If The Savior Stood Beside Me

Happy Easter!

I decided that for our Easter traditions I always want to include an element of the Atonement from mom and dad, and the Easter bunny can bring the candy :).

So for little Em's first Easter we gave her this board book based off of the Primary song.  We love that the Greg Olsen pictures depict realistic images of our Savior for Emelia to grow up with. It was a great find!

And since the only treats Little Miss gets these days is breast milk, the Easter Bunny brought her some teething rings instead :).

The busy Easter Bunny must have visited our house last because we spotted her taking a nap!

I know, you're thinking "Wow, she really is an excited new mother. Went out and bought a bunny costume just to snap a couple of Easter photos...."  You're right about me being an excited new mother, but if you really know me, you know I'm too thrifty to go buy a costume just for an hours worth of photos.  And, what you need to know about me, is that I LOVED dolls as a little girl, and this adorable bunny outfit was a gift from my mom (or santa...;) ) for my favorite doll when I was nine or so; so glad I kept it!

*side note* Playing house was mine and my sister Shantel's go-to when we were bored.  I must say we got mighty creative in our house-playing days.  We lived on the 2nd floor of our house and there was a loud and windy swamp cooler just outside our bedroom door.  One of my all-time favorite memories of playing house was when we would wrap ourselves in shawls from the dress-ups, bundle our baby-dolls in anything we could find, and fling our bedroom door open to "brace the storm" because there was obviously somewhere we really needed to get to (the other side of the hall?).  And the only way there was through the treacherous wind storm that there was no way around! **

And here is proof:

                        

This is my favorite Erica-doll, dressed up in the bunny suit.  And now my sweet Em.  

You may think I'm a weirdy...and Couper said this picture is kind of creepy.  And well, maybe it is a little.  Just don't look too close at Erica-doll's face (it got a little smushed in the box it's been sitting in for the last some-odd years) and you'll recognize the sentimentality instead of the supposed creepiness. :)

three months

Emelia Noelle: 3 months old!

Personality much?

Mini photo-shoot in the "nursery".  It's hard to pick favorites of this little cutie! I tried to narrow it down so viewers wouldn't be too overwhelmed with all of these bright colors...but obviously I still got a little carried away!  We are so excited for spring to be here, and the sunshine and fun colors that come with it!  We have already been able to enjoy the slightly warmer Logan spring weather by going on walks with Em in a carrier.

Emelia is such a fun baby-girl! She is all smiles these days and knows how to tickle her mommy and daddy's tummy's with pride and joy.  We're even getting some giggles out of her and can't wait until that comes a little more naturally for her.  She's not loving tummy time any more.  Still a really strong back and neck but doesn't like to use her arms to help hold her up so ends up frustrated in "plank" position.  She's grabbing at some toys and loves the floor gym and swing.  She adores children and is beside herself with smiles when they talk to her, look at her, move around her, etc.  At 2 1/2 months Em was 11 lb. 12 oz. she's sticking around the 50%tile in weight and height.  People aren't kidding when they say time FLIES!!  We are loving each baby-stage, but definitely want time to SLOW DOWN!!

Happy three months Em, we love you!

A Wedding

Emelia's first real outing was at the beginning of March for Couper's brother's wedding.  It was her first grand appearance in a public place and her first chance to really get dressed up :).  Sure glad G-ma Nise and Aunt Baylee had gifted this cute outfit so that she had something nice to wear! And the hat and booties that dear friend Janet knitted were perfect coordinating accessories!

I'm trying not to be a gloating mom...but I thought she looked pretty ADORABLE! :)

The only pictures I have of the bride and groom...whoops! haha..that's what the photographer is for right?

Family photo.

Some firsts

So...this week has been my FIRST Spring Break where I didn't have to work (usually a second job) since.... I don't know when!! It hasn't necessarily been relaxing by any means, but I've loved every second of it!  At the end of February I had my FIRST experience of returning to work as a mother. Definitely one of the most challenging things I've ever done in my life.  I won't go into detail.  Let's just say spring break was welcomed with BIG OPEN ARMS and a SMILE ON MY FACE!

