My heart aches writing this post but Livie, when you read this one day I hope you know how our love for you has only grown through this entire experience; before I couldn't fathom being more grateful for you; but my heart grew utterly more thankful during this time and its truly one of the biggest reasons thats helped me get through.
We found out on Sunday, January 19th 2014 that we were pregnant! I was overjoyed - you were being held by your daddy as we crept into the bathroom to see the test results - the three of us. And there it was - a faint but distinct pink line that I had prayed over and over would be there. When we found out about you; I was in shock; we wanted you and hoped for you but we ...I ....thought it might never be so I didn't expect it. This time we still hoped & prayed but we anticipated a little bit more confidently than before but the feeling was the same - complete joy & thankfulness.
The sad part of this story is that just a mere 8 days later I would know that I lost our baby. At only 4 weeks 5 days along; I lost our baby. My heart was broken. It still is. One day I will be reunited w/ that sweet little being but for reasons that I can never know - God saw best to take her straight to heaven. I know it was way to early to determine gender but while I was pregnant I dreamt of holding a baby girl and I could see her face clear as day - and I feel in my heart that it was your sister. So I named her too. Grace Anne because it means God's blessing. Because even though it was only a short time; we were thrilled and so so so happy! We were going to be a family of 4 and our family would be complete. I can only be thankful to know the happiness and joy I felt those few days and even though I carry w/ me a sorrow that I'll never be able to articulate; I'm still grateful for what days I had w/ my second baby. It was too too brief and I could focus on the heart wrenching disappointment but I choose to be grateful and TRUST in a loving God; who cares for the broken hearted. Though I'll never know her here on earth; we will know her one day and I'll carry that w/ me forever. Through the pain and loss I will still praise God; we have you; we are so incredibly blessed! I can count so many blessings in my life and you are by the far the brightest and best; I thank God for you!
To Grace Anne: You were loved so much. Your time with me mattered. It's taught me ...and continues to teach me and will probably continue to do so for the rest of my time on earth.... to be more aware of others who hurt ...to love on them. To trust more; to cling to God's love and to know it's greater than anything we experience here and that this world is fleeting. I will mourn the days, months, years ahead that will slip quietly by w/o you. And even though I only held you in my dreams; I look forward to the day where I will hold you again. Until then I will be grateful for the time you were here. I will choose joy that you were given to me. You belonged to God first anyway...and so you are exactly where you are meant to be.
Love,
mommy
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Liv turns TWO!
Happy Happy Birthday Livie!
I can hardly believe you're two now. The days are just flying by now and I wish so badly I could make time stand still b/c I'm just no where near ready letting you grow up...but you are growing up and so fast. We had a sweet birthday party for you and it was so fun! Your friends: Fiona, Charlie, Hagen,Lily, Sadie, Cooper, Tatum, Cora, Chase, Tierney, Miley, Lily, and your cousins Ava, Gavin, baby Haven all came to help us celebrate YOU. It was ice cream & confetti themed and we could not have had a better day ... we adore you sweet, sweet, Livie.
I can hardly believe you're two now. The days are just flying by now and I wish so badly I could make time stand still b/c I'm just no where near ready letting you grow up...but you are growing up and so fast. We had a sweet birthday party for you and it was so fun! Your friends: Fiona, Charlie, Hagen,Lily, Sadie, Cooper, Tatum, Cora, Chase, Tierney, Miley, Lily, and your cousins Ava, Gavin, baby Haven all came to help us celebrate YOU. It was ice cream & confetti themed and we could not have had a better day ... we adore you sweet, sweet, Livie.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Little Moments that melt my heart....sweet little Liv!
Hi baby-cakes,
I'm sure you've gathered by now that you make my heart swell...you make me so proud. I love being your Mommy. It will always be my favorite "job". :)
So the last few days I've caught moments of you being super sweet and for a second I think maybe I'm on the right track w/ raising you...your sweet heart is so BIG! I hope you always carry that sweetness in you and don't be afraid to show it; like you do now.
Today we had gymnastics. You love children and are always quick to go up to another little and initiate a hug or a pat on the head. Sometimes you say hi and other times you have a special language you start trying to communicate w/ your new "friend". I see this every week at gymnastics. You give all the kids hugs. The owner has a 10 month old and you call her "baby" and you say "awwww" when you see her and attempt to give her hugs. You love all babies - you are so drawn to them. I love to see you be so tender and loving w/ other kids; I've never ever seen you be nasty or mean to anyone. I know you're only 22 months old but I certainly hope that you keep that sweet gentle spirit.
Yesterday I quietly watched you play in your room and you had your stuffed animals around you and your musical tea pot in your hand. You went around trying to give them each a drink out of the tea pot. Then you picked up your elephant and gave him hugs and starting talking to him. Next you picked up your bunnies and did the same thing - you were intently looking them each in the face and touching their eyes and really just taking them in like they were so special to you. I tip-toed away before you could see me so you would continue to play undisturbed but what a special moment I get to keep forever in my heart and soul. The wonder of child hood is amazing to watch and I hope you cherish your child hood all of your life.
