Archive for May, 2008

Big News!

Published
by
annette
on 31 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 6 Comments

I mean, in 8 months or so, it’ll be HUGE news.

This is McKenna, my first-born, showing you the proper way to eat noodles.

This is Caia, my middle child, showing you how delicious noodles truly can be.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, we will be adding a third noodle-eater sometime next January!

Yes. You read that right.

I’m pregnant!

Now, to answer all of your questions…

  1. Was this a surprise? Well, technically speaking yes. 
  2. So are you saying this wasn’t planned?  Planned, yes. Only God had a bit of a different timeline than we did.
  3. Are you excited?  Completely. Still in shock. But definitely excited.
  4. Where in the world are you going to put this kid?  We’re leaving that one up to God.
  5. Do you want a boy this time? We’ll take whatever God has designed for us. But if we have a boy, and you also have a little boy, we’ll be expecting your hand-me-downs. :)

So, there we go!

No, I don’t know how far along I am, but we think that I am approaching the 6 week mark. I have a doctor’s appt. on Friday for an “inspection and inquisition” and to hopefully determine ETA.

And yes, I think when the time comes, I’ll live-blog my labor.

Epidural, here I come. (Went natural with Kenni. NEVER again, people. NEVER AGAIN. I’m glad it works for some of my friends. But I don’t think my friends have 21 HOUR LABORS!)

Oh, and I’ve already started to pop out a bit, and have taken to wearing elastic waist pants. So, if you see me at church tomorrow, no, I did not have too many burritos for dinner. It’s just my body has decide it really likes to PROVE to everyone that I am with child. 

 

 

Friday Night Family Night (and of course, more randomness)

Published
by
annette
on 30 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

So, in planning my weekly menus for our family, I have deemed Friday nights as the Official Parris Family Night.

I made sure that our evening meal is something that has already been prepared ahead of time or that I can pop in the crock pot, so that…

…McKenna and I can have the extra time to whip up some incredibly delectable, bordering on sinful, dessert.

Tonight we didn’t have any (I just came up with this plan today, sooo)…except for the Weight Watchers ice cream bars Daddy brought home.

Speaking of ice cream, McKenna and I thought we heard the ice cream man today.

We both got insanely excited.

Then we realized it was a neighbor’s car alarm.

Back to the Friday Night meal. So, next week we are having barbeque ribs, mashed potatoes, and salad. 

And something called “The” Pie.

I found this recipe from a link on Rocks In My Dryer’s Works For Me Wednesday. Here’s the link to “The” Pie recipe.

Does it not sound incredibly awesome!?!?

I’m so making this! And gaining 15 pounds off it, too.

I’ll let you know next Friday how it turns out for our family.

If we can wait that long.

Anyway, here’s how the incredibly geeky Parris fam wraps up family night…

Kenni gets to stay up a little bit later so that we can watch those great travel shows on GPBTV.

I think it’s pretty educational, and she really gets into it, so I figure…

…if we can’t actually take her to all these cool places, at least we’ll foster in her a love of other cultures and travel.

Now, on some totally random notes…I have to throw in some randomness here and there or else it wouldn’t sound like I wrote it, would it?…

McKenna has developed a bit of an attitude.

Here’s what I mean…when we tell her to do something that she doesn’t want to do, she puts her hands on her hips, sticks her nose straight up in the air, halfway closes her eyes, and MARCHES…yes, MARCHES…away.

I’m blown away by her new display of…WHATEVER-ness. So I ask my beloved,

Where does she GET that?

His response was,

Oh. You don’t have to teach women how to do that.

Uh huh. Great.

And…for one more bit of Parris-female high maintenance/neediness these days, please click below for your viewing pleasure.

The cinematography is…ummmm…breathtaking.

And turn your volume down. It’s loud.

Caia letting me know she loves me…

Butter Dreams

Published
by
annette
on 29 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

This morning, I gave McKenna a toasted bagel with cream cheese. (Whole wheat too, I might add. Aren’t you impressed? We’re so going healthy…)

So, she tells me, “Mommy, this is like butter dreams.”

I’m confused. Then I realize she was referring to the cream cheese as butter.

