Another Year Almost Gone. Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Height:  

Weight: 

Milestones: Talking like crazy!

Sleep: My little sleeper!

Best Moment: He now tells us, "I Love You!" 
Worst Moment: His tantrums when he doesn't get his way!
Health: Knock on wood, Portlin has been super healthy lately. I hope he is over the hump. I'm especially excited by the fact that his allergy meds seem to be benefiting him greatly.

Eating: He is becoming picky daily. I'm not sure if it's the terrible twos or what but he won't even try things I sit in front of him. Even things he has eaten before. You can look at him and tell he isn't starving though! 

Teeth: Still waiting on those last four molars.

We are quickly approaching Portlin's second birthday. This year has flown. Preparations are in full swing for birthday planning. He loves trains, so Choo Choos it is! I love watching him grow and he is talking up a storm. His favorite saying right now is I Tear Up! How appropriate for our busy body little boy, who is climbing on everything and jumping off anything! He loves being outside and bubbles. God the BUBBLES! He is still at Mrs. DD's during the day where he has made a few cute friends. He loves, Emme, Solomon, Jude, Levi and Car Car! Occassionally Jon Jon and Sam join the party. 

I've finished my second semester of Graduate classes and I am welcoming a much needed break for the Summer. I'm happy to report I got an A and a B. Those who know me, know how disappointed I am in the B, but momma Patti keeps telling me that don't over look you for jobs for a B!  I guess I disappointed myself more than anything because I've set the bar pretty high. Oh well. Can't win 'em all. On to vacation!

We'll be taking P to Orlando. We definitely plan to visit Animal Kingdom but the rest is yet to be determined. I'm just looking forward to some down time with the fam! Looking forward to lake season as well. Once we return from our trip boating will be in full force and I can't wait. I love the summer and my family. Thank you God for our many blessings. 

Reflecting back, it was four years yesterday that we learned the news that we lost our sweet Amelia. There are days that go by that I temporarily forget because I have my precious P to watch grow. However, a mother never totally forgets her babies.  This mother's day the sting was a little less. I'm guessing that will be the case every year. I look forward to the day I get to meet those precious babies, but until then, I'll enjoy this wonderful life I have here on earth! 

Thanks to my wonderful hubby for making my second Mother's Day just a special as my first. I love you more than I say most days! Portlin and I are so blessed to have you in our lives. You are our rock. 

18 Months & Counting

Height: 33.25 inches 

Weight: 27 lbs. 4 oz.

Milestones: Jargoning AKA Talking in his own little language.

Sleep: Still sleeping like a champ

Best Moment: Listening to him say new words.
Worst Moment: Hearing him say No and point his finger. Just a small reminder that the terrible two's are just around the corner!
Health: The usual for P. He is currently on antibiotics because he never fully recovered from his last sickness. Poor guy! He'll have immunity to everything known to man by the time he gets to school though. 

Eating: He still eats like a champ too. He loves fruit. He is a big Italian eater too. Loves bread like his mommy and chocolate like his daddy. 

Teeth: He has 16 teeth. He still lacks his last four molars and then he'll have a mouth full.

P has come so far developmentally. I'm amazed at the things he has started doing over night it seems like. He is starting to run everywhere and it's the cutest thing! He has a huge list of words he can say; momma, daddy, ball, truck, tractor, nose, ear, eyes, hot, jump, star, circle, no, hey, bye bye, car, choo choo, shoes, night night, christmas tree (or his version at least), all gone, kitty cat, mine, baby, and more but I can't remember them all. I'm completely amazed at some of the things he knows that I never taught him. One day I was cooking and he came into the kitchen as I was opening the oven, he pointed and said hot. Really! Because I know I had never said that before. He did the same thing with a candle.  He must be learning them from Mrs. Dwan. She has been the most wonderful blessing to us. I'm not looking forward to P starting pre-school in June.

We've have had another wonderful year. Too many blessings to count. Just having our little family has been the biggest blessing. Watching P grow and learn still puts me in awww! God is amazing beyond words and I thank him so much for my life.

I finished my first masters class in December and I am happy to report I received an A! This semester brings on two more classes. I start next week, so be in prayer for me. I'm not sure how juggling work, family and two classes is going to be. I'm praying these classes are a little more interesting than the last. It makes it easier to write forever long papers when you half way enjoy the subject matter you are studying!

What a difference a year makes! He is still cute as ever!
BTW a special shout out to a very special Santa who made a special house call. We were so grateful. We hope you are recovering well!