Today; I was finishing up laundry as you were eating your lunch and walked back in the room where you were just in time to hear you say - Oh Minnie want a hug? Then you hugged your Minnie sippy cup to you and patted the back of it. So utterly adorable. I'm lucky to have caught such a sweet sweet moment ... even if it was just towards a cup :)
There are many moments just like these that I get to take in all the time and I wish I could capture them all for you. You are a my little sweet heart!
Love you,
mommy
I'm sure you've gathered by now that you make my heart swell...you make me so proud. I love being your Mommy. It will always be my favorite "job". :)
So the last few days I've caught moments of you being super sweet and for a second I think maybe I'm on the right track w/ raising you...your sweet heart is so BIG! I hope you always carry that sweetness in you and don't be afraid to show it; like you do now.
Today we had gymnastics. You love children and are always quick to go up to another little and initiate a hug or a pat on the head. Sometimes you say hi and other times you have a special language you start trying to communicate w/ your new "friend". I see this every week at gymnastics. You give all the kids hugs. The owner has a 10 month old and you call her "baby" and you say "awwww" when you see her and attempt to give her hugs. You love all babies - you are so drawn to them. I love to see you be so tender and loving w/ other kids; I've never ever seen you be nasty or mean to anyone. I know you're only 22 months old but I certainly hope that you keep that sweet gentle spirit.
Yesterday I quietly watched you play in your room and you had your stuffed animals around you and your musical tea pot in your hand. You went around trying to give them each a drink out of the tea pot. Then you picked up your elephant and gave him hugs and starting talking to him. Next you picked up your bunnies and did the same thing - you were intently looking them each in the face and touching their eyes and really just taking them in like they were so special to you. I tip-toed away before you could see me so you would continue to play undisturbed but what a special moment I get to keep forever in my heart and soul. The wonder of child hood is amazing to watch and I hope you cherish your child hood all of your life.
Today; I was finishing up laundry as you were eating your lunch and walked back in the room where you were just in time to hear you say - Oh Minnie want a hug? Then you hugged your Minnie sippy cup to you and patted the back of it. So utterly adorable. I'm lucky to have caught such a sweet sweet moment ... even if it was just towards a cup :)
There are many moments just like these that I get to take in all the time and I wish I could capture them all for you. You are a my little sweet heart!
Love you,
mommy
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Cotton Field Photos
We did our annual photo shoot for Christmas photos this year in a cotton field! You were adorable. At one point you started posing and it was so sweet & funny at the same time. I love your sweet little being! AND I LOVE THESE PHOTOS!!
Sweet & Silly...my Little Girl :)
Hi Livie,
Today was just like most days; we woke up about 8:30 and Daddy & I got you breakfast. Today you had cheesy eggs, strawberries, & mango papaya apple sauce. You love to feed yourself anything that requires a spoon. You say "moon" for spoon and are very proud of yourself. You end up wearing a quarter of it but at least most of it ends up in your mouth. You watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse during breakfast and you always wave hello to Mickey & friends in the beginning and then goodbye at the end. It makes me smile :).
Daddy as usual had to head off to work before you were done eating breakfast, but you usually take an hour (sometimes longer) to eat in the morning. So after breakfast it was just you & I. I dressed you, brushed your teeth (which you hate) and then it's time to play! While you play, I try to do some work on the computer and also I continuously am tidying up the house, of course taking lots of breaks to play with you too. You have a way of keeping me on my toes w/ picking up after you....today for example you have scattered all through out the living room, dining room, and kitchen some of your favorite toys...pooh, tigger, mermaid, cinderella, piglet, a stuffed elephant, a duck's beak whistle, your ballerina music box, stuffed monkey, and one of your favorite books "you are my sunshine" ( you say sunshine as you flip through the pages). Those are mixed in with your other favorite "toys" your drinking cups, mommy's tupperware containers, and today you just had to have this medium white box w/ lid that I want to use for my coupons. Right before lunch you came over to me holding a lace romper that I bought you months ago...you found it in your bottom drawer of your dresser...you apparently wanted to wear it so I put it on you over you clothes and that made you very happy. You continuously make me giggle during the day...I wish I could capture all the moments on here for you. One other moment today that was especially amusing...I was in the kitchen making your lunch when all of a sudden I heard you whimper and call for me. I looked around the corner in the hallway in front of your room & there you are ... you had put yourself in the medium size white box that you just had to have this morning and were saying "stuck" b/c you could not get yourself out. Oh Livie...I'm so glad I could snap a quick photo of you in that box! So many times when you do something funny I just am not quick enough w/ my phone to catch a photo. I quickly "rescued" you from that box and then it was time for lunch.
Today you had 3 chicken nuggets, 2 helpings of peas, and peaches. After lunch you had some more time to play and then it was time for a nap. Now you usually nap a good 2-3 hours for me each afternoon but today it was only an hour. I just had enough time to pick up all your toys, wipe down the counters and table, dust, throw in some laundry, and sweep the floors...then I heard you cry. I tried to soothe you back to sleep but sometimes you just need your mommy. So I rocked you for another 45 minutes wrapped up in a cozy warm blanket and I was thankful for the snuggle time. I know one day soon nap times will be over & you'll be away at school during the day...I think about this so much Liv...and I want you to know that I treasure these days of having you close. One day when you are older I hope you know and remember or atleast have knowledge through these blogs that I treasured my days w/ you. Even w/ a mile long to do list - I never manage to get through many of those items each day - it doesn't matter. You come first. I am soooooo thankful that I can savor these days with you. And I do. Always know that.
Now it's time for a cup of coffee for me + a snack of gold fishes & raisins for you. I've put in Rapunzel for you to watch for your afternoon movie and now I'm trying my best to catch up on some of your blog entries - it's only been on my to-do list for the last couple of months. :)
I LOVE YOU!
mommy
Today was just like most days; we woke up about 8:30 and Daddy & I got you breakfast. Today you had cheesy eggs, strawberries, & mango papaya apple sauce. You love to feed yourself anything that requires a spoon. You say "moon" for spoon and are very proud of yourself. You end up wearing a quarter of it but at least most of it ends up in your mouth. You watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse during breakfast and you always wave hello to Mickey & friends in the beginning and then goodbye at the end. It makes me smile :).
Daddy as usual had to head off to work before you were done eating breakfast, but you usually take an hour (sometimes longer) to eat in the morning. So after breakfast it was just you & I. I dressed you, brushed your teeth (which you hate) and then it's time to play! While you play, I try to do some work on the computer and also I continuously am tidying up the house, of course taking lots of breaks to play with you too. You have a way of keeping me on my toes w/ picking up after you....today for example you have scattered all through out the living room, dining room, and kitchen some of your favorite toys...pooh, tigger, mermaid, cinderella, piglet, a stuffed elephant, a duck's beak whistle, your ballerina music box, stuffed monkey, and one of your favorite books "you are my sunshine" ( you say sunshine as you flip through the pages). Those are mixed in with your other favorite "toys" your drinking cups, mommy's tupperware containers, and today you just had to have this medium white box w/ lid that I want to use for my coupons. Right before lunch you came over to me holding a lace romper that I bought you months ago...you found it in your bottom drawer of your dresser...you apparently wanted to wear it so I put it on you over you clothes and that made you very happy. You continuously make me giggle during the day...I wish I could capture all the moments on here for you. One other moment today that was especially amusing...I was in the kitchen making your lunch when all of a sudden I heard you whimper and call for me. I looked around the corner in the hallway in front of your room & there you are ... you had put yourself in the medium size white box that you just had to have this morning and were saying "stuck" b/c you could not get yourself out. Oh Livie...I'm so glad I could snap a quick photo of you in that box! So many times when you do something funny I just am not quick enough w/ my phone to catch a photo. I quickly "rescued" you from that box and then it was time for lunch.
Today you had 3 chicken nuggets, 2 helpings of peas, and peaches. After lunch you had some more time to play and then it was time for a nap. Now you usually nap a good 2-3 hours for me each afternoon but today it was only an hour. I just had enough time to pick up all your toys, wipe down the counters and table, dust, throw in some laundry, and sweep the floors...then I heard you cry. I tried to soothe you back to sleep but sometimes you just need your mommy. So I rocked you for another 45 minutes wrapped up in a cozy warm blanket and I was thankful for the snuggle time. I know one day soon nap times will be over & you'll be away at school during the day...I think about this so much Liv...and I want you to know that I treasure these days of having you close. One day when you are older I hope you know and remember or atleast have knowledge through these blogs that I treasured my days w/ you. Even w/ a mile long to do list - I never manage to get through many of those items each day - it doesn't matter. You come first. I am soooooo thankful that I can savor these days with you. And I do. Always know that.
Now it's time for a cup of coffee for me + a snack of gold fishes & raisins for you. I've put in Rapunzel for you to watch for your afternoon movie and now I'm trying my best to catch up on some of your blog entries - it's only been on my to-do list for the last couple of months. :)
I LOVE YOU!
mommy
Thursday, August 1, 2013
HAPPY HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY LIV!!!!
Today we celebrated your half BIRTHDAY! We started the day with a little tea party with Minnie & some of your favorite stuffed friends. It was so sweet - you would make sure they all had a drink of your "tea". You are precious!
So happy half birthday my darling little Liv! Before I know it you will be turning 2 - which is amazing - you have turned into a little girl right before my eyes. Soon it will be time for potty training & taking away your paci for good. It will be hard work but you are a very smart little cookie so I think (& hope) you will catch on quick.
I love you with all my heart! You make my heart sing every day. What a joy it is taking care of you - playing with you - watching you learn & grow. So thankful for these days with you.
I know we have many many many more half birthdays to celebrate in the future little Liv &
I have a feeling they will always consist of sprinkled cupcakes :)
xoxo
mommy
So happy half birthday my darling little Liv! Before I know it you will be turning 2 - which is amazing - you have turned into a little girl right before my eyes. Soon it will be time for potty training & taking away your paci for good. It will be hard work but you are a very smart little cookie so I think (& hope) you will catch on quick.
I love you with all my heart! You make my heart sing every day. What a joy it is taking care of you - playing with you - watching you learn & grow. So thankful for these days with you.
I know we have many many many more half birthdays to celebrate in the future little Liv &
xoxo
mommy
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Today...is W O N D E R F U L!
