Morgan is 7 Months!

I find myself often stopping myself when people ask me how old Morgan is before saying 7 months because I quickly think, wait no way she is seven months, that is not right. But it is. She is over a half year old, she is into her 2nd half of her first year of life, she is on her way to moving farther away from an infant. WHAT?! I was warned time would go fast, but come on people this is crazy! I guess until they come up with a way to freeze time I will just keep drinking up every single second, every single snuggle and ever single smile! Although I am getting sad about how fast the first year is going I have to say this is by far my favorite stage so far! They all have been my favorite as we go along this journey of raising our first child, but so far this is the best! Morgan has such a cute and fun personality. She is ALWAYS happy and just loves loves loves to play! She is now an individual with her own opinions, own agenda and own personality and I just love every bit of it to pieces!! Here is a bit about your 7th month little girl:

Sleeping

I still can not complain! You do the same, sleep 11 to 12 hours at night, take 2 2 hour naps and a short cat nap in the evening. You are not happy though if you miss a nap but that has only happened a time or two. You go down easy and can sleep in most places. Although at night I do like to rock you and have you sleep on me until I go to bed just so I can have a few more hours with you!

Eating

You still eat 6 oz every 3 hours. You also eat baby food with cereal twice a day, once after your morning bottles and once in the evening after your evening bottle. You have just upped how much baby food you eat. I am making your food and freezing it so you eat about 2 cubes (equivalent to size 2 jars)! You LOVE fruit. Any fruit you love....which I am guessing goes hand in hand with my sweet craving while I was pregnant. You however do not like veggies. You will eat sweet potatoes, squash and sometimes carrots but that is about it. You go lock jaw, turn your head and refuse to even look at it! Oh stubborness! I have tried mixing fruit with it and that seems to do the trick but I am afraid we are creating bad eating habits so we will see.

Stats

At your 6 month appointment you were 12lb 80z and 24 3/4 inches. 2nd percentile and 5th percentile. The dr.'s are not worried, you are just petite my little angel! Which you will one day be thankful for! You wear size 6 clothing but can still manage in some 3-6 and even some 0-3. You also are still in size 2 diapers.

Milestones

You now ride in your stroller without the carrier! You love it too, you can see so much more and just love to cruise! You have started singing. It is so cute and you have the sweetest, softest voice. You roll everywhere and are into everything. If we look away for a minute you are across the room and into something. Right now it is the Christmas tree and lights! Many people, and mostly strangers, comment on how smart you must be because of how observant and inquisitive you are. You watch everything and soak it all in. You are also very good with your hands. We also have had many people comment on your ability to spot something across the room then wiggle your body to turn angles and then roll to what you want. You are SO close to crawling. You get up on your knees and hands but can not figure out how to move so then you quickly lay your head down as if it is too heavy and you just start rolling. I have a feeling you are too content with just rolling. You can stand on your own holding on to something and love to stand. YOu also will walk if we hold your fingers. I have a feeling you will be an early walker. Your favorite thing though is to just play play play. You love Layla and you get so happy to see daddy or I. You can tell we are your whole world and happiness and that just warms our hearts.

We are off to Georgia this week for Christmas and I am SOOOO excited to share your first Christmas in the house I grew up in! I can not wait! Your Yaya and Grandpa Mark have been working very hard decorating shopping and getting ready for you. They are losing sleep they are so excited!! Lots of updates to come soon!

Happy Holidays!!

6 month photos!

Next up baptism photos and stories!!

The Big Half Year Mark!

I can hardly believe I have a 6 month old daughter. Where has the time gone? If the second half of her first year goes by as fast as the first I am terrified to blink! It has been the fastest but the best 6 months of my entire life. Morgan brings us more joy than I ever imagined. The infertility journey and rough pregnancy seems like it was decades ago. They are just distant memories as this little blessing just fills each day with so much love and joy. We are so excited to wake up each day to see her smiling face and just soak up every second with her as she is such a joy and so much fun!

Eating

You are still sort of a finicky eater. You eat anywhere from 5 to 6 oz and about every 3 hours. I recently have started to notice you may be going from 5 bottles to just 4. You go to the pediatrician on Friday so we will find out what to do about your feedings. You still love baby food. You love all the fruits. I think apples and pears are your favorite but you love them all. You kick your legs, open your mouth like a little birdie, lean forward and say "mmmmm"...its quite cute! Veggies, you like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes. You did not like green beans or peas. Not surprising!

Sleeping

You still go about 12 hours at night, but sometimes we have to wake you up for early. It is cute how you roll around and rub your eyes as you try to wake yourself up when we get you up. You still fight sleep at night because you just want to play. But as soon as you hit my shoulder you are out. You take 3 naps still. A hour and a half in the morning, 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon and a 30 min. nap in the evening, usually while I cook dinner. If you miss a nap, it is ugly! Girlfriend you love your sleep!

Stats

You are 12 lb 8oz and 24 3/4 inches tall! You are in the 2nd percentile for weight and 5th for height! Your head though is in the whopping 48th percentile, hehe! You are a tiny peanut but very porportionate. And people do still comment on your size but you are developmentally on track and even ahead of the game and very healthy, so we are not worried. In fact, I LOVE that you are so small. I have had the joys of being able to cuddle with a sweet little baby much longer than most and I just love the cuteness of a small baby. But you do have some leg rolls, arm rolls and some under your chin. So there is plenty of chub to love on, its all just porpotunate. You are in size 2 diapers and can wear some 0-3 month but fit best in 3-6 month clothing. You do wear some 6 month but it is still a tad big.

Milestones

- rolling all over the place, both ways

- eating more solids

- sitting up fully on your own

- able to get your knees up and arms up but not at the same time to crawl...I have a feeling you are close

- you show frustration now when you are trying to grab something (you reach for EVERYTHING) but can not reach or can not have. And when you have a toy taken from you

- you love peek-a-boo

- you said "ba ba"

- before "ba ba" your first consonant/vowel combo was "ma ma" which makes my heart melt even though I know its not directed at me

- you now slam your toys to make noise

Peronsality

You are so sweet. You are a snuggler and love to just rest your head on our shoulders or chest, even if you are not tired. You are a ham too, you love attention. Sometimes you grunt just to get daddy or I to notice you if we are not paying you attention. You love to stick out your tounge and you shake your hips in a proud way when you do something you think is neat. You love to laugh and babble. But if you are around new people or a new place you are very quiet and it takes you a while to warm up. You are extremely observant. You take everything in. I have had numerous of people, many strangers, comment on how smart you seem. You always look like you are exploring and trying to figure out new toys or things. You love to play with your toys. You can self entertain. You are just as happy as can be. You rarely cry, love to play and love to snuggle. You are very easy to make smile.