Age: 15 Months

Height: ? inches 

Weight: 24 lbs. 9 oz.

Milestones: He is WALKING!

Sleep: Still sleeping through the night. He is my good little sleeper.

Best Moment: Watching him waddle. He is still trying to get good at walking but he is doing it and that's all that matters to me.
Worst Moment: He got hand foot and mouth after we returned from vacation. He was so miserable. I don't wish that on my worst enemy.
Health: Other than the hand food and mouth, P has been pretty healthy boy.

Eating: He is becoming a little picky but he'll still eat a lot of good things too. He loves apples. He also loves marshmallows.

Teeth: He has all four central incisors, all four lateral incisors, all four first molars and is currently getting all four canines at once. Yes my friends that's a total of 16 teeth. Four more to go! We made an appointment with a dentist but had to cancel because of the hand foot and mouth. It was a good thing because mom and dad paid a visit to their dentist, Dr. Harper and he agreed to see P at our next visit in six months. By then I'm sure he'll have all of them.

Extra comments: Portlin says mama, dada, bye bye with a wave, aah ooh, baby, ball and sometimes thank you. He drinks from a straw and is feeding himself.

Since my last post, I am happy to report that our sweet little nephew, Parker Cole Spence arrived on August 2, 2013 and is doing well.

I've started Graduate classes and although it's been an adjustment trying to work, complete homework and have a home life, I can say things are going well so far. It's still somewhat strange to me that I'm a college student again. Just praying these next 2 years fly by!

We took our first family vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC. Portlin loved the beach. He was an awesome traveler, which I was really worried about. We also did well with keeping him on a schedule, which I was worried about as well. He is such a great child. We spent a day in Forsythe Park in Savannah, ate at the Pirate House, did a little shopping, visited the parrots at the salty dog t-shirt shop and enjoyed lounging by the pool. We discovered Portlin really likes hush puppies, especially the hush puppies from Hudsons! All in all I would say it was a successful trip.

Benjie and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary next week. I look back on the years we've been together. All the ups and downs, laughter and tears, thank God more laughter than tears and the memories we've made. We've come so far. I seriously never would have guessed my life would be where it is today. It's so much more than I could have dreamed of and so much more than I deserve. Benjie has been my rock through so much and I could never thank him enough. He is such a wonderful father. I'm so thankful I have such a solid man to parent with and I love that we are on the same page about Portlin. I think we make a great team most days! The lord has truly blessed us both beyond what we could imagine. 

I know I'm looking forward to making many more memories and I can't wait to look back at my life 8 more years down the road!

For now, I'm looking forward to fall and the Christmas holiday. It's my favorite time of year and I can't wait to enjoy them both with the two men I love most!











Happy 8th Anniversary my love!

 

Portlin is 1!

Age: 12 Months

Height: 30 inches 

Weight: 22 lbs. 14 oz.

Milestones: He is crawling, pulling up and taking steps with a lot of assistance!

Sleep: Sleeps through the night. Usually wakes around 6:00 AM.

Best Moment: His one year pictures. Watching him smash the cake. Watching him crawl around every where.
Worst Moment: Seeing him get hurt while exploring. I don't want him to be a sissy but it's hard not to scoop him up every time he falls or bumps his head.
Health: He had tubes placed in his ears last month and seems to be doing well. 

Eating: He is no longer on formula. We've taken him off the bottle and he is now drinking whole milk. He is starting to get a little picky about his food but he will still eat some healthy things. He likes pineapples, oatmeal and of course he loves cake!

Teeth: Gosh I don't know if I can even count them all now. He has all four top and bottom and two molars top and bottom. That makes 12!

Extra comments: Portlin is saying a few things. He still says mama and dada. His new favorite is ahh ohh. He waves but I'm not certain he really knows what he is doing. He will patty cake and roll'em up. He will also sing America with us which is hilarious!

Wow, time flies when you are having fun. It's been three months since my last post. We are finally settled into the new house and loving the neighborhood. We bought a boat and love spending family time at the lake. Portlin has been fishing with daddy and was very intrigued by the catfish and their poop! He had his first birthday and I was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to celebrate with us. We also celebrated our first mother's and father's day with our P-Bear.

I was hoping things would slow down a little in July since June was so crazy. We had my sister in laws baby shower, Portlin's birthday party and one year pictures, several showers for ladies in my Sunday school class, my aunt had open heart surgery, my grandfather passed away, my brother in law had a minor procedure and Portlin had surgery all within a two week span. I really thought my head was going to spin off but we made it through. My sister in law will be having her baby August 2nd and my graduate classes begin August 20th. Guess this means my summer may never slow down. I'm thankful for all of this because it means I'm alive and well!

