Conference Weekend

I apologize for the lack of posts this last week, but Lucy has been sick and it was difficult to get anything done, except hold her and make her as comfortable as possible. I enjoyed all the time holding her, even though I was exhausted and sick myself by the time she was better. It was a trying week for James and I. I know there are many more to come and some more likely will be worse than others, but we made it through with the hope of the conference weekend at the end. I love my weekends more than anything now. They get me through the week. I hardly care if James has to do homework all day Saturday, I just love having him in the house with me. James makes me so happy, and I will be happy to spend all my life and all of eternity working right by his side.

I was grateful for all the talks about teaching our children the gospel. Although, it adds a lot of pressure on us as parents to make sure our children have a good foundation, along with this admonition, we were given a lot of tools to help us along the way. I want so badly for Lucy to know better than I did that she is a daughter of God and what that really means in the eternal perspective of this life. I want her to be stronger and have more confidence in her Savior's Atonement than I ever did. I want her to be able to resist temptations as they come from peers, because I know I can not protect her from the evils of the world. I can teach her what is right. I can help her know about the Adversary and how he works. I look forward to this challenge with faith, and know that it won't be easy. As I make the proper sacrifices for her, I am learning to love her as the Savior loves me.

I love my Savior. I know with out a doubt he loves me. I know God answers prayers. Even on those dark, hopeless days that I occasionally experience, I know they will end and I can begin a new. I know that I would not love life so much if I was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And so I am thankful to my God for sending me to the family that He did. It is a blessing everyday.

Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out

We aren't feeling down and out. We just went shopping!

I bought this cute red dress, because Lucy didn't fit into any of her clothes yet. I got excited to dress her up. We decided to try our hand at a photo shoot. Again, I'm not a photographer and these were the best shots we got.

Lucy is doing great! She is still sleeping throught the night and is so great at church.

Lucy is working on smiling. She is getting close though.

Another update: 4 weeks tomorrow

Tomorrow Lucy will be 4 weeks old. It's crazy how fast time is going. I went back and looked at some of her new born pictures and she really has changed so much. It has been a lot of fun being home with her all day. We have been with out a car for the last three days, and I thought I might get tired of being cooped up in our small apartment. Quite the opposite. We have stayed very busy and not been blue or depressed at all. It is a kind of challenge to see what I can accomplish each day, while taking care of a baby. For example, we have mastered laundry. Lucy actually loves it. I set her on top of the warm dry laundry and carry her back to the apartment that way. She usually falls asleep instantly. Cooking was a challenge in the beginning, but now I will either put together dinner while she is asleep earlier in the day, or she will just sit in the swing and watch me contently.

Occasionally Lucy has a bad night but for the most part she is a great sleeper. I hope her pediatrician never reads this, but last night she slept for 8 hours with out waking up to be fed. (That can't be normal... but we let her continue sleeping and it felt great!)

Let me just take a short bit of this blog and thank my dear James for all of his hard work as well. The semester is shortly coming to a close and I have been so impressed how James has been able to stay up on all his homework through all of this. He has worked tirelessly to do so, but he has managed and still finds time to help me out with Lucy when he is home. James pretty much takes over her care on weekends. He insists, and by the time Monday comes I get excited that its my turn again. I am so grateful for his help. He is juggling a lot right now. James will be applying for graduate school soon, which only adds to the stress of it all. Oh and not to mention I will be going back to work in just 4 weeks (AHHHH!!!) I am so grateful to have him by my side. He really is the best support to me and he makes me soooooo happy. He is a wonderful dad. James, you are the best!

PS. I don't think I have ever mentioned on this blog, but this family has joined the rest of the BYU basketball junkies and we are stinkin' excited for the game tonight. It has been so much fun to be a part of the excitement this season. I have been ever grateful for our all sport passes and the fun times spent at the Marriott center this season. GO COUGARS! (I know Kyle and JoEllen are cringing as I mention that, but it must be said)

Lucy Lucy Lucy, 3 Weeks: A Picture Post Update for the Grandparents

Remember I mentioned in the last blog, I am not the best photographer...? These were the best shots out of SEVERAL more that were taken. Lucy sure is cute though. It is not her fault. Her mom will get the hang of this picture taking thing one of these days.

Cross eyed Lucy.

Tummy time with Daddy.

More tummy time with Mommy.

Lucy looks a lot like her Aunt Anna in this one, I think. I've always thought she had a lot of Stewart in her. You can really see it in this one. So CUTE!

No matter how many times we fold down the blanket so it is not covering her face, this is how we find Lucy after every nap or when she wakes up in the morning. Scares her mother to death.

I am a two and a half week old mom

Motherhood: My thoughts on this subject are growing everyday. I have been amazed at the challenges, great and small, that come along with raising a baby. I am loving this little girl more and more each day. There is still a part (a guilty part) that would have her be just a little bit older. It is difficult to work so hard to feed, bath, clothe, diaper, and make sure all of her needs are met, with out so much as a smile in return. I long for that day. Until then, I will just try and be grateful, that Lucy is so good. She is a great sleeper and eater and most of the time very content. Lucy has a very good nature. I'd say that she got most of her looks from her handsome daddy, but so far she's got her mother's temperament. James is pretty easy going himself, but according to all the family stories, he was quite a wild child.

I love being home, now that I am feeling better and my body is feeling more like my own, and not subject to another. Lucy and I take daily walks, and we like to see how many things we can check off the list in a day. (Usually we are happy when we can check off one thing, and have a tidy house. We don't have very high expectations.) We also ventured a first trip to church on Sunday. Lucy did great during Sacrament meeting and James had her out for Sunday school. I panicked during Relief Society and took her home. I have got to overcome my anxious mom syndrome and realize its okay for a baby to make a little noise in a congregation of people.

Life is good. All is well. I look forward to having more life changing updates for everyone in the future. I also decided I need to take some photography lessons. I have taken lots of pictures, but can't seem to get a decent picture from all my efforts.

I am thankful for James' post. He did a really great job describing all that we went through to get Lucy here. I am afraid if I had written it, I might have added a few more unnecessary details about the pain and suffering that took place during our hospital stay and the few days that followed. I was actually amazed how much we are required to endure as women to bring these precious souls into the world. It was a good experience now looking back on it, but it sure was awful going through it at the time. If you were to ask me a week ago or even 5 days ago if I would consider having another child, I might honestly tell you no. What I know now that has changed my mind, is that it is all so temporary. Even the swollen ankles and feet that were just the most annoying thing to add to everything else, is gone after a week. I didn't know that before. If you don't know when the end is, it's very difficult to see it all through, but knowing there is an end makes it all very bearable.

Lucy is doing great. I don't know if I am doing something wrong or she is just an extra great baby, but she will sleep about 5 or 6 consecutive hours during the night, which is a huge blessing. Maybe that will change, but for now I'll take it. When she is not eating, (which she is eating or hungry all the time it seems) she sleeps, poops, and crys a little here and there. That's the life she leads. I think she is getting used to James and I as her parents. We are getting used to having her in our family and loving it.

My mom came up on Monday and spent the week with us, helping us learn all the tricks to parenthood. We all really appreciate her help. She went with us to all our doctor apointments and errands, and helped to give me a rest when I started to wear down. I will start Monday on my own, and I pray that all will go well.

Lucy is One Week Old

We sure do love this little girl. I will write more later, but for now things are going very well. I am recovering quickly and trying for now to get the hang of this motherhood thing. It's tough but a lot of fun.