Our little squeaker learned to laugh...

Check out this video, it seriously is his first real laugh, don't ask me how we got it on film!

Parker's Blessing Day

Parker was blessed on Easter night at my parents house. It was so special and personal to do it there, with so many family members to join us. We felt so much love for little Parker. Thanks to everyone who made it out for the blessing. It meant a lot to have you all there. Chad gave Parker a beautiful blessing. I am so grateful for such a wonderful husband to do this for such a wonderful son. Wow. I love my boys. After the blessing, we had a great dinner and socialized with the fam. Here are a couple of pictures of Parker with his grandparents on his blessing day.

Spring Break Part 2: Utah

After a few days in California, we flew to Utah, where Parker met his cousins on the Zwick side, Grandpa, and the rest of his aunts and uncles (except Todd-- we missed you!) We were able to spend Easter there, and have Parker's blessing on Easter Sunday surrounded by so much family (this event deserves its own post coming soon). We ate at all our favorite restaurants, and even took Parker for his first visit to BYU campus! Chad flew home early for school, but Parker and I got to live it up in Utah for a few more days. It was so much fun to be there with everyone. Sorry to everyone we couldn't see while we were there. Time got a little tight. Flying home alone with Parker turned out to be quite an ordeal. We flew the day that American and Delta cancelled hundreds of flights, including ours. So, to make a long story short, we finally got to Baltimore at 1am with a sprained finger and Parker down to his last undershirt after 2 blowouts... all in all, Salt Lake to Baltimore took about 18 hours of traveling and 4 airports. Parker and I were SOOOO excited to see Chad! After the longest day ever, I came home to a spotless house, beautiful flowers and August Rush. I love you honey!


all the cousins with Grandma and Papa


the Easter Bunny came for Parker


First time in the cougar eat... he's taking this to the dorms one day


some aunts and uncles


home sweet home

Spring Break Part 1: California

On Parker's 2 month birthday (March 16) he took his first flight to California. He was a little angel on the flights and slept the entire time. While in California, Parker got to meet new friends, his Burnham cousins, aunts and uncles and Boppa for the first time. We spent a few days there and had a blast finding leprechaun footprints, eating at pinkberry, and snapping photos of all the cousins together. Thank you Shawna and Andy for being great hosts!



Parker and Kenna just 4 months apart


Cousins, Ryan, Kenna, Parker and Julie


Meeting Boppa


Second cousin, Carly


Parker's first girlfriend, Kami

Wheels on the bus

Nothing gets Parker to smile quicker than an early morning rendition of "wheels on the bus". Favorite verses include the "beep beep beep" of the horn, the "swish swish swish" of the wipers and the "move on back" of the driver, complete with hand motions. Park stays in full grin the whole time.

Park is home!

Parker's surgery went really well on Tuesday. We arrived at Johns Hopkins and were greeted by all familiar faces of my great friends who I work with, which made everything a lot easier on us. Chad and I were able to carry Parker into the operating room and stay there with him until he fell asleep. It was so hard to lay his little body down on the big operating room table and have to walk away. Even though we new he was in good hands, we were both a little emotional. The surgery went great, and he was back in our arms within the hour. We had to stay overnight that night just because he is still so young and had a lot of anesthesia, so I slept (well, not much sleep) there with him. We were able to leave the hospital and come home pretty early yesterday. Parker is doing great, and we are so grateful for his speedy recovery. Thank you everyone for your concern and prayers for him and us. Here are some pics from the hospital:


Last minute snuggles before surgery



All done in the recovery room


Is it over?


Good sleep in my hospital bed

Picture Request

Apparently people just want to see the baby, and the last post had no picture of our little Park. So, per request, here are a couple. Parker decided to give a half grin to the blog. pretty cute!

Parker's getting surgery.

So, as most of you know I am a Pediatric ICU nurse at Johns Hopkins, and have been ultra paranoid about anything happening to Parker because of all the stuff I have seen. Well, Tuesday night, I was changing Parker's diaper and noticed a little swelling in his right groin. Having worked in the Pediatric operating room for 2 years before the ICU, I had seen my fair share of inguinal hernia repairs, and knew that was what I was looking at. ( an inguinal hernia is where part of the small intestine pushes through the inguinal ligament and the floor of the abdomen into the groin area.) I took Park into our pediatrician the next morning for a real diagnosis. He confirmed that was what it was and told me he usually sets up surgery at a certain hospital. I really wanted Parker to be seen at Hopkins since I knew all the surgeons there and was more comfortable with him getting it done in a place that I had actually worked. So, I made a few calls and we went in today to see one of my favorite pediatric surgeons, who I have actually scrubbed in and assisted with this exact surgery so many times. He took a look at Parker and posted us for surgery on Tuesday morning. The surgery will be short and sweet, and we will actually be able to go home later that same day. I feel so bad for our little Parker, but I know he really needs this and will be just fine. I couldn't be happier about how everything worked out to get him set up for surgery. I feel so much better about everything knowing the exact operating room set up, hand picking my nurses and anesthesiologist for the case, and personally knowing the surgeon who I have helped in doing this exact operation. It will definitely be a crazy day being on the other side of it all, and I have already been emotional about it. Wow, it sure is different when it is YOUR kid. Parker is the sweetest baby and we love him to pieces. I'll keep the blog updated on how it all goes. Here is a little diagram, if you are interested. They just make a little incision, and practically push the intestine up where it's supposed to go... magic.



Other than the hernia, Parker is doing great and has learned to smile. It is the cutest thing ever and melts my heart. I have tried to get pictures but he is pretty stubborn when the camera comes out. I'll keep trying. He weighs 9 lbs, 7ounces now and is 21.5 inches long. What a cutie!

One Month Old!

I can't believe that our little Parker is already one month old! He is growing up way too fast, but is so much fun. Chad's mom and brother are here visiting us, and we are all having a blast hanging out with eachother and litle Parker. Park loves his Nana and his Josh. Here are some updated pictures of our little one month old!





Check out "mom and dad b."s blog on the right side of our blog to see more pictures from the past couple of days.

3 weeks old

Parker continues to be such a joy. He is so fun to watch, I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He eats all the time and is starting to fill out in his face, tummy and thighs... so cute. Chad and I just can't get enough of this little guy.