But I still didn’t get why on earth she was referring to it as a “dream”.

“Butter dreams?” I ask.

“Yes. Like row, row, row your boat. Life is butter dream.”

Is that not priceless?

Oh, and for those that read my post regarding my bread machine mishap, I would love to show you…

Bread Machine Redemption

Don’t you love her outfit? We call it “shabby chic”.

And, last picture I promise….

This one….yes, THIS right here…

…well, THAT is a Butter Dream.

“Mawiage. Mawiage is what bwings us togever todayyyy…” (And a random photo brag)

Published
by
annette
on 28 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

So, Jon and Paula are officially engaged!!!!

For those who don’t know, Jon is Stephen’s brother. And Paula, well, now she’s FAMILY!

Well, I guess technically we still have some months before that’s official…

But, we are still way excited! And Paula’s name will be Paula Parris. That’s some truly great alliteration there.

McKenna has officially been asked to be a flower girl! Could that be any sweeter?!?! 

And I get to be a bridesmaid! I’m way honored! 

Paula is such a fine addition to the Parris crew, and I’m glad that she made the cut! (Love you, Paula!!)

Now, we must so plan a wedding! Well, I’m not planning a wedding, but I will be Paula’s unofficial wedding consultant for any and all wedding needs and random whatever-ness. 

This has prompted me to share my wedding story on The Ole Blog soon. Look for that one to come in installments. It’s some story. A truly magical tale. Romance, adventure, death-defying feats involving trying to figure out how we could sneak in a first DANCE in a Methodist church, where I believe that was frowned upon by an older member or two.

(Jill Jones, if you’re reading this…please know you will be mentioned repeatedly throughout.)

Sooooo…..yay! Happy Day for Paula and Jon!!! Let’s talk colors, dresses, receptions, cakes….BRING IT ON!!! 

Now, for complete and total randomness that has absolutely nothing to do with weddings or rings, my shameless photo share.

These are my babies. Can’t you just hear Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen singing “Sisters”?

 

 

Check Out My Loot!

Published
by
annette
on 27 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

If you know me, you know that I am a total bargain fiend.

And there is nothing like completely free stuff.

My in-laws have a neighbor that works for Proctor and Gamble. Neighbor gave this to in-laws. In-laws gave the box of great treasures to me.

It’s like Christmas at my house.

No, the Higglytown Heroes toys are not a part of my stash.

And yes, I am totally posting a picture of CLEANING SUPPLIES and asking you to share my joy.

And, if this is not proof of my absurdness (is that a word?), I asked for a Swiffer Wet Jet for my birthday.

And a Dust Buster.

 

 

Kicking My Insomnia

Published
by
annette
on 27 May, 2008
in Works For Me Wednesday
. 10 Comments

Another random Works For Me Wednesday post from me…

After Kenni was born, three and a half years ago, insomnia hit me.

Now, she slept through the night at three months of age (please, no one use expletives in your comments over this one for I was given a definite payback as my second didn’t sleep through consistently until 9 1/2 months…and even now, it is still up for grabs on any given night)…

At any rate, it wasn’t my child that was keeping me up.

I just COULD NOT get to sleep.

My poor husband took the brunt of it with my tossing and turning, flopping and flipping, and great sighs of frustration while he snored peacefully away. (I am the reason for any insomnia he may have.)

I could lie in bed for hours at a time before finally dozing off.

My husband told me that I needed to stop drinking caffeine.

I poo-pooed his idea.

Puh-lease. I have been drinking caffeine for ages, and it never had any effect on me whatsoever. Found that out during finals week in college…

I was convinced it was major chemical and hormonal changes that having a baby had wracked on my body. I mean, I thought of it kind of like the wreckage left behind from an earthquake. Major structural damage was glaringly visible, but it was the unseen destruction that was the worst.

And who’s to say that maybe that isn’t part of it? Coupled with the fact that being a mommy adds, in great quantity, to your already mind-numbing list of Things I Might Forget Or That Might Possibly Happen That I Should Worry About Be Prepared For. And this list seems to take on the voice of Gilbert Gottfried and begins to yell at you after the hour of 10:00 p.m.

