Dear Parker - Month 3

Dear Parker,

This last month has been filled with great changes! You now enjoy spending time on your belly and can push up on your arms and look around some. Your movements are so much more intentional now and not as jerky as they had been. You've discovered your hands and love to chew on your fists. You probably chew on your fists a lot because you're cutting two teeth!!! Mommy couldn't believe it when she first felt them, but sure enough - there they were! Grandma asked if it was normal to cut them so early and I told her that whether it was normal or not, they were coming in! ha! Parker, you now look at Mommy so focused and intent - we laugh together now and you smile when Mommy blows raspberries on your belly. You wake up so happy and talkative. You usually spending 10 minutes stretching out on your changing pad in the morning - stretching and talking to us.

We have spent lots of time with family over the last month - we spent two different weeks with Grandma and Grandpa in Tennessee. They enjoy spending time with you so much. We also made lots of trips to see Nana and Pop and they love seeing you grow and change.

We took you to a pumpkin patch on your three month birthday and took some pictures of you with the pumpkins. Unfortunately you're not sitting up so well yet and they looked kinda funny. But we had several other pictures that looked great and we'll cherish them always.

You are Mommy's sweet boy and I love you so much. Everyday you do something that amazes me and makes me so proud to be your Mommy. Just don't grow so fast!! :-)

Love you always!

Mommy

Dear Parker - Month 1

Dear Parker,

Today marks exactly one month since you were born. On one hand it feels like time has creeped by and you've been around forever. On the other hand time has flown and I feel like I can hardly catch my breath.

Our time in the hospital was like a fairy tale. All our needs were quickly taken care of and our wishes were granted. Once we arrived home, the fairy tale continued as your Grandma stayed with us for 4 weeks - as I couldn't drive due to my surgery. She helped me clean and cook and take care of you. Mostly she loved you and hugged you and fed you and couldn't get enough of you.

I will tell you that we had a very interesting first night home. You didn't feel good at all and cried most all of the night. We had no idea that there existed a magical cure and me, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa all took turns staying up with you and rocking you and trying to comfort you. The next day the doctor told us of the magical cure and we've relied on it often during your first month. Since that first night you've been a complete angel. You hardly cry and you sleep so well.

Parker, there have been so many times when I have just watched you sleep in my arms and cried until the tears wouldn't flow any longer. I find it terribly hard to put into words just how much you mean to me. My mind has a hard time fathoming just how I can love you so much in such a short period of time. From the moment I held you I would have done anything for you. You are an answered prayer and an angel sent from above - a true blessing to your father and I. You have helped me open my heart to a size I never knew possible.

You are making me a better person, Parker. I never could quite grasp the concept of "don't sweat the small stuff". Now I understand. I hope that as long as we are on this Earth together that we make each other better people.

I promise to you now, I will do everything I can to help you be a man of good character, high integrity and much compassion.

Oh....and I don't think I'll ever be able to get the songs from your swing or Pack N Play out of my head....it's a blessing and a curse....

Parker, my boy, Happy (1 month) Birthday!

Birthdays through the years

As I reflect on my upcoming birthday....I remember past birthdays. When I was a kid, I always hated the fact that I wasn't in school and therefore my stay-at-home Mom couldn't bring cupcakes to my class and celebrate. I remember having lots of family birthday parties because school was always out and friends were off vacationing.

I remember turning 10 and my family getting together yet still reeling from my uncle's tragic accident that broke many bones and rendered him with a jaw wired shut.

I remember turning 16 and all the fun and gifts that came my way. I actually remember turning 16 while on a family vacation to Las Vegas...I was in Dallas on my birthday...I remember it was hot...and while in Vegas my Dad refused to drive us to LA to the Hard Rock Cafe. He was so cruel. ;-)

I remember turning 18 and preparing to go off to college....I remember standing in my dorm room window and jerking it open and yelling at my parents that I was afraid I'd forgotten something. Just cause I didn't want them to leave yet.......

I remember turning 21 while I was away at college taking summer classes. Most of my friends were still at home and hadn't returned to school yet....so it was me and a few friends downing tequila shots at Applebees. Woo!

I remember turning 22 and thinking..."What am I going to do with myself now that I'm about to graduate and become an adult." Wow...how young I was....

I remember turning 24 and believing I'd met the man of my dreams. I hated his Mom, nevermind he was a Momma's boy, but I loved him. Yea....about 4 months later I saw the light.

I remember turning 27 and counting the days until I married Shooter....we were about a month away from our wedding date.

I remember turning 29 and being in a depression for the next 6 months as I contemplated turning 30.

I remember turning 30 and thinking, "This aint' so bad!"

I remember turning 33 and having a bit of a mid-life crisis.

I remember turning 35 and wondering where the heck the years have gone!

Now, as I am facing 36....I can say that I'm happy with me. I'm happy with my marriage and completely in love with Shooter. I love my pups dearly...but desperately want a human child to add to the household. I am content with my job and the things it affords us. I am happy with God and church and all my friends. The one thing I'm certain of is that things will change. Luckily, with each passing year, things have changed for the better....oh some years were a change for the worse....but in general I've made many leaps forward. 36 ain't so bad....plus I got to grow up in the 80s when some of the best music ever was made!!!!! (but that's a discussion for another post)

Later lovelies!
L.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today's my Mom's birthday. Today is the day that the world was graced with the arrival of Alice Faye. *sigh* If it weren't for her....well, I wouldn't be here.

Loves ya Mom!!!!!