Caleb Garrett - What a long week...

So it's been a long and hard week!!! Caleb has been having a hard time with his biliruben levels, in other words he is very jaundiced. They were released on Tuesday finally to come home, but after a pediatrician visit yesterday they were readmitted back to the hospital. His levels began to climb throughout the night - and has had us all very concerned! I think having a medical background in some cases brings me to worry more. As of today, the last blood draw level has trended down - and so now we just have to wait and watch each level praying that they remain going down. I feel for my brother, my sister-in-law, and Caleb - I know what's it's like to have a newborn in the hospital and how over whelming it all is. All three of you are in my prayers...

It's a boy

Amy and Garrett had a healthy baby boy at 2:57 am this morning. He came 3 weeks early - because he was anxious about meeting his awesome family - I know... Mom, Dad and baby are doing great he was 7 lbs 12 oz and 20.5 inches long!!!! I already love him so much...

Santa Cruz

Today my cousin Jennifer and I took the kids to the beach. This was Mason's first time at the beach and I think he really did enjoy himself. We brought a lunch, let the kids play in the sand, the water and get covered in sand from head to toe!!!

Mason has finally reached the correct age and weight limit to ride forward in the car seat! You have to be 1 year old and 20 lbs - and at the doctors yesterday said he was 20 lbs and 1 ounce!!! Yippee - so here he is - the first time riding forward - and of course he crashed out as soon as we started driving...

Today is our last day of summer - so as a family we went to the Oakland Zoo! Mason has never been before - we all had a blast looking at all of the animals. We packed a lunch and walked around - my favorite were the giraffe's and Steve's favorite the lions. Not sure which Mason liked best - but I think it was watching all the kids run around! There were 5 school buses full of kids and a parking lot full of families with strollers. Which brings me to my next investment - I think I need a new stroller and I really like the phil and ted sport... you know your a mom when - your out you check out other mom's strollers!!!

I worked last weekend as usual - and it's amazing how fast the work weekend fly's by and onto the relaxing week with Mason and Steve. The weekends are hard because I say goodnight to Mason Friday night and then usually don't get to see him until Monday morning.  It's like I go away for the weekend. Sunday was extra long because I got up earlier then normal, and met 4 other coworkers at breakfast before we started our shift. Im talking we all met at 6am for breakfast - we must have been crazy! We walked into this restaurant before the sun was even up, and the waitress says to us, "looks like you all just pulled an all nighter!" Actually we haven't started yet, thanks...coffee please!!! We definitely decided that this breakfast thing was nice on VERY rare occassions!!!

On another note, my sister is turning 21 in March - and she has been trying to decide where to go as a family for her birthday! I went to Vegas, Garrett went to Hawaii and well Angela... Hawaii is way to expensive right now with flights, Vegas is not her style, so she has choosen... Disneyland!!! Im really excited for her and think this will be a lot of fun with all of us!!! I think were going to try and stay on the California Adventure side - not sure on the details since she just told me tonight! I have not been to Disneyland since I was 15 years old - so super excited! 

Happy Birthday Garrett

Yesterday was Garrett's 27 birthday! Happy Birthday!!! Angela came into town to surprise him, and went to dinner at a restaurant called Redcoats in Pleasanton. We sat outside on their patio enjoying great food, and drinks. Garrett opened his gifts which mostly consisted of Home Depot gift cards (that's what he wanted)!!! Angela baked him some sugar cookies - which he was super excited for. Every year the only thing Garrett wants to do for his birthday is to go camping - but this year Amy is due in 4 weeks so sleeping on the ground is out of the question. Instead Amy gave him a card with a map enclosed saying that they were going away for the weekend. It's a place near Half Moon Bay - that is camping in a private cabin like thing. It looks really fun and Garrett lit up and was very excited that they were leaving today to actually go somewhat camping. After dinner we walked to cold stone for ice cream - Garrett of course asked for the largest ice cream cone they had - and couldn't even come close to finishing it. It was so nice spending Garrett's Birthday dinner with him - as a family! I am so lucky that I live so close to my brother and sister - Garrett I hope you had a wonderful day too!!! Thanks for sharing...

Mason is definitely  becoming such a little boy - he is  growing up way to fast for me! Today we decided that this will be his new hair style! I really do love it!!! This week we have been busy with many doctor appointments - I think this week alone we had 7 different appointments between Steve, Mason, and myself! It wouldn't be that bad except for Steve still cannot drive from his foot surgery. We only have 1 1/2 weeks left of summer break until Steve has to go back to work... and back to no days off together... well until labor day, veterans, thanksgiving, xmas...

Happy Birthday to Mason

July 30th was Mason's first birthday! My parents, and Angela came into town, plus everyone else who already lives here. On Wednesday we woke up and my mom made us

pancakes for Mason's birthday, and he opened a few presents. 

We hung out during the day - went out to pizza - and then headed over to my cousin Jennifer's house to celebrate with cake and ice cream. Mason and Jennifer have the same birthday so we brought a cake from cold stone and sang happy birthday to the both of them!

Since Steve is out of commission from his foot surgery - he got out of the house and yard work for the party! My parents worked very hard at helping us get our home in shape for Mason's birthday party! Like always they are willing to jump right in and help us with whatever we need. Thank you for helping us this week - and making Mason's birthday that much more special... Thank you to Angela for making the cupcakes for the party and making Mason's very first birthday cake - they turned out great. Garrett and Amy thank you for helping us around the house - cleaning up after the party - making the fruit - and just all that you do for Mason!

Mason's party was a success with about 30 family members - we celebrated at our house - outside with tables, chairs, and canopies to keep out of the sun. We served lunch, played a game "who knows Mason the best," had cake and ice cream, watched a video montage of Mason's first year, and opened many wonderful gifts - thank you everyone!

The Fam

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com