Our Bundle of Joy

She is here and we are in love :) Things couldn't have gone smoother for our little girl to enter into the world. We are so extremely blessed! I scheduled an induction because Matt was out of town and we wanted to get him home for the birth! Wednesday night Matt came home and Thursday morning we went to the hospital bright and early. I think it may have been more nerve wracking KNOWING that I was going in to have a baby, rather than just waiting to go into labor. I was pretty nervous that morning. It seemed so surreal that we were going to have this little girl, it just really hadn't registered fully with me that this was it. In fact, after getting the paperwork behind us and putting the IV in, I think it settled in what was really happening and I started to black out. All the sudden I couldn't see Matt in front of me, he was a blur. Thank goodness for oxygen; I kept it close by after that!

So at 8 a.m. the doctor broke my water, and my little girl was in my arms at 10:29 a.m. 2.5 hours start to finish... oh baby, I'll take it! It was so different this time around with how quickly she came and how peaceful and smooth everything was. I couldn't believe how lucky we were to have things go so well. We had some awesome nurses and doctor and were so well taken care of. It really was a beautiful morning.

Little Mesa Marie came out screamin! We were glad to know her lungs were working :) She was so little- just 6 lbs. 14 ounces. Brooke was over 8 lbs, so it was really different to see such a little petite babe. They let me hold her for such a long time before they cleaned her up. Matt and I just stared in awe at such a perfect little bundle.

Game time!

It really was a peaceful morning ;)

Meeting Mesa 

Our little bundle 

 A family of four! 

I'd say we are all adjusting pretty well to having a new baby in the house. It's overwhelming for sure, but it's so worth it! I'm so lucky to have Matt by my side. He is so good with his daughters and is always willing to help in any way he can. He is extremely patient and loves his family. We love him!

Dad and his girls

 Story time

Brooke loves Mesa. She loves to give her kisses, help change her diaper, and give her bottles. 

We love having this sweet little spirit in our home. She truly is a gift from Heaven. She is such a good baby; never fussy or irritable, just happy and content sleeping and eating the days away. 

We are spoiled.  

A Beautiful Day for a Wedding

We successfully celebrated another Walker wedding! I was a bit hesitant to travel to Utah for Mark's big day because he so kindly planned it right around my due date :) But we decided it was worth the risk and I'm so glad we did because this baby is still hanging on and we didn't even have to have a roadside delivery like I so greatly feared! It was a beautiful weekend and I'm very grateful that we had the opportunity to share in it.

I had a great time meeting Cambri again and getting to know her family. Mark has married into some good in-laws and of course a great wife! They will do well together. The sealing in the temple was very special and I so much appreciated the counsel that was given. It was a great reminder of the love and sacrifice that we all need to make in our own marriages. I love the temple and all that we learn there! Here are some pictures of our fun weekend!

Ok so it's been a month, but hey, I have been without internet because we moved! It was a quick decision we made, a risk, but we decided it was worth it to leave behind our former dwellings. It was a lot of work to pack and move being so pregnant and having Brooke running around, but with much help and compassion from good family and friends, we were able to pull it off. We love our new place and are very comfortable there. We are blessed.

 Brooke was quite the trooper through the moving process. Our sweet landlords volunteered to watch her for several hours while we loaded the truck. We will miss our dear friends that were so good to us. 

She has taken very well to our new surroundings and seems right at home in her new room :)

Our little sweetheart is adorable as ever and has an attitude that keeps us on our toes! 

We have worked hard to get unpacked and try to get things in order (at least enough) to feel ready for our new baby to arrive! It's been stressful, but I think we are getting there and are excited to meet our new little one. This pregnancy has been a little different than the first- a little harder to keep up the energy with a toddler in tow- but I've been extremely blessed with good health and no complications. 

 I'm getting a little bit anxious thinking about what it will be like to have 2, but overall I think that Brooke will make a great big sister. From the way that she takes care of her "baby," I know that she will love her little sister, I just don't know if she will love the attention that will have to be shared. It's going to be a challenge, but I know that it will be worth it!

These next couple weeks are going to be an adventure. My awesome brother Mark is getting married next week- one week before my due date... eek! We are so excited and looking forward to the wedding and celebrating with him, however, I'm super nervous to drive to Utah on the verge of breaking into labor. I'm praying that the little one comes before the wedding or holds out until after! I sure don't want to have to pull off to the side of the road to have her haha We will see how it all goes!

Trying Again

Nearly a year ago I "recommited" to blogging. Well it was a major flop, because I haven't posted since. However, I'm here to try again! So often I find myself wanting to sit down and write about my life events but it hasn't been happening. Here's to hoping that I can make the time to keep a better record of our little family as well as other thoughts and inspiration that come along the way. Of course, it's also an attempt to keep in touch with sweet friends made on our journey :) Thanks for tuning in, I'll do my best to keep the posts coming!

Where Has My Baby Gone?

They said it would happen. They told me she would grow up too fast. I'm afraid it happened. She isn't a baby anymore! This little girl is the joy in my day. She is the best little companion a mom could ask for. She is HAPPY, she is good nurtured, she isn't fussy, she sleeps well, eats well, plays well. I can't say enough about what a doll she is. I've also been told to enjoy it, because my next one will be a terror... we will wait a while to test out that theory! Brookie girl is the greatest blessing Matt and I could ask for. We are sure lucky parents to have this special gal bring such a light into our home.

T25

I bought myself an early Christmas present. I couldn't wait. I couldn't resist. I saw it and knew I had to have it.

FOCUS T25 Workout

I know, who wants a workout program for Christmas?  I DO!! I am sooo ready to put the excuse of "I just had a baby" behind me. I didn't just have a baby, she is 6 months old! I am ready to say goodbye to the extra fat that has been my companion since pregnancy. I want to get back into shape. The best way I've done it before is the Insanity workout, but I'm tired of it. After two years I needed something fresh, something to motivate me and get me through a long winter. Something to counter my addiction to chocolate and peanut butter... ope, I better put that one behind me too if I want to see any results.

This beauty landed on my doorstep this morning. I did a happy dance around my living room, popped in the DVD and sweated with a smile on my face. I love it already.

We'll see if I still love it tomorrow morning when I have to get up and do it again :)

Back to Blogging

I've decided it's time to make a return to blogging. I've said it before, but I think I mean it this time. Life kind of stopped after I had Brooke. All of the sudden my life, my body, my time was not my own. Blogging went to the bottom of my long list of things I'd like to do in my spare time. Wait, spare time? What's that? I forgot for a bit there, but I think I've found it again. It may have taken a good 6 months to get into a routine where at the end of the day I can sit down and relax, but better late than never!

Why blog? Because I have more thoughts run through my head in a day than I know what to do with. My husband can only listen for so long, and I can't call my mom EVERY day, so I'll share those thoughts here, whether they are read or not, that doesn't matter so much to me anymore. It's more a matter of being able to express myself and keep a record of my experiences.

So, here's to stepping back into the blogging world, one post at a time.