Dear little one,

Where 's the baby?

There she is!
You insist on sleeping covered like this. You refuse to sleep any other way. It makes me laugh.

Dear Little One,

This last month has been a blur... It has gone by so fast. Too fast!! I have drank up every moment of this time with you as a newborn. With your older brother I was constantly wanting to see the next stage. With you I have just wanted you to stay put. I don't want you to grow up. I want you to stay my baby forever.

Here are a few things about you at one month:


  You loves binkies... Like you have to have them!!! Its crazy
You aren't the greatest nurser. Definitely better than your brother and you are getting the hang of it.
You started smiling intentionally at 2 weeks
  You laughed at 4 weeks old
You wake up only once MAYBE twice a  night
You hate sleeping by herself. Naps must be on mommy's chest for the first half hour or so until you are asleep enough that I can put you down
you are super tiny and petite
When you try and burp her you stand up
You are super strong and the most alert baby I have ever seen.
 You only have  hair in the back and sides of your head, and when you just wake up it stands straight up... therefore your nickname at our house is Baby Einstein.
you are the easiest baby on the planet.

Oh my sweet baby girl, I love you so much it hurts. i drink in every moment i have with you. i love the coos, the smiles and the snuggles. you are so precious.  we love you with all of our hearts.

love,
your mama

Dear Little One.

You Made it!!!!!

Grace Emma Garner
Born July 25, 2012
At 12:57 am
7 pounds 14 ounces
20 inches long

Its amazing how in love I am with you! I stare at you all day!
Sorry for a short post baby girl, but its been almost one week since you were born and you have made me one tired mama. I couldn't be happier though. We love you so much.

I will post your birth story soon.

Love always,
Your mama

Dear Little One.

Words can't even begin to express how ready I am for you to join our family. This week has been so rough. I have cried. I am so ready to not be pregnant, and so ready to hold our sweet, precious baby girl. Please come soon.

love,
your mama

Dear Little One

I decided that since I had a free moment that I would do my 38 week update about me pregnancy.

Oh baby girl have you put me through a roller coaster this week. You are trying so badly to get here, but not bad enough to put me into actual labor. The end result is one tired, hurting and cranky mama. Your poor daddy and brother.  Daddy says you are just training me and getting me ready for newborn mode. I appreciate this. I do. It is the constant pain that I seem to be in all the time.

I am starting to yearn not to be pregnant anymore. Something that I vowed to never be like. I should be so grateful for such a wonderful opportunity. I am, but I am also done.  I am so glad to know that you are now full term. No more of me wigging out about going to into labor early, and having major complications. Now I just have to worry about making sure you keep on squirming and moving around.

The official due date is about 8 days away. That is not including today. I am so anxious to see what and who you look like. Meet your sweet personality and just snuggle my precious newborn. Your daddy is constantly telling me how excited he is for a new baby in the house. One thing that I dearly love about that man is that he loves told hold snuggle and kiss his babies just as much as I do. We used to fight to old little Hayden. Sometimes we still do. We can't help it. We love our sweet children.

Everything is completely ready for your arrival. I packed the hospital bag earlier this week. I did this actually because I thought I was in labor. I wasn't.  It is nice to know though that for the most part we can just get out the door to the hospital and leave when we need too.

In some ways I am grateful you haven't arrived. Our house has been full of sickies. Your daddy got sick with a nasty cold. Hayden got a terrible stomach bug, and is now just getting your daddy's nasty cold. We want a healthy house for your arrival. I am also as much as I hate to admit it scared by your arrival. My world is going to be flipped upside down.  I am scared to be a mama a two children. I am scared to have to juggle and make sure to spend equal amounts of time with my babies. I am scared of Hayden getting jealous, and feeling like he isn't loved any more. There are so many things that I fear with your arrival.

I share my fears in hope that maybe one day you will take comfort when you have your own babies that it isn't just you who has fears of taking care of an innocent life. It is nerve wracking! The thought of having to teach you your ABC's, how to be a good person when I feel myself feel that I have much to do before I become a good person. It is all a little overwhelming.

My wants definitely overcome my fears though. I am so blessed to have a sweet little boy, and a precious little girl entering my life. How picturesque and perfect is that?  I am so excited to see and hold your sweet hands. Watch your little brother hold and kiss your perfect little body. Watch you grow and teach you how to sit, stand, crawl and walk. Above all I am just excited to have my two precious babes finally together.