But, I discovered also that being 30-something is NOT the same as being 20-something. In so many ways, but that’s a post for another day…

I gave Stephen’s no-caffeine-after-4:00p.m. a shot.

You know what?

It worked.

And in the process, I discovered that a cup of hot tea….especially the kind with chamomile infused somewhere within, works wonders for me.

Speaking of chamomile, as a total side note, does anyone else find the label for lavender and chamomile baby wash just a little bit…what’s the word…ridiculous?

“Soothes fussy babies.”

Uh huh. I have NEVER found that stuff to help either one of my children sleep better or to ease away their fussiness. (Granted, one did have a near debilitating case of acid reflux, but still…)  I will say that it does smell wonderfully delicious. I’ll give it that…but that’s all.

Back to my insomnia, so no caffeine (including my dear love, chocolate) after 4:00 and a cup of hot tea.

Does it always work? Well, no. But I can say that about 9 times out of 10, it does the trick.

And for the 1 time it doesn’t, well…there’s always Tylenol PM.

 

 

Memorial Day 2008: Good Friends and Good Shrimp

Published
by
annette
on 26 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Well, the sun sets on another Memorial Day in Georgia.

We had our Journey Group from church over to grill out. I think last year we did burgers and dogs, but this year, in our round of mass emails, someone said the word SHRIMP.

Then someone else said CHEESE GRITS.

Then, there was mass confusion amongst us all as to whether that meant shrimp’n'grits or shrimp AND grits.

Half of us thought it was the New Orleans style shrimp and grits dish, and the other half thought it was grilled shrimp and cheese grits on the SIDE.

Grilled shrimp won out because, after all, when it comes to Memorial Day there must be a man behind a grill if you’re planning on eating ANYTHING.

The eats were good, although we also did rice, as some of our members weren’t keen on the grits idea.

We had a fabulous time, as always, and were only missing one of our families. (There are usually 5 couples plus 6 kids…2 of which were just recently added, I might add.)

We also enjoyed a smashing round of Imaginiff. If you’ve never played this, grab yourself a group of friends you know well and have a go at it. But be forewarned, Muhammad Ali is an option on EVERY CARD.

I learned that if Stephen were a phrase he would be “burning the candle at both ends”, and if I were a confection, I would be a jellybean.

Tell me that doesn’t make for good conversation. 

The best part of the game, however, was the fact that we moved location 3 times.

What does that tell you about our group? 

Oh, but I love ‘em, though.

First, it was too hot in our house (air conditioning not cooling well), so we moved to the deck.

Then, game was moved back inside because the ferocious mosquitos were attacking.

Well, on second thought, I guess we only moved twice. But the game was staged in 3 locations.

Everyone left happy (I hope!), full, and the kids were tired and ready for bed. Score!

Except for this one little thing…..

…we discovered after everyone left, that our air conditioner is, in fact, officially broken.

So, now I bid you all good night and happy sweating.

Bread Machine…I Have Failed You

Published
by
annette
on 23 May, 2008
in My Attempt to be an Efficient Homemaker
. 3 Comments

McKenna wanted to make bread today.

We made bread yesterday for our remaining Georgia Willmington friends, and McKenna was sad that it was not for us.

So, I promised her that today we would make bread for our family.

Now, I love my bread machine. My mother-in-law gave it to us for Christmas one year, and I must admit, it scared me at first.

The first loaf of bread that I made in it resembled something they would have served in Biblical times.

I don’t know what I did wrong, but I have since learned the powers and the delight of…

The Bread Machine

I don’t use it nearly as often as I should. I mean, it’s so easy to use. You dump in the ingredients, punch in the settings, and leave. In a few hours, you will smell fresh-baked goodness all through your kitchen.

To the makers at Breadman Ultimate, you are welcome for the free advertisement.

Back to my bread-making story for the day…

McKenna knows the recipe for honey wheat bread by heart. 

As she’s dictating to me what we need, I pour in our remaining three tablespoons of honey. Just enough for one more loaf.

I let her program the machine and we go about our day.