New Friends

This month you met so many new people! You met your Gigi (great grandma in Dayton) and all of my Dayton family! We took a trip down to visit them and they also came up for your baptism! You loved all the comotion from the Savino boys! And sweet Ella and Evy were just so kind to you! Little Michael also thought you were funny! This month you also had a new friend start at CLP. Little baby Ryan! You like to show Ryan you are a big girl. You are gentle but you love to touch him. I think you like to let him know you no longer are the baby! Ryan is 9 weeks, so quite a bit younger than you!!

The biggest and most important people you met finally were your godparents!!! AKA Uncle Kevin and "Aunt" Meryl! You and Uncle Kevin are going to be trouble in your toddler years! You just love him. You laughed and smiled and flirted with him. He loved playing games with you. In fact, the two of you created your own special game, similar to peek a boo kind of, when I tried to put you to bed...he is already fulfilling his uncle duties! You two already have a very special bond and relationship. You also formed a special bond with aunt Meryl. Meryl was in town for a month and it was so special having her here. You two had a blast together! She took such good care of you and helped me out a ton. You two even had a special song you sang together...the bee song! Meryl took you to come eat lunch with me which was so sweet! I was SO excited you finally met these 2 special people in your life and they will only continue to be so very special in your life!

Dearest Morgan,

I can hardly believe you are half a year old! Where has the time gone?! You fill our lives and hearts with so much joy and love. You truly are a blessing! I thank the Lord each day for blessing us with you, you are the best gift and we are so greatful for you! You are such a sweet girl and you are also very silly. You love to laugh and do your grunt laugh. You are very proud of yourself and you think you are just the coolest little girl the way you roll and sit up and stand. I am convinced you want to walk soon the way you always are standing. We are just loving watching your little personaility form each day. We feel as if you are changing daily and growing up so fast! You are such an easy baby and so much fun. We love you more than you will ever know you are and forever will be our little girl! Can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring my sweet angle!

Love,

Mommy!

So like I mentioned I have LOTS to blog about and much I want to write about our life as parents, about little Morgan and just about memories we are making a long the way. One perfect, BIG, and amazing memory was Morgan's first trip to my home in Atlanta! This memory will always be a cherished one and one I will tell Morgan about when she is a bit older. Not to mention, we have a couple hundred photos to also tell the story! It was the best week and so much fun. It was SO special to have her come to the place I call home, the place where I was raised and to meet the people that mean the most to me. There are so many people and places in Roswell, GA that have had an influence on who I am today that it meant the world to me to share the person I love most with all of those places and people. Words can not describe how special it was for me. I am so proud of where I come from. I am proud of my home town, proud of the familiar places, proud of the home I grew up in and most importantly proud of the family and friends that helped shape me as a person. I love my home. When I think of my childhood and upbringing there are many emotions that instantly pop into my heart and head and the main few are safe, warm, caring, loving, fun, happiness and full of support. My childhood memories are woderful there. I had so many great times with family and friends (a few trouble some ones in my teenage years!) and I always felt so much love and happiness. And what is so wonderful is taht I still feel all of these things and more today. It will ALWAYS be home to me. I LOVE visiting, cry when I leave and always look forward to the next trip. No matter the distance, home is always home and the people that make it home will always be my family. I love the safety feeling they always provided me with. I hope that I can provide Morgan with all of these feelings about here "home". Thank you mom and dad for such a great childhood and thank you for always making it feel like home...even to an almost 30 year old..yikes!!I do miss living there and who knows where our future will take us but I do believe that we are closer than ever now and always will be. I will always be your little girl and you will always be my parents. And best of all, I get to share this wonderful place forever with my daughter! I can not wait for her to experience all the fun times and happy times my home holds!! But back to her first Roswell experience!

Oh little girl you had so much fun! You were spoiled rotten, loved on nonstop, and just had so much fun. Where do I even begin?! I guess the plane ride. You rocked it! You slept the entire way! The best was my mom waiting at baggage claim with her camera ready to capture every single moment, it was so special!! Not only was it great to be home but it was so nice to have my parents to help with you so much...it gave this mommy a much needed rest! We spent the days playing, loving on you and sharing all the special things about Yaya and grandpa marks house (aka big mark!). The first night there Grandpa Mark got Yaya, me and Yaya Lauri Rascal Flatts tickets! Now, grandpa claims this was to be kind to Yaya and me and I do tink this was it but really we think it was all part of his scheme to get you all to himself!! So Grandpa Mark babysatt you for the first time! It was so cute, you even had an I Love Grandpa shirt on for him!! You two spent the night playing, bonding and just enjoying some special grandpa and Morgan time. Now, you have a very special relationship with Grandpa Mark. He LOVES to play play play with you. You two would play airplane, bouncey bouncey and much more. He helped teach you how to reach and grab toys.

Now I would be in remiss if I did not mention the special bond you have with Yaya. You instantly took to her. I think you could sense how close her and I are. You loved to snuggle in her shoulder and on her chest. She spent endless hours singing to you, rocking you, playing with your toys with you and snuggling with you. You just light up when she says "Hi, it's Yaya!".

You also met some VERY special people. You met one of mommy's oldest and dearest friends, Aunt Hillary. Now, do not listen to a single story she ever tells you about me, and she will be the fun aunt that says "I won't tell your mother as long as you don't". But in all seriousness some of my best childhood memories were with her and with she is a very important person in my life. She just loves you. She asked me to write a letter to you when I was pregnant and after you were born she printed it and but some beautiful graphics to it and framed it in a beautiful frame. It now hangs in your room and I constantly read it to you. It is one of the most special gifts we have ever received. Aunt Hillary had so much fun playing with you and you instantly fell in love with her. Now Aunt Hill brings me to the other Yayas! Yaya Laurie and Yaya Carol. They helped your Yaya throw your baby shower. They are Yaya's best friends and they are my second moms. They love you as if you are their own and they just loved snuggling, playing and loving on you. They are 2 VERY special women and they will always be a very important part of your life. I was so excited for you to meet them. Yaya Carol lives at the Crooked Cabana (where mommy had LOTS of fun in high school) so it was a momentous time when I took you there for the first time. We put you in the swing under the cabana with a fan and you fit right in as if you have been a cabana girl all your life! You had your bottle, mommy and the Yayas and Hillary had theirs and we were all happy girls! It was a fun day at the pool and mommy even took you into the pool!

You also were able to meet Dick and Pat Lindgren, Yaya and Grandpa's neighbors. They are also family and love you like family. You met Aunt Lacey and Mrs. Marietta, Mrs. Kearns, Ms. Jan, Katie and her 2 sons, Mrs. Healey, and many more.

