Happy New Year!

Our Happy New Year Baby.
Making a new year's wish.

My boys!

Having fun together.

Mimi getting a little snuggle time.

Happy New Year!

Looking good in the party hats.

My big new year's babes getting all nice and clean before the party.

Too cute.

Jamie and Austin came to visit today. They brought me McDonald's for lunch. I have been craving a cheeseburger.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is already 2010. What an exciting year 2009 was for our family and I am so excited for all 2010 has to offer. Tonight was a very low key New Year's Eve for our family. We had pizza for dinner and then Mimi, Pop, and Uncle Joe came over for a "party". Baylor wanted to call it a party and he decorated the game room with some streamers. The boys had a bowling tournaments on the Wii and played some other games. Mimi was able to spend time holding Parker. She has been so busy with the other boys that she has not had much cuddle time with the little man. Mimi and Baylor made some noise makers and at "midnight" we welcomes the new year by banging on our items. We also sang Happy New Year to the tune of Happy Birthday and the boys blew out a candle. It was a fun night with our loved ones and we are excited for all the new year has in store.

Parker's Birth Story

I wanted to write about Parker's birth so I would not forget such a special day. I was very anxious for the c-section and very nervous about the entire thing. We had to be at the hospital by 6:00am. It was a very early morning and I was sad to leave my two little boys behind at home. Uncle Joe came over at 5:30 am to stay with them until Katie Collier came to babysit for the day at 8:00am. The whole ride to the hospital was very quiet. Tom was trying to lighten the mood and get me to talk but I was too nervous to talk. As soon as we arrived we had to sign in and then were taken to the triage room. When we were registering we discovered we had left the camera battery at home. Thankfully Mimi and Pop had not left and were able to stop and get it before coming to the hospital. Everything started to move very quickly. We had lots of papers to sign before and information to go over. They started my IV and got me all ready. I had to stay in the triage room until the surgery and Mimi and Pop were not allowed in there. I really wanted to see them before but Tom was able to talk to them and did get the battery. He was able to take all of our stuff to the room and my parents waited in our room. I went back around 7:45 for the epidural and Tom had to wait outside. I always hate going back by myself but the nurse with me was so nice and I felt really comfortable. As soon as Dr. Miser got there they started the epidural and got everything ready. As I was laying there right before the surgery the song, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", was playing. We really did have the best Christmas present ever with the birth of Parker. I felt great during the surgery and was able to talk throughout the entire process. As soon as I saw Parker I was so relieved. He was just perfect and so beautiful. I knew he looked chubby but was not guessing him to be over 10 pounds. He cried right away and his lungs sounded great. He was just precious and I could not wait to hold him. Tom was able to take great video and pictures of the entire delivery. I am so glad we have these special pictures to keep and remember such a wonderful day for our family. When he was first born his glucose levels were low since he was such a big baby. He needed some supplemental formula but his levels got better and he was good to go. He had his first bath within an hour and was all nice and clean. He is such a joy and we are so in love with him and cup truly is running over!

Visitors

We are hoping this will be the first of many play dates for these two cuties. Jen was my best friend growing up and I loved playing with her all the time.
I am not sure what they thought of each other on their first meeting, but we will work on it.

Jen is so sweet and I am so happy to have her in my life.

Nicole was able to snuggle with Parker.

The boys loved talking and playing with Eli.

Eli is such a doll baby.

Parker is lucky that "Uncle" Carl held him. He never held the other boys when they were newborns because he was nervous he would "break" them. After having Eli he is now an old pro.

This morning Parker and I were able to sleep in off and on until 11:00 am. After being up every hour during the night this was so wonderful. Last night was the first night I took over the night routine all by myself. Tom had to leave for work at 6:30 so he really needed to sleep the whole night. Jenny and Ethan came over for lunch and a visit today. It was so nice to spend time with her and Ethan. We took some pictures of the boys together. It is so funny to see the difference in size when they are only three months apart and how the size gap will close over the months. I know they will have so much fun together. We had a yummy dinner from one of our friends from our bible study group tonight. We have so appreciated all the meals from friends and family. This evening Carl, Nicole, and Eli came over to meet Parker and visit with the rest of the family. The boys love Carl and Mr. Eli. Eli is such a happy baby and so cute. I know Parker and Eli will have fun playing too. Parker is one lucky little man to have such great friends.

Parker's First Bath

He was not a big fan.

Great big brothers ready to help.

