Last Year

Last year at this time many events happened and my life will never be same because of them. I think that over the next couple of days I am going to go back over what happened this time last year. I didnt have a blog last year and these events have shaped me into the women I am this year.
Of course, it all has to do with my sweet son Parker.

When I was pregnant I wanted to get those maternity pictures that you always see. Well, I kept putting it off and thought there was no way I would get them because I had waited too long. The week of my due date I called my friend Hannah and she had a spot on November 21st, it was the day before Thanksgiving. We scheduled it but I told her that at my last doctors appointment I was 4 cm dilated so I could go into labor at any time. Well, Dennis and I made it.....

I had Parker two days after these pictures were taken!!! I had him the day after Thanksgiving. He was only two days early (more on that later!)

My new favorite thing!

Well, this is my new favorite thing! It is the Starbuck's salted carmel hot chocolate!! One reason it is my favorite is because it means that it is the holiday season (cold weather, Thanksgiving, Christmas...my favorite time of year) and the other reason is because it is so incredibly yummy!

A little update

Well, we had Parker's birthday party this past Saturday and it was wonderful! He did so great and so many people came!! I would have had pictures posted already but I keep forgetting to get my camera cord. Alot has been going on this week and Parker hasnt been feeling very well. When Parker doesnt feel good...noone feels good! My uncle gave me a disk of the pictures he took. They are mostly of his daughter but at least it is something. I will try to get my pictures on here soon.

I still have pictures of the cakes that my mom and I decorated and many other things...stay tuned!!!

Also, Parker is doing great with crawling and he has been pulling up alot all by himself! I went into his room this weekend and he was standing in his bed. At therapy they are working on walking. I hope he catches on as fast as he did with crawling!

Parker's birthday is this Sunday so I am sure i will have a lot to post about! I have been kind of emotional this week thinking about my little miracle baby turning one!! WOW!

We are also trying to get everything ready to go out of town on Sunday for Thanksgiving. We are going to Chatanooga, TN! We are also getting everything ready at our house because we are having Thanksgiving with Dennis' side of the family at our house on Saturday!! I am trying not to be stressed. I want to have my Christmas decorations up before Saturday, but I dont think that will happen!

I think we might have a crawler!!

Well, last night Parker kinda put his knee under him and moved forward. This morning he scooted/crawled like a foot to get some food (of course!). I think he has figured it out and everyday I am sure he will go farther and farther. I guess we are gonna have to "baby proof" everything now. I am so happy for him. He is so much happier today than he has been in a while because he can get places now. He uses his scooting, rolling and spinning to get pretty much anything he wants. He has been really fussy for the last month or so because he was kinda moving but couldnt get anywhere. He has been wanting to explore and FINALLY he is on his way!!! I may regret him learning to crawl, but for now I am so thrilled!

Also, here is a picture of Parker with his new favorite toy.....a spoon!! It must feel good on his gums. It is almost the only thing he play with these days! It's kinda nice--If he is fussy at a restaraunt...just give him a spoon, they always have one!!

Cardiology update and picture sneak peak

Parker had his Cardiology appointment this morning. He was not the best little boy. Everytime someone came near him he would start screaming. (I dont blame him for not liking the people at the hospital!) So, it took ALOT longer to do things than normal. We did get all the test and assessments done. The echo was about the same as last time. His function is decreased a little but Dr. Seib says he would put him in the average/above average category for kids with HLHS. Parker's oxygen saturation was 83%. That is just fine for him but has gone down a tiny bit from last time. I have noticed him looking a little more blue over the last week or so but I think it is just the weather and because he has a fair complection. He weighed almost 18 pounds with all of his clothes on! He is growing slowly but surely! All in all Dr. Seib said he looks wonderful and we dont have to go back for 4 months!! That is a really, really long time!! I know that it means he is doing good but I just like the security of the doctor telling me he looks good. Also, we get to stop three of his medications--Reglan, Zantac, and Iron. I am so excited because now he is only on 3 medications! That is so weird, but nice!

Here is Parker before his echo. He seemed so happy before the echo tech walked in the room!


OK, Y'all have to go HERE and look at the preview for Parker's one year pictures. They are so sweet!!!

A Few Nerves

Tomorrow morning Parker has his first Cardiology appointment in 3 1/2 months!! We have never gone this long and must admit that I am getting a little nervous. He will get his usual EKG and Echo. I have no reason to believe that anything will be any different or that anything will be wrong, but there is always that thought in the back of my mind. I cant wait for all of the nurses and doctors at the clinic to see how much Parker has grown and developed! Please pray that everything goes smooth and that all the test results are normal!! I will give an update tomorrow when we are finished.

a HUGE mess!

This morning Lindsey came to our house to shoot Parker's one year pictures. I know, can you believe that he will be one year old in less than two weeks!! She does such cute pictures. At the end of the photo shoot we let Parker play in a cake and got some shots of that. Well, I took a picture of his mess once he was all finished playing in the cake!! I guess this will be good practice for his birthday party this weekend!

DONT WORRY, we got it all cleaned up!!

And here is my little cutie all cleaned up!

Therapy update and some new tricks!

Well, I didnt say anything last week because I didnt want to jinx (sp?) it but....Parker has been to TWO physical therapy session without crying the entire hour!! He still cries when he sees her, but will calm down and play with her. Last week I was walking down the hall to get him and I didnt hear his usually screaming. I looked around the corner and he was just standing at a table playing with a toy!! I couldnt believe it, FINALLY!!
Also, Parker is going from laying down to sitting and from sitting to laying down so good these days! I am so proud.
He also started waving bye-bye and he started clapping! I was starting to get worried about the clapping but this weekend he did it once by himself and then he had it! Everyday he does something new. I know that most babies do that, but he didnt for the longest time. I am so happy for him and so proud.

Milestone

Parker has been working so hard at physical therapy to go from laying down to sitting. Well, I walked into his room after his nap this weekend and this is what I found....

He did it!! All by himself!! Yay Parker!!

The reason he doesnt have any clothes on is because the day before we had to turn the heater on because it got down in the 20s at night. Well, Saturday it got into the 80's and I forgot that I didnt switch the air on. SO, Parker room was not the coolest place to sleep. I turned his fan on, turn the airconditioner on and let him sleep in his diaper.

Anyways, I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard to master this skill. Now, on to crawling!!

Halloween weekend

I know, I am posting these a little late!!!! There will probably be alot of pictures in this post!! One of the girls at the office has a grandaugther that is also named Parker and she is about a month younger than my Parker. She came to see Parker at the office in her costume.

That night Parker dressed up as a pumkin (the same costumer I wore 25 years ago!! i cant believe it lasted).

This is Parker trick or treating at my grandparent's house.

We made our rounds with Parker and he got lots of candy. After that my parents took Parker and Dennis and I went to a Halloween party.

Are you ready for the pictures??

We had so much fun! We didnt win the costume contest, but that's ok!