Welcome Baby Parker

Only a month overdue....but finally......introducing William Parker Rizer.

Born Thursday, June 17th

5:15 pm

8 lbs 7 0z

20 1/2 inches Parker's birth story will always be a reminder to our family that God is in control and His timing is always perfect.

Although my due date was not until June 24, at 38 weeks I was already 5 cm dilated and 60% effaced. While this doesn't seem like a big deal, it was actually a VERY stressful time. Darron, his sisters, and his parents were leaving for a family weekend two hours away. Because Grandpa Keith is pancreatic cancer and his chemo does not seem to be working, a five day retreat to Seward was much needed for the family. My doctor encouraged Darron to still go on the trip, and told me to lay low as much as possible while he was gone! Nervous and apprehensive, Darron headed out early Thursday morning and we both prayed and trusted in the Lord's plan.

The kids and I had a fun few days, trying to stay busy without sending me into labor. Contractions were a regular part of my day and night and at one point they started coming about ten minutes apart.

Thankfully, Parker listened to his mommies pleads to stay put and Darron arrived home late Monday night to a very pregnant, contracting wife.

Less than 48 hours later, and labor was starting!

T and Scott wanted to keep Preston and Payton on Wednesday night because we all felt like labor was knocking on the door. So after dropping off the kids, Darron and I headed to a late movie. During the movie I was cramping pretty bad and having stronger contrations. After the movie we headed home and settled in for the night. I slept pretty good but woke up at 4 am needing to use the bathroom. I tried to go back to bed, but I couldn't stop thinking about a strawberry popsicle I had in the freezer. So....downstairs I went to enjoy! About 10 minutes later my contractions changed. Suddenly they were more painful and started coming closer together.

By 5:30 am I woke Darron up and told him my contractions were about seven minutes a part and pretty painful. Because of my history of delivery pretty quickly, we headed to the hospital.

T (Darron's sister and my labor support) met us at the hospital. My contractions were five minutes apart and I was still 5 cm dilated so we went walking the halls of the hospital for about an hour or so. After walking, my contractions were more painful and I had dilated another cm.

By noon I had received my epidural (LOVE those!) and the doctor decided to break my water about 1 pm. Not much happened until about 4:45. As I rolled over on my side, I felt Parker drop into place and I needed to push. In rushed the doctor and I pushed and breathed through one contraction. Parker's head came easily but the cord was wrapped around his neck twice. The doctor unwrapped the cord and suctioned his mouth and nose, then delivered the rest of him. He quickly turned from blue to red, was placed on my tummy, and screamed that precious cry all parents wait to hear. Because we didn't know if he was a boy or girl, I listened eagerly to hear several voices yell, "boy!" as he came out.....and I was RELIEVED to have another boy (not sure I can handle another girl!).

Preston LOVES his baby brother....they already have a special bond.

Walking the halls of the hospital at 39 weeks pregnant. I was way bigger with Parker than with the other two.

Happy to meet our new little man.

Is this Preston or Parker....they look SOOO much alike!

Payton and Preston meeting Parker for the first time.

Holding Parker for the first time.

Payton wasn't sure what to think at first. She LOVED Parker but wasn't sure how to handle the crying and having to share her momma's lap! She really enjoys talking to him and helping now.

Parker is a sweet little guy. Pretty laid back and easy going for the most part. Although life is busy with a four year old, a two year old (going through the terrible two's!), and a newborn....I wouldn't want it any differently! So thankful for my family and the blessing they are! And thankful for having a reminder, through Parker, of God's perfect timing and plan!

Catching Up

I'm finally taking time out of my nesting frenzy to update my blog with a few pictures. As I was downloading the pictures, I realized two things: 1) the date is wrong on our camera, yet again! and 2) I haven't taken many pictures lately! But here are a few:

37 weeks pregnant and the docs say I'm due any day now. We shall see. I love being pregnant, but I have definatly felt it more this go around! I finally feel "ready" for the baby and we're super excited to see if it's a boy or a girl! Any guesses??We did our annual family campout with Darron's family to Eklutna lake over Memorial Weekend. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather! It was HOT (in the high 70's) and wonderful! The kids had tons of fun playing in the dirst and water, going on hikes, and fishing with dad! It was great to camp with Grandpa again, although he slept a good part of the weekend.
Preston and his cousin (practically brother) are playing soccer again this year and LOVING it! Max has scored a few goals. Preston....well, let's just say sports may not be his big money maker! :) He loves to run and be around the ball and in the middle of the group, but he hasn't actually made a lot of contact with the ball. But by the smile on his face, you'd think he was scoring the winning goal!

Best buds!

Our neice got married a few weekends ago and Preston and Payton were the Ring Bearer and Flower girl (along with their cousins Brookelynn and Max). They did great and loved getting to dress up. Pres was disappointed that there was no ring on his pillow so I tied one of my rings on it for him. They were so stinkin' cute! Payton did great, but she tried to run back up the aisle. Too cute!

So far we have a had a great summer and been blessed with very warm, sunny weather! The kids love playing in the backyard this year and it's awesome to watch them enjoy something we put so much time and money into last year.

