Creed's Blessing Day...

We were able to bless Creed on December 29, 2009 at my parent's house while we were in Utah. We decided that since most of our siblings were going to be in town over the Christmas holiday we would do it then. I didn't know how it would feel doing the blessing at home instead of church, but I have to say it was great. It was nice to have it so small and intimate and the spirit was very strong during the blessing. Creed was given an amazing blessing by his dad. We just love this little baby so much! He is such a blessing and little miracle to our family.

Christmas...

The boys were very excited for Christmas this year. The morning was fun, but started way to early. Colton and Cannon were up and ready to open presents at 5:45. They woke up Crew and he had a rough morning from being tired. Creed slept through the whole thing and just hung out in his bouncy seat. After opening presents we headed to Utah, traveling with 4 kids for the first time and a packed car. Once in Utah, it was party after party and trying to keep to a tight schedule in order to see everybody.

Merry Christmas...

We wish you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Creed is 2 weeks old...

Weight - 8 lbs. - 30%

Height - 21.5 inches - 80.91%

Head - 13.5 inches - 8.74%

We are loving every single second of our little man. He is a really good baby. He has his fussy moments, but is content for the most part. He has brought so much joy to our family already!

Creed Is One Week Old...

What an amazing week it has been. There is nothing like a brand new baby...his smell, cuddling and holding him, his little feet and hands, and his sweet little spirit. We are excited to be home from the hospital and to have our little Creed boy home with us. We love you Creed!

Brothers...

The boys were only able to come to the hospital one time for 15 minutes to meet their new little brother Creed. The hospital has an 18 and older visitor policy right now because of the flu season being so bad this year. Colton and Cannon loved seeing Creed for the first time and holding him. Since we have been home they have taken such good care of him. They are so gentle with him and love to hold him. Crew is having a rough adjustment, but each day is getting a little better. I think these 4 boys are so lucky to have each other and I know they will always have a special brotherly bond.

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Pregnancy, Stress, Delivery, and More...

What a crazy last five months our family has had. As some of you know, when we went in for our routine 20 week ultrasound, we found out that our baby had a two vessel umbilical cord. The ultrasound tech didn't act like it was a big deal and Greg and I had never heard of this so we didn't think much about it either. When we got home from the ultrasound we got on the internet and started researching a 2 vessel cord and became very nervous. We made a phone call to our OB's office to talk to our doctor about what we found out in our ultrasound. He referred us to a Perinatologist, however we couldn't get an appointment for 3 weeks. As this point in the pregnancy, we really didn't care if we had a boy or a girl, we were just hoping for a healthy baby. As we met with the Perinatologist 3 weeks later, we found out that our baby had 2 CPC on his brain. The Perinatologist could only give us about a 90% chance of having a healthy baby. Most likely if something was wrong with the baby it would be a down syndrome baby. We also had to have very close monitoring the last trimester of the pregnancy because the chance of still born goes up and the growth of the baby can slow down. Some weeks we would have 3 doctors appointments. We always felt like we were getting great medical treatment and are thankful for the doctors that kept such a close eye on us during this pregnancy. The next 5 months we experienced many ups and downs and stressful times as a family. Greg and I always held close to the peaceful feeling we had. We learned a lot about faith, prayers, family, and friends.   

We had decided to do a amnio around 34 weeks of the pregnancy, so we would know for sure if the baby was going to be heathy before he came. But as the time came, we changed our minds because we would only get the results back a few days before the baby was to be born.
On Monday November 30, I experienced many contractions but they were not consistent. I went to bed for the night, but didn't sleep great. I woke up the next morning around 6 a.m. and my stomach was very tight and sore and I didn't feel good at all. I went to the bathroom and found that I was lightly spotting and called the doctor right away. He was just starting a c-section and told us to get to the hospital right away and he would do our c-section next. We left for the hospital with only the clothes we were wearing, not feeling prepared at all to have the baby this day. We were scheduled for December 3rd to have the baby. When we got to the hospital, I was feeling very nervous because I hadn't felt the baby move that morning. Greg happened to see the doctor in the hall and told him of my feelings. He came right into my room and hooked me up to monitor to look at the baby's heart rate. He also asked us if he could say a prayer with us. What an amazing experience to have a doctor say a sincere, meaningful prayer on our behalf. We felt so lucky to be in such good care. As Greg and I talked in the room waiting for the c-section to begin, we talked about looking at the baby's face as soon as he was born to see if he looked healthy. Greg and I always had a peaceful feeling about this pregnancy, but the unknown was always scary. As the c-section began, they had a hard time getting the baby out of my stomach. He was stuck and they had to use the vacuum to get him out. Greg said he came out face down and it seemed like an eternity for them to turn him around so Greg could look at his face. As soon as Greg saw his face, he thought to himself that he looked like the other boys and he looked healthy. He looked at the doctor and asked him if he looked healthy. The doctor said yes, and as the nurses checked him out they also kept saying how healthy he looked. We felt so blessed.
Our little boy weighed 7lbs. 10 oz. was 21.5 inches long and was the most beautiful baby. He didn't even have to be in the NICU coming 18 days early. He was perfect! We have learned many things during the past 5 months. We learned that Heavenly Father loves us and listens to our prayers. He sends us individual experiences for us to learn and grow.   We would just like to personally thank our friends and family for the love and support they have shown us the last 5 months. We know that many prayers, fasting, phone calls, and love have been given on our behalf.
We are thankful to have our baby boy Creed home with our family. We love you Creed.

