sweet Australian woman at her Heritage Hill house, where she pointed to the camper she and her husband were moving into! She explained that her husband was nearly finished with his ER residency at the same hospital where I work, and they'd decided to sell their house, pack up the few belongings they decide to keep, and travel the country while he works temporary travel physician jobs! How exciting is that?!? Even more exciting that I got her to take $10 instead of $15. It's showing some wear, but I actually like it that way. Hopefully some of this nice couples' positive attitude and sense of adventure stayed with the chair!

Now, let's have lunch!

Hmm...not quite what I was thinking.

EDIT: I almost forgot! Time to remind you all to donate blood again (I'll be doing this more often)...if you're in Grand Rapids there's a drive at our church on Sunday from 9a-noon: Trinity UMC, 1100 Lake Drive. It costs you NOTHING but a prick of discomfort to save up to 3 people's lives...lives like Paige!

Look What I've Earned!

I feel like a Brownie Scout earning her very first badge!

After I made Paige's "Babylegs", I submitted pics back to Prudent Baby, one of my favorite DIY and crafty/decorating/yummy mommy blogs. They featured my handiwork in this week's project roundup! Go check it out, Paige is on their blog! Then check out all the awesome ideas they have...and if you're here following the link to my blog from Prudent Baby, sorry to disappoint. No DIY tutorials or stylish links here, just the life and times of a cute little sweet Pea and her parents. Hope you enjoyed the Christmas pictures in March!

Paige Evelyn is 18 months old today...we celebrated with a sunny run/walk, followed by dinner, cake & ice cream (it all evens out, right?). Paige insisted on walking when we got to our block, but unfortunately didn't fare well walking the sidewalk in her Robeez-type shoes. Fell on her face (several times), but still loved every minute of it. She's just so scrappy! 

Sometimes she does consider safety first...like when she wears her "helmet"...half of a sphere shape-sorter toy that she pops on her head and wears as if it's meant for no other purpose...she puts it on before hopping on her John Deere quad. Did I mention she's usually wearing a tutu as well?

Happy 21st Birthday to Aunt Hilby...cheers!

Christmastime [Was] Here...

Thought I would share a few pics from Christmas. The best gift I received was that Matt did virtually all of the Christmas preparations--making treats (have I mentioned what I great cook he is?), shopping, and even decorated the house one night while I was at work! What a huge weight lifted from my shoulders, so I could focus on my finals, then enjoy the holidays as a family.

I had to work Christmas Eve, but our church, which has a traditional candlelight service, also had an early service for the very little ones. It was wonderful. Our pastors Frank and Carole, as well as children's director Nichea, are true blessings. The kids had craft time first, making stars to wave during the service, followed by a very informal service where they could talk, sing, dance, and move about freely (Paige capitalized on the moving).





Matt made gourmet homemade pizzas before I went to work...perhaps a new Parrott family tradition? We had a feast of a potluck at work! I made wassail...I based it on the recipe here.

Christmas Day, we were in our own house with our beautiful daughter waking up to open her stocking & presents.

                                                                 After a nap for me, it was Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa P's, where cousins Paige and Maycie got to know each other a little better. She's one cutie, and growing up quick! Not much luck getting pictures of the two of them together....mostly it was Tasmanian Paige while Maycie tried to figure out who this crazy person was!

 

The next day was like the 25th all over again...this time up to Grandma & Grandpa B's! We had a great time with them and Susie...hopefully next year will include Josh & Popy, who sent us awesome gifts from Korea. I'm already trying to prepare for next Christmas, it just gets more exciting as Paige gets older! So send your wish list now...

Catching Up Is Hard To Do

Ugh...trying to bring the blog up-to-date is rough, especially due to the holidays. I'm trying to compose a BRIEF post, but it keeps getting really long and boring. So here's a quickie on what's going on right now:

I made these cool "BabyLegs" knockoffs using a pair of knee-hi women's socks! Only $2 compared to the $12-16 for real BabyLegs! Okay, my mom made the first one, and I tried my best to follow suit. My sewing skills are dreadful right now, and I'm still afraid of breaking my really great machine. You can find the how-to (and many more!) here.

Paige likes crawling into stuff. A lot. (I also have yet to figure out how to format stuff the way I want it with this new blogger. Help!)

Paige tried yoga. She also likes doing squats when I'm on the Wii Fit.

     Lastly, most of my pictures look like this. A big blur! Usually it's Paige that's blurry, but this one turned out kinda cool. We're in a constant state of motion around here! And (usually) happy-go-lucky!
     So there you have it, the current Paige, in a nutshell. Hopefully I'll get my act together and get some more thoughts (and pictures) up and running.