I'm still here!!

Okay so I know it has been OVER a week since I blogged anything, but don't worry, I'm still here. I have just been so busy it was crazy but now things have calmed down, a little bit. I'll do a little recap here to fill you all in.

So I worked a lot last week, including Christmas eve (dayshift) but I didn't have to work Christmas so that was nice. My sister and brother in law came from Columbus, Ohio and stayed with me and Parker for the weekend. That was SO much fun, he loved having all the extra attention! We went to my dad's side of the family on Christmas Eve and then home to relax before Christmas.

Here's Parker & I with my sister


And here is Parker & Uncle Andrew having their little screaming match, it was hilarious... ignore the mess Parker made in the kitchen lol


I read Parker the Christmas story before bed, I thought that even at his age he needed to know the real reason we had this big celebration! He listened to every word of it, too!


Christmas Day was great, usually in the morning I head to my parent's house and my brothers and sister all meet there, this year everyone came to us (one of the benefits of having a baby) Here is Parker playing with his kitchen for the first time, it is quite a hit he LOVES it


Here he is opening his stocking


This is one of my favorite pics of Parker and I because I didn't know that it was being taken... here we are in our pajamas, I haven't had a shower yet let alone put makeup on, but it is so beautiful and so real


After all the present opening and breakfast at my apartment, we got ready for the day and headed to my grandparents on my mom's side. Again, we had a lot of fun, but by the end of it Parker was ready to go home and get to bed (so was I since I had to be at work the next day!) Before we left we took a picture with Parker, his great great grandma, great grandpa, his grandma, and me! 5 Generations, it's pretty special


So that's all the Christmas news. Oh yea, Jared got me a Nook! It is the most perfect gift I could've gotten really! I love it. Annndddd we are now officially dating. He's my... boyfriend? haha Seems like such weird phrasing but manfriend DEFINITELY doesn't work, so I guess boyfriend it is! We went to see him in Effingham and we met his parents (I have actually met them quite a few times, but Parker really hasn't.) So all is well in my world right now and that's all I can possibly blog about at the moment because my hands are about numb! =)

FOUR hours later... Parker's new kitchen

Parker's kitchen came in the mail the other day, and I was wondering when I was going to have time to put it together... I couldn't do it while he was awake of course, and I work everyday this week including Christmas Eve, so I decided to do it last night... I started at 8:30, this is what it looked like when I layed out all the pieces from the 50 pound box lol


FOUR hours later, I get this:


Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself! As you can see in the picture I still have 3 or 4 little doors to put on it, but I got all the hard parts over with. The funny thing was, it being solid wood and all put together is HEAVY and awkward to move, so I had to wait to have my mom help me move it this morning before Parker woke up to see it. I can't wait to see his face Christmas morning when he sees it for the first time! It will make it worth having to stay up til 1AM and then have to be at work at 7AM!

I have to show this picture of my little angel sleeping in his highchair! He never does this so I was really surprised when I looked over and seen him fast asleep. He slept for about an hour, during which time I was able to shower, get ready for bed, and even dry my hair! Quite a good break I must say...


In other news, Jared came over Sunday night just to hang with me and Parker. It was so nice, because obviously if end up dating or whatever, the dinner & movie night thing won't happen very much, so I needed to see how he would do just sitting at home playing. He passed. LOL. We had a lot of fun and Parker was LOVING all of the attention. He was even super sad when Jared left, he was whining at the door wanting him to come back it was so sweet.

I am SO ready for Christmas to be here! My sister Kathy and BIL Andrew are going to be staying with Parker and I, so it is going to be even more fun this year! We have 2 Christmases to go to on Christmas Eve, then my immediate family is coming to my apartment for our Christmas morning, then later that day we will be going to my grandpa's house for the WHOLE family Christmas. It is crazy and hectic but I love it, and I definitely wouldn't have it any other way. I have always loved Christmas, not for the gifts; but for the family, the happiness, and the hope for greater things to come.

Fun times

So, last night turned out to be great! I'm so excited =) First off I got roses, how can you go wrong after that? lol Then we went to Bennies and to the movies to see "How Do You Know." It was an awesome movie, I laughed a lot. We also ran into Crystal & Josh so that was cool. I had a lot of fun.

