By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
Parker Joseph Hoekstra doesn’t know it yet but there are ice skates waiting for him and a dad that can’t wait for the times he can teach him to skate and play hockey.
Parker is barely a month old but new parents Chris and Jamie Hoekstra, of Lake Orion, are completely happy with their bundle of joy, who is the Lake Orion Review’s first baby of 2014, born on January 23.
‘It’s been amazing,? Jamie said. It’s been a learning experience every day and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.?
The instant love that a parent feels when they see their child for the first time is something very special that cannot be explained unless you have a child.
‘It’s a feeling you can’t describe,? Jamie said. ‘As soon as I looked into his eyes, I felt it.?
Parker entered the world weighing six pounds and 10 ounces and was 19 ? inches long. He was born at Crittenton Hospital.
Of course, little Parker can’t do much more right now than ‘poop, eat and sleep.?
‘He’s a very good baby,? said Chris, and added that Parker he has been growing steadily and is up to a healthy seven pounds and 14 ounces.
Chris said he cannot wait until Parker gets older so he can teach him to skate and play hockey. Chris played travel hockey as a youth and loves the sport. Chris said he was skating at age three and loved the sport.
‘He already has tiny skates,? Jamie said, of Parker.
Both mom and dad are learning the ins and outs of communicating with their baby.
Jamie said she can tell what Parker needs by the sounds of how he is crying.
‘There is a poop cry and a hungry cry,? she said, laughing.
The couple said they are thoroughly enjoying their new addition and have noticed that grandparents call and come over not so much to see them but to hear news of Parker and to visit with him.
Parker’s grandparents are Joe and Sue Zimmer, of Lake Orion, and Dale and Kathy Hoekstra, of St. Clair Shores.
Both Chris and Jamie are managers at Culver’s in Lake Orion.
As the winners of The Lake Orion Review’s first baby of 2014, the family will receive gifts from We Care Pharmacy Plus, Mimi’s Metals, G’s Pizzeria, Hair Depot, Center Square, Lake Orion Dairy Queen, Great Lakes Independent Insurance, Bill Kirchner’s State Farm Insurance, Mr. Muffler, The Hair Inn of Lake Orion, Jet’s Pizza, Great Harvest Bread Company, and Culvers of Lake Orion.