Hi Livie,
We didn't do anything super special today - just hung out at home - just us two! But there are so many moments through out the day that I just think to myself how lucky I am to spend my days w/ you. You are 17 months old now and you just love to be with me. You give me hugs and walk up to me and wrap your arms around my legs - you sit in my lap just wanting to be close to your Mama. I love these days w/ you! You bring me books to read to you - your favorite is "You are My Sunshine". You move your little finger along the words like I do when I read to you and it makes me smile. You are so sweet Liv, I wish I could just keep you this sweet and innocent. Your favorite movie is Lady & the Tramp! When you see a dog - on tv or on our walks, etc - you point and say "dawg" w/ a southern drawl. You squeal when you see them - you just love animals. When I say cow - you moo & when I say Kitty Cat you meow - you have those two sounds down for now. One of your sayings right now is "oh no"...usually when you don't want to do something. You are walking like a champ now - you keep me moving just to keep up w/ you! You're very curious and like to touch and feel things that you see. You are definitely a "doer" not an observer!
This past weekend we went to Mimi's & Pappy's in Md for the July 4th holiday. While on our drive there we were in a bit of an accident - luckily our car was the only vehicle involved. I held on to you & your car seat the whole time we were wrecking and I never was more thankful that not a hair on your head was hurt. Thank God!!! It made me realize how very quickly things can happen & how irreplaceable you & your daddy are...nothing else matters. So I cherish my days, my minutes, my seconds with you. You are the most precious gift and I am thankful every second - never forget how special you are!
love you,
mommy
We didn't do anything super special today - just hung out at home - just us two! But there are so many moments through out the day that I just think to myself how lucky I am to spend my days w/ you. You are 17 months old now and you just love to be with me. You give me hugs and walk up to me and wrap your arms around my legs - you sit in my lap just wanting to be close to your Mama. I love these days w/ you! You bring me books to read to you - your favorite is "You are My Sunshine". You move your little finger along the words like I do when I read to you and it makes me smile. You are so sweet Liv, I wish I could just keep you this sweet and innocent. Your favorite movie is Lady & the Tramp! When you see a dog - on tv or on our walks, etc - you point and say "dawg" w/ a southern drawl. You squeal when you see them - you just love animals. When I say cow - you moo & when I say Kitty Cat you meow - you have those two sounds down for now. One of your sayings right now is "oh no"...usually when you don't want to do something. You are walking like a champ now - you keep me moving just to keep up w/ you! You're very curious and like to touch and feel things that you see. You are definitely a "doer" not an observer!
This past weekend we went to Mimi's & Pappy's in Md for the July 4th holiday. While on our drive there we were in a bit of an accident - luckily our car was the only vehicle involved. I held on to you & your car seat the whole time we were wrecking and I never was more thankful that not a hair on your head was hurt. Thank God!!! It made me realize how very quickly things can happen & how irreplaceable you & your daddy are...nothing else matters. So I cherish my days, my minutes, my seconds with you. You are the most precious gift and I am thankful every second - never forget how special you are!
love you,
mommy
Friday, February 1, 2013
To My One Year Old Livie
Dearest Liv,
The past year my heart has grown immeasurably, no one but a Mother could possibly understand how lucky I have been....blessed beyond measure. From the moment they brought you to me in the hospital room and I could hold you & kiss you - you were a priceless gift being handed over to a new "me". I walked into a new chapter of my life as soon as you entered this world. How could I ever had prepared my heart for the way you would capture it w/ your tiny sweet little being? The days after you were born are some of the sweetest one of my life - when it was just me and you - and all my agenda consisted of was taking care of you. I cradled you, nursed you, sang to you, whispered how special you are, dressed you - - simply put I loved you 24 hours around the clock. It will always mark the happiest days of my life - easily! Thank you for being such a content baby, letting me love you and enjoy being with you. I have been spoiled as a new Mom - thanks to your Dad too who gets up every morning w/ you (to this day) and spends the first hour (or two) w/ you - so that mommy can have some uninterrupted rest or time to take a quick shower and ease into my day!
I can remember holding you in the middle of the night, at only a few weeks old, and I wanted to snap shot the feelings in my heart, to capture the sweetness of your face because I knew how fleeting the moments and the days were going to be. If there is a way to revisit moments in life of pure happiness - those were moments I would be happy to relive over and over again. My heart has never stopped saying "THANK YOU GOD" every day since you were born. Those, are not just words Livie, they are heartfelt truths. I have been given an enormous gift just being your mom.
So onto today... the last 12 months have gone by, 52 weeks, and 365 days of loving you and getting to know you. You light up our world with your smile! You wave to everyone - including random shoppers in Target! You are pulling yourself up and I know you will soon be walking! You say da-da, uh-oh, mama (mostly when you are upset ;)). You have 4 teeth! Two on the top and two on the bottom. Your top two teeth have a little gap in it and I have to admit - it's darling! Your favorite toys are your princess bath dolls that you play with in and out of the bath - Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Aurora, & Rapunzel - you love them all! Speaking of bath, you love bath time! Your favorite food is definitely bread, but you also love grilled chicken, pineapple, peaches, and blueberry waffles! Recently, you have taken your dolls and held them in a cradle position and say awwww....it's the cutest! You cross your arms over your chest when you see dada or me come in the room, or come home if we have been gone, and you hug yourself as if to give us hugs! You know it's showing affection to us! It's the sweetest thing I've ever seen! Your sweet nature is just infectious and we are so proud of the little girl you are becoming!