We spent the week playing and showing you off. It was such a big help to have my mom and dad helping with you. I got some rest! It also was so special for me to show you the place I love and the place I grew up and to show you off to my nearest and dearest friends. We did plenty of shopping with the girls too ;). You were very spoiled to say the least! Yaya and Grandpa had a bedroom all set up for you with a bed, toys, clothes, diapers, towels, a bath tub, your favorite blue pillow, a swing, a bouncy chair, and about every baby item you could need. Yaya even bought your sleep machine for you and she hand painted beautiful letters to hang above your bed which now are above your crib. You my love have your room at Yayas house!

This was the first of many trips to Yaya and Grandpa's. I can not wait to watch you fall in love with it as I did. I am so excited to watch it become a special place for you and for you to develop your own memories there. We already are planning your vacations to camp Yaya and Grandpa's house in the summer. There are so many people waiting there with loving arms to support, guide and love you and there are so many fun thigns to do I ahve no doubt you will learn to lvoe it just as much as I did and it iwll hold a special place in your heart too! I have about 500 pictures to show you of your trip and can not wait to share them with you!

5 Fantastic Months!

I typed this almost a month ago, and just now am getting around to posting...just in time for her 6 month update! I have so much I keep meaning to blog about but some how just never have time...hmm wonder why?! Could it be because of this cute little curious cookie?! I think so! Morgan has become SO curious and so interactive this month. She is realizing she wants to be part of every thing and does not want to miss a single thing. Lets put it this way, she would rather be part of the action than not. Now with that said she is still very observant, especially when there are many people around or there is a lot going on, but when she is at home with just her daddy and I, or with a small crowd, she likes to be right in the middle of it all!

Eating Habits

Seems as if you have really taken to formula, as much as I hate to admit it. You have definitely put on weight...I am guessing around 12 lbs!! You are rounder, seem heavier, and even have some cute thigh rolls, elbow and knee dimples and wrist bands (creases on your wrists!). Seems as if the Dr. was right, you needed formula! I love that you have rounded out and I have cute little chubb chubb legs to smooch on! However, I also still love that you are little! Makes me feel like I have had a little baby longer and lets face it, I just love to cuddle with little you! You still eat 5 oz. every 3 hours and this month we have added cereal and fruit!! You did not like rice cereal plain at all, you made quiet the funny faces! You liked oatmeal a little better but you still would squench your eyes and make a silly face. So your dad and I added fruit and boy did that make you change your mind about the whole eating business! You have tried apples, bananas and pears and you love all 3! Not surprising seeing how I craved sweets and fruit when I was pregnant with you! I would say pears and apples are your favorite. Your daddy and I LOVE to feed you. You are so funny. You lean forward with a wide mouth, kick your legs and make a "MMM" sound. So cute! We have about 100 photos of you eating and countless videos! Pretty soon we are going to add veggies...yummy!

Sleep

Nothing new here, you still LOVE sleep! You sleep from about 8:00 to 6:30 on the weekdays and on the weekends you sleep in until 8:00ish. You take 2 naps during the day. Usually 8:30-9:30 and then 1:00-3:30 in the afternoon! I do have to say you now fight sleep at night sometimes. You are just so curious you do not want to go to sleep but you are so tired. You rub your eyes and grunt and seem very restless. And many times you will only let me soothe you to sleep...which I do not mind ;)

Personality

You are still a sweetie pie and you are becoming more bashful. You are getting a little stranger anxiety where you constantly ahve to keep your eye on me when someone else holds you. You love to play peek-a-boo and you also like to play a game with your daddy where he looks at you and says "hello" and you smile real big, turn your head and burry it into my shoulder. YOu then pop up and look back at him to do it all over again. You are getting very interactive. Smiling, laughing and jabbering all the time! You are very observant still and you now really want to be part of everything going on. You like to stand and you reach for everything, which more times than less ends up in your mouth. At the dinner table if your dad and I are taking you often start jabbering very loudly to get our attention. We love that you are becoming more and more fun. You love your toys and you love playing. You also have a silly little personality. YOu love to laugh. Everything seems to just crack you up. You also love to make bubbles and make funny noises and stick your tounge out. But if you are around new people or a lot of people you often are very quiet, shy and just observant. You are definitly most lively around your friends at the sitters and daddy and I. Which means at night lately you fight sleep like none other! You want to stay up and party! Usually a bottle will do the trick to put you out but every so often you fight it and you do not want to go to sleep. No worries little girl, I promise you are not missing anything! You are constnalty taking everything in and I have even had complete strangers mention to me how observant you are.

Milestones

Other than the baby food, this month you can pretty much sit up on your own. You can sit for about 30 seconds then topple forward or to the side. If we prop you up you can do it and it helps if we put a toy in front of you. You also like to lean back which does not help you, silly girl! I am thinking your month 5 you will be gaining great strides towards sitting up for a long time. You also have learned on your tummy how to scoot forward. You kick those legs and even get your knees under you and you push yourself forward. I have a feeling you are close to moving in the next few months, uh oh!

Fabulous Four Months!!

Each month I say, "I can not believe Morgan is _ months old, where is the time going?!" But this month I am serious. Where is the time going?! I can not believe I have a 4 month old! She feels like she has been part of our lives forever, but I feel like I just left the hospital yesterday with her. BY far it has been the best and fastest 4 months of our lives. Each month I think to myself, wow this month is so much fun it just can not get better than this..and some how it does! And some how my love runs deeper and deeper. I am just filled with so much joy, love and happiness from Morgan. She is my heart and soul. She makes each sunny and she gives my life a whole new purpose and meaning. I thank the Lord each night for the beautiful gift He has given us. Simply amazing! I could go on and on about my love for Morgan or just how happy she makes us but then there would be hours worth of jabber and I would not have even expressed just how much I love her because to be quite frank, words can not describe my love or happiness she brings me. So I will stop rambling! Here is some tidbits about you sweet girl in your 4th month of life!

Stats

At 15 weeks (2 weeks before you actually turned 4 months) you were 9lb 15oz (3rd percentile) and 23 inches (13th percentile). You go tomorrow for your 4 month check up so I will repost! But you my little girl are tiny! You are in size 1 diaper and you are in 0-3 month clothes...and yes a few newborn pieces still fit! And your dad and I LOVE that you are small. We just talked about it last night. We love the fact that since you are small we have been able to feel like we have a "baby" for longer. You are not getting too big too fast! We could keep you this size forever! You will only be so small for so long, so if you are on the small side that is more than ok with us..just means we have a baby for longer!

