We kissed "Daddy" goodbye this morning at 4:00 am as he boarded a plane China bound. It is the first time in 4 years of marriage we have been apart... but in 14 days we will be back together as a family.
The adventures of a man and woman and little gift from God. We lived in China for two years... moved and now the adventure continues in America. Blog Penned by Avery
Monday, September 26, 2011
Miss him already
We kissed "Daddy" goodbye this morning at 4:00 am as he boarded a plane China bound. It is the first time in 4 years of marriage we have been apart... but in 14 days we will be back together as a family.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
One Month Old!
Parker is one month old today-- it is so hard to believe. It is so fun to watch him grow and learn to do new things.
Sleep!
Parker has definitely woken up since we first brought him home. The first 2 weeks... we had the sleepiest baby on the planet. We had to wake him up to feed him and change his diaper -- other than that -- he was getting "shut eye." After week two- our little boy woke up and now often fights sleep. He will completely wear himself out by trying to stay awake. He is sleeping better at night recently-- only waking up for one middle of the night feeding and one early morning (5 am) feeding.
We completely swaddle him for night time sleeping. Wes does a great job of wrapping him up tight. There is no escaping daddy's swaddles.
Eating!
I truly prayed for Parker to be a good breast-feeder ... as we found it so important for our life in China and prayers were answered. Parker is a champ at eating. At the hospital, the nurses would kind of laugh at me because I wanted breastfeeding help... yet they said he was a perfect latcher. I feel completely blessed.
When we first brought him home from the hospital, he would fall asleep in the middle of eating. We felt like we were having to torture him to stay awake. Striping him down to his diaper, cold cloth on feet, back, hands.
Now eating is no problem... it getting him to slow down and not take in too much air.
One Month Doctor Check-up
We love our Pediatrician. Dr. Cathcart saw Parker for his one month check-up and said we have a very healthy baby. He now weighs 11 pounds 3 ounces and is 21 inches long (compared to 7 pounds 3 ounces, 19.5 inches long at birth) He is in the 98 % of weight and 50% in height.
He does have a bit of a goopy eye problem. We tried some prescription drops but the goopiness continued. The doctor said he could have a partially blocked tear duct. We are massaging his eye tear duct area.
Randoms
- He has a really strong neck. He is doing great on tummy time holding his head up. When we burp him... he likes to hold his head up ... but then it ends up slamming down to our shoulder (sometimes ending with tears)
- He has a birth mark on the back of his neck that is identical to one that my dad has.
- He grunts and squeaks all the time. It is hilarious to just listen to him make noises.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Meeting friends
Over the weekend we got together with some of our friends. It was the first time for them to meet Parker. I love these families so much!!
The Duncan Family-- Russ, Kate, Emma, Elijah and Baby #3--I have known Kate since college at NCSU. She is an amazing woman, friend and mother. I hope I can be just like her in all categories!!
The Walters family-- Jon, Sara, Lillie, Andrew (not pictured) and Paul. For some reason Andrew did not want to participate in the photo:) We were in a small group with Jon and Sara. They are an amazing couple and wonderful parents. So special to Wes and I!!
The Duncan Family-- Russ, Kate, Emma, Elijah and Baby #3--I have known Kate since college at NCSU. She is an amazing woman, friend and mother. I hope I can be just like her in all categories!!
The Walters family-- Jon, Sara, Lillie, Andrew (not pictured) and Paul. For some reason Andrew did not want to participate in the photo:) We were in a small group with Jon and Sara. They are an amazing couple and wonderful parents. So special to Wes and I!!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Meeting Nana
Wes' mom - Gray came up to meet Parker on Friday. I think it is safe to say it was love at first sight for her :) We helped her picked out her "grandma name" (as most people of the bummer generation don't 'choose' "grandma or grandpa") We thought Nana was a perfect fit for her.
Parker meets his GREAT- Grandparents
Great Grandmother Rachel Thomas
Grandma and Grandpa Marks
MawMaw Lambeth
He had a wonderful time playing on his mat, being cuddled and kissed.
Parker hasn't had the opportunity to meet his Great-Great Grandma Vera... no that is not a typo-- My Great-Grandma Vera (making it Parker's Great Great Grandma) lives in Tulsa, OK. She is a beautiful 96 years old and in good health. I hope they will be able to meet in the future.