Then I got home. LOL. My little angel does NOT like me to be away at bedtime. He doesn't mind when I work during the day, he will be as happy as can be. But he wants his mommy at bedtime. I love that he wants me to be the one to do our bedtime routine, until I can't be there to do it... which in turn makes me feel selfish for going out at all, because if he needs me, shouldn't I be there?

Our routine is really quite a long one, but it's the same everynight. I make supper, we sit down and eat supper, then I clean him up and let him down from the highchair to play until he gets fussy. Then, we run down the hall (yes, run, bathtime is very exciting in our house) and take a bath. The bath can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 20, depending on how good he's being, if he starts standing in the bath tub he knows that means we have to get out. After bath we get lotion and pajamas on, then we sit on the couch together and snuggle while watching TV. When he gets tired of that (usually around 8), I fix his bottle and hold him while he drinks it all. When the bottle is down we walk down the hallway to his bedroom while saying our prayers, I turn on the nightlight, lay him in his crib, cover him up, and say "Mommy loves you, goodnight." He goes RIGHT to sleep, never a fuss.

The story is a little different whenever my mom or dad is watching Parker. My dad swears if he lays Parker in his crib at night he cries, which may or may not be true, so he wants to rock him. Instead of Parker crying in his crib, he crys while my dad is wrestling him to sleep. So when he finally gets him to sleep last night ( at 7:20, a little early) he only sleeps for an hour and wakes up crying. I believe that is because he fell asleep in my dads arms and when he woke up he was in a different place. When I lay him down in his crib at night, he knows thats where he is going to wake up. Then my mom got off work and Parker was still awake, so she went to lay him down at 9:20 and SURPRISE, he rolled over and went right to sleep... who would've guessed that?

The PROBLEM was when I got home, got ready for bed, as soon as my head hit the pillow guess who was awake and crying? You guessed it. I have no doubt that he was waking up just to make sure I had made it home, so I went in his room to get him, he gave me the best little hug when I picked him up... I got him back to sleep, layed him back in his crib, and then I finally got to get some sleep. Hmm... maybe my future dates with Jared (name is finally released onto the blog! lol) should be earlier so that I can get Parker to bed? Maybe that's the key.

Oh what a wonderful birthday! =)

Guess what Parker got me for my birthday?? He let me sleep in until...wait for it... 9:30!!!!! He has never in his whole little life slept in til 9:30! I was the happiest mommy in the world, I think he knew that was the one gift he could get me.. well, that and hugs & kisses when he woke up. Later that day he took a 2 1/2 hour nap (also a first) So I got to shower, fix my hair, get dressed and then relax on the couch! It was a great day. We didn't go anywhere, just stayed in but had lots of fun together.

Yesterday we went with my mom to Carbondale to brave Kohls and the mall. I am done Christmas shopping but my mom isn't and I had $30 Kohls cash to spend (I got a cute pair of Levi's jeans, they make my butt look good) and a $40 gift card from my sister to Hollister where I got a few cute shirts. Also, my mom paid for me to get my nails done for my bday, he even did a cute snowflake design on one of them!


I love them, I haven't had my nails done since I was in high school so it is quite exciting for me. lol. We also went to eat at Chili's, where Parker entertained the crowd while we were waiting! He was seriously running to each person and giving them big grins, then right before he got to them he would quickly turn and run back to me! He loved it, because everyone was laughing and talking to him


So tonight I'm going out! Exciting right? I'm a little nervous, but not too bad, it's not like I'm going out with a complete stranger or anything we've known each other for.. 5 years? 6? Somewhere in that area, but I must say I can't help but be nervous, which isn't like me! At least I'm working today to keep my mind off of it, and by the time I get off, go home and play with Parker and get ready it will be time to go! Wish me luck!

Goodbye 22...

I will be 23 tomorrow! It sounds so much older than 22 for some reason... okay, maybe it doesn't but I think it does. 22 was a great year for me, in fact, I'd say it was my best year yet. Afterall, I got to spend it with Parker! He is so funny, I took him to a basketball game last night and he loved it. He went to quite a few last year too, but he mostly slept through them at that age lol. Everyone that sees Parker has to talk to him, and he absolutely LOVES it. If someone doesn't notice him, he is doing his best to get them to look his way, and when they do they get quite a show! I love it.

