Seeing as it was Parker's birthday on Wednesday and I didn't have time to do a birthday post for her, I decided that my Five Facts Friday will be a Parker edition this week. Here we go.
Just a disclaimer. It may be long. So feel free to skip the longish parts. I will do my best to organize my thoughts.
1. Birth Story (Fairly Non-descriptive version)
I was due with Parker on February 8th. I was in my first year teaching first grade at Teresa Bunker. She had a closet FILLED with clothes. And when i say filled, I mean, ridiculously stocked. Being a first time mom, I didn't realize that babies grow out of their sizes really quickly so I had purchased way too many things and then had about three showers as well.
At the end of January, my parents and my brother Matt left for Honduras to pick up my other brother Mitch from his mission. The last thing my mom said to me was, "Don't have that baby while we're gone." Sorry, Mom. It happened anyway! Two weeks before my due date.
On a Friday night (January 25th to be exact), Scott took me out to dinner at the Outback. I still remember that I ate a ceasar salad and coconut shrimp. Oh, and I drank about 10 diet cokes. We wanted to go to a movie, but by then I was feeling pretty tired so we rented a movie and headed home. We turned it on, five minutes later Scott was asleep and I was watching "The Glass Castle" all by myself. At almost exactly midnight, my water broke. I shook Scott awake, he bolted out of bed, and we got ready to head to the hospital. My sister Rachel was also serving a mission in New York at the time, so the only family I had around was Tyler. I called him at midnight and he met us at the hospital. I remember that I hadn't yet packed my bags for the hospital. It was actually on my "to-do" list for the following day. (That and organize my classroom for my long term substitute. Oops!)
Once we got to the hospital, my labor progressed pretty smoothly. I don't remember when I got my epidural, but I do remember that I loved it. By 11:00 the following morning I was ready to push. FOUR HOURS LATER, at 3:14 pm Parker was born weighing in at 7 lbs. 13 oz. I'll spare the details, but it was an excruciating four hours. Did I mention I pushed for LITERALLY four hours?? My doctor, who was well known for NEVER using forceps, used forceps. But by that point, I was just thankful to have her out safely. She was so beautiful. I fell in love with Parker that day. I also became a mother.
Scott's parents were able to come and were there when she was born. My parents got to meet her a few days later when they returned home from Honduras. We were so proud to introduce our beautiful new baby to our families.
2. My favorite qualities about Parker
Parker has so many wonderful qualities. (Yes, I am going to be bragging about her.)
She is very sweet to everyone she comes in contact with. It doesn't matter if she knows them or not, she is just kind. It is her nature. She has the ability to make everyone feel important, which I think is such a wonderful quality to possess. She is generally a very happy girl and rarely needs encouragement to be cheerful. She is very driven and loves to excel at everything she does. We never have to tell her to do her homework or practice her dance. (Piano and keeping her room clean are another story). She gets very good grades and is very bright. She has always been quick to learn and retain information. She already has 9 of her articles of faith memorized and is quickly working to finish those final four. She passed off the 13th first, because it is the longest. Parker is a natural teacher. She is quick to look around for one who may need help and offer to help them. Every year since preschool her teachers have told us how she is a little nurturer and mother hen to her classmates. She is the same way with her younger siblings. She is a wonderful babysitter and has been such a great help to me with Piper. She is also my right hand girl on Sunday mornings. Ever since Scott was put into the bishopric, she is the one who helps me get everything ready so that we are not late for church. I appreciate her being so attentive and watching to see what I need before I ask her. She is quick to laugh. She is just a joy to have around.
3. Parker's talents
Parker is one of those girls that is just good at most things she does. She started dancing when she was four and now, five years later, she has really found her niche. She is a beautiful dancer with incredible stage presence!
Parker started taking piano lessons three years ago and is playing beautifully. At her upcoming recital she is playing "Cannon in D" and "Waterfalls". She is playing songs out of the children's song book, which is wonderful to me. It has come easily to her and although (we) dread practicing throughout the week, it is one thing I won't let her give up on!
She is also very athletic and coordinated. Although most of her endeavors are in dance, she has expressed interest in several sports. If only we could fit them all in! She loves to try new things-basketball, soccer,....we may try to do softball this summer.
She has a wonderful singing voice. She has done a few musical numbers in church for sacrament meeting and relief society as well as two firesides for my mom and dad.
She loves to cook and bake and is getting really good at that as well!
As far as her other talents...see number 2.
4. My hopes for my daughter
Wow. Where does one start on a topic like this?? I'll try to keep it somewhat abbreviated. (However, as I am writing this for her, feel free to skip on ahead)
Parker-I hope that you will finish school and keep it a priority in your life. I hope that your education continues onto college and that you study something that you love but where you can also share your light with others. You have expressed interest in becoming a teacher. I know that your career choice can change, but I think you would be a wonderful teacher. Keep your options open. You could do many many things and be successful.
I hope that you will continue to dance. I know that right now you love it! It could take you many places.
I hope that you will consider going a mission. It truly changed my life!
I hope that you will marry in the temple to the man of your dreams, whoever he may be.....
I hope that you have the desire to become a mother.
Tall orders, yes, but these are my dreams for her. To be happy and to be successful. I know she will be.
5. Birthday Bash! 9 years Old!!
Birthday breakfast request-swedish pancakes, and orange juice. Shared with Pacie, of course!
We gave her a new shirt and the newest David Archuleta CD to open before school. Pacie gave her two free fries gift certificates as well as a free cookie dough from Papa Murphys. Sweet sister that she is!
Parker designed her birthday cake and told me exactly how she wanted it! I was happy to oblige. Chocolate cake with almond buttercream frosting...it was pretty yummy!
She got his little birthday visor from her teacher and was really proud. So proud, she wore it all night!
She chose to go to Sizzler for her birthday dinner, which we all thought was pretty random. But she loved being able to pick out whatever she wanted and as much as she wanted.
Sweet little Piper is just growing up way too fast! She is always so happy and content. We love her!!
Eating ice cream with Mamie and Gramps. Their dinner was an adventure-but that's a story for another post. It involved lost tickets, free dinner (for my parents) and a quarter in a baked potato....
Me and Pacie. We really do look alike in this picture!! I hadn't realized it until just now.
Mamie and Landon. His face injuries are a post for another day as well....coming soon.
Daddy with the birthday girl..and one who is peeking over the booth top. Presley is so shifty.
My sweet little family together after dinner.
Grandma came over for cake and ice cream and gave Parker this darling shirt and vest.
Matt and Ashley gave her this black fedora hat. She was in absolute heaven!!
I took the kids to let them pick out some things for Parker. It was really cute what the settled on. Pacie wanted to get her hair things, Presley picked out a Minnie Mouse keychain and Landon picked out a calendar. They were really excited to give them to her, and she was so gracious.
Mamie and Gramps gave her this darling outfit from Naartjie. She loves it, especially the pants!
Singing Happy Birthday....
Ready to blow out the candles.....
And she did it!! :)
Happy 9th Birthday to our wonderful girl who we love more than words can say. Hope you had a wonderful day! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. I hope our next 9 years together is even better than our first nine!! ;) Love you little P!
