Public Shout Out

I am in awe of Sara Falula Luke (note: Falula is not her middle name). She took Eli's 6 months pics, and the one's I've seen make me want to set up a shrine in my home to her (bigger than the one we already have...please). Seriously, they are awesome. I've actually had someone ask what the number to her studio is so they can set up appointments. Thanks, again, Sara!

Here's a glimpse (just in case you don't read her blog)

I heart this kid!

What's Your Damage, Heather?

Don't be fooled by the title of this post, I love this birthday girl! There are many wonderful things I could say about Heather, but I'll limit myself to three: 1. She has two pretty wicked-awesome sons 2. Her movie trivia knowledge is commendable 3. She can turn the world on with her smile.

Happy Birthday, Heather! Hooray for you!

(Note: Heather's actual birthday was yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to post this until today...)

In Memoriam - K8

Today, the house I lived in my junior and senior year of college was demolished taking a piece of my heart with it.

Eli kicking it (5/6 month edition)

My mother, referencing a Seinfeld episode, said that this summer has been the "Summer of Mary" (that's her name). For us, this has been the summer of Eli. You have changed in so many ways and have learned so many new things; I don't think I would recognize May Eli. So, so many changes. Looking back at everything makes me want to take a nap...ahhh naps.

This summer you have met new people and made new friends. I've tried introducing you to different babies in hopes that you won't be a recluse who speaks Klingon and plays Second Life for hours on end. You seem to like these new friends you've made. They've all been a little older than you, so you kind of just watch as they walk or crawl around. But, so far, you don't seem to be a misanthrope.

Photo by: Stephanie Johnson

One of our biggest events this summer was our train ride to California--the one that caused mommy to breath into a paper bag leading up to it. You were amazing! You were the Robert Goulet of the train--the starring act. All the elderly women loved you; I even think I heard one of them working you into her will. You were never annoyingly fussy. You just went with the flow.

We stayed with your Great-Grandpa Rick...who is one of your biggest fans. You guys laughed and played together. He really does love you and I'm so glad for every opportunity you get to hang out with him. Not only did you get to hang out with your Great Grandpa, but you met your Great Uncle Sal and Aunt Dolores and your Great Aunt Linda. Needless to say, they all loved you.

As far as changes, they have been plenty. I told myself I would never be one of those moms who droned on and on about how advanced her child was. I guess for two reasons: 1. I didn't want to have to punch myself in the face to stop all the annoyingness and 2. I don't want you ever to feel like you have to live up to ulcer-inducing expectations. Do you understand my never-ceasing praise about you to others, probably not (although there was that time you rolled your eyes at me). But, I don't want to start that trend. Others probably think I'm being ridiculous. Oh well. Anyway...the changes. Well, you roll over and over and over as if your trying to level the carpet. You can nearly sit on your own. We had an unfortunate incident in which you were sitting, and I looked away for a second (probably to see what hijinks those Full House folks were up to) and you fell...hard...on the side of your head. I immediately called every person I know in the medical field to inquire how to deduce if you had a concussion. I watched you like a hawk, measured your breathing patterns, etc. You were fine.

You are also starting to crawl. Mothers lock up your daughters, because here comes my son. You do this army crawl which is very cute, but has me concerned about rug burns. You try to get up on your knees, but you end up in a pose very similar to 'downward dog'. You are so mobile and hate staying still. Changing you on your changing table has become very challenging as you seem to want to add base jumping to your repertoire of movements. We've also started feeding you rice cereal. Your first couple experiences with it were unsuccessful. You looked like we were feeding you regurgitated worms, but you love LOVE it now. You also love sucking your toes right after I've fed you a bite...it's slightly weird. I think it just means we need to buy you a high chair instead of feeding you in the Bumbo.

You're completely fascinated by water. I took you swimming at Gma and Gpa Rick's house and you took to it like a fish. Even your baths are fun for you now. We've taken you up to Gma and Gpa Parker's house a couple times where you have been able to put your feet in Lake Huron. Sometimes I'll turn on the faucet and have you put your hands under it; you can't get enough of it. I think your love of water and being outside go hand in hand. Any time you're fussy and we can't get you to calm down, we just have to take you outside and you're fine.

Your little personality is becoming more and more apparent. You love to laugh, and you have such a cute laugh. I love it. I think you are strong willed, but I don't know if you're dad would agree with me. You seem to know how to manipulate us. You have this fake cry you have started using when you would like us to pick you up or move you. It's awesome. You also have realized how to cough. Not that you haven't coughed before, but now you make yourself cough. I think you have your father wrapped around your little finger, too, and you know it.

You're changing so quickly. I just want to bottle up these moments so that I can experience them time and time again. It's hard to believe that you're half way to your first birthday. Over the last couple months, I've found myself getting frustrated with you, especially since you've stopped sleeping through the night. I get so upset with myself for feeling this way, because I know you can't help it. I know that I will be frustrated with you many more times throughout your life, but I can't help but chastise myself for feeling that way right now. I don't want you to ever feel that my love for you is anything less than unconditional. Even though I get frustrated with you, my love for you will never change. I still just stare at you while you're sleeping and well up. I pray every night over you that the Lord will keep you safe and help you to become an upright, Godly man. I also pray that the Lord will help me be the best mother for you. I don't want you to ever question your mom and dad's love for you. You make it so easy to love you!

