22 Months Old!

**Somehow, this didn't post in March, and I just realized it... so it's a few months late...

Parker Love,

22 months old? We can't believe how big you are getting!

You are still in size 5 diapers. We haven't weighed you recently, but you're probably in the low thirties in weight. 

We're putting a lot of 18-24 month clothes away that are too snug. It’s just about time to get the 2T clothing tub out of the garage. Size 2T! Seriously, where is the time going?

So, a few fun things about this month:

You've taken to reading books by yourself a lot more. In fact, most of the time you'd rather read a book yourself than have a book be read to you. Your favorite books? Pretty much anything with letters or numbers, though you also love your Planets book too.

Another hobby of yours: drawing. You will sit with a pen and paper and "draw" for long periods at a time. We're sure you would write your letters and numbers if you had the fine motor skills. :) For now, you are happy to "trace" over any letters or numbers that we write down for you. Or sometimes you just "free-draw."

As the weather has warmed up, you've enjoyed spending more time outside. And because it stays light outside longer, Mommy and Daddy can spend more outside time with you!

This month we had a fun picnic dinner at the park. 

Mommy had trouble climbing up and down the structure (because of the baby in her belly!) so you spent a lot of time with Daddy! 

down the slide!

Mommy loves her boys! <3

Mommy loves this picture of you. :)

You received this little rabbit from one of Mommy's friends at school. Jack wants to play with your rabbit too!

Another outside activity--sidewalk chalk! You would probably play with this for hours. You also like bubbles, but we didn't capture any pictures of that.

Here you are helping Mommy get the baby's clothes ready! :) We talk about the baby a lot, but we're sure you'll be pretty surprised when he actually gets here in just a few months! 

You and Lillian continue to be buddies at church. You both have fun playing on the 2-Year old playground!

One of our favorite things this month is your singing! You sing a lot now and it's super cute. Your songs of choice? 90% of the time, you prefer singing the ABC song, but you'll also sing "Jesus Loves Me," "Twinkle Twinkle," "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Numbers" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider." 

Also this month: you had your second visit to the zoo! You had a lot more fun this time since you know the names and sounds of a lot of the animals ("The lion says roaaaaar!"). Grandma and Grandpa came too, and we had a really nice afternoon (and you then had a really nice nap!).

The flamingos were the first animals you saw! 

You have the wingspan of a Cooper's Hawk! :)

Hi, birdie! 

You did enjoy looking at the animals, but you would've been just as happy to play in the dirt with a stick :)

This was a little "ride" that you weren't sure about at first... but then you loved it! 

Daddy and Parker! 

You really liked looking at the giraffes! 

Here you are, talking to the parrots: "Squaaaaawk!"

Going on the Zoo Train with Grandpa!

You really enjoyed the train and wanted to ride it a second time! :)

Checkin' out some animal facts. :)

You really had a great time at the zoo--we'll have to try to make another visit this summer with your new brother! 

Parker, it's been so fun watching you grow into a little boy this month. You love to stay busy and explore your world. You have developed such a sweet and fun personality! You are really obedient most of the time and you're a super helper too. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and are excited to spend these last few weeks with you in our family of three... before we become a family of four! 

We love you, little Bubs!

Mommy and Daddy

2 Weeks Old!

Joey Bug,

We missed your one week blog, but we are going to try to keep up with weekly updates from now on! 

We can't believe you've been with us for TWO weeks already. And at the same time, it seems like longer. With each new day as a family of four, it's hard to remember ever being a family of only three. 

It's been a busy two weeks! You've had many outings already. Your first time out of the house was your doctor appointment, which went well. Dr. Katz said you look good and healthy. Your weight was at 8lbs 14oz, which is really good--it means you've been eating very well.

Some other outings you've been on already... Target, the Food Faire at Mommy and Daddy's work, and the Zoo. Also, you went with us on a long car ride to Stockton, where we had to take care of some boring paperwork. :oP So far, you've done pretty well in your car seat. You've definitely had some tears, but for the most part you've been content to just take a nap while in the car. 

Here are some pictures from your second week:

Your eyes have been open a lot more this week, 

You are so precious, little bug! We love you so much!

Happy 2 weeks!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Introducing: Joey Bug!

Joseph Wesley Reyes

Born on May 9, 2013 at 11:59PM 
~ 9lbs 1 oz ~  20inches. 

On May 9th, I woke up at 6am with my first ever "real" contraction. At the time, I didn't realize it. I thought it was a really bad cramp! Throughout the morning, I experienced a few more "cramps" and wondered if perhaps they were really something else.

Turns out they were. The contractions grew longer and more frequent. By the time Ric came home from work, we were talking about when to go to the hospital. We put Parker down for bed and then headed on over to Methodist Hospital. 

We were given a room and since I was dilated at 4cm, I was admitted. After getting checked, I was told that you weren't "engaged." So although you were in the head down position, your head hadn't fully dropped in the pelvis. There was a concern that this could be because you were too big to fit in my pelvic region. They did an ultrasound and guessed you were measuring close to nine pounds.  The doctor came in--Dr. Overton, who I'd never met before--and said she highly recommended the C-Section. So. That's what we ended up doing. 

I went into the O.R. and got prepped. Before I knew it, I was "ready" and they had Ric come into the room. Shortly after, we heard your first cries! 

The nurses cleaned you up... 

We love this Squishy Face!

Your first weigh-in:  our little nine pounder! 

After you were weighed and cleaned, you were bundled up and given to daddy.  

You spent time saying hello to Grandma, Grandpa, and Grammy while Mommy was taken to a different room. 

Then finally you were brought into the room and Mommy got to hold you and feed you. You are a great eater! :) You are also a great sleeper, and Mommy and Daddy even got some unexpected sleep! 

The next morning was very special because you got to meet your big Brother, Parker! 

He's almost two and he's going to be a great big brother! He'll teach you all kinds of things about letters, numbers, planets, and how to play outside. Although you're still too little to play with him now, we know that soon enough you two will be running around together! 

We spent the next three days in the hospital. We did have visitors, but for the most part, it was just you and Mommy and Daddy (and a handful of nurses  coming in and out to check on you). 

We had such a great three days getting to snuggle with you! You are such a sweet boy. You seem like a mellow little fellow who is content just being held. You like to eat and sleep and cuddle! You don't much care for your diaper being changed, though you do tolerate it for several minutes before crying. 

On Sunday, May 12th, we got to finally take you home--on Mother's Day! What a great gift for Mommy! :)

It's been so nice to have you home with us! You fit in perfectly with our family and we are so happy to be a family of four! 

We love you, little Joey Bug!!!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy