Happy First Father's Day Dustin!

4 months old!

Emmi turned 4 months old on May 22nd and had her 4 month check-up yesterday. She weighed in at 12 pounds, 14 ounces and 24 inches long! That moves her up to the 13th percentile in weight and 25th percentile in height. Dr. Martin was cracking up because she was "jibber jabbin" the whole entire time. He said he doesn't think he's ever heard a 4 month old baby talk so much! And of course, she got her vaccinations...the part mommy dreads the most. But we got through it!

Emilie is more and more fun everyday. Daddy can get her giggling like crazy. It's so dang cute. She likes to grasp and hold things in her hands. And she can hold her head up really well now. Another big milestone (more for mommy than for Emmi) is that she has moved from the bassinet in our room to the crib in her room at night now. It was a very easy transition for her. She sleeps through the night and wakes up with a smiling face every morning! My favorite part of the day is going into her room in the morning and saying hello to her because as soon as she sees me, I get a huge grin...melts my heart!

Two more weeks of work for mommy, and then I get to spend every minute with my girl all summer long! Can't wait!

My First Mother's Day

Last year at this time, the day after Mother's Day to be exact, was when I found out that I was pregnant. I can still remember the joy I felt that day! I can't believe it's already been a year since then!

My first Mother's Day was all that I had hoped and dreamed it would be. Just spending the day with my baby girl, my daughter (still feels surreal to say that), was the best gift in the world. We started out the day by going to church. Then we went to breakfast and walked around Sierra Vista, which is where this picture was taken. After that we went home and just the three of us spent the day together. I held my Emmi as much as possible and just enjoyed every minute of the day with her. Who knew just staring at a baby all day could be so fulfilling!

In my happiness I also remember the pain Mother's Day used to bring. I know many girls out there who still feel that pain and my heart goes out to them. My prayer is that soon your pain will be turned to joy. My thoughts are always with you.

Everyday is a blessing to me, but this Mother's Day was so special. I can't believe how blessed I am!

Overwhelming Joy

Our Emmi was 3 months old on Wednesday, the 22nd. And what a joyful, eventful 3 months it has been! We had a blast spending our first Easter with our baby. Mommy enjoyed getting her dressed up in her pretty Easter dress and bow with her cousin, Rena. We also made our first trip to Nana and Papa's house, our Jeep packed to the ceiling with all our stuff...pack 'n play, stroller, carseat, luggage, and dog crate! It's now become an adventure just to pack the car for a short trip...all part of the fun of having a little one and one of the little things we laugh at about how much our lives have changed...for the better! Emmi also went to her first wedding (Dustin's former golf teammate, Chad Spencer and his girlfriend, Tiffany). I think Emilie was the star of the show, next to the bride! She was so good. Didn't hear a peep out of her during the wedding and she was a trooper being passed around to all the guests who couldn't resist holding her.

Another big step in Emilie's life these days is her start at daycare. Carol is the name of the lady who watches her, and she just adores Emmi. Well, really, who couldn't? :) She really seems to like Carol too...Emmi is happy as a clam when I drop her off and when I pick her up. And mommy just can't get home from work fast enought to see that sweet little face. Funny how things that used to stress me out at work just don't seem all that important anymore!

Emmi is getting bigger and changing everyday. She loves people; loves it when we get really close and talk to her. She smiles, sometimes giggles, and makes those darling baby cooing sounds like she's having a conversation with you. She's a very content baby...so content that Papa says we don't even get credit for being parents! (funny Papa!)

We are so overwhelmed with the joy that Emilie brings us everyday and the joy she brings to everyone around her. Everytime I look at her I feel like my heart might burst. I guess every parent knows that feeling, but after struggling for so long to have her, we just can't believe God gave us the priveledge to be able to feel such joy. We cherish EVERY moment...even the poopie diaper explosions!! Who knew a parent could even find the joy in that? We love you Emmi! :)

Time Flies...

Two months old already!! I've been meaning to write this post since Emmi turned 2 months old, 8 days ago!! I'm starting to realize what a "busy mom" means...and I haven't even started back to work yet! Emilie had her 2 month pediatrician appointment last Tuesday. She weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 22" long! Dr. Martin informed us that she is finally "on the curve" at the 3rd percentile in weight and the 25th percentile in height. This took many hours of nursing and pumping from mommy to get her there, but we did it!

At 2 months old, Emilie is becoming so much more aware, alert, and interactive. It's amazing how much she changes everyday. She loves to "talk" to us with her cute little "cooing" noises. And when she looks up at us with those loving eyes and gets a big 'ol smile on that tiny little pixie face, it just melts my heart. You should see the smile she gets on her face and the way her eyes light up when she hears her daddy's voice and looks at him after he gets home from a long day at work. And you should see his eyes light up too!

Unfortunately, with this 2 months marker also comes the dreaded return to work for me. I hate to think about being away from her all day. It's ridiculous how much I miss her just when she's taking a nap and I'm in the same room!! But on the other hand, there was a point in time when I didn't know if I would ever have a child, so I look at it this way...at least I have a baby to take to daycare. I guess it's all about perspective, right?

Yes, time does fly. But it's the best time of my life...

Four Weeks Old!

I can't believe Emi is 4 weeks old!! It feels like we just brought her home yesterday. Being a mommy is everything everybody said it would be. It's the most wonderful, rewarding, beautiful thing in the world! I just can't stop telling her how much I love her. And when she looks up at me with those big eyes, my heart just melts. I took this picture today, one day after her 4 week birthday. I want to savor every moment of her "baby stage." It's already going by WAY too fast! I think she looks just like her daddy but daddy says she has my eyes (even though they are still blue!) She is starting to give us cute little smiles when she is in a really good mood. I love to watch her with Dustin. She loves to lie on her daddy's lap and just stare up at him as he talks to her. It's like she's listening to every word he says. She loves to dance with daddy too.

She is still pretty little and hasn't reached her birthweight yet, but she is getting there. She has been going in for weekly weight checks and weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces yesterday at her doctor's appointment. Dr. Martin wants to see her surpass her birthweight of 7.5. She is nursing well, but likes to fall asleep while mommy is feeding her. She is sleeping pretty well also, waking up to nurse about every 3 hours. I'm still getting used to the interrupted sleep, but it's all part of the fun of being a parent. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Emilie is such a blessing...we are living out our dream come true every day!

Our Miracle

She's here! Emilie Rae Smith was born on January 22, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. She was 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. After a long day of labor and no progress, the doctor gave us the option of having a C-section or going home and starting over the following week with the pitocin. We prayed about it and were lead to the decision of having a C-section, which we felt would be the safest for our baby. We have no doubt we made the right decision and now we have our beautiful baby girl home with us! The only words that can describe our joy...we have our miracle!