Here is to 8 more days of being  a mama of one child. I need to spend as much time relaxing and playing with Hayden as possible! It could even be less. We are so excited to meet you sweet girl. Your brother asks multiple times a day if you are sleeping or moving. He is constantly telling you to wake up. He kisses my tummy all the time. You are already so loved and cherished. I can't imagine the smothering you are going to receive once you are here.

Be patient with us when you get here. It has been a while since we have had a newborn in the house. We are definitely trying. We love you sweet girl. Until we meet.... PLEASE let it be this week!

Love,
 your mama

Dear Little one.

 36 Weeks.. Taken on a trip to St. George

 Your's and Hayden's new bedroom! Its huge!

 This is your bed. Gray white and Pink! I am in love with it!

I didn't even realize I hadn't posted in so long! Failure of a mom! It has been an intense month though. I can finally say that the move went well, and we are all settled in. I just barely finished. Well really I need to finish decorating dad's and my room, but the rest of the house is finished!

We love our new house! It is fabulous. I am glad you will get to spend your first year here. I wish it could be longer, but alas daddy is in school and we must move on.

I am so pleased to report that your bedding is done apart from your quilt.  All your bottles, clothes, blankets and such are washed! Your bassinet and the rocking chair is set up in our room. We are good to go! I need to buy a couple of things for nursing and hopefully some gauzy receiving blankets that will help keep you cool for the summer.

This last week has been pretty difficult. I can definitely tell you are trying to come. I have felt great until this point, and now I am really ready for your arrival. Come swiftly baby girl! I don't know if I can make it till the 24th! Its hot outside!

I went to the doctor. I am 60-70% effaced. 1.5 cm dilated and you are at a -1 station. That last one is a really good sign! He also said that if you weren't here by my next appointment that we can induce me. I am not sure how I feel about that. I want a natural delivery and induction makes that really really difficult.  Right now we are trying more natural methods such as walking and essential oils. I am crossing my fingers that these work. I am so excited to snuggle and love on you! I know I am going to receive quite the reality check once you come, but I am so ready to see my sweet baby girl.

Your daddy keeps mentioning your arrival as well. He is getting so excited and anxious to hold you. Hayden won't leave my belly alone! We want you to come already!

Love you so much baby girl!
We will see you soon. I am crossing my fingers that it is within the next week.

Love, Your mama

Dear Little One

Wow baby girl. This last week has been very difficult and stressful! I mentioned that we decided to move. That happens tomorrow. YIKES!

You also decided to get much bigger, and drop. Some days it feels like you are going to fall out of me. I have been feeling pretty nauseated as well.

Some of my maternity clothes are getting to small, and it is all I can do to breathe when I lay down.

The biggest thing this week is moving. Getting everything packed, moved to the new house, and unpacked. Then I gotta finish getting ready for you!

That is basically all that is going on this week.

We love you baby girl.
Keep growing! See you soon!

Love, Your mama

Dear Little One

Eek! I lost track of the time. My apologies that you are missing weeks 31 and32. Time again got ahead of me. It has been a very busy time in our lives to say the least. I did however remember to take a 32 week photo. I didn't however put up my little facts. See how this picture wasn't taken by the usual white wall? This is why I say we were a bit busy. Your Daddy and I have been in San Fransisco. So what a better way to capture that weeks coming and goings with pregnancy by showing you that your mama was on a baby free (apart from you in utero of course) with your sweet daddy.

The last few weeks have just flown! I think I can actually say that for the most part my sugar cravings are gone. I still have them on occasion but for the most part they are gone. YIPEE! I craved nothing but healthy food while in San Fran, and I still continue to crave good foods. Thank you baby girl!

Summer has begun, and with that comes swelling. Oh lots and lots of swelling. It is terrible, but if that is all I have to endure I won't complain.  We have been spending lots of time outside playing. Swimming is the best way for me to cool off, but with it comes the feeling of a beached whale. Oh well Hayden loves it, and I love staying cool. We are going to keep it up. I even signed us up for a mommy and me swim class. It should be grand.