Baylor is such a big helper. He has been so sweet with Parker.

Ready to wash his feet.

All nice and clean.

Tonight we gave Parker his first bath at home. Mama and Papa got Parker a new bath tub for Christmas and Baylor could not wait to open it and try it out. Both boys were so anxious to help give Parker a bath. Both boys took turns washing his little feet. Parker was not too happy about bath time and cried most of the time. Baylor and Cooper were so sweet with him and tried to calm him down. It is so nice to watch them love on their new baby brother.

One Week Old

Happy 1 week birthday little man.
This is Andrea holding Parker in his second outfit of the day.
While she was holding him in this sweet little outfit she felt her shirt get wet. He had wet through his clothes onto her shirt. It was everywhere. I know he was really sorry!
Cooper wanted to share his cars with baby Parker. He laid them on the floor next to him.

Big brother Baylor held Parker.

I can hardly believe Parker is one week old today. The past week has been filled with so many events. I am so glad we are where we are and that we are all home and starting to get in a routine again. I am feeling better each day and am able to do a little more to help Tom. We are loving every minute with Parker and feel so blessed to have him in our family. We love him so much.

Today Rachel Huffman came to take newborn picture of Parker in the morning. He was actually awake during most of the session and kept wanting to eat but I think we were able to get some good shots. Andrea came and brought me lunch today and came for a visit. It was so nice to see her and talk. The boys each loved on Parker today and helped with diaper changes and bath. They are both loving being big brothers!

Here is a slide show of pictures from Parker's first week of life.

Parker's First Doctor's Appointment

What a big boy!
Snuggled with Daddy.

He did a great job at his appointment.

Parker did lots of sleeping when we got home. He was worn out.

Our neighbor brought us this adorable cookie bouquet that she made. Her cookies are the best and she decorates them so cute. She has made one for all three boys now and they are a highlight for Tom.

This morning Tom and I took Parker for his first doctor's appointment. Actually Tom took me too since I can't drive for two weeks. Parker did a great job at the doctor and his doctor thinks he is doing fantastic. His lowest weight at the hospital was 9 pounds 7 ounces and he is already back to 9 pounds 13 ounces. I guess when you eat all the time you are bound to gain weight. He is doing a little better each night, but he thinks it is buffet time from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. and just wants to eat the whole time. Dr. Greenfield checked his whole body. Her only concern was that his skin still has a little bit of a yellow tint. His levels on Saturday were at 16. 5 so we knew that we would have to retest today. We went back to the hospital after his appointment and he had to have his poor heels pricked again. His heels look so bad from all the pricks. Thankfully Dr. Greenfield called and said his levels went down and he does not need to be tested again. Praise the Lord. We are so thankful. Dr. Greenfield was so pleased with everything that he does not need to come back for a two week weight check. He will go back for a one month visit.

Parker's Sign

We took some pictures of Parker's sign today before it leaves tomorrow. It has been so cute in the front yard and I have loved looking at it. It was so neat to see it with the snow falling down this morning. Thanks to Mimi and Pop for making us feel so loved and welcoming Parker home.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Baylor helped Daddy open his birthday presents.
Happy to you Daddy!

Baylor had to bring a stool into Parker's room so he could watch and help for every diaper change.

He wanted to hold him all the time today. He would sit and wait on the couch until he was done eating so it would be his turn.

Daddy and Parker on Daddy's birthday.

The best part of the movie, snacks!!!

Baylor was trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

ALVIN!!!!!!!

Today we celebrated Tom's 32 birthday. Tom and his dad took the boys to the new Chipmunk movie after church today. Baylor has been so excited to go see the movie. Both boys took their Build A Bear stuffed animals to the movie theatre. This was Cooper's first movie and he did a great job. He loved the icee and snacks at the movie. Baylor went to his first movie, The Bee Movie, right after we brought Cooper home from the hospital. A new baby must mean you are ready for the theatre. After a great nap for all of us we had an Italian birthday dinner at our house for Tom. Mimi and Pop brought Italian Gardens and we all ate together. We had chocolate cake for dessert and opened presents. While it may have not been as exciting as normal it was a fun day. We are so thankful for Tom and all he does for our family. I truly do not know how I would have managed over the past few days without him. He has been there every step of the way and is so supportive. I feel so blessed to be married to my best friend and that my boys have him for their dad. We are all so lucky. Happy Birthday Daddy!! We love you! Wishing you a year filled with happiness and joy.