Baby Hiccups

Today was an exciting day for Jared and I. We had our 12 week sonogram and testing for genetic defects. Those of you that know me... know that we had a rough time with this decision. With Parker we got a false positive and went through months of worrying about Down's Syndrome. This time I wanted to skip all the tests, but for Jared "knowledge is power"... so we went ahead with testing again. Everything looked great today and she thought our risk would be very low. The baby started out on its stomach and then flipped over on its back. It had the hiccups and was moving all over the place. It was so fun to see its mouth open with each hiccup and float around uncontrollably from the movement. The baby's heart rate looked great and all is well in the happy uterus. Here's a picture from the day. I REALLY tried to upload a video from the sonogram but the file was enormous and wouldn't upload, but I can bore you with the video in person anytime you like :)

So, now I'd like to do some shameless parental bragging. My child, Parker, is a genius. He is the most advanced, brightest, smartest baby ever. And I am not biased, this is based on scientific research..... ha, ha. Seriously, he said dinosaur last night. WOW! Not even two and he knows the words triangle, circle and square when you ask them what they are. He even carried on a conversation with me on the phone today that had a beginning, middle and end.

Me: Hi Parker
P: Hi Mama!
Me: What are you doing?
P: Play ball
Me: you are playing ball with Uma?
P: Yes
Me: Can you tell me I love you before you go?
P: Luv U Mama!

My heart grew about 100x after that conversation! Our conversation usually consists of me talking and him grunting and pushing buttons. So this was major! I know all you moms are saying... whatever, you bragger. But man that was fun to brag for a minute.

Lastly, I want to congratulate my friend Heather who had a healthy 9 pound baby boy today. I know they must be thrilled to welcome their second baby into their family.

Back from the dead!

Well folks....I think I am finally back from the land of the "almost dead". For those of you who haven't heard me griping for two weeks straight...here's a recap. I had a nasty ear infection that was incorrectly treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately it was viral and progressed for months causing 50% hearing loss in my left ear, constant ringing and horrible vertigo. The ENT said it is most likely permanent damage that has been done to my inner ear, but my brain has learned to compensate so the dizziness has improved a lot. But vertigo combined with morning sickness was awful. So, don't get annoyed when I say "huh?" or "what?" a lot.... I really can't hear you... I'm not just tuning you out :) But I finally feel better. Poor Parker was wondering who the mysterious woman was living in the bottom floor of the house who never played or moved her head. I took him the park today and had the energy to play. Hurray!

Also, I wanted to tell you all about my superhero friend Julie, who managed to push out an 8 pound boy in two tries and looks like a supermodel again. She didn't even struggle to get out of bed and hug me. My friend Carole and I were shocked and decided that she's either superhuman or we are super wimps. I choose to believe that Julie is Wonder Woman. I am so excited for her and her addition to the family! It makes me feel ready for number two.

I also wanted to share this precious picture of Parker in his new hat. Our dear friend Diane made this hat during a two hour road trip to Canton with me and my mom. I am amazed at her mad skills. Parker just wanted to take it on and off and play with it all day!

This is an old video of Parker swinging, but he smiled just as big today!

Novice Bloggers

Peer pressure has prevailed! I have so many friends that blog and I enjoy reading their blogs so much. I can't keep up with the awesome writers and comedians I have for friends, but I am at least going to try to keep my family and friends updated on our crazy lives.

Parker is growing so fast that I better blog and keep everyone up to date or they will be angry that I haven't told them what he's doing now. He was slow to start moving, as most of you know, but he's outrunning his mommy now. He is putting 2-3 words together now and trying to talk all the time. His favorite things are reading, coloring, saying his ABC's, and Blue's Clues.

Jared and I are eagerly awaiting our next sonogram. We want to know if Parker will have a baby brother or sister! The baby is growing (as is my belly, much faster than with Parker). This pregnancy has been a little more dramatic is the beginning, but we are nearing the end of the scary first trimester. The baby is due September 8th.... yes that means I will be swollen and hot all summer! Anyone have a vacation home in Colorado that I can share this summer?

I promise to load the Christmas pictures to our photo website soon. But here are a few photos to tide you over. Here's the link to the photo gallery too.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/heatheranderson

For those of you new to blogging, like me.... you can subscribe to my blogor save it to your favorites on your toolbar so you can check in on little P-Man.

I think he missed the memo that Christmas is not all about the presents!