Dear Parker - 10-26-12

Dear Parker,

Mommy is going to start writing you letters in hopes that someday you will read back through them and know how much fun we had while you were growing up.  :-)

Your Daddy and I hoped and prayed for you for so long before we finally held you in our arms. Not a day goes by that I don't stop and tell myself how lucky I am to have you. The first time I saw you, I was in love. You were hands down, the cutest baby ever and I couldn't believe you were mine. Right now, you are only 12 weeks old but you have already brought so much happiness to my life.

Before you were born, your Daddy and I decided that I would stay home with you instead of going back to my job. Up until you arrived, I was a teacher. I loved my job and working with other children was so much fun for me. However, since then, I have learned that being a mommy to you and staying home to teach you new things every day is the job that I love the most. I don't regret for a second our decision and I cherish every minute that you and I spend together. Thank you for making my new job of being a mommy so much fun!

************************************************************************

You are still so little but you already have the biggest personality ever.  I am so amazed at the things you have already learned to do and I just love watching you accomplish something new every day. You are growing up so fast that I like to write each new thing down and since I don't always get the chance to write them down on paper, I have used this blog to keep track of your milestones. Here are some of the new things you have been up to lately...

You are still in size 1 diapers but I tried on a size 2 diaper today and you are just about ready to start wearing those full time

You are starting to outgrow your 0-3 month clothes. I noticed this morning that your little toes are about ready to pop through the feet of your jammies in this size. It seems like just yesterday the 0-3 jammies were too big on you.

You started sucking your thumb a week ago. At first, you would suck on your little fists but then I noticed that you had found your thumb and had started sucking on only that. You have done this several times since.

You can be quite the little cuddler after you finish your bottles but your most favorite thing to do is lay on your play mat and just kick your feet and move your arms, playing with your toys. You aren't the most comfortable when people hold you for long periods of time.... you would rather be by yourself to move around on your own. You love looking at and hitting your toys on your play mat.

You are quite the little talker and you will talk to anyone who listens. You just really started babbling this past week. After your bottles, we will sit on the couch and have the best conversations. You will babble to me and then I will talk back to you and your little face just lights up. We can sit and do this for such a long time!

You still love your swing, bouncers, car seat, stroller.... anything that moves!

You have the biggest set of lungs for such a small little fella but you only really use them if you get really, really hungry or you aren't enjoying your bath!

You are starting to hold onto your bottles while eating... but Mommy's favorite thing is when you grip onto my finger with your little hands.

You look so little in your Daddy's arms. I love watching you fall asleep with him on the couch in the evenings.


*********************************************************************************

You seriously are the best baby ever. You have the cutest smile. You have the cutest little cry. You have the cutest little cheeks, the cutest little nose & toes. You truly are a miracle and I thank God for you everyday.


And finally, I want you to know that since being a mommy to you is a brand new thing for me, I know I will make mistakes along the way, but this I can promise you... I will never stop trying to be the best mommy to you that I can be, and you will always be loved.


Love, Mommy

Parker's Baptism

We had a fun time with our families this past weekend. We hung out with my parents and sister on Friday night and Saturday. Then we all met up with Brad's parents on Saturday night for church and dinner at Chili's. Parker loved getting to spend time with both sets of grandparents and his Aunt Megan. This baby isn't spoiled or anything. :-)  Sunday was his special day as we all gathered for his baptism! We had a reception and lunch at our house before the baptism. Parker was joined by all 4 of his grandparents, his Aunt Megan, Uncle Kevin, Uncle Brian & Aunt Jen and his cousins Drew & Jack. 

After the reception we all went to the church for the baptism. Since we belong to such a large parish, there were 5 baptisms (at the same time) that day - which was a different type of baptism than any of us had been to before. They were pretty organized and had a special place all set up for our family to sit. It was just like a normal baptism, but with every step being done 5 times! It seemed like it would take a long time, but actually it only took about 45 minutes for the actual baptisms. We then spent time afterwards for pictures.  Thanks again to all of our family for celebrating Parker's special day with us. He is so lucky to be surrounded by so many people that love him!

Our little family... with the cake!

Look how big I am getting!

Grandma and Grandpa Z gave me this special baptismal blanket.

Mommy decided I needed a picture with my special hat. Since I have on my baptismal gown and hat I decided I would fold my hands to make it look like I am praying. :-) 
 

Mommy making the sign of the cross on my forehead.

Now it's Daddy's turn.

Deacon John was giving us special directions... even I was listening!

I was baptized by Deacon John. My Godmother is Aunt Megan and my Godfather is Uncle Brian.

Everyone said I did a good job - I didn't even make a peep!

 

Here is Uncle Brian (along with the other 4 Godfathers) lighting the Baptismal Candle.

This is right after Aunt Megan put the baptism garment on me.

Receiving a special blessing from the Deacon.

With my Parents, Godparents, and the Deacon.

Our whole family!

And now just Mommy's side of the family - minus Uncle Bret.

Grandpa and Grandma Zimmerman

And the whole Zimmerman clan!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Play Time!

You may put me on my tummy but I don't have to stay that way....

 I can do this....

  Almost there...

  

Just one more push...

 I made it!

 Tummy Time!

Look how high I can hold my head!

 I just LOVE this little face!

