long time no see

The last four and a half months have been the most fulfilling, exhausting, challenging, rewarding, emotional, wonderful months I have ever experienced.  

I have learned that even when your heart feels like it could not hold any more love, it suddenly opens up to love even more than you could ever imagine.  

I have learned that you can live on two hours of sleep for two months straight...I cannot promise that you will be able to speak clearly or comprehend anything anyone tells you, but it can be done.

I have learned that these two little munchkins are my most perfect gift, main purpose, and biggest accomplishment.

I have learned that Parker's gag reflex really is as bad as he says...he threw up after seeing Rowan's blowout...I'm not going to lie, I was a little relieved it happened at my parents' house (sorry guys:)...

I have learned that a little boy who wanted a brother so badly, can instantly love and protect a sister like she was what he always wanted.

I have learned that according to Parker...a cowboy always needs a cow:)

I have learned that you can always count on your mom to come and decorate your porch for fall when you are so tired of making decisions on the inside you can't even begin to think of the outside.

I have learned that your mother-in-law will always come in a heartbeat when your oldest child just needs some one-on-one away from the chaos of his sister:)

I have learned that gram grams and g-dawgs are way more fun than mom and dads.

I have learned that your dad will and can fix anything you ask him to...and that day...

I have learned that nothing is better than watching a football game with grammy and papa marvin.

I have learned that while she doesn't sleep a lot, Rowan's smile melts my heart in the most wonderful way.

I have learned that my child's name strikes fear in the heart of nursery workers at church and that, when  asked if she could play baby Jesus, they just laughed...oh row...

I have learned that nothing is funnier than watching your brother jump on his bed, dance to country music, chase the dog...ok, so nothing is funnier than your brother when your brother is parker:)

I have learned that Parker is OBSESSED with country music and sometimes wakes up in the morning and pretends like he is Florida/Georgia Line giving a concert....not kidding...

I have learned there is nothing better than having a yard to play in the leaves!

love is in the air

We are pretty blessed.  Our two favorite people...our 'little' brothers, Cortney and Landon, have both found true love.  I know that sounds so corny, but I can't help it.  I love watching them in love.  It is just such a blessing to watch them both so happy...even better?  They both proposed.  Yep, I am getting two new amazing sisters next year.

Cortney and Van have been together for a very long time.  Cortney proposed in an airport parking lot on the way to a surprise trip to Chicago on July 4th weekend.  She is already very much a part of the family...we just can't wait to make it official!  

Babette and Landon started dating a little over a year ago and I have never seen him happier.  She can definitely take that Bevan sarcasm with the best of them.  We went down to Dallas last weekend and met her family and surprised Babette at dinner after he proposed.  We hadn't been to dallas since before we moved to England, so I was so thankful we could be there!

They are both so lucky to have found women who make them better, happier people.  We love them all so much!

Parker E Alexander

I know that every parent says this, but I seriously have a moment at least once a day where I cannot believe how much I love this little man.  He stole my heart the moment he was born and has been stealing again every day since.  He makes me laugh when I'm trying to be stern and smile when I'm sad.  

He walks around singing with a southern accent and knows every word to 'Round Here'.  He 'builds a zoo' every day with his animals and asks for things like 'water buffalo' and 'okapi' to add to his collection (Rowan got him two water buffalo for his birthday).  He changes his clothes at least 4 times a day depending on whether he wants to be a football player, soccer player, baseball player, farmer or bull rider.  He loves to read and will always stop whatever he is doing to listen to a story.  He loves his sister and gives her lots and lots of hugs and kisses every day.  He tells me he loves me at the most random times throughout the day.  He is my little boy.

We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday.  We started the day with breakfast at McDonalds with Gram Gram and G-Dawg (we let Row and Brady sleep in).  Brady took the day off and we went to Exploration Place, Chipotle  and then took naps.  Grammy came in time for dinner at Big Larry's (best cheeseburgers in VC, ha).  The next day we got to celebrate at preschool...so fun!  Then we ended the week with a party for friends on Sunday.  We are so blessed with this little man!

We spent an hour taking pictures like this on 'sports' mode of the camera.
Parker loves watching us play them back like a movie.

Don't mind my ugly cake...Parker told me it was beautiful:)

Making an imaginary cake with Mrs. Cathy at Preschool.

This was seriously the best picture I could find of the kids...getting them all to look
with a dog running around is not easy.

LOVE HIM!

Milestones

The last 60 days have been crazy. We have experienced more joy than we could have ever imagined and less sleep than we can ever remember.

Here are some of the highlights:

We brought a newborn home to a construction zone...it's fine...

We learned that just because your first child will take a bottle and pacifier and sleep in the crib, doesn't mean your second will...we still cannot get her to take either...or sleep in the crib...

Parker began calling Rowan, 'Row Row' and telling her to 'be patient' when she starts crying in the car.

We have had our first trip to the zoo...and our second, third, etc...

Parker rode a horse for the first time.

We finished our floors...it is amazing what a difference it makes to be able to walk from your bedroom to the kitchen without a fear of tripping over uneven surfaces.

We got our dog back...she definitely missed brady's parents, but she is starting to make herself at home again!

Parker became obsessed with bull-riding and now wears a long-sleeve shirt and jeans every day.  Oh, and did I mention that he also debuted his southern accent and sings 'Round Here' to just about anyone who will listen?  Oh, and he now takes it upon himself to teach other kids at the zoo to be bull-riders, and acts as their rodeo clown...so thoughtful, ha:).

Rowan smiled for the first time...my heart melted...

And turned one month old...

Brady became handy...the floors, his first garbage disposal, and light fixtures...he was so proud!

We gave Row her first bath.

We went to our first football game!

I tried to grill chicken for  brady (when I say 'for' I mean 'so he didn't have to cook it'  if I really wanted to do something 'for' him, it would be beef)...and forgot about it...

P started Pre-School...again:)

We celebrated the 106th birthday of a very special lady.

milestones of sorts

Lots of big things happening around here:)...Parker is helping give Row baths and teaching LK how to use a swing as a bull...finally catching Row's smile on camera...P's first day of school...first football game of the season and Grandmother Millie's 107th birthday!

One month

We have survived our first month with two kids, ha.  Rowan only sleeps from around 2AM to 5AM...to say we are exhausted with be an understatement.  However, I feel so blessed that she is so happy during the day.  She doesn't nap a ton, but she is beginning to smile more often and we are still in such awe of her and Parker.  We are so happy.

Sleeping with Daddy...even if sleep does happen rarely.

Sharing his football helmets with Greyson!

First trip to the zoo!