We thank Heaven, our lucky stars, God up above for giving us our wish come true....YOU! Tomorrow is your 1st Birthday party - appropriately themed - When you Wish Upon a little Star!
We love you Livie - to the moon & all the twinkling stars & back again a million times over!
xo mommy & dada
The past year my heart has grown immeasurably, no one but a Mother could possibly understand how lucky I have been....blessed beyond measure. From the moment they brought you to me in the hospital room and I could hold you & kiss you - you were a priceless gift being handed over to a new "me". I walked into a new chapter of my life as soon as you entered this world. How could I ever had prepared my heart for the way you would capture it w/ your tiny sweet little being? The days after you were born are some of the sweetest one of my life - when it was just me and you - and all my agenda consisted of was taking care of you. I cradled you, nursed you, sang to you, whispered how special you are, dressed you - - simply put I loved you 24 hours around the clock. It will always mark the happiest days of my life - easily! Thank you for being such a content baby, letting me love you and enjoy being with you. I have been spoiled as a new Mom - thanks to your Dad too who gets up every morning w/ you (to this day) and spends the first hour (or two) w/ you - so that mommy can have some uninterrupted rest or time to take a quick shower and ease into my day!
I can remember holding you in the middle of the night, at only a few weeks old, and I wanted to snap shot the feelings in my heart, to capture the sweetness of your face because I knew how fleeting the moments and the days were going to be. If there is a way to revisit moments in life of pure happiness - those were moments I would be happy to relive over and over again. My heart has never stopped saying "THANK YOU GOD" every day since you were born. Those, are not just words Livie, they are heartfelt truths. I have been given an enormous gift just being your mom.
So onto today... the last 12 months have gone by, 52 weeks, and 365 days of loving you and getting to know you. You light up our world with your smile! You wave to everyone - including random shoppers in Target! You are pulling yourself up and I know you will soon be walking! You say da-da, uh-oh, mama (mostly when you are upset ;)). You have 4 teeth! Two on the top and two on the bottom. Your top two teeth have a little gap in it and I have to admit - it's darling! Your favorite toys are your princess bath dolls that you play with in and out of the bath - Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Aurora, & Rapunzel - you love them all! Speaking of bath, you love bath time! Your favorite food is definitely bread, but you also love grilled chicken, pineapple, peaches, and blueberry waffles! Recently, you have taken your dolls and held them in a cradle position and say awwww....it's the cutest! You cross your arms over your chest when you see dada or me come in the room, or come home if we have been gone, and you hug yourself as if to give us hugs! You know it's showing affection to us! It's the sweetest thing I've ever seen! Your sweet nature is just infectious and we are so proud of the little girl you are becoming!
We thank Heaven, our lucky stars, God up above for giving us our wish come true....YOU! Tomorrow is your 1st Birthday party - appropriately themed - When you Wish Upon a little Star!
We love you Livie - to the moon & all the twinkling stars & back again a million times over!
xo mommy & dada
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Another Christmas .... Another Christmas WISH!
Dear Livie,
Today Daddy and I made the decision to add a special coverage to our medical insurance for the coming year. We are looking at having a brother or sister for you sometime in the year 2014! I can't imagine loving another child as much as I do you but they say a mother's heart doubles in size when each child is born. So today we start preparing (in a small way) but a tiny step in opening our hearts for a second child. We pray that God will bless us again greatly w/ another baby so that you will have a sibling to grow up with.
Two of the greatest and strongest relationships I have are w/ your Aunt Tosha and Uncle Scott. They are my siblings and I love them dearly! I have some of the best memories with them - growing up together - and it is so fun to see them with their own little families today. I desperately want you to have that kind of relationship too.
So another Christmas comes around and my heart thinks...maybe by next Christmas our family will soon be complete. We leave that in God's hands.
Just know...how very special you are and always will be to me. My heart will always belong to my children, that is a promise I will always keep to you. You are cherished. So very much.
xo mommy
Today Daddy and I made the decision to add a special coverage to our medical insurance for the coming year. We are looking at having a brother or sister for you sometime in the year 2014! I can't imagine loving another child as much as I do you but they say a mother's heart doubles in size when each child is born. So today we start preparing (in a small way) but a tiny step in opening our hearts for a second child. We pray that God will bless us again greatly w/ another baby so that you will have a sibling to grow up with.
Two of the greatest and strongest relationships I have are w/ your Aunt Tosha and Uncle Scott. They are my siblings and I love them dearly! I have some of the best memories with them - growing up together - and it is so fun to see them with their own little families today. I desperately want you to have that kind of relationship too.
So another Christmas comes around and my heart thinks...maybe by next Christmas our family will soon be complete. We leave that in God's hands.
Just know...how very special you are and always will be to me. My heart will always belong to my children, that is a promise I will always keep to you. You are cherished. So very much.
xo mommy
Saturday, December 1, 2012
10 months (two hands) old now!
