12 Months

Dearest Parker,

Your Dad and I are just amazed that a year has flown by so quickly.  What a year it has been.  The first few months, we were just focused on trying to figure you out and how you would fit into our family.  Now, we can't imagine our family without you in it.  You are continually bringing more joy, laughter, and delight into our world.  Our hearts and home are forever changed, and we love you beyond what words could ever convey!

12 month Stats:
Height- 29 inches (1 in. over last month)
Weight- still about 21-22 lbs.  You are moving nonstop, and your little body is getting so slender

always smiling

Teeth- 7 still, but your drooling leads me to believe more are on the way
Sleep- usually 10-11 hours a night.  You still take 2 naps a day for about 1.5 hr each.
Eating- you are a great eater.  Still mixing baby food with real food here and there.  You are always up for trying new things.  You still love sweet potatoes and carrots the best, though.
Talking- no new words yet, but you are saying Mama and Dada pretty often- and intentionally!  Your babbling is increasing each week!  I am so ready to know what you are thinking.  What has been a blessing is teaching you some sign language.  You appropriately communicate to me "more", "eat/hungry", "milk", and "all done."  Since you can't actually talk to me, it has been so helpful for you to communicate with me your needs and wants.  I am amazed that this actually works with babies.  I wish I would have started it earlier.

Your new favorite drinking location

your expressions are priceless

You are so close to walking!  You are very strong, and walk really well when assisted or when holding on to furniture or toys.  Right around your 1st birthday, you actually took 2-3 steps solo, but it isn't consistent yet.  I know most people tell me not to wish for it to come because life gets harder, but I think it will make life easier and more fun when you can get around on your own.

You love reading books every day!

We had a whirlwind month of holiday activities, but we were so blessed to spend this month with so many special people.  Your Mimi was here in SC with us for your first Christmas, and then we had a great week in Arkansas with your other grandparents and relatives.  I am overwhelmed with pride and love watching you with our family and knowing that you are now a part of it.

Your first year was a full one.  You have already had two surgeries- both of which seemed so scary and frightening at the time.  Now we look back and are so impressed how well you recovered and how well you continue to do.  You have no idea how many lives you have touched and how many parents you have encouraged by your story.

We've made so many friends, and enjoyed playdates along the way.  We watched Dad finish residency (highly decorated I might add), and now have watched him embark on the journey of fellowship.  We have had more visitors and visits than we can count, but are so blessed that you have gotten to know your family so well being so far away.

We love you buddy.  Can't wait to see what this next year brings!

Christmas with the Robinsons

After our Birthday Celebration, we headed south to Pine Bluff to spend a few days with Spencer's parents.

Parker was spoiled to receive some extra attention, we had several visitors come by to see us, and Spence was beyond thrilled to get 2 days of duck hunting in- something he hasn't done in 4+ years.  He was actually giddy, I think!

one of my absolute favorite pictures!

Parker was fascinated

playing the iPad with Sport

Parker's First Birthday!

It worked out perfectly that Parker's first birthday actually fell on a Saturday over the time we were in Arkansas.  We had a very laid-back, but great party for him at my Dad and Kim's house- and we had a fabulous turn-out!  Even my aunt and uncle from Dallas came in town to celebrate with us!

Mitchell and his friends were AWESOME and dressed up as the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 & 2!  Super impressed that a few 15 year olds would do this so willingly for a little guy's birthday!

Now, if you know me, I am not much into event planning.  But I actually did have a theme of Dr. Seuss for his party, as reading is one of our most favorite activities to do together- especially Dr. Seuss!  Parker of course was oblivious that the party was for him, but I think he did get excited about his own personal smash cake.  It was really special for us to celebrate his birthday with our families!

Parker is of course wearing his "Green Eggs & Ham" t-shirt

The pom poms I made out of tissue paper, and I printed out all of Parker's pictures from 0-12 months for the banner.  The rest was just bright primary colors and Dr. Seuss books everywhere.

Mama & Papa

Partying with KK

Spence and Uncle Daniel

Aunt Suzy & Cousin Jim

Spence's cousin Rob, Aunt Margaret and Uncle Dick came to celebrate

Aunt Cindy & Uncle Joe came all the way from Dallas

My lifelong best friend, Rachel

Nana and G gave Parker a rocking chair that was Kim's from her childhood

The line of paparazzi to capture pictures of Parker eating his cake!

We had to help him get started

But he figured it out pretty quickly on his own

After a long nap, Parker played with his new toys, but his favorite activity was trying to stand up over and over and over again in the rocking chair. 

Finished his night reading Dr. Seuss with Big Poppa.  Dr. Seuss has always been one of my favorite authors, and I think it is because I have so many memories of sitting with my Dad and reading Green Eggs and Ham, reciting One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and celebrating Christmas with reading/watching The Grinch.  I love that Parker enjoys the books already too! 

Christmas in NWA

Celebrating a white Christmas

After Spencer and I finished our Christmas week work obligations, we said goodbye to my mom, and headed to Arkansas to see the rest of our families.  We started out in Fayetteville with the Duttons.  We were really excited to see snow when we first got there!  Parker was very unsure of what to do with the snow....

Checking out "G"

Papa and Mama

My Uncle Joe and Aunt Cindy came in from Dallas