Doctors, Parties, Work-outs, oh my!

I am being a bad blogger - shame on me for not updating more! However, life has been a little bit busy and hectic and so therefore I haven't had time to sit down and just be and talk. Until now. I am making myself sit down and relax today because I have been on the go for what seems like forever! I need to take today to sit and relax and enjoy some down town with my big 1 year old. Part of that is getting to you an update of the past few days. Obviously you know Parker turned 1 on May 29th, but I didn't get to share with you about his 12 month check up and I certainly did not get to share with you the details of his party. So away we go...

Friday with when Parker turned 1. I think I am still in disbelief that my baby is 1! I sometimes feel like I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not imagining it or even to feel like it's real. (And yes, I did pinch myself that morning. Parker went in for his 1 year check up and it went well. He was 14lbs 15ozs (so I am just saying he was 15lbs.) and he was 27 in. long! Big boy! The doctor said Parker is looking great and doing well. He is allowed to eat pretty much anything now and he will remain on formula until he's 15 months to help get more calories in him. I am actually getting frustrated because he doesn't seem to care for most table food. Which is frustrating especially when the doctor says he needs 3 meals a day plus his bottles. I feel like I am never going to get him to eat "real" food. Don't get my wrong, he loves most baby food...but like, I want him to have eggs or cheese or something like that and he looks at me like I am nuts for offering it to him. I keep thinking, what if he NEVER eats anything but the formula and baby food. He can't have milk yet - not because of allergies, but because for him it is important to get the calories and nutrients from the formula and the milk would take place of that. He can have watered down juice, but not as a substitute for the formula. I am pretty sure this all frustrates me most because if by age 2 he hasn't caught up with his actual age, he will need to see an endocrinologist and possibly get some growth hormones.

Other than his dr. appointment friday was spent decorating cupcakes and pulling together the last of the needs for his party! Parker's party was on saturday and it was elmo world themed. It was a big hit and we had a lot of friends and family there. The kids made a craft (their own dorothy.) and they were allowed to color on the table cloths, which went over great! The kids loved it and I think the adults did too! Parker got a lot of great gifts, which he loves to play with. He did get to try cake but was too busy playing with the frosting and smearing it on his face to actually eat anything. But it was cute none the less. After the party we came home and my family came back with us and hung out for a few hours. We played at least an hours worth of Taboo, which with my family is fun! After they left, I got ready and headed to Buca Di Beppo for mom's night out. So much fun!

Not much has happened between Sat. and today. I did join a stroller fit type group though. It's called Mommies and Munchkins. It was started in Columbus by a woman who just moved here from Indiana. She has started one there too and it was thriving. Slowly but surely this one is growing. It is a lot of fun. You walk and exercise, but you stop and you do things with your kiddos to help them get some exercise too. It's Christ based, so there is a memory verse and rhymes to go along with some of the stretching. The best part about it is that it's free. I loved it, you can go at your own pace. You choose your level of fitness. I pushed myself and I am feeling the pain of that today, but I am so glad that I have found something like this. I have been wanting to get into something like this, but didn't know where to begin! We meet every tues and thursday at various parks in the area.

Not really sure what else to talk about. I guess just pray for the frustrations I am feeling over feeding Parker. And also, pray that he starts sleeping better. For the past few nights at about 12:30 he wakes up SCREAMING and crying. I think it might be because he is getting another tooth, but it's frustrating for mommy and daddy!

Thanks friends.

10 Things I Hate about you I am sick of.

In an effort to make my brain stop suffering, I give you 10 things I am sick of (in no particular order - or well, maybe an order).

1) Jon and Kate + 8 Affair/Money Grubbing/Open Marriage Controversy...



Here's my thoughts, whether it happened or not - I don't know, we may never know the full truth, but at some point you have to look at yourself and look at how you are acting and responding to said controversy and step back and start focusing on healing things and how important the kids are. No - I am not a fan of divorce and I think that most problems can be solved if you and your significant other are willing and wanting to solve them. Personally, I do believe there was an affair - however, I don't believe that Kate would offer Jon an open marriage out. I do feel like they are mostly in it for the money now. I just feel like the years show how things have changed...and that is sad. They need to stop their show and focus on their marriage, family, children - there are 8 kids that will be affected by this.

