Let me introduce myself.......

Hi there.  I thought I'd stop by this evening and say "hi".  In case you haven't heard about me, my name is Parker.  I'm 3 days old today.... Go Me!  : )   I know that I don't look too enthusiastic in these pictures, but trust me, I am very, very happy to be here. 

 I do have to tell you, though, that I have met some pretty interesting people in my 3 whole days here on Earth.  I mean, look at me!  Who in the world, other than an interesting person, would cut that blue plastic thing and shove it in my mouth.  Good grief.  Even I know that I'm supposed to be able to eat after I'm born.  No body bothered to tell me that by coming a measly 3 weeks early I'd miss out on that eating thing.  Trust me when I tell you that a hunk of blue rubber and a lemon flavored giant Qtip don't do a thing to fill a dude up.  Where's my dad with some steak and 'taters when a boy needs some food??

Whew, I got rid of that blue thing.  Of course, there for a while they had sticky things all over my chest, a needle and a tube in my arm, a plastic hood over my face, and all sorts of things beeping and chirping and not letting a fella get real comfy, ya know?  I was really looking forward to having my mommy and daddy hold me and cuddle me  (They had been telling me for months that they would do that soon!), but, again, no one bothered to tell me that 3 measly weeks would be the difference in spending my first days in snuggly comfort with my folks, and being poked and prodded and left to lay alone on a flat surface.  Man!  I had to work hard to get outta that situation.  Things are a whole lot better now that I managed to get into the same room as my mom and dad.  I have had a whole lot of people to cuddle with.  I do like to pretend that I'm asleep a lot, though.  I hear and awful lot of what all those people think about me and about what is going on just by pretending to be asleep.  : )

 There is this one super interesting person that keeps taking pictures of the strangest things.  My feet?  Seriously?  Has that lady never seen feet before?  Is there something extra special about my feet?? Oh well, she was snuggling me while she took pictures, so I guess as long as she doesn't get too personal, pictures are ok with me. 

 

I have learned that there are some people who are better cuddler/snuggler's than other people.  I've heard a lot of talk about these people.  For some reason it seems that it's a big deal about what I call them, too.  Well, you know, once I let them know that I can talk!  That lady up there is my Grandma Susan.  She's really good at snuggling and cuddling.  

 

That's another one of my grandmas up there.  There does seem to be some discussion about what I'm supposed to call her.  I'm kind of confused.  Some say I should call her Nana or Grammy.  I've also heard rumors that her name is Gamgam or Memaw.  How in the world am I supposed to know what to call her?  Maybe I'll come up with my own name for her, once I figure out a good one.

This lady is someone called my Great Grandma.  She's a good cuddler too, and she gives great cheek kisses!  Hmmmmm..... maybe that's why she's called a "Great" Grandma?   She whispered to me that I can call her whatever I want to, and she'll answer to whatever I say.  My kind of lady!

I've got some more of the Grandma people, too.  Regular and Great one's.  I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be able to con them all into lots of cuddle and snuggle time, no matter what I call them!  : )  There are Grandpa's and Great Grandpa's and Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and Friends, and, WOW!  I hate to tell you all, but it IS going to take me a while to get you all straightened out and to remember your names.  I'm pretty good at voice recognition so far, but it's gonna take me a while with names and faces!  I've got a lot to learn.

Those guys are my Mom and Dad.  They are awesome.  Can you believe it?  They were there to greet me when I was born!  How cool is that?  I'd been hearing them talk to me for a long time, but I didn't really expect them to be right there waiting when I decided to show up.  I think it was darn nice of them, don't you? 

Not only were my Mom and Dad right there when I was born, even when those other people took me away from them, my Mom and Dad were never far away.  They didn't leave me!  Whew.  I was a little worried for a while.  Like I said, no one bothered to tell me that just because I decided to come 3 lousy weeks early it would be such a big deal!  Geesh!  I sure won't do that again!  I really like it hanging out with Mom and Dad, so I think I'll stay with them.  Besides, they keep telling me that there are things called dogs that I have to meet at a place called "Home".  They keep telling me all about the things that I'm going to get to do with them.  They made it all sound so exciting that I couldn't wait to join them and start having fun.  It was a little rough to start with, this being born thing, but I think I'm getting the hang of it now.  I think the Fun is just beginning!

~Parker~

Note from Grandma Dawn:

Parker is doing much better.  He was born on Friday, July 6th.  Today is Monday, July 9th and Parker is still in the hospital.  Mom and Dad are still there with him.  He is off of oxygen and all monitors now.  He has another round of antibiotics to get yet and he is still working on some feeding skills, but he is doing so much better.  It was a little scary to not be able to hold him right after he was born and to only be able to see him through a window, and to watch people in gowns hook him up to all sorts of machines.  Thank God all that he is better.  If all goes well tomorrow morning, Parker might get to take his mom and dad home and meet those dogs who are waiting for him.  

Thanks to you all for your prayers and thoughts and for stopping by to check on us all.  Parker is amazing.  And I'm sure I will let you know all about that for a long time to come!  : )