Happy Holidays

Hi friends and family.

We had a fantastic Christmas and enjoyed a visit from my parents. We all got spoiled - even Greg and me with a new dining room floor from my folks.

Here's a quick update on Dillon. He's growing by leaps and bounds, but is unfortunately still on oxygen. We'll try to get rid of it again in January. The test was nerve racking. They drop off a monitor and after about a five minute training leave you at home to monitor your kid. The machine monitors the level of oxygen in the blood and heart rate. If they go outside of the parameters a horrible beep sounds. Dillon lasted about three hours before having to go back on the oxygen (Thanks to Aunt Lila, Mike and Claudia for supporting me through this process).

We're getting used to having the tanks here and I've gotten really fast at going from the stationary tank to the portable.

Here are some pictures from Christmas. Enjoy!

Introducing Parker's Little Brother

It's been a crazy two weeks, I'm supposed to be on maternity leave with two more weeks to go until the arrival of Parker's little brother. Having kids proves that you can never plan anything. Dillon Anthony arrived five weeks early - on November 15. I was going on the planned C-Section scheduled for December 10.

We rushed to the hospital at 3 a.m. with Paker in tow dressed in his dinosaur PJs prepared for a false alarm. Grandma Claudia met us at the hospital and when it looked like the big event was happening that morning, they both decided to stay for the festivities. Dillon was born at 5:10 with a badly bruised face from his position in the birth canal. He was purple and two weeks later still has a couple of shiners.

I went home on Monday and Dillon joined us at home the day before Thanksgiving. Parker's warming up to the idea of being a big brother and has started saying "baby."

Slowly, but surely

Finally, here are some new photos from Parker's first birthday (August 18).

Big Brother

It's been a long time, but we've been busy around here. Parker's almost 11 months old and cuter than ever. I'm sure he's really excited about becoming a big brother. Actually, he's oblivious, but he's getting a baby brother in December regardless.

I haven't posted in a while because I wanted to make the baby announcement. Then we heard that the baby was at risk for Trisomy 13 and 18 (http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/genetics/trisomy.html). Scary stuff, but after a pretty invasive procedure - a CVS (http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/328.html), we found out that all is well and it's a boy.

I'm 17 weeks along now and feel as big as a house. I've gained 7 pounds - I hope it comes off as easy as it did with Parker. My belly is popping out faster, but they say that happens.

I'll try to be more diligent with the postings. In the meantime, enjoy some pics of our recent camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Back from LA

A long five days in LA. Thanks to Mom, Aunt Char and Tony for watching our boy.

It was so great to see family and friends, but what an exhasting trip. Parker and I were both sick and work was, well work.

It was very nice to see Aunt Colleen, Katie and Emma visiting from Salt Lake. The Volchok's were great hosts - I can't believe how much Jack talks! And the Cardenas' Cinco de Mayo party was fun.

There's no place like home

Here are some pics of Parker's room in our new home. He sleeps like, well, a baby in there.

Easter

My Dad was here this weekend to help work on the house and my co-bro (that's cousin and brother - nothing weird like my mom married my uncle - we're just that close) Tony came by on his way back to California. It was great having everyone in our new house.

Our first dinner party as a success aside from Greg having to work. Dad, Claudia, Kathleen, Jen and Mike joined us for dinner Saturday night. I need better lighting in the dining room, but it was fun entertaining in our new home.

Dad did so much to fix things up and Mike gave us some other great suggestions - looks like Dad (and Mike) will be busy on Memorial Day for the next visit.

I'm posting some photos of Parker's Easter bucket and the coloring of the eggs.

Enjoy!



Aunt Kathleen & Aunt Jen ..................Uncle Tony

Colorado pictures

Hi everyone:

I've been getting lots of crap for not posting any new pictures lately, so here they are. We took the boy out for the first time in the baby backpack we got from the Lanes. He loves it and was all smiles the whole time.

It's been great walking around the lake at Grandma Claudia's, but that will soon change. We're closing on the house a whole week early and get to move in this weekend. I'll post more then.

