Parker: One Month

My goodness, Parker, you are a month already! A WHOLE month!! Let's recap on this past month's events.....

Weight: guessing 10-ish lbs **9/28: I was WAY off. We had a jaundice check up this morning and he weighed in at 11.6 lbs!! Whoa baby :)
Length: 21-ish inches? (Guessing. He was born at "20" but at his week follow up they said 21 and I think that is more accurate considering he is one long little fellow)
Clothing: By your third week, newborn things were too small. You are currently wearing "0-3 mo" things and even now those are getting too small. A few 3-6 mo. pieces fit too.
Diapers: I already moved you too 1s because we were having alot of leaks!

We got off to a bit of a rough start with you spending your second week of life living on a "baby tanning bed". It was apparent that you were jaundice and I could tell you were getting drowsier by the day, so at your one week check up, Dr. Kim sent us to get your levels checked. Sure enough, you were at a 16.1 and the normal range is a 6 or 7 =/ So that night, an at-home nurse came over and brought your bed. You had to live on that thing day and night (only coming off to eat for 30 mins every 2 hours) until your levels came down to an acceptable number. We finally got the number we needed that Thursday night and as soon as I got the call from the nurse (at 3 AM!!), I took you off immediately!! I couldn't wait to snuggle you!! Even now you are still a little yellow but at your two week check up your dr said it could take 6 weeks to clear....but the good thing is, no light and it will just work itself out of your system =)

 Your sister loves you SO much!! I can't keep her away from you. She always wants to hold you and kiss your head. It melts my heart...I don't know how I will deal when you can kiss or hug her back for the first time! You will just stare at Peyton when she's talking/playing with you. I love it.

At about three weeks, you started doing/trying to do alot. As I said above, your eye contact was great and you started trying to talk. All you can get out are squeals and an "Uuuughhh" (sounds like a cute sigh). But it is the cutest thing ever. You smile quite often, even though I'm not quite sure when it's supposed to be an "on purpose" smile, but I'll take it! You've been holding your head up since you were born (obviously not for long periods of time). You are already trying to roll over...you get to your side, and get stuck, then get angry. I have a feeling it won't be too long before you get it. You don't care for being held in a cradle, unless it means your about to get fed. You love being up on someone's shoulders. You like being able to see everything. If I stand you on your legs, you'll bare all your weight on them and stand for a few seconds. You are so STRONG!! You obviously take after your Dad ;) I swear it feels as if you are already trying to grow faster than normal.

Once you turned a month old, I decided it was time to try to get you (and me) on a good routine to help you sleep better at night. You'd been in our bed with us and it was just not working that well because you were so squirmy at night, neither of us would get much sleep. So far we're about 4 days into it and you've slept no less than 4 1/2 hours straight (12-4:30, 11-5:30, 10:30-4). I'm impressed and hope it stays this way! I'll revisit this next month.

Little boy, we love you so much! Don't grow too quickly!!

Tour of Parker's Room

I finished Parker's room about a week ago. The only thing I wish I could've done is paint, but other than that, I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out! It's a perfect combination of modern mixed with rustic (the color/finish of the furniture with the exposed metal finishes and deer head ;)) A few of my favorite things about his room: 

1. The utility shelf-turned-into-changing/storage table. I first saw it displayed as such in a picture on Etsy and knew I had to do the same. More than likely it will just be used for storage, as I see many a changing on the living room floor ;)

2. The Cardboard Deer Head. This was the coolest thing I think I could have stumbled upon for his room. This was the perfect compromise for Austin and I. He likes real animal heads and I like modern decor....voila! lol. Not to mention, it was fun to put together, it was like a puzzle! 

I keep finding myself wandering into his room just taking everything in. I can't wait until he's here with us....just three more weeks, or less!! :)

My One and Only

I've been soaking up each day of it just being Peyton and I. We only have a few weeks left! It really is a bittersweet time. She's going to be such a great big sister. She talks about Parker alot (or "baby brother"). She comes to many of my doctor's appts with me and has been to every ultrasound. She's an expert at knowing what his heartbeat sounds like and what he looks like on the "tv". I think bringing her to my appts has helped her make that connection and realize what's happening.

We've been doing some fun things that don't require going outside because it's just SO hot! We've gone to "kid's movie day" a few times at our local theatre. We've been doing some crafts and she's discovered a new love....painting. She would sit at the table and paint ALL day if I'd let her.

