Last week was so much fun, as I went with my parents down to see our new baby, Parker. Seeing her for the first time was such a joyous occasion for our family and we were all smiling as we got to hold her, kiss her sweet cheeks, and generally snuggle this little one. There’s nothing like a new baby! We are all officially in love with our little miss and no doubt she will feel it and revel in being spoiled. I don’t think there’s any getting around that part. She’s a much loved baby girl on both sides of the family.
If you are not moved by this pic, then I don’t know what would do it. My mom is the most precious person you will ever meet and seeing her breathe in this baby girl was just the best. I love this pic so much! A great grandmother in baby heaven.
Mom got her share of holding Parker, as did the rest of us. Mom got extra time and we certainly let her.
Dad even took a turn. We had to take pics of him holding his great grandbaby and she was perfect for him.
She immediately zoned in on his face and gazed at him the whole time.
He talked to her and she was mesmerized by him. So sweet!
Happy smiles all the way around. We loved every minute of our visit.
I got my turn too. Aunt Rhoda is one proud Auntie, you can bet on that. She is the snuggliest thing ever and I held her and fed her one of her bottles. It’s been a long time since I’ve held a baby, but it comes back to you. The best part was her grunts, chirps, yawns, and squeaky baby noises.
All the girls had to get a pic together. My sister, Renee, Mom, Parker, me, and Lauren. What a special time this is for our family. Doesn’t Lauren look amazing? Almost a month after birth, she is fitting back in her skinny jeans already.
We let Dad in on the picture taking too, getting a shot of the whole family together.
Sweetness with Stickers and Parker both napping on the couch.
Proud mama, Lauren with her sweet as pie baby doll.
We are all equally smitten by this 7 lb. bundle of softness. Lauren is a wonderful new mama too.
Several of you mentioned on Facebook, as I put live updates over there while we were in New Orleans, that we should take pics of the 4 generations of hands, so we did that too: Mom, Renee, Lauren and Parker. Those fancy nails belong to my stylish sister.
In one special moment that first night we were there, we girls were all gathered in the nursery and mom knelt down and gazed at Parker while we all looked on. Parker was staring right at her and mom said, The Lord answered my prayer and let me live long enough to see you. We were all choking back tears at this point.
Mom said this very thing on her birthday last year, not knowing that she was about to have a new great grandbaby before her next birthday in May rolled around this year. God is so good, isn’t He?
We only had one full day in New Orleans this time, so we decided to all go to the World War II museum downtown. We thought Dad would really enjoy this and he totally did. We all enjoyed it, such a beautiful presentation of history.
They have several buildings that house the museum and we only had time to take in one of them, but it was very enjoyable and I’d highly recommend it for the veterans in your family.
Dad was so proud to get in for free for being a Veteran. It was nice to walk around the museum and take it all in.
Wonderful family memories.
Dad reading and remembering. He was young and got in the war right at the end as the war was ending, so he never got into combat. But, he did fly over there and was stationed there for a bit.
He remembered flying in an airplane like this one and we were all surprised to touch it and realize it was metal with stretched canvas over it.
Remembering the veterans and seeing all of this was very touching.
I was the dummy who forgot her camera at home. Too many things to remember and it ended up being left in my trunk, so I was really glad that Philip had just bought a new Nikon, so he took all these pics for me and they turned out great.
I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit of our family’s happiness in celebrating the birth of baby Parker. It’s a real milestone for our family and one to treasure always. I’ll be back soon with pics of her nursery. It really turned out great and her new furniture (chest and hutch) arrived the same day we did, so we got to finish putting the nursery together while we were there. Lauren is coming home in a couple of weeks with the baby to visit for a week or so and we can’t wait to see both of them again!
Never mind, I just read the captions from the pictures.
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures and story of meeting baby Parker. She is so precious, and those pics with your parents, priceless. I know you must be eagerly looking forward to their visit home.
Rhoda,
I’m so happy you and you family got to experience this wonderful time together. God has blessed you so much with your sweet parents being able to do this. I hope he continues to bless all of you. Such a precious baby, and Lauren looks wonderful! Happy memories for all of you!
I absolutely adore that first pic! They are all lovely, but that one captured my heart! I’m having a new grandson tomorrow and I get to breathe him in, in a few days…Babies are such a joy! God Bless you and your family, Rhoda!
Congratulations to your family! I cried through the entire post!!
I agree with all of the other comments. The pictures of your mom & dad with Parker are both priceless-very heartwarming. What beautiful memories! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your precious family with us! 🙂 Parker is at that wonderful snuggly age, for sure. I could just rock a baby that size for hours!
What wonderful photos. My favorite is the first one with your Mom and Parker. That could win a contest. Such strong emotion shown! You can feel all the love in the photos. What a beautiful family you have.
Just BEAUTIFUL
Oh, your pictures are just wonderful! Congrats to you and your sweet family on the “New” addition!
Leticia
Beautiful post Rhoda. I loved the pictures. Your absolutely right about the first picture with your mom and Parker. Congratulations again and God bless you all.
Beautiful and touching! Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments.
It’s 8:30 in the morning and you’re making me cry! These pictures are beautiful, and what did it was reading what your mom said to her new great granddaughter. Precious. Seeing these lovely pictures makes me wish I’d taken more pictures, and more interesting ones too, thinking outside the box. (Love the generational hand pic). I’m noticing as I age that there are tons of pics of all the children, but not enough of the adults WITH the children. My mom has Alzheimers and Parkinsons and I’m realizing that there aren’t even enough pictures of she & I alone together when she was well—I’m looking for a great one to frame and there simply aren’t any. And that’s just sad. Just…take pictures, people! Lots and LOTS of pictures!!! Congrats on your sweet new addition, Rhoda! 🙂
Stunning photo of your dad w the headline Germany surrenders in the background..goosebumps…Thank him for his service to this great country..we are free because of brave men/women like him..the generation hands photo made me cry..PRICELESS. I only shoots a Nikon & an old Nikkormat 35m . Best purchase ever.
Such a beautiful baby story you and your family have. My husband and I became great grandparents too, last October. Two identical twin girls! So much fun for our family!
I see Parker has a Sophie on the shelf. All babies should have a Sophie! In case you haven’t read her history, here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_the_Giraffe
Also you can probably find a YouTube video of how they make her. Very interesting.
Beautiful pictures! The one of your mama and Parker in black and white is priceless. Please thank you Daddy for his service to our country- it is appreciated more than he may know.
God Bless you and your lovely family. God IS good! 🙂
I’ve read this twice now and cried both times. What a sweet baby girl.
I actually cried reading this post then read the comments from others and realized I was not the only one. That “hand” photo was so sweet but the very first photo of your mom and Parker was oh so precious!
Okay, so I’m not the only one that got weepy reading this – what a blessing that you are able to share all this with your family; when I think back from when I first started reading your blog, I thought – what a journey you’ve had —doesn’t the Lord works in mysterious ways?
Loved this post Rhoda, beautiful pictures of your family and new baby..God bless your family and btw you look amazing! 🙂