Summer

The last month has been so much fun!! I'm feeling confident in my role as a new mama, and Winnie is making it ridiculously easy and awesome. On the weekends we've been swimming, and exploring downtown, and really just soaking in the lasts of summer (side note- summer went crazy fast this year). 

We'd been planning a trip to Acadia national park in Maine pretty much all year and the time finally came! It was so fun! We did lots of hiking (which, let's be honest, I cried a few times because I was so nervous something would happen to Winnie. Of course nothing did), eating, and hanging with our friends. It was a much needed trip. 

Walden pond, our favorite swimming place. Winnie was skeptical and mostly just cried when we put her feet in. 

Winnie loves when Scott tells her stories. She stares at him and listens so intently. It's the sweetest. 

Scott's sister, Kristin visited this last weekend. We took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard, swam at walden, walked along rowes wharf, and of course got canollis. 

Winnie is perfect. I can't tell you how many times a day I say that. She is so calm, sweet, content, and beautiful. She rarely cries, and loves being held. I get stopped on the street all the time from people telling me that she looks like a doll. She is just my perfect little baby and my heart just bursts at the seams when I look at her. She gets her fair share of kisses in this house (aka 95% of them) and when I hug her I have to restrain myself from squeezing too hard out of love. A quote I found from President Packer says "Everytime a child is born, the world is renewed in innocence." And with Win, that is most certainly the case. I am totally obsessed with this little human we've created and am so fulfilled by her every smile, giggle, and sound. Oh yes, she's started rolling over now too (big baby!!!!!). It is so so so fun to watch her develop and discover new things her body can do. Motherhood is suiting me just fine. 

Winifred Ruth

The thing I wanted all my life. A gaggle of children. When it finally happened, I was elated. My dream was realized! When Winifred was born, I found myself thinking "wait, I thought this would be more fun" and "I don't know if I can actually handle the responsibility of raising a tiny human being". I had the baby blues and didn't feel like myself for weeks. I would cry at the drop of a hat and wasn't sure why I wasn't loving motherhood like I thought I would. 

Thankfully, my hormones started to even out, and I felt more myself and guess what? I'm loving motherhood!! Oh my goodness you guys. I have the most precious daughter on the planet! Not to mention beautiful, sweet, calm, and happy. She breaks and melts my heart all at the same time. 

She usually only cries when she's hungry or tired and has started smiling at us which is a whole different joy I've never felt before. I love that she is my tiny sidekick now that gets fawned over by strangers. 

Winnie's birth was great. It was just Scott and me and the experience was so real! My midwife sitting at the end of my bed with Scott on one side, surprisingly loving the whole thing. I still can't believe I pushed her out of me. 

The last 2 months have been a WHIRLWIND to say the very least. At first I felt like I was on the show survivor and had to take things one day at a time or I'd lose it. Things got better though, and keep getting better. She's an angel baby really, and I know Heavenly Father knew I needed an angel baby, or I'd completely lose it! 

It's so fun to see the new noises and movements she makes! Who knew a simple shriek could bring me so much excitement and joy?! She is definitely a loved little girl and will be smothered with kisses the rest of her life. 

Photo time (you know I have hundreds, but I'll just post a few):

Today is my due date

Well it is officially May 21, 2014. What significance does this have? Oh. It's just the day my baby is supposed to be born. I haven't posted in a few months, so I thought, now's as good a time as any to update!

Pregnancy has been seriously wonderful. Sure, I've been uncomfortable here and there, and have some trouble sleeping once in a while, but it's been amazing. Growing a life inside of me has been one of the most humbling and greatest things I've ever done. To know that I can create LIFE is indescribable. I thank my Father in Heaven every day for the opportunity to become a mother.

This bond I already have with this little girl makes my heart quake and shiver, and I know it's only going to get stronger when I meet her, and see her perfect face, and kiss her squishy belly. I can't wait to see Scott become the most incredible father there will ever be and for our home to grow in love every day all because of this sweet special spirit we're about to bring into the world. 

Yes, I'm scared. Terrified at times. What the heck am I doing? I thought I just graduated high school and was hanging out with my friends at the local coffee shop. I look at where I've been and where I am now, and I couldn't be happier or more blessed with where I've ended up, and I know I don't deserve 99% of it. I am truly blessed and can't believe this is the way  my life is turning out.

Picture update:

my babe showing off the car seat

THE most incredible baby shower ever. It was full of friends, great food, headband making, gifts, and laughs. I love my friends and am so grateful for their love and support of our little family. 

The real picture of pregnancy. Chilling in bed, eating cookies. 

THIS guy. The one who makes my world go round. The one who's always on my side and by my side. I couldn't live without him. He's my everything and I am SO proud of him for receiving his Master's in Finance and being OFFICIALLY done with school!!! He's truly the best & the apple of my eye.

A new year

um. HELLO! I haven't blogged since last year (gasp!).

What?

I know.

Let me give you a little update.

I started making a quiet book for this baby. These little carrots, radishes, and potatoes are part of a garden page.

20 weeks along celebrating the new year. We stayed in, and ate lots of yummy food while watching movies. When the clock stroke 12, I was working on the quiet book and we were watching Iron Man 3. We heard cheers and said 'Oh! It must be the new year!', kissed and kept on watching the movie/sewing.

My kind of ringing in the new year.