I'm working tonight til 11:30, but I'm off tomorrow for my birthday so that's nice, don't have any plans but thats okay. I am "talking" to someone (yes, I'm actually posting it on my blog! don't usually do that.. guess it's a good thing??) and we are going out Saturday evening to dinner and a movie, it will be nice to get out!

Anyways, I'll end the post with a picture of our "Elf on the Shelf" We named him Ollie, he watches Parker to make sure he is being good! It's a cute tradition to start!

Winter Wonderland

I wake up this morning to a beautiful, white, winter wonderland... well, that's what everyone calls it, I don't quite agree. If I were able to sit in my pajamas all day cozied under a blanket on the couch with Parker, maybe, but I had to be a grown up and go to work! Yuck!

This morning after getting dressed and ready, I run down the stairs to go out to the truck, try to stick the key in to unlock the door and it's frozen... run upstairs a few times getting hot water, which wasn't working and finally used a lighter to heat my key and THEN stick it in... SUCCESS. By this time I am FREEZING, I didn't have gloves or a hat on, my shoes and pants were soaking wet and my hair was pretty damn from all the "wonderful" falling snow. I had to go to work that way, I was already running late as it was.

Work today has been horrid. People in Southern Illinois do NOT know how to drive in the snow. I have no idea why, I just take my time and that usually works. But people want to rush and then they get in car wrecks, end up here at the hospital, and I have to do 9 CTs in a row because of it. I wish someone worked with me on the weekends, it sucks being the only person for Xray and CT when you have a lot of patients... Pity party is over! lol

So now is my week off. I am not scheduled ANY days this week so I have 5 days in a row off, assuming I don't get called in (which I usually do) But it will be nice to have those days off because Thursday is my BIRTHDAY! I'm actually not very excited, 23 is not a very exciting year and I don't have any plans to speak of. I will probably sit at home with Parker and watch Grey's Anatomy. =)

As much as I've complained about the snow, I am looking forward to taking Parker out to play in it. I am not sure what he will think of it but I really hope he likes it, maybe we can even build a little snowman! Pictures to come!

Pictures with Santa

Yesterday was a very busy day, but very fun as well! Parker and I went to Carbondale with my mom to go try and finish up Christmas shopping (I ALMOST succeeded, only a few more gifts to get!) We went to Kohls, TJ Max, Rural King, the mall... I think that's it! We even took pictures with Santa. Parker did really good, so I of course had to buy the crazy expensive package that is ridiculously priced, considered she missed several good shots, and I wanted to take her camera away from her (that btw wasn't even a good camera lol) and just do it myself! The cutest one she missed is when Parker and Santa were looking up right at each other, and it was for a long time too my mom said ohh take that! and she said, I already got one (which she didn't!) Oh well, like I said she got some cute ones, but I could've done better!






He got a little pouty on the last pic, but he had been sitting up there awhile and I think he was getting scared that I was gonna leave him.

And of course I can't leave out the picture of Parker with Santa from last year! He was only 3 days old! How adorable is this!


Forgot to mention we also took Parker for his 1 year appointment with Dr. Bleichner. She is so great! He did cry after his shots, but like always was quickly over it and didn't act fussy at all afterwards. He is now 25 lbs and 32 inches, which is 96th percentile for height and 84th percentile for weight. Big boy! I think the shots made him a LITTLE tired... that or the shopping, either way this is how he ended up...

Blessed

I knew Parker's birthday was going to be a blessing for so many reasons, but I was a little overwhelmed at his party yesterday. We had approx. 50 people there to help celebrate my little boy turning a year old. It was so special. It couldn't have been better!



We started with the food, then Parker opened his gifts..


well, mommy opened his gifts while he tried to get away to the previously opened toy that was put off to the side. We seriously LOVE all of his presents, we even opened them ALL last night. (I'm crazy, I know)

After gifts we did cake, which he is a master at.






Then we just socialized, we even forgot to do the pinata! I know, how do you forget the pinata?? When you're running around with your one-year-old trying to talk to everyone at his party, that's how! lol


As he gets older, I hope he realizes how lucky he is to have all of these people that love him so much.

