- JACK'S NEW TALENT

Angie took this photo of Jack with her cell phone today, then texted it to me. This was his first time sitting up in a shopping cart all by himself. What a BIG boy! Grandma sure can't wait to see him next month!

- JACK - 3 MONTHS OLD

Angie emailed these cute photos of Jack today. They were taken yesterday. He's almost 3 months old and I've only seen him twice! I can't wait for my trip to Utah next month!

- MY GRANDCHILDREN

Angie sent me a CD with some new photos of Kelsey, Abbey and Jack for my birthday. These are a few of my favorites (actually, they're all my favorites ;) I sure love my grandchildren. They are such a blessing in my life! Thank you Angie!

- FIRST SMILES

Angie sent this cute video of Jack today. He's just starting to really smile. I love the way his eyes light up when he grins!

- GRANDKIDS

Angie emailed these photos of the kids to me today. She's trying to send photos once a week so my withdrawals won't be so painful. ;) Thanks SO much Angie! You made my day!!!

I love this little smile! It melts my heart!

Abbey at gymnastics. Did she get her wish, or is she just waiting for Kelsey to finish?

Sweet little Jack. His clothes are FINALLY starting to fit him. YAY!!!!

- JACK'S BLESSING DAY

Today Jack Gregory Carlson was blessed by his father. It was such a wonderful day. We had a houseful of family after church. We ate and visited and took turns holding sweet little Jack. I'm so glad we could be here!!

Jack, dressed in the little white outfit we bought yesterday. It was hard to find something small enough for him! He's using the blanket I made when Kelsey was blessed. Abbey was wrapped in it on her blessing day too. (It was much cooler when they were blessed).

Jack is such a sweet little baby! This may be the only time all weekend that he wasn't held by someone! It's hard to put him down, he's such a cuddly baby!

We had a feast! I'm so glad Angie married someone whose family loves food as much as we do!!

Greg and Angie Carlson with THREE kids! Oh my!

My mom and Vicki drove up for the blessing. It was so nice to see them. Scott was here too, but he moved in the photo and it's blurry! (You did that on purpose, didn't you Scott?)
L to R - Alyssa Casper, Angie Carlson, Tami Casper, Sheila Richens, Vicki Jeppsen

Kurt and his youngest brother Bruce. They look more and more alike every year.

Bruce and his boys - J.M., Peter and Michael.

Greg's family - from Green River, Heber City, Logan, Layton and Provo.

Angie's family. We missed having Tyler with us. Next time for sure!!!!!

Kelsey and Abbey waving goodbye when we left Utah.
This is our tradition.
It always makes me cry.

- GOOD NEWS!

Good news! Jack went to the doctor yesterday and had gained weight. He weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. He's almost back up to his birth weight. We were getting a little worried. Angie said he's quite the eater now. Here he is looking very satisfied after one of his feedings! What a cutie!!! Eighteen days until we see him again....but who's counting?

- LAST DAY IN UTAH

Our last day in Utah was spent holding Jack and playing with the girls. I loved this photo of Kelsey holding her little brother. We leave in the morning and I can hardly stand the thought of being so far away. I can't wait to come back for the blessing!

- JACK'S BUSY DAY

Jack had a busy day today. We took him to his pediatrician's office in the morning to make sure he was gaining weight. He had gained 3.5 ounces in 2 days. We were shooting for 2 ounces so we were VERY happy.

Later in the afternoon we headed back to the hospital for another bilirubin test. Dr. Owen called later to say that his levels had gone down. YAY!!! Good news all around! Dr. Owen still wants him to sleep under the lights for another day or so.

Jack also got to meet his Aunt Alyssa for the first time today. She took Amtrak from Sacramento to SLC (17 hours) and then Front Runner from SLC to the Layton Station (1 hour). She arrived at 5:00 am this morning.

Alyssa was dying to hold Jack but he had to be under the lights as much as possible so every time Angie fed him she got a few minutes with him.

