Wegmans

I absolutely love the drive-up service at Wegmans.

However, it is very important to actually pick up your groceries before heading home.

Oops.

The Butler Girls

YAY! Kendra and Ella drove all the way to Erie to come visit us this past week.

They came to town when Park was born but hadn't seen him since. It was such a nice break to have someone hold Park in the evening during his "witching hour!"

The boys loved playing with their cousin ~ come back anytime ladies!!!

Boys

You know you live in a house full of boys when the dinner conversation is about dinosaurs. Specifically a "penisoraus."

WHAT?!?

One month checkup

So 99 seems to be the number of the day!

Park had his 1 month checkup today at our new doctor. LOVED the new office. No more paying for parking! And get this - his appointment was at 8:30. We were back in the car ~ on the way home ~ at 8:49. Gotta love that.

Here's the statistics...

weight 12 lbs 6 oz - - - - - yep, 99th percentile
height 23.5 inches - - - - you guessed it, 99th percentile

Little Parker is not so little anymore!

March Melody by Jake

March Melody by Jake from Kristen Atkins on Vimeo.

One Month Old

My little Parker is one month old!

Yes, time is flying! I'm a tiny bit sad because I know he is my last baby but then again, I really don't enjoy the floppy infant stage....

I weighed him myself here at the house and I think he's already over 12 pounds. He's obviously a really good eater!! I'm breastfeeding him and let me just tell you - I think those lactation consultants at the hospitals lie to you. I remember with Wade them telling me, "Don't worry honey. You've never breastfed before, he's never breastfed before, you're both learning." After 3 kids, I really think it's all about the mom. I remember sitting on my couch, sweating, just trying to get Wade to latch on. (I don't really like that phrase but what else can I call it?!) I truly think there's something to the whole *just relax* thing. I've been so less stressed this time around and I think your baby picks up on that.

Anyways, on to Parker!!

What can he do?

Ummmm, spit up. All three of my boys have been spitter-uppers. And not just a little. But Park & I have it down now. After he eats he gives me a big, huge burp and then within 10 seconds he loses half his meal.

He's -starting- to smile, I think. I haven't gotten a big, huge grin yet but I think it's coming.

He's also a pro at putting himself to sleep. I started from day one laying him down in his crib at naptime awake. He will cry for a couple minutes but then falls asleep. I'm so proud! He's also good at staying asleep when I have to yank him out of his bed to go pick up his brothers or run to the grocery.

We just changed pediatricians because I very much disliked the ones we were going to. I also want to modify Park's immunization schedule and they wouldn't let me. So we are heading to our new doctors next week for his 1 month checkup. Then we'll see how big he really is getting!

Here are some recent pics....

Watching the UK game

Bath time

Chillin'

Trying to smile

1 month pictures

Holding his own sign

Really Mom??

Falling over - cruel but so cute!

Had to let you see his tail!!

THRIVE

Ladies... kick your men out of the house this next Saturday!!!

Thrive Men's Conference

Saturday, March 20th

9am - 2pm

First Alliance Church

Erie, PA

Isn't it always better to workout with a friend?

Babywise

Well, we've survived the first three weeks!

We followed the Babywise philosophy with Wade and Jake and are doing it again with Park. And I would highly recommend this book to any and all parents!

The main concept is the way you order your day.

Eat.
Waketime.
Then naptime.

Parker is on a 3 hour schedule. And yes, I am the crazy mom that wakes her sleeping baby. No demand feeding in our house. And believe me I know there are a lot of people that disagree with this philosophy. But you know what? It WORKS! And it worked for Wade. And Jake. And it's working for Parker too. I've had people tell me that I'm starving my baby by not feeding him whenever he cries. However another important concept of Babywise is giving your baby full feedings and not letting them snack. The fact that Parker regained his birthweight in 6 days instead of the typical 2 weeks is proof that scheduling your baby does not equal starving him!

And I love schedules.

It makes me a much more confident mom.

Even the third time around.

Uncle Nate

Thanks for coming

to visit us Nathan!

All thumbs

Looks like I might have another thumb sucker!!

I'm kinda torn.

Thumb suckers make GREAT babies.

However, we're finding it pretty near impossible to break Wade of the habit. He knows he's only allowed to to suck his thumb in his room but man he goes to town on that thing at night! He has a big callous on it that will sometime crack open and bleed. I keep telling him that his thumb is falling off but he's not buying it.

Any suggestions of things that have worked to break your thumb suckers of the habit?

He's 2 weeks old

I love you Park!

A Baby Story Addendum

Two weeks ago tonight I was in a labor & delivery room at Hamot. I can't believe that my baby is already 2 weeks old. And let me just tell you Park is a GREAT baby!

In my original post I forgot to share with you what I saw as I looked over to see the nurses working on Parker right after he was born.

I saw Colby. Gazing adoringly at his new son. With his shirt drenched almost down to the waist!!

Those of you who know Colby know that the man can sweat! However, I guess he was getting ready to faint at one point so the nurses were telling him to sit down. But instead he went in the bathroom and took a little mini shower in the sink. I wish I had been able to take a picture! He looked like he'd just ran a marathon. And we all know that if he ever did that, it would be in cutoff jean shorts. :-)

Colby doing his best to embarass the rest of the family at the annual Turkey Trot