9 Months

Parker turned 9 months old on Monday, and Poppa took a few pictures of her! As you can see, she loves riding in the wagon and being outside!

She went to see our "new" pediatrician, Dr. Folse, on Thursday. Dr. Folse said everything looks great. Parker weighed 19 pounds- putting her in the 50th percentile for weight, was 29 inches long- putting her in the 90th!!! percentile for height, and her head circumference is measuring in the 80th percentile. Dr. Folse could see definite improvements in Parker's development since she saw her two months ago.

We went back to see "Sue-Sue" at physical therapy, and she is very pleased with Parker's progress so far. (All of Mommy, Daddy, Poppa, and Granny's hard work with Parker is paying off!) She once again gave us new homework- as always, it is things we can do in our everyday routine- changing, feeding, etc. to help Parker's developmental progress. We are extremely pleased with the physical therapist and neurologist God led us to!

This morning, we went to see our nephew Hunter play baseball, and Parker enjoyed being outside at the ballpark. We really could not have prayed for a more pleasant, easy-going, good-natured little girl!

How Deep the Father's Love

How deep the Father's love for us; how vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son to make a wretch his treasure

How great the pain of searing loss; the Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross; my sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything; no gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death, and resurrection

Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom.

This song, written by Stuart Townsend and performed by countless worship leaders (including Nichole Nordeman, Bethany Dillon, Phillips, Craig and Dean, and others), has become my heart's song lately. It brings tears to my eyes and chills each time I hear it or even read these words. I think the line I love most is "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure." I love the idea of the word "vast." It means boundless space! How amazing to think that God's love is boundless, never can be contained, has no way of ever ending!!! Yet then, there is the startling, chilling reminder "His dying breath has brought me life..."

Daily, I am reminded how deep God's love truly is. With each smile from my beautiful baby girl, each "I love you" from Trent, each "Thanks, Mrs. Allen" (yes, I do get them occasionally) from a student... I am reminded that God has a specific purpose and calling on my life. His dying breath brought me life so that I could glorify HIM! He paid my ransom so that I could live to worship him. I am HIS, and while I should never get "comfortable" in my salvation, I should be "comforted" knowing that I CAN boast in Jesus Christ.

Prayers, Praise, PT, and Prom!

Well, a lot has gone on in the Allen household since we last updated!  I celebrated my 25th birthday on March 30, Trent and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary on April 8, and I took Carlee (CC) to prom in Mississippi last weekend with Rebecca, leaving Parker at home with her Daddy overnight for the first time.

In bigger news, on March 27, we brought Parker to the pediatric neurologist with some concerns about her developmental progress.  She was late sitting up, isn't really showing much interest in crawling, etc.  We met with a great doctor- Dr. Charlotte Hollman- who was very kind and knowledgeable and spent much time with us in her office.  She did not give us a definite diagnosis, only told us she was a bit concerned by some things and wanted to do an MRI and start Parker in physical therapy.  We started PT the next day with a wonderful woman- Mrs. Susan Ducote.  Basically, the doctor and the physical therapist think Parker is a little behind developmentally, and the physical therapy is helping us get her "caught up" with where she needs to be.

We went for the MRI this Monday, and on Tuesday received the WONDERFUL news that it was completely, perfectly normal.  We are thrilled by this news and we know that God is going to continue to work in our little girl's life to strengthen her!  Cognitively, there is nothing wrong, but there are some little physical delays that we are ALREADY seeing improve!  Thank God for sending us to the right doctors, the right therapists, and lining everything up like only he could!!

Parker continues to be a happy, healthy baby.  We are enjoying being her parents SO much.  She is so sweet and loves to smile and laugh and "talk" to us.  She is playing more and interacting more with us and other babies/kids.  She now has FOUR teeth- two on top, two on the bottom, and we are fairly certain that there will be a few more SOON! (The drooling, chewing on the hand, etc. has not slacked off at all since the last one appeared!)

We are extremely blessed by the sweet little gift God has given us.  Although the past few weeks have been tough, not knowing what was going on with her, God has proven faithful over and over again.  He has constantly blessed us by providing everything we could possibly need.  He has given us the support of great family and friends.  We know that he will just keep working in Parker's life so that she blesses MANY others and brings glory to HIM!