Eating

This month you recently transitioned to formula. Pumping and working was just too hard and the pediatrician actually thought my breast milk may not have enough calories to it. So since he told me that I did not feel as bad or guilty about stopping. I did cry though and I did feel bad, but you have no seemed to have noticed 1 bit. You suck down your formula milkshake and love every bit. You are eating 5 oz. every 3 hours still so you get 5 to 6 bottles a day, depending on when you wake up and fall asleep. I am thinking you may soon go to 6oz though as you are sucking them down fast! We have not started cereal yet. Your Dr. told us there is no need yet as you're satisfied with just bottles. I am excited to start cereal with you so maybe this month!

Sleeping

You still rock this category! Friends told me month 4 would bring some middle of the night wake up calls but (knock on wood) we have not had that yet. You love your sleep! You go to sleep every night around 8 or 8:30. I have to have more snuggle time with you so I let you sleep on my chest or on the couch with me and daddy until we go to bed then we put you in your crib. You do not even budge during this transition. During the week I usually wake you up between 6:30 and 7:00. I do not have to leave the house until 7:45 but morning time is a special play time for us. On the weekends we let you sleep in and you will sleep in until between 8 and 8:30. No matter if you wake up on your own or if we wake you, you always wake with a huge smile, hands behind your head and legs kicking with excitement to start your day! You then usually take a nap from about 8:00 to 9:30. Then you may take a 30 min. snooze late morning, depending on your morning nap. Then in the afternoon you will snooze off to dreamland from 1:00-3:00 or 3:30. You are great about soothing yourself and falling asleep on your own. During the day we put you in your crib or pack and play and you stare at your mobile and fall asleep. At night, I love to rock you and snuggle so you usually fall asleep on my shoulder. Night time you also seem more needy. Right now you are going through a phase that when you are over tired at night and get fussy I am the only one that can soothe you and put you to sleep. Your poor daddy tries and tries but mommy is the only one to do the trick. I know it hurts your daddys feelings, but I would be lying if I said it did not make me feel special!

Personality

I almost feel embarrassed talking about what a good baby you are. Many people can not believe how good you are! You rarely cry. I mean you may yell or make a fake crying noise when you are hungry and at night if you are over tired you get upset but that is it. You are super sweet. You are a cuddler and snuggler. You are just a sweetie pie. You also love to talk! You are a very chill baby. You go with the flow, sleep anywhere, and adjust to any environment and adjust your schedule to any situation. This makes it easy for daddy and I take you everywhere and do almost anything with you. Your personality is starting to show more and I love it! You love to smile and laugh. You smile all day long. All it takes is someone looking at you and talking to you or just smiling at you and your face lights up. Your smile is big and gummy! It takes up half your face and it is so darn cute! I am thinking you are also a little bashful and shy. After you smile you often turn your head and bury it in your shoulder as if you are blushing and being bashful. You are also very observant. If you are around a lot of people you just love to watch everything going on. You quietly sit with your head on a swivel and just take it all in. And if you are around many people you do not know it is much harder to get a smile. You also are quick and strong! Your babysitter calls you "little lightning" due to this. You flip fast, kick your legs fast, love to stand on your legs grab and pull toys and anything you get your hands on! So over all you are a funny, loving, bashful little girl that is so very happy!

Milestones

This month your big "first" was you rolling!!! At 3 and a half months you rolled from belly to back!!! And once you started, you did not stop!! You love to roll! We place you on your belly and flip you go! And you go fast! It did not shock you or scare you the first time either. In fact, your dad and I both were able to see you do it (happened day before Labor day 9/4) and we both started cheering and clapping and acting as if you just graduated from college and you looked at us like "yea so what, no big deal!". You are way stronger this month too. You can push yourself up with your arms and hold your chest and head up when you are on your belly. You can pull yourself up and stand on your legs just by holding onto our fingertips. You also giggled for the first time this month! This month you grab more toys and other objects and boy do you have a grip...just ask all the missing hair strands from my head! You notice toys more and interact with them. You laugh at them, smile at them and watch them. You also notice Layla more. You now reach for her...watch out Layla!!

New Friends

Well you started your jumperoo so you love all your new jumperoo play friends. But this month you made your first 2 big girl friends!! This month I started work (you have adapted beautifully..mommy is a work in progress!) and you made some new friends at Camp Little People! You go to Justin's house (your sitter) and you have SO much fun every day! He sends us pictures and updates through out your day so I feel like I am with you. He loves on you and plays with you a lot! He has daily focuses for you, art centers, play centers, tons of toys and lots of love! We LOVE him and we are so happy he is taking such good care of you and providing you with so many learning opportunities and so much love. He watches 2 other little girls, Stella and Carly and boy do they love you! When I drop you off they rush over and say "Baby Morgan" and kiss your toes. I have pictures Justin has sent me of them kissing on you, "holding" you and sharing their toys with you. They lay on your playmat with you, give you stuffed animals, talk to you and love on you. You also love them. You smile at them and look at them as if you are hanging on every word they tell you. I would say they are your two best girl friends! Justin also has 2 daughters. They are in school but often are home right before I pick you up. They LOVE you. They make you pictures, play with you, and love on you. They are super sweet with you too. Although it is hard on me to be away, I love the fact you have friends and are learning form them and having so much fun. All the pictures I get are of you smiling and playing. And little girl, it seems like everyone just adores you...how could they not! :)

You are the sweetest little girl and I love you SO SO SO much. Thank you for being such a blessing Morgan!

Morgan is 3 Months!

How can it be?! You are 1/4 of a year old! Where has the time gone?? The days are melting away and the weeks all blur into a flash before my eyes. Many people warned me time would fly by, I guess they were right! You have had quite the exciting 3rd month of life! You had your first airplane flight (which you were an angel on and slept the entire time..thank you for not screaming!), went to Georgia for the first time to visit Yaya and Grandpa (stories and pictures at a later post because it was so much fun it deserves its own post), and had your first visit to the sitters (which you and mommy not only survived, but rocked)! Here are some tidbits about you Morgan!

Growth

We go to the Dr. next week to check your height and weight so I will have those stats next week (yes I was paranoid about your growth so I scheduled a 3 month weight check..first time parent paranoia, so fun!) so I will post that next week. You are still a tiny peanut my friend but you have definitely hit a growth spurt. You fill out your car seat more, feel heavier, have a little leg chub, look longer and you FINALLY fit into 0-3 month clothes like you should. And yes there are a few newborn clothes you can squeeze into but it is about time to pack those away sister. But I am happy to say you got full use of newborn clothes and now you will probably get full use out of 0-3..which is good because you have a closet and 2 dressers full of clothes for you to wear!

