12/29/08
CJ-
     The past two weeks have been pretty emotional for me.  On Monday, 12/15, my Uncle Bill passed away.  It was such a surprise, I really didn't take the news very well.  Your dad came home from work to be with me and comfort me.  I did a lot of praying that day.  It makes me sad that you will never have the chance to get to know him.  He always reminded me so much of my grandpa.  They were both amazing men.
     Christmas was a little overwhelming for you, I think.  On Christmas Eve we spent most of the day up at Grandma Stephanie's with Grandma Donna, Uncle Jess and Grandpa Frank.  That night we went to midnight mass.  You slept through the whole thing, but when we got home you decided that you weren't interested in going to sleep.  I think we finally got you back in bed around 2:15a.  Christmas day brought even more people over to our house.  You did pretty well, especially considering our house was a mad house.
     Today was a very exciting day.  You rolled over from your tummy to your back for the first time.  I was so excited.  I called your dad and Grandma J right away.  I couldn't wait to tell them.  I'm so amazed how you are able to figure things out.  Almost like you don't need me.  You are going to be so smart.  I'm so thankful that I am able to be home and spend these precious moments with you.
     I love you!
-Mom

12/14/08
CJ-
     It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
There have been so many new things for you lately I've had a hard time keeping up.  It's midnight and your dad is trying to get you to go to sleep.  We've talked about putting you on a schedule, but so far we've really just let you call all the shots.  It's really been fine so far.  Something tells me that nothing you could do would disappoint us.
     You've been sleeping through the night pretty consistently for the past month or so.  We had to trim your hair several weeks ago because it was getting out of control.  It was so long on the top and the sides.  You are getting such a personality, it's so cute.
     Well, dad did a good job at getting you to sleep, so I think I'm going to try to get some sleep now too.  I promise I will start writing more regularly, even if it's just little notes.
     I love you!
-Mom

10/9/08
Christopher-
     Last Friday night, 10/3/08, was your first night away from home.  We went to Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley.  My mom watched you while your dad and I went to the St. Ann's cooking class.  You and Grandma had a lot of fun.  After the cooking class, Grandma went to sleep and we took you over to Ben and Heather's room to hang out with our friends.  You slept the whole time.  You slept pretty well during the night.  Better than I did.  I don't usually sleep very well unless I'm in my own bed.
     I'm leaving tomorrow for Mesquite and I'll be spending 2 nights without you.  I'm looking forward to the trip, but I'm going to miss you and your dad so much.  I'm bringing a little picture of you along for good luck.  Hopefully we'll win lots of money. 
     You and your dad are going to spend the weekend with Grandma Stephanie.  You should have fun and I hope it makes the weekend a little easier for your dad.  He's been pretty stressed lately at work.  So be good this weekend and try not to add to his stress.  You make us both very happy.  I love you with all my heart!
-Mom

9/12/08
Christopher-
     You are changing so much every day.  You have been sleeping in your crib every night, but when I come in to feed you in the middle of the night, you and I usually end up falling asleep together in the recliner for the rest of the night.  I'm trying to be better about putting you back, but you just seem so happy sleeping in my arms so I have a hard time putting you back to bed.  You still make all those animal sounds when you're restless and not yet asleep.  I'm still thinking that you'll grow out of that.
     A few weeks ago we hung a mobile over your changing table and you love it.  It has little animals on it and you stare at them and talk to them.  Grandma Stephanie and Uncle Jess just bought you a mobile for over your crib.  It spins and lights up and plays music.  I think you like it.
     Right now I'm watching you lay in your pack 'n play and talk to the hanging elephants.  You're cooing and smiling and kicking, you look so happy.  It's really good to see you entertaining yourself for a few minutes.  I could just watch you do this all day!

Love-
Mom

8/25/08
Christopher-
     I can't believe how fast you are growing and changing.  Sometimes you look more like a little boy than a baby.  Last week you sucked your thumb for the first time.  It must have found its way in there by accident because I haven't seen you do it since then.  Last night you slept in your crib for the first time.  We put you to bed at 10:45p.  At 4a I got up to go to the bathroom and thought that you would wake  up any minute to eat.  So I just went into your room and fell asleep in the recliner and woke up at 5a.  You started to fuss a little so I got you up to feed you.  I didn't think you were ever going to get up.  I don't know if that means you officially slept through the night, but it's pretty close to me. 
     You're not a big fan of your carseat so far.  You pretty much cry every time we put you in it.  I really hope you get over that soon.
     I'm taking you to Training Table tomorrow with Kristi and Toby.  it will be your first trip to a restaurant.  I'm a little nervous but I'm hoping that you'll be a good boy.
     I love you so much and you make me so happy!
-Mom

8/7/2008
Christopher-
     You are a month old today, I can't believe it.  We finally got to bring you home on July 20th.  You have been so much fun.  You are definitely a poop monster.  You like to wait until we take your diaper off to poop.  And we've learned that you are quite talented at projectile poop.
     We had you circumcised yesterday.  I was really worried about it.  I honestly felt like we were torturing you for no reason.  We weren't brave enough to stay in the room to watch.  But when we came back to you, you were sound asleep.  So I felt so much better.  However, you are now able to pee like a fountain.
     You get cuter and cuter every day and your personality starts to show more and more every day.
Love-
Mom

