Kaide, Kaideraide, Kaiderbug

Kaide Tanner Gwilliam was born on July 16th.  Erin had a long 18 hour labor, and Tanner was right by her side the whole time.  Their little guy is so adorable, and we are happy he is here.  Here are one million pictures.

Skin to skin time with Daddy

We loved meeting our new little guy!  Aubrey holding her nephew.

G.G. and Kaide

Grandpa with sweet baby Kaide.

Beautiful Erin. She doesn't look like she just had a baby!

His oxygen levels dropped and so he was on oxygen for a bit and stayed in the hospital an extra day.

Look at that hair!  So impressive.  He has really big feet as well.

Weaknesses to Strengths (Parker's Weekly Email)

It has been really awesome to hear about Parker's growth on his mission.  Because we are not there, we learn about his growth from Monday phone calls and/or letters.  Usually, it is just us observing.  This letter is kind of fun because he is writing about some things he has noticed in his growth. 

I love and miss this boy so much and especially love watching him grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

July 18, 2022

Subject: Weaknesses to Strengths

This week we had an awesome Zone Conference. Elder Klebingat the Africa West Area 2nd councilor came on a mission tour. It was by far my favorite Zone Conference.  One of my favorite things I took from the Conference was about imperfections.  While on mission I have come closer to God in many ways and I have tried to give off a good example as I am a disciple Of Jesus Christ.  An Elder asked a question that went something like, "As disciples and representatives of Jesus we want to act in a way others can see that we are disciples of Christ, but sometimes in the moment we make mistakes and do something that isn't Christ like at all." 

Elder Klebingat let us know we can always try our best to be good representatives of Christ, but we are still human and still make mistakes. And that's ok, and we can use the gift of repentance and recommit to being a Christ like person.  And if you knew me back home, I liked to be loud and do anything for attention and a lot of the time it wouldn't be in alignment with something Christ would do.  On mission I've become better at controlling my actions and words.  Don't worry, I'm still the same Parker,but just a better version. 

I have focused on keeping my thoughts, actions, and words cleaner and more Christ-like. But one thing that keeps nagging at me is back home. It didn't bother me when I did, thought, or said something that I should not be doing, but now on mission I find myself beating myself up over and over for much smaller and less frequent bad thoughts, words, and actions. Sister Klebingat mentioned a scripture in The Book of Mormon.

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them. 

It helped me see that now that I'm coming closer to Jesus Christ, he is showing me my weakness. Back home I was just rolling with the flow, doing what I had to to make my parents happy.  But now I'm learning and living the gospel because it makes me happy.  And now that I am seeing my weakness, I see how I can improve on it and soon my weakness will become a stronghold in my foundation in Christ!   

Elder Parker Gwilliam

me, Taylor, Gee- my companions

The roommates 

The temple

me, Elder Gee, Elder Taylor, Mary

Elder Johnson 

Year mark dinner   

Big fish paaaa

Mission friends Elder Bradley, and Jordan 

First Couple of Weeks of July

 A few happenings from the first couple of weeks of July:

My mom requires almost constant care the past several months to take care of her everyday needs as well as to keep her safe.  The stage of Alzheimer's she is in reminds me of the toddler stages with my kiddos.  It's a lot of work.  

My dad has been taking such good care of her.  My siblings and I (and our spouses/families) try to help out several times a week as well.  We just make a dent in helping him.  He is exhausted but won't really admit it.   We found a friend from Midland to come in a couple of mornings a week and that has been helpful.  

I want to document a few things because I want to remember, but I am not going to go in much detail here because I want to be respectful of my mom.

She has good and bad moments throughout each day.  Sometimes she understands us, most of the time she is confused.  Sometimes she is calm, other times she is very agitated.   Sometimes she is terrified of her surroundings or of us.  (The times she is scared are the hardest for me.)  Sometimes she gives you a big smile and hug.  Sometimes she shakes her finger at you or kicks you out of the house.  Sometimes she thinks she is at home, and other times you can't convince her that this is her home.  

We have also learned over the past several months to just go with where she is at.  If she asks when she can go home, we will say soon and try to change the subject.  (It is less confusing.)   

Gram enjoyed getting a card from her friend Marla.  It was cute to watch her read it.  She looked at it for over 30 minutes.

This is from another day.  (Most days I try to go over to relieve Grandpa for an hour or two.)  Gram trying to leave.  We have top locks on all the doors, but we still have to watch closely because she is persistent and can sometimes figure all the locks out.  On this attempt, she had a writing pen to try to move the process along.  Also, if I go outside with her, we don't stay long.  She usually comes right back inside.  She just likes to wander.  

