Aunt Margaret

Once again, we have been so blessed to have so many visitors over the last 8 weeks, and this week Spencer's aunt, Margaret, spent a couple nights with us before going to a conference in Asheville, NC.  We had a really wonderful visit.  I was reminded how nice it is to have an extra set of hands to pass Parker off to when I need to pump, or curl my hair, or wash bottle parts, etc...  Plus, Parker got to enjoy Margaret singing some lullabies and readings before bed each night.  Thanks for your visit- we loved having you!

Wearing a new outfit from Margaret

We had a great meal at M Vista on Tuesday night.  I forget how great the food is there.  Plus- it was my first sushi in a year, since raw fish apparently isn't good to eat when pregnant.

A visit with Honey

Parker with Honey

Spencer's mom, Debbie, visited us this week- and what a fun time it was!  She was here with us the day Parker was born, and the week after.  So, 7 weeks later- I think she was impressed with how big he has gotten, and how much he has changed.  She quickly learned our routine, and jumped right in to take care of him and help out.

Helping with Bath and Bed Time

Bedtime Feeding

Parker loves Honey (love her grandma name).  They got a lot of time together, and she was generous to send us on a date night for a rare night without Parker!

An exciting Saturday night at 5 Guys with the Duncans

Parker and Maddie- he's catching up in size

As hard as it is to be away from our close family- I know it's hard for the grandparents to be so far from Parker as he is growing up so quickly!  We are so glad she could come back so soon!

Honey with her SC grandson and granddog

8 Weeks

Parker- your smile melts my heart!

It's been a great week so far!  My sweet P is smiling like crazy more and more each day.  It is an amazing feeling to see your new child smile when he sees your face and begin to coo at you- it makes me feel so loved!  Parker seems to be a very laid back and happy 8 week old so far- yes 8 weeks!  Where has the time gone?  In some ways it feels like we just left the hospital with a new baby, but at times I have difficulty remembering what life was like without him!

Last week we had visit from my Aunt Debra, which was such a treat!  She lives in Sarasota, Florida, where she runs a really cool yarn shop.  She is an incredibly talented knitter and spinner, and was on her way to a fiber festival in NC.  We were lucky enough to have her stop in for 2 nights and meet P.  She was sweet enough to bring some awesome handmade gifts with her!  My mom and Debra have both made some awesome gifts for him- they are both so talented!

Parker working on head control

So- 8 weeks.  As I said above, the smiles are ever increasing.  He is also cooing and making more grunts and noises that are purposeful.  When he is on the floor playing, he is kicking his legs and waving his arms with great strength.  He is also starting to track objects and people more and more.  If you know me, it will not surprise you to know that I am like a hawk watching for him to meet all of his milestones- teaching him how to hold onto things, placing him in the Bumbo for several minutes at a time to work on neck strength, showing him how to hit at toys hanging above him, etc....  I joke that I am a "tiger mom" already, pressing him to overachieve and practice, practice practice!  We work on these things and more daily!

More smiles

Good morning smile

I also think that he grew significantly in the last week!  All of a sudden his legs are too long for his footed onesies- I've had to pack all of those outfits for 0-3 months size.  Everyone that sees him recently has a reaction like, "Whoa- he is huge!"  He is definitely a healthy baby!  What an answered prayer that Parker has not had eating issues or problems with gaining weight!  I thank God daily for this.

In a 6 month outfit.  Go Hogs!  Unfortunately- our outfit didn't bring good luck that night- the Hogs lost badly in basketball.  

Our future Hog fan!  We are working on calling the Hogs.  I also sing the fight song, as well as "Oh Lord it's hard to be Humble"

May be one of my favorite pictures.  Everyone that sees him says he looks just like his daddy (so true!), and he certainly does love his Dad.  I think his best naps are when they are together. 

7 Weeks & Parker's Smile!I

I LOVE this boy's smile!

sweet smile!

I can't believe we are at 7 weeks today!  Parker is quickly becoming a little boy and less of a newborn to me.  His alert time increases each week, he is becoming more and more interactive.  He really locks in his gaze now when we look at each other, and he will track movement at times.  He is also smiling more and more!  Let me assure you- nothing has ever touched my heart in such a way as watching this sweet boy smile!  It often brings tears to my eyes.

He has the sweetest expressions these days

Last weekend- we had a great visit from some of our friends from medical school.

updated family picture

Jill & her daughter Caroline, Deana, and Spence- great friends in med schol

On Monday, we had our "mommy Monday" with our babies again.  It's so refreshing to be with friends who are all experiencing the same things with our babies and to talk about how blessed we feel, discuss our frustrations at times, and just support one another.  Here are the babies all in red for their first Valentine's Day.

Parker is growing like crazy- he weighed 13.6 lbs, and is measuring about 22.25 inches (per my own calculations).  We are so excited to see him doing so incredibly well with gaining weight, and growing so well!

Happy Valentine's Day

Check out our sweet valentine's......

