6 Months

Dear Parker

I have a six month old- I have to keep telling myself this fact to let it sink in, because it seems so impossible.  You no longer look like a baby- you look like a little boy!  When I sit and think about all that has happened in 6 months, I am in awe.  You have gone from this infant that sleeps and eats all day to this little man who rolls around, kicks and waves his arms constantly, and interacts in your newfound world.

What a cutie- changing your diaper is nearly impossible with all of your wiggling and turning over

6 Month Stats:
Length- >26 inches (19.5 in at birth)
Weight- >18 lbs (7 lb 15.8 oz at birth)
Teeth: 2 (front two on bottom)
Sleeping: 7-9 hours in a row pretty consistently
Hair is growing in a lot recently and is now a light brown/blonde color

You sleep really well, but occasionally we have to come rescue you from your escape attempts

Blueberries- delicious, but messy!

Eating
-5oz breastmilk every 3-4.5 hours
-You are doing great with solids!  So far, you seem to like everything- never turn your nose up to anything.  I am making a lot of your food, and a lot of it is store bought
You have eaten carrots, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, blueberries, bananas, pears, spinach, beets, oatmeal and rice cereal.  Carrots and zucchini are your faves by far!

Trying to feed yourself milk

Your New Skills:
-You sit independently for long periods of time and play with items around you
-When sitting- you lunge forward, suck your toes, and sit back up on your own
-You are definitely passing toys from one hand to another purposefully
-You reach out for Jack and pet him (also pull his fur, but we're working on gentle petting)
-You roll over nonstop, even rolling toward toys you want
-On the verge of crawling- when on your tummy, curl knees under chest and push forward
-Now in the jumperoo, your feet touch the floor and you bounce like crazy
-Trying to feed yourself with the bottle and grab for your spoon with solids
-Bath time is now in the big tub and you sit up on your own (with me close by....)

You still LOVE bathtime- Laura bathes you in the sink

Sitting up like a big boy in the tub

Cleft Update
We met with Dr. Chen last week.  He said he was "really pleased with how [your] lip is healing."  He said that the scar looks great, and that over the next few months, it will continue to heal more, the redness should go away, and it will keep falling back into place.  You have a little asymmetry with your nose, but it is hard to discern for the lay person.  Your next surgery will be September 10.  Buddy, I know that this surgery is going to be rough, and we are looking at ~4 days in the hospital.  But, you are so strong, resilient, and tough.  I know you are going to do so well, and Mom and Dad will be at your side nonstop.

You and your buddy.  The scar on your lip keeps looking better and better!

Love your daddy!

Parker, you continue to bring more joy into our home than we could ever have anticipated.  When Dad and I come home from work- you greet us with a huge grin, letting us know you recognize us.  Your smile and laughter fill the house constantly.  You love Jack, and laugh at him often- especially when he licks dropped food off of your legs.  I love watching you change before my eyes- every couple of days I see something new, even if it is subtle.

More sleeping with Dad!

We love you, Sweet Pea!  I enjoy playing with you all day, teaching you how to play with your toys and help you learn how to do new things.  I still love to read you books every day.  We even get your dad to do it occasionally, and you pay such great attention!  I pray with you daily that God will just keep you growing, that you will stay healthy and strong, and that you will know God's love at a very early age.

"You are my 'I love you'."

Mom

Hail & Farewell

Dr. Cook's Lake "beach" set up

At this point, residency is pretty much finished.  Spencer has one last shift to work this week, and then starts as a fellow next week.  It is just mind-blowing to realize that we are already at this point.  Three years have absolutely flown by, and Spence is now ready to go out in a new role.  I know part of him is really excited to jump into his fellowship, but simultaneously, there is a lot of anxiety in how this transition will go.

Saturday, Dr. Cook had the annual Senior Hail & Farewell party at his house on Lake Murray.  He has an awesome set up right on the lake, and we had a wonderful time visiting with his class one last time.  It's always bittersweet to celebrate a life chapter coming to a close as a new chapter is ready to begin.

Parker and me with some of our EM resident friends 

Spence's Class 2012

Spence's Class in 2009

Father's Day

Starting off our morning with a family nap

We had a very special Father's Day this year.  Spence's Dad and Mom were here for his graduation.  My Dad and Mitchell were in SC for a soccer tournament in Greenville.

We had a great time with the Robinsons- ate some great food, had a fun night out for graduation, and did some work around the house.  They were able to spend some sweet time with Parker and see for themselves how much he has changed and developed in just a little over a month since our trip to Arkansas.  He is sitting up so well now on his own, rolling over constantly, interacting more and more, etc.  Unfortunately, they were also able to witness his more fussy side as he has been teething for the last couple of weeks like crazy.

playtime with Sport

sweet Honey & Parker

Sunday was Spence's first father's day!  We had a fun day in Greenville to celebrate.  We had lunch with Dad & Mitch, followed by his soccer game.  We also snuck in a sweet visit with my dear friend Katherine,her husband and children.  Such a treat.