Proud mother of a ONE year old

ONE YEAR OLD!!
http:://www.jessicahollisphotography.com

Oh my, I can't believe it. Yesterday was his birthday and it was like he knew it was his special day, my dad brought him a "Happy 1st Birthday" Balloon and he seriously carried it around with him everywehre he went. He is walking so good now, even perfected his turns. We started him on whole milk yesterday too, he took it like a pro and only used his bottle twice (before nap and before bedtime,) the rest of the time he used his sippy cup. I can't hardly believe it has been that long ago...

Parker's due date wasn't until December 30th, but I had preeclampsia so I was induced on the 3rd. I remember being so excited to meet him, and so worried at the same time because I was only 36 weeks along. After SIX hours of labor (I know, you all hate me, but if it helps I didn't have any pain medication) he came out as perfect as can be at 4:28 PM, 6 lbs 6 oz and 20 in long


They did take him to the NICU and I was told I wouldn't get to see him for a few hours and that he would spend the night in the NICU but about 30 minutes later they brought him to me and said he was perfectly healthy afterall. He spent the night with me that night and has ever since =)

And here is Parker exactly 1 year old! I took a pic of him Dec 3, 2010 at 4:28 PM

This is what he was doing a year ago too! lol


This evening is Parker's cowboy birthday party! I am very excited, I know he will be too when he sees all of the people and the presents and most importantly the cake!! lol I will post pictures of course. I am so blessed to have this little one year old, and family and friends to celebrate him with me.

Productive Momma!!

I have had a very productive day, despite the horrible, rainy weather. Today we headed to Carbondale to Party City to buy all of Parker's 1st birthday party supplies. Wow is that stuff expensive!! But it is his very FIRST birthday so it's worth it!

We then proceded to the doctor's office for Parker's check up. He had 2 ear infections right in a row so she wanted to make sure it was gone for good, all was well and although she didn't do his official one year check-up she did say he was advanced for his age so that's always nice to hear. I decided to officially switch to Dr. Bleichner. It was a hard decision because Dr. Korte was Parker's doctor from the very beginning, she even came to the hospital to check on him and do a certain procedure LOL. However, she is sooo busy that we haven't seen her since Parker was 6 months old. We've seen Dr. Bleichner at least 5 times since then, so Parker has come to know her and love her, and I do too. So the best decision was to just make the switch, and I feel good about it.

Came home, did our evening routine, put Parker to bed. THEN I stuffed the pinata and filled all of the treat bags for Parker's party. Took awhile to do, but would've been impossible if Parker were awake and I like to be ahead on things anyways. So I think I'm going to reward myself with an early bedtime tonight =) Last night Parker slept through the night AGAIN, do I dare hope for such good luck tonight?? I sure hope so because we both need our rest, Parker has his one year photo session with Jessica Hollis Photography (check her out, I follow her blog) tomorrow, cake smash and all. I can't wait! It is very bittersweet, this will be his 4th and final session for his "Baby Plan" and I can't quite believe it... While searching for the appropriate words for his scrapbook I came across this poem that brought tears to my eyes, it is put so well.

Covered in cake and icing,
your smile stretched ear to ear.
A single candle celebrates,
the joy of your first year.

We sing Happy Birthday,
you play midst wrap and bows.
We marvel at how you touched our lives,
just one year ago.

I remember the first time I held you,
kissed your head, whispered your name.
you've changed our lives forever,
Our hearts will never be the same.

As a child you'll love this day,
for all the sweets and presents too.
As a mother I’ll love your day,
for the gift I got was you.

Each year we'll add another candle,
so proud to see you grow.
But always with the memory,
of your first day long ago.

Dreams...

I had the freakiest dream last night. I had to go to a wedding and I left Parker with some close friends of mine. I met them in the Wal-Mart parking lot to drop him off and then I went to the wedding. When I went to call them when I was done, they wouldn't answer the phone. I talked to my other friend, who tells me that they are not sure WHERE Parker is, that they never even left the Wal-Mart parking lot with him. They either forgot him, or someone took him, so they didn't want to answer my calls because they felt bad. I was panicking, I rush home and tell my mom and she keeps telling me to Calm down, she's sure I will find him. At this point I am hysterical, thinking my friends could have kidnapped him, or a stranger, or who knows what happened to him. And EVERYONE in the dream was trying to convince me to just calm down, even when I posted it on my Facebook, people were saying Oh I'm sure he will turn up. As if babies can just "turn up" when lost.

