Christmas 2011

This Christmas probably meant more to us than any that have gone before.  We truly felt so blessed to have our little miracle home.  We also felt so blessed to feel the love of the Savior during this special time of year.  We are so thankful for the miracle of the birth of the Savior...and having a special spirit in our home has made us reflect more upon the things that matter most.

My mom took all of us "Phillips" clan to Little America.  It was very special.

Charly and Jaxon met Santa!

Thank you so much mom for such a wonderful Christmas dinner!

Jaxon was so excited to see Santa this year (it's been a tough yer for this little guy too).

Jaxon even decorated our Christmas tree this year...

I bet you can't guess the theme?

Next year...if we have the money...it would be fun to do a Christmas tree for the Festival of Trees!

What a cool tree!

Jaxon was so proud of his tree!

Sleeping out for Santa

Cookies for Santa

Money to pay for his Christmas Presents...(SOOO COOL), of course, Santa didn't take his money!

Little Charly (our Tiny Tim)

Jaxon's Christmas "Dream" come true!

Merry Christmas, and God Bless Everyone!

Our Miralce Baby is Home!

After nearly 5 months in the NICU...Charly is now Home.  She has her oxygen, and feeding tube, but we are completely thrilled to have her FINALLY HOME!

 It is finally starting to feel like Christmas...

 And she is the BEST Christmas present ever!

 Mommy and Charly

 Daddy and Charly

I think she likes it here!  Jaxon is in Disneyland...having a great time with Aunt Amy.  We miss him, but are thankful that we can get her settled at home without interruption.  

We are so ever thankful for our Friends, Family, Dr's, Nurses, Neighbors, and complete strangers for their help in bringing Charly home.  We love you all!

Halloween 2011

I promised Jaxon that I would take him trick-or-treating this year.  I've spent so much time at the hospital, and he's spent so much time on the football field...that we were just missing each other.

 I promised Jaxon that I would only go to the hospital to take him trick-or-treating.  They have a special trick or treat for the kids in the hospital and families of those children every year.  Once we got there...he wanted to see Charly in her little cow costume.  It happens to be the same costume that Jaxon wore the month that he was born.  I'm so glad that I saved it!  Here's Jaxon's picture taken in October 2002:

Don't they look a lot alike?

 Charly was being so adorable, and it was hard to leave her in the NICU.

 She kept yawning...almost making a "moo" face...it was so cute.

 I kissed her goodbye and left with my little buddy.

 We had pizza...

And spent the entire day trick or treating (the county building, health department, hospitals, and the trunk or treats).  It was a great Halloween, and it was so fun spending time with Jaxon!

First Family Pictures

My Little - Big Football Player 2011

Jaxon played tackle football this summer.  He has been such a good sport.  I have had to miss quite a few practices and games due to Charly being in the hospital, but he's been a trooper about all of it. 

 Here's my little man at practice.

 What a tough cookie!

 Practice was 6 days a week for 3+ hours each day in the grueling heat. 

 He did lots of drills.

 And he ran A LOT.  Every time they made a mistake or missed a drill...they had to run.  Again, grueling heat.  I'm not sure I'm going to let him play next year!

 One of the kids on his team broke his foot at practice.  I was nervous that Jaxon would get hurt too.  I couldn't bear the thought of two kids in the hospital at the same time!  He had a hard time and struggled through the practices, but he LOVED the games.  He made a few touch-downs, and tackled a few big players, but he really didn't like to tackle. 

 John was made one of the Assistant Coaches during the game season.  Once school started practice went to 4 nights a week for 3+ hours, and a two hour practice before the (2 hour game) on Saturdays.  I personally thought it was WAY too much pressure and practice for an 8 year old (almost 9).

 John had his patience tried a few times trying to teach Jaxon how to play football...

 But in the end...they became better pals.

 Here's Jaxon with his team.

Love you Jaxon!

Charly's First Bath

Charly has been so small and fragile that she hasn't had full baths yet...until today.  

She's out of her tiny isolette and in a big girl crib!  She's still so small and fits into one of the pink hospital tubs. 

She's also stable enough to get a bath every two days.  She's so tiny, wiggly, and slippery...I'm so glad the nurses here are helping!!

I know she LOVES bath-time!