2) Tabloid/Paparazzi



And this is why things like the J&K controversy become more than they should. Really - get a better a job, do you have nothing better to do then stalk on celebs and write junk about them. Do you feel good about yourself when you do? It's really sad how far things can go when it comes to the stalkerazzi and tabloids. I feel like those in this field lack some form of human emotion. Even I, a simple stay at home wife and mom who is not a celeb find it sad the extremes that these "professionals" go to. :(

3) Terrible Drivers/Road Rage/Driving Ignorance



Case in point: Yesterday Drew and I are headed home. We decide to cut through a little side street in a strip mall. There are OBVIOUS signs for those not coming of the main road that say "In coming traffic does not stop." We get through the light and proceed. Car one stops a full car length in a half PAST the stop sign. We honk, as we have the right away and rather than at that point just going, he stops in the middle of the road. Literally, right after this guy goes another car, who has witnessed the whole thing does the same thing. And has the audacity to FLIP US OFF....um hello genius...we are not at fault - you are! Seriously, it makes me not want to drive, the lack of courtesy, lack of following the road rules and general "duh" things that come along with driving. Like duh - big red octagon shape with STOP written on it is probably a sign that means STOP. Or DUH, turn signals when attempting to switch lanes and someone is behind you - a good thought. Flipping us off for following traffic rules - ugh. Really...get a life!

4) My Husband's Car



Sorry hunny, but I am so over the every other week break downs. Ok, so maybe it hasn't been every other week - but oh my word it feels like it. And what makes it worse, we have put a lot into to get all these things fixed and it CONTINUES to do the exact shame thing...stall and break down. Then when a mechanic get is "nothing shows up" or we get something fixed, it's fine for a couple of days and then doing the same thing. I am so ready to take the stupid thing and just let someone hit it so we can just get a new car. And when we get a new one - we won't make the mistake of getting one that does not have a warranty and i will be a part of the decision more than I was.

5) Shows I like being cancelled/ending



Stop the madness and just bring back Eli Stone, Pushing Dasies and ER and no one will get hurt. I also am not happy that Samantha Who has been cancelled and The Class- I loved that show.

6) The JumpArounds



Could they be any more annoying? Oh man, and cheesy, so cheesy. Ugh...

7) Being Told My Son is Tiny

Ok, I get it some - he's a little guy and almost walking...but after hearing so much over vacation, I just can't deal with it anymore. I feel like putting a sign on his head that says, "Yes, I am a preemie and tiny...move along." I don't know what else to do. It normally requires an explanation of why and even that gets annoying. But see the thing is...he isn't tiny...tiny is his 2lb 3oz body that could be in both my hands and that's it. Tiny is a 1 pound miracle from God. Sure he's small, but when you see someone really heavy you don't go, "oh my gosh, so big." Or at least you shouldn't.

8) My Son teething/moving/hitting his head

I was not at all prepared for this part of being a mom - toddler stage. I realize it's all part of growing up, but after about bump 5, I am just done with it. Sigh, yet, I love it, I love that he is so interactive and silly and tries new things. I just wish I had some bubble wrap sometimes.

9) Being Over Weight

I have terrible self image and I am trying to lose some weight...but it's hard and i get frustrated with myself. Help! I can't help my coke addiction - kidding!

10) My Apartment

Ok so not the apartment it's self, but the general cluttered and unorganized-ness, non matching picture frames, white walls, our tropical bathroom set (why did I register for that?!), not having patio furniture, needing to plant flower, ect. I just want it to feel more like home and less like an apartment, ya know?



And Now It is your turn:

pick from the following prompts:

The Prompts:

1.) Share a love letter.

2.) Memorial Day Weekend plans?? Do share!

3.) List ten things you are currently sick of.

4.) Put an outfit together using pictures you found online and show us what you'd LIKE to be wearing today.

5.) What have you been too busy to pay attention to.

Write your entry and then head back to Mama Kat's site and leave a mr. linky there so others can read your Writer's Workshop Entry!