I kept wondering why I wasn’t smelling that yeasty, yummy smell as the hours passed.

Just as I was promising my family slices of warm, homemade bread, the timer goes off.

“Bread’s ready!” 

McKenna runs behind me eager to see the fruits of our the bread machine’s labor. 

This is what we found.

 

Much disappointment spews forth from everyone in the family. Well, except Caia. I really don’t think she cared. Although, I know she would have been chowing down some fresh bread had I given it to her.

What went wrong? How could such a flawless device, a perfect recipe, and a three year old with an eye for good dry ingredient measurement yield such a disaster?

This, my friends, was…as they say…The Missing Piece.

Yeah. I forgot to put the little paddle-thingy in the machine.

So, we confused the poor machine during the knead cycle. 

It did appear to have baked SOME part of the mixture though. The butter and honey had caramelized together to make what could have been a nice ice cream topping, I suppose.

So there you have it. My half-baked idea of the day. 

 

 

Things I’ve Done This Week

Published
by
annette
on 23 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Nothing like a bullet list.

Not Bucket List (although, Stephen is obsessed with having me create one).

  • Killed a scorpion in my hallway (Bug Man is not doing his JOB.)
  • Found out my 10 month old has Fifth’s Disease. (It sounds horrible, but let’s call it what it is…a rash.)
  • Visited friends with new baby at the hospital. Yay for the Tates and Baby Gavin!
  • Missed Stephen muchly while away on staff retreat and unexpected jaunt to Myrtle Beach.
  • Watched American Idol finale. 
  • Watched premiere of Last Comic Standing…that’s our summer TV show. If you saw it, God’s Pottery made us practically wet our pants.
  • Speaking of wetting pants, NO ACCIDENTS FROM MCKENNA. It’s time to deliver on our Chucke Cheese party promise. She even stayed dry ALL NIGHT! 
  • Was visited by aforementioned McKenna every night between the hours of 2 and 3 A.M!! 
  • Mopped my kitchen floor. Caia thanked me by spilling juice and strawberries all over it.
  • Washed everyone’s sheets. Caia made me do that one night when i went to check on her and found that her previous coughing fit had resulted in hot dog chunks and french fry bits all over the bed.
  • Vacuumed spiders out of the corner. (Bug Man, you disappoint me.)
  • Went to Target, Kroger, church, doctor’s office, hospital, friends houses. Can we find some way to make our cars run on dirty laundry? Cause I’ve got plenty of that.

American Idol. What?

Published
by
annette
on 22 May, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 6 Comments

Okay, first let me say, yay for David Cook. I liked him. But I liked Archie too, so I would have been happy either way.

And let’s be real, here. They’re both going to be fine.

Other thoughts I had…

What is with all the other Idols dancing and singing all over the stage? I know, I know…they’re promoting their tour. Blah, blah, blah. But really, I could do without all of that. Especially on results night. Would I go to see the show? Oh sure. But, please, all the dancing…THE DANCING! 

Carrie Underwood needed pants.

George Michael? Seriously? That was just proof that some things need to just stay in the ’80s. His 18 minute long song about…I don’t know…so political, so bitter. Now, I loved George in the 80s. I did. Father Figure, Faith, Monkey. Loved it all. And the Wham! days. Priceless.

But this is just taking it too far. First, he’s way old now. And if I closed my eyes, I kind of heard that it was George. But the crazy hand motions, and….well, the song. Oh, I thought it was just terrible.

I could tell Abdul loved it though. One of her old 80s friends making his comeback. I saw the tears in her eyes.

I, however, was so unimpressed.

George, take it back home. I told Stephen that by going back on tour (WHAT?!), he’s just trying to get rich off of 30-40 something aged women (and, let’s face it, men).

Really, I’d rather just remember you in your leather jacket. 

Next and last thought…

The Guitar Hero commercials? Oh dear. 

Did anyone besides me notice the fact that Cookster wore briefs and Archie wore boxers?

Do you think it is because he is that modest? Or would it have been exploitation of a minor to have put him anything BESIDES boxers?

Can we say Miley Cyrus? Vanity Fair?

That’s about all I have to say about that.