Chet's first birthday.

Well, I'm sure everyone has probably given up on us, but we are still alive! Here's some pictures of Chet's first birthday!















Since his birthday falls on the day before Halloween, we went to Jared's brother, Noel, ward's Trunk-or-Treat. This lion costume has been passed down through Noel's family and now it was Chet's turn to wear it. He was a very handsome lion.

















Before his birthday we went to California to Disneyland's Halloween celebration, which was really fun. Chet was dressed up in his lion costume. I think Chet had a pretty good first birthday. By then he was walking and getting his first tooth. It's amazing how fast your kids grow up!

Don't you just want to pinch'im?

Chet loves being naked. I thought I would take advantage of him being happy. I can never quite catch a full smile, but I guess this will do. Isn't he precious?

Mommy was bored one morning. I was trying to make a turban, but it didn't quite work out.

I don't mean to brag, but he's just too cute.

It's official!

This news is coming a little late; but, it is official! Chet is off of oxygen. The nurse who talked to us at our appointment at Phoenix Children's Hospital called us on February 5th and let us know that the data they received from the study looked great and that he can be taken off oxygen. We are so happy! Chet just needed a little more time. We greatly appreciate all of the prayers! This has definitely been a test of our patience. We are so grateful that Chet's little lungs have healed. He is so cute and cuddly! We got lucky with this one!

Big boy Chet

Here are some pictures of our favorite little man. Right now he's 3 months and 1 week. Enjoy!

Daddy and Chet taking a Sunday nap

Chet in Grandma Kieren's outfit

He looks better in this picture; in the other picture exactly like this, flash makes him look washed out. He scratched himslef pretty good the night before.

He's got a good double chin going.

He actually likes his exer-saucer, even though he can't touch the bottom.

It's been too long

It's been too long since I've last posted. A few of my friends asked for a birth story. So, I'll make it quick. October 29th was a doctor's appointment. He checked my blood pressure and found that it was too high for him (170/100). He felt that Chet would be better outside than staying inside. So, he wanted me and Jared to head over to the hospital to get induced. Once we got our things together we headed to the hospital and got induced, unfortunately, I was barely 1 cm dialated. He warned us that it probably wouldn't be until the next day that we'd be having a baby. Needless to say, it was a long process to have Chet. Also, once I was admitted and induced, I had to be on Magnesium because of my blood pressure; it is a kind of muscle relaxer, so I was pretty much stuck to my bed. Honestly, it was pretty miserable, but it helped keep my blood pressure down. The contractions started to get uncomfortable, so I decided to get an eipdural. It wasn't until late the next morning that things started to move along. Finally after 2 1/2 hours of pushing, an episiotome and a 4th degree tear, he arrived in the world at 2:48 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 5.5 oz.

I didn't get discharged from the hospital until Tuesday of the next week. It seemed like one thing after another. The magnesium took about a day or so to get out of my system. Until then I couldn't stand up on my own. Then I got a really high fever because I had a kidney infection and a unrinary tract infection, so I had to stay another day for that. I think my doctor was pretty sick of seeing me still in the hospital.

I don't remember if I've posted this or not, but when he was born, he had some fluid in his lungs and then got pneumonia. He was on antibiotics for 7 days. That 7th day he was discharged, unforutnately, he couldn't quite kick the oxygen he had been on, so he was sent home on oxygen. Eventually he could be off air when he was awake, but still needed to be on it while he was asleep. Then our pediatrician wanted us to see a pulmonologist at the Phoenix Children's Hospital and we finally saw him about a week ago. The doctor that looked at him thought he looked and sounded great. Chet weighed around 17 lbs. The only thing the doctor wanted ua to do was an overnight study - have Chet off the oxygen all night and monitor his blood oxygen levels with an oximeter. If he didn't go below 85 and stayed up in the high 80's and 90's, then he's probably be O.K. to be taken off oxygen; and since Chet was on barely anything he thought Chet would do fine. Sure enough, when we did the study, he stayed in the 90's all night! We're just waiting to hear the good news! Chet just needed time and I think it paid off.

We feel very blessed that he is a part of our family. I feel very blessed that he is such a good baby. He is constantly changing, but is so adorable! Well, there it is. Sorry it was long! I'll post some pictures soon! He's a cutie!

I think we'll keep him...

Thought I'd put up some updated pictures of Chet! He was able to be released Saturday Nov. 7th. We were so happy to have him home. Friday November 13 Chet was 2 weeks old! My mom left Friday after helping us tremendously! Thank you mom!

He makes funny faces when he stretches. This is what he does most of the day. Eats, sleeps and poops! He is a wonderful little guy. We feel very blessed that he came to us!

I take him to the Pediatricians again tomorrow and hopefully she will decideds that he can be taken off his oxygen. But if his doctor feels that he needs to stay on, then I guess he must. As long as he's healthy.

Here are a few more pictures. We sure think he's cute! (We aren't biased or anything). I think we'll keep him. :)

He actually has his eyes open!

Love his cute little outfits!

The proud grandparents

More Pictures Of Chester