Turn for the worse

We thought Parker was on the upswing after 5 days with the flu, but on Sunday he seemed really off again. He was screaming and threw during brunch with the family. He slept well, but wouldn't eat/drink or keep anything down still so we decided to take him to an immediate care center. There, instead of addressing our concerns about possibly dehydration/vomiting etc, they informed us that he had an ear infection and needed to get on antibiotics. The poor kid threw up again upon getting home so there was no way I would going to make him take medication that would only make him sick again! He was miserable and lathargic, so we acted on instinct and brought him to the Emmanuel Children's ER where we spent 7 hours on Sunday night/Monday morning. Parker fought getting his vitals taken and finally crashed while we waiting for 2 hours to get back into see a doctor. There, we initially tried an oral hydration method which he flat out refused and would not drink anything unless we held him down and forced the syringe down this throat. The nurses then tried to get an IV in him 4 different times (this was with three to four people holding him down) because at this point we needed a solution. We were almost ready to give up, but a new nurse was finally successful in getting an IV in his arm. It was awful to watch, but he atleast got enough fluids to regain some strength and color and seems on his way to recovery. We didn't get home until 5:00 am and poor Nate still left for work at 8:00 am! Parker still isn't wanting to drink much, but is eating his special pedialyte jello that Grandma made him and is atleast having wet diapers and acting more like his old self. He also took a 5 hour nap today so mom could get some sleep. Seems like his ear isn't bothering him too much, so I am hoping he doesn't need to start the antibiotics afterall. Keep praying that he continues to regain strength and that he can starting eating again soon. Our once healthy, robust boy has been withering away and we are eager for him to gain some chub back here soon:)
Needless to say, we are at home on New Years Eve where the boys have been sleeping since 6:30! Not the way we imagined ringing in the New Year, but atleast we are together. . ..

Quick update. . .

We finally made it home from Denver on Friday. We were scheduled to be coming home Wed night in order to work on Thurs and Fri, but our initial flight was cancelled and we were rescheduled for Thurs. On our way out the door, Parker threw up all over himself and me (also was sick on Christmas night) and so we decided to reschedule our flight again. Luckily we did that, because both him and Nate were throwing up a good part of that evening. I was starting to not feel good Friday morning, while Parker had a fever and Nate was still not doing well, but somehow we made it home without being sick! We had a wonderful first 4 days in Colorado, including a trip up to Evergreen, a white Christmas with about 8 inches of snow, and a wonderful time with the Bell side of the family! 7 out of 10 of us staying Rae and Mike's came down with some variation of throwing up/diarrea-we call it the plague and it was truly an experience we would rather forget! Thankfully, we are finally feeling better today and will be celebrating Christmas with the Parker clan on Sunday!
We hope that all of you had a joyous Christmas and that you have a very happy New Year as well!

Funny stories. . .

Two funny stories to share. . . .
1. Grandma was watching Parker on Friday. She gave him a bath and got him dressed (minus pants) so that he would be comfortable for his nap. Around 11:00 she went in to wake him up so they could go to the library reading time and was surprised/shocked to see a little bare behind up in the air as he slept. He had taken off his diaper and socks and peed all over the bed. I warned her never to let him sleep pantless unless she wanted him to take his diaper off!
2. Lately Parker loves to hang out in the guest room because it has a low bed that he can get onto alone. He hangs out and lays in it and thinks he is just the coolest big boy around. One night he was especially quiet/content in there, and we found him reading " The Prayer of Jabez" that he found in nightstand drawer! He was seriously content for a good 20 minutes or so "reading" words. Since then, he has been carrying this book around and putting it in mommy and daddy's nightstand drawers. It has randomly been appearing in the stranges places, but always ends up back in the guest room where it belongs:) What a hoot he is!

Silly boy

We were at Grandma and Grandpa's house the other night celebrating Joe's birthday. Parker thought he was pretty cool sitting in an adult chair. I was initially taking pictures of Joe, which turned into Parker posing repeatedly for the camera! He never ceases to make us laugh and is such a lovable little boy!!!