Dear Livie,
You are growing up too quickly! You have a head full of curly-wavy hair, two bottom teeth, chubby cheeks, and the prettiest brown eyes I have EVER seen! You have the BEST laugh ever and I always love to see your smile. You're pretty much a mellow and all around happy baby. We are so blessed!
Today you turned ten months old! We spent the day in Asheville, NC where they were having their annual Dickens Festival for the Christmas holiday. We enjoyed some shopping and lunch and just having a fun family day!
I can honestly say the last ten months have been the most rewarding and fulfilling ten months of my life. I never knew being a parent, a mother, would make me feel so satisfied. We're just enjoying every day with you....you bring us so much JOY!
xoxo
mommy
You are growing up too quickly! You have a head full of curly-wavy hair, two bottom teeth, chubby cheeks, and the prettiest brown eyes I have EVER seen! You have the BEST laugh ever and I always love to see your smile. You're pretty much a mellow and all around happy baby. We are so blessed!
Today you turned ten months old! We spent the day in Asheville, NC where they were having their annual Dickens Festival for the Christmas holiday. We enjoyed some shopping and lunch and just having a fun family day!
I can honestly say the last ten months have been the most rewarding and fulfilling ten months of my life. I never knew being a parent, a mother, would make me feel so satisfied. We're just enjoying every day with you....you bring us so much JOY!
xoxo
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Hilton Head Island - September 1st - 8th
Your very first beach trip! We are here in HHI w/ Mimi & Pappy all week!! Daddy is here until Tuesday and then will return to home to work a few days but he will be back on Friday - - on mommy's BIRTHDAY!!
You are getting a lot of attention from your grandparents...you're the only one of their grandchildren that was able to make it this year. You have been eating up all of the extra attention!! The last couple of weeks you have started doing a fake cough and then you laugh...it's soooo funny. I googled it and apparently it is common for babies around 6 months of age to do this as a way of conversing and/or get attention. Silly girl! You get so much attention as it is...but I can totally see you developing a mischievious personality already. You are having fun w/ Pappy & Mimi w/ the fake coughing...it's fun to watch you.
We took you to see the Ocean today....what a sweet moment. I definitely reflected back on the previous summer when we were in Wilmington,NC....my eyes were drawn to so many babies that day...I imagined what it would be like to have my own baby w/ us on a beach trip...(not knowing that I was already preggers!). Today that dream came true.
You are our dream come true. We will always treasure this time w/ you. Our first of hopefully many many many more family trips together.
xoxo mommy
You are getting a lot of attention from your grandparents...you're the only one of their grandchildren that was able to make it this year. You have been eating up all of the extra attention!! The last couple of weeks you have started doing a fake cough and then you laugh...it's soooo funny. I googled it and apparently it is common for babies around 6 months of age to do this as a way of conversing and/or get attention. Silly girl! You get so much attention as it is...but I can totally see you developing a mischievious personality already. You are having fun w/ Pappy & Mimi w/ the fake coughing...it's fun to watch you.
We took you to see the Ocean today....what a sweet moment. I definitely reflected back on the previous summer when we were in Wilmington,NC....my eyes were drawn to so many babies that day...I imagined what it would be like to have my own baby w/ us on a beach trip...(not knowing that I was already preggers!). Today that dream came true.
You are our dream come true. We will always treasure this time w/ you. Our first of hopefully many many many more family trips together.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Happy SEVEN months old Livie!
WOW seven months old now...time has a way of going by too quickly. You are at such a fun age right now...and as much as I have adored getting to know you as a newborn....having you grow into a little infant has so many joys as well!
you are now eating 3 solid meals a day. Your favorite is the macaroni & cheese mixed w/ veggies and you also love anything w/ banana.
we have a good routine down w/ you where you sleep for an hour or two in the morning and then another couple hours usually in the afternoon. daddy & I bought you a froggy jumperoo and you love it! Your legs are getting stronger and I know soon you will start to pull yourself up.....but first you are trying very hard to master sitting up all my yourself. it won't be long now!
you are definitely teething now! you are trying to chomp on anything you can get your tiny hands on!! which by the way...you grab for everything. you are my little curious george...i love to watch your facial expressions. when something catches your eye...and you try to decipher who, what, where, how, and when. everything is brand new to you and you're just taking it all in.
you also love to laugh! and it is by far the cutest sound I have ever heard...your little laugh is just so sweet. and you have given us some really good giant belly laughs...and it just warms my soul.
happy happy birthday Liv....seven months of loving you!!! we couldn't be happier :)
mommy
you are now eating 3 solid meals a day. Your favorite is the macaroni & cheese mixed w/ veggies and you also love anything w/ banana.
we have a good routine down w/ you where you sleep for an hour or two in the morning and then another couple hours usually in the afternoon. daddy & I bought you a froggy jumperoo and you love it! Your legs are getting stronger and I know soon you will start to pull yourself up.....but first you are trying very hard to master sitting up all my yourself. it won't be long now!
