Have a Merry Christmas!

We are loving Parker's first Christmas season and can't stop taking pictures.  Can you blame us?  We have such a cute model!

 

 

Parker and his gal pal Lily

 

We had a busy weekend.  Parker met Santa, and then we went to a Christmas party and a 1st birthday party.  Our little P is so social! 

On the developmental front, Parker reaches out and tries to grab what he wants and recognizes that he shares his house with cats.  He often stares, smiles, and coos at them, and when they walk close, he sometimes holds out his hand to pet them.  It's very sweet.  He also gets distracted while nursing now.  He'll stop and look up at me and smile.  And sometimes he reaches out to touch my mouth or nose.  It melts my heart.

We are about to really get into the thick of the Christmas holiday in our household, so I want to wish you a merry Christmas now in case I don't get a chance to post beforehand.  Have a wonderful holiday!!

Our Christmas card picture.  We could not get Parker to smile at all during our photo session.

The best gift

A year ago today, we found out that we were expecting a baby.  After years of trying, it was the best Christmas gift that we could have hoped for.

I had been getting tired early for about a week and had a suspicion that I was pregnant, but it wasn't unusual for me to think I was having pregnancy symptoms only to find out that I wasn't.  I had some early pregnancy tests on hand, and  I took the test in the morning after Himal was at work.  He wasn't aware of my suspicions or that I was taking a test.  After getting many negative results in the past, I was amazed as the + sign showed up almost immediately.

For a second, I considered going by Himal's work at lunch to tell him, but I decided to wait until he got home.  I went to work, and afterwards, I bought a father-to-be card and wrapped it up in a box as a Christmas gift.  I also took another pregnancy test just to double-check; it was still positive.  When Himal got home, I gave him the gift and told him that it was going to be the best present ever.  Once he opened it and read the card and processed what it meant, he agreed and was ecstatic.  I think we went out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant to celebrate.  The whole day was amazing and surreal.

This year, we are so blessed to have Parker, and he is by far the best gift ever.  He is such a sweet, adorable, fun, and precious baby boy!

Big baby!

Parker had his 4-month check-up on Monday, and he weighed in at 17 lbs, 8 oz (92nd percentile) and was 25.5 inches long (80th percentile).  What a big boy!  Who needs sculpting class when you carry around a 17.5 pound baby all the time?!

In other news, Parker has learned to make loud, obnoxious, and hilarious sounds like a raptor.  Pretty funny unless you're sleeping or in a public place.

Here's the silly, big boy propped up in my bed this morning.  I love this baby!

Thanksgiving, visitors, and 4 months

Happy December!  I hope you had a good Thanksgiving.  We visited Himal's mom for the holiday and had a nice time.  We were worried about the day-long car ride because Parker often cries in the car, but he was perfect.  I sat in the back like usual, and his basket of toys, a pacifier (which he doesn't usually take), and several stops helped keep Parker happy.  Here he is stretching out at a rest stop.

Parker finally got to wear the first thing I bought for him when I found out I was expecting - Thanksgiving gobble PJs.  He was cozy in them and slept like a champ during our trip.

While visiting Himal's mom, Parker went in the ocean for the first time!  He was shocked at first because it was chilly.

He also got on a swing for the first time and enjoyed it even though he looks a little grumpy in this picture.

On our way home, we visited my good friend from grade school.  Her son was really sweet to Parker.  Aren't they cute?

After Thanksgiving, my sister and brother-in-law came to visit us.  We all cheered for Bama as they took home the SEC Championship.  Parker loves being a champion!

Auntie M had a blast playing with my adorable kiddo.

We are getting excited about the Christmas holiday!  There are so many firsts to celebrate with Parker: his first stocking, first visit with Santa, first family Christmas card, first Christmas morning...  It's a dream come true!  We tried to take him to church for the first time for a Christmas concert, but he was not having any of that.  I spent most of the time in the stairwell and lobby with him until we decided it just wasn't going to work and left.  Here we were before it started when we thought we were in for a nice evening of carols.

Parker turned 4 months last Monday.  His hair is getting darker and a little bit fuller, and his eyes have settled on being brown.  He goes for his 4 month checkup and shots this coming Monday, and we can't wait to see how much he weighs and how long he is.  Somehow, my tiny, skinny newborn has grown into a big baby!

We love him more every day, and it's so amazing to watch him learn new things.  He loves blowing bubbles, and he rotates his body like the hands of a clock now.  He's started doing little sit-ups, and he can roll from his back almost all the way to his tummy.  We are going to have to baby-proof soon.

Parker is growing into such a fun baby.  Here he is being silly while playing with me today: