Parker's First Trip to the Beach

This past weekend we took a small trip to the beach. My sister and her family had a house for the week at Garden City. We went for a few days to get away and for a much needed escape from the house. Parker enjoyed his time with his cousins, Hannah and Cayden. Hannah told me she wants another cousin. I told her she would have to wait awhile for that one. It was nice to get a short time away. Thanks to the Blankenship family for invite us to come. Here are some pictures from our trip.

New Baby = Germaphobic Mama

Although I have always been aware of germs, I have been leaning toward the germaphobic side since Parker was born (and not to mention the swine flu pandemic). Parker and I have been safe in our home so germs from the "outside" haven't been much of an issue until today. I had to take Parker to the doctor because he had a bad diaper rash that had begun to blister. The doctor gave him a prescription so we went to a drug store that also has a little diner in it to get it filled. It was close to lunch time so we killed two birds with one stone. We had just walked into the drug store when this lady who was on her way out walked by and said in a baby voice "let me see that baby". As she said this, I saw her hand reach out toward my 3 week old baby who has not had time to build up an immunity against the germs on her hands. As I saw this, the thought of karate chopping this woman's hand off went through my mind. Luckily, I think the woman took the hint of my body language and the look on my face and walked off without touching my child. I'm seriously thinking about making t-shirts for Parker and me that says something about not touching for when we do have public outings.

Parker at home

Play time led to nap time.

Parker was fussy so I put him in the sling. He went right to sleep. I caught the tail end of a smile!

Daddy time!

Parker was really interested in this elephant.

Hannah was very excited to meet her new cousin.

Coming home for the first time after 5 days in the NICU.

To home we go!

Jaundice Free!

We took Parker to the doctor today. His biliruben was down again to 8.4. What a relief! Now we don't have to go back to the doctor every day. He is doing well. He has been such a good baby. I just feel so blessed to have him in my life. I now feel like I am doing what God has put me on this earth to do. Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessing of children. I pray that you would use me to grow Parker into a Godly man. May You receive all the glory!

Parker is home!

Parker finally got to come home yesterday, Monday, after 5 days in the NICU. I don't know how the mothers who have to wait weeks or even months before they get to bring their little one home do it. Parker had to come home with a bilibed, a bed that emits light to help get rid of the jaundice, since his levels were still over 1o. We went to the doctor today. His bilirubin levels were below 10. The doctor said he knew his levels would be lower but he didn't expect them to drop as quickly as they did. So now Parker's off the bilibed, but we will go back to the doctor tomorrow to have his level checked again to make sure they stay down. I sure pray they do. It is so nice to have him home. We survived our first night. Paul is so funny in the middle of the night but he is getting better at getting up. Parker is beginning to feed more frequently now. The doctor said we don't have to keep giving him formula now after he nurses. So, he will be wanting to eat frequently now. Well, I must go stare at my son. He is just so beautiful!

As promised pictures!

This is the first round of a million pictures to come. Hope you enjoy!

I think he looks so cute in the biliblanket!

Wide awake!

Look at those chubby cheeks. Part of it is from swelling though.

Curled up in the isolet. He sleeps like his mama.

First time I held him right after he was born. I only held him for a brief minute before they took him away to work on him.

Parker is here!

I'm so excited to announce the birth of our son, Parker Brooks Camp. He was born Wednesday, August 5 at 10:40 am weighing 9 lbs 8 oz and was 21 inches long. My what a big boy! I really can't believe he came out of me! I must say I am very grateful for modern medicine and the miracle of a spinal tap! I went into the whole labor experience with as little expectations as possible, but I was going to try for a natural birth but not leaving the option of having pain meds out. We arrived at the hospital at 5 in the morning for my induction, and I was already 4 cm dilated. I had to get a round of antibiotics in before they started the pitocin since I tested positive for Group Strep B. Around 6:30 am they started the pitocin. I started feeling the contractions soon after. However, after Dr. Smith broke my water at 7:30 I really started feeling it in my back. Poor Paul. He got a work out rubbing a tennis ball on my lower back non stop since my contractions were 1-2 mins a part after then. That's when I asked for an epidural. I was beginning to worry that the doctor wouldn't make it in there in time to give me an epidural when the nurse told me it would be a little bit because he was with another patient. But to my relief, he made it and decided that a spinal was the way to go since I was already 8 cm, and the spinal works immediately. Praise the Lord it does! After that they wanted to slow my labor a little to get in the second round of antibiotics. I got the spinal around 8:30 and began pushing around 10. Then at 10:40 am Parker made his arrival. Everyone was surprised at how big he was! He took in a lot of fluid at birth so they had to take him to the NICU to work on him but they assured me that he would be okay. They just had to get his oxygen level up and his respitory rate slowed down. It took him a few days to get the respitory rate to what it should be. He had to be fed through an IV which was disappointing to me because I wanted to start breastfeeding. But all is well, he is now doing well with breast feeding. Since he was on an IV a few days, he became jaundice, and soon that was the only thing keeping us from home. I am so grateful that I got to stay at the hospital the whole time he was there. Although, I was officially discharged as a patient, I got to stay in the room. This made it easier for me especially for feeding. I would just walk down to the nursery and feed him then go back to my room. The whole experience has been very emotional but the birth of my first son has been the best experience of my life!

This will be the week!

I'm so excited after my doctor's visit today! I was ready to go in and hear, "you're only 1 cm dilated" or something like that. However, I was amazed when the doctor said I was 3 to 4 cm dilated. I guess all the walking around in circles inside my house has made a difference. We went ahead and scheduled an induction for Wednesday, August 5, which is Parker's due date, so that will be the day unless he decides to come between now and then. I tested positive for Strep B so they will have to give me antibiotics when I go in. That's just to make sure my little one doesn't get infected on his journey out. I'm so excited to meet my son and to hold him. I amazed that the time has come. These 9 months have gone by quickly, but yet these past 2 weeks have taken an eternity. I'm praying that all goes well with the delivery. I'm going to try for natural, but I won't be ashamed if I end up getting the epidural. I don't know what to expect so I'm not going to put that kind of pressure on myself. I also pray that everything goes well and healthy for both Parker and me. That is the goal a healthy, safe delivery, and I will do whatever is necessary to achieve that. Well, I'm going to get my "nest" ready.