Obviously, this was a dream and not reality. I never leave Parker with friends, only my parents and sometimes my aunt. And surely if this would have actually happened I would have immediately called the police, and be searching everywhere for him. But does that mean I didn't wake up scared to death and run to Parker's room, just to make sure he was there? Of course not.

I was never so glad to see him laying there peacefully in his bed, and honestly it made me feel bad for complaining of his bad sleeping habits and little things that really don't matter. What matters? The fact that I have him to cuddle with at night, to give me kisses and hugs, and love me in spite of all my imperfections. It really puts things into perspective when you think what it would be like WITHOUT the one you love the most. No mother ever dares to really imagine it, because it pains you even to imagine.

So WHY did I have this dream? My theory is that it is from the blogs I follow. There are quite a few that I follow that have lost their baby(s) because they were born to early, or born with diseases that took their lives and sometimes reading them hits me pretty hard. I am so lucky that although Parker was born at 36 weeks he was so healthy and got to come home so soon. Some people are not so lucky, and it honestly breaks my heart...

I was a NICU baby, I was given a 50/50 shot at life. I was born with Hemolytic disease of the newborn. Basically, even though my mom took the Rhogham shots after she had my brother it didn't work, and when her blood crossed the placenta into my bloodstream it poisioned me. Scary. My mother only got to see my foot through the incubator before they rushed me to another hospital for a full blood transfusion. I can't imagine what she was going through, not knowing if her baby was going to make it or not. Clearly, the end to my story is a happy one. I fought hard and came out of it and grew up to be as healthy as can be.

So maybe that's why these stories hit me so hard, maybe that is why I was scared most of my pregnancy that something would go wrong? But it didn't. Everything went great, and that is why I am so thankful to be this little boy's mommy!

Completely Random...

What do I have to blog about today? Not much really. I'm at work, I've been busy all day and it finally slowed down! I am feeling MUCH better than I did last time I blogged, turns out I just needed some SLEEP, and it sure felt great to get it too!

Me and Parker put up our little tree last night. We have a big one but I decided against it for this year because I'm afraid he would hurt himself in so many ways, so I got a little one and put it where he can't get it! Next year we will put up the big one and the little one can go in his room. I did let him help me "put it up" and he thought he was big stuff! Pics to come on that one! =) It was pretty sweet watching his eyes light up when I plugged the tree in, the absolute and pure innocence and wonder of a child. Beautiful.







I've been contemplating getting a Nook. I LOVE to read, and I do so frequently, but I think it would be easier if I had a Nook on hand. I am going to wait until after Christmas of course because I am spending way too much money as it is. I just LOVE giving, I know a lot of people say that but I seriously look forward to Christmas every year because I can buy my family the things they WANT. My parent's never buy things they want, so it is especially exciting getting them presents- I already got my mom and sister their gifts but I won't say what they are just in case they see this. And Christmas is especially exciting now that I have Parker. I just know he is going to be so excited on Christmas morning. I am so blessed with a wonderful family and a wonderful baby.

Parker has always had sleep issues... I don't know where he gets it from because I can sleep anytime, anywhere! He never slept through the night until he was 7 months old and even then he would only do it every few nights. He's had issues with ear infections the past month or so, so he hasn't been sleeping through the night now either. He will wake up around 2 and stand up in his crib crying, I go pick him up and he instantly lies his head down on me and closes his eyes.. if I try to lay him back in his bed, he screams; if I take him to bed with me, he never makes a sound. (I usually take him back to his bed an hour or so later and he sleeps the rest of the night) His Dr. said this is because he has learned cause and effect... he knows if he screams in the middle of the night I will come and pick him up and let him lie with me, but I CAN'T just let him stand there and scream... I don't know what to do, but it has gotten to the point of exhaustion, especially when I have to work the next day. Any advice would be appreciated!

Shoot Me Now...

