Parker Robert is ONE

This is a post that I've been dreading writing for over a month now.  I still cannot believe that sweet baby boy is one years old.  Seriously?  Are you sure?!?  The last 12 months have been some of the best that we've ever had.  Sweet Parker was meant to be a part of our crazy family.  He brings so much joy and laughter and amazement to our lives.  How did we get to be so blessed?  What an honor that the Lord entrusted him to us to raise.

Needless to say - I was a complete mess on May 20.  I was just so emotional.  I was happy and sad.  It has been a very up/down journey with the pregnancy and Parker's first year.  Let's take a look at where we started...

This was Parker's sonogram at 29 weeks.  This was about 2 weeks after the sonogram where we were told that there were definitely some irregularities in Parker's Brain as well as swelling and cysts.  This isn't something that I've really blogged about...and...this is all I'll say...the last 12 weeks of our pregnancy were filled with lots of tests and dr appts.  We went in to the hospital on May 20, 2011 with lots of apprehension as to what the day would hold. 

May 20, 2011

Parker was born!  Praise be to God!  He didn't appear to have any issues due to his brain (i.e. not downs syndrome and everything seemed to be OK)...BUT...he inhaled tons of amniotic fluid in his lungs that he couldn't clear.  So - this is what Parker looked like the first time I saw him after his birth...this CPAP machine caused him to have a hole in his lungs and get air behind his heart...so...we were in NICU for 8 days getting everything cleared.  

We came home and started to settle in to our new family of four.  Parker quickly showed us how resilient he is.  It's hard to imagine our lives before Parker came along.

This is Parker's 1 month chair picture - flashing the "peace" sign

 Parker's 12 month picture - amazing how much changes in a year

 Parker's 12 month appointment went great!  The Dr's continue to tell us how amazing it is that he is so perfect!  Yep - we agree!

Parker's stats:
Length - 30" = 75%
Weight - 23lbs 6.5oz - 50-75%
Head Size - 19' = 97% (yep...our kids have HUGE heads!)

Parker is still nursing 5 times a day and I don't see us giving it up anytime soon.  He loves it...I love it...and he's growing.  Just because he nurses, doesn't stop him from chowing down during meal times.  He regularly eats more than Kelson does.  Parker eats everything...it's awesome.  His favorites though are scrambled eggs (the kid can inhale these!), guacamole, bananas, spaghetti, hummus, roasted sweet potatoes, and corn.

Parker is still taking 2 naps a day.  One from 9-11ish and one from 2-4ish.  He wakes up before 6:30am everyday...grrr...my only complaint.  But...he is pretty sweet in the mornings just cooing and talking away.  Parker is still not interested in the slightest in walking.  He won't hold your hands and walk, won't use the push toys...just not interested.  His poor knees are bruised from crawling around on the floor, but that's what he wants to do.  He'll walk when he's ready.  Parker's favorite toy is his big brother Kelson.  Parker just watches and laughs at Kelson all day long.  Kelson happily throws himself around and falls down to make Parker laugh.  Parker also loves to crawl on and tackle Kelson.  Parker loves to give kisses (though they are still open mouth with his tongue sticking out) and it melts your heart.  He is such a snuggler and needs to be held for about 10 minutes after his nap.  Don't dare put him down or he'll let you know that he doesn't like that by putting his giant head on the floor and crying.

Parker Robert - Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!  We love you more than we can say.  You are such a joy.   We can't wait to see the little boy and man that you will become.  We hope that you continue to stay easy going.  We pray that you grow to love and serve the Lord.

If anyone is still reading at this point...below is the card that will be going out to friends/family to celebrate Parker turning one.