Eating

You are still only eating breastmilk..you may get to try cereal next month! You still eat every 3 hours but you always eat at least 4 oz now and usually 2 or 3 bottles you will suck down 5 oz..you go girl!! Obviously did not get mommy's sense of appetite..or lack of I should say!

Sleeping

You LOVE your sleep! You are an amazing sleeper...thank you! We put you down between 8:30 and 9 and usually wake you up around 7 because you start sucking on your hands in your sleep a lot. After you eat at 7 you fall back asleep until about 9:30 or 10:00. I usually either sleep with you in bed during this time or put you back in your crib and get things done around the house. You also nap very well. You nap in the afternoon for about 2 hours and again in the evening/late afternoon for about another 2 hours. You and I usually take one of these naps together :) You rock sister! Although there is a hour in the evening where if you are not in a calm place or already napping you have your "witching" hour! I think you get over tired and fight sleep. And the only thing that will calm you and get you to sleep is if we cuddle you on our shoulder and pat your back. You are still a total cuddler. But all other times you soothe yourself to sleep!

Activity

This month your neck really has become strong. You are small but mighty. You kick and love to stand on your legs with support. We always play...Big girl! You can fully hold your neck up so we started using the bumpo chair..it is quite funny because you look so small in it! Because you can fully support your neck you love to play airplane, bouncy and so much more. Daddy is your big play buddy. The second he comes home he plays with you nonstop and makes you very tired! I can already tell you two are big buddies and always will be. Not to mention how sweet he is on you. You get the biggest smile for him every time you see him. Speaking of playing you now reach for and grab toys! You love your keys, rattles and Sophie the giraffe. You shake them, watch them and then put them all in your mouth. It is so much fun now that you notice toys and reach for them. I can just see your brain focusing on your task at hand. You love to put everything in your mouth, including your clothes. You often pull your dresses over your head and put them in your mouth. Although you do not take a pacifier, you prefer your hands. And little girl, you often try to suck on your whole hand and gag yourself..which makes you then smile. Ahh your smile. Melts my heart a hundred times a day, everyday. You smile ALL. THE. TIME. and it is the best!! Your smile has gotten bigger, it takes up half your face! You also talk a lot. Daddy jokes he can not get a word in edge wise between you, me and Layla (yes she whines). You make lots of vowel/consonant sounds. It is so cute. You jabber away and we talk back. You make funny facial expressions with your stories too. You have started to try and laugh..or we think it sounds like that. YOu smile and make a laugh noise but its just a loud yell almost. We will take it though! You can roll on your side now too, but not over yet. I think you are close!

Friends

Besides my dozen friends who all have little boys who are all your friends, you also have some new ones. Sophie the giraffe, your activity mat buddies, your keys, and your Baby Einstein mobile. I call it your nightly soap opra as it looks like a TV you turn your body towards to watch. But most importantly you made SO many Georgia friends!! Between Aunt Hillary, Yaya Carol, Yaya Laurie, Katie, Jan, Kristin, Lacey, The Lindgrens, and so many more you are loved little girl!

Morgan Lily you fill our lives and hearts with joy we never knew of. Each month is better than the last and I love you deeper each day. You are amazing. You are such a good baby. People always comment, is she always that good? You are just an easy going, chill baby that is always laid back. In fact, your favorite poise is to lay with your hands behind your head like you are on vacation. We love to the moon and back a million times over and just can not get enough of you. I return to work this month so this month will be tough, but I know we will adjust. Thank you for giving me the best 14 weeks of my entire life. I love you!!

We Survived Her First Vaccinations!

And I say "we" because I think I was so nervous about them I almost reacted worse than Morgan did! I had heard nightmares about the dreaded 2 month vaccines..but it turns out it was a breeze..for both of us! Morgan took them like a champ! The first shot, her eyes got real big but she did not cry. I think my eyes teared up more than hers watching a needle go into my sweet baby's leg. Then came the 2nd one. Morgan's eyes again got huge then then the biggest frown and pushed out lip came out and her happy eyes went to sad and the tears started flowing. I could not pick my baby up fast enough and cuddle her tight enough. She calmed down very fast though once mommy swooped in. I just felt so bad seeing that sad sad face. Morgan was asleep before we left the doctor's office and pretty much stayed that way. Right when we got home she woke up off and on for about a hour and she was not happy. But as long as she was held tight she found ways to get comfortable and go back to sleep. Then she stayed asleep all but about a hour that evening and she was so pleasant when she was up, talking and smiling even! That night she slept 10 1/2 hours and woke up as happy as a clam. So over all, they were a breeze! Seems as if once again my anxiety was worse than the actual experience...lets hope it will be this way for me going back to work because I have been a mess about that lately. All I can say about these dreaded shots are it makes my baby sleepy and I miss her being up to have fun with. But if sleep is what her body needs then I will just have to cuddle with a sleepy baby :)

Happy weekend yall! Hope you are staying cool in this terrible heat!

2 Months!

It has been a while since I have posted..sorry a little busy! But I have LOTS of updates and things to post about. But hopefully I can get to all of that later, for now a post dedicated to my little peanuts 2nd month birthday!!

At 2 months little bug you were 8 lb 6oz and 21 inches long! You are still tiny (in the bottom percentile) but you are growing right on track! You finally fit into some of your 0-3 month clothes!Your dad and I always say we could keep you this small forever. Here are some things about you at just 2 months of age!

1. You are small, but mighty! You can hold your neck up and hold your legs up. During tummy time you hold your head up and you kick your legs under you. You also are starting to roll from your back to your side!

2. Speaking of tummy time, you LOVE your play mat. You look at the lights and toys and spend so much time just talking and smiling at them.

3. Which leads me to you smiling. Ah, it melts our hearts every time, and you do it ALL. THE. TIME. It is the best! Every morning you greet us with the biggest toothless grin. You smile so wide it takes up half your face! Your dad and I often find ourselves racing to get to your crib to get you. You smile all day though. All it takes is us talking to you, smiling at you, cooing at you, singing to you, or just waving a toy in your face and you smile. You are so happy and sweet.

4. You recognize us a lot more than last month. Often when other people hold you, you will follow me or your dad with your head and eyes as if you are keeping an eye on where we are. You also smile most at us. You get so happy when your dad gets home from work. He rushes in and come straight to you and says "HI Morgan!" and you light up! We can feel how much you love us and how much you know who we are. It is simply the best.