Joe got his driver's license!

Joe just passed his driving test!Congrats, little brother!!

Bath Time

Random weekend fun

What a fun long weekend we had with family and friends. We are so thankful for our silly boy (in his new leather coat from the Madisons), our families and friends!

Birthday Weekend at the Beach

My wonderful husband surprised me with a trip to Cannon Beach for my birthday on Saturday. We started off our day with world famous clam chowder from Mo's for lunch, then spent the afternoon window shopping in cute boutiques and hanging out in the bookstore in Cannon Beach. We were able to check into our hotel, The Ocean Lodge, early and the place was simply amazing! Nate is a big researcher and this place was HIGHLY recommended for a good reason! It was beautiful, rustic, cozy and romantic. Our room was equipped with champaign, chocoloate, bubble bath, candles, and rose petals for a romantic evening. There were homemade cookies available 24/7 and a big cozy fire in the lobby and in our room. We enjoyed a little nap before going to a delicious dinner at a French Italian bistro where he shared a bottle of wine, had crab cakes, lobster ravioli, pesto prawn pasta and pumpkin bread pudding for dessert. In the morning the lodge served up a nice little breakfast that even included apple pie! After breakfast we each had an hour massage and then I enjoyed my second bubble bath of the weekend in the jacuzzi tub! It was an absolutely amazing weekend together. Thanks to all four of the grandparents for watching our Sweet P over the past two days! It made our first overnight away from him easier knowing that he was in good hands:)

The view from our room-looking at Haystack rock.

Our room was the bottom corner with beach access and an amazing view!

The Zoo!

Grandma and mama took P to the zoo on Tuesday. It was a gorgeous day and happened to be the two buck Tuesday (second Tuesday of every month to you moms in the area)! He loved the farm animals and the cougar the most:)

Enjoying an elephant ear!

Ready to potty train already??

So this evening Parker was wandering around the house in his diaper and pajama top because I had recently changed his pants and not put his bottoms back on. Nate and I heard him doing something in the guest room and then proceed down the hall to the bathroom. This is what we found in the guest room. . . . :)--
The bathroom door shut (he's very modest) as we were following him, and as we opened the door to see what was going on inside, we found him squatting over near the toilet where he had just peed! He was surprised when we opened the door and slipped in his puddle of pee! He was fine-it was just a funny thing to see your one year old doing. I think he just wanted an excuse to take a bath;)

Its timely because he learned how to flush the toilet today and has taken an interest in watching when I go the bathroom. I also had a dream the other night that we was peeing, standing up at the toilet! Maybe our little boy is getting ready to be potty trained already?! I wish!

Help!

Oh my goodness! So Parker decided to wake up last night and at 3:15 am and NOT go back to sleep for two hours. He wanted to PLAY in middle of the night and would scream at the top of his lungs if I put him in his crib. He is developing a extremely strong will and has been putting up huge fights at bedtime lately (he is fine with naps). We need to be strong, but he screams bloody murder and I am seriously worried that the neighbors will call the police if I let him persist! Any advice from you parents out there who may be dealing with a strong-willed one year old? Help!

Annie's Shower

I helped host a shower for my friend Annie on Sunday. The momma-to-be is doing great and is expecting a little boy on Christmas day! We can't wait to meet little boy DeYoung and for Parker to have a new friend to play with:)

Happy Halloween!

Random weekend photos

Lovin' Life


In the make-believe oven at the toy factory in Corvallis

We know what we are getting Parker for Christmas!

The Pumpkin Patch!!

We brought P to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday as part of his birthday celebration. We ended up spending over 2 hours in the car trying to get in and out as it was a beautiful day, but atleast we got some great pictures out of the experience:)

Happy Birthday Parker!!!

We love you little pumpkin! This past year has been the best ever, and we thank God for the gift of you!