A Thankful Heart - Wednesday, November 17, 2010

There are so many reasons to be thankful this holiday season...and today we're especially thankful for eight months of life with Parker Liam! He could very well be the happiest baby in the world! His personality continues to grow and shine. He loves to laugh- especially at his brother. You can tell from the look in Parker's eyes that he thinks Spencer walks on water. Jeff and I know they will continue to grow close. Parker enjoys eating solids and is growing like a weed. He sits alone and is beginning to crawl around. But his most adoring quality is that he loves to talk. He is definitely going to be an early talker! We're so blessed to have such wonderful news to continue to share! Thank you for your continued love and support!

Our Little Pumpkin - October 17, 2010

Parker's seven months old today! We are having the best time with our little man. He is the HAPPIEST baby! We are so blessed to have him. Thank you God for our miracle!
-Please excuse the short post- with two in diapers, we're pretty busy...and tired! :)

You Light Up My Life - September 22, 2010

Parker had two appointments this week. We had a follow up neonatal appointment at UVA and then a sixth month check up with his pediatrician. He came through both appointments with flying colors! 

At UVA, we met with our favorite doctor (Dr. Kaufman- pictured first). Dr. Kaufman was so pleased with Parker's progress! Parker's exam showed that he is definitely on track developmentally! And even further advanced with his fine motor skills.

At Lewis-Gale, we met with Parker's pediatrician (Dr. Beazley- pictured second). Dr. Beazley was with Parker after birth. I truly believe he had a hand in saving Parker's life. We love and respect him so much! He said Parker was doing great! He weighed 16.12 lbs and measured 26 inches. Our miracle just keeps growing and growing!

Thanks again for all your support. Your words of encouragement helped us through such a difficult time- and they continue to lift us up. We are so truly blessed.

This Magic Moment - September 17, 2010

Parker turned six months old today! He's growing so quickly! We're so truly blessed. The pictures below show the fun we've been having! Parker has such a great personality- evident in the rock-n-roll photos! We love the one of him sitting in the chair. We think it's a mix of Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Soproano! :) I'll update the blog again next week. He has his sixth month check up and I'll want to share all the great news from that appoinment. So until then...enjoy the pictures of our wonderful miracle! Thanks again for your love, prayers and support! We are so very grateful!

You Are My Sunshine - August 17, 2010

Parker is five months old today! Where has the time gone?! We are having a blast watching him grow...especially his personality! He loves to talk! And he's so strong! We plan on enrolling him in football camp in the spring! :)

Parker continues to grow healthy and strong. He now weighs 15.6- which is up from 14.5 last month. We have discontinued his medication without difficulty and he is almost ready to start solid food. Our miracle just keeps growing and growing! :)

We were able to take Parker on his first beach visit in the beginning of August. Unfortunately Daddy couldn't go because he has his boards in September- but we plan to return in the fall. However Parker was able to enjoy some time with Jeff's parents- Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop Britton. He seemed to love every minute of the sun and sand!

We've also recently traveled to New Jersey to visit the rest of the Britton family. Spencer and Parker were excited to meet their many cousins and second cousins. Although the visit was unfortunately for a funeral, we were still able to enjoy catching up with the family.

Within our busy summer, we've still been able to make frequent trips to visit Nana and Papa Wellman in West Virginia. The boys love playing in the huge yard, and especially riding the tractor!

Jeff and I continue to thank the Lord every day for our blessings. We are so thankful for the 'sunshine' in our lives...and we couldn't ask for more!

How sweet it is to be loved by you! - July 21, 2010

Parker had his 4 month check up with Dr. Beazley yesterday. He weighed 14.5 and measured 24 1/2 inches. That's up from 13.4 lbs and 24 inches in under a month! Dr. Beazley was overjoyed with his report from UVA...especially that UVA doesn't need to see him for another year. He said that Parker's condition after birth was catastrophic and he should have multiple problems from everything he went through. He added there was no medical reasoning for why Parker recovered as quickly as he did- and especially for him to be perfectly healthy now. He truly is a miracle!