Introducing...

Creed Jackson

Born at 8:57 a.m.

7 lbs. 10 oz.

21 1/2 inches long

Creed is 1...

What a precious bundle of joy you are

Cute from head to toe

You melt my heart with your sweetness

Everywhere you go

You're a very special gift

Descended from heaven above

The most perfect little angel

Sent for your Dad, Mom, and brothers to love.

With all my love and best wishes

for your very 1st birthday

2 weeks old

One Month Old

2 months old

2 1/2 months old

3 months old

4 months

5 months old

6 months old

8 months old

10 months old

1 Year Old

I didn't think I was sad that my baby was turning one until I uploaded Creed's newborn picture. There is nothing like a newborn baby straight from heaven and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for sending Creed to our family. He is a sweet, determined, energetic, playful, little boy. He is easy going if his brothers aren't bugging him and he is already learning to fight back. He eats and sleeps like a champ. He knows how to walk but still picks crawling over walking. He is getting so many new teeth in all at once and that is making him a little miserable. He has stranger danger and will pick his Mommy over his Daddy. His little noises melt my heart. Happy 1st Birthday to my little Miracle Baby. We love you with all our heart.

Finding Joy in the Journey...

Thomas S. Monson states, "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - What a peace and comfort it is to know that I have a testimony of the gospel. It provides me with a peaceful feeling on a daily basis. I am so thankful that the gospel provides a "road map" for me to raise my children. How thankful I am to know that the church is true and that I am a member of it.

I am grateful for the power of prayer - What a blessing it is to kneel down on a daily basis and say a sincere prayer to my Heavenly Father. What a strength it is to me that I can turn to prayer in any difficult or upsetting situation and ask my Heavenly Father for help.

I am grateful for an eternal family - How lucky am I to have an amazing husband, children, Mom & Dad, siblings, Grandparents, extended family, and in-laws. I am thankful for their love and support in any situation and the time we get to spend together and enjoy each others company.

I am grateful for modern day medicine - This past year has been interesting for our family. We have dealt with a high risk pregnancy and knee surgery among little things for our children along the way. How lucky we are to live in this day and age of modern medicine and technology.

I am grateful for my temporal blessings - I feel so lucky that Greg has a job in this economy that supports our family and allows for me to stay home each day and take care of our children. I am thankful for our beautiful home and the warmth and love that is present. I am thankful for the food we have to eat and the clothes we have to wear.

I am grateful for good friends - I feel so lucky to have amazing friends that show love and support on a daily basis, especially since we don't live close to our family.

-President Monson said it best..."Find joy in our everyday journey of life." If I can look at my blessing on a daily basis and hold them close to my heart, it will be harder for the distractions of the world to crowd and take time over what is most important.

Crew's Birthday Fun...

Pancake Breakfast

Loved Opening his card with money from Grandpa & Grandma D.

Loved opening his present from Grandpa & Grandma W.

Playing in the snow with his brothers

Opening his presents

He absolutely loves his Handy Manny Motorcycle (From Grandpa & Grandma's D. and Mom and Dad)

Crew is 2...

This little boy brings excitement, joy, frustration, and laughter to our family. Crew is one strong willed child and if he sets his mind to something there is no changing it. We love him so much and can't imagine life without him.

-Favorite Foods - SUGAR, Waffles, Pancakes, and Yogurt

-Favorite Toys - Trains, Cars, Basketball

-Favorite TV Shows - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jungle Junction, and Barney

-Favorite Movie - Any Baby Einstein

-Loves to raise his hands in the air and yell YEAH when he is excited and happy about something

-Still loves his dog blankets, binki, and bottle (we took his bottle away 3 days ago, but has still asked for a ba ba everyday)

-Is a Mommy's boy and loves his brother Cannon. Throughout the day he will randomly yell for his brother Can Can. He loves to play with him.

3 days old

4 months old

One year old

One and a half

2 years old