I kind of love this picture of my mom stalking my dad.  I was watching her for a couple of hours one afternoon, and my dad went to take a nap.  She knew he was in this room, and for about 15 minutes, I was able to keep her from going in and waking him.  She was not leaving the door so I pulled up a chair for her to sit down atleast.  Eventually though, she was done waiting, and I lost.  At least he got a mini nap!

This picture was taken after one of my dad's bike rides.  We were visiting on the couch and he started messing with me.  (tickling me, sitting on me...stuff like that.)  While he was messing with me, he fell between the couch and the ottoman.  Karma! Ha.

My dad usually does one of three things when one of us goes over to give him a break.  1. Make necessary phone calls usually regarding my mom's care in some way  2. Take a nap to catch up on longer nights and busy days  3. Go on a bike ride.  

He recently purchased an electric bike and has enjoyed getting outside and getting some exercise.  If it is windy or he wants a little break, he can just turn on the electric part and get some assistance.  I'm glad I have three other siblings in town, and we can all help care for my parents 

Bought this cute Little Tykes car for $5 and then bought stickers for $11 to fluff it up.  Can't wait for little Kaide to arrive.  I am going to have to refrain from buying all the toys and cute clothes for this baby.

We bought this outfit for baby Kaide to match with Tanner.  When Tanner opened it at the baby shower, he got the biggest grin.  Next summer they can be twinning.

I also found these adorable little shoes.

Talking to our Park Park!  It was fun because I was at my parents, and they were able to join.  Bryn was able to hop on for about 10 minutes as well.  (She has a pretty tight schedule at FSY.)  Brian is often able to hop on the calls but sometimes can't talk depending on what is going on at work.

Gathered in the family room for scripture and prayer.  It was nice to have Erin and Maya able to join in.  (Don't mind Aubrey and Maya...they are just holding toes!)

Summer League volleyball has started!  They play four games a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Backrow left-rt: Gabby, Mia, Zimrah, Angie, Kadence, Aubrey and Coach Aleana

Middle: Morgan, Kyler, Maci

Front: Dylan, Parker, Alyah

Macy and Brinley were able to make part of the Gwilliam reunion in Utah.  Macy is holding Addison and Brinley has either Caleb or Braxton.  Brian and Aubrey were going to drive up, and I was going to stay here just in case Tanner's baby came early.  However, the doctors decided to induce two weeks early, so Grandpa Bri stayed here as well.

Jeff with the boys

Some of the Gwilliam men went golfing: Blake, Conner, Keith, Jackson (Emily's husband), Andrew, Jeff, Kyle, Griffin (Megan's husband) and Levi (Kaitlyn)

Bryn and Tyler

Bryn with Grandma and Grandpa Gwilliam

The night before Tanner's baby was being born, Aubrey and I headed to the store to make a snack basket.  We also put in some comfy socks and some pajamas for Erin.

Well, this is my last pre-Kaide post.  The second half of July is (mostly) all about baby Kaide for sure. We kind of like him!

It's Getting Real! (Baby Time)

July 10, 2022

On June 30th, Tanner and Erin found out the doctor wanted to induce her two weeks early, so we have a date: Thursday July 14th she will be getting induced!  When we were calendaring during FHE and Tanner called it "Operation Free Kaide."  So we have a name and a date and a new little Gwilliam baby very soon.

On July 2-3, Tanner and Erin made a quick trip to Lucas, Texas to pick up baby furniture from Becky and Brian.  They were very generous.  Tanner and Erin came home with a crib, a changing table, a dresser, two pack and plays, two portable high chairs and two push toys.

Not going to lie...seeing all of the baby stuff spread out in the house gave me a little bit of anxiety.  Where are we going to put all these baby things?!

Brian directed Tanner and Aubrey in setting up the crib.  I was impressed with how well it fit in his room.  (We have an extra bedroom right now, but Brian is renovating the bathroom so it's a big mess.)

Yesterday, July 9th, we attended a beautiful baby shower put on by Erin's mom and stepmom and family.  The decorations were beautiful.  They had a sandwich and nacho table and then this dessert table.  

Aren't the cake and cookies amazing?

Brian, Aubrey, Britney (and of course Tanner) came and it was really fun meeting more of her family and mingling with her family and friends.  I felt very comfortable, and it was sweet to see the obvious love they have for each other.  

They had games mixed in to the afternoon.

Tanner was all about musical chairs...and won it.  He also won the guessing game with the jar full of gummy bears.  He didn't win the bag on the head game though!  There wasn't really a winner, but they were teasing the guys and some caught on sooner than others.

Everyone wanted a picture with Erin.  It was pretty cute.  We joined the line and took pictures as well.  

Tanner had to stand in line too!  

We then watched them open presents.  Everyone was so thoughtful and generous, and it was fun to see their gifts.  

Four more days until "Operation Free Kaide" takes place!