Parker

Benjamin Parker Swearingen was born on September 10, 2009. He is the happiest baby I have ever seen and he fills every room he enters with joy and love.

I never knew how much I could love someone until I met my son. I had been bugging Michael about starting a family not long after we were married, mainly because of all of my friends and family that were having babies. I wanted him so badly even then, so in November whenever Michael asked me if I was ready I was over joyed. We found out we were expecting in January of 2009 and immediately called everyone we knew. I knew it was going to be a long road especially since I was going to be hugely pregnant in the hottest parts of the year but I was so very happy.

My pregnancy went very well other than the insane Texas heat and surprisingly it flew by! Before we knew it, we were going to the hospital to be induced and I was so nervous.

After 11 hours of labor I had to have an emergency c-section because Parker's heart rate kept dropping. At 4:58 PM Parker was delivered and I heard the most beautiful sound I had ever heard, my baby screaming his lungs out. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and I was exhausted.

I had a ton of medicine in my system so other than an hour that I got to spend with Parker I slept the rest of the night. I got to spend the next two days in the hospital before I was set off to take care of this little guy all by myself. Some how we did it! Parker is almost 1 year old and I can't believe it, he changes everyday and makes me laugh constantly. Michael and I are the happiest parents in the world and we are enjoying every moment we have with him before he wants us to just leave him alone ha-ha!

 Parker,

I love you more than you will ever imagine. It will take you having a baby of your own someday for you to fully understand the love that your daddy and I have for you. You are so smart and I just know that you are going to do big things in your life, follow your dreams no matter how big or small. You are such a happy boy and I hope that you continue to have such a happy personality, you just have a way of making everyone around you instantly fall in love. I am having so much fun watching you learn and grow, you are doing so well! I imagine you'll be walking soon and your daddy and I will have our hands full. We love you so very much baby boy, don't ever forget that. You are the light of our lives.

Love You,

Mommy