Lincoln Todd Parker

Yes, Melissa I said 7. I was counting Mike too but we have a new little boy in our family. Lincoln Todd Parker was born on the 7th of July. My due date was the 1st. I wanted to wait and see if I could not be induced this time, but my Dr. would have scheduled an induction on the 10th anyway and by the 6th I didn't want to wait any longer. We went into the hospital on the 6th and Lincoln was born at 2:26 am on the 7th. He weighed 7lb. 9oz. and he was 20in long. He was facing up and babies are supposed to be facing down. He also had a spike in his billi ruben count (jaundice) when he was 24 hours old. He then had to stay under lights for all day on the 8th and 9th and most of the 10th. We were able to bring him home on the afternoon of the 10th and took him in to the dr for more tests on the 11th and 12th. he had 13 little pricks in his little feet from the blood tests. I know jaundice is a pretty common thing and many have to do lights for longer and even some have to do blood transfusions so I count my blessings that he is healthy and that it wasn't a tougher experience. It was hard for me to leave my little one with strange nurses and only get to feed and hold him every three hours for 30 min. The Dr said that Lincoln had all of the signs of a ABO incompatibility which would explain the extreme spike in the first 24 hours and why his count was only going down one point or less every day. He also was eating great and having regular diapers and he was very alert which is not typical for a jaundice baby. ABO incompatibility means that my blood type and Lincoln's would fight against each other. We learned later that all of the tests for that came back negative. We are so happy to have him home and healthy and count our blessings. I know there are so many who don't have that blessing and my heart goes out to them just knowing how tough a little jaundice was for us. Lincoln is a name that I have loved ever since Samantha was little and Todd is my brother Darren's middle name. The kids are all very excited for their new brother. They love to take turns holding him.

We made the decision to travel to Utah for Melissa and Brandon's wedding on the 25th of July and everyone called us crazy. Brandon is one of Mike's best buddies that he has known since middle school. I'm glad that we were able to go and that things worked out with the baby. It was such a beautiful sealing and they are darling family that mean a lot to us. It has been so long since I have been in the Logan temple because it is always closed for cleaning in July when we typically go for a visit. They were sealed in the same room that we were. It was wonderful to be reminded of that special day and the covenants that we make there.

We brought my sweet sister Kaylee home with us from Utah so and she was the biggest help for this ornery overdue pregnant lady. We washed baby clothes and she helped clean, cook, and play with the kids. She was here when we had the baby so she watched the kids while we were in the hospital. It was SO nice! My mom came on Saturday and was also a huge help cooking and cleaning and taking care of hyper kids. She made me Cinnamon rolls and bought groceries. My mom has been there with every baby and this year Kaylee was here too. It means so much to me.

Hi

I haven't felt much like blogging since my brother passed away. Something about throwing my feelings out there for cyber world, or for myself, or for the few people who read this (one of whom used to be Darren) didn't seem like something I could tackle. I was wondering if blogging was something I wanted to continue doing because I could just record things in a journal or a file for my own personal record and then there was no risk involved. Looking at my personal journal I'm not really keeping up with that one either. I then read my friends blog one day and she had shared her beautiful testimony of the gospel and it uplifted and strengthened me when I really needed it. I was inspired to share despite the risk. When I finally felt like recording some things It seemed so overwhelming to record all the important events or little moments that I wanted not to be forgotten between December and now that I shrugged it off then too. A lot of good that did me. So maybe the last 7 months will be lost to the journal of my blog or maybe I will take some baby steps and post a little at a time but here is a start.

I know that the gospel has been restored to to the earth. I know that we have a living prophet who leads and guides us with inspired direction from God. I know that I will see Darren again some day. Even with that knowledge It doesn't make it easy to go through trials. I know that the atonement is the only thing that can take away the sting and help us through the things we don't understand.
I know with all my heart that I am a daughter of God and that he loves me and wants me to be happy. I know that Jesus Christ came to earth to show us the way to live and he died and suffered for my sins that we might live again.
I know that when Darren passed away the first place I wanted to be was in the temple. I know there is a peace there that surpasses anywhere else on earth. I know that because of the sealing ordinance performed in the temple I can be with my family forever. It is such a blessing to know this. The second place I wanted to be is with my family.
I know that when we follow the commandments it brings us joy. We are given challenges and mountains to climb to make us better and stronger and the Lord blesses us with moments in time and people to lift us that you just know were sent for you. I'm so lucky to have seven of these special people in my own little family. "Little!?" you say? Well, I just know that each one of them is a great blessing in my life and I learn so much from them.