Daddy is busy busy at the bike shop. He works 40 hours a week. We soak up every minute we have when he is home.

Your movements are becoming more scarce in the sense that you are getting to big to really move, but there are some times when you really feel the need to stretch out. It hurts your mama! I still love feeling you though. It will be greatly missed when you come, but I guess the snuggles will be better.

I must also say that we might be mia the next few weeks as well. We have decided to move. We are doing it really soon so that we don't have to stress about getting the house packed and preparing for your arrival. We move officially the 13th of june. Which should give me just over a month to get the house unpacked and settle for your arrival. Please don't come more that a week early. I am okay with 39 weeks. Please don't come late though either!

I also basically finished your crib bedding! YAY ME! I still have the quilt to do, but that just might have to wait until after we move.  I opted since we are moving to just buy your fitted sheets and curtains. I can always alter it a little more once the move is complete but until then this will make life a lot easier. Your bedding is darling! I love it, and so has everyone who has seen it. It matches great with Hayden's bedding as well, but not so much that it is boring.

So life is great, and I feel great. It will be a bit stressful in the next little bit trying to pack up the house, but I think overall it will be worth it.

We love you baby girl! Keep Growing!

See you in 6.5 weeks!!
Love your mama

Dear Little One

You are quite stubborn this week. You like my rib cage a little too much. Every time I sit down that is where you go, and you stay. It hurts so bad sometimes. The only thing I can say that I love about it is that you make your presence very known and I can feel a little bum, joints and maybe even your head cause you like to stick them out so far.

I finished your crib bumper yesterday. I am so happy with it. I love the colors I chose, and the style. It is darling! Your and Hayden's room is going to be so cute once I am done  with it! I am pretty excited. It makes all those nights hunched over cutting fabric out worth it. I have to keep telling myself this cause I still have a few things to cut out.

I also bought you a new crib. I was wanting a new one for the rest of my babies. Hayden's was a hand me down, and starting to look and act like it. Its darling, and very baby like. I am really happy with it.

I am feeling pretty dang good! There are some days that I feel very pregnant, and I am ready to be done. Then I get okay with the idea of staying pregnant forever because the idea of having 2 children scares me beyond reason. You will learn patience really quick I think because of Hayden.

We love you little girl! Keep growing and squirming. Stay safe

Love, Your Mama

Dear Little One

I missed last week again. Sorry baby. Time seems to just slip by me sometimes. Especially since last week we were in Disney land.

I am currently 29 weeks pregnant with you. I feel like people are just now getting the guts to ask me when I am due. Maybe its just cause I am now large enough that I look pregnant and not fat? I don't know. I have looked pregnant for quite a while now, at least that's what I think.

I have felt great these last couple of weeks apart from some swelling, and round ligament pain.  I have loved being pregnant with you. Its been very easy for the most part, and I have really been able to enjoy my growing belly because of the lack of sickness.

You did however give your daddy and I a royal scare last week! You didn't move for almost 2 days! I only got a couple of kicks in those two days. I drank pop, juice, and ate lots of sugary treats. I got nothing out of you. I even had daddy bug you. I layed down and relaxed for a few hours which usually is a sure fire way to get you tumbling and kicking, and I still got 1 kick. I finally called the doctor and they told me to come in and we would check you out. Sure enough you were just fine, but just wanted to have a nice long relaxing time. Everything seems to be on your terms with you. I can tell you are stubborn! They advised me to take it easy and eat something very sugary. I made a date out of it with Mr. Hayden. We went and got ice cream cones, and I got a large Dr. Pepper. It worked! You started moving within an hour after that. You little stinker. I can tell you had your daddy very worried. He only gets worried when he can see that I am starting to worry.

You sure loved Disneyland. I only got to go on a couple of stomach dropping rides, but the ones I did go on you were going crazy! You were also very good to me with all the walking. I really appreciate that. Now be good baby while we are in San Fransisco.

Since we are finally home, Daddy started his new Job, and I am starting to get my nesting bug. I look around and just want to attack everything and get it cleaned and organized!  So I started that last night.  I finally got your fabric for your bedding! I love it! So now I need to get you a crib, and sew your bedding.

I recently scored big time on a bunch of clothes for you! I need to go through my inventory again. Then it'll be time to get things washed and put away for your arrival. I have a lot to do, and on top of that I still need to be a good mama to Hayden and wife to your daddy!