Darron's dad, Keith, is hanging in there. We just found out a couple of days ago that the chemo drug he has been on is not working. They are changing him to two different drugs starting next week. These aren't easy drugs and he will expereice many more side effects. We are trying to stay positive and enjoy our time with him. But our hearts are very heavy and the unkown is difficult. Please continue to keep our family in prayers.

Our next update will hopefully be pictures of a new baby! :)

Out of Touch

It's been a month a a half since my last post. A lot has been going on in our family during this past month. Many of you have been praying for our family and are aware of what is going on through Facebook. But I definatly wanted to blog about this season in our life so I can have it in the blog book I publish each year.

On April 1st, our "normal" life changed. After having terrible back pain, going to doctors, and having tests done, the news was finally delivered to Darron's dad.....cancer. While is appeared to be kidney cancer, we soon found out it was actually pancreatic cancer that had already spread to his kidney and liver. While Darron had been told cancer, none of us knew the type or seriousness of the cancer for a few hours. I received a phone call early afternoon from his sister and brother-in-law to let me know the seriousness of the situation. Terminal cancer. The most painful, fastest spreading cancer. Darron was in an appointment with clients and didn't know yet. So I called some close friends who dropped everything to come and be with my children. Darron's sister, T, picked me up and we headed to his office. When his clients left, we walked in. He could tell from our faces something was wrong. Telling my husband that his dad is dying from terminal cancer has by far been the hardest thing I have ever had to do in our nine years of marriage. I'm in tears now just thinking of that moment.

Keith and Ann boarded a plane to Hawaii that night because they needed time away, together and alone, to process things. They were gone just under a week. During that time, Darron and his sisters and brother-in-laws begin working on remodeling his dad's bathroom to make it functional and comfortable for him. They surprised him with this when he returned from Hawaii.

Much has happened since April 1st. There have been many doctors appointments, chemo once a week, many family dinners and time spent together, enough tears to last a life time, more prayers being lifted than can possibly be counted, and more worry and stress than we bargained for.

At this time, we don't know if the chemo is working or not. The tumor in Keith's pancreas is inoperable and he is in Stage 4. The chemo is hopefully shrinking the tumor to allow for less pain and more time. We've heard anywhere from six week to a year left with Keith. Only the Lord knows.

It's amazing how much life can change in one day. We are learning to live a new "normal" of being together with Darron's parents, the kids and I being alone much more, being more spontaneous and less planned, cutting back on outside obligations and responsibilities, and learning to support each other through it all.

During this season, we are also experiencing lots of change.
-Darron is now on his own at the office....Keith was planning to retire in July but has not worked since April 1st
-Darron is moving to a new office at the end of the month
-Our neice is getting married in a week and the family has been busy, busy
-I am leaving a school I dearly love and have been teaching at for 8 years
-We are having a baby in June
-Lots of different family is beginning to come in town to visit Keith and the family

We solicite your prayers and say thank-you to all of those who have already been praying. While we feel as though we are walking through the "valley of life" right now, we do fear no evil and feel strengthened and uplifted in the Lord daily. I will keep you updated, and I will post pictures of the family soon.

Family Pictures 2010

Payton Turns Two!

I can't believe that my "baby girl" is already two years old! Payton turned two on March 3rd! We decided not to have a big celebration this year, but we just kept it low key instead. Here is a sweet profile of my baby girl and her cute pony tail. Anytime I pull her hair up like this she feels it and says, "tuute" (cute)!Preston, Darron, and I took Payton to Chuck-E-Cheese to play some games and ride some rides for her birthday. Here she is on the horse. Darron went birthday shopping and came home with dishes for her new kitchen and this Easter hat. She loved the kitchen, dishes, AND hat!

This was my feeble attempt at a cute birthday cake. A friend from work had given me this bear cake pan a while ago, and since Payton loves bears and babies, I thought I'd try it out. It turned out cute, and yummy.....I just wish I knew how to REALLY decorate instead of just throwing on lots of sprinkles!

My closest girlfriends came over later that night for our weekly Bible study. We all sang to Payton and they brought her gifts. She loved the attention, the presents, and the cake!

We are so blessed by our little girl. She gave me a rough start (coming too quickly for the epidural to take much affect), and began having seizure at about two weeks old. She was a pretty fussy and demanding baby to say the least! But we believe God has a mighty plan for her! The Lord completely healed her of seizures and has instilled a very happy, joyful, outgoing, spunky personality in her. She is very sensitive to correction (I have NO idea where she got that from!), and while she has a strong opinion and personality, she wants to please.

Payton LOVEs her big brother, Preston, and seems to be excited about having a new baby in June. She LOVES baby dolls, purses, and jewelry (she is so NOT my daughter)! She is still extremely attached to one specific blanket (that we have three of) and her two fingers on her left hand....they are her security and comfort.

As of this past week, Payton and Preston are sharing a room. Darron built bunk beds (a post and pictures soon to come) and Preston sleeps on the top while Payton sleeps on the bottom in a toddler bed. She has made a SMOOTH transition and we are so proud of her! She is now called our "big girl."

We love this little girl so much and we are so thankful for the joy, happiness, laughter, and love she has brought to our family! Happy second birthday Payton!