Family Time: Johanna is 1!

Johanna is Parker's second cousin. She turned one year old and we all came out to celebrate!! It was a beautiful day even though it rained! :) The kids all had a great time. Parker also played with another second cousin, Wesley.


The kids made it out into the rain. They were soaked but loved every minute. Parker ended up in his underwear for the end of the party. You know you had a great time when you end the party in your underwear!! ;)

We loved spending time with family. We don't get to do this enough but when we do lots of memories are created! :)


And on the way home he passed out!!


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What is a Big Boy Bed??

You buy a convertible crib in hopes of an easy transition from crib to "big boy" bed. These hopes and dreams are crushed when you find out that your toddler doesn't think so. Parker transition to a "big boy" bed over a year ago and little did we know that this REALLY isn't what he had in mind.

The past year has been filled with milestones and challenges. From potty training to clearly speaking to running around like a chicken with his/our heads cut off!! The key to understand is communication and when you can't figure out why your 2.5 year old won't stay in their bed all night it can be frustrating for everyone involved. And then it clicks... We get books from the library to read about big boy beds and sleeping in your own room ALL.NIGHT.LONG. The first book in he says, "I not have a big boy bed!" What makes you say that?? "Mine has walls!" DUH!!!!!

We have been talking about getting him a different bed but really don't want to spend the extra money. So here is what we did. We found a car bed on a local sale sight for $30. It was missing the hardware so we offered them $15. They took us up on the offer and we went to Home Depot and spent $2.57 on the hardware. Just like that he has a new bed that he is literally bouncing off the walls for!! This bed also uses his crib mattress so we are off the hook for a bigger bed for a little while longer.

First night was good. He was dry, woke up once to potty and then right back in bed. Let's hope this trend sticks!

Work Pic

Sorry I needed to upload a pic so I could use it for work! :) Happy Thursday!

Evolution of My Hair (in one summer)

Wow! What a difference a summer makes!! We went to Florida in April and it was hot and humid. I couldn't take my hair being on my neck and on my forehead. I had been growing my hair out for about a year but with summer approaching quickly realized that long hair was not for me. Yes, I dream of having long beautiful hair that I can style just like all of those pics on Pinterest. But really, me? No way! I dreamt of being that girl but in reality I am not a long hair kinda girl. I can wear short hair so why not rock it! I have some great hairstylists who have always made me feel great. I feel more confident and comfortable in my new hair. Love it, love it, love it! :)
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Parker's Delivery Video, One Born Every Minute

Parker's birth was very special for many reasons. One being that his birth was filmed by a professional production company. In October and November 2010 there was a production company filming for a show called, One Born Every Minute, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus Ohio. The show had a different spin on filming the labor and delivery process and had mounted cameras in labor and delivery rooms but also filmed the staff behind the scenes. They were also given special access into operating rooms to film c-section deliveries as well. In a typical c-section situation the hospitals typically do not allow video taping to take place. We were one of the lucky few who had our story filmed for this show. Even though we didn't make cut for the TV show we where given an 8 min video of Parker's birth. We will cherish this for years to come!

Here is the back story...
Parker was scheduled to be born via c-section (breach baby) on Wednesday November 24, 2010 (the day before Thanksgiving). The production company had already been at our home weeks prior to his delivery to film personal interviews and footage of us putting together baby items. We were all ready to show up to the hospital on that Wednesday and have a baby. Parker had a different idea... On Friday November 19, 2010 we went in for our last doctors appointment. The nurse did not instruct me to take off my clothes for a "check" so I didn't. When the doctor walked in he said, "What no check today??" My doctor is funnier than all get out so to hear him say this very funny. I said to him, "Simon didn't say to take my pants off so I didn't!" We skipped the check since all was going well and my c-section was scheduled for the following Wednesday.

On Saturday November 20th I sent shopping with my mom. We went to Kohls and ran some other errands. I wasn't feeling good and had a lot of pressure but didn't think anything of it. We met my dad at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. I didn't eat anything other than chips and salsa. Ray was busy working around the house and getting last minute projects completed. I decided to spend the late afternoon early evening just laying in bed watching TV Ray was working in the garage and had not had a shower for the day. As my shows were changing and my 6pm program started I felt a small pop down "there" and I felt as if I peed my pants. OH SHIT MY WATER BROKE! This is not suppose to be happening!! I had a c-section scheduled!!! I went to the bathroom and sure enough my underwear were pretty wet. I was screaming for Ray, no answer. So I ran (ok walked fast) downstairs and open the garage door and yell, "My water BROKE! He is coming today!!" Ray said, "What? Are you sure??" I was totally sure!! I told him to go upstairs and take the quickest shower he has ever taken. I called the on call number and they took all my info. The doctor on call contacted me within minutes. I let him know all the details and then told him, by the way Dr.Melillo wants you to call him so he can deliver my baby. The on call doctor was taken by surprise and said, "Oh really, did he give you his number to call?? I will contact him and see what he says." I swear dude I didn't make that up, Dr.M really wants to deliver my baby. When the on call doctor called Dr. M, he of course said I will be right there!! Lucky Dr. M was dropping his son off at the movies just minutes away from the hospital. I called my parents and we were off to the hospital.

I was in active labor and the contractions and back labor started. The ride from Grove City to Riverside hospital on a Saturday night seemed to take F-O-R-E-V-E-R! I was trying to breath and work through the pain. It was very intense and more than I thought I would have to experience since I knew I was having a c-section!! The traffic light off of the hospital exit seemed to take forever to change and at one point Ray almost ran it! When we arrived to the labor and delivery entrance the production company, along with my parents, where waiting to film our delivery. We all had microphones and I was wheeled into labor and delivery. The nurses asked me 20 questions and one being, when did you see the doctor last? Uh, yesterday. And I wasn't checked. At this point not a lot of laughing, I just wanted Parker out!! They also asked me how I knew Parker was breach... Well, his head is up under my ribs so yeah I know. The resident on duty did a quick ultrasound and yep he was still breach. They then did a quick internal check and yep I was 8cm dilated!! What!?!? The mood of the room quickly went from: la, la, la, dum, da-dum, da-dum to OH SHIT! Everyone was moving very quickly!! In the video you see Dr.M come in and say, "I told you I should have checked you yesterday!" I am then wheeled into the operating room and you can watch the magic happen! :)

Parker's Delivery Video: http://youtu.be/JAWVq2xrxGI
Disclaimer: This is a c-section delivery so there is a little blood. Kids can watch, it's what they would have shown on TV.
Click here to see our post from 2010 to announce Parker's arrival!