Ca-li-for-nia

Ca-li-for-nia.  That is exactly how Parker pronounces it.  It is the cutest word he says right now, and it cracks Matt and me up every time he says it.  So, anyway, yes, we flew to California last weekend for Grammie's funeral and memorial.  To be honest, I was so nervous about the flight and the actual funeral itself.  I was so worried of how my little rambunctious boy would be on a 5 hour flight, as well as how he would be in a full mass Catholic service.  Well, let me tell you... My boy was A-mazing.  Just A-amazing.  I tell you what...  He may be full of energy, and mischievous, and prone to meltdowns when he doesn't get his way.  BUT my boy also knows how to behave when it REALLY matters.  And for that I am so beyond proud of the boy Matt and I are raising.  Sure, most of the time we have no idea what we are doing and if we are doing it right, but obviously something is working.  Parker truly is a good boy, and he just has 2 year old tendencies at times.  That's totally normal, so I'm happy. I'm happy with the boy we are raising. 

The California trip was a good one.  It was nice to spend time with family.  Grammie's service was beautiful.  I didn't expect to be so emotional about it, but I was.  Tears flooded me and Matt's eyes every time Parker pointed out a picture and said "Grammie!"  It just makes me so sad to know that Parker has no idea that she is gone.  Well, let me take that back.  She is NOT gone. She is with us, and Parker and I had a conversation about that last night at dinner.  We were talking about Grammie, and I asked Parker if he knew where she was.  His reply…. "yeah, ca-li-for-nia."  Haha, he is too cute.  I corrected him and told him (like I've told him many times before), "No, baby, Grammie is in heaven.  She is up in the sky with God, and the clouds, and the birds.  And she is always looking down on us.  We may not be able to see her, but we can feel her all around us."  Parker listened very intently at what I was saying, and then he immediately looked up to the sky and pointed and said "Grammie?"  Yes baby. Grammie is up there looking down on us.  I will always and forever tell him this.  She will never be forgotten by him. Never. Ever. 

After our long flight, we unpacked, and headed down to "The Warf" for some shopping and animal watching.  Parker was mesmerized by the fish skinning guy and the seals and pelicans that were fighting over the dead fish scraps. 

Parker and Joey were so very cute on this trip.  Parker has a new found love for his baby cousin, and boy did he want to be with him ALL.THE.TIME.  Here is a video of him calling Joey from the hotel phone.

Saturday, after the service, we all spent the day at the beautiful Carmel beach. The water was FREEZING, but that didn't stop my fearless little boy.  He wanted in that water.  He is crazy!

Below are some random pictures of the weekend.  It got chilly at night time!

Screaming at the birdies!

Cousin photo booth.  Apparently 3 pictures was enough for Parker. He dipped out on the last one!

"Grammie Go?"

Back in July we lost Matt's beloved Grandmother, Grammie. She was one amazing lady. She was kind, generous, loving, and the best great grandmother to Parker. Parker loved Grammie dearly, as we all did. Parker spent a lot of his first 2 1/2 years at Grammie's house. He loved it when Poppie he took him over there. He adored her. And she adored him. She was such a beautiful lady, inside and out. I am so blessed to have known her and have her live so close. Parker still remembers her. He will still point out toys she gave him and tell me that "Grammie" gave it to him. A few days after she passed though we had a heartbreaking moment. It was our first family dinner without Grammie. We were all silently eating our food when Parker randomly notices that Grammie isn't at the table. He asks me "Grammie Go??". I asked him again what he said unsure if I heard correctly. His response was the same... "Grammie Go?" My response to him, while my eyes welled up with tears... "Grammie is in heaven, sweet boy." One of the saddest parts about losing Grammie having to tell Parker that she is not with us. We constantly talk about her though... we don't ever want Parker to forget his wonderful "Great Grammie.” I miss her pink lipstick kisses every day!

The day Parker was born. Love the look in Grammie's eyes.

Parker's 1st Birthday.  You can physically feel the love they shared.

Last summer. Grammie's 90th birthday with both grandsons.

Missing Summer

I seriously can't believe I haven't posted since Father's Day.  I guess I got caught up with all the fun my boy & I were having that I just didn't feel like blogging.  And lets be honest here.... When he was napping... I was typically "resting" as well ;).  So, I may have to do a few "back tracking" posts before I feel like everything worth while is documented.  My summer was A-MAZING.  It is so hard to be back a work.  I miss the pool.  I miss the zoo. I miss the aquarium.  I miss my playdates with The Kingman's, The Beahm's, and the Carr's.  I miss playing outside at 9:00 a.m. with the neighborhood crew. I miss being able to run errands during the day.  I miss going to the grocery store first thing in the morning on a WEEKDAY!  I miss not having to shower if I didn't feel like it.  I miss wearing yoga pants.  I miss wearing my jammies until 2 p.m.  But on top of all, I MISS BEING WITH MY BABY.  I miss feeding him lunch.  I miss our "cuddle time" on the couch when we wake up.  I miss seeing his joyful face when he does something and screams "I DID IT, MAMA!" I miss every.little.thing.about.him.

Here is a little look back at some of our favorite times and activities this summer....

Doin some serious work.

Cul-de-sac Crew at the pool

"Look, Monkey, Mama"!!

Charlie & Parker checking out the turtles at the zoo!

 



Date Night at Moxie Burger