Goodbye hole in the wall!
Hello more cupboards!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!

(ok one person requested that I blog more)
But as far as I'm concerned that's popular enough...tehe

So what's new at the Parker house...hmmm.

Well Aubrey received the honor of Student of the Month for November. For the second year in a row...both in November. Which is driving Connor CRAZY, because he has never been student of the month, which as it turns out is just a perk for Aubrey. Gotta LOVE sibling rivalry. She has also been getting straight A's the whole year. Aubrey with a poem book she wrote

Connor passed of his Wolf requirements in Cub Scouts over the Thanksgiving weekend. (6 months early). He absolutely loves scouts, which I'm pleased about because I haven't had to ever nag him about it. He also has a new friend Spencer that lives 2 doors down. Spencer's family is awesome and Spencer is a really nice kid, so we are happy about the whole thing!

Connor being a goof-ball

Alli is loving preschool and I love that she loves it. It has kept her busy and happy. With both of the older kids at school all day there isn't much for her to do, which is a first for her. She has always had at least Aubrey home to entertain her. She is really struggling with being alone. Olivia isn't quite old enough to play with, for any extended period of time at least. So tuesdays and thursdays are more difficult and lately she starts asking "when are the kids going to be home?" around 12 noon. After the holidays I think she's going to start swim lessons at the local indoor pool, that should keep her busy. Alli with her birthday presents

(the scooter, hat, and gloves)

Olivia is growing up so fast! She has been walking since a week before Halloween. Olivia is into board books, cars and trucks, and she loves to carry around one of Aubrey's purses. She gives the BEST hugs and kisses and is in love with her puppy. I could write all day about how amazing she is and how smart, and cute. I'll spare you.

A moment of her just being silly and cute!
helping put up Christmas decorations

It's funny because we can always tell whether the kids get their coordination from Sean or I. Connor started walking at 10 months, running the next day and before that he was climbing on EVERYTHING. Coordinated- mom. Aubrey was slower to walk and hasn't stopped falling over. Uncoordinated- dad. Alli was walking at a year and dancing quickly after that, dance lessons came naturally. Coordinated- mom. Olivia wasn't walking until 14 months, it's been over a month and a half and she is still bouncing off walls, cupboards and people...she hasn't quite figured out her breaks yet. Uncoordinated-dad. It doesn't seem to bother either Aubrey or Olivia to have no coordination and luckily for them, I know coordination can be learned.
Now don't get me wrong, Sean isn't what you would call a klutz but smooth and graceful are definitely words that would not describe anything he does. Or anyone in his family (God love them) for that matter. And before Sean becomes the victim in everyone's mind, he is aware of this.

Speaking of Sean. He is working his hiney off even though things are slowing down. In part due to seasonal demand as well as the "slowing economy". While some of his friends in the industry have been laid off, Sean remains confident in his job security. So for now we continue to be thankful for his job and our hearts go out to those going through job loss and financial struggles during this holiday season.

I am officially registered as a student at Salt Lake Community College. I was so worried that my classes would fill up and there wouldn't be any room for me, which led to me stalking the internet registration status for a week. Not making it in would have been a HUGE set back. For anyone who doesn't know I will be going into Cosmetology. Sean is super supportive and (pre-maturely) looking forward to a 2nd income. No pressure, sheesh. I totally feel that this is the right choice for me at this time. I know it'll be hard with young kids but we'll just work through it like everything else. Plus, I could be proven wrong but I think I have some natural talent in the area. So count down begins...one month exactly! I will be taking two Cosmetology lab classes, one Cosmetology Theory class and one business HR class (online).

So there you have it. That's how we are these days. I'll have to write all about the Holiday festivites and Shenanigans!

You have GOT to be KIDDING ME!

So I was at Target tonight. Alone, with Olivia. I was enjoying my time when I wandered into a "situation" in the baby clothes section. It was ridiculous! A woman (possibly the aunt) was chasing 2 kids around the ages of 2 and 4 around UNDER the displays of high chairs and playpens etc. Around all of the boxes. For those of you who don't have babies yet, those boxes are heavy and not steady. The 4 year old was saying "come this way" to the woman and she was saying things like "no I think I'll go in/out this way...uh oh, watch out (little boys name)...just a minute i have to get (boy)." Girl: "This is so fun I had no idea" as the sound of boxes tipping and moving. Umm HELLO dangerous! As if that wasn't bad enough what I think was the actual mom of the kids was changing a diaper, A POOPY diaper on one of the larger boxes under the display. Are you KIDDING me?! Don't get me wrong I get the chaos of kids. I understand the need to change a poopy ASAP, yeah I get making do with what is available...BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORE??? She was less than 30 yards from the bathroom. Next time you buy a large purchase for a baby beware of what's on the outside of the box....ewww!