Okay, maybe the title of this post is a little extreme, but seriously I am MISERABLE! I agreed to work the 12 hour midnight shift for Thanksgiving, which is 7pm to 7am. I've never worked even the 8 hour midnight shift, but time and a half for 12 hours sounded too good to pass up.. it would have been fine except for the fact that abotu 3 hours after I got here I threw up... and have twice since then. WHAT is wrong with me?? I caught something from somebody and now I am sick as a dog and I have 7 hours until I get to go home... =(

Maybe recapping my wonderful day will help? I'll try. Today we went to eat with my dad's side of the family, after that we went to my mom's side which is always fun. We ate food, played apples to apples and looked at the black friday ads! My homemade cheesecake was a hit, everyone thought it was delicious, so did I! After that Parker and I went to his grandparent's house so he could see them for a little bit then I had to head to work after I dropped Parker off with my parents. Great day, until now.

So Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Black Friday to you all!

FINALLY Time to Blog!

It is so hard to find time to Blog, but it's like I need it, I crave it. Getting it all out, I feel so much better when I'm done! I'm at work right now, it's a little slow today, I guess nobody wants to come to the Hospital on the day before Thanksgiving, too much cooking to do. When I get off I am going to pick up Parker's John Deere Pedal Tractor! I am so excited, it is his 1st birthday present and I think he is going to love it!

At this time of year I am thankful for so many things. Friends, family, my job, my freedom... I am mostly thankful for Parker. We have so much fun together, he is like my best friend (may sound sad, but I love it) We went to the lake yesterday, it was a little chilly but not too bad, and it was one of the best days, nothing special, just playing outside and laughing together.


I am also so thankful for my mom. I have ALWAYS been close with my mom, in fact I never went through the rebellious stage where I thought my mother was the most horrible person ever and couldn't possibly understand what I was going through. My mom has always been there for me, and I realize it more and more the older I get, how lucky I am. I can count on one hand the number of "arguements" we've had and they are nothing compared to what I've heard other mothers & daughters fighting over. I have never said a bad word about my mother, and I never will. She is my hero and if I can be even half as good of a mother to Parker as she was to me, he will be one lucky little boy.


When I think of all the opportunites life presents me, all the possibilities, it is exhausting. How do you make the right decisions? Especially when you're not making decisions for just yourself, but for an innocent little boy as well. Of course I pray to help make decisions, but sometimes people make stupid choices and I don't want to be one of those people. I want to make the best decisions for Parker and myself, and so far I think I am doing that... However, most people probably think they are making the right decisions when they are not, so how do you know? Faith. That's all it comes down to. You have to have faith in God, faith in your supporters, and most importantly, faith in yourself. I try to have all three.

Crazy. Fun. Happy.

Yesterday was Crazy. Fun. Happy.

I came in early to work yesterday so that I could leave early for a wedding. I ALMOST didn't leave work in time because we were so backed up in the ER, but I managed to sneak out, fully dressed for the wedding, at 2:05. That was crazy. I went by the apartment to pick up Parker, who looked absolutely adorable...

and we made it to the wedding at 2:35. Only about 5 minutes late (I HATE being late.) Afterwards, we stopped by the reception which was beautiful. Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Brett Crocker!

We left the reception and headed to Arturos for dinner. Joy, Richie, & Kinley are here from Chicago and it happens to be Joy's Birthday weekend! So we got to celebrate with them and spend good quality time chasing around the little ones! We had soo much fun. It felt just like old times...I wish we could hang out every week! The kids were all playing and having a ball and I just kept thinking about how a few short months ago we could lay our babies down on a blanket in the park...

We would just sit there and talk while they layed there and played, not trying to get away or into anything.

And now...

They are sooo big! Getting into everything, crawling, some walking, it is insane! We knew this day would come, but you never think it will happen in the blink of an eye...

But it does. Next thing I know we will be discussing how unbelievable it is that our children are starting kindergarten... that seems so far away, but I know the years will fly. It seems like yesterday that I still had Parker safe in my belly feeling him kicking around, and now he is out in the world WALKING around. Yes, time does go fast, but I don't take one moment for granted. I love everyday of life and I accept the changes as they come, because where would we be without the wonderful changes in life?

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

So I've Decided To Blog..

I can't believe I have actually decided to blog. It's something I've always wanted to do, but was never sure if I wanted all of my personal thoughts out there for the world to see. But it seems to help everyone else so I'm going to go for it. Will I share this with people I know? Probably, we will see how it goes.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Heather. I am 22 years old, and I am a single mother to a beautiful baby boy Parker who will be 1 year old on December 3rd. Where does time go? I have no clue. I am a Radiologic Technologist, I work at a hospital part-time. Put more simply, I take Xrays and CTs of people a few days a week. Hence, I can see right through you... literally. In my free time I do Photography. It is more of a passion than anything, I honestly LOVE to do it.

