Thank goodness for Moms!

My beautiful Mom a.k.a. Nana

Aren't new mothers supposed to be picture crazy? I haven't been, so thank goodness my mom was here and got some pictures of us! Anyone that knows me knows that I HATE pictures of myself, but I am grateful to have them. Thanks Mom, I love you and thank you so much for coming here, we are so anxious to go see you soon!

Skylee in her new fairy costume Nana got for her

 

Parker looking kinda strange :)

Dear Patience: Where did you go?

I know I'm not the only one here...today I feel like I'm going crazy! Practically no sleep for nights, a 2 1/2 year old (need I say more), a 3 week old infant, messy house, and I'm about ready to crack.  No matter how nicely I ask my two year old to do something, or not to do it, it's as if she doesn't hear me at all. Parker is getting to a point where he always wants to be moving, I just want him to continue to sleep all day long, looking cute so I can get a few things done around my house! Is it too much to ask for??? The excuse I'm blaming all of this "craziness" on is SLEEP DEPRIVATION. I'm so tired it hurts today and Skylee is too, but refused to take a nap this afternoon, perfect! Oh look, it's almost 7pm here in Georgia, I'm thinking an early bedtime??? Just thought that maybe if I write about it I'd feel less crazy today. I guess the day is almost over and tomorrow we'll try for a better day ;)

Alton Skaggs

Most of you know my little brother, Alton,  but you probably don't know how talented he is! Alton is a self-taught musician on the guitar, drums, and piano.  That alone is pretty amazing to me, since I had a few years of piano lessons as a child and can't show anything for it! While my Mom was in town this last week, she showed me Alton's website and showed me some of his original music there. I thought I'd share with everyone else my cute little brother's skills. The music playing on the site is obviously his, but I think the coolest part is that it's him playing each instrument! Or maybe the coolest part is how good he is at "drifting" on his guitar? Can't make up my mind :) I go out to California to see him graduate from high school in June and I'll be sure to get him on video to show you how crazy-good he really is. Did I mention he has a great singing voice too? I'll stop bragging now :) Click here to go to his website and hear some of his stuff! 

Happy Easter!

Here is a look at our Easter festivities, hope you all had a very HAPPY EASTER!

Frosting sugar cookies

Getting ready to hunt for eggs at the park

Found an egg with chocolate inside!

Coloring Eater eggs

EASTER MORNING

Skylee's Easter basket

Parker's Easter basket

hunting for eggs in the backyard

Theres No Place Like Home!

It's been over a week since we've been home, and things have been pretty smooth! We got and "early release" from the hospital Saturday the 4th of April, we were so ready to go home! Skylee was really missing her mommy and daddy being in the hospital, and knowing she was missing us so much made us beg to leave sooner than they would have allowed otherwise ;) We came home around 5pm that day to dinner made and Skylee more excited than ever to see us! She had made brownies with Laura, so we took the time to sit and enjoy those with her, hard work for the first day home! I do think Skylee was a little surprised to see us actually bring the baby home to keep, but she has been loving having him around! We are so happy to be home to start a new chapter in our lives with Parker!

The first week home!

Skylee helping roll out dough for dinner

Mommy's little helper

At the park

Skylee making breakfast with Ryan

Parker on his way to story time

My babies!

Skylee and Parker

Parker so far is a good sleeper and eater, doesn't cry or spit up! Sounds like a dream, I know...I also know that infants change every few weeks, but so far so good! Skylee just loves her baby Parker, holding, feeding and loving on him are among her favorite things these days. Every Thursday we go to story time at our library and this last week we took Parker along so all her little friends could see him, she was a proud big sister! We've managed to go to the park a couple times to let Skylee get some wiggles out too! Sleep deprivation hasn't set in just quite yet for me, I'm sure that will come when Ryan goes back to work and I have to do everything on my own. With Laura being around and Ryan being off work, things have been pretty efficient around here! Laura has been so helpful taking Skylee on walks and keeping her busy! Ryan has been enjoying his time off from work, but that will be coming to an end this week. We really feel so blessed to have such a wonderful little family, we couldn't be happier!

Parker Robert Allen!!!

He's here!!! He's so great, handsome, and just perfect! Parker was born yesterday April 2, 2009 at 11:22pm weighing a whopping 7lbs. 11oz. and 19 3/4" long. We are elated to have this little blessing in our lives, he fits just perfectly into our family!

