Eyes Open

Okay so this picture doesn't have his eyes open, but I couldn't resist. he just had the most perfect, peaceful face. This was one of those moments where you just get to look at your baby and think how precious they are- I feel so blessed to have two adorable boys.

As all newborns do, Carson sleeps a lot (during the day of course), and so seeing these cute eyes are rare. Of course since he is jaundice you can see the yellow in his eyes, but it is so fun to see him looking around and trying to focus of everything. I can't believe he is already a week old, the days go by fast and the nights drag on forever. But we are really loving the new addition to our family!

Yeah Were Home! (Part 2)

Here are a few more pictures of our new little pal.  Cohen is pretty excited about his new little brother.  We tell him that Carson is "his baby" and he thinks that is pretty cool.  I mentioned before that Carson is a little Jaundice ... The last picture is him with his light-blanket.  It is actually called a "Wallaby 3".  I don't know why, but the name just strikes me as funny.

Yeah Were Home!

Carson is home!  We were able to bring Carson home on Tuesday and it is so good to have him home.  He spent a couple of days in the NICU where they were monitoring his breathing and platelet levels.  He is doing great now and aside from a little jaundice (he has to use a light-blanket for a couple of days) is a healthy little boy.

Carson Glen Is Here!

Carson is here!  Carson was born in dramatic/traumatic fashion at 1:11 am on Sunday morning (5/24/09) in our house on our master bathroom floor.  We had been in the hospital on Saturday night, but were sent home because Crystal had not dilated any further and we were told that she was only cramping and was not having any contractions.  We got home at about 11:30 pm and went to bed thinking that Crystal would just need to endure some painful cramping until the contractions would start and we could then return to the hospital.  A little after 1:00 am Crystal woke up in severe pain and could not stop the urge to push.  She woke me up with a blood curdling scream for help, to call 911 and that the baby was coming.  After almost passing out, a lot of screaming, panic, and some much needed instructions from the 911 responder over the phone, I delivered Carson in our Master Bathroom at home.  Gratefully, the E.M.T.'s arrived just in time to clamp and cut the cord and they rushed both Mom and Baby Carson to the hospital in a fire truck (not an ambulance).  It was both a terrifying (in the moment) and amazing (looking back) experience.  I am so grateful that both mom and baby are doing great and if you were wondering; yes ... you can call me Dr. Steve or Steve, M.D. ... whichever you prefer.

This is Carson in the nursery shortly after he was admitted.  He was on oxygen and had a lot of probes and an IV in his little foot.  Poor little guy!  His blood platelet count was low and his oxygen level was low as well, so the attending pediatrician recommended a transfer to another hospital were he could receive more specialized treatment in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  This was nerve racking for mom and dad, but after a blessing from dad, uncle Rob, and Grandpa Bowers, we new that he would be OK.

Our first family picture (shortly before transferring to another hospital).  As you can tell, Cohen is thrilled to have a new baby brother!

Baby Carson before being transferred.

Away we go ... One too many ambulance (or fire truck) rides for one day!

This is baby Carson this morning.  He is doing great and is no longer on Oxygen, antibiotics, or an IV.  His blood platelet count looks great and he is starting to eat well too.  If everything continues to go smoothly we should bring him home tomorrow afternoon!  He is a cute little guy, if i do say so myself, and we are so excited to have him home.

Snapshots

Here are a couple of snapshots I (Steve) took of Cohen this evening.  He's a pretty photogenic kid, but he is tough to catch with a camera because he is constantly busy.  I wanted to play around a little bit with the B & W and Sepia toned settings in Photoshop.  Pretty fun.

15 days and counting down until Crystal's due date, but we (and our doctor) think it will be sooner than that.  Carson is growing like a weed and Crystal is ready to get him out.  We are so excited for him and just hope that Cohen will join in the excitement.  Cohen has been the center of our world for the past 18 months and he has no idea what is coming.  We hope he will grow to love his little brother and that they can be little pals (or partners in crime).  I'm sure he will be a great older brother. 

18 MONTHS

I can't believe that a year and a half ago my baby was born. He has grown up so much- I counted how many words he says the other day and there were like 30- along with lots of jabbering. He loves his daddy as you can tell by all the pictures of him and Steve. I finally got him to smile in a picture- he was going through a phase where he would only cry for a picture because he wanted to play with the camera and I wouldn't give it to him. That brings up another note: he is very stubborn and started throwing tantrums- so annoying. Tell me where do kids learn how to throw themselves on the floor and cry- it is really embarrassing.

Although he has such a strong personality he melts our hearts everyday with the cute things he does. He is pretty snuggly which we love, and he is such a boy. He loves to run and play outside- with a ball in his hands at all times of course.

He loves to give kisses- and he will even kiss my belly, so cute.

Some things that he has accomplished: I think he might be 20 lbs.- that's right he's a little guy, For the last week we haven't had his binki during the day only at nap time and night time. 

He has been sleeping in a big boy bed for the past 2 months- he has done really well- except the last couple of weeks he keeps waking up at night, we don't know why.

We are finally done cutting canines- yeah, so we only have 2 year molars to go and then we are done with teething- I can't wait.

Our sweet Cohen- we love you and are so proud of all the great things you are learning how to do. You light up our lives everyday. We can't imagine life without you!

Cohen's First Trip Up the Canyon

On Saturday we went up to the canyon to have dinner and dessert- so yummy. It was Cohen's first time and needless to say he loved it. He is exactly like his dad. He loves the outdoors. We went to REI before and bought Cohen a camping chair and Nalgene sippy cups- so cute. But he really wouldn't sit in his chair so Steve spent the whole time hiking with him and throwing rocks- letting him play in the river, etc. They had a blast and Cohen didn't want to stop, he could have played all day. We had a great time, and of course Jason made his famous peach cobbler dutch oven style- amazing- it made this pregnant lady very happy!

Happy Mother's Day!

First I have to say that I have 2 of the world's greatest mothers- my mother and my mother-in-law. Both of whom I love and appreciate. My mom is always so willing to help us out and she gives me an out when I need some sanity. My mother-in-law is always so thoughtful and giving- we always have a great time when we are together. I feel so lucky to have them in my life.

Second, I have the greatest blessings in my life my husband and soon to be 2 little boys. Cohen brings joy into my life everyday- he just does the cutest things. I love how observant he is and how cute his little voice is when he says words. I am so in love with my little Carson even though I haven't even seen him yet- I know he is amazing and I can't wait until I can hold him and love him.

So I have to thank my sweet husband for a great mother's day. I got breakfast in bed and Cohen carried in a note and present for me himself. Then I haven't done anything all day but relax- Steve has done dishes and made dinner and taken care of Cohen- it's been awesome. And I actually got to go to relief society today and listen to the lesson without a toddler to take care of- so nice. So I am feeling truly blessed and grateful for all my many blessings!!!

CARSON!

Okay so this is really hard to see, but this is a profile of our 35 week and 5 day old little boy- isn't he so cute. He was measuring right on schedule and is estimated to weigh about 6 1/2 pounds so he is just perfect. He has chubby cheeks and some hair, I just love him- he looks so cute. I was starting to progress 2 weeks ago, but I haven't changed in the last two weeks- that is a little depressing, aren't all these contractions supposed to be doing something? We are trying to prepare for this little guy and it is coming along really slowly ( we haven't even started his room yet), but I do have his clothes washed and ready to go. Honestly I feel like he is pretty healthy so I think he could come in the next couple of weeks- watch he will come late- we will take him anytime.