I am currently anticipating a much needed short vacay for Benjie and I. We are going white water rafting with our Sunday school class. I'm a little nervous to be leaving our little man for the first time since he was born but I keep telling myself it is only 24 hours. After all, our parents raised us, surely they won't kill him. 

Lastly, I am happy to report that Portlin's therapy has been going well. He is now crawling, both Portlin style and tradition style, which ever way he sees fit at the moment. He is pulling up on things and will take a few steps with assistance. My little boy is growing so fast. I really want to freeze time right where he is. He can do so many things for himself but he will still let me hold him which I know I'll miss really soon. He really is such a joy and I can't imagine my life without him.

 As always, here are some pics. 

Fishing with dad!

I keep hearing he will kill me for these one day! For now, I think they are too darn cute!

This smile and those eyes melt my heart!

If this pictures doesn't portray who the Parker family is, I don't know what would!

 Happy 1st Birthday my sweet boy!

Portlin is 9 Months Old!

Age: 9 Months

Height: Somewhere around 27-28 inches 

Weight: 20 lbs. 14 oz.

Milestones: He is holding his own bottle, feeding himself solid foods.

Sleep: Finally back on track. We had a few rough nights after we moved but he seems to have settled well.

Best Moment: At night after I feed him, he likes to snuggle with me. He will put one arm on my back and the other on my chest and he rests his head next to mine. I love that my son loves his mommy. He is so precious!
Worst Moment: Watching him curse us in Portlin language when we make him do his standing exercises.
Health: Glad to report he has been a healthy boy for a while now.

Eating: He eats any and everything you will put in his mouth or in front of him. He loves food. What can I say, he gets it honest!  

Teeth: He still has 6 teeth. They are all very visible. We think he may be cutting more because he is constantly chewing his fingers. I guess only time will tell.  

Extra comments: Portlin is becoming his own self these days. I love hearing him jabber and talk. I love hearing him giggle and watching him "give me five". The more he grows, the bigger my heart grows with love. I never could imagine I would love something so much.

Since my last post, we have moved. All the boxes are unpacked but I wouldn't say we are settled yet. I'm not sure that will happen any time soon.

I heard through the grapevine that I did not get the job for which I applied. I think I had already prepared myself for that news but once I learned of the person they hired it all became more real. I wanted it but God didn't so, I will move forward. I plan to start getting my masters in the fall and I hope that it will help me with future endeavors.  UK left me with a bad taste in my mouth but I can honestly say I love working for the Christian County Extension Service. Yes, to me they are different but I won't get into why this is true. The community, volunteers and my co-workers supported me every step of the way and that's really all that matters to me.


Portlin was re-evaluated by first steps Monday and his therapist says she is pretty sure he will qualify for therapy this time. I can't express how happy this makes me. I truly feel that I have a special little boy who needs to be pushed out of his comfort zone. The kind of motivation that I'm not certain I can give him. I'm positive that with a little help, he will be where he needs to be in just a few short months. I look forward to hearing from his therapist this weekend about his scores and find out when his therapy will begin.

He also had an appointment with Dr. Sternberg in Bowling Green for his allergies. Dr. Sternberg was such a breath of fresh air. He actually asked appropriate questions and listened to our response. He also listened to our suggestions and we have a plan for Portlin. It's amazing how that works! He has already had a Bariatric Swallow Test done and he goes tomorrow for an upper GI to make sure there isn't something majorly wrong with his digestive tract  causing his reflux. He is now taking Singular and will continue his albuterol treatments as needed. Dr. Sternberg says he will consider testing for allergies at a later date once we see how Portlin does on his medications. He will also consider tubes if he continues to experience frequent ear infections.


Our lives never seem to slow down. I'm super busy with work, Benjie is super busy with work, Portlin has a lot of appointments scheduled, we still have a lot left to do at the house and it seems like every weekend is jammed packed with some sort of event! No rest for the weary!


We received some exciting news last month. My sister-in-law is having a boy. Parker Cole Spence will make his entrance into this world in August. I'm overjoyed that Portlin will have a baby boy cousin to grow up with. Plus, all those baby clothes in the attic won't be collecting dust! I've spent two nights this week tagging them to take to Heather. Hope you're ready for them because we are making a special delivery tomorrow.