5. You love to snuggle. You do not like to be held in the cradle position but you love to be held on our shoulder. You love to cuddle up on our shoulder and you often fall asleep in this position. If you are ever upset, it simply takes us cuddling with you and you instantly calm down. In the mornings on the weekend after your dad feeds you he will bring you into bed with us and you will cuddle up in his arms and fall right to sleep. This is his favorite part of mornings by far and I often wake up earlier and just lay and watch you two. It is so sweet and sincere. You just love your daddy and believe me, he is wrapped around your little finger BIG time! He is so sweet on you.

6. Your hair is getting lighter. It looks red in some light, blond in others and brown in some. But mostly it looks like strawberry blond.

7. You are eating 3-5 oz every 3 hours of breast milk. Feeding can sometimes take a while with you as you fall asleep sometimes or lose interest.

8. You are a champ at sleeping! So much so I took you to the pediatrician because I was worried about how much you were sleeping for how little you are..yes I am a crazy mom! Your Dr. told me it is rare how much you sleep but you are perfectly healthy so to enjoy it and enjoy the fact you are an "exceptionally easy" baby! You take 2-3 naps a day and they range from 2-3 hours with some 30 min. cat naps thrown in. At night we feed you at 10 and you then go to sleep until 6 or 6:30. Then go back to sleep til 9 or 10. Girlfriend, you love your sleep! I find myself in the morning waiting for you to get up so I can play with you!

9. Bath time is a favorite in our household. You love it! It is so calming for you and I love after bath time to snuggle you up in your jammies.

10. You had your first vacation this month! We went to Myrtle Beach, SC and Annapolis, MD. You loved it all and you were so easy! I will post another entry about our vacation. But thank you for making it so easy for us!

11. You love to chew on your hands when hungry and you are just starting to clasp your hands together and focus on them.

12. You kick a lot! You kick a lot during the day but at night we swaddle you and you kick your way around your crib. You move a lot when you sleep. You end up at the bottom of the crib facing the other way!

13. You went in the pool for the first time this month and you loved it!

14. Your eyelashes have come in more and girlfriend they are long and curl at the end!

15. You are very alert. You still love the fan, but you now notice your surroundings and respond to them more. We are learning even more about your little personality. You are easy going, love to cuddle and are sweet. But you also let us know when you do not like something!

Morgan, just when I did not think life could get better after the first month with you, it did. Just when I did not think I could love someone more, I fell more in love with you in this second month. I did not know I could love deeper than I did the first month with you, but I do. I love you more than words can describe and you have made life better than it has ever been. I feel like I have a purpose in life now and each day is full of so much joy. You and I have so much fun together each day and I find myself sad to say good night but excited for the next morning to find our new adventures together! I love you little girl, you make us both so happy and so full of life!!

New posts coming soon: vacation recap, life as a mommy, summertime and some other happenings.

Some Quick Stats

Morgan had her 1 month check up yesterday so here is the box score ;):

Weight: A whopping 7lb 6oz! Which is in the 6th percentile. BUT she has gained almost a lb and a half in a short 4 weeks!

Length: 19 1/2 inches~3rd percentile

Head: 37cm~ 43rd percentile

So yes we have a tiny, petite peanut..but an adorable one that is the sunshine of our lives! I will keep drinking up her sweetness and her being this tiny for now...because it will not last, this I do know!

Happy weekend!

Happy 1 Month Morgan!

Happy 1 month my sweet little girl. It is hard to believe you are already a month old. I was warned that once you were here time would go by fast, but I truly had no idea. And I probably still have no idea just how fast time is going to go. It is weird, in ways it feels like just yesterday we were in the hospital getting ready to meet you; and in other ways it feels as if we have had you in our lives forever. It is amazing how quickly we forgot what life was like before you. All I do know is you are the most wonderful, amazing and incredible thing that has ever happened to us and each night I thank the dear Lord for blessing our lives with you. You truly are a gift. I can not describe how much we love you...words simply will not do it. It is a love that runs deep and just grows each day..even though it seems each day I can not love deeper than I do. I can not imagine life without you and each day I wake up so excited just to see your face, smell you, kiss your cheeks and drink up every second of each day with you. Here are some of the things I have learned about you in the past 4 weeks..

1. You are a sweet baby. You are a great sleeper but you go into a very deep sleep and will sleep for hours on end when you are on our chest. You curl up and fall sound asleep. You even drool and snore on our chest. Sometimes in the mornings after your dad feeds you before he goes to work, he will put you on my chest and we will spend our mornings lazy in bed and it is me who will eventually wake you to get our day started.

2. Going along with being sweet, you love to snuggle. You rarely fuss and when you do, if I just snuggle you a little closer you instantly stop.

3. You love your sleep! You sleep ALL. THE. TIME. I know newborns all sleep, but you are very sleepy. You are often awake and social in the mornings for about 2 to 3 hours (3 if I am lucky) and in the evening for about a hour, maybe 2. At night we put you down between 10 and 11 and you will sleep until about 3 and then go back to sleep after eating until about 7 then you will sleep until I wake you, usually around 930 or 10...depending on our day. The other night you slept through the whole night..8 and a half hours! I know it was a fluke..but impressive for a 4 week old! Thank you for being such a good sleeper!! It makes me nervous for your brother or sister next as you are SO good.

4. Going along with being so good, we are bias and I am a proud mom, but you really are so good. People always ask me, "is she always that good?" and you are! You are so pleasant. When you are awake you are bright eyed and just love to look around and when you are asleep you are so peaceful. Like I said before, you rarely cry. You fuss sometimes when we change your diaper but usually I can distract you with talking to you. And sometimes if you want to be cuddled a little more you will fuss some but it is an easy fix and it really is rare when you cry. In fact, it is so rare that when you do cry hard, your dad and I freak out and it makes us so sad to see your tears!

5. You love to eat! Right now you eat every 3 hours and you eat 3 to 4 ounces. We have a good routine down.
6. You are still in newborn clothes and diapers. You are a tiny peanut. I know you have gotten bigger, but you are still little and your dad and I talk about how we wish we could keep you this size forever all the time. Although you have SO many cute 0-3 month clothes, I am excited for you to wear them. We go to the pediatrician Thursday, so I will add your stats!

7. Speaking of clothes your closet and dresser drawers are literally over flowing and you have an absurd amount of headbands and over sized bows. I know someday you will hate me for them, but I think they are cute :). You also probably are the best dressed little girl..or at least in our family. Your dad and I both love to shop for you...shh, don't tell him I told you that. In fact, we went to Easton the other weekend and he spent his gift card on you and today he came home from work with a bag full of clothes for you to celebrate your 1 month birthday. You have an abundant amount of bloomers with ruffles on the butt, jumpers, dresses, and clothes that I would even wear but are your size! You have been so spoiled by so many people. We are so lucky to have so many friends and family that love you so much.

