happy birthday Parker!

Remember how when you first get married you celebrate each month's anniversary -- then after you hit a year you realize that it wasn't that big of deal and you just celebrate the years from then on?? Well I am feeling the same urge to celebrate all of Parker's month's birthdays for the first year . . . much to the chagrin of my husband. But anyway, HAPPY ONE MONTH BIRTHDAY PARKER!!!


Even after a month, this is still my favorite thing to do . . . cuddle with Parker up on my chest. He is the sweetest boy and the joy of all my nights and days. I love to hold him, nurse him, play with him, talk to him, hug him, kiss him, and spend all my time with him.

4 Weeks Old

Parker is 4 weeks old tomorrow. He is doing very good. He sleeps well, feeds well, and poops well (what else do babies do?). Marie is also doing well. We have been taking him out a lot and he is really calm. The only time he really gets fussy is when he is hot. We took him to church today and he did really good. It was kinda fun to leave sacrament meeting and take him around. I now think we should have a 10 minute break between speakers to stretch and get a drink.

Marie is doing a great job at mothering him, and she loves it. She really has a niche for being a mother (as I'm sure most mothers do, I just think she is better). Following are some pictures of him:

I really like this picture. I had to put his hands in this position, but the picture turned out good. The things parents do to show off their children!

This is a picture we took during our mother's day at Marie's mom's house.

I still get my Sunday naps in!!!

Last year for mothers day, Marie's family made dinner for Kristine. They had frozen taquitos, frozen burritos, and other frozen delights. I thought that was not up to the level of respect that a mother deserved, so I made dinner for the moms in the Fales family this year. I made Pasta Milano (from Macaroni Grill), asparagus with lemon butter and parmesan cheese, a fresh herb with lemon plus salt and pepper in oil for sour dough bread (if you've eaten at Carabba's Italian Grill, it is their starter for bread), and a fresh fruit salad. For dessert I dipped strawberries in dark, milk, or white chocolate and added different things on them to decorate them. They were a big hit!

Well, I have finished another semester and O-Chem is done!!!! I have not gotten my grade yet but I think I passed it. I did very good in the rest of my classes. In one of the classes I got a 99% as my final grade (198 points out of 200). this is the best final grade I have ever gotten in a class. I start summer school Monday (5/19), I am taking Health Law & Ethics. It is a 3 week course so it will be intense for the next 3 weeks.

my first mother's day

Our first family portrait!! (this was not taken by a professional)


Angela came home from college for the weekend to surprise my mom . . . and she got to hold Parker for the first time!

He loves how gentle his aunt Char-bear is with him!

Sunday nap with daddy :)


What is the big surprise Scotty has made for me (and the other mothers at the family dinner)??? (he had to hide it from me so he put it all under our table till the moment of unveiling arrived)

A dozen chocolate covered strawberries!!!

Scotty, Matt, and my Dad prepared the wonderful feast!

This effort was led by my one and only . . . he really inspired his sous chefs and showed them how easy it was to make delicious food!

Angela and Lauren also helped with the food preparations.

It was enjoyed (and admired) by all!!!

my little pirate

I can't believe I caught this wink on camera - I've only ever seen him do this when he is nursing and I sure wasn't going to take a pic of that (even though it is so cute!!) . . . I call him my little pirate whenever he does it. My mom says it is "the Fales eye" (squinting the left eye when you smile or laugh - or in Parker's case, squirm). Funny the genes we pass on!

2 weeks old today

I can't believe I've already had two weeks with my precious son - he has grown so much but I keep reminding myself that he's still just a little newborn. The funny thing is that I can't remember what life was like without him. He has brought me so much joy and given my life a whole new meaning. At least once a day as I hold and look at him, I find myself in tears - overwhelmed with so much love and emotion, and also gratitude to God for sending us such a special little boy . . . I call him my angel boy.