Chase Parker is ONE today!
One year ago today I had a very easy delivery as deliveries go. . . literally two short pushes (about three minutes worth!) and Chase Parker took his first breath. He was tiny at only 5lbs. 3oz. Much different than delivering his older brother at 8lbs. 8oz. Born at 6:29AM on a Sunday morning, Daddy was so happy to cut the cord and see his 2nd born for the first time. It was a little tense for us since he was born 6 and a half weeks early, we really didn't want to even go to the world of "what if's" so we just tried to stay positive. He seemed healthy as a horse when he arrived but they quickly whisked him away to NICU to do further examination. A little while later when we learned that he was healthy but just too young to know how to eat yet we breathed a sign of relief. That relief didn't last long after going to visit him in the NICU and realizing that it would be days or possibly weeks before he got to come home. Leaving the hospital without my baby was quite possibly the hardest thing I've done. Thank goodness wonderful nurses, friends, and family were supporting us. But most of all, we had Jesus watching over our little one and us. Thankfully his stay in NICU was only 2 weeks. By the time he came home he DEFINITELY had learned to eat! The little guy has always been a healthy eater for sure. During his stay in NICU though Zachary got to meet him through the window for the first time. As many of you know I caught this on film and it's one of my treasured pictures. I've included it in the blog below.
As the months have passed Chase's personality has grown and grown. He is generally a very happy baby and has been an awesome sleeper! He's usually full of smiles and loves playing with his brother so much. He has truly been a bottomless bucket of sunshine for his family! We love him so much and love celebrating his life today.
Thank goodness I was not truly one and done! What would I do without BOTH of my buckets of sunshine? Here are some fun pictures from his birthday party and birthday weekend and day today. He is one LOVED little boy! Thanks to each of you for your birthday wishes, gifts, and love for my sweet boy. He is spoiled rotten. . . as he SHOULD be at this age!! Happy Birthday Chase Parker. You have my heart and always will.
his birthday invitation. . .
his smash cake photoshoot!
his first day home a year ago. . .
Zach meets Chase Parker for the first time. . .
uncanny resemblances between Baby ZACH and Baby CHASE!
