We spent out first Thanksgiving in Lorena. It was a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving. This little turkey was worn out. Dad was kind enough to keep her for a bit while I got out and did some Black Friday Shopping!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Newborn Pictures by Lauren Crose Photography
I had been warned how exhausting newborn pictures can be and boy they were not lying! We took Parker to my friend Lauren's to take her newborn pictures 10 days after she was born. Lauren liked for her to sleep the entire time but that just wasn't going to happen. She was awake a lot and she peed on me and one of the blankets and she even pooped in one of Lauren's towels! Really?! She poops once a day, sometime every other day but by gosh she managed to do her business during her precious pictures.
I left feeling very disappointed and assumed Lauren didn't get many shots. Well...it turns out she got some great stuff, so now I will overload you with her newborn pictures.
I cannot get enough of these sweet gal!
I left feeling very disappointed and assumed Lauren didn't get many shots. Well...it turns out she got some great stuff, so now I will overload you with her newborn pictures.
I cannot get enough of these sweet gal!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Introducing Parker Pratka
On Tuesday October 23rd I went in for my 39 week check up. When we got to the doctor my blood pressure was through the roof. I started having very high blood pressure the last month of my pregnancy and was very swollen.
My doctor came in and checked everything, and suprisingly I was dilated to a 3 and 100% thinned out. He was alarmed by my blood pressure so he asked us what would be a good date to think about inducing? I was feeling fine so I said I didn't care...as long as it was in October. My original due date was October 27th. He told us he was going to check the hospital schedule and would be back with an induction date.
After about ten minutes he came back in and said how about an October 24th baby? I was shocked. I said, "Oh my...that's tomorrow!" He said, "Yep, can you be here at 7:30 in the morning and we will get ya checked in and get things going!" I was so nervous....excited but nervous!!
Cody and I left and made a few calls to our friends, family and work and then we headed over to Cheddars for our last dinner date as a single couple! We got home and got the house picked up and everything loaded up and I didn't sleep a wink!
We got to the hospital the next morning and were in our room by 8:30. Cody and his mom went to the cafeteria to eat breakfast around 9:30 and my mom wondered off to somewhere and our doctor came in and broke my water to get things started. I was feeling ok...just hanging out watching HGTV. Haha.
The nurse kept coming in asking if I was ready for my epidural and I kept holding out...I finally got to a 5 and said I would go ahead and get it. I'm so glad I didn't wait much longer because the epidural wasn't working and I could still feel every contraction at a 7! It was pretty painful and I was in tears so they had to increade my dose.
I remember laying there chatting with my good friend Jennifer when my nurse walked in and said do you feel like you need to push yet and I replied, "I don't feel anything!" She checked me and I was dilated to a 10 so they cleared out my room. It was just Cody and me.
I thought this chicky was never going to come. She wasn't making much progress. After pushing for an hour and a half my doctor came in and had to use the forceps and pull her.
Parker Monroe was born on October 24th at 4:00 p.m. She weighed 6.12lbs and was 20 inches long. We are so smitten!
I lost a lot of blood and wasn't doing well at all so they ended up keeping us for an extra night. My labor and delivery experience was wonderful. I had the best nurse ever! She was amazing! The recovery end of it was awful...they were so busy and I was in so much pain. I felt like I got put on the back burner and nobody was very helpful for the rest of our hospital stay. Despite it all...we are so in love and are enjoying every minute with her!!
My doctor came in and checked everything, and suprisingly I was dilated to a 3 and 100% thinned out. He was alarmed by my blood pressure so he asked us what would be a good date to think about inducing? I was feeling fine so I said I didn't care...as long as it was in October. My original due date was October 27th. He told us he was going to check the hospital schedule and would be back with an induction date.
After about ten minutes he came back in and said how about an October 24th baby? I was shocked. I said, "Oh my...that's tomorrow!" He said, "Yep, can you be here at 7:30 in the morning and we will get ya checked in and get things going!" I was so nervous....excited but nervous!!
Cody and I left and made a few calls to our friends, family and work and then we headed over to Cheddars for our last dinner date as a single couple! We got home and got the house picked up and everything loaded up and I didn't sleep a wink!
We got to the hospital the next morning and were in our room by 8:30. Cody and his mom went to the cafeteria to eat breakfast around 9:30 and my mom wondered off to somewhere and our doctor came in and broke my water to get things started. I was feeling ok...just hanging out watching HGTV. Haha.
