Catching up!!!

So I told you all that I'm not great at updating our blog...I think it's because I feel like I'm obligated to add a picture which would require me hunting down our camera (which is usually in the car), uploading onto our computer...blah blah blah. So...just going to try to give an update and if I've got some time, add some new pics!!

As most of you all know, Ashton had "tethered cord" surgery on Monday...basically his Neurosurgeon went in and scraped off all of the old scar tissue that had been attached to his spine. He said that the surgery went as well as he could expect so now we are just waiting to see if it will give Ashton a little more mobility in his left leg that is really tight. The Dr also suggested we ask or Ortho if he will inject botox into his leg/hamstring and see if that helps. Only problem is is that our Ortho dr is so "old school" and hates to try new things...he is definitely one of those docs that is not open to any new ideas and his way is the only way! We have a Spina Bifida clinic appt next month so I will ask him then!

Ashton is doing great considering the huge incision he has on his back. He was back to his normal self within hours of his surgery and we were so proud of how great he did! It is amazing to Phil and I to see that after all he has gone through he never seems to complain and is so resilient!! He truly is such a strong little fighter and we love him so much for that!!!

As for Parker (who is crying for my attention right now as I quickly type this!!) he is exactly 5 weeks today!! He is such a good baby...who LOVES to eat and is getting bigger every day! I can't believe how quickly 5 weeks have flown by and how much he has changed in those few weeks!!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped us out while we went on our mini vacation last weekend (for our anniversary) and also while Ashton was in the hospital this week!!! It was really nice being able to focus my attention on Ashton in the hospital knowing that Parker was in good hands!!

Parker's here!!!

I am finally updating our blog!! Parker Chase Howard was born on Thursday, April 16th @ 1:08 pm. He weighed 7lbs, 9 oz and was 20.5 inches long. I had him by C-Section (my choice since Ashton was born C-sec too) and it went very smoothly except the anesthesiologist had a very hard time starting my epidural but after numerous attempts she was able to get it, Parker's delivery went very smoothly. I ended up staying in the hospital until Sunday and we came home and ordered take out and celebrated my mom's birthday!

Parker is officially 8 days old today and we are finally getting used to having a newborn at home...at least I am, I think Ashton is still not too accepting of having to share his "Mama" with someone else!! Parker is a great baby! He loves to sleep all day but unfortunately that means he wants to be up at night and "party." I'm trying to get some rest during the day and thanks to my mom who has been with us all week, things have actually gone pretty smoothly!

A little Easter fun

We had a great time on Sunday for Easter... It really was a nice day just enjoying the day with the family! I love having all of the little nieces and nephews over hunting for eggs!! I'm sure the kids loved hunting for eggs too...most of the eggs were filled with money!!! What happened to good ol' jelly beans?? Anyways, here are a few pics from my mom's new camera that we got her for her upcoming birthday!!


We have two more days until we get to meet little Parker...I have just been busy trying to get things organized for his arrival but we are pretty much all set!

I am officially 38 weeks and 1 day pregnant so that means only 6 more days till we get to meet Parker!!  Here is my big belly at 38 weeks...Ashton being a ham and posing for the camera...and a few new pics of the nursery!!

Update on Ashton's MRI

Ashton had an MRI last month of his back and spine...his left leg has been getting tighter and today we met with his Neurosurgeon at CHOC to see what the results were.  His dr said that he needs a surgery to repair the tethered cord on his back.  Basically, the surgery that closed his back when he was first born (due to his Spina Bifida) has a lot of scar tissue built up around it and he needs to have that scar tissue scraped off of his spine so that he can have full leg motion again and we don't want his legs getting any tighter.  Sounds scary, right?  Well, he has an awesome dr. who hopes this will give him a little more leg function and make him more comfortable.  So, as of right now we are scheduled for surgery on May 18th at CHOC and he will be in there for a few days for recovery!!  Of course I am extra nervous because by that time I will have a newborn and for the last 4 years I have been able to drop everything and just focus on Ashton...I'm sure with all of our help from family and friends, we'll be able to adjust and things will go smoothly!!

As far as baby Parker goes, nothing new!!  Tomorrow will be exactly one week till we get to see this little man for the first time!!!  I am excited and nervous but really ready to get him out...I think he's running out of room!

These are just a few pics from my fabulous Baby shower my mom and Jessica put on for me and baby Parker...I know they're a little old but I wanted to share!!!

Our first blog

So...I never thought I'd be much of the blogger type but I thought it was a great way to keep everybody up to date with what is going on with our family.  And, I always take so many pics I need a place to show them off.  I am going to try to do my very best to keep this up to date but with baby Parker coming next week, I can't make any promises. 

As for what is going on, I am waiting, waiting, waiting...I am scheduled for my csec. on Thursday April 16th at 12:30 pm at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton.  I am really excited to deliver there since they just built a brand new maternity wing and I hear it is gorgeous. The days have been going by very slowly and since Ashton has been off track for a few weeks now, it's getting tough keeping him busy.  We do have a few last minute dr. appts for Ashton that I am trying to get out of the way but that's pretty much all for this week.  I had my 38 week OB appt. today and I was hoping maybe for some strange reason my dr. would bump up my date but he said "you've waited 9 months...I'm sure you can wait 9 more days."