Arrival of Our Sweet Baby James

About to head to the hospital

Excited parents waiting to meet our little boy

First time I held him

With Dr. Young

First picture as a family of five

Big brothers meeting their baby brother

Weston, Connor, Will, & Baby James

Weston holding James

Connor giving his baby kisses

Mimi holding James for the first time

Connor taking good care of the baby

Connor being really sweet and gentle with James

All 5 of us together

Weston taking good care of James

Daddy and his boy at home

James sleeping in his crib

Getting familiar with his new home

James Everett Parrott was born on September 17, 2013.  He weighed 7 lbs. and 6 oz., and he was 19 1/2 inches long.  He was welcomed with love by his two big brothers, Weston (5) and Connor (3).  As the Psalm says, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" (Psalm 127:3-5, NIV).  Will and I feel incredibly blessed to have another son.  We feel so honored that God has entrusted him into our care to "train him in the way that he should go."  He will be three weeks old tomorrow, and we have loved having our new little man around.  He is a very sweet and good baby.  So far, it has been pretty easy to meet his needs.  His brothers love him very much, and they have been giving him lots of kisses on his head.  Weston likes to talk to him and calm him down when he cries.  Connor has been a great helper, getting diapers and blankets when we need them.  James, we are already so in love with you.  I know God has great plans for you.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

Celebrating James Everett

 

A fun girls' lunch with sweet friends

3D/4D Ultrasound image of James Everett's little face

Yesterday was a great day.  For weeks I had been concerned about James being in breech position and the decisions that I would have to make prior to delivery.  My doctor recommended an external cephalic version to try to rotate him into head down position.  I had heard that this procedure was pretty painful, and some even give epidurals to counteract pain.  So, needless to say, I was just a little anxious, but willing to try anyway.  The alternatives were opting for a C-section or trying a risky breech delivery.  We arrived at the women's center at 7:30 AM.  Dr. Young came in and manually turned him by pressing on my belly and slowly moved him into position, while using a portable sonogram machine to monitor his position.  The procedure was completely painless (and I wasn't given any pain meds), and it only took about 2 minutes.  He told me that most versions don't go that easy.  I felt extremely blessed and I rested in the peace that God is in control over our circumstances.  He has been this whole pregnancy as we have had ups and downs along the way.  Thankfully, everything has come out wonderfully.  I have learned that God gives us grace exactly when we need it.  He just waits on us to let go and trust in him.  Pretty soon, another one of God's miracles will take place, as we welcome our third son, James Everett Parrott, into the family. 
A few hours after leaving the hospital, I went to meet friends at Sweet Tea & Biscuits for a girls' lunch to celebrate James Everett.  It was such a sweet little shower with yummy food and great conversation.  It felt so good to truly celebrate and finally be able to look forward to the delivery of our sweet baby James.  I can't wait to see his little face in person.  There is a 3D/4D ultrasound picture above of our James at about 32 weeks. 

First Day of Kindergarten & 3 Year Old Preschool

Weston & Connor sporting their new backpacks

Our preppy little kindergartner

Weston making silly faces

 

The Ninja Turtle backpack he picked out

Too cool for school

Connor-bug ready for his big day

Making more silly faces

The Batman backpack he picked out

Family pic in Weston's Kindergarten class

Connor & friends busy at work in the 3 Year Old class

Working on a puzzle

The first day of school this year was a big one.  Weston started kindergarten at First Methodist with Mrs. Kathy Wallace & Mrs. Kathy Ferris as teachers.  This is the first year that he will be in school for 5 days a week.  Connor started 3 year old preschool with Mrs. Becky Baxter and Mrs. Ramey Gibens as teachers.  Both boys have had a good first week, but I can tell they are tired.  Yesterday morning, Connor just woke up and sat in the floor for a while staring off into space.  He didn't say much, he just sat there.  Mimi took the boys to school because Mommy & Daddy had to go to the hospital to try to flip James into the right position for his arrival sometime within the next 2 1/2 weeks.  Connor wanted Mimi to carry him into the school because he was so tired.  After school, Weston and Connor took a swimming lesson with Mrs. Gillie Ann at the Wellness Center.  Weston was swimming like a fish and coming up to take breaths.  Connor cried while sitting on the side, but he still did some good kicking and blowing bubbles in the pool.  At the very end of the lesson, Connor swam under water a short distance to the edge of the pool.  We were so proud of our boys.  Later, in the locker room, Connor told a lady that his brother was the one doing all the crying.  I guess he was a little ashamed of himself crying on the side!  I thought that was pretty funny.

Connor's 3rd Birthday

 

Weston & Connor

The Birthday Boy

Holding up 3 fingers and saying, "I free"

Birthday Cake

Alice & Bert

A Lesson  on Fire Safety

Bert, Alice, Lilla, & Lucy

Fireman putting on his gear

Connor & Tatum

Marley, Brian, & Grayson

Singing Happy Birthday to You

Blowing out the candles

Eating cake & ice cream

All lined up on the fire truck

Connor & his school buddies

Connor & Mommy

Will & Me with our big 3 year old

Will & Me

Fire Chief Connor

Grandy & Connor

Opening presents at home

Connor excited about his Spider-Man bike helmet & bell

We celebrated Connor's 3rd birthday at Fire Station #3.  We climbed on the truck, took a tour of the station, and learned about fire safety.  We ate fire truck cake & ice cream.  For party favors, Connor gave his friends stuffed dalmation fire dogs and fire hats.  The birthday boy had a great time!  He kept saying, "for me?", as if he couldn't believe all this birthday excitement was just for him.  This was his first real birthday party with school friends.  Some of his gifts included a Lightning McQueen fishing pole, a Spider-Man bike helmet and bell, a big boy booster carseat with race cars on it, a Batman costume, a Batman backpack, and lots of fun cars and plane toys.  Connor had a really special birthday. 

It is so fun watching him grow.  His little personality is really coming out and he has become really chatty and inquisitive lately. 

We love you, Connor-bug.  You are such a special boy, a gift from God.  At your family birthday dinner, we made you "pasta dinner", as you requested.  We went around the table sharing things we love about you.  Some of those things were: you are funny, affectionate, cuddly, well-mannered, always eager to say the blessing at meals, very generous, and you give great "squeeze hugs".  We finished up the birthday celebration with a trip to "pink ice cream place" (what you call Baskin Robbins). 

At bedtime, you like to be rocked while we sing "I'll Love You Forever" together.  Recently, you strummed your guitar and sang "Create in me a clean heart, O God" all by yourself.  It was absolutely precious! You have a big heart and you are a ton of fun.  God has great plans for you, buddy.