7/17/2008
Christopher-
     I got to feed you your first bottle yesterday and you did such a good job eating.  But your dad didn't have as much luck last night when he tried to feed you.
     This morning you did a lot better.  Then I fed you at noon and while I was feeding you, Elizabeth showed up and started talking my ear off.  Once I was finished feeding you, or you were finished eating I should say, I tried to burp you but I couldn't tell if you actually burped.  I held you for a minute and then I so kindly offered to let Elizabeth hold you.  She hadn't had a chance yet.  Shortly after she started holding you, you threw up on her.  I can't believe you did that, but it was really funny.  I couldn't stop laughing, you are so cute and funny.
     I love you so much!
-Mom

7/15/2008
Christopher-
     I finally got to hold you today for the first time in several days, almost a week.  You are so cute!  We are just getting ready to go to the hospital to see you so your dad can hold you too.  I feel bad that I have to wake him up, he just crashed on the love sack.  Our schedules are all messed up since you came into the world.  I'm not complaining, just stating a fact.  We are getting so excited to get to bring you home.  You are doing so good.  They took out your arterial line today and they are going to try to feed you tonight at 12:30a.  We haven't decided yet if we are going to bo back to the hospital for that.  We'll see if we can stay awake that long.
I love you!
-Mom

7/12/2008
Christopher -
     I was so excited when we went to see you this morning and your lights were off.  It was kind of a big thing, I felt like we made progress.  They had a towel over your face/head because of the noise.  But we kept sneaking a peek at your face.  Your eyes were a little puffy but you were just as cute as ever.  We had your baby shower today and I got to talk about you all day and show everyone your pictures.  I was anxious to see you tonight.  I was hoping that your lights were still off and they were, and I was happy to see that they had the towel off your face.  I'm not sure when I actually noticed that the ventilator was off.  I actually made it through the whole visit without crying.  I just had a huge smile on my face the whole time.  What a great day for you!  They said they would probably take out your art-line in our belly button tomorrow morning and maybe move you into the other room and hopefully we'll be able to hold you!
     I can't wait to see you tomorrow, but I'm going to try not to get my hopes up since you had such a good day, I don't want to expect too much.

We love you!
- Mom

Visitors and Gifts

7/7/08
- Frank V first to arrive during labor
- Stephanie
- Mom
- Kristi:  brought diaper bag with lots of gifts and washed clothes to take you home in.
- Blair and Jamie
- Granny and Aunt Toodie

7/8/08
- Kristi:  brought picture frames that were part of shower game
- Blair
- Jeff
- Jamie Fletcher:  brought yummy Great Harvest treat bag.  She got to see you through the window in NICU.
- FOX friends:  Karen, Janet, Mel, Renai  - sent flowers in duck flower pot
- Anna Marie:  brought card
- Donna:  brought flowers
- all the grandparents, of course
- Lynn and Sherrie:  brought new born clothes


7/9/08
Frank and I went home, Stephanie brought us dinner


7/10/08
- Kristi brought us soup and snack basket and also gave us a special little guy to put in the "tanning bed" at the hospital.
- Partnet:  sent baby goodie basket
- Curly and Helga:  sent flowers


7/12/2008
- Local TV (my new bosses):  sent flowers

Baby Shower by Kristi 7/12/2008
- Liz:  homemade cards, November picture frame
- Jane:  baby gap clothes, April picture frame
- Sherrie, Sami, Cassie:  khaki outfits, Christopher picture frame
- Jamie Fletcher:  swim diapers, camo shorts, hat, swaddle me, January picture frame
- Heather Olsen:  hawaiian outfit, books, October picture frame
- Irene Pelton:  cream colored onesies w/striped pants, wash cloths, bib, sleeperbag, hooded towel, onesies, musical bear
- Kristi:  onesie, dr. seuss books, nikes, crib bedding set
- Veronica:  changing pad cover, bottles, cowboy outfit, June picture frame
- Kelly:  bottles, bibs, giraffe stuffed animal, March picture frame
- Missy:  cuddly puppy pj's, peter rabbit outfit, robe, August picture frame
- Heather Aoyagi:  papason chair, July picture frame

Grandma Helga:  turquoise bag, purple afghan, yellow afghan, soft blue blanket, bibs, winnie the pooh tank top onesie, receiving blankets, choo choo train outfit with hat, socks
 

7/10/08
Christopher -
     Wow!  What a crazy few days we've had.  You were born on Monday, 7/7 at 8:59 pm.  I'll never forget when they placed you on my chest and you were naked and slimy and perfect.  I remember touching your skin in disbelief that you were actually here.  Your dad and I were so happy.  Even though you were 4 weeks early you seemed perfectly healthy.  Your dad went with you to the nursery while they moved me to the recovery room, but later that night they had to move you to the NICU.  You were breathing too fast.  It seems like there are actually a bunch of things all tied together,  You are jaundiced, have pneumonia and/or some other infection, you have a slight tear in one of your lungs...



     We got to hold you on Tuesday and part of Wednesday but then they needed to put you on a ventilator.  I'm having such a hard time seeing you with all the tubes.  But I'm pumping so that you will have plenty to eat as soon as you are ready.  When we go, I just cry.  Yesterday was a really rough day for me and your dad.  We feel so helpless.  But we're getting stronger and so are you.  Tonight you were kind of wild when we got there.  You were kicking your legs all over the place,  I think you really don't like having all that stuff on your feet.  But the nurse let us touch you and hold your hand and your head to try to get you to calm down.  I think we helped a little.  I didn't cry nearly as much as I normally do because I felt like I was actually helping.  Your dad has been so strong through all of this.  I don't know what I would do without him.  I hope you are just like him.  He is truly an amazing person.
     Everyone has been so supportive.  You have a wonderful family that loves you very much and we are anxious, but trying to be patient, waiting for you to come home.

We love you!
-Mom