"Movin and Grovin"

Creighton weights 10 pounds and 8 ounces at his two month well visit to the doctor.

June turned out to be another action packed and fun filled month. Meme had to go back to Georgia on May 31^st but Papa Joe arrived on May 29^th and was able to stay until June 11^th. On June 12^th-21^st Grandpa and Grandma Garity came back for a 10 day visit to see how little Creighton has grown since their last visit. And last but not least Aunt Stacy was able to take a week off and come visit us, June 22^nd-29^th.

This month Creighton had is first bottle on June 2^nd from Papa Joe and his second bottle from his Daddy on June 25^th.

He attended his first roller derby bout on June 5^th with his Mommy, Daddy, Papa Joe, Rhiannon, Travis, Don, Janel, Payton, & Landon.

He also got to meet his Great Grandpa and Grandma Stuck, who were in town visiting from Wisconsin.

Took his first road trip to McCall to see his Daddy on June 7-8^th where he got to visit the smoke jumper base with Papa Joe and see where his daddy works and watch him in action as well as meet some of his co-workers. He also got to go back to McCall on June 15^th-18^th with his Grandpa and Grandma Garity (HUGE thanks to Rachel letting us stay with her at her cabin). And a third visit to McCall on June 26^th-29^th with his Aunt Stacy (HUGE thanks to Auntie Penny for letting us stay at her cabin).

For the first time he slept for 7 hours straight on June 7^th. He has not replicated the duration of sleep since but we are very happy with 4-5 hours between feedings at night.

Something new, when we are at home, he is totally content and loves to hang out in his crib and smile and kick for up to 30 minutes when he wakes up before he is interested in getting out…so fun to watch him.

Creighton still loves car rides and daily stroller walks to the park with Bailey. He also loves bath time. He is playing more often and his playtimes continue to get longer (around 1 hour now). He is really good at following objects and started to grasp objects. He also coos and smiles a lot which is very exciting. He is such a strong little man. This month he has upgraded from newborn diapers to size 1.

So many great pictures from this month instead of picking my favorites I have attached the link (hope it works)…

click here to view June photos

One Month Old

Creighton is now one month old. He amazes us every day. He is changing and growing so fast. As of May 28^th he weighs 8 pounds and 14 ounces and is 21 ½ inches long. Since the last post we have had our first real bath, first visit from Meme and Papa Joe, first trip to the grocery store and our first time to a restaurant. He attended his cousin Josh’s high school graduation party and got to meet many more family members. His playtime is increasing each day and he is holding his head up longer during tummy times. When he is awake he is much more alert and response to our voices and recently started following objects. Currently his favorite book is Baby Animals Black and White by Phyllis Tides. And his favorite toy is his activity mirror. His sleeping is starting to develop a pattern but not on 24 hour schedule yet. He is totally content with riding in a car and daily walks in his stroller. Mommy had her first time away from Creighton for a dental appointment and he was a great boy and slept for Meme the whole time I was gone. Daddy is working in McCall but has been able to get two three day weekends so far to come home and take care of us. We have to say good bye to Meme tomorrow but we are looking forward to Papa Joe’s visit for the next two weeks. Here are some pictures since the last blog.

click here to view photos from this week

Week Three

This week was amazing but overall less sleep for all of us. It started with our first trip to the emergency room in the middle of the night...but all is well. Creighton just had excessive bleeding that was all fixed by a wonderful ER doctor. Our most exciting moment of the week was his first successful tummy time; he was able to hold his head up! We didn’t have the camera ready at the beginning but caught the very end, photo below. We had warmer weather and less wind this week and we were able to get out and walk almost every day. We really enjoy the fresh air and Bailey loves the exercise too. Another first was our first party...we attended Jackie's graduation party; it was a lot of fun to see everyone even if Creighton slept the whole time. On Sunday Creighton discovered a pacifier he likes, to have one hand free is a huge relief for us, we don’t have to use our pinkie finger anymore - yippee. Also on Monday the 17th after three weeks of quality time with Creighton and I, Tim started back to work in McCall. We miss him already and he just left yesterday. Here are the pictures from the week...

click here to view photos from this week

Week Two

This second week was just as eventful as the first week. Tim and I are loving every minute and getting better at figuring out what Creighton's needs are. Creighton still likes to stay awake and play from 1-5 am but I am sure that will change soon. This week we were able to take our first walk as a family, we had our first playtime, our first swing ride, our first Mothers Day celebration, our first time sleeping in his crib in the evening/night time, and our first visit with Grandpa and Grandma Garity. They came all the way from Maryland to see me. Here are some pictures from the week.










click here to see photos from this week

Creighton is here!

I was hiking with Bailey on the trail behind our house when my water broke at 9:40 am on Tuesday, April 27th. Tim was working in McCall when I called him and told him to head home. We arrived at the hospital at 1:10pm and contractions were 2 minutes apart. Tim and I are so proud to announce that our son, Creighton Joseph, arrived on April 28, 2010 at 7:10am. He weighted 7 pounds and 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. He is truly a bundle of joy. We are all doing great. Tim and I are loving every minute. Thanks to all the friends and family for the food and support. We are thinking about you all. Here are a few pictures from our first week as a family.










click here to view photos from this week

Final Countdown

Another month has past and only 15 days until Creighton is scheduled to arrive. It seems like just yesterday we found out Tim broke his neck and I was pregnant. Tim is all healed and back at work. And we can finally say we are very excited and ready for Creighton's arrival.

In the last month, I have finished training my replacements at work and only have to work one day a week from here on out...such a blessing. Also we have packed the bag for the hospital, washed all the baby clothes, sheets, etc, installed car seat and got it inspected, put batteries in all items that needed them. I was able to sew a breastfeeding shawl for myself as well as several burp clothes. I believe we are as ready as we can be.

I have been walking Bailey daily and I have been feeling great. I have been sleeping as much as possible (overall that is probably the piece of advise I receive the most). And the weekly doctors appointments have been going well, doctor says i am pretty much textbook and have nothing to be concerned about.

Tim and I were able to do one last shopping spree at Babies R Us this past weekend. Our neighbor Heidi is the store manager and she happened to be working that day and gave us 50% some of our registry items...it was a huge help! Tim had not purchased any clothes for Creighton, but this weekend he was able to find a 3 piece surf outfit for Creighton's first trip to the beach this summer.

Much Love,
Mandie and Tim

only 45 days

Oh my, only 45 days until Creighton is due and still so much to do before he comes.


This past month was busy at work and home. Tim and I were able to set up the nursery and take a tour of the hospital and decide on a pediatrician.





We also had a party at our home to celebrate Creighton and visit with some of our friends before he arrives. The food was delicious (HUGE thanks to Rhiannon and Tim) and the baby bottle drinking game was fun to watch. My dear friend Jami even made the long drive from Bellingham, WA to attend.
















We also attended Joleen/Tony's wedding and visited with my old teammates from roller derby.

And before Tim left town for a few weeks on a work assignment in Georgia, he got a lot of home/yard work complete...and even had time to ski at Bogus and get a new tattoo. And we were also able to take a drive up to McCall and spend a lovely day together.

Since he has left I have been keeping busy with work during the day and catching up with girlfriends over dinner...however I miss him dearly (and the foot massages) so I am eagerly awaiting his return at the end of March.