How far Long?: 29 weeks
Total Weight Gained:
Maternity Clothes: Definitely Yes.
Stretch Marks: Not that I can tell
Sleep: I have a nap everyday. I sleep pretty well at night
Best Moment This week: Going to Disneyland, and feeling you wiggle and squirm on the rides
Miss Anything?: Bending over
Movement: Lots of movement and stretching lately. I can tell its definitely starting to get to be a tight squeeze in there.
Food Cravings: Dr. Pepper. My biggest downfall
Anything make you queasy or sick?: Chicken! BLAH! I have had a couple of bad experiences lately and the thought just makes me sick.
Gender: Baby Girl!
Labor Signs: nope!
Symptoms: Round Ligament... OWIE!
Belly Button In or Out?: Starting to get close to popping out.
Wedding Ring On or Off: On
What has your mood been like?: Pretty happy, but overwhelmed as well!
Looking Forward too:Getting back into the groove of things. Organizing the house, and prepping for your arrival!

We love you baby girl! We can't wait to meet you in 11weeks!

Love, Your Mama

Dear Little One

This is a multiple post for both 26 weeks and 27.  I don't know what happened to last week, but it just slipped out of my hands. I did manage to get a picture done, but nothing else.

Some of the complaints these last few weeks have been kidney pain and round ligament pain. These two pains alone is what makes me wish I was at the end of this pregnancy instead of 3 months away. Sometimes I would rather be facing labor then going through these pains. I have started doing some essential oils. It helped with the kidney pain, but not as much the round ligament. I think its cause its a ligament and not a muscle.

Other than that though I really can't complain. This pregnancy has been pretty easy.

Some of the best parts of this last few weeks have been just watching you wiggle and squirm around in my tummy. I have started feeling hiccups. This will soon become an annoyance, but for now they are small enough that they make me giggle. You have found my rib cage. I don't know if you are putting a foot or a hand in my rib cage, but it makes sitting down rather difficult. Its not quite painful yet, and only a matter of weeks before this too is a pain in my side... literally. I have a loose rib or something. Your brother loved to kick it as well. It literally moves when it is kicked.

I have had a few cravings the last few weeks... Powerade. I LOVE POWERADE!!! Your daddy says I am addicted. I have also been craving icees or snow cones. Daddy obliged to this one and got me a frozen lemonade. Other than that my appetite has gone. I have stopped cooking because nothing sounds good. Your poor brother and father.

I am so thankful that in less than a week I will be entering the last leg of pregnancy. 3rd trimester!!!! I am so excited! I can't wait to meet you! I can definitely way for the exhaustion and the stress, but holding you and snuggling you just sounds amazing.

In other news in our life. We were really stressing about having you enter the world, and not having a summer job. This was a huge worry baby girl, but you know what? We said tons of prayers, applied for tons of jobs, and your daddy was offered two jobs in 24 hours.

This summer should be a fantastic one. We go to Disney Land next week, San Fransisco at the end of May. San Fransisco should be amazing. Just me and your daddy! I am so excited to be with him. We are having a final mini moon before we become parents of 2.

I ordered the fabric for you bedding! I am going on a girl's weekend trip this weekend, and there I will work on it. I am excited for it.

I have also started the baby inventory. I am shocked that we need so much since we already have one little one running around. I have lots to prepare for in the next 3 months.

Here is the idea of how it should go.

This weekend- Girl's Weekend in American Fork
Next Weekend- L.A. and DisneyLand
Following Week- Daddy's 25th Birthday!
Same Week- Mother's Day!
2 weeks after-  Hayden's 2nd Birthday
Next Week After That- San Fransisco
2.5 weeks later- Father's Day
2 Weeks After That- St. George for Family Reunion
4 days later- 4th of July
10 Days later- Possible trip  to St. George again for Meg's Wedding
10 or less later- YOU COME!!!

Summer is very very busy! This is Why I gotta get cracking with preparing for your arrival!