2 Month Stats

We have a 2 month old! Parker and I visited his doctor this morning. He was a real trooper even during all of the pokes and checks. I felt so bad for him because he had to have his clothes off during most of the visit and it is the coldest morning since he's been born! He had to have 3 vaccines - 2 shots and 1 by mouth. I still hate the scream he lets out after the shots, but he only cried for a few seconds this time, much better than last month! I had been dreading his shots all week long because last time Brad was with us so I made him help hold him! The nurse is so good though and gets them done real quick.

Here are his stats this month...

Height: 23 3/8in. - 75th Percentile

Weight: 11 pounds 12 ounces - 40th Percentile

Head: 15.5 in. - 60th Percentile

I am still so amazed at the things this little guy does - he is changing and growing everyday! It is such a fun experience to be able to stay home with him and be the first to see him master new things all the time. I take lots of pictures and videos to share with our friends and family and especially with Daddy so no one misses out on anything!

Here are some things he has been up to lately...

*Eating 5-6 ounce bottles 5-6 times/day

*Sleeping roughly 8 hours a night, gets up for a feeding and then sleeps 3 or so more hours

*Smiles after every feeding - my favorite time of day!

*Able to ride in the car 4 hours without getting out of his seat. We've been to Osborne 2 times in the past month and he has been a real trooper both trips!

*Loves napping in his swing or bouncer

*Rolls to his back every single time you place him on his belly

*Constantly moves when he is putting him self to sleep or after he wakes up in the morning - this includes kicking arms and legs, moving his head back and forth, so much that he does a complete 360 in his crib. He will lay there for a good hour doing this, cooing and making all sorts of noise, but never getting upset.

*Still scratches his face with his fingernails whenever he gets really upset - he doesn't seem to mind the mittens and I don't either now that it is starting to get cold!

*Loves being talked to, especially after he eats! He will sit and watch you talk to him and smile back at you for a long time.

*Enjoys laying on the floor on his play mat - he is really starting to recognize the colors and sounds of his toys.

*Never cries unless he is hungry. I still have the best baby ever!

She Went To The Chapel and She Got Married!

It seems just like yesterday my sister became engaged to Bret and here they are on their honeymoon already! They were married 9-29-12 in Osborne on a near perfect 70-degree day. They couldn't have asked for better weather or a prettier wedding ceremony and reception. After many months of planning, making decorations, guests lists, and dress shopping my sister is married and now Brad and I are no longer the newlyweds in our family.

Brad and I packed up Parker and headed to Osborne on Thursday morning. Once again he was a real trooper in the car - who's baby is this anyway?! We are so lucky! We made it to my parents house around lunch time and Mom was already in full wedding weekend mode. She is so organized and had everything that we needed to do planned out. I told her she should become a full time wedding planner - after planning 2 weddings she could really make a career out of it!  Anyway, we started decorating the reception site later that afternoon and continued into most of Friday. Friday evening was the rehearsal in the church followed by a rehearsal dinner hosted by Bret's family. Since I knew it was going to be a long day on Saturday and Parker had already been thrown off his schedule, Brad and I went back to my parent's house a little early that night to hopefully get Parker to bed at a decent time.

Saturday morning began at 6am so we could get ready to leave the house by 7am to get our hair done. Megan chose one of my high school classmates to do our hair. She did a wonderful job and it was fun to get to hang out with her for awhile. I volunteered to get my hair done first so I could go back home and get Parker ready for the day because he was going to be Megan's ring-bearer!! My mom and sister found him a little black tuxedo onesie! So cute! When Megan asked me to be her maid of honor months ago I was delighted! But, being a maid of honor and having a 2 month old to take care of at the same time is a lot of work... so I was so lucky to have Brad's parents come for the day to help us with Parker. Brad would have done a great job taking care of him but he was an usher in the wedding so Parker got to spend some time with his grandparents! We started pictures around noon and the wedding was at 3:00 that afternoon. Parker did a great job during the wedding! He woke up a couple of times but stayed content just hanging out with Grandma. After the wedding they had a reception, with dinner at 5:30 and the dance at 8:00pm. Parker made it until about 7:00 or so and then he get really fussy. We took him home along with Brad's parents. He took a bottle and quickly fell asleep. Brad and I went back to the dance and got home around 12:30 to find Parker, Bev, and Darold all fast asleep. :-)

Sunday morning we had a brunch at my parent's house and then watched Meg and Bret open their gifts. They got so many neat things and will have a fun time when they return home from their trip putting everything away and trying out all of their new kitchen gadgets.

It was such a fun weekend and I wish Megan and Bret many years of happiness! Thanks for letting Brad, Parker, and I be such a big part of your special day!

 It's tough work helping Aunt Meg decorate for her wedding! 

 

The Bride 

 My Wonderful Mom!

 Taking a break from decorating to have a chat with Grandma!

Parker and his Great Grandpa Mans. So sweet... I love this picture!

 Lighting the unity candle.

 Check out that dress... so pretty!

Cutting the cake... 

.. and now posing for a picture!

Check out my cousin, he's all grown up! He's going to hurt me for saying this but I used to change his diapers and now he's holding my baby... hehe! I feel old! I tried getting him to change Parker's diaper but he wasn't too thrilled about that one!

 Grandpa & Grandma, Daddy, and Parker

 My little family! Check out Parker's cute little tuxedo onesie! He's so handsome just like his Daddy!

 First Dance!

 Meg and I - Love ya sis!

 Bouquet Toss...

 Not sure what this conversation was about but I am sure Kyle was saying "hurry up already"!

Watching the bride and groom open their gifts wore the little man out so he thought Grandpa's lap was a pretty comfy place to take a nap!