Newest Member of the Parks (Blogging) Family

No, we're not having another baby. I just thought that might grab your attention. Actually, I wanted to give a quick plug to Erik's baby, his new movie blog. Most of you have probably seen it, but just in case, here's the link. Check it out and let him know what you think!

A Walk in the Parks Movie Blog

The Talkies

So I recorded several videos tonight of Sophie, mostly for the grandparents, but maybe others will enjoy them as well. She is talking pretty much nonstop these days and is super active. Here are a couple of the videos and I'll try to post some more in a few days.

Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

A week and 1/2 ago we closed on our first home. We are loving having a bit more space than our 2 bedroom apartment, and Sophie loves her "new house." Whenever we go out for awhile she says "new house" to try to get me to take her home. I can tell you this did not happen at the apartment. We have lots to do still, but we're so indebted to our parents. Erik's parents took Sophie to their house in AL for almost a whole week while my mom was here helping us pack, move and unpack. We seriously could not have done it without them. So here's the new place:


Since we have so much unpacking to do, Sophie has started helping out a bit more around the house. Saturday I was doing laundry and I started the washer and walked away to do something and when I came back Sophie was taking all the clothes out of the basket and putting them in the washer. She did a whole load of laundry for me. Check out those calf muscles. Glad she's finally pulling her own weight around here. I'm not sure which of her grandmothers taught her this, but thank you :).





Today my friend Nita's little girl Cate is here playing with Sophie. They went in our closet and Sophie wanted to play dress-up so I picked out a shirt for her to wear. Not to be outdone, Cate also wanted to dress up. Aren't they lovely?



I'll try to post some inside pics of the house soon...it's definitely going to be a work in progress for a long time, but we're making headway.

Arkansas & Oklahoma

So yes, I know it's been over a month since I last posted, but I would like to start by giving you my excuses, er, reasons for taking so long. Sophie and I went on an almost 2 week escapade to Arkansas and Oklahoma (including a quick trip to Texas for Erik's brother's wedding). Then when we returned I immediately started getting ready for our big move. Yes, we bought a house and are closing next Wednesday. So the blog hasn't really been at the top of the priority list. But let's be honest, I've been a terrible blogger all year long. Sorry about that. But here's what we've been up to:

Although Erik was unable to make it due to work, the rest of my dad's side of the family gathered in Little Rock to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. It was a great time of fellowship and my mom and aunt did a fantastic job planning the event.

The family at the big shin-dig.

My brother's wife, Laura. I really don't know what to say.

Sophie preparing to give her Uncle Jo-Jo (my dad's younger brother, John) a wet willy.

Cousins!

Sink bath with Gran.

Cuddle time with Nannie.

In Oklahoma at Uncle Bubby and Aunt La-La's pool!


Sophie and I think we want a pool. Christmas gift, anyone?

Sophie w/ her BFF. Who needs a bearskin rug?

Sophie thinks Cosmo needs a diaper too.

Sophie w/ her horse.

We had such a great time on our trip. More pics to come of the wedding, etc. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family, but it was really great to come home to the best husband and daddy in the world (who made sure the house was nice and clean when we got home!).

God's Faithfulness

So last Friday Erik and I went back to the cardiologist for an echo and to talk about the results of my heart monitor. Apparently when I wore the monitor for 24 hours my heart skipped 25000 beats, so an average of 15 beats per minute, which is I guess quite a lot. But my doctor said he did a lot of research and consulted with his colleagues and decided, based on my test results, that he didn't really think I had a peripartum cardiomyopathy after all. Since I had an irregular heartbeat before I ever got pregnant with Sophie (although we're not sure how severe it was then) and since I didn't have any strong symptoms of heart failure after having Sophie, he thinks it was not the cardiomyopathy that occurred (although we can't prove that). So based on that, and the fact that my echo didn't show any negative changes, he seemed much more positive about future pregnancies. He did say that pregnancy would still carry more risks than for someone with a perfectly normal heart, and that my skipped beats and shortness of breath would probably increase during pregnancy, but he didn't seem as concerned about a recurring cardiomyopathy. We still have some risk factors to look into, but for now I'm not on any meds and he just said diet, exercise, and no caffeine (!?!?) would be the best treatment and prevention. He said that some doctors believe frequent skipped beats can either be a sign or a cause of future weakening of the heart, but others don't think that's the case. So it's kind of a wait and see with that. But overall it was great news! So we'll go back in December just to check in, unless I'm pregnant before then, in which case I will have frequent appointments to monitor my heart.

Thank you all for your prayers for our family. We still don't know exactly what God has in store for us, but we have learned a lot through this process. I know I've been forced to rely on Him more - to trust that He is truly sovereign and to wait patiently on Him, which Erik can tell you is definitely not a strength of mine :). But He truly is faithful and completely trustworthy, and no matter what the outcome of this situation, we know He knows what is best and what will bring Him the most glory. And that's all we can ask!

Choir Opportunity

So since I know some of the Nashville folks who read the blog are music people I wanted to give you some info about an opportunity coming up to sing with a large choir downtown for the 4th of July. The community choir I'm in (The Nashville Choir) is doing a concert at Bicentenntial Park on the 4th and it will be free for the community and they are trying to get together a huge choir to participate. Details can be found at: www.ingodwetrust2009.com. If you're interested in singing, click on the link to "Sing in the 'In God We Trust' Choir" and fill out the form. There is a rehearsal this coming Sunday afternoon at the Farmer's Market at Bicentennial. I will be out of town for the 4th and won't be participating, but it sounds like it will be great. The goal isn't to make a political statement, but just to call the community to worship God together and thank Him for the freedom we experience.

If you're not interested in singing, but would like to come, it is free to the public and you can find more info at the above link.

Family Time

May was a busy month for our family. At the beginning of the month we traveled to Chattanooga to celebrate Sophie's soon-to-be-Aunt Liesl's graduation from Bryan College (our alma mater). We got to see Erik's immediate family (minus Peter...we missed you) and his grandparents as well. Later in the month Sophie and I flew up to VA to see my parents. We had a great week, but of course were happy to come home and see daddy again.

Sophie and Gigi looking at some fake animals in someone's yard.

Sophie with her Great-Mimi and Great-Papa. These are two super fun great-grandparents.

Reading a book with Pops. I have to give Roger credit...he did a great job with the tongue twisters in this book.

In downtown Fredericksburg with Gran.

Family picture #1 (the sweet version)

Family picture #2 (the embarassing version...as if the nose wasn't bad enough, it had to be her favorite finger as well)

First time on a slide by herself

First time in a sprinkler

Oh for the days when a big belly in a bathing suit is something to be admired.

The "O-Line" at the National Zoo...the Orangutans walk right over your head on these two ropes.

Sophie's not sure what to think about such behavior.

"Why look at the zoo animals when there's such wonder to behold on the back of my Papa's head?"