Birthday Girl

I'm sitting here on the eve of your birthday with about a million things to do before your party tomorrow.  But I wanted to take a minute and write to you my sweet little O.

This time last year I was sitting in the hospital with your dad, grandma, mimi and aunt Jen waiting for you to make your appearance.  You took your own sweet time coming out.  I should have known then that it was a sign that you might be....strong willed:)

You were born on July 21st, 2012 at 6:23 a.m.  You weighed 8 lbs and 4 oz. and you were 21 and a quarter inches long.  

Giving birth to you was the hardest most amazing experience of my life.

You see, I waited so very long to be your mama.  There were so many times I didn't think it was going to happen.

The day I found out I was pregnant with you was a miracle.  And every day I get to be your mom is another miracle.

It's been one amazing year since you've come into my life.  You bring so much joy to me.  It's also been the hardest year of my life!  You didn't come with an instruction manual and I'm sure I've made so many mistakes, but just know that you mean more to me than anybody in this world, and even though I will mess up sometimes you're so important to me and I love you with every party of me. 

Sometimes when your dad and I look at you we still can't believe we created you and that you're ours.  We can't even imagine our lives without you.

Some of my favorite moments from your first year are:

You sleeping through the night on our trip home from Utah.  We were in Cortez, CO and I was dreading going to sleep only to be woken up every 1-2 hours.  To my utter amazement you slept until 5:00.  I had never felt so well rested in my life.  And then at 5 weeks old you started sleeping every night through the night.  Thank you little O!!!!!!!!

Your blessing day.  It was so special and beautiful.  And that we got to bless you in Utah was so wonderful. You were surrounded by aunts and uncles and cousins galore!

I loved the time I spent nursing you.  I only got to do it for two months but it's a time I will never forget.  Those hours that just you and I spent together will be treasured by me for eternity.

Having grandma come out from Utah in December to spend the week with us.  We had so much fun shopping, baking and getting your ears pierced.

Getting you up in the morning and from naps.  You always get so excited when you see me or your dad open your door.  It's seriously the cutest.

You're the BEST eater.  Your current favorite foods are: grapes, macaroni and cheese, bananas, yogurt, any cheese and most meats.  When you like something you make the cutest smacking noise.  It's hilarious.

Taking you to work.  I know I complain about it a lot and it's incredibly hard, but I know I'm so blessed to still provide some income while being the one to take care of you.  And you're such a good baby (except on Tuesdays).

I loved our recent trip to Utah.  You were the MOST AMAZING baby of all time to take across country.  We had SO MUCH fun playing with cousins and seeing aunts and uncles.  You even gave grandpa a kiss first thing, and you are not free with your kisses!  It tickled your grandpa pink.

Going on walks with you and daddy.

Having you "help" me cook in the kitchen.  It's a dream come true when I'm in there cooking and you're on the floor playing with rags and you LOVE helping me empty the dishwasher.  I have to pinch myself sometimes...although that time you emptied the vinegar bottle wasn't so fabulous....

You are SO smart Olivia.  Your dad and I love watching you as you learn something new.  You are so alert and you are so aware of everything around, you have been from birth.

Thank you so much for coming into our lives.  You are so loved such a miracle.  I hope someday you'll get to experience motherhood so you'll know exactly how much I love you.

I'm looking forward to the next year of your life!

Love, Mama

P.S.  Stop growing so fast!!!!!!!

4th of July!

The 4th of July has become one of my favorite Holidays.  It's especially had more meaning the last 3 years.....On the 4th of July in 2010 Jeff proposed.  Here's how it happened.
I was in Oklahoma visiting for the first time.  I didn't really EXPECT for Jeff to propose on this trip.  I was pretty sure it would happen at some point but didn't think THIS soon:)  Although I should have thought something was up when talking to my mom before leaving she told me to have fuuuun in only the way my mom can to let you know something is up!
That year the 4th of July fell on a Sunday which meant I went with Jeff to his singles ward.  He was ward clerk at the time so we had to go early, it was also fast Sunday AND we had to stay late.  I swear we were at church for like 80 hours.  I kept thinking if he doesn't get me a diet coke and some food soon he's going to find out real fast how charming I am on an empty stomach.
When he suggested we go by the temple on the way home, I though is he INSANE?  I'm thirsty and starving.  But since we were still in dating mode I told him it was a great idea....As we pulled up to the temple the rain stopped and it was beautiful outside.  He took me around the temple to see the grounds and I remember thinking this is nice now let's go home.  Then he stopped in front, and got down on one knee.....I finally clued in to what was happening.  He said something along the lines of I want to spend forever with you, will you marry me?  It's a bit of a blur.  I think I was hyperventilating.  I of course said yes, and the rest is history!
Fast forward 3 years ( I don't talk much about last year because I was 9 months pregnant and miserable!) and we have our little O to make Holidays even MORE magical.
We had a great time this year.  It fell on a Thursday and Jeff and I got both Thursday and Friday off.  It was so much fun!

Olivia and daddy waiting for the "Red White & Boom" concert to start.  It was our first year going and we really like it!  Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Kasey and our friend Jordan and her little girl Addy came as well.

  The weather was SO GORGEOUS!

 Sitting with her Mimi!

 Waiting for the fireworks to start!