A little more about the name...

Quinn will be the first boy to carry on the Parks' name. We decided to use a family name for his middle name. I left it up to Matt to decide. We had narrowed it down to Matthew or Mel... he picked Mel (after Matt's grandpa - Hal's dad).

Here is a copy of the card we sent to Grandma Parks announcing the name... (click to make it bigger to read it)

By the way...

Yes, I know... I am blogging failure! But, after threatening from many of my dear friends and the reminder that I can use this as an excuse for journaling, I am back again. A few things to update you on...

10. Matt survived surgery and we lost the tournament in softball... no trophy this year. Don't worry though, we will be back in April after this baby comes out!

9. I stopped puking around the clock around 7 months. I felt really good until just a few weeks ago and now I am nauseated in the morning and at night again... but really, I can't complain!

8. A terrible thing happened as I went back to work in the ICU... I started really liking it :) I can't believe I have been there for a year now. The team I work with is so talented and so kind. It is the best nursing job I could ever have asked for! I don't know how often I will be able to work after the baby is born and I just took my 3 month maternity leave this week :(

7. Tutoring Connection/Fabulous Living is surviving the recession... how? I don't know. But, we are and I can't complain. How lucky am I to run a women-friendly business where I can bring my baby to work! Love it!

6. I got called to serve as the secretary in the Stake Relief Society... it is so exciting to work with such inspiring, strong women. I love the calling and have a new-found appreciation for all the details, thoughts and preparation required to run such a large organization. I am so grateful for the Relief Society and the blessings women receive through it. It is truly an inspired organization of God. I have already learned so much in my calling and continue to learn more each week!

5. I went to Arizona for a baby shower and it was so fun to see so many friends and family! Of course as Murphy himself would have it... half of the invitations got lost and none of Matt's family or my friends knew they were invited! But, the shower was absolutely beautiful and perfect and I loved every minute of it!

4. A few friends threw a baby shower for me here in Provo. It was so fun to party with a bunch of friends and family. We had a great turn out and I so appreciate the love and support I have here in my Utah home :)

3. Matt is busy interviewing for jobs and finishing his Capstone semester... he will graduate this April with a bachelor’s in Business Management: Finance & Banking and has already completed his Business Spanish Translation licensure through the University of Spain. His Capstone is CRAZY busy and very stressful (the class is ranked and the bottom 15 or so will not graduate... my hubby is leading the top of the class, good job hun!).

2. I have been busy making preparations for the baby. I got a sewing machine from my mom when I graduated and refuse to sew with a pattern but love to pretend I am a pro (really I just don't know how to use a pattern, so I wing it). I have made lots of things for the nursery and baby including:

The baby blanket (that can't even go in the crib due to SIDS) and refinished the futon I found on KSL Classifieds...

Refinished the rocking chair my mom rocked all four kids in...Car seat blanket/coverlet...Refinished the $15 garage sale changing table...

Antiqued the wooden letters to spell the baby's name...
Travel wipes container...
Set up the pack-and-play (we don't know where we will be after graduation and figured we had better wait on the whole nursery set until we know) and nursery...
1. By the way, I see I have yet to tell the world... we're having a BOY! His full name will be Quinnton Mel Parks (we'll call him Quinn). The contractions are becoming more painful and regular... a good sign that baby Quinn is trying to come before his mommy goes crazy! But, as of last Wednesday (37 weeks) I am 75% effaced and 1/2 a cm dilated. Yes, I know what that means... 1/2 a cm dilated means the doctor didn't have the heart to tell you that you're not dilated at all. Looks like this baby might make it all the way to 40 weeks. This baby carries like a men's size basketball... straight out and down low. We are so excited for Quinn to join our team. I hear the first 2 months are torturous, but we'll survive :) I will post pictures of the delivery (no, not the gross parts) as soon as I am home from the hospital, conscious and not nursing :)