A December Post ... Finally :-)

During my 2 week break Hunter decided to have an almost non existent nap schedule, therefore I did not have free time to update. Now that I am back at work he is taking regular 1-1.5 hour naps daily or twice a day... go figure!

The biggest milestone Hunter hit this month is WALKING!!! Hunter went from taking a few steps to taking off in no time at all. I was very surprised at how fast this whole walking thing happened.

He is so very proud of himself!

Notice the one sock on one sock off he is sporting? I love the "pitter patter" sound his little feet make as he is walking down the hall. He is moving faster and faster each day so his "pitter pattering" is getting a little quicker! I always wanted a house with a hallway so I could hear that sound!

Christmas Eve and early Christmas morning Hunter had the yucky stomach bug. I was so worried Hunter was not going to be in a very good mood considering the rough night he had. After about six hours of a very upset tummy Hunter got some good rest and was ready to celebrate Christmas! Santa brought lots of wonderful presents. Hunter was a little more aware of the paper, boxes and toys. He would pull the paper off piece by piece.

By the very last present he got the hang of it. He looks so independent!

Watching Hunter open presents and explore his toys (boxes and paper) was such an amazing experience. Christmas was so different compared to last year ... in a good way of course! I am sure next year it will be even more special!

Merry Christmas From the Parrish Family

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Exploring, Moving and Ear Infections

I will start this post with the least fun .... Ear infections. Hunter just finished his second round of antibiotics for his second ear infection. Although I am convinced that the first infection never actually cleared. He started off with a normal stuffy nose that turned into congestion and a miserable little guy. He never really tugged at his ear much, so I did not think it would be that. Well, I started to think otherwise when he was having major issues sleeping. Poor little guy seemed like he was in so much pain anytime he would lay down. This is the part of being a "mommy" I did not not enjoy ..... I could not take the pain away. I thought things were all okay once we saw the doctor and got some medicine. Then another cold and more sleepless nights .... sure enough another ear infection. Another visit to the doctor and another rounds of medicine. Hopefully, this one is finally gone.

Now let's talk about better things like ..... WALKING! Hunter is almost there. He can walk about 6-8 steps to Ryan and I, then he lunges forward which is usually followed by a laugh. He will turn around and go at it again. He can stand on his own, but he still is not to sure about taking off into an independent walk. But he is sooooooo close ....... He just needs a little more practice. Here he is just teasing me and being silly. One day he will not be just standing there......I will probably be chasing him around the house.


Hunter has been trying a few new things. We took him out to the Kemah boardwalk a few weeks ago. He seemed to love being out by the water. I think he especially liked the breeze in his hair. What do you think?

We enjoyed the day together. This was the first time we took Hunter out to do anything like this. As he is getting older it is getting easier to find fun things to do as a family.



Hunter has a new favorite hobby .... bike riding with dad and mom! Hunter has his very own seat on the back of his dad's bike. He really likes to cruise the neighborhood. He even gets a little fussy when we arrive back home.
Hunter still likes to ride his own bike. He even attempts to make repairs.....just like his daddy!

Hunter still continues to keep us smiling on a daily basis by making a silly face, talking up a storm or getting into something. He is starting to come into his very own personality. One of which is the exploring type. He is into most everything and seems to be more interested in things that are not toys. Here he is playing in a basket with a shoe .... this seemed to entertain him forever!


We attempted to take some fall pictures with Hunter and some pumpkins, but once he figured out that they roll .........

They were no longer pumpkins but "balls".


Ryan and I are looking forward to another Thanksgiving with our precious little Turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving Blog readers!!! Gobble Gobble!!!

Happy Home Coming Anniversary

October 22 is another special day for us. This is the day we finally brought our baby boy home. After 31 long days Hunter was finally home! In celebration of this wonderful day here is a then and now picture comparison.

Then

Our trip home from the hospital. The car seat swallowed him! He slept the whole way home.

Now

Headed home from Mimi and Pawpaw's. He fills the seat just fine! He sang, talked and smiled the entire way home.

What a difference a year makes!

September 21, 2010 Happy Birthday Hunter

It is so crazy to think that a year ago Hunter unexpectedly came into this crazy world. He was not supposed to arrived until November, but instead he made his debut 8weeks early. We were so scared, but knew in our heart that he would be just fine. God was taking very good care of him along with the amazing NICU staff at Clear Lake Regional. They took such wonderful care of him and did things for him that we were not able to do. They shared many of his "firsts" with him .... first diaper change, first feeding and first bath to name a few. But that made our "firsts" with Hunter so much more special. We cherished each and every moment with him in the NICU. Going through that experience helped us realize just how unpredictable and amazing life can be. Those 31 days were the longest ever ... but yet it seems like yesterday we were heading to the hospital. So crazy how time can stand still, but still pass you by so quickly.

365 days later ... Hunter is 1!

I think he is probably the cutest little one year old around! I am sure his Dad, Mimi, Pawpaw, Grammy, Coach, aunts and uncles would all agree!

On his actual birthday he did a little bit better job of making a mess with his cake.

He did not eat any of the cake, just made a mess. But that is just fine!!! It was a mess I gladly cleaned.

Once everyone was clean from the cake. We took Hunter for a birthday ride on his bike.

You would never think he was a "preemie"! Happy Birthday Hunter! We love you!

Finally ..... Birthday Celebration Pictures! September 18th

We had a wonderful birthday celebration for Hunter...complete with cake, balloons, race cars and fabulous family and friends! It is so hard to believe that Hunter's special day has already come and gone!

Here is Hunter's cakes! Thank you Mimi for sharing your talent to create Hunter's first birthday cakes! They looked great and were very yummy too!

"One Good Year" Tire cake


This is my attempt to be creative, like my Mom. I made the number 1 with pictures of Hunter through the months.

Now the fun part......CAKE TIME!

He did not make a huge mess at all .... but that is okay!

Hunter received lots of wonderful gifts like toys and big boy clothes. He is going to have so much fun with everything. Here he is on his big boy riding toy from Mom and Dad.



He sure does look proud and independent! Pretty soon he will be zooming around everywhere on that thing.

Thank you to everyone who shared in this special day! Having each and everyone of you there made Hunter's day even more special. Your wishes and thoughtfulness is so greatly appreciated! Hunter is so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

Then and Now

Wow ... our little early turkey is a growing boy! Happy Birthday Hunter! We love you!

***Birthday and party pictures coming soon!***