Since I haven't posted any pictures since Em has been home and of adjusting into everyday life I thought I would finally post some pics while we have a few extra minutes.  Being a mother is seriously as amazing, challenging, and rewarding as I always imagined it would be! I've had good reason to be so excited to be a mother ever since I was 10 :).  I love it.  Emelia has captured our hearts and we love everything about her.  She is a really good-natured baby and such a sweetheart!  She is a girl after her mother's heart and get's EXTREMELY cranky when she's hungry, and we're still trying to find ways to get more sleep at night.  But all in all we have no complaints.  We love being mom and dad! The people she will smile at first thing in the morning and the people who can comfort her when she's sad.

I thought a fun way to catch you up on some pics and goings-on would be a post of FIRSTS:

Em's FIRST sponge-bath at home.  It wasn't very fun getting all of
the remaining bandages and sticky's off!  But she pulled through.

                               

FIRST time daddy changed my stinky bum...this is for real

FIRST time listening intently to what daddy had to say....

NOT the FIRST time capturing his heart.

FIRST naps relaxing at home.

 FIRST times playing on the floor with mom.

 FIRST times watching TV...already hooked...uh oh, we can reverse this.
Only a few weeks old and already thinks she can sit up like a big girl.

So strong! Rockin at tummy time only a few weeks old.
This girly continually surprises us with her strength!

FIRST time dressing up as a super hero.


FIRST Valentines! Thanks Gma Nise for the tummy-time
water toy. And thanks Grammy Debbie for the much needed bibs!

FIRST time noticing how a mirror works and that
hands are mighty tasty!

 FIRST time cheering on the Aggies. Thanks great g-ma T
for the cute accessories!

 FIRST superbowl.

 FIRST attempts at smiles...man they're hard to catch on camera!


FIRST time dressing up like an 80's exercise video star!
NOT the first time reading stories with mom and falling asleep in her lap.

 And...just because everyone thinks I have the "cutest little face"
and "porcelain skin".

TEAM BEAR

Those eyes!!

Logan Bear is my sweet little nephew of only 6 months.  He was born with a serious heart condition that wasn't detected until he was a couple of weeks old, but has since taken over and consumed his and his family's life. Baby Bear is still sub-13 pounds despite his momma's diligent efforts to help him gain weight; his heart is just working too hard to keep pumping for his little body to retain any of the calories. He is blessed with outstanding, faithful, and strong parents who have stood as rocks throughout all of the ups and downs that go with having a child with a heart problem.  

Recently things took a turn for the worst.  He is blessed to be surrounded by many loving family members and friends and thankfully, outstanding doctors.  He had open heart surgery on March 1, 2013 where the surgeon stitched up a valve to decrease leakage and with the hopes of increasing overall heart function and decreasing the chance for the need of a mechanical valve.  He was expected to need a few weeks recovery but went home only 6 days later! He is such a strong little Bear and amazes me all of the time. (Can't wait until he's no longer under quarantine and I can spend some time with him :) ).

Logan has been blessed through countless prayers and love but unfortunately needs financial blessings as well.  Logan's mom designed the Team Bear Logo you see on his shirt in hopes to one-day start a foundation to support babies with heart conditions.  Logan's aunt Natalie decided to get a head start and surprise Logan's family for Christmas with Team Bear hoodies.  These hoodies are to show love and support to Logan Bear and help financially support his family.  Hoodies are $30, long and short sleeve tees are $25, and all proceeds go to help pay for Baby Bear's medical bills.  If you aren't interested in buying a hoodie but are interested in helping, monetary donations are welcome as well!

Team Bear order forms give a more detailed summary of Logan's condition, find them here:

Order Team Bear hoodies or shirts here!

(When you click on the link it may tell you it's harmful to your computer. Just so you know it's just an online doc and should be just fine.)

NEXT ORDER GOES OUT MARCH 31st!!!

Email all order forms, donations, or questions to Natalie: quinnsquinns23@gmail.com.

I don't have a picture of Coup and me in our hoodies, but here is little Em supporting her cousin :).