Grandma and Grandpa Marks
MawMaw Lambeth
He had a wonderful time playing on his mat, being cuddled and kissed.
Parker hasn't had the opportunity to meet his Great-Great Grandma Vera... no that is not a typo-- My Great-Grandma Vera (making it Parker's Great Great Grandma) lives in Tulsa, OK. She is a beautiful 96 years old and in good health. I hope they will be able to meet in the future.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Delivery Story of Parker Stephen Thomas
Here is the longer story...
Last pregnant picture- taken just before Wes and I left for the hospital.
We had Parker at Durham Regional Hospital.
Wes and I went into the hospital on August 24, 2011 for a scheduled induction. As we got checked in-- we anticipated a baby by August 25 (in our minds... hopefully the morning) We slept through the night (I- Avery- slept GREAT because they gave me a sleeping pill) The next morning- they started the pitocin drip at 5:00 am knocking it up every 30 minutes. My parents arrived at the hospital shortly after 6:00 am and Wes enjoyed a Chick-Fil-A breakfast. For me... nothing but fluids-- not fun. Our nurse Jason said farewell at 7:30 am and predicted a baby to arrive by 6:30 pm-- we told him we wouldn't hold him to it... but wanted his best guess. :)
Shortly after 6:00 am the contractions started to come... but true labor pains hit full force by 10:00 am. At one point I told Wes and my Mom and Dad that I truly disliked Eve for the Bible says- "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children." Oh that is true!! The pain so great that I couldn't open my eyes. Wes was so supportive- helping me relax and breath through contractions.
Our goal was not have any pain medication. Sometime around 11:00 am- my water broke and the pain increased. I made it to 1:00 pm and 6 cm dilated when Wes and I decided it wasn't wise to move forward without some pain management. After the epidural took effect-- I was a new person- I could open my eyes and even smile.
At first I felt a bit of shame for the pain medication... but quickly realized that there was no shame-- the goal is a healthy baby and healthy mom. Around 7:30 pm-- still no baby. Jason (our nurse) came back on shift and couldn't believe that we didn't have a baby. At 10:30 pm, I was finally 10 cm and ready to start pushing. Newest prediction-- baby boy would be here in 1 hour. 1 hour came and went... and I was already exhausted from pushing. 2 hours ... and now it is 11:30. I was now wondering if we would have a baby on August 25. After 12:00 am ... I didn't care what date or time it was-- I wanted that baby out of me. The pain medication seemed to no longer be in effect and I was beyond exhausted. Wes and Jason would ask me-- "what do you need??"-- my reply "a nap" :) I never got my nap... instead- Jason kept upping the pitocin to increase contractions... to encourage good pushing. 12:30 am soon came and went. It was about 1:00 am... I didn't know if I was going to make it. I was literally so exhausted I couldn't breath (which makes "take a deep breath and push" very difficult) I kept praying God would give me strength. Wes and I had a playlist of some favorite songs playing in the background. One of my favorite songs by Rita Springer started to play-- Worth it All. Here is the video of this song--
I held onto the words of this song. "Frantically believing that the sight of you face is all that I need... I will say to you... It's gonna be worth it... it's gonna be worth it... it's gonna be worth it all." It was at the moment of this song and lots of people praying for me in America and in China (as I found out the next day) that-- Parker Stephen Thomas made his arrival into the world at 1:34 am weighing 7 pounds 3 oz and 19.5 inches long.
Seeing my baby for the first time was amazing-- despite the fact I was exhausted and still in a TON of pain-- seeing his face and hearing his cry made it worth it all!
Wes is the best husband a girl could ask for. He stood by my side helped bring our baby into the world.
We had parents in the waiting room ready to meet the Baby Boy Thomas.
BooBoo and Buddy (notice the clock-- that is 2:55 am)
Granddad and Neeny
Aunt Ashley and Uncle Salomon
We had a quick stay at the hospital. We had the opportunity to come home on Saturday (during Hurricane Irene) I had an adorable outfit for him to wear (even though I think most people thought it was silly) I thought it was sweet :)
Thank you Father for such a healthy happy baby. He is an amazing blessing. As I tell Wes-- "Wes, you are my main squeeze-- I will never love anybody more that you... Parker is my little squeeze." My love for both is unconditional!!