Peyton is growing so fast, and sometimes I still can't believe that she won't be my only one!!

Our Staycation

Austin's "staycation" was really awesome. It was so nice having him home with us all day, everyday for a whole week. Peyton especially loved it. A few highlights from the week are: breakfast at Metro Diner, a trip to Little Talbot Island, a little kiddie pool time for P at Grammy and Papa's, a date night, a pedi for me :), and I even tried (and succeeded!!!) a Pinterest dessert. 

It won't be too much longer until he's home with us for another week....when Parker comes!! 

A Hodge Podge of a Post

It seems all I post about lately is my pregnancy. That is really about the only thing we have going on around here. It's summer, and it's super hot so we haven't been doing anything outside. Low key play dates inside and things like that. Austin is on vacation this week, so we'll hopefully do a few fun things and have some pictures to go along with it.

I think we have most definitely hit the Terrible Twos. Peyton, overnight, has become very difficult, does NOT want to listen, and throws tantrums about any.little.thing. She has always been stubborn but things have been kicked up a few notches. Sheesh!! I'm hoping the worst will come now before I have Parker to deal with too. On a postive note, she is talking so well and such a funny little kid. She has to make sure you're ok if you say "Ouch!". If she has an audience, she starts dancing crazily and puts on her funniest faces. I love her more than words can say.

Parker's room is about 30% finished. That is one of our tasks this week while Austin is home...to get it finished. (At least have the carpets cleaned and the furniture placed.) I only have about 8 weeks!! Eeek! Also, Austin's going to get the infant car seat down and we'll get it washed and ready to go! :) July is the month of showers for us. This coming Saturday is our family shower. Three weeks after that is my friend shower. Can't wait!!


We're going to start Austin's vacation off right by taking a family date to Metro Diner for some yummy breakfast! Ta ta!

Preggo Woes

I never seriously complain about pregnancy because frankly, I've been blessed with pretty low-key, non-eventful ones. Some aches and pains, yeah. I mean you're carrying a living, growing being so it's not going to be all butterflies and rainbows.

[Children are a blessing from the Lord and so is the ability to carry one/them. But no one is perfect and for my pregnancy comparisons I want to jot down a little of what I'm feeling right now]

Currently: I am 31 weeks today.

*My hips have been hurting SO BAD! It started a lot earlier this time around (not surprising) and eve Austin noticed that. I don't even have to do a lot of bending/crouching/walking for them to hurt. (Parker better not be a porker...my hips don't need to spread any more....)

*Ligament pain has been a lot more noticeable this time. At least from what I can remember. I've woken in the middle of the night a few times because I turned the wrong way or turned too quickly and got some sharp pains that made he have to sit up in bed for a few minutes. Ouch =/

*Rib pain!! Oh.my.word. I don't remember ever having this problem with Peyton. Maybe because she tended to stay cuddled up in there. Parker however, feels like he's trying to bust out of my ribs! And a few times it's felt like he's moved one out of place or something because my side would have a painful pulling/pinching sensation that would make it impossible to sleep or barely move during the day. Little boy must like to stretch.

*Sleep. Totally horrible. And I can't even blame it on my growing belly. Not being able to sleep well started almost from the very beginning. I toss and turn almost every night. I'll be really prepared for a waking newborn.

*One positive: I've had no leg cramps! I had them ALL.THE.TIME with Peyton.

All of these are normal, they are just more prominent this time around for sure. And while they aren't enjoyable in the least, they are tolerable. I just felt like complaining ;)

Less than NINE weeks until we meet Mr. Parker!!!!! 

Parker's Room

We've taken a little more time with getting Parker's room together this go around. It took FOREVER for me to find and decide on bedding for him. I couldn't find ONE set that I was crazy about. Not to mention, I wanted Austin to like and have a say so on it too...since it's a boy this time ;) Then came deciding on what crib/room furniture to choose. Ugh. I think it's safe to say that every aspect of having a boy has been difficult for me, ha. But, we finally made decisions and got the ball rolling! Last weekend Austin put together the crib, dresser, and night stand and I started putting some of the bedding on =) It's crazy to see another crib, ready for a baby! The big task will be getting all of our office furniture out and into our bedroom =/

Here's a peek at our progress so far....