Hips!

Because Carson was breach, they were worried about hip development so they did an ultrasound just to be sure.  He sure looked cute in this huge bed.  And his hips look good!

It's a race!

 We are placing bets to see who will fill in first!  Carson's head of hair or our backyard grass!  

We are hoping both will be plentiful by Thanksgiving.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun. . .

I have been trying to get Kate to wear her hair in different ways.  To accomplish that I wear my hair the same way.  She has been adding her own pizzazz!

 Funny Faces!

Workout!

I have been working really hard to be more healthy.  The kids have jumped on board too!  (or jogged)

 They of course want to wear the ipod too!

Happy Halloween!

All ready for Trunk or Treat!

 Kate is excited to have another girl, Baby Audrey, in the family!

Jaren's school had a fall party.  They had all kinds of fun activities.  He spent most of his time with the pumpkins!  What a fun idea!

 It is a small world.  Just the week before, I found out that one of my friends from growing up, Tasha, has a daughter, Zion, in Jaren's class!  Too cool!

Adults can have fun too!

Cowgirl and Nurse

The Grimm Reaper

Took some talking, but I finally got him to smile with his teeth!

 Darth Vader

Pretty Pirate

The cutest little skeleton (Thanks Grandma!)

 Not sure how we missed Corbin's personal shot but he made a pretty fierce Dragon Ninja!

Nick even got in on the fun, Coach Whisenhunt was a big hit!

What are we up to???

This is what our house looks like when we turn the TV on after having a week with NO TV!

Nick's little sister had her beautiful baby girl September 14th and named her Audrey Luella.  She is sure sweet we are excited that Carson has a cousin so close to his age!

 Carson has been doing good.

Our latest project has been getting him to smile more regularly, and when he is awake!

I love how chubby his little tummy looks in this picture!

 I knew it would happen one day.  Kate got into my makeup and tried putting mascara on!  It could have been a lot worse!

We also put Kate in a big girl bed!  She has loved the extra freedom and loves arranging her toys on the selves.  Each toy, book and basket has a special spot.  I'm afraid that she might be a little OC when they aren't put back in the right place!

 Jaren has gained a love of puzzles this summer.  This one he has always requested help on.  He finally was able to finish it all by himself!  He was so excited!

 Owen turned 10 this summer and worked hard to get his Bear.  He is very excited to move up to Webelos. 

 I love how careful he was pinning his bear to my necklace.  I can't believe how grown up he is getting! 

Four Generations of Fun!!

My Grandparents came to visit and to meet Carson for the first time!

Grandpa Hopkins and Carson

Grandma Hopkins and Carson

Grandma Faler making Carson smile!

We decided to get a couple four generation pictures.

Here is our "fake" four generation picture.  

(I love how my brother is in the mirror trying to get everyone to smile.  I guess he is used to taking pictures of smaller kids!)

 It was fun to have my Grandparents in town and for them to be able to participate in Carson's blessing.

Back to School!

The 2012-2013 School year is underway!

The kids had Back to School Night and Meet the Teacher.

Owen, Corbin, and Jaren had fun meeting their teachers and showing off their classrooms to their siblings.

Jaren is in the same pre-school that he was in last year to help him with his speech.  He was very excited to see Ms. Carin again.

Kate was so excited that she wanted a picture with the teacher too!

 Owen's birthday was the first week in school, so I took him his favorite lunch, Panda Express.  He and his friend Ryker tried to talk me into taking them back home for the rest of the day!  I wish!

Happy Birthday Carson, 6 weeks old - and not even due for 10 more days!

***Warning picture overload***

Carson has been home from the hospital for about 2 1/2 weeks.  He looked so tiny coming home in his big carseat.  It felt so weird to hold him with out all the cords and monitors being hooked up to him.

Our first family picture!

His brothers love taking turns holding our little guy.

Owen

Corbin

Jaren

Little sister is a bit over protective when it comes to Carson.  Anytime he cries she is right there to assist in anyway possible.  She has become mommies little helper - sometimes too helpful! :)

Kate

Daddy

Mommy

One of our traditions has been to "have the new baby" give each of his siblings a present when he comes home from the hospital.  Carson got Kate a doll.  I love the size comparison! 

Carson looked so tiny in his bed.

This sleeper has been worn by all 4 of my boys now!

Because of all the helping hands and the general craziness in our house you can often find Carson lounging on the counter while mommy does dishes!

Carson's one month picture.

The best picture I could get with all 5 wiggly kids. 

I thought Carson looks so cute and  grown up in a polo!

Hanging out with brother.

Tummy time!!

Carson is doing really well.  Still working on gaining weight and eating.  We are so proud of all the progress he has made and sure have enjoyed his sweet spirit in our home!

**I am hoping to add some more posts soon, including pregnancy - delivery - and hospital stay.  But here is a quick over view of our little adventure:

At my 19 week ultrasound I found out that I had complete placenta previa.  In April I started having pre term contractions.  After about 4 hospital visits to try to stop them I was put on bed rest, the week before school got out.  June 20th I was admitted to the hospital for bleeding.  As a precaution they started me on a series of steroid shots to boost Carson's lungs in case he was born early.  There are two shots given twenty four hours apart.  After the second one the best time to deliver is twenty four hours later.  One hour into that time frame the morning June 22nd, I was 32 weeks and 4 days, I started bleeding again and had an emergency c-section within 30 min.  Carson was born weighing 4.5 pounds and 17 inches long.  He stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks and 4 days.  He had trouble breathing and maintaining his weight.  But learning how to suck, swallow, and breath at the same time is what took him the longest to learn.

We have felt so blessed during this crazy roller coaster ride.  We have had so many wonderful family and friends step up and help our little family.  Everything from childcare, dinners, laundry, housecleaning, phone calls and so much more.  We have truly felt all the prayers that have been offered for Carson and our family!  So many things have fallen into place perfectly that we know Heavenly Father loves and is aware of us!