John Parker, you are 1!

Dear John Parker,

You are one today! I can't believe how quickly this day came. There were many, many moments during those first few months when I wondered if we'd ever make it to today. As I think back on this first year of your life, I have a few special memories. Some are just for me to remember and ponder, but a few I thought others might enjoy reading:

• Our first date! Holding you moments after delivery and realizing you had red, red hair just like your dad. They sent you to the NICU for a few hours because you weren't really crying, just grunting and growling. Turns out, that's your happy sound! You still start growling happily as soon as you wake up (hard to describe, but cute to anyone who has heard him do it).
• Realizing you had jaundice straight out of the gate. Just like your big sister, you spent your first week in the tanning bed. You did just fine and we sent that bili-bed packing as soon as we could.
• Your reflux diagnosis! It sounds crazy, but that was a happy, happy day in our house. You cried at all hours for weeks leading up to that appointment. As soon as you started taking reflux medication, we realized what an amazing personality you have. It was so nice to meet you, finally! You didn't have to do the meds for too long, but we were so thankful for them when needed.
• Seeing you grow to know your big sister and love her. Just this weekend I watched you chase her around the backyard. She thinks you're pretty special too ;)
• Your baby dedication. What a special day to dedicate your life to the Lord and thank Him for the blessing of your life. Your dad and I pray that you will love Jesus above everything else in this life. 
• Your sip-and-see in Florida. What a great day! You finally got to meet your family and friends from Florida.
• Seeing you start at your preschool (bittersweet) and make friends. Everyone loves you there! You have a great friend Louis who was born the same month as you. You guys are so cute together. 
• Rocking you each night while I give you your final bottle of the day. You never stop moving all day long until those few moments when it's just me and you.

Little man, I can't think of words to tell you how special you are to me. I've learned so much this year and I've grown in so many ways right along with you. I thank God for the blessing of your life. Watching you grow brings me indescribable joy. 

Happy Birthday Sweetest Boy! 

"This night is sparkling, don't you let it go"

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

- Taylor Swift, Enchanted

The night was dark and cold, but the stars were bright. We sat on a terrace looking at the night sky over St. Louis while you held me and we both trembled. Thinking about the possibility of forever love was overwhelming that night. Two planners tried not to plan. We tried to enjoy the now moment and not think ahead. Impossible. Each of the twinkling stars held a promise in my mind’s eye. The promise of a white dress. The promise of rings. The promise of our first place. The promise of a hand to hold. The promise of babies. The promise of a long road together. 

To my Valentine: When I sat on the terrace that beautiful night with you 12 years ago, I never imagined all the wonderful things God had in store for us. 

I love you. For always.

Always a blog researcher, never a blogger

I’m sitting in the Nashville airport (on the floor because that’s the only place I could plug in my weary laptop) and reflecting on my first blogging conference, Blissdom.  I’ve been studying women bloggers for some time now, but this is my first immersion experience.  I liken it to studying a foreign language.  There’s only so much you can learn from Rosetta and then you actually have to travel to a place where people speak the language you are learning.  After immersing myself in the world of women bloggers for a few days, I’ve learned a few things:

• These women are amazing.  Many of them are blogging while working full-time, raising one or more children and managing households, schedules and businesses. 
• I am not cut out for this.  As the five of you who read my blog know, I mostly blog about what the kids are up to. I’ve often wondered whether I should branch out and become a more active blogger. I realize now just how much time and energy it takes to do this well. I think I’ll stick to studying the bloggers.
• I want to learn as much as I can about women bloggers.  I, like many others, have often referred to this group of bloggers as “The Mommy Bloggers.” Like most broad generalities, this one is sorely lacking. The women I met were all impressive, but all different.  Some were married, some were not.  Some worked outside the home, some didn’t.  Some had children, some had pets.  Some had both.  Some were young, some were younger.  Some were conservative, some were liberal.  They make for a fascinating group to study because they all have a different story, and many have different motivations for blogging.  
• Big brands and prominent PR agencies have these women squarely on their radar.  I was overwhelmed (I shouldn’t have been, but I was) by the presence of the top consumer brands and agencies at this conference.  They spent a lot of money (and spent it well if you ask me) trying to connect with these women.  I plan to follow up with many of the brand representatives I met, but I suspect they will say the money was well-spent. 

Well, that’s all I can regurgitate right now.  My brain is mush and I am missing my babies and Fred. Now boarding for New Orleans? See you later!