you are definitely teething now! you are trying to chomp on anything you can get your tiny hands on!! which by the way...you grab for everything. you are my little curious george...i love to watch your facial expressions. when something catches your eye...and you try to decipher who, what, where, how, and when. everything is brand new to you and you're just taking it all in.
you also love to laugh! and it is by far the cutest sound I have ever heard...your little laugh is just so sweet. and you have given us some really good giant belly laughs...and it just warms my soul.
mommy
Friday, June 1, 2012
Morning Time with Livie :)
Baby girl,
We are so thankful for the 8 to 12 hours of sleep you give us every night! You are such a good baby. You hardly ever fuss or cry...you have this cute little whimper you do when you are getting impatient or upset about something. At night we keep you close to us, you are sleeping in your rock and play by our bed all night now. Sometimes you will get a little restless in the middle of the night and I see you turning your head back and forth and I know you are looking for your paci. So I put it back in your mouth and rub the top of your head and you go back to sleep...sometimes I do this 3 or 4 times through out the night :) I do not mind though...I love taking care of you. Usually about 6:30/7am you are awake and I pull into bed with me....sometimes you will sleep a little more with mommy and sometimes you are ready for your bottle. When you go back to sleep next to me it is the cutest thing ever....b/c you put your tiny face up close to mine and put your little tiny hand on my chest...you want to know I am close and you like to snuggle. It's one of my favorite times of the day with you. When you are ready for your bottle - daddy goes and makes it and then comes up stairs to get you. You and daddy have a good routine down in the morning and I know he loves his morning times with you. When you first see him in the morning you always give him the biggest smiles! He changes you, feeds you, and then you and daddy watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together...which you love. When I come down for the morning you are always looking so happy watching your show and hanging out with daddy.
You are 4 months old today! Four months of holding you and loving you.
Lucky Lucky us!
xo mommy & daddy
We are so thankful for the 8 to 12 hours of sleep you give us every night! You are such a good baby. You hardly ever fuss or cry...you have this cute little whimper you do when you are getting impatient or upset about something. At night we keep you close to us, you are sleeping in your rock and play by our bed all night now. Sometimes you will get a little restless in the middle of the night and I see you turning your head back and forth and I know you are looking for your paci. So I put it back in your mouth and rub the top of your head and you go back to sleep...sometimes I do this 3 or 4 times through out the night :) I do not mind though...I love taking care of you. Usually about 6:30/7am you are awake and I pull into bed with me....sometimes you will sleep a little more with mommy and sometimes you are ready for your bottle. When you go back to sleep next to me it is the cutest thing ever....b/c you put your tiny face up close to mine and put your little tiny hand on my chest...you want to know I am close and you like to snuggle. It's one of my favorite times of the day with you. When you are ready for your bottle - daddy goes and makes it and then comes up stairs to get you. You and daddy have a good routine down in the morning and I know he loves his morning times with you. When you first see him in the morning you always give him the biggest smiles! He changes you, feeds you, and then you and daddy watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together...which you love. When I come down for the morning you are always looking so happy watching your show and hanging out with daddy.
You are 4 months old today! Four months of holding you and loving you.
Lucky Lucky us!
xo mommy & daddy
Monday, May 14, 2012
My First Mother's Day
Sweet Liv,
We had a wonderful day with you celebrating my greatest gift - being your mommy! You are growing & growing every day. You're now up to 7oz every bottle and you eat every 3 to 4 hours. :)
We had a lovely afternoon with you up at the lake by where we live and I couldn't have asked for a better day with you. Plus daddy spoiled me with my favorite flowers - pink roses and green & white hydrangeas.
I thank God every day for you!
"He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
xo mommy
We had a wonderful day with you celebrating my greatest gift - being your mommy! You are growing & growing every day. You're now up to 7oz every bottle and you eat every 3 to 4 hours. :)
We had a lovely afternoon with you up at the lake by where we live and I couldn't have asked for a better day with you. Plus daddy spoiled me with my favorite flowers - pink roses and green & white hydrangeas.
I thank God every day for you!
"He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
xo mommy
Friday, April 13, 2012
I'm a little tea pot...
short and stout...here is my handle ...here is my spout.
when I get all steamed up...hear me shout!
tip me over and pour me out :)
Your favorite song to fall asleep too. It works like a charm every time...you close your eyes almost instantaneously as soon as I start to sing it...it's absolutely precious.
I love to watch you pout your lips when you sleep. Sometimes you open your mouth when you sleep and your pacifier slowly slides out of your opened mouth....you are in what I call a milk coma. Its so adorable.
Oh Livie...I could just watch you all day long!
xoxo
when I get all steamed up...hear me shout!
tip me over and pour me out :)
Your favorite song to fall asleep too. It works like a charm every time...you close your eyes almost instantaneously as soon as I start to sing it...it's absolutely precious.
I love to watch you pout your lips when you sleep. Sometimes you open your mouth when you sleep and your pacifier slowly slides out of your opened mouth....you are in what I call a milk coma. Its so adorable.