We're having such a blast with our boys! Parker is a super happy baby! He laughs and smiles the majority of the day. He even handles the constant aggravation from his brother quite well. Like when Spencer takes his pacifier, swirls it in Brooklyn's water bowl and then shoves it back in his mouth! But when he does get mad...he gets MAD! His scream can rattle the whole house (probably the neighborhood too!). And with Parker's growth, Spencer needs to watch out! Parker is quickly gaining on him!

We'll continue to keep the blog updated. As always, thank you for your love, prayers and support!

Amazing Grace - July 3, 2010

We took Parker to UVA on Monday to visit his neurologist. Although we thought his checkup would be fine, we couldn't help to feel somewhat nervous. The doctor spoke with us for about an hour before Parker's actual exam. I have three college degrees, including my masters, and I have never been more nervous for an exam in my entire life...and it wasn't even mine!  :)   I actually felt myself willing Parker to get an 'A'.  The chief resident and attending both examined Parker. The result......completely NORMAL! They have discontinued his medication and scheduled a follow up appointment for NEXT year! We are thrilled! The doctor even said that Parker exhibited characteristics of a 4 month old! So not only is he normal....he's advanced! :)

We would like to thank all the staff at Lewis Gale Medical Center and The University of Virginia NICU. Their medical expertise and gracious bedside manner meant the world to us. We would also like to thank everyone who prayed for us and sent words of encouragement. It's amazing how much love we felt during the most difficult time of our lives. But most importantly, we would like to thank GOD for giving us the opportunity to raise Parker. We feel so blessed that we were chosen as his parents. We know GOD has big things in store for Parker...and we promise not to let either of them down!

I hope to update the blog monthly to share Parker's progress.

Whenever I see your smiling face - June 17, 2010

Mr. Parker is 3 months old today- and he's healthy as ever! His visits with Dr. Beazley continue to go well. His weight has gone from 9.2 to 11.6 lbs.....and then from 11.6 to 12.2 lbs...all in under a month! He's definitely pushing the scales! And his length went from 22 1/4 to 23 inches in just under two weeks! Spencer better watch out- his brother is gaining on him.

Parker is developing a wonderful personality! He seems so laid back and relaxed. He smiles SO much! And not just any smile- but a smile that lights up the entire room! He also gets more beautiful by the minute! We're having the best time together- making up for lost time. I'm just so in love!

We have an appointment with his neurologist, at UVA, at the end of the month. We're excited to visit the NICU and their wonderful staff. They were such a blessing to us!

I am including pictures from Parker's birth. Jeff and I thought we lost the camera card from that afternoon- but thankfully I discovered the pictures recently. You may notice he is actually blue around his mouth- but still beautiful.

Thank you again for all your prayers, love and support. We will be forever grateful!

Heavy Heart - May 17, 2010

I can't believe it's been two months since Parker was born. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday...but it also feels like we've lived a lifetime since he was born. I have mixed emotions about March 17th. I am so GRATEFUL for the day Parker was brought into our lives- but it's also an extremely difficult day to look back on. I have never felt such panic, fear, exhaustion, desperation or pain in my life. The day started with the excitement of our new arrival and quickly turned into something I'd sometimes like to forget. I truly survived that day by the Grace of God- along with the support of Jeff and my family. I have spent today remembering his birthday- wishing I could look back on it fondly. Maybe today was a little tougher because Spencer's birthday is this weekend- and his birth was such a positive experience. But I was reminded by my sister that it's the day that we brought Parker home- HEALTHY -that I need to focus on and not the actual painful day of his birth. I give thanks every day for the GIFT we were given. So maybe we'll just celebrate Parker's birthday EVERY day! Isn't that only appropriate when given a MIRACLE?

Much love and continued thanks for your prayers and support!

Walking on Sunshine - May 11, 2010

We have been so blessed!!!! Parker continues to do well- growing by leaps and bounds. Within 10 days he went from 8 to 9.2 lbs! Dr. Beazley says he's perfect- following the exact path of all his peers. We know that God has given us a miracle!!! Thank you again for helping us through such a difficult time! We are literally walking on sunshine...the pictures are proof!