I had already seen the doctor that morning for my weekly check up where she had scheduled me for an induction on Tuesday morning and "stripped the membranes"(sounds lovely doesn't it?). Skylee, Laura and Lilly went to story time at the library and a few other errands where I could feel my contractions start to pick up. By the time I got home I figured it was time to start timing my conctractions, and sure enough they were close enough together and consistant that I went back into my OB office. They hooked me up to the monitors and after they saw I was making progress they sent me right over to the hospital. I arrived at around 3:00pm, didn't do much until around 6:00pm when I had my water broken and epidural put in. I was given pitocin to speed up and strengthen my contractions and by 11:00pm I was ready to go! Ryan had to run home to get a few things and I could feel that I was ready, but didn't tell the nurses in fear that they would want me to start without Ryan getting back :) It didn't take long for Parker to come, everything went really well and both he and I are happy and healthy!

Before: So ready and so excited!

After: As Skylee and I quote "it's hard work for a little bunny":)

Skylee came to meet Parker this morning for the first time and is still trying to compute the new addition to our family. She's so eager to give him his pacifier and wants to hold and kiss him. She's going to make a good helper at home, and a great big sister! Ryan is a proud daddy of his son! It's one of those little things in life, when you see the joy a new baby brings to a parent, in my case; seeing the love that Ryan has for Skylee and now Parker. He's been able to stay at the hospital with me since Laura is here watching Skylee, and I enjoy the constant company and help while I recover!
We love our Baby Parker, he has already brought so much love and happiness into our lives. We can't wait to see him grow and continue to bless our lives! We love you Parker!

Seth Robert Paul

The newest addition to our extended family on my side is Seth Robert Paul. He was born yesterday evening at 5:05 p.m.  He's Jennette and Steven's 4th baby but only weighs 6lbs 13oz, which means both his big sisters out-weighed him at birth! He looks just like he fits in perfectly with all the strawberry blonde, fair skin, light eyed kids in that family! Seth is a tradition breaker in the family, his name starts with "S" and the 3 older siblings have "E" names. The name Robert is my dad's name. You'll be hearing that one again in about a week  for the same reason :) Jennette is doing well and is happy that he's finally here. Congrats Jennette and Steve, you make beautiful children and we're so happy for you!

Any Day Now...

Just a little update on my pregnancy progress here...last Thursday at my weekly OB appt. I was almost dilated to  2cm  and 60% effaced, which is good! My sister Jennette is in the hospital right now, in labor with her baby Seth and I'm so excited but super jealous!  My other sister Laura gets here tomorrow afternoon with one of her daughters, Lilly, to help us out! I could go into labor any day now, I'm sure it's no surprise that I want it to happen sooner rather than later! I've made more progress as far as cm dilated and percentage effaced than Jennette whose was induced this morning, so I know I'm getting close! Technically, if I don't go into labor naturally this week I could choose to be induced on Friday when I hit my 39 week mark, but I've planned on being at home for General Conference weekend and be able to spend some time with my sister and niece before the baby takes over the house :) Planning on Monday still, unless he decides to come sooner! April 6th, here I come! Just 6 more days!

3 More Weeks!

That's all folks! Just 3 weeks from today I'll be in the hospital, in pain no doubt...having a baby boy! I don't even care about the labor and delivery part at this point, just want to get it over with so pregnancy can be a memory :) I went to my weekly doctor appointment last Thursday and was checked to see if I'm making progress (dilated, effaced...) she said I was thinning out but not really even at 1cm dilated "essentially closed" is the phrase she used (you have to get to 10cm for delivery). I was hoping for a little better progress, but I do still have a few weeks to improve! I know these next weeks will fly by, I have so much to do not even baby related to keep my mind occupied. Ryan will be having corrective eye surgery sometime between the 19th and 30th, my sister Laura will be coming to help on the 31st, and I was just called as the "Enrichment Night Leader" in my ward and the biggest activity of the year is in two weeks...that isn't planned and I don't have a committee!  As much as I want this little karate kid out of me, he has to wait until Laura gets here, Enrichment Night is done, and Ryan is healed and can actually see him! Just hoping the stress of everything doesn't PUT me into labor!!! 21 days and counting down!