In loving memory

On Friday, we lost a member of our little family. Our cat, Joe was suffering from kidney failure and we had to put him to sleep -- probably the hardest (and easiest due to his condition) decision I've ever made in my life. Joe has been a part of our family since before we were a family and we will (and already do) miss him terribly.



Some of my favorite Joey memories...

• Joe is afraid of Luke Burkhardt's Tigger Halloween costume
• The second my dad walks through the door, he's sitting in front of the fridge waiting for lettuce - he's a cat, not a rabbit
• Phone "conversations" with Rick Koury
• My failed attempts at training him to walk on a leash
• The many pairs of flip flops (well often just one of them, rendering them unwearable) lost as a chew toy
• The way he could hear Greg coming to the door (I swear he knew the sound of the truck) and he'd be sitting there waiting to greet him
• Sunbathing in the window
• The way he (sometimes) put up with Gwen
• His all-night scratching in the catbox that was right next to Jen Cardenas' head while she tried to sleep (she's deathly afraid of cats as it is)
• Catching the sparkly ball with his front paws
• The lick nerve (the special spot by his tail that made him lick uncontrollably)
• Purring and snuggling on those cool nights
• Cuddling on the couch with his favorite blanket when I was sick

Home Owners!

Greg and I made an offer on a home today. We got it!

We take possession on the first of April. I'm posting some pics.

We'd love some movers, so come on over...

Parker's First Tooth

Well, we made it to Colorado in one piece. Grandma Claudia has been a fantastic host and unbelievably helpful with Parker, but we're still anxious to have a place to call our own. I'm going out with our fabulous realtor (www.bettiewesley.com) again tomorrow and have high hopes that we'll find something we love.

Yesterday was a big day around here as Parker cut his first tooth. Thank goodness there was a reason behind the crankiness of the past few days.

I'll post more photos soon and will, of course, keep you all posted on the house hunting.

We'll miss Redondo Beach

Greg leaves tomorrow and Parker and I will go next week. I'm going to miss this place, but am looking forward to owning a home in Colorado.

Since today was so beautiful and warm, we decided to head down to the water to take some photos. I'm posting some of my favorites. Enjoy!

Movin' on up

Just when I was getting used to things Greg throws a wrench in everything. ;-)

Well, we're off to Denver. The move will probably be sometime near the end of the month. No way am I driving halfway across the country with a five-month old, so Parker and I will probably fly. Greg, Joe, Gwen and my dad will hit the road sometime after President's Day.

The boy is getting so cute. He's mesmerized by the cats and is about to roll over. It just takes a little push to get him over. Enjoy the pics from my mom's visit...

Back in the swing

I'm back to work and it's going well. I'm really surprised about how much I missed it. Parker seems to really like daycare, especially watching all the bigger kids run around. He's still not sleeping well there, but he's sleeping great at night. The three days a week is a really nice balance and allows me lots of time to play with the boy. I need a few days where we can sleep in -- as I still haven't quite figured out getting ready in the morning with a baby. I'm planning to try out my hair washing schedule this week and I'll get back to you. But I must say the leg shaving thing has taken a back burner. Poor Greg; however, I am clean shaven as of this morning.

We discovered story time at the library today. Parker doesn't really understand it, but as like daycare, he enjoyed watching the other kids. The old librarian did a great job going with the flow -- I'm not sure I'd be as patient. I'm planning to bring him again next week. Is this what stay-at-home moms do? If so, bring it on (at least a few days a week).

I've been remiss at photo taking since Christmas, but I promise to post some more pics next time. We'll be sure to take lots of pictures during Mam's visit this weekend.

We're back

Well, we made it back from Denver in one piece. We changed our flight and stayed a few extra days because of the storm. Grandma Claudia didn't seem to mind.

Greg's back to work and Parker started daycare yesterday. His teacher said he spent the day checking out the other kids. He was exhasted when he got home, but I think he had fun. I miss him a ton and cried when I drove off (thanks Mom for chatting with me). I start work tomorrow and will work on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. We'll see how it goes, but I think it will be a nice balance for both Parker and me. I have to keep telling myself that, so I won't cry.

He's bummed that the Broncos didn't make the playoffs (damn Niners), but here's a cute pic of Parker and his Aunt Jen.