Some favorite pictures
Last pregnant picture- taken just before Wes and I left for the hospital.
We had Parker at Durham Regional Hospital.
Wes and I went into the hospital on August 24, 2011 for a scheduled induction. As we got checked in-- we anticipated a baby by August 25 (in our minds... hopefully the morning) We slept through the night (I- Avery- slept GREAT because they gave me a sleeping pill) The next morning- they started the pitocin drip at 5:00 am knocking it up every 30 minutes. My parents arrived at the hospital shortly after 6:00 am and Wes enjoyed a Chick-Fil-A breakfast. For me... nothing but fluids-- not fun. Our nurse Jason said farewell at 7:30 am and predicted a baby to arrive by 6:30 pm-- we told him we wouldn't hold him to it... but wanted his best guess. :)
Shortly after 6:00 am the contractions started to come... but true labor pains hit full force by 10:00 am. At one point I told Wes and my Mom and Dad that I truly disliked Eve for the Bible says- "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children." Oh that is true!! The pain so great that I couldn't open my eyes. Wes was so supportive- helping me relax and breath through contractions.
Our goal was not have any pain medication. Sometime around 11:00 am- my water broke and the pain increased. I made it to 1:00 pm and 6 cm dilated when Wes and I decided it wasn't wise to move forward without some pain management. After the epidural took effect-- I was a new person- I could open my eyes and even smile.
At first I felt a bit of shame for the pain medication... but quickly realized that there was no shame-- the goal is a healthy baby and healthy mom. Around 7:30 pm-- still no baby. Jason (our nurse) came back on shift and couldn't believe that we didn't have a baby. At 10:30 pm, I was finally 10 cm and ready to start pushing. Newest prediction-- baby boy would be here in 1 hour. 1 hour came and went... and I was already exhausted from pushing. 2 hours ... and now it is 11:30. I was now wondering if we would have a baby on August 25. After 12:00 am ... I didn't care what date or time it was-- I wanted that baby out of me. The pain medication seemed to no longer be in effect and I was beyond exhausted. Wes and Jason would ask me-- "what do you need??"-- my reply "a nap" :) I never got my nap... instead- Jason kept upping the pitocin to increase contractions... to encourage good pushing. 12:30 am soon came and went. It was about 1:00 am... I didn't know if I was going to make it. I was literally so exhausted I couldn't breath (which makes "take a deep breath and push" very difficult) I kept praying God would give me strength. Wes and I had a playlist of some favorite songs playing in the background. One of my favorite songs by Rita Springer started to play-- Worth it All. Here is the video of this song--
I held onto the words of this song. "Frantically believing that the sight of you face is all that I need... I will say to you... It's gonna be worth it... it's gonna be worth it... it's gonna be worth it all." It was at the moment of this song and lots of people praying for me in America and in China (as I found out the next day) that-- Parker Stephen Thomas made his arrival into the world at 1:34 am weighing 7 pounds 3 oz and 19.5 inches long.
Seeing my baby for the first time was amazing-- despite the fact I was exhausted and still in a TON of pain-- seeing his face and hearing his cry made it worth it all!
Wes is the best husband a girl could ask for. He stood by my side helped bring our baby into the world.
We had parents in the waiting room ready to meet the Baby Boy Thomas.
BooBoo and Buddy (notice the clock-- that is 2:55 am)
Granddad and Neeny
Aunt Ashley and Uncle Salomon
We had a quick stay at the hospital. We had the opportunity to come home on Saturday (during Hurricane Irene) I had an adorable outfit for him to wear (even though I think most people thought it was silly) I thought it was sweet :)
Thank you Father for such a healthy happy baby. He is an amazing blessing. As I tell Wes-- "Wes, you are my main squeeze-- I will never love anybody more that you... Parker is my little squeeze." My love for both is unconditional!!
Some favorite pictures
Thursday, September 1, 2011
First Sponge Bath
Parker had his first sponge bath. He enjoyed warm wash cloth and I enjoyed the super cute hooded towel. (thanks Tiffany) :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)