Justin took some newborn photos of Caden when he was 2 weeks old. It was Justin's first time doing newborn photography and I think he did an awesome job! It's so nice have a husband who is a photographer! Thanks for the pictures, honey!


Of course, Justin had to do one with Caden's Mickey Mouse hat. Justin's aunt Stephanie made it for Caden. She is so talented! Thanks, Steph!

Even though I had the best of intentions for catching up on my blogging, sometimes you get an unexpected surprise. So for now, catching up will have to wait while I blog about the wonderful addition to our family. Caden Jeffry Smith was born March 3, 2012 at 2:02 pm! He was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

My pregnancy with Caden was very different than with Jackson. I had complications in the beginning and the Dr's told me to brace myself for a miscarraige. But Caden is a tough little guy and he hung in there. He was very active in my tummy! It was a great blessing for him to be kicking all the time. It let me know that he was alive and well and put my worries at ease.


My original due date was April 1o, but the ultrasounds measured two weeks ahead. I was so worried I would deliver a 10 + lb baby if I made it to 40 weeks. But of course Caden had his own plan and my water broke at almost 35 weeks. It happened at almost midnight on March 2. I was in shock! When I think about it now, I should have been worried that he was coming so early. But I never was. I knew he would be big and strong. My OBGYN, Dr. Jeffrey Barton, had me deliver in the OR so that Caden could go straight to the NICU. The hospital staff were preparing to take care of a 34 week little baby. But Caden came out screaming and big and chubby! Caden spent the first day and a half in the NICU for low blood sugar. It was hard to be away from him. And Jackson was very disappointed to not be able to go see him. But eventually Caden was released and Jackson finally got to meet his baby brother!


Jackson is completely in love with Caden! He loves being a big brother so much that we sometimes have to remind him to give baby Caden some space. I am so grateful that Caden is here and healthy! I'm a lucky woman to have 3 wonderful boys in my life!

At the end of August, Justin's family headed down to St. George for one last summer get-a-way. It was fun! We got to spend time with Justin's Uncle Steve and Aunt Tara who live in Dammeron Valley.

Jackson is my little swimmer! He loves the water! Here he is taking a dip in the hotel pool. It was 108 degrees in St. George!

We also went swimming at Baker Reservoir. Michelle, Amy and Matt Brooksby

When I get this behind in blogging its tempting to just say "I'll just skip up to the present time". And I kind of want to do that because it would be soooooooo much easier! But after looking at some pictures from the past 5 months, I just have to blog about it! So here goes. I'm hoping to do a quick wrap up with just hitting the highlights.

AUGUST was a great month. We celebrated Justin's 29th Birthday, went to Yellowstone with my family and then a quick weekend trip to St. George with Justin's family. But the best part of August was finding out that me and Justin were expecting baby #2!

First up Yellowstone:

Jackson at Gibbon's Falls.

Yellowstone Lake

This year our annual Bear Lake trip was over the 4th of July. I was a little worried that I wouldn't enjoy the 4th if we weren't in Salt Lake to enjoy the fireworks show. But it turned out great. We were able to get in all the fireworks we wanted throughout the rest of July.

Bear Lake will always be one of my favorite places to camp in the summer. The Rendezvous State Park has a perfect beach for the kids to play, and shallow water so we parents don't have to worry excessively and you can have a campfire right on the beach! Here's some pics.

The Tiller side great-grandkids getting pulled on their floaties.


Playing in the sand


Eli posing for the camera.


Jackson trying to be "cool" like Eli. :)


Brooklyn


Sunset on the beach


Grandma Tiller

This summer has flown by so fast, I can't believe it. Hopefully over the next few days I'll be able to catch you up on all the fun things we've been able to do this summer. First up, my youngest brother, Michael, graduated from Alta High School. Here's so pics from our celebration at the Olive Garden afterwards. We are so proud of him! If you haven't seen them already, check out Mikey's Senior Photoshoot. http://jsmithdigital.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/mikey-g/

Mikey with Grandma Gregerson

Next up is Jackson's 4th Birthday! We celebrated it with both sides of the family at the Smith's house.

Opening his slip-n-slide from Aunt Michelle

Jackson with Grandpa Gregerson

Uncle Matt putting Jackson's new "Cars" scooter together

Giving Uncle Mikey a "thank-you" smooch for helping put the scooter together.

By now you're probably thinking I'm going overboard with the Disneyland posts, but they're some of my best memories! So obviously, I want to preserve them! Hopefully you enjoy the pictures as much as I do.

Jackson with Grandma and Grandpa Smith

Isn't my mother-in-law beautiful? My mom lovingly calls her "movie-star grandma" because she is always dolled up and looking so pretty!

Aunt Michelle and Jackson on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Aunt Chris and Aunt Michelle on Peter Pan's Flight

Me and Jackson riding Ladybug Boogy

I've come to really enjoy Bug's Land at California Adventure. It has great rides for little kids and it's rarely crowded, which is always a plus at Disneyland!

And to finish it off-here's some cool photos Justin took. Justin always captures a side of Disneyland you don't normally see. Isn't he awesome?