PSA

My friend Sara mentioned to me that she has some stay-at-home mom friends who get together every other Friday at a different person's house (a person within the group, not just some random stranger, although that would spice up my day-to-day routine), and let their kids play together while the moms eat and talk. My syntax skills are somewhat limited right now due to my minimal amount of sleep, so let me break it down bullet style:

• group of stay-at-home or part time moms
• getting together every other Friday (or every Friday--I can't remember)
• go to a different person's house each time
• eat and talk whilst children play
• solve the world's problems

All this to say--is there anyone interested in getting this going? I think Sara is on board, and then there's me, so if my math skills are correct, that's two. Anyone else? Anyone? We're fun...at least Sara is. Think it over, let me know.

Mutability

Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't deal well with change. Which is an understatement. On the Myers-Briggs scale I am a J all the way. I mean if Ben says to me, "Hey, do you want to go to Wendy's for dinner," I mentally prepare myself for Wendy's. Then, if Ben is like, "Nah, forget it, let's just stay home," this throws me into a tailspin. I have to mentally reconcile the fact that we are no longer going to Wendy's. I will be deprived of the cellulite inducing frosty. Why, God, why?!! I digress. This year has been one big fat change and not just Barack Obama change (don't get me started). It's the obese year of change. ALL THE CHANGE!!! Let's look at all these mind-blowing changes. ((Note: by year, I mean last June to this August.))

June 27: I discover I'm pregnant. This was a good change. Strike that...GREAT, AWESOME, INTENSELY AWAITED change. I spent the next nine months fretting, worrying, anticipating, preparing, planning for our blessed change.

August (in the middle somewhere): My sister moves to Grand Rapids taking a piece of my heart with her. I heart my sister. Despite her being 8 years my junior, I consider her my best friend. She calls it like she sees it with me, and I love that. She also laughs at my jokes, which I also love. I had been so used to her being a 5 minute drive away; this took a little getting used to. I'm glad she was able to do this, but it was not MY favorite change--and isn't life about pleasing me?

September 1: School resumes with pregnancy in tow. Beginning the school year is challenging enough, especially for the insanely uptight...like me. Everything must be perfectly organized, every situation that may arise must be anticipated, everything in it's right place (shout out, Thom). When you're pregnant, hormonal, sweat when talking, obnoxious vomitous, etc...preparing for school is Dante's tenth circle of Hell.

November 3: New president whose campaign revolved around "change". That's all I have to say about that.

December (towards the end): We bought a Wii.

December 29: My grandma passes away...ugh! I hate writing that. Probably the most terrible loss I've ever endured. She was killed by a drunk driver. And that's all I have to say about that.

December 30: Our second niece was born! Hooray for Gigi!

February 15: Our family expanded by one. Enter Elijah Steven Parker two weeks early. I will never watch Beverly Hills Cop the same way (as this was the movie playing whilst I pushed a human out of me--oh, Axel Foley). Life and my waist line will never be the same. I could go on and on and on and on about this beautiful baby who has changed our lives in so many ways, but I see your eyelids are already drooping.

May (towards the beginning): Adam, my sage brother, graduates from his master's program at Gordon Conwell. Changes abound for him.

July 1-10: travel via train to California with a 4 month old (and I didn't die, nor did anyone else). We visited my grandpa and aunts and uncle. It was fun had by all.

Okay, the following is new information to some of you. I hope you can handle it. You may want to practice your breathing exercises.

July 17: I quit my job at Will Carleton. Did you hear me? I QUIT...my job...in this economy...in this state. I quit my TEACHING job. And then my brain leaked out of my ear and I fell writhing on the ground because what are we going to do now? Okay, this was a very, VERY difficult decision. I love teaching like a portly fellow likes cake (was that a nice change?). I also adore the time I spend with Eli, and being his mother is my favorite job. I spent a lot of time in prayer over this. In the end, being a momma to Eli was more important than working. Are we going to have to live frugally? Yes. Are we going to be able to eat McDonald's every day? No. Do we qualify for WIC? Yes. I know that I have to rely on God completely with this decision and know that he will carry us through.

August 1: I get a teaching job at Sylvan. I felt that I needed to do something to prevent my brain from atrophying, so I acquired, thanks to my friend, Megan, a part time job tutoring at Sylvan in the evenings. 2 nights a week and every other Saturday, I will continue to mold young minds. Hooray!

There are some other minor changes, but I'm sure most of you are in REM sleep at this point. Thanks, faithful readers (all 4 of you) for your support and prayers this year. It's been a rough one for a control freak like myself, but I guess that's what I needed.

6 years

When love with one another so
Interanimates two souls,
That abler soul, which thence doth flow,
Defects of loneliness controls.
-John Donne

Dear Internet

Dear Internet,

I'm not dead nor have I gone all Emily Bronte and become a recluse who writes about my inappropriate feelings for nature. I am still here. And, oh the things I have to tell you. But not right now; I'm tired and whiny, so anything I write will immensely annoying--more annoying than anything I usually write. I will say many things are a-changing in the Parker household what with Ben forming an Alice Cooper cover band and Eli working as one of those E-trade babies. Psych...but things will be looking a little different around here.

More to come...

P.S. I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. I can now graduate from middle school.