The nurse kept coming in asking if I was ready for my epidural and I kept holding out...I finally got to a 5 and said I would go ahead and get it. I'm so glad I didn't wait much longer because the epidural wasn't working and I could still feel every contraction at a 7! It was pretty painful and I was in tears so they had to increade my dose.
I remember laying there chatting with my good friend Jennifer when my nurse walked in and said do you feel like you need to push yet and I replied, "I don't feel anything!" She checked me and I was dilated to a 10 so they cleared out my room. It was just Cody and me.
I thought this chicky was never going to come. She wasn't making much progress. After pushing for an hour and a half my doctor came in and had to use the forceps and pull her.
Parker Monroe was born on October 24th at 4:00 p.m. She weighed 6.12lbs and was 20 inches long. We are so smitten!
I lost a lot of blood and wasn't doing well at all so they ended up keeping us for an extra night. My labor and delivery experience was wonderful. I had the best nurse ever! She was amazing! The recovery end of it was awful...they were so busy and I was in so much pain. I felt like I got put on the back burner and nobody was very helpful for the rest of our hospital stay. Despite it all...we are so in love and are enjoying every minute with her!!
Whoooo will it be? Boy or Girl?
I was 39 weeks pregnant and my very best friend, Amanda had her gender reveal party in Stephenville on October the 20th. I was so worried we wouldn't be able to make it.
1. I wasn't feeling good.
2. It's an hour and a half drive.
I was so determined to be there to find out if Miss Parker would have a best friend or a boyfriend!! I'm so glad we made it to the big reveal!! It was decorated so cute...the theme was owls.
When you walked in you had to cast your vote: Boy or Girl? If you thought she was having a boy you got to wear a cute black mustache pinned to your shirt, if you thought she was having a girl you got to wear hot pink lips pinned to your shirt! It was the cutest thing.
I would have loved to have a big reveal party like this but there is no way I could have waited! For those of you who aren't familiar with gender reveal parties... They went to the doctor the Wednesday before their party and had their ultrasound and the doctor put the results into a sealed envelope. They then took the envelope to a baker to get a cake made. The baker was the only one who knew if they were having a boy or girl. The baker made a cute owl themed cake and at the party Amanda and Ty cut into the cake and we all got to see what color the inside of the cake was...pink or blue? Boy or girl?
I will let the pictures tell the story!
1. I wasn't feeling good.
2. It's an hour and a half drive.
I was so determined to be there to find out if Miss Parker would have a best friend or a boyfriend!! I'm so glad we made it to the big reveal!! It was decorated so cute...the theme was owls.
When you walked in you had to cast your vote: Boy or Girl? If you thought she was having a boy you got to wear a cute black mustache pinned to your shirt, if you thought she was having a girl you got to wear hot pink lips pinned to your shirt! It was the cutest thing.
I would have loved to have a big reveal party like this but there is no way I could have waited! For those of you who aren't familiar with gender reveal parties... They went to the doctor the Wednesday before their party and had their ultrasound and the doctor put the results into a sealed envelope. They then took the envelope to a baker to get a cake made. The baker was the only one who knew if they were having a boy or girl. The baker made a cute owl themed cake and at the party Amanda and Ty cut into the cake and we all got to see what color the inside of the cake was...pink or blue? Boy or girl?
I will let the pictures tell the story!
It's a boy!!!
We cannot wait to meet their sweet little guy!!!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Maternity Picture Sneak Peek
We were supposed to take my maternity pictures a few weeks ago when I was still feeling good, but my friend Lauren, our photographer had to cancel because of some dental issues and a crazy wedding that she shot. We had been trying to reschedule but it has been so busy. The weekend before school started Cody's friend, Ty threw him a "Diaper Shoot." It is where a bunch of guys get together and have a big skeet shooting tournament and to enter they bring a pack of diapers or wipes and $10. Usually the Daddy-To-Be gets 50% of the money, 1st place gets 25%, 2nd place gets 15% and 3rd place gets 10%. Well for the first time EVER, the Daddy-To-Be won!!! Yes, my handsome husband won his own diaper shoot! So, we got a ton of diapers and wipes and 75% of the pot. Our best friends, Amanda and Ty, put on the skeet shoot and cooked out some delicious hamburgers afterwards. It was a wonderful weekend and a great way to spend my last weekend before school started back! Then, I have been super tired and busy with 20 kindergartners! Labor Day Weekend was restful and then we finally got around to taking our pictures yesterday evening.