Well Hello There!!!

Parker's 1st Easter - and his special outfit!


Hello there friends,

It feels like I haven't written in a while. This weekend I was busy busy with Easter and choir and family and just never had a chance to sit down and share anything with you. And as far as yesterday - my excuse is I slept in till noon and then attempted to clean, relax and get some grocery shopping done. Plus my mind was in off mode so I am not sure I could have pulled together a comprehensive post.

So here is a much deserved update.

I will go back to Thursday - not such a great day for me because I hurt myself - bad. I was putting something in the oven and ended up having the oven door close on my arm. I burnt it bad...Friday it was blistered and icky! Before all this, I met up with some friends at the zoo and spent the afternoon there. It was a blast!

Friday - we took Parker to the doctor for a follow up on his skin irritation. Basically, we just have to continue with the special cortizone cream we have a prescription for. Do that for 3 weeks and it should be completely gone. I will say, his skin looks almost normal after just a weekend of the stuff - so that's positive. While I was there, I had Dr. D look at my burn and he told me how to care for it. I love that he is my son's ped. but will take the time to look at my arm so I don't have to go to a clinic. Friday evening Drew's parents got here and we attempted to go to the good friday service. Parker had a melt down so we ended up leaving early and coming home.

Sat. - I woke up too early for a Sat. and headed to church for a choir run-through. It was a long rehearsal! But it was so worth it. Drew and I worked hard all week to make a slide show to a song called "I Will Rise" and we got to show it for the first time at the rehearsal and everyone loved it. I loved it! I worked hard on it, I basically spent hours staring at pictures to pick out the perfect ones. Drew really just edited it! After rehearsal I came home (the grandparents had watched Mr. P.) and relaxed and then the four of us hopped in the car and headed to Easton to meet Drew for lunch. It was a good time!

Sun - again, woke up WAY to early for a Sunday and headed to church for our last run through before the actual services. It was awesome to see God work. One of our songs was so challenging and even in rehearsal before the service we were struggling with it. But during the service, it came out great and perfect. I was moved several times to tears during the service...mainly because of I Will Rise! The song gives my goosebumps. Pastor Mike delivered a fun and very insipiring sermon.
Both services were good and Parker was so cute in his little outfit (I will post a picture later once I dump the camera). We had Olive Garden for lunch and then came home for a 4 hour nap!

Speaking of Parker - this kid is getting so big! He can scoot backwards and almost crawl. He eats puffs, even though he doesn't have teeth (well just one) and he loves um. He sits in a high chair now, though he tiny compared to them.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

I have a busy week ahead as I pull together the lesson for the Toddler Room on Sunday! I promise some more posts later too!

Happy Stuff

Today, I don't want this blog to be a "Debbie Downer" so today, I am choosing to be positive. It's been to easy, recently, for me to be negative - maybe I get too stressed, I don't know, but I am sick of being negative...today I choose to be positive.

So today, I want to share some happy/thankful thoughts with you.

- I am thankful that RSV season is almost over, I am thankful that Parker was able to receive his synagis shots and I am SUPER thankful for insurance that paid the $3000+ that the shots were! We aren't able to get his last months worth because of our insurance, so we have to basically act as if we just brought him home, no being around sick people, wash hands, yadda, yadda!

- I am thankful for my many many friends! I count myself blessed to have so many people who I can turn to whom I love and love me and my family. I am thankful for the wonderful women I know from church, I am blessed to have a great group that build me up! I am thankful for the new friends I make and the old friends I have and miss terribly at times. I am thankful for my college buddies who know me. I am thankful for you all, you readers out there that I have never met in person and those I have. I am thankful to be able to share my story with you and that you continue to read my blog, even on the hard days!

- I am thankful for my husband. Seriously, the guys is AWESOME! I appreciate how he steps up and helps me and pushes me. I am thankful that he knows me and my heart and soul. I am thankful that he loves God!

- I am thankful for my family. I won't lie, we don't all get along, but I am glad to have such a fun family. Sure, we can let each other down, but I am so glad for them.