Mitch in action- he was GREAT to watch!

Mitchell & our Daddy

Happy Father's Day to all of those special guys in our lives!  Spence- it was so exciting to be with you on your first one.  Parker is one lucky little man to have such an awesome daddy!  We love you!

Parker & his Dad

my Daddy

Sport

Papa 

Papa Cowden

George, aka "G"

Emergency Medicine Graduation

We had Spence's final event for graduation on Friday.  Spence's parents were in town for the event, and we had a great time.  Dr. Cook, the program director, gave a nice presentation, which included great picture slideshows of each resident.  At then end of the night, more awards were handed out, and again, Spence was honored with resident of the year for the department.  I can't begin to express how proud I am of his accomplishments, and especially his extra recognition, after watching him endure this journey for over 10 years.  It was really special to have his parents present to see it for themselves.  Spence- you really are such a special guy!

Spence with Cynthia (ER Nurse of the Year), Greg & Jon

With Spence's [proud] parents (picture from iPhone, hence the glowing eyes!)

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

Yesterday was the big 3-0!  I know a lot of people really stress over turning 30, but for some reason I am actually excited about it.  I genuinely think that each year of my life gets better than the last, so if all continues in that fashion, then my 30s should be fantastic, right?  Plus, this is a big year.  We have this precious, perfect little boy.  Spencer finishes residency, making these seven long years come to an end.  Who knows what else the next six months will bring...

My day started out with using my mother's day gift card for a massage at Urban Nirvana.  It was the perfect way to start my birthday!!  My friend Erica was incredibly sweet to offer to keep Parker while I went.  Then we went to lunch at one of my favorite places, DiPrato's.  We took a nice walk with the dogs, and then Parker and I got ready for my friend Amy's wedding.

When I came home, Spence was back from work, and there happened to be a fun get together going on in the cul-de-sac for my birthday!  We had a really great time, and the USC baseball game was going on late into the night.

Debbie plotted to have an ice cream birthday cake at the party for me.  De-lish!

Spence & Colin

Wendy, Meredith & Me

Will, Boo & Gwen

The Duncans

So here's to the milestone birthday.  My life is not at all what I imagined it would be at this point.  But in pretty much every way, I'm pretty sure it's better!

Hospital Graduation & a little extra recognition....

Continuing on with graduation events, today was the hospital wide resident graduation.  It was a nice ceremony, and just one step closer to being done with residency!

The Emergency Medicine residents being recognized

I know Spence will die when he sees that I put this on here, but I HAVE to brag on him.  One resident from each program is nominated each year for Resident of the Year for Palmetto Health.  Spencer was nominated from Emergency Medicine, and was among a really great group of his peers from other programs.  The Board of Trustees of the hospital then selected one person as the award winner- and YES- Spencer was announced!  He is very "embarrassed" about this, but I am just so proud.  It made me teary eyed to see it happen, and I was so happy that Parker and I could be there to see it in person!

Spence being recognized with the other nominees and each program's directors

Some of Spence's peers from other programs

Spencer Robinson- you are a wonderful physician, and you are clearly well respected by so many people.  I know first-hand how hard you have worked to get to this point, and my heart swells with pride for you.

We are so proud of you, Dad!

Out at a celebration dinner at Pearlz

Senior Roast

Kerri, Melissa and me

It is really hard to believe that it is June of 2012.  When Spencer and married in 2005, the first day of marriage after our honeymoon was the start of medical school for him.  Four years of school seemed like an eternity- especially when school was completely life consuming!  Then three years of residency on top of that.  Fast forward 7 years and here we are in residency graduation month.

Spence's Class

Tonight was the Senior Roast where all of the 1st & 2nd year Emergency Medicine residents show their "roast video" for the graduating residents.  We had a really nice time at 300 Senate Street down by the river.  It's bittersweet to celebrate this exciting accomplishment, yet know that everyone is about to go their separate ways soon.

Group Shot

After the event ended, Spence and I took advantage of having a babysitter and met up with everyone at the rooftop bar downtown.  We aren't much for going out to bars, but this place is so pretty- it's outside up 16 floors and looks out over Columbia.  I forget how unsocial we are these days with the baby at home.  It was nice to dress up and go out for a bit.  Of course, it was also nice to rush home and gaze on our sleeping boy!

Hanging out on the rooftop with Courtney & Ashley

Out on the town with Spence