We love you baby girl! Keep growing

Love, Your Mama

Dear Little One

How far Long?: 25 weeks... 15 to go!! YAY!
Total Weight Gained: Approximately 12-15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Most Definitely
Stretch Marks: Not that I can see
Sleep: If I do my yoga... I sleep great.... apart from getting up to go potty in the night. You like to  lay right on my bladder.
Best Moment This week:  Deciding on your name!
Miss Anything?: My head not feeling like its going to burst when I bend over.
Movement: You still are very touch and go! Stop doing that! Just move and kick lots for mama!
Food Cravings: Peanut Butter. Powerade. Smoothies
Anything make you queasy or sick?: My round ligament pains make me want to cry sometimes
Gender: Baby Girl!!!
Labor Signs: None!
Symptoms: Major painful Round ligament Pain! Feet are starting to really hurt at the end of the day.
Belly Button In or Out?: In... I can pop it out though.
Wedding Ring On or Off: Ring is still on.. My wedding band is off.
What has your mood been like?: Happy and Motivated!
Looking Forward too:Getting the glucose test over with. Looking forward to the end of the semester! That means I enter my 3rd trimester! The last leg of the race! woohoo!!!

Dear Little One

This has been a little more rough than ones past. Both your brother and I got sick. We got some nasty colds. Its been rough.

You are still kicking and moving around. I had a couple of scared days. You are very off and on with your kicks! Some days you are all over the place and then you will go 2-3 days with only kicking me 2-3 times a day. You are definitely different than your brother.

This week has also been a busy busy one. Daddy has a final, 2 presentations, and a job interview. We pray that all will go with all of these. Its definitely made it difficult being sick and all. He is a champ though. I am so proud of him. You have one awesome daddy. Not only is he busy with school, but he made sure to come home and take care of me and Hayden. I love him more than you will ever know.

Hayden is a crazy pants. You will never understand until you have kids of your own how much your daddy and I love you and your brother. You make our world spin. Hayden is talking tons now, and loves playing with cars and tractors. I am sure one day you will both play cars, tractors and dollies all together. I can't wait till that day.

You are being much better behaved this week with my cravings. I am actually starting to crave healthy food. Almost 15 pounds later! You love when I eat smoothies, and powerade. Which I am definitely happy to oblige too. I love feeding you healthy things.

I have also noticed you are getting quite long. I am starting to feel you on both ends of my tummy. Its fun!

I started doing Pre-Natal yoga, and you love it. I love it too. I really feel like we get to connect and really be apart of one another. This makes me happy because I only get to have you this close for a short time. I want to have a strong bond with you before you make your debute.

I love you baby girl. You don't even know how much. One day you will, but until then just Know that you are loved, cherished and needed in our little family.

Stay safe little one and keep growing. Your mama, daddy, and Hayden love you!

Love,
Your Mama.

Dear Little One

How far Long?: 23 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: 15 lb.
Maternity Clothes: Definitely Yes!
Stretch Marks: Not that I can see
Sleep: Depends on the night. If I stretch really well before than I sleep much better.
Best Moment This week:  Just feeling your kicks. I could actually see them too!
Miss Anything?: Pre Prego weight
Movement: Still depends on the day. My placenta is up front so I can only feel you if you kick on the sides. Sometimes if its hard enough I can feel you up front.
Food Cravings: Peanut Butter. Chocolate Chip Pancakes.  Little Debbie Cupcakes. Terrible cravings this week. Little one you definitely like your sugar!
Anything make you queasy or sick?: Just when I eat to much to fast, or don't eat at all. When my kidneys are acting up as well!
Gender: BABY GIRL!!
Labor Signs: Nope!
Symptoms: Bloody Noses, not being able to breathe, Back ache on occasion
Belly Button In or Out?: In
Wedding Ring On or Off: Wedding ring on.. Wedding band off.
What has your mood been like?: I have been pretty lazy last week. I didn't have energy to do much of anything.  I have been pretty crabby, but I feel like I am starting to come out of it. Thank Heavens.
Looking Forward too: Pre-Natal Yoga. Working out. Natural Birthing class. Lots of movement!!!

You have definitely been fun this week little girl. I love feeling your kicks and movements. 17 weeks to go! I am still in the process of finding the perfect fabric for neutral bedding. I think I have succeeded. We shall see. Daddy has a job interview this week. Cross those little fingers that we get it. We really need one. We love you little one! Stay Safe!!