- I am thankful that Parker, while born early, is doing SO WELL! We went to an OT appointment yesterday and he is doing great developmentally. He is on track with his adjusted age. There is a little concern with his communication, but the therapist is not at all worried - he makes enough noises and is communicating pretty well! He will babble and talk when he wants to. One thing I have learned with him, is don't push him, he learns on his own! We need to work on his sitting. He doesn't like to sit with his legs bent, which is just because of his muscle tone. He'll get there. He is ALMOST crawling! I am so thankful that Parker is "normal" even if he is small!

Yesterday, after Parker's OT appointment, Drew, P and I went to Riverside to visit the NICU! Surreal doesn't even begin to describe the walk up to the NICU! It feels weird to know that we get to leave with Parker, not visit him there daily. It's been almost a year - which is also insane! We got to see some wonderful nurses! Some who took care of Parker just hours/days after he was born. We got our picture taken so they can share it with others! I am planning on making a special picture present for the NICU as a thank you. They have a wall of different pictures and collages and I want to share our story with others!

I am having a better day today, as is Parker!!! Parker's skin continues to feel like sandpaper, thankfully those the redness is going away! His tooth I think is stuck, it hasn't come out any further - not sure if it just takes time or what. I am not a pro at all at this, so if any of you have any thoughts about teething and it feels like this one tooth is taking forever - please share.

This morning I got together with some of my friends from church for an easter egg dyeing party. It was fun, I love those women and the kids. And I got to meet a new friend - Monica, she is sweet! Parker didn't care much...i tried to let him help me with an egg, he just looked at me like I was nuts!

Tomorrow, Parker and I get to go to the zoo with some other friends. I look forward to it! I feel good getting out of the house and hanging with people. I need to do it more.

Friday is a big day. I have a lot to do before then! We found out Sunday that Drew's parents are coming for Easter! We were thrilled and surprised and hey, it's free babysitting! (Like I would turn that down. Are you reading this Pete and Angela - you get to watch Parker for us Sat. morning!!!) If I know Pete, he's probably jumping up and down in excitement ;) Before they get here though, we are taking Parker to his ped. to follow up on his skin. If nothing else, its more for peace of mind, than anything.

Well, that's all I have for now friends! Hope you all can find the positives today!

Note the hair on the floor...

Yay, that big pile, right. over. there. You can thank teething for that. Seriously, I may need a little counseling or something thanks to this. Perhaps a trip to the funny farm would be a good thing.

I have had enough of the screaming, fussing, diarrhea, phlem, slobber, rash, eczema, screaming, crying, ickness that is teething - and this is only his first.

Tell me it gets better...please tell me its easier each time a tooth come in.

I am stressed, tired, sore, and moody thanks to this stinking tooth that I swear is mocking me by moving like half a centimeter each day. I think it has a mind of its own, I hear, I hear it laughing as I watch my son cry himself to sleep. I am pretty sure today it was saying "how do you like this cough Parker has....mwahahahahaha!" Well tooth, I will tell you how I like it....but I can't say those kinds of words!

So yah, that's been my weekend.

Well that and choir and trying to find pants that will work with my new shirt I got for Easter and an outfit for Parker (it's really hard to find cute easter outfits for boys...im about to put him in a dress!).

So yah, if you see a big pile of hair on the floor - you know why!

Oh and I saw a semi full of fruit stripe gum the other day, I was pretty excited!

A Parker Manuel

Here's my theory, anytime a baby comes out of the belly, it should have a little manuel attached to it, like, instead of them coming out all gunky and gewy and ewwwy and icky, they should come out clean, with a big bow around them (blue for boy and pink for girl, of course!) and in that bow, should be the baby's manuel. Mine of course would be called that "Parker Manuel". And it would give me all the answers I need so I don't lose what little brain I have left.

