Happy Fathers Day!!

I have THEEE 3 best father figures in my life. Ever. I owe it to my dad for teaching me everything, and for making sure he taught me gospel principles growing up.  HE is SUCH a good example to me, and I can't wait for him to get home and meet his granddaughter!!
Tanners dad is also such an amazing example to everyone around him. He works so hard, and never complains about anything.

And lastly, to Tanner. It just makes my heart melt day after day seeing him love and interact with gracie. It's like I've fallen more and more in love with him since she came.  It's fun to see how much he loves her, and how much she looks like him!! :)

I'm so grateful for my Father in Heaven for sending me these 3! I am truly blessed.

I love you all!! thanks for all you do.

2 month checkup!

Gracie had her 2 month check up last week....and I am NEVER doing that again. Seeing her get her shots was THE most torturous thing for me to watch.  And I know it's good for her, but man! I felt so helpless. Watching the nurses jab 4 needles into her thighs was heartwrenching!  Her face turned purple, and nothing could calm her down. poor thing.  I hope she doesn't hate me haha.

But- she weighed in at 12 lbs, and she's got a huge head! hahaha the nurse said her head circumference is in the 98th percentile :)  She's 23 inches long- she's a shorty! I just love her so much. I love spending my days with her watching her grow up :) Oh she's finally outgrown newborn clothes! I got all teary eyed putting them away the other day! she's growing up so fast :( good thing she's so cute.

                                             I love her little smile. melts my heart.

                                                   hahaha a big bed for a little girl!

oh gosh i just love this cute bum!!!

                                                       and my cute smiley baby :)

All i know, is I told Tanner that the next 3 times she has to get her shots, I am not going. I cried the whole way home and snuggled her alll day long. broke my heart. she's a tough little girl though and i love her for it!

2 months old and blessing day!

2 months....really?? ahhhhhh. time. slow. down!!

Gracie is such a joy. her smile melts my heart every single day. After she eats she's usually really happy and awake for an hour or so. I call this 'mommy and gracie time' where I talk to her, sing to her, and play with her until she falls asleep :) I look forward to it.

The past month she:

*is seriously all smiles!
*she found her fist and sucks on it all the time.
*is barely outgrowing newborn clothes
*She can now look at you in the eyes and follows objects in front of her face
*she kicks and kicks
*She's trying to talk and makes THE cutest little squeaks and noises.
*she loves being swaddled all the time. nighttime, daytime, all the time.
*she is still quite mellow and calm. content with anything
*still only wakes up 1x a night to eat
*she's sooo alert! always looking around at her surroundings
*went swimming for the first time and loved it!!!
*we also went camping with her for the first time and she did great
*she loves her baths!
*she's my favorite :)
*we are so smitten by her every day

And of course some of my favorite pics the past month:

what do you think- does she look like me?? unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of tanner when he was a baby haha

Gracie's daddy gave the sweetest blessing to her on Saturday June 6. we chose to do it that day because our little niece Addie was getting baptized and tanners whole fam was up already.  My 2 sweet brothers came up for Gracie's blessing as well- so sweet of them! Gracie looked like a little angel- I just couldn't get enough of her. Her grandma stacey made her dress :)

 Tanner gave the sweetest blessing- and I of course bawled haha.  Gracie is one loved girl that's for sure.  stop growing baby girl!!!
We are so grateful for those that came and supported us for Gracie's special day :) Love you baby girl.

A letter to my Gracie Girl

I wrote this letter on mothers day I just never got around to posting it!! A letter to my sweet little Gracie Girl :)

Dear baby girl,

I have been overwhelmed today on my first mothers day with you.  The past month has been the BEST month of my life.  People always told me how amazing being a mom was, but I never truly understood what they meant until you came into my life.  The past month I've looked through pictures of you from when you were born up until now.  I feel SO blessed and grateful to you for choosing to come down to earth, and trusting me to be your mom.  That relays such a powerful emotion inside of me. Your dad and I had been waiting for you, and praying for you every single day for the pat 3.5 years.  We couldn't WAIT to hold you, and to see your beautiful face, and to get to know you.  That time came, and at THE MOST perfect time.  God works in mysterious ways.  He knew that we needed you at this time in our life, and we are so grateful for you!! Time is going by SO fast. I wish time could stop, but it can't.  It's been so much fun to see you change the past month. You are growing like a weed, and are getting cuter and cuter everyday! People can't decide if you like more like me or your dad. it's fun :) I guess you are just a good mix of both of us :)

Gracie girl, you truly are the greatest blessing I could ever ask for. Even when you peed on me on my  first mothers day :) And even when you keep me up at nights, or cry nonstop because you want to be held, these moments I cherish with you. Because before I know it you are going to be a teenager! I'm struggling getting my emotions out, because there are so many.  

I just want you to know that you truly are a miracle. Your dad and I had been waiting your arrival for so long.  Now that you are finally here, it is so surreal. I want you to know that your dad and I love you more than you will ever know. Being a mom is such a blessing, and I love every waking moment I get with you. I love staying at home with you every day, and just staring at you and your precious face.  You are a precious daughter of God, and I thank him everyday for sending you to me.

I hope that as you grow up you will know that me, your dad, your older brother, and your Heavenly Father love you so much.  You truly are an angel sent straight from Heaven. I envy you that you got to see and talk to your Father in Heaven just one short month ago.  I can't wait to be able to do that someday :)

The long 3 year wait for you was really hard, but it was so worth it.  It brought your dad and I closer to each other, and closer to our Father in Heaven.  We feel so much more love towards you, and count our blessings every day.

You have the cutest little features, and I can already tell you have such a sweet little personality.  Your spirit shines through, and ever since you were born I could see and feel the light you brought with you. You are such a sweetheart, and I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.  The Lord knew that I needed you in my life, and I will be forever grateful for Him.  You are our little miracle, and the biggest blessing of my life. I can't wait to watch you grow up and see your personality shine through :)

Stay sweet Gracie girl! I love you!!

Love,
Mom