Love,

Your Mama

Dear Little One

I am so sorry.  Time seems to have just slipped out of my hands. I honestly have no clue where this month has gone. We spent the first 2 weeks of the month down in St. George absorbing the warm sunshine, and just taking a break from every day life. It was a much need vacation.

While down in my St. George my half way mark came and went. Finally! Those two weeks from when we found out you are a little girl just dragged on and on. I failed to get my 20 week picture. So we just hurried and took a 21 week picture and then again a 22 week picture to get us back on track.

Lately my struggles with this pregnancy apart from having all sorts of kidney issues is lack of breathing! I think I am starting to get anemia again. I am starting to show signs. Feeling like I can't breathe is one of those signs.  It makes it really hard to sleep. So I am constantly tired cause I don't sleep very well at night. That's okay though. There could be worse things.

The greats of this pregnancy. You had me really worried for a long time because I never really feel you kicking me.  Some days you would go crazy and then I would go days without feeling hardly anything. I am happy to report that you are starting to officially get big enough that not only am I starting to feel you every day, but I can see you doing it as well. It makes me giggle.

I have noticed lately that if I really want you to kick then I eat peanut butter. You seem to either loathe peanut butter or you love it. Either way after I eat it I feel like you are taking a Karate class.

I also started sewing your crib bedding. It is going to take me a while to get completely organized and ready for your arrival. The longest part is definitely going to be the crib bedding. I am trying to coordinate the nursery so it works for you and your brother. Its difficult, but fun!

Again I am sorry I have been a lousy writer lately. I will get better and back on track. Until then Stay safe little one. Only 18 more weeks till I hold you in my arms. In some ways it feels like forever away and others it feels so soon.

We love you little Girl.

Love,
 your mama

Dear Little One

 

How far Long?: 18 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: 5-6 lb
Maternity Clothes: Pants for sure, and some shirts
Stretch Marks: Not that I can see

Sleep: Has been great if I get to be around 10 pm every night. I have a nap pretty much every day as well
Best Moment This week: Finding out my little girl was on her way
Miss Anything?: Sleeping on my tummy with my hands around an ice cold pillow

Movement: Feeling definite somersaults, squirms and stretches. The ultrasound tech said it will take a while to feel you all the time. You have to kick through the placenta because its in the front, the uterus then my tummy. When I lay flat on my back you is when I can really feel you kicking and squirming. Sometimes it really tickles!
Food Cravings: Bacon, Orange Juice, Strawberries, Jamba Juice, sweet tarts
Anything make you queasy or sick?:Just when I don't eat and I'm pretty hungry or anything that smells bad.
Gender: GIRL!!!!!!!!

Labor Signs: nope

Symptoms: Still having kidney pains. Starting to get hard to breathe when my tummy is full. My belly is really starting to get big!

Belly Button In or Out?: In, but I can make it poke out.
Wedding Ring On or Off: On

What has your mood been like?: Pretty Happy, I have had a few crying upset days, but for the most part I'm way excited and soooooooooo happy!

Looking Forward too: Decorating the Nursery. Continued kicks and squirms. Shopping for fabric with Grandma.
Family Life: Hayden is 21 months. He is really starting to talk and to Jabber. Daddy is busy with work and school. We are trying to find a job for the summer. We just got to see Chris and Steph this last weekend. Next weekend we get to see Jason Leaan and kids, Grandma and Grandpa Garner, Grandma and Grandpa Gardner for Charlie's Baptism. Going to St. George with little Hayden for 2 weeks!

The Big Ultrasound

 Your little body. My favorite part about little babies, You have skinny legs and a bloated belly. You look like a little frog! I love it!

  You are definitely a little Girl. The Kidney ultrasound was a maybe, but we couldn't tell for sure cause you had your legs closes tight. This time you cooperated and gave us a few good shots!

This is a diaper changing shot. The little mouse is pointing to a baby Girl!!!

Your sweet profile. You were squirming a little bit. You are not a fan of being poked and prodded and you are not afraid to show it. For the most part you were just there fast asleep.

Daddy and I couldn't stop staring at our precious baby. We are so happy you are coming to us. We love you so much already. We would do anything for our sweet precious little children.

Keeping Growing Sweet Baby Girl. I love you

Love, Your Mama