8. You already are a daddy's girl. He is wrapped around your little finger, that is for sure. He calls a few times during the day to ask about you and the second he walks through the door he can not wait to get his hands on you. He already plays around with you but he loves to snuggle with you. He helps dress you and does so much for you. He gets up at night, cleans bottles, changes diapers, bathes, and does everything for you. He lights up when he sees you and loves taking pictures of you and just spending all his free time with you. He is so proud and such a good daddy. He was meant to have a daughter and meant to have you. Although I am thinking he will be very soft on you when you are a teenager..with the exception of when it comes to boys. Sorry Morgan, you will never be allowed to date if your dad has a say in it.

9. You love bath time. You fall asleep in it! A true spa girl!

10. You just started cooing. It is an adorable sound that we love to hear.

11. You have a very strong neck and legs. You can hold your head up for short periods of time and you can push your body and scoot with your legs when you are on your belly.

12. You have lots of boyfriends. I have about 8 friends with baby boys so I have lots of pictures of you with little boys. Lots of fun play dates!
13. I love our days together. We often go for walks with Layla and I talk to you the entire time. We also get out and go shopping together, go to lunch and visit friends together. My favorite time though is when it is just you and I at home and we read books, play with toys, do tummy time, talk, sing, dance and just spend girl time together. I look forward to our girly days in the future.

14. You love bright lights, windows and the fan. You stare at them all the time.

15. I love every single thing about you. You are the most beautiful, perfect, sweet and incredible little girl. I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

I still need to post her newborn photos and some other random pictures..in due time, seems as if I am much busier now!

Lots of updates!

I have so much to post about! First and most important life as a mom and some Morgan updates!! We are doing very well and just when I think life can not get better, it seems as if each day out does the previous. We love our little girl so much! We recently tackled 2 big tasks that I was very anxious and nervous about...transferring to the crib and leaving Morgan for the first time. Turns out the anticipation is worse than doing it and it all works out. Luckily my mom was in town to help me with these changes. I also look forward to posting about my mom's visit. It was the best week. I cried hard when she left. It just pains me so much to know how far away she lives and to know she will not get to see Morgan and I every day. So updates galore and an abundant amount of pictures to come (including new born photos from her new born session!) But for now, I hope you are having a good...no, great weekend!!

This is your story, Morgan Lily

So although I am sure I will never forget a single detail of May 12 and May 13, I thought I should document the birth story of our daughter. At the time it was the most scary, painful yet incredible and exciting time ever. Looking back at it, it was nothing short of amazing. I would relive every single second again. Even though our moms can quote me saying "enjoy this grandchild, you are not getting another one" at the height of my contractions, after Morgan arrived I instantly forgot every single pain and it became the best thing I have ever done. Labor and delivery is one of the most miraculous journeys ever and words can not describe how incredible and really just how "cool" it all was. So here is your story Morgan.

Thursday, May 12th I had an OB appointment (remember I was going twice a week). The plan was if I was dilated 3 cm I was going to be induced that day. If I was not dilated at 3 cm then we would set a date for the following week. So the morning of the 12th I was sure I was not dilated so I did not have it in my mind what so ever that we would be having a baby. Chris was excited because he was hoping it would be that day but I just kept telling him not to get his hopes up, we were coming home after my appointment. In fact, Chris told me to throw my bag into the car just in case and I distinctly remember laughing and telling him it was a waste of time. Boy was I wrong! I had been up since 4 am that morning due to my PUPPPS rash and was just simply miserable. I was not sleeping, was so very swollen (yes see the evidence above. I already look like my old self, crazy just how swollen I was) and just beyond uncomfortable. Lets face it, my pregnancy was not an easy one...see post "Against All Odds" below. In fact, Morgan fit all old wives tales for having a girl. I craved sweets, the pregnancy was not so easy, and she sucked out all my beauty! Hence the swelling again. I did not realize just how puffy I was until I see myself now compared to then. So that morning just as usual, my blood pressure was checked and it had spiked this morning which was alarming to the Dr., as was my PUPPPS. So once he saw my rash and saw my blood pressure, he said "how do you feel about having a baby today?" Now, I was dilated maybe 1/2 cm and this baby had not dropped what so ever. So I knew that he must have had a reason to want to induce me that day even with my body not being ready. Chris and I froze in that moment and I looked at him with a scared "holy crap" look and he had the biggest grin on his face and was already so excited. I responded "really, because I can wait a few more days" and Chris responded "awesome, lets do it!". Now, anyone who talked to me days before this appointment is probably shocked to hear I did not want to do it because for days..okay weeks, I prayed Dr. M would say those magic words. But actually hearing them instantly sent me into a state of fear of the unknown. I instantly started thinking about how I was not mentally prepared, what if the baby was not healthy, what if the baby is not ready, we aren't ready! But ready or not it was happening. The next few hours were a blur as we dropped off Chris' car, he tried to get me to eat something and we checked into the hospital. Chris was extremely calm and just plain giddy. I on the other hand was a nervous mess! At this time I also sent my family into panic as my mom was in Georgia and my dad was in North Carolina. My dad had to drive back to GA from his business trip then got on the road and was there by Friday. My mom, quickly threw things together and hopped on the next flight and made it that night. THANK YOU mom for being there. I can not thank you enough. I needed her and she came so fast. Price of flight, distance, and effort to get here did not matter. I would have been devastated if she was not there, but she made it. And I cried when I saw her.

Once we were at the hospital they started me on pitocin..aka the devil..and also had to put a balloon catheter in to force my body to dilate. I am not going to lie...everything they did was painful. Luckily I had Chris by my side the entire 14 hours holding my hand, rubbing my arms and shoulders and saying encouraging and loving words. His support throughout this entire day and seeing him as a dad has made me fall even more in love with him. I could not have done this without him. He was my biggest support system and we truly were, and still are, a great team. But that day when I needed him most, he stepped up to the plate big time.

But back to the "process". If you know anything about pitocin, you know that it instantly brings on full contractions. Strong and close. So starting at noon I had strong contractions that were 2 to 3 minutes apart. They could not give me my epidural either until I reached 4cm because they needed me up and moving to try and get her head to drop. So 8 hours later, many painful cries and hand holding (Chris' hand I think still hurts) I finally reached 4 cm and they could take the balloon catheter out, break my water and give me drugs...ahhh relief! From 8 to midnight I sat at 4cm and was told we could be in labor for another 12 to 24 hours. I think it was this point I told them to turn off the pitocin and send me home, or do a c section. Please keep in mind at this point I had been up for 20 hours and so they tried to get me to sleep but it was hard.