" Congratulations, you have had your very own Parker! This manuel is designed specifically for him and his needs and all the answers for him! Do not share as your Parker is completely different from any other Parker and will not have the same issues as any other baby! You did great carrying him for "insert amount of time here" and I entrust this child to you for the next "insert amount here"! Again Congratulations! "

Oh how I wish I had one because I am so confused sometimes by this child. Or just things related to him, like for example, at this age (almost 6 months) how often should he be sleeping? What if he is over sleeping or under sleeping? And what about his dry skin, is that ok (actually the doctor and I talked about that on Tuesday). Oh and what about teething, is he or isn't he? Is his poopy allowed to be hard or should it still be soft? If it is hard and he is only on cereal, is that a bad thing? Am I over stimulating him but having Dora on in the background? Boy, I just have so many questions. which sometimes (ok MOST OF THE TIME) leads to me stressing and conjuring up terrible things and this of course leads me to my mommy guilt issues. I can see it now, "Oh no, hard poop....he's really sick!"

Then of course in the manuel would be all the answers I need to solid foods. Mainly, the answers to making my own. I want to do that because I know WIC does not provide baby food, just cereal (anyone else find this silly?) and plus I have always wanted to. (I know of a good book though!) and of course there would be a coupon for free diapers for Parker until he doesn't need them anymore. And there would be a part about how to potty train.

Oh wouldn't it be nice?

And So it begins...

The symptoms of teething - 



Irritability: um check!

Drooling: double check

Coughing: check

Chin rash: haha - no not at this point

Biting & gnawing: Does gnawing on a wet rag count? if so check

Cheek rubbing and ear pulling:  um nope

Diarrhea: not that I have notices

Low-grade fever: Check 

Not sleeping well: he's actually sleeping better

Cold like symptoms (runny nose, etc.): check

I think my little man is on his way to his first tooth, heck no! I am so not ready for this, my baby is not supposed to be old enough to get teeth!

It is incredible for me to think that this little man laying on the couch beside me snoring and kicking me is probably in the process of getting teeth. There are times that I stare at him and wonder, how on earth am I so lucky? Why is he so beautiful? How can I love a human being this much! I still can't get over how he interacts with me, how he smiles and laughs and coos and drools and is just precious as ever. I am in love with his face, his blue eyes, his ever thickening hair, his chin, his nose, his long fingers, his toes, and every thing about him. 

I feel so beyond blessed that he is mine. It's hard to believe at this time last year my body was preparing for this little critter of mine, and now, here he is. All 9+ pounds of him. I am blessed that even though his life started out rough and scary, he has come this far, he may behind in his growth, but who cares, everything else is going well. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Sure, I get myself convinced that something is terribly wrong, 

Thank you God, for this precious life you have entrusted to me. Thank you for holding him in your hands and continuing to do so and healing him! Thank you for giving me the ability to be a mommy and always giving me the faith to do so. I am so thankful for my critter, I love him and I love you, my God!  - Amen!

Seriously, how can you not love this face???

Prayer Please

Can you all just take a moment and pray for me? I am not entirely sure what is going on, but I am just kind of at wits end and the end of my rope right now. 

Also, can you pray for Parker. I am not entirely sure what is going on with him. I am sure that part of his problem is recovering from the trip as I am not surprised if he feels a little off, but recently, like with in the past week, at night, he becomes mr fussy. Screaming and not being able to really be soothed. I don't know if maybe he is teething or what. He acts really hungry and so I feed him, he starts to suck and screams as if it hurts. I wouldn't be surprise if there may be some teeth coming in (I don't see anything at this point!) Also, it seems his reflux has flared it's ugly head again (well it's been around, but it seems to be bad again).

This is all really frustrating me because when we went to the doctor last time, he wanted us to make sure Parker ate no less than 70mls and wants him to be up to 90mls, he is a bit behind on gaining..(not a large amount) so it's frustrating because all of sudden he seems to not want more than 50 or 60 most of the time. But I don't want to force him to eat and then have him throw it up, ya know? I just don't know what to do, I don't want the doctor to yell at me for Parker's eating issues. I don't know...this being a mom thing is so hard and confusing sometimes. I mean, obviously I want to do what the doctor says, but at the same time, I want want to hurt Parker in the process. I think this might be where instincts take over...after all I am his mommy and know him better than anyone. I had to trust my instincts in the hospital and that always helped...

Just pray for me, Parker, us as we work through this! I am convinced that baby's should come out with their own personal manuel.