Surprise! Welcome to the World Grant Henry

Our son, Grant Henry Snowden, was born into this world on Sunday, March 23 at 7:58 p.m. He weighs 4 pounds, 7 ounces, and is 18 inches long. He surprised us all by coming seven weeks and one day early! We are so in love with him already and so blessed to have him in our lives.

Because he was born prematurely Grant was admitted to the NICU shortly after his birth. He is doing so well! Of course we are looking forward to taking him home but we are on Grant's schedule. He has the same "going home rules" that Parker had during his stay in the NICU: he must have the ability to breathe on his own, nurse from mommy, and maintain a normal body temperature. Once he has accomplished those things, we will take our sweet boy home and complete our family.

I have been in the hospital for the usual 48-hours and although I am being discharged today I have no plans to go anywhere any time soon. For now I am staying put close to Grant's side to take the best care of him that I can.

Thank you so much for all of the well wishes and prayers! Every single one means so very much to our family. I will post about Grant's birth story very soon. It was one wild ride!

Fire Station Fun

A couple of weeks ago, my parents Twinkle and Bing, were here to visit us. I love having company and I love having my parents visit! Parker was excited because their trip was timed during the time that his play group got to go to the local fire station and see all the fire trucks! We took off first thing to go check it all out!

Parker, a little overwhelmed, in the passenger seat of a fire truck!

"Driving" with Daddy...

Sitting in the back...

 Checking out a fire boat!

Exploring on his own...

Taking a walk with Daddy...

Looking at the equipment with Twinkle...

 It was a fun morning made even more special since Twinkle and Bing got to come along too!

Silent Sunday

For this week's Silent Sunday I'm sharing pictures of our week spent in Tennessee house hunting...

These two were troopers on our 8+ hour drive!

 Two adults, one toddler, and one dog for one week. Seriously?

 Hotel Selfie! Parker is making his "truck sounds"...

House Hunting!

 Hotel Breakfast with "Rudy" his little red Peek-a-whoo dog...

This little love woke up early one morning so we brought him to play in our bed before we all got up. He ended up getting warm and cozy and going back to sleep. So we all followed suit! Well except for me of course...

 Fixture and appliance shopping for our new Tennessee home...

 Family selfie! We were all ready for a nap by this point... It was an exhausting week!

 I have to share this series of pictures of my two boys playing:

Have a great Sunday!!

Thanksgiving: Catch Up Post

We all have those "grown up moments"? You know like paying of a car. Buying a home. Getting married. Having a Baby. Yes, I've done each of these. But honestly, I'm not sure if these ever made me feel more like an adult then the time I single handedly prepared and served a Thanksgiving feast complete with a turkey from my own oven!

This year, since my husband’s school schedule did not allow the time we would need to travel home to see our families, we spent Thanksgiving at home.  Just us. And I prepared our Thanksgiving meal complete with a turkey! We also had field peas, cream style corn, sweet potato souffle and of course dressing.

 

Of course the meal did not happen without significant preparation in advance and many, many, many, many phone calls to my mom. (It was my second turkey – I cooked my first one last year for Christmas – but my first Thanksgiving meal.)

We missed our families dearly this year! Preparing Thanksgiving was especially quiet this year without the laughter and stories and wine that I traditionally share with my Mom, Aunt Carol, and Cousin Sarah during our day in the kitchen. The time we spend together over that meal for our families is one of my most favorite times of the year. Having missed it this year only means I will treasure those moments even more next year.

 

This Thanksgiving will always be special to us. Our first one alone. And I might say that I have never felt more like a “mom” than when I pulled that golden brown turkey from the oven and smiled as I called out, "dinner’s ready!"

One final picture I must share: my little turkey Thanksgiving 2012 and Thanksgiving 2013:

Parker's Wheels - A Physical Therapy Update

“You’re in trouble now!”

As I heard her words I turned to see my neighbor smiling from her driveway. My husband and I smiled at each other. I looked down at Parker before I called back, “Yes! Finally! This is the kind of trouble we have been praying for!”

Parker was moving as fast as he could, squealing with excitement down the middle of our cul-de-sac street. Only he wasn’t crawling, which is his usual mode of transportation.

He was walking.

Parker’s physical therapist has loaned us what we have affectionately nicknamed, Parker’s Wheels.

Parker’s Wheels have been such a wonderful addition to our routine.  Since he started crawling in October at 17 months our baby boy has been on the move! He cruises effortlessly between furniture, climbs up the stairs several times each day, and crawls like a little maniac all over the place! We have enjoyed watching him explore his new found freedom.

Now with his wheels, Parker is walking on his very own! The wheels have boosted his confidence and allowed him to experience what walking feels like.

Parker asks to get in his wheels several times a day and we all love when the weather in nice enough to get outside and let him really go! When the wheels were new, Parker had to learn how to steer and we were frequently helping him manuver and getting him un-stuck. But so quickly, he has mastered going wherever he wants to go thanks to his wheels!

We know it is only a matter of time before he takes off on his own! GO PARKER!!