Life has been hectic but we are beyond blessed. I thank God everyday for all that is on my plate. 

I leave you with pictures of my sweet angel!

 Happy Easter!

 Napping at Mamaw's while Mommy & Daddy move!

 Happy 9 Months!

 Happy Valentine's Day!

A New Year Brings Changes for The Parkers

The new year has brought about a lot of changes for the Parker Family already.  My last post I updated everyone on Portlin's assessment with First Steps.  We've since changed babysitters and I am so happy to report he has improved so much! He is now rolling over and showing small signs of wanting to crawl. He sits unassisted. We still like to sit behind him for those lazy moments when he decides he would like to lean back for a break. He scoots around to try to reach for toys.When he is on his tummy he pivots towards things and tries to bring his knees forward. While on his back he scoots using his feet.  I love seeing the progress he has made. His new sitter has made such a difference! I can really tell she works with him daily.

He celebrated turning 6 and 7 months since my last post.

Age: 7 Months

Height: We keep forgetting to ask! 

Weight: 20 lbs. 6 oz.

Milestones: He is now rolling over, when he wants! He tolerates tummy time very well now. He is also sitting on his own. 

Sleep: We've still had a few rough nights because he has been sick with ear infections and bronchitis but he is still a pretty great sleeper. On a normal night he'll wake once to eat.

Best Moment: Watching him reach for his daddy. They are best buddies and I love it. The two of them together melts my heart.
Worst Moment: Watching him struggle to breath with the bronchitis. It's a pretty scary thing at first for a first time mommy. My worst fear is that he'll have asthma like me.
Health: He has been very sick since Christmas. I hope he can catch a break soon. Although, Dr. Campbell says it's pretty normal since he is attending a babysitter with more than one child. Let's hope he is building a strong immune system now!

Eating: Eating mashed potatoes, corn, cantaloupe, pineapple and bananas.  

Teeth: 6 NOW! 5 are very visible with the left front tooth peeking through the gums. 

Extra comments: Christmas with Portlin was wonderful. I loved spending the holidays with my family. I mostly loved that this year's Christmas wasn't stressful. I really focused on the fact that I now have a son and he was the best gift I could have ever received.

Also, WE ARE MOVING! After much prayer and thought we have signed a contract on a new house. The Realtor we purchased the home from will be buying our home.  We love our home but after Portlin's arrival we felt like the walls aka toys were closing in on us. The lord has blessed us greatly and to him we are so thankful. We are beyond excited for this new change. Our new house should be done the end of February to the middle of March.

I've also applied for a new job. The application process closes February 7th. This was a much anticipated decision and I pray that the Lord sees this new adventure as fit for me. I know that it's what I want and the opportunity is something I know I'll love, but if God sees a different path, I know he'll show me the way.

Please pray for us and all the new changes we are experiencing. Pray that God continues to show us the way and that we serve him as we should. For he is our provider and king and he deserves the glory. 

Being A Parent Can be Tough

I've already figured out being a parent means constant worry! If it isn't one thing it's another. For several months I've had concerns about Portlin's use of his arms and legs. I realize he is by no means severely delayed developmentally but I've noticed he doesn't bare weight on his limbs like I think he should. His regular pediatrician said there was no cause for concern but we saw the nurse practitioner the day after Thanksgiving and she suggested he be evaluated by first steps.

Portlin's evaluation went well but it means that we will have to take him from his current babysitter. It breaks my heart thinking about it. I know she loves Portlin and would never harm him intentionally but the environment his is in is not ideal for him and this point. He has been restricted way too much which has contributed to his slight delays. Since he shares time with older kids, the babysitter leaves him in his car seat most of the day to prevent the others from bothering him. While that sounds like a novel idea when you really think about it, he can't move and explore like he needs to in a car seat. After many attempts to change his daily activities, I've noticed I'm getting no where. His babysitter has a lot of experience and has kept many kids so the saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks is true in this instance. She thinks Portlin is too big and will develop when he wants to. I'm not ok with that. I will never settle for less when it comes to Portlin.

The PT gave me some suggestions as far as exercises to complete at home with him. He hates them but I think Portin can be a little lazy because he is such a content baby. Always happy until you make him stretch out of his comfort zone. Another part of his problem. I need someone who isn't afraid to make him cry now and then. I think his babysitter loves him too much because it's obvious she couldn't stand to see him upset yesterday.

I don't know what the future holds for Portlin but I know as a mom I'm going to do whatever I can to provide the best opportunities for my baby boy. I love him too much not to!