My friend, Erica, always dresses up her dog, Ellie, with sweet messages, so I felt inspired and sent these pics to our family!  Spence and I grilled steaks and veggies, and had a sweet night with our boys.

6 Weeks

So, this is the halfway mark of my 12 week leave from work.  It is already time for me to start making schedule requests- which I won't lie....it's a little depressing.  I feel so conflicted because I love my job, love my coworkers, and I miss the critical thinking environment.  On the other hand- I can't imagine leaving my sweet baby for a 12 hour shift.  When I go to the grocery store for an hour- I rush home because I miss him so much.  Here is a picture of what I looked like the last time I was at work- quite a difference!

Parker started smiling at me occasionally the last couple of days.  I almost burst into tears the first time he gave me a "social" smile (as opposed to a "gassy" smile).  He is starting to make faces, raise his eyebrows, purse his lips at me, etc.  It is so heart warming.  Of course, I haven't been able to catch it on camera.

Jack is also starting to show more and more that he loves his little brother.  He follows us from room to room, always checks on Parker when he hears him crying, and still tries to lick all over him anytime I let him near.  It is really sweet!

My sweet boys!

Jack always wants to cuddle Parker- I don't think he realizes how much he could crush the little guy.  My favorite is when he drops the tennis ball on Parker expecting him to throw it for him.

 I finally started back to running this week.  I've gone a few times on my own, and now a couple of times with my friend Meredith and our jogging strollers.  Her husband Colin and our 3 dogs collectively went yesterday and he snapped some action shots of us (yes, I am a nerd!).  It feels SO great to start getting back into shape!  It helps to live in SC with such a mild winter.  I think we are going to pick out a 5K to work towards this spring.

First "Playdate"

Amy and Jack, Meredith and Madeline, and Parker and Me

So a year ago, my friends from work, Meredith & Amy, and I were doing a bible study together.  We were praying at the time that God would bless Meredith & Colin with a baby and sure enough- He answered.  Then 6 weeks later, we found out that Amy was expecting.....and another 6 weeks later, I was shocked to add that I too was expecting!  Anyhow, needless to say- a lot of prayers have been prayed among the 3 of us for our little ones, and now they are all here.  So Madeline (16 weeks), Jack (11 weeks), and Parker (5 weeks) had their first play date together.  Not a lot of playing went on- more like feeding and burping and sleeping.  But it was such a cool thing to see all of them together.  We just kept talking about how awesome it was to see how God has blessed us!  

Parker is so lucky to have friends already.  I can't wait for him to be able to play with other little ones!

"For this child I have prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him."

1 Samuel 1:27

Family Weekend

Daniel meeting P for the first time

We had a great weekend with Spencer's brother Daniel.  He came to town to meet his nephew!  Spence had a great time getting to hang out with his brother, and it was just a low key couple of days.  We also had my dad on Saturday!  It's always so much fun for us to have our families visit.  As much as we love SC, it's hard to be so far from our family.  So, we love when we have an opportunity to have them visit!

Parker loved Uncle Daniel

Spence meeting Jim at 6 weeks in May, 2011

Daniel meeting Parker at 5 weeks in February, 2012

Now we just need Parker and Jim to meet!  We are so happy the cousins will be so close in age.  I can't wait to see them get together one day soon and play.

Parker with his "Big Poppa"

Loved getting to visit with my dad

5 Weeks

I love snuggling with him!

The weeks seem to go by faster and faster.  Parker has had a great week.  Still growing like crazy!  He is starting to sleep for stretches of 4-5 hours at a time at night.  We have a great routine down at this point.  In the morning, we wake up and eat, followed by prayer and book time.  We then do series of tummy times and play time on his back on his little playmat.  He is really starting to figure out how to use his arms and legs.  He kicks around and waves his arms.  At times he will hit the rings and items that hang over his head, but it is not intentional yet.  His eye contact is becoming more purposeful when he looks at us and at objects around him.

He is starting to grin a bit more, but still doesn't seem intentional.  I know that the books say that they are grinning when they have gas, but I choose to believe it's because he is such a happy baby!  He really is so good- sleeps and naps well.  He really only gets fussy when he wakes up and is ready to eat.

He loves to move his muscles on his playmat.  He also watches the lights and listens to the musical attachment

Making eye contact.  Look at that big belly!

Naptime

I think it's safe to say that he knows exactly who Spencer and I are.  Many times when someone is holding him and I start talking, he will either whine or cry until I come pick him up- he'll stop immediately.  And with Spence, he curls up and sleeps soundly every time.  He and Dad have gotten to take a lot of naps together.

Parker getting ready to call the Hogs as they beat Vanderbilt in Basketball

Spence carrying P in the Baby Bjorn- this thing is GREAT!  Sometimes, I'll use it to take him on a walk outside in lieu of the stroller.  He will burrow his head into your chest and sleep soundly.

Parker and his "girlfriend" Madeline playing together.  I can't wait for him to start interacting with his little friends!