Happy Birthday Alli! and Megan's off to school!

Alli is 5! actually she will be on Friday but the way things have been going I should get this blog done before it becomes a procrastination issue!
Alli is is preschool and LOVES it! Her personality has just exploded over the last few months and she is adorable. She cracks me up almost everyday. Lately she likes to talk about her future. She is "going to be a singer like Taylor Sift" and "color her hair yellow." It's so much fun to tell her that she can be whatever she wants to be as long as she works hard. And that she is beautiful the way she is. I believe she will do what she wants and will be successful, too. She loves to help out and she has this determination about her she's had from the day she was born. She is still fiercely independent (don't know where in the world she gets that from!). We are still told often that she is my "mini megan", strangers, family, friends, Sean someone usually has something to say about it. I don't mind, but I'm sure it might be a problem for her as she gets older. Oh well, we all have our issues. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLI WE LOVE YOU!!

And now on to me...my favorite thing to blog about...HAHA.
Actually for once there is news about me. Way back in August/September I made up my mind to go back to school. It has been something I have been looking into and talking about since Connor and Aubrey were little. Some things I considered going for were nursing, teaching, and cosmetology. Well I made the decision and will be going for Cosmetology. While Nursing and Teaching are valiant professions I need to do something with some more flexibility. I am hoping after gaining some experience, to have my salon in my house. Until that time comes I'll start out going to school at night taking as many classes as I can handle so that I can get finished as soon as possible. Then the plan is to work in a professional salon to gain some experience for a year or 2 and then finally build a salon in our house. In the meantime Sean will be starting internet classes sometime next year in hopes to finish his bachelor and continue on to his masters. OY its just the beginning...but it's the beginning of the end!

A new Post! Things I've Done

It's seems like I am falling behind on my blog, ugh, just like everything else right now. There just isn't enough time in the day. I'll have to explain in more detail later. But for now I thought I would post a blog that I saw on my cousins page. Here it is...

To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done. Happy discoveries!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I'm including Orchestra and a few Quartets)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
I hope to one day
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
sign language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
(well as close as you can get in the US I went to the museum in DC)
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Parkers- Sick Again

Well, just when I was getting a handle of all that was going on everyone gets sick. Alli started it all with a bout of strep throat and after a round of antibiotics it persisted. Sean took her to the Dr. which doesn't happen all that often. When he (dr.) said since it didn't respond to antibiotics it was probably viral, sean insisted he check anyway. Go Daddy! Sean was right and the Dr. was surprised and prescribed a stronger med. Well unfortunately stronger didn't mean tastes better so we spent a week playing the "If you take your medicine..." game with Alli. It was bad. Fortunately no one else caught it which is an amazing blessing.
Although, I rejoiced too soon. The next week we got a call from the school saying Aubrey threw up in class. Poor girl I felt so bad for her. This time it was a different story, because from then on every 2 days someone else was sick. The next victim was Connor who was at a soccer game when it hit. Then Monday it was Olivia. Then Wednesday it was me and Alli. It brought back all sorts of memories of morning sickness...so glad that is over with! I knew that morning it was bad so I had Sean call a friend in the ward to watch Olivia while I spent the day with Alli puking and sleeping. We were sick buddies. I do not know what I would have done if I had to take care of Olivia all day, I mean, what else do you do with a 1 y/o when doing anything vertically is impossible? Anyway, I was so thankful to have someone to call on. Lucky Sean was the only one who didn't get it.

But now we are all feeling better. Just in time, too. This Saturday we are going to go to Provo so my cousins can take some family pictures. This was my solution to avoiding the high cost of a pro...2 BYU students who are creative and love kids. So instead of paying hundreds of $$ we promised them dinner in exchange for their services. I am scheeming another plan similar to this one to get Sean and I a weekend away w/free babysitters. If there's one thing I've learned about college students...you can get them to do just about anything for a good home cooked meal. Plus my cousins are awesome so they would do nice things for me anyway. I will post some pics when we are done. We haven't had a real family picture since Aubrey was a baby...that is sad!

I'm back...again!

I'm sure there was more I wanted share however, as it often does, life got in the way. I don't remember exactly what it might have been. Thats ok, there is something else that has been on my mind A LOT.