This is what I woke up to on my birthday. It was a Saturday and I had to work all day. Scott had woken up early, cleaned the snow off the car so he could drive me to work, bought flowers, and brought home bagels for breakfast. Did I get lucky or what (seriously.. the luckiest)?

After, literally the worst day of work ever, Scott picked me up and I came home to these cute/delicious brownies he made me. 'Happy B-day Mama". I was elated and he is the sweetest. I got changed and we were going out to eat. I wanted Ethiopian food, and when we drove to the restaurant, that location had closed (wah wah wah!)

We ended up getting Thai North, the restaurant we eat at frequently (because it's so good, so I'm not complaining).

When we got home, there was a SURPRISE waiting for me!!! A surprise 25th birthday party!!! I was ELATED and flabbergasted and sooooo excited I could hardly stand it. Scott and my friend Brooke planned the whole thing and it was seriously perfect and wonderful and I was in heaven.

After the party, I was still so buzzed, it took me a few hours to fall asleep. It was so perfect and I have the most wonderful friends and husband.

We didn't announce it till later, but December 26, we found out we're having a GIRL!! We waited a few weeks for our second ultrasound to confirm. The first ultrasound, she was all scrunched up and they were pretty sure she's a girl, but not positive so we thought we'd wait till they confirmed. 

The ultrasound was literally one of the coolest things I've ever done, ever. I was in tears and could have sat and watched her perfect arms and legs and face for hours. It was magical. I can already tell I will be quite the emotional mama (surprise surprise).

Her perfect little face!!!!! I could stare at it all day long. I think she's so beautiful already.

A few weeks into January, we went to Nebraska for a week to visit my parents. 

Mom and I worked on the quilt we'd started at least a year ago for Scott and my bed. It's so much work (I would never make a quilt without her help I've decided). We didn't finish it this time, but got close! It's so beautiful and I can't wait for it to don our bed!

We played lots of games, ate out, played with puppies, and enjoyed each other's company. It was perfect.

My momma also threw me a baby shower while I was home. It was so much fun seeing old friends and catching up. Everyone was so generous and I now have bundles of adorable, tiny, pink clothes strewn about the house to remind me how cute (and fashionable) this little girl will be!

I'm 22 weeks here.

My sweetie bringing home treats for us, from the local bakery. I'm so in love with him.

My latest bump picture, at 24 weeks! I am seriously LOVING being pregnant. Whenever I put on an outfit and it accentuates my belly I'll say "Scott!! Look at how cute I am right now. Seriously, look at this belly!". I feel weirdly so confident in my body and just love the way I look. I love the attention this baby girl gets and I don't know why pregnant ladies are always complaining about people rubbing their bellies, I love it! I welcome your hands friends, rub away! 

She kicks like crazy now and we can see her little kicks which is 1. so weird and 2. so awesome. I love it!! I think pregnancy suits me and I'm so grateful I've had such a great pregnancy so far! 

Baby!

Um. I'm not quite sure why I haven't blogged in SO long because I actually have a lot of news!

I blame it on the smartphone. With so many other outlets to share pictures/news, I've neglected this little corner of my internet.

If you haven't heard, we have some pretty exciting news... We're pregnant! I'm 15 weeks along and am due May 21, 2014! It feels like it's gone so fast already and I'm loving every minute of it! Our baby is the size of an apple this week! I'm not showing  yet, but check every day to see if I've grown and so far, no bump.

So I've been asked by numerous people to tell "the story" so here's some deets you may have been wondering:

We always thought we'd have trouble getting pregnant because of my past ailments. Having cancer and going through radiation terrified me at age 18, because they told me it may cause infertility. It scared me even more once Scott and I decided it was time to start a family, because it was suddenly so real and in my face. 

I took lots of pregnancy tests over the 8 months that we tried, each negative, and each bringing a little bit more fear into my heart. It definitely crossed both our minds numerous times, 'what if this isn't for us'. But through the grace of God, it happened!! Not only are we SO completely elated to be pregnant, but I am so completely relieved to know that we can get pregnant! Although 8 months doesn't really seem like a long time to try, and not conceive, in the moment, it felt like centuries. 

The night I took the positive pregnancy test, Scott was on his way home from work. We had been home from Costa Rica a little less than 2 weeks. We were in a hurry to go to a baptism at church that night. I took the test and was trying to keep it together and not give it away when Scott got home. It was one of the most surreal moments ever. I was finally pregnant!! I couldn't believe it! Scott came through the front door and I had left the pregnancy test on the sink in the bathroom. He was in a hurry to change clothes and go to the church and was having no side-tracking from me. I asked him to go into the bathroom to which he said no the first time. I told him "go in the bathroom!", trying not to get annoyed because I wanted it to be a good moment. He walked in and said "are you pregnant...?" I said "YES!" so excitedly. He kind of gave me a hug, and then double high-fived me and then we went to the baptism. Not exactly what I was expecting but hey, that's Scott for you. The next morning I woke up to him kissing my belly and talking to our baby, so that made up for the high-fives and awkwardness the night before. 

We've been to 2 doctors appointments and the baby is happy and healthy so far! We'll find out the gender December 26 (best present ever!!!) and we can hardly wait to know what it is!! Scott's convinced it's a girl (and he also thinks its twins, so let's just throw that out there). 

I've been nauseous in the morning, but nothing awful. I feel like I've had it pretty easy, and am so grateful! I can handle only vomiting 3 times my whole pregnancy so far.

obligatory pee stick picture

cutest text from my mom

at our first baby doctor appt!

Life is good and we are blessed.