Moments

I love catching the boys in sweet moments of tenderness and love.  I had laid Brett down on the carpet after finishing eating.  Emmett was playing on the other side of the room with the Noah's Ark toy.  After a few minutes I noticed Emmett had gone over to Brett to play with him.  It was so sweet as Emmett placed toys on him and got a little annoyed that Brett wasn't playing back.  These boys will be good buddies in another year or so.

 The day before school started I was able to take them to meet their teachers. I was so grateful that Grandma Rushton stayed home with the other boys so I could give my full attention to these excited elementary schoolers. Hyrum was so proud to show Noah where the cafeteria was and some other essential places that only full-time schoolers know.  After meeting their teachers I took them out to the playground.  The three of us competed for who could go the highest on the swings.  I won, but they were close. . . and not nearly as dizzy as I was after. 

 Chemo started back up on the second day of school. I kind of hoped I could just be done after the baby was born, so it wasn't the easiest thing to go back to, but we know this is what we need to do.  Baby stayed with us for the first few hours of infusion, but I started dozing off and getting weird, so Brett took him to a friend for the rest of our cancer center time. 

 Owen started preschool.  He wasn't very happy about going, but once he got there he had SO much fun!  He loves Ms. Liza and can't wait for each time he gets to go back.  He has some good buddies that are in his class with him, so he even gets more friend time with carpooling.

Phone Pics

Hyrum loves his baby brother.  He loves holding him and burping him.  He's a great helper.

Emmett decided that he was old enough to climb out of his crib.  After a couple of escapes, we thought it would be safer to have him in a big boy bed.  He made the transition really well, although he's not completely sure how to stay sleeping in his bed the whole time. :)

 We celebrated the start of a new school year with a trip up the canyon for s'mores.  

In the hospital and back home

I really loved having those few days in the hospital with just the two of us to bond.  Brett never really cried in the hospital.  He was quiet and content, mostly sleeping, and we love him so much.

 Brett is our smallest baby.

 When we got home Owen was so enamored by Brett. He always wanted to be near him and touch him.  Owen loves Brett so much, he is such a good big brother.

 Every once in a while we catch Brett doing something really funny, unintentionally.  I love his tiny little fingers and serious expressions.

Just before baby

I know this isn't in order, but I came across some more pictures on my phone.  We tried to have fun together before the baby was born.  I was pretty tired, but we did a lot of snuggling and we even went to the pond to take the boat out and play.

First Day of School!

I feel like this summer went by way to fast!  I love seeing my boys grow and how excited they are for school to start.  Noah couldn't stop talking about being in school all day.  He frequently asked me questions about what to do if. . . and where to go when. . . Hyrum was proud to be the expert of all things Elementary School.  He gave Noah advice and told him where to find the office, the bathroom, and other essential places at school.  I love my boys.  

I love this next picture because they are so clearly thinking, "Mom! Seriously!  We want to be on the bus and go to school not smile for your camera!  Are we done now?"

They wanted to head to the bus stop twenty minutes early, but we were able to hold them off a bit.  They were still the first ones in line to get on the bus.  

Brett at home!

Brett is so sweet and loved.  

Brett Garnett Jr.

August 7, 2015

We arrived at the hospital at 5:15am. It was dark outside and we were wide awake. Surgery preparations took about an hour before being wheeled into the OR. Brett got his monkey suit on and came prepared with the camera and conversation topics to distract me during the surgery. I was so happy that I packed my winter hat for the freezing OR. The nurses and staff were all awesome and fun to chat with. Funny how by my fifth c-section I can laugh and talk with strangers as I awkwardly succumb to anesthesia, half naked, in a bright room. Everything went smoothly. In fact, this was by far my best and 'easiest' c-section. My usual groans and motor boat noises that escape my mouth as they apply ridiculous amounts of pressure to my abdomen actually came out in the form of loud laughter this time around. The hardest emotional part of my delivery day with my other boys has been right after their births. They place their small, newly delivered body for a brief moment on my shoulder for introduction before baby and Dad leave for tests, cleaning, and monitoring. After all the pain and emptiness of having my baby removed, I would be left alone, wheeled off alone to be monitored in a room for another hour and a half. With my other boys it was anywhere from 2-8 hours before I was even able to hold them again. Today was different and full of miracles. They allowed skin-on-skin time right after delivery, and my sweet little Brett stayed with me for close to the entire day. To have him with me, on my chest, as they completed the surgery and for those first hours was the greatest blessing and tender mercy to be gifted for my last delivery of my life. I could feel his warm, fast breaths on my skin and hear his little whimpers. He is beautiful. He is perfect. I am beyond grateful and amazed at the love my Father in Heaven offers me. I feel so blessed to be a mother and to welcome this fifth little man into our lives. He saved my life and I saved his, we will forever hold this special bond. He is a warrior and a survivor. We could think of no more fitting name than Brett Garnett Partridge Jr. I learned that Garnett means 'armed with a spear' which is a fitting name for our little warrior who managed to make it through 6 rounds of chemotherapy healthy, strong, and with more hair then me.

Brett weighed 6lb.1 oz.  His brothers were so excited to see him and hold him for the first time.  

I kept Brett with me most of the time in the hospital.  He never had a full on cry the whole three days we were there.  He is calm, peaceful, and sweet.   The nursing staff were so kind.  I feel like they gave us a little extra attention because they knew what a miracle baby we have.  We have been so blessed to have such amazing support and help during this whole thing.  A few women have been so generous in donating their frozen breast milk for him.  I never would have imagined to be the recipient of so much charity and love.  We are very grateful and humbled.