From midnight to 2 am I progressed to 6cm and then from 2-3 I progressed to 10cm. It happened fast. And once I reached 10 cm all I wanted to do was push, but part of me told our nurse (who was nothing short of amazing, we loved her) that i was scared and did not want to. But when push came to shove, Chris and our nurse talked me through each contraction and each push. And not so sure what happened to my epidural, but I felt a lot. I felt every contraction and every push. I only pushed for about 30 minutes because at one point I had to stop pushing because my Dr. was not there! So as soon as he got there..which he was not even on call, so thank you to the most amazing Dr. for getting up in the middle of the night to come in...I pushed once and Morgan was here!

It was the best feeling. I cried hysterically. My Dr. even commented on how I was deliriously happy. Chris stated he had not seen me cry that hard. I don't know if they were tears of relief that the pain was done, tears of joy that she was here finally, and healthy, or tears of recognition of the tough journey of infertility and pregnancy were over and it was all so worth it. Maybe it was all of that combined. All I do know is I have never been so happy in my entire life. That split second was the best second of my life. Dr. M held her up and said, "well, what is it?" And Chris and I both got huge eyes and said.."It's a GIRL!" Which i then started crying even harder. I always wanted a little girl and assumed I never would have one. I could not believe a sweet little girl was ours. Never mind being able to dress in ridiculously cute clothes with ruffles on the butt, tutus, over sized bows and headbands, and an absurd amount of pink that she will hate me for one day; I would have a daughter to share in all those special mother daughter moments with. We would have a daughter to watch grow up into a loving wife and mother herself. I would have a daughter to watch melt her daddy's heart and become daddy's little girl...which she has already done in a mere 2 weeks. I would have a daughter to do all those special things my mom did with me and have that special mother daughter bond. Our princess had arrived. As I mentioned before, she already has Chris around her little finger and I have seen a whole new man in him. He already has a huge soft spot for her and he is just amazing with her. It is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Nothing will top that moment when Chris and I both looked at each other and said it was a girl. It was the best surprise and I am so happy we did not find out! Although I now refuse to dress her in any of the gender neutral clothes we had as they were much more "boyish". Lets just say her closet already triumphs mine..rightfully so!

But back to Morgan's arrival. She arrived at 3:47 am and it was not like the movies with lots of doctors and nurses rushing around and a screaming mother. It was a magical and peaceful moment with a doctor, nurse, husband, me and baby. It was quiet, calm and the only sounds that were heard were my tears and Morgan's tears. The second she came out they put her on my chest and I instantly fell in love. Within a second I felt a love deeper than I ever knew existed. I never knew I could love someone so much that I just met. She laid on my chest for about 45 minutes and she was so alert. I just kept kissing her and she just looked around at her new world. It was such a miracle. Our lives changed at 3:47am on May 13th, and they changed for the better. We are already better because of Morgan. Thank you sweet pea.

It was not until about 6:30 that morning that we were moved into our room and the emotional high only continued. I think within 44 hours I slept 4 total, but I was not tired. We were running on pure adrenaline. In fact, when they brought Morgan back into our room after she was checked we both were still in shock this tiny miracle was ours. The emotions that she has brought me these past 2 weeks aer so raw and so true. We are so in love, so happy and so blessed. Thank you Lord for blessing us with Morgan and thank you Morgan for teaching us how to love this deep.

I will post a link later for more pictures of Morgan..seeing how we have so many and it is hard to chose what to post!

Morgan Lily Brown is finally HERE!!

Morgan Lily Brown blessed our world exactly 1 week ago today. Here were her stats:

Morgan Lily Brown

Born Friday, May 13th at 3:47 a.m.

6 lb 0oz.

19 3/4 inches long

This week has been the most amazing week. It feels as if she has been a part of our lives forever and it feels like we just started living. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful, healthy little girl. She is a true miracle. I have experienced so many emotions in this last week that I find it hard to put them into words. Thank you Lord for this blessing. I plan on sharing the "story" of her birth and many more pictures and updates from our first week together soon! Til then, here is a peek at our little peanut!!

A Letter to Baby Brown

A friend recently asked me to write a letter to Baby B because she was going to make a special gift from it. First of all, thank you Hillary! What a sweet idea, I can not wait to see it! When she asked me to do this I did not realize how challenging of a task it would be for me. How do I put into words everything I have been feeling and my love I already have? And how do I put into words my dreams for this sweet little person? After typing, deleting, and retyping I think I was able to somewhat capture this experience, my love and my hopes. But I thought I would share it on here so when I print all these entries out and put them in a journal, it will be somewhere else.

Dear Sweet Baby B,

I am just a mere few weeks away from meeting you and I could not be more excited! I have dreamt of you for years and I have prayed for you before you even existed. You are my miracle and you are my destiny. I know I was placed on Earth to be your care-giver, your protector and your mom. Words can’t describe the excitement I feel right now or the love I have for you already! The anticipation of meeting you and holding is over whelming. The love that I have for you already is more love than I have ever experienced; and I know that love will only grow each and every day from here on out! From the second I learned you would be part of our family, I instantly knew of a love that I had not ever felt before. Thank you for showing me how to love in a way I did not know was possible. Thank you for already making me a better person. From your kicks to your hiccups, to every time I hear your heart beat or see your picture my love triples and grows to a new level I never knew it could! You fill my heart, my dreams and all my wishes.

It is so hard to believe this journey to you is almost at its grand finale. Although this is just the beginning, not the end. To know that you are entering the world soon and adding to our family and starting a brand new chapter in our lives is such a surreal feeling. I am in such shock of how fast these past 9 months have gone. In fact, your dad has mentioned numerous of times that soon you will be here and you will be all ours and part of our family of 4 (yes your sister Layla is a member!). You will be all ours to hold, to love, to kiss on and to support. Not our friends, not our parents, not any one's but ours...and we can not wait to rise up to the occasion of becoming a family, becoming your parents and loving you forever.

We often dream of you and dream of the life we want for you. We want nothing more than for you to be happy, loved, and to have every opportunity to reach for your dreams. We will dedicate ourselves to providing a life full of endless opportunities for you. The world is at your fingertips and we can not wait to see what you do with it! From providing for you, to supporting you and to giving you the tools necessary to spread your wings when you are an adult, we promise to always be by your side.

I cannot wait to meet you, although I already feel like I know you and have known you my entire life. You have my promise to always be your biggest supporter, number one fan, and to always commit each day of my life and each breath I take to you and to making your dreams come true. You are a true blessing to everyone that will ever have the pleasure of meeting you. I love you to the moon and back and a million times over!

Love,

Mom