In surgery

Parker just went into surgery. Should be out in 2 hours.

Finally

Leah met Parker this morning after a good night's rest. He has met a lot of people, but. Haven't seen him that comfortable and happy yet! To this point, this is the best day of my life! Parker has surgery tomorrow afternoon at 1:30. Keep him in your prayers.

Parker and Leah Update!

Leah went into the operating room last night around 5pm. Parker joined us at 6:18pm after couple epidural's and a tough procedure. Parker is doing great and breathing on his own. He weighs 8.7 pounds and measures in at 17 3/4 inches.

Leah is slowly recovering and Parker is getting an MRI right now. The doctors plan to perform the brain surgery on Monday. I'll keep you updated.

Heading to Labor & Delivery for a C-Section this afternoon!

Getting Close

Leah and I went to the doctor on Tuesday and things seem to be progressing quickly.  The fluid build-up continues at the same pace, and his body is measuring very small (about the 8th percentile).  All of his organs seem to be developing as planned, which is good news because the doctors could be performing the C-Section as early as tomorrow (Friday).  They are monitoring Leah for preeclampsia and we will get the results tomorrow morning when we head down to the med center.  Dr. Ivey told us to pack our bags and be prepared to stay for a while if they decide to do the procedure after our appointment.  If they don't take him this week, we will have a firm date by Tuesday of next week.  We have scheduled appointments at Baylor down town every Tuesday and Friday from now until Parker is born.

Leah is on bed rest now, which is a huge relief!  She feels much better now that she is rested and not near as swollen.  I hope to have another update on Friday if they don't do the procedure.

In the mean time, here are before and after pictures of the almost completed nursery (it's done now, but I haven't had time to go take new pictures).

Adapting

Leah and I are enjoying the last night of a long weekend full of relaxing, entertaining, cooking, decorating, packing, shopping, and yes.....College Football!!!  The house looks and smells like fall.  The bags are packed and ready to go to the hospital (whenever the time comes). Parker's room looks like something you'd see in a Magazine Ad.  The Family Room is finished and ready for Aggie Football watching and rocking Parker to sleep.

We had 4 appointments last month without much new news.  In our most recent appointment, all of Parker's vitals look good and they estimate he weighs 4 1/2 pounds.  His head is well over the 40 week mark and we are out of the percentile estimates now.  The fluid in the right side of his head continues to grow and push everything to the left.  There doesn't seem to be much brain matter in the right half, but some development could possibly be happening in the left side.  He is still breached and should stay head up for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Leah is READY!!!  We were joking about the term of pregnancy quite a bit this month.  Why is it that no one knows that pregnancy is really 10 months until they become pregnant?  My theory is if women knew that they had to do this for anymore than 9 months, they wouldn't do it.  Leah is officially 8 3/4 months tomorrow with only a month to go.  Parker's big head is pushed up against her ribs and I think he is sitting on her sciatic nerve.  This along with the record breaking heat makes for a painful combination.  Pretty much anything and iseverything she does  painful, and the heat makes for a lot of swelling.  Even though the little guy causes a lot of discomfort, it is fun to watch him move around when we talk to him.  Leah had a couple of great showers given by family, friends and co-workers which have distracted us from everything except for the excitement in preparation (and for Leah, decoration).

As for me, I try to help when I'm supposed to and stay out of the way when I'm supposed to.  The further along into this pregnancy we get, the more I admire, respect, and love my wife.  I spent some time the past 2 weeks preparing for my last trip, Pre-Parker (P.P.).  My company is putting me through a Personal Leadership program, so I'll be heading to Toronto on Wednesday for 2 nights.  Based on the tests I've taken, my top 2 strengths are Positivity and Adaptability.  Adaptability has really resonated with me over the last couple of weeks.  Not my adaptability, but what it means to women, a young family and a new baby.  To think that I was living with Rob, and Leah was living with Lara as little as 14 months ago is mind boggling.  We've adapted to all of the changes presented to a young, married couple, and we've done so very well.  Now we prepare for the changes that are presented to a young family and it seems natural.  Leah and I adapt naturally because we are changing with someone we love.  This gives me a ton of hope when I think about Parker.  I know we are in for a big change, a new boss is about to take over the house and I know we both love him......that makes for a great combination!

Possibilities

I can't believe a month has passed since the last post.  Time flies when you stay extremely BUSY!  Leah and I spent the 4th in San Antonio on Canyon Lake with The Robinson and a few other old friends.  On the way to the lake we had a wonderful, relaxing evening with the Schuerg's on the San Marcos river.  I took off to Port A for a 2 day, offshore fishing trip with a few buddies.  I had a 5 day, mid-year sales conference in Arizona.  Leah's dad was in from Saudi and we were able to have dinner with the family.  We went to Austin for a night with the Collier's (expecting 5 days beofre us), then to Waco for the Brown Cousin's Reunion.  Thanks to everyone in our great support system of friends, family, and co-workers, we are appreciative of all of you!  I especially have to thank Leah's Mom for pinch hitting at one appointment so I could fish, and of course Leah for letting me go.

We are in the 28th week and we've had 7 appointments so far this month.  It's exhausting for me, I can only imagine what Leah's body is going through with the physical changes, work, and all of the doctors visits.  We've met our Neurologist, Neonatologist, and Fetal Coordinator this month.  We toured all of the facilities in the Medical Center including the birthing and delivery center, the level 3 NICU, and the Ronald McDonald house.  Most of the appointments were fairly routine, Parker is growing as planned and he is cuter than ever.  I keep catching Leah saying, "he is so cute, I can't wait 'till he's out here so I can give him a bunch of kisses." 

Leah and I were especially excited about meeting our Neurologist last week.  Dr. Gary Clark is the gentleman that would give us more clarity about life after birth and more of the possibilities down the road.  We weren't expecting him to give us a potentially different diagnosis on the cause of Parker's Hydrocephalus.  The right ventricle is accumulating more fluid than the left (you can see it in the picture on the side bar).  Dr. Clark detailed review of the MRI revealed a dark spot in the right side of the brain that could be a cyst.  A cyst could protrude into the aqueduct restricting the flow of fluid from the right ventricle more so than the left. In this instance, a cyst in the brain is good news.  The diagnosis of a cyst over acqueductal stenosis would rule out the possibility of genetic issues.  A cyst requires 2 shunts but the long term prognosis is better.  We know this is only a possibility, but it's comforting ending our specialist appointments on an optimistic note.  Dr. Clark was impressed with our optimism and said our attitude will go a long way in dealing with any issues that arise.

Recapping the last month reminds me that Leah and I are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to do the things that we do and know the people that we know.  The optimistic diagnosis from Dr. Clark and one particular keynote I heard in Phoenix remind me that the potential for us individually, our families and our careers are truly uncapped.

Leah and I continue to remain positive and hopeful that when we do the right things, have the right attitude, and most importantly remain faithful that God is working His plan, we will continue to unveil tremendous opportunities throughout our lives as well as provide a wonderful home for Parker with endless possibilities and opportunity for our son!

I'll post a few photos later since we don't have any appointments this week!!!!!

P.S.  There is a really cool Poem that was written by an acclaimed warrior, musician, poet, and not to mention a King.  It was published in the number one selling book of all time (appx. 6 billion copies sold) and my Grandmother named me after this guy.  His name is David and the poem is located in Psalm 139 v. 13-18.  Check it out if you're up for a short read.