- JAUNDICE

This morning Angie and I took Jack to Davis Hospital for more blood tests. His little heals are so full of holes the lab technician had to search for a new spot to draw from. The pediatrician called this afternoon to say that the bilirubin levels had gone up again. He started with a reading of 11 when he was discharged from the hospital 4 days ago. It was 16.5 yesterday and 17.1 today. Dr. Owen ordered a home health company to deliver photo therapy lights this afternoon and wants us to keep Jack under them overnight. This is such a flashback for me from when Angie was born. I remember taking her to Primary Children's Hospital for blood work and coming home with just her little clothes. She had to stay there for 2 days under the lights. Things sure have changed. It's so nice that we'll be able to take care of this at home. We'll take Jack back to the hospital tomorrow to see if things have improved. I'll update then.

- DOCTOR'S APPT -

Today Jack had his first ride in Grandma's car since coming home from the hospital. He had a follow-up appt. with his pediatrician. He's lost almost 1 lb. since coming home, so we'll be going back every few days to have him weighed. Dr. would like him to gain at least an ounce per day. He also had blood drawn from his heels again (poor baby) to test his bilirubin levels. They were elevated. Dr. would like us to take him to the hospital tomorrow for more blood work. Despite all of this, he was such a good baby today - happy, content and sweeter than ever. He is SO loved!!!

- JACK'S FIRST BATH

Jack had his first bath today. It was mostly a sponge bath since his umbilical cord hasn't fallen off yet. Everyone helped and he only cried when he got cold.

He did LOVE having his hair washed though. I thought he was going to go to sleep.
(You can see how jaundiced he is....we have a Drs. appt. tomorrow to find out if he'll need to go under the lights)

The whole family helped dry him, lotion him and diaper him. It was just like a day at the spa for Jack!


After his bath, we put him in a sunny spot in front of a window. This is a tradition for every Carlson and Casper baby so far. We just make yellow babies! (The little blue mittens are so he won't scratch his face)

- BURRITO BABY

Jack loves to be wrapped up like a burrito. It seems the tighter we wrap him, the happier it makes him. If his blanket gets loose, he fusses until we re-wrap him. Jack was the star of the show today. He had visitors from Logan (Amy and Jake and their kids), Layton (Kristie and Bruce) and Provo (Katie). Several friends from the ward stopped by to meet him too. What a busy day!

- WELCOME HOME JACK!

The doctor decided to send Angie and Jack home tonight instead of tomorrow. Kelsey and I were going to make a cute sign to welcome them home. This is the best we could do on short notice. Kelsey was still coloring it when they pulled into the driveway!

The first order of business when Jack arrived home, before he was even out of his carseat, was that Abbey and Kelsey wanted to read him some storybooks.

Before leaving the hospital, Jack was poked multiple times to make sure his bilirubin levels were okay. His heals looked like pincushions. The doctor seemed to think he was looking a little yellow this morning. Tests came out okay.

Jack gets a tour of his new bedroom.

Jack and Angie are glad to be home. We're glad they're home too!

- IT'S A BOY!!!!!

Angie was due to be induced this morning at 7:00 am but started having contractions yesterday. At about midnight they were 4 minutes apart so they went in to the hospital and baby was delivered about 3 hours later.

Jack Gregory Carlson was was born Friday, June 27, 2008 at 3:30 a.m. He weighs 7 lbs 4.5 ounces and is 21 inches long. He has gorgeous blue eyes and is strong and healthy....oh, and NO webbed toes!

Greg was able to give Jack his first bath in the nursery. He didn't like being cold and cried a little.

Kelsey holding her little brother for the first time.

Abbey takes a turn.

I'm so glad I made it in time for the birth and to help with the girls!


Snuggled together in bed.


He's so sweet!

I can't believe they have their boy!!! It's so weird to see blue!

Proud daddy and adoring sister.

What a cute family!