Oh Livie...I could just watch you all day long!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
God gave me you...my sweetest blessing!
dear livie,
there are so many wonderful things about you! i can not even begin to express how much i have enjoyed spending everyday with you the last 7 weeks and 3 days. they are definitely the best days i have spent on this earth so far.
you have the prettiest brown eyes...i love when you open them and just look up at me. in the middle of the night or early morning when it's still dark out and you are nursing or drinking your bottle...I can still make out your sweet little face & see you stare up at me and it just melts my heart. you make me smile because as you are nursing you raise your tiny legs & feet in the air and curl your toes. you drink so intently and put your whole little body into it. it's the cutest. your eyelashes are growing in and i do believe your are on your way to having your daddy's long thick eyelashes...lucky lucky you!
one of the other things you do that just tickles my heart is when you start drifting off to sleep...what I like to call a milk coma...you smile giant huge gummy smiles and then start chuckling. it's like you are dreaming of something so sweet and funny....makes me wonder who is visiting you in your dreams. it's just so precious to see and i can not wait until you smile and laugh while you are awake and at me and your daddy. we are looking forward to seeing you grow more and more into your own delightful personality. (even as i type this you just chuckled in your sleep sweet girl)
we took you to your pediatrician for a weight check the other day. you are in the 15th percentile for your weight which is 8.95 lbs right now and in the 74th percentile for your height. you are petite and long! we just increased your feedings from 3 oz's to 4 oz's b/c lately when you would finish a bottle you would cry like you were upset it was gone...you have been going to town drinking up the extra oz each feeding. i think we are going to start seeing you pack on some chub soon if you keep going at this rate. you enjoy eating like your mama ;)
every day has been exciting...even though we stay home most days i am just so enjoying taking care of you. i know these moments of me rocking you, feeding you, dressing you, bathing you, these days will fly by...and even though i am looking forward to watching you grow into a toddler I just don't want it to go by too fast. most days it's just me and you and my day is centered around taking care of you. i am relishing in all the ways i get to be your mommy. sweet days for me little livie. i will always look back on this time as one of my most cherished memories.
the weather has started to get a lot warmer. we have been out strolling our little neighborhood pretty much every day this week. you fall asleep almost as soon as we get started but one day in the not so distant future i know you will be so curious to look out and see where we are going. :) we have lots of fun times ahead.
yesterday you had your first audition. lol. daddy was asked to have the 3 of us audition for a PSA for a pertuccis vaccine. they are looking for a family with a small baby just to be in the back ground of a commercial for this PSA. we will see if you get the part. ;) it was fun for us to do with you though. after your audition we took you to visit daddy's work and also my work place...you had a lot of admirers commenting on how pretty you are. you were so good and just snuggled up to everyone who held you. i was so proud of you livie and i know i always will be. daddy too.
we love you more than words can say xoxo
Monday, February 20, 2012
Little Livie
Sweet Livie,
You are only 2 weeks & 5 days old and you are my PRIDE & JOY! You've captured my heart in ways that are indescribable and difficult to find the words that would give justice to everything that you mean to me. I feel as if everyday is exciting and new - I've begun a whole new world with you - and I don't want to miss a second. I look at your tiny light as feather hands, your beautiful trusting and innocent face, your soft puckering lips and I want to capture the image forever in my heart.
I know that one day I will look back on these days and wish with all my heart that you were this tiny again, brand new, and that we would again just be starting on this amazing journey together. I know that there will be moments as we raise you that I will just want to turn back time and have these precious moments w/ you all over again. I know that I will want you to grow and thrive w/ each passing year and I can not wait to see the individual that you will become but I am not going to let a second of your life go by w/o cherishing each and every stage.
Being your Mom is my greatest accomplishment thus far. I think of the 9 months of growing you, the surgery required to deliver you, and I can't believe that I was able to experience all of it and you are my reward. It's just a surreal experience and I feel so very blessed.
These are sweet days for us, little Livie. daddy and I are overjoyed that you are here w/ us. We pray everyday for you and for us that we will make few mistakes when it comes to raising you and caring for you. We are learning so much. You teach us every day! It is our joy to have you with us :)
We love you beyond measure.
xo mommy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
YOUR Birth-DAY! February 1st, 2012
You're here! This morning daddy and I awoke at 4:30am (even though I could hardly sleep a wink) and got dressed and headed to the hospital. We arrived at 6:15am and were taken into the prep room for our scheduled c-section. I was very nervous but oddly calm. I was ready to just go through whatever was needed to have you safely arrive and finally in my arms. The first thing they had me do was change into their hospital gown and then hook me up to the monitors to check your heart rate and movements. They then explained to me what to expect as we moved into the operating room, which we did promptly at 8am. I received an epidural in my spine and then was laid down for the procedure on the operating table. You were born at exactly 8:31am...what a precious moment! I couldn't speak I was so overcome w/ emotion! You were crying as soon as they pulled you out and it was sweet music to my ears. Daddy was so excited that he stood and took a picture, which he was not allowed to do! He didn't know though and they were nice about it, so we therefore have one picture of you coming out of my belly - priceless!
You weighed 8lbs and 1 oz and were 20 inches long. Perfectly healthy, even three weeks early. We are so incredibly blessed.
February 1st, 2012 will forever be a day of celebration for us :)
We love you Liv Harper Elisabeth Gonzales....always and forever! Welcome to the world sweet baby girl!!
xo mommy & daddy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