John Parker at 11 months

Saturdays don't leave a lot of time for blogging at my house, so I'm posting this a day early.  We're nearing the first birthday and I cannot believe it! Here's what our little man is up to:

• Babbling more and more; not really a talker yet.  I'm trying not to worry about this.  I know he's a boy and his big sister says everything for him.  I have to admit, I'll be a little sad when his primary form of communication is no longer growling.  It's pretty cute :)
• Walking all over the place.  He moved up to the Wobbler Room at school and being with all the older boys (and one girl) has been strong motivation.  Fred says he looks like Frankenstein when he walks.
• Still not a bottle lover (hallelujah that we're almost done with that), but loves table food.  Last night I fed him for an hour before he was full.  I think he's going through a growth spurt.  
• Increasingly observant.  He loves watching Kate and Alli and he always seems to be studying what they're doing.  
• Still a little inconsistent with sleep.  Some nights are terrific and then we hit a spell where he doesn't sleep as well (ex: last night).  Any advice from moms on improving sleep consistency?

Little man, I can't believe you'll soon be a year old. Wow. I am head-over-heels for you.  I'm expectant, but reluctant about watching you celebrate your first birthday.  My baby is growing up! 

In other news, I'm heading next week to a MomBloggers conference, Blissdom, in Nashville.  I'm doing some research on MomBloggers with a colleague at work.  I'll be talking to some of the more well-known MomBloggers and I wonder if any of you have questions you'd like me to ask them.  Let me know in the comments section.  Thanks!

John Parker at 10 months

Wow! Only a few months until our little man is a year old.  I can't believe it.  I was just telling my friend Lindsey this morning that I remember so clearly the first few months of his life thinking, "Will I ever sleep again?" It goes by so fast.  Here are a few things about our 10-month-old:

• A few weeks ago, we were sitting in the living room one night talking.  All of a sudden, John Parker took his first steps from the couch to another chair.  Fred and I looked at each other and said at the same time, "Did he just take his first steps?" Since then, he's gained confidence and ventures out a little more all the time.  I think he wants to be able to chase Kate and Alli around the house.
• He's a fantastic eater.  He's making up for not taking a bottle very well by eating everything in sight. 
• He continues to be a happy little boy.  He has such a pleasant personality, except for when you change his diaper or clothes.  He really hates having to be still.  
• He has two teeth now, both on the bottom.
• He loves playing in the bath.
• He's babbling more each day.  

It's crazy to think that this time last year we were getting ready to celebrate Christmas and John Parker wasn't even here yet.  It's hard to imagine what life was like without him.  

Lately, when I've been rocking John Parker before bed, I can't help but think about Mary.  As she rocked her sweet baby Jesus, I wonder if she was able to just enjoy the moment or if she was already filled with dread thinking about the future.  I can't imagine.  It's a challenge, little man, but I'm trying to enjoy every moment with you without thinking of how soon you'll grow up.  It will be fun to watch, but I know I'll miss those sweet moments rocking you and rubbing my face in your hair and smelling your sweet little baby skin.  Maybe I'll even miss the sleepless nights :)

Making new Christmas memories

I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas with my family growing up.  Although it's hard to be away from our families at Christmas, it is so much fun making new memories with our children.  Here are some of the things so far from this Christmas I'll remember:

• Making cookies with Kate for the first time.  
• Hearing her learn Christmas songs that are so familiar to me and so new to her - Jingle Bells, Rudolph, etc.
• Dora's Christmas adventure.  Somehow, I don't think this one will always be a part of our Christmas tradition, but it's a big part this year!
• Seeing four stockings on the mantel for the first time.  How did we become a family of four? What a miracle to have John Parker with us this year!
• Bringing Kate into "big church" for the Christmas musical.  Watching her eyes light up in amazement at the music and decorations. 
• Kate and John Parker in their Christmas pajamas. 
• Doing the advent calendar with Kate each morning.  Teaching her what Christmas is really all about.  

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I love Christmas and receiving Christmas cards is one of the best parts!

If you haven't ordered Christmas cards yet this year, Shutterfly has a great selection.  You can do cards with or without photos.  I keep cards with photos up all year on a bulletin board in our kitchen.  It's a fun way to see our family and friends who live far away (and nearby).  Here are a few of my favorite Shutterfly designs.

I love that this card lists some of the highlights of the year for the family.  It's the updated family Christmas letter!

This is so cute.  I love that they not only included the dog, but he's in the middle :)

I love tidings of "peace, love and joy." This is similar to our Christmas card.  

I really love cards that are simple and feature a great picture.

Shutterfly also offers some great products.  They have photo calendars which are great presents for grandparents.  You can also design cute birthday party invitations which, as you know from my previous post, I am currently working on.  If you're planning any holiday parties, you can order great invites for those too.  

Can't wait to start seeing everyone's cards in the mail!