So Olivia is trying to walk. She isn't much for adventure so it seems like it has taken a bit longer for her to master new skills. Specifically, crawling and walking. Although, the reward is her extreme satisfaction with herself when she gets all "risky" and takes 3 or 4 steps. My infatuation w/my baby is probably nauseating but I would like to explain why.

It all started with my grandma. Who all growing up was my biggest champion, loved me unconditionally and supported me always, there really just aren't words. She survived a massive stroke while I was pregnant with Aubrey (2001). This was devastating for me, but she is a survivor and though she was not the same, she lived until November of 2006. During this time I had some amazing moments with her, precious times I will never forget. Shortly after grandma passed I was surprised by my pregnancy with Olivia. It was January, flu season and I thought I had the flu. Then a week went by and it occurred to me that this was not the flu. So went the rest of my pregnancy...I hugged a bowl 24/7 until at 20 weeks I found out I had gestational diabetes. When my blood sugar was under control the nausea was better but not gone completely. Needless to say, I thought this pregnancy would never end. Then our precious Olivia was born. Of course there was not even a question that I would give Olivia the middle name of Margaret after my grandma.

Three days after Olivia was born Sean's grandpa passed away. Just days after Sean and the older kids returned Sean and I were talking about our newest member. I was concerned that her color was just not right at times. I was worried that I was seeing things due to hormone overdrive and sleep deprivation. As we were discussing this our baby just stopped breathing. It took me a moment to really see what was going on. Even though she was breathing again, we both realized that this was serious. Knowing if I called 911 we would have to go through the local hospital first and I just wanted to go to Primary Children's. I got us in the car as fast as possible and drove with one had reaching back to her head, so I could feel her pulse through her soft spot. She seemed to be ok from what I could tell when she was checked out at the hospital her oxygen level was 91. Which is ok but definitely not ideal. They decided to check me in and monitor her. After hours of observation and waiting for the Dr. they decided that her oxygen levels weren't very stable. They had to check for infection which meant blood draws as well as a spinal tap for meningitis. Everything came up normal but thankfully they trusted me and saw that something was going on. The first day at the hospital was a round of preventative antibiotics and closer monitoring of her heart, lungs and oxygen as well as a GERD test. That night was a defining moment for me. I had enough time on my hands to convince myself that I was in fact crazy enough to land my baby in a hospital attached to wires and being pricked and prodded like a science project. I finally surrendered to exhaustion only to wake 2 hours later with 5 nurses surrounding the tiny hospital crib my baby was sleeping in. Monitors politely chiming, in reality indicating a serious problem. As they departed one by one I asked one who looked familiar, "what happened?". She calmly explained that Olivia, once again, stopped breathing only this time her oxygen level dropped to an astonishing 49 (low is below 92). They all rushed in to assess the problem and went to work. As I looked over my baby I realized that she had acquired a new hospital accessory, oxygen tubes. Then all that she said was a blur, except that she explained if this had happened at home it was likely that Olivia would not have recovered. That is the moment I realized that I was there for a reason. I had gone to the hospital the night before, determined to "save my baby" for a reason. If I was not so sure before that point, I knew in that moment I saved my baby. Olivia was just one choice away from being another tragic statistic of SIDS. Often a syndrome that hits randomly without any signs or symptoms. We spent the next 6 days in a blurry cycle of napping, feeding, nurses, feeding, poking, feeding, doctors, and feeding. Finally every test was exhausted. There were several small diagnosis, GERD (acid reflux) shallow breathing as well as underdeveloped lungs (which is common in babies born to diabetic moms). Both the dr. and myself felt confident in sending us home with precripts for GERD and oxygen tanks as well as an oxygen monitor. While it was nice to be home again I became mom again to the older kids as well as 24 hour nurse to Olivia. As you can imagine she was attached to my side all day and night. We were literally inseparable for the following weeks until her pediatrician was confident in her ability to thrive off of oxygen. That was a really hard step for me to take. I was so used to watching her monitor and having the oxygen to rely on. I kept a spare tank around for the next month, just in case.

It's now been a year since that ordeal and I have thought so much about the entire experience. While I had moments of clarity and definitely a fear of the worst. I don't think I fully comprehended how close Olivia was to dying. Forgive me if I sound overly dramatic. I was living in survival mode, taking care of the basic needs of a newborn, feeding, changing. As well as checking monitors, adjusting oxygen giving meds by the clock. Then on top of that taking care of the house and older kids. I am so blessed to have such a supportive, understanding, helpful husband, I could not have made it. So now, a year later, I can breath. Not only that but I see this brilliant little person growing and thriving. Not only that but everyone loves her! Now I'm bragging (like I said, is nauseating).