The weeks following

I took detailed notes of what occurred those first few weeks. But now as I sit here catching up, I don't find all of the details as important as I once did. What is important is the immense testimony experience that being a mother has been so far and how much I have grown. As I write this, I cannot hold back the tears as I think of how far I have come in just a few weeks. At one time, I thought this beautiful newborn was never going to allow me to do anything again. And now, I realize that although I may not get as much done in a day, I am contributing to something so much greater. Heavenly Father has blessed me by allowing me the privilege of raising such a beautiful baby boy. I am only beginning to understand the love that he must have for each of us. He allowed His Son to come to Earth to suffer for our sins and be crucified that we may all live with Him again someday. I cannot imagine the pain this must have caused our Father in Heaven. What a beautiful plan He has in store for all of us. I am SO grateful that He has allowed Conner and me the opportunity to help guide our son here on Earth so that he may one day be worthy to return to our Father in Heaven. I know that our family is an eternal family and that because Conner and I were worthy to be married in the temple, we can be together forever. There is no greater blessing! 

Another trip to the park...I couldn't have been more grateful for weather that allowed me to get out of the house.

Our first real outing as a family-Conner took us downtown to City Creek. We ate at Kneaders where he surprised me with the key lime pie I had been eyeing as we waited in line. I got a pair of pants from Athleta that felt fabulous post-C-section. It was a rejuvenating evening-and McCrae slept through the whole thing!

Baby's first manicure.

Daddy changing McCrae in his underwear...with his shirt tucked in!

Aunt Julianne finally gets to meet McCrae!

Sending birthday wishes to Hermana Egbert.

Attempting another bath-He seems to be enjoying it a little more.

Trying the sling!

Aunt Sue and cousin Carol paid a visit.

Finally! His cord fell off and he has a real belly button.

When McCrae was a couple weeks old, we had a newborn photo shoot with my friend, Lindsey. McCrae wasn't all that cooperative but we got some pretty cute ones anyway.

Time to get circumcised...

Ouch! Rough day for McCrae, but even harder for Mom- I cried more than he did. He slept like this for four hours after we got home (longest nap to date). I kept checking on him to make sure he was still breathing-he looked like death.

He loves to point that finger!

Flowers from Dad. MUCH needed and much appreciated.

First piece of mail addressed to "McCrae Conner Nielsen." It was his social security card. I cried.

Thank goodness Cam and Tiffany still had their baby swing. It has saved us all.

"I'm so glad when Daddy comes home, glad as I can be!"

We got really adventurous and went up to Snowbird for Oktoberfest. Once again, McCrae was a great traveller.

Daddy is becoming a pro.

If only he could stay awake.

McCrae just about tumbled away.

Hello!!!

The doctor said we needed to start doing tummy time. McCrae hates it.

There's that finger again.

Now that his cord has fallen off, he can have real baths and he loves it!

Meeting Great Grandpa and Grandma Egbert for the first time...Grandma about dropped him on his head when I handed him over so I decided to help her out a bit from then on.

Finally getting a tummy!

September 17th- one month old today!

Visiting the cousins.

These are the photos we chose to send out to family and friends announcing the birth of McCrae Conner Nielsen. We still have to pinch ourselves...we feel like its all a dream!