My friend Lauren just recently started her own photography business and it is really taking off. I am pleased with the few pictures she has sent me. My only complaint is...HOLY COW! I didn't realize how short one of my dresses was with my growing bump! Overall, they look great!
Here are a few!
My friend Lauren just recently started her own photography business and it is really taking off. I am pleased with the few pictures she has sent me. My only complaint is...HOLY COW! I didn't realize how short one of my dresses was with my growing bump! Overall, they look great!
Here are a few!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A Sweet, Sweet Shower
I had my first baby shower yesterday. It was way more than I ever could have asked for! My hostesses went above and beyond. I am so incredibly thankful for such sweet friends. The theme was Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. We had it at a hotel in West, where my husband is from. I am blessed beyond belief and Parker will be a very spoiled and loved little girl. Here are some pictures.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Branson
We recently got back from our summer vacation. We went to Branson this year. I absolutely loved it! It is gorgeous...huge trees and mountains and there is so much to do. We were trying to squeeze in a good little trip before Princess Parker arrives in October. While we were there we talked about coming back in the spring or summer...it's a wonderful place for families! The only bad thing about it just being the two of us is that there are no pictures of just us...we tried the whole holding the camera out and trying to squeeze ourselves into a picture but it just doesn't work and I am too embarrassed to bug people to take our picture. So all I really got was the scenery, which is so pretty...but a little boring! We went to Dolly Parton's restaurant, Dixie Stampede. It was my favorite thing we did! You go in and they seat you based on whether you are a rebel or a yankee and they have a huge Rebels vs. Yankees competition in the arena with trick riding, stage coach races, etc. The food is served one course at a time and you get to eat and watch the show. Sooo fun! We played some mini golf, went on the Ride the Ducks tour of Branson and Lake Table Rock, did some shopping at their awesome outlet mall and ate some delicious food! Next time we visit I will not be pregnant and I fully intend on touring a winery or two and going ziplining!!
Dixie Stampede
Lake Table Rock
A view of the marina
Bass Pro Shop's restaurant the Fish House
Monday, July 9, 2012
She's 50 and Fabulous!
Saturday night we celebrated my mom's 50th birthday. My brother and his sweet girlfriend came up from Houston and we all surprised her for dinner in Arlington at The Keg. Cody and I had never been there before, but some of our closest friends love it. It definitely did not disappoint. I nearly took a picture of my meal...but I figured my family might think I was a little strange. I was at a loss on what to get my mom for her birthday. I usually go the whole gift card route, but just didn't feel like it this time.
So...she has been going to the track every morning and she has been complaining about not having a good pair of tennis shoes. So, I got her a new cute pair of reeboks and some cute work out gear and then some bath and body stuff and cute tops she could wear on the weekends or to teach in. My brother got her a super nice watch from Macy's, and his girlfriend got her some cute jewelry. I think her birthday was a success. It wasn't big or extravagent, but just perfect. Here are some pics!
So...she has been going to the track every morning and she has been complaining about not having a good pair of tennis shoes. So, I got her a new cute pair of reeboks and some cute work out gear and then some bath and body stuff and cute tops she could wear on the weekends or to teach in. My brother got her a super nice watch from Macy's, and his girlfriend got her some cute jewelry. I think her birthday was a success. It wasn't big or extravagent, but just perfect. Here are some pics!
My sweet Mama and Me
My mama and hopefully one day sister in law!
The extravagent cake I had made! Ha!
And her sweet new kicks! : )
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
Cody spent hours the other night putting Parker's furniture together. I thought maybe I should have started a swear jar before he started but he didn't throw a fit at all!! Anything for his little girl! We have been trying to get the nursery together. It's coming together slowly but surely. My best friend is working on the back and side bumpers and I still need some wall art. Here are some pictures. It is really hard to get good pictures in her room because there is a window above the crib and one on the side wall so all the sun shines in!
On another baby related topic...I went to Children's Place at the outlet mall yesterday and got Parker 6 pairs of pants, 1 skirt and 6 shirts for $24!! It doesn't look like much in the picture because I have the pants doubled up...I bought two sizes in each pair. Can't beat that!!
And then my sweet, wonderful friend Amanda has been working so hard on my baby shower and I just got the invitation in the mail. They are too cute. More than I could have ever asked for!!
That's all for now! Have a great Monday!
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