I have a wonderful family. I am very close to my parents, my brothers, my sister, not to mention my extended family. I have had a great life, I have nothing to complain about. Hah. Wouldn't it be great if having all those things meant that you had nothing complain about?

So Friends... I have friends of course. I still keep in touch with my friends from high school, but they are in very different places in their lives than I am (mainly, no children.) I am part of a "mommmy group," I have made some great friends there. A couple of them moved up north to Chicago land... that was difficult. I guess I've never really had a good friend move away, especially not one that had a child the same age as mine and a friend that we could just go over and hang out all day and talk. My other great friend from the group just started nursing school. I KNOW how hard it is to be in college for anything in the medical field. Not only do you have classes full time, you have clinicals on top of that. AND of course she also has a child the same age as mine. It's not easy at all, it takes up so much of your time. So my "friend time" has decreased significantly, from at least one day a week of hanging with our kiddos to once every few months... that's not easy at all.

Now for the happy things in life. My wonderful, loving baby boy!


Pretty cute, right? I know it sounds cliche' but he is the light of my life. As soon as I walk in the door he laughs and scrambles to get to me as fast as he can. I pick him up and he gives me hugs and kisses and the best smile you could ever imagine. He has been a good baby from Day 1. He has always been a little bit of a Momma's Boy but that's okay because I know one day I will be sooo "uncool" in his eyes. We are always on the go, and he loves it that way. If we do not go "bye-bye" at some point during the day he is at the door trying to open it and waving to me. He is a lot like me in that way, I have never been one to sit at home I love to go, go, go.

The hardest part of being a "Single Mom" (I hate that term by the way, but there is really no other way to say it) is not having someone there all the time to share in the joys. His first steps, I was so excited to see, I was standing there cheering and laughing with him... but it was just me and him. How many other moments will there be like that? Will he notice as he gets older that he only has one "cheerleader" while everyone else has two? Of COURSE he has his grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. but it's obviously not the same. Parker's dad has relocated to North Dakota. I would never say anything negative about him, that would be childish and only hurt my son. But I can't help but wonder what he will feel about that as he gets old enough to realize...

Graduation & Swimming

I am a college graduate! WOO HOO!! It is such a weird feeling, having a college degree, doing the whole job hunt, not having to go to school and take tests!! It's all overwhelming but I am soo glad it is over with! Here is a picture of me at graduation!



Well, Parker went swimming for the first time on Monday! We went to Lindsay's pool and they had just filled it the day before so the water was soo cold, but Parker still loved it! Good thing because he starts swimming lessons in June! Here are some pictures of his first swim.







And I even took a little video!


He is such a good baby, I am so blessed!

5 months old!

Parker is 5 months old today.. WOW!! I can't believe it, it seems like yesterday that I was posting his ultrasound pictures on here! Here pictures of him a couple days ago at the park! He loves to swing!





I know I never made an Easter post, but here is Parker with the easter bunny!



And here he is dying his first Easter egg!


I graduate from college in 11 days... it flew by faster than I ever could have imagined! I am so excited to be done, but then the job hunt will begin!! Wish me luck =)

A year ago...

About a year ago, my little man was made!! That is soo weird to think about! That seems like a lifetime ago, I can't imagine life without him now. Yes, it may have been life with more rest, more "me" time, less stress, and a lot less worry.

BUT it was also a life where I didn't have the beautiful little smile to wake up to (even if it is 5AM), a little mouth to feed, little hands to hold, little feet to tickle, and a little boy who loves me utterly and completely just for being me... just for being his mommy. =)

Here are a couple of updated pictures of Parker, hope you enjoy!

Pictures!

Jessica Hollis took Parker's 2 month photos, so I thought I would post some on here, they are so cute!













Now Parker is 3 1/2 months old! It is hard to believe! He is getting so big, he is sooo smiley now! He loves his jumperoo, he thinks he is such a big boy when he is in it, he already has so much of a personality.

My graduation is less than 2 months away!! I am so excited, all this hard work will finally pay off!! =)