So I keep meaning to do more posts with updated pictures of Packer, but time keeps slipping away from me somehow. However, I just finished creating a little book for Packer that has TONS of pictures of him, so I decided to post this to get me caught up! Since the writing on the pages is small and hard to see in some pictures, I just copied and pasted any writing below the picture. Enjoy the story of our little Pack Man from 0-2 months old! :)
Front Cover
Pg 1
Pg 2- Once upon a time Mommy and Daddy were expecting a little boy named Tace. They were so excited to welcome this little boy into their home and become parents! However, when they were only 22 weeks pregnant Mommy became very sick. She was taken to the hospital because she had a really high fever and a bad infection in her blood. Mommy and Daddy were both really worried about Tace and hoped he was ok. When they got to the hospital the doctors checked Tace for a heartbeat...they couldn't find one. Our sweet little Tace had passed away.
Mommy and Daddy were heartbroken. They knew that they would get to see Tace again because our family will be together forever in heaven, but they missed him so much right now. They were so sad that they wouldn't get to hold, love, and take care of Tace at this time. But, they knew that Tace would be watching over them and that he would be a guardian angel to their family.
Pg 3- Now what Mommy and Daddy wanted more than anything was to have another baby. Another baby would never replace their little Tace, but they wanted so badly to be parents and have another little baby to hold, love, and take care of. They hoped to have another baby on the way soon, but Mommy wasn't able to get pregnant easily. The doctor gave Mommy special medicine that would help her to get pregnant, but a year later they still didn't have a baby on the way.
Mommy and Daddy were just getting ready to see a specialist to look at other options when they found out they were expecting another baby!!! They were so, so happy!!! But, there were still some scary things that happened in this pregnancy. Mommy ended up in the hospital again with another high fever and another infection of some sort. They were so worried that they would lose this second little boy too, just like they had lost Tace. But, miraculously Mommy got better and our precious baby boy was still healthy and doing well. This truly was a miracle and Mommy and Daddy were so grateful.
Pg 4- This baby boy was due to arrive on December 2nd. However, because of what had happened when Tace passed away and after being in the hospital this summer, our doctor decided to induce us one week early on November 25th (the day after Tace's birthday and the day before Thanksgiving). We got to the hospital that morning around 7:00 am and they started the induction by 8:00 am. Mommy and Daddy were so excited to finally meet their little boy! They thought he would be here in just a few hours, but boy were they wrong! Mommy was finally able to start pushing around 9:00 that night. But, after 2 hours of pushing their little boy still wasn't here. The doctor finally decided that they should do a C-section. So at 11:40 pm Mommy was taken back to the operation room. Daddy was able to come in and be with Mommy through the C-section process, but he had to wear a white jumpsuit, hat, and mask so he would't spread germs.
Pg 5- Packer Brian Hales made his grand entrance at 12:02 am on November 26, 2015 (Thanksgiving Day)!! He weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and was 18.5 inches long.
Dr. Young said it was a good thing we decided to do a C-section because the cord was around his neck twice and he was posterior. He may not have made it if we'd delivered him naturally. Mommy and Daddy were so glad Packer made it here safely.
Pg 6- Both sets of grandparents, Aunt Halli, and Uncle Cody were at the hospital waiting with Mommy and Daddy. Since it was past midnight when Packer arrived everyone was getting sleepy. Uncle Cody actually had to leave to go back to work before Packer made his grand entrance.
Pg 7- Hospital Visitors: Aunt Halli, Grandpa Rick & Grandma Terri, Grandma Darcy & Grandpa Brent, Uncle Mitch & Aunt Lexi, Bishop & Sister Vawdrey
Pg 8
Pg 9
Pg 10- After 4 days in the hospital we got ready to head home. Mommy and Daddy got Packer dressed in a cute little outfit and got him buckled into his car seat. He looked so tiny!!
Grandma Terri came back out for a few days to help us get settled and adjust to life at home with our Packer Boy.
Pg 11
Pg 12
Pg 13
Pg 12 and 13 together how they are in the book.
Pg 14- 1. Packer's very first bath at home was a sponge bath. He didn't like it very much.
2. Then a few days later Packer's umbilical cord stub fell off so he was able to have a real bath. When Mommy and Daddy first put him in the water he wasn't sure what he thought...then Mommy started washing him and he was not a fan! He started screaming! He did not like being wet and cold!
Pg 15- 3. However as time went by, Packer decided he LOVED bath time! He likes to splash around in the water and gives Mommy and Daddy the biggest smiles!! But, he still hates getting lotion on after the bath.
Pg 16- Daddy had a full week off from work after we got home from the hospital. It was so nice having him around as we settled into a new routine. The day before Dad went back to work Grandma Terri came out again. She stayed with Mommy and Packer for a few days to help out. Then a couple weeks later, when Packer was 3 weeks old, we headed out to Roosevelt to spend Christmas break with our families. Everyone was so excited to meet baby Packer!
Pg 17
Pg 18- We were in Roosevelt for 2 weeks. We got to spend lots of time with family and everyone adored Packer. During this time Packer grew out of his newborn clothes, gave his first real (non sleepy) smile, turned one month old, and rolled over! (The second time we put Packer down for tummy time he rolled over onto his back!)
Pg 19- After Christmas break Mom, Dad, and Packer headed back home to Lehi. Dad headed back to work and Mom and Packer got lots of time to hang out together at home. At the end of January Packer turned 2 months old! Packer has started jabbering and he gives the best smiles! He loves to "coo" at Mom and hold her hand. He loves to play with Daddy and gives him lots of smiles when he comes home from work. We sure love our little Pack Man!
Pg 20- In the General Conference right after Tace passed away (April 2014) President Packer gave an apostolic promise that brought Mommy and Daddy a lot of hope. In his talk titled "The Witness" he said:
"Your secret yearnings and tearful pleadings will enter the heart of both the Father and the Son...Arms now empty will be filled, and hearts now hurting from broken dreams and yearnings will be healed."
Packer, you are the literal fulfillment of this apostolic promise. You have filled our arms and you have helped to heal our broken hearts. We love you more than you can ever know. We are so grateful you came into our lives when you did. You truly are our little miracle!
Back Cover
