Monday, July 1, 2013

Changed Forever

It's been a really long time since I've posted, but I have a perfectly good excuse for why it's taken so long......
I've been taking care of this sweet girl, and it has been the most wonderful experience of my life! When I was pregnant, I was constantly given one piece of advice.  "Cherish every moment, because it goes by quickly."  I have really tried to heed that advice.  I can't tell you how many times this poem has run through my head on days when I feel like I haven't gotten a single thing done.
UNDONE: Babies don't keep

So, there have been days where I literally have done nothing but hold her ALL DAY LONG!  I didn't feel one bit bad about it either!  I have wanted to be a mother for as long as I can remember, and I finally have the opportunity to experience the wonderful blessing that it is.  I'm soaking up every minute I can.  Thus, my reasoning for not blogging.....along with a million other things.  Not much really seems important anymore.

I can't believe how much this sweet little girl has changed me.  From the moment I saw her, through my tear filled eyes, I felt this instant bond and the deepest feeling of love.  I finally understood what people meant before when I told them I was a nanny, and they would say "Just wait until it's your own child!" It IS so much different when you are taking care of your own sweet baby.  She is mine!  I helped create her!  She depends on me to care for her, and I would do anything for her!  When I look into her face, she resembles me, and she also resembles the man I love!  It's so incredible!  I am responsible for this little person, and I have really enjoyed almost every minute with her!  I never even minded waking up 3 and 4 times a night during the first weeks.  When I saw her sweet face, and held her in my arms, there was absolutely nothing better.  It was worth any sacrifice. I finally understand the love my parents have for me, and it also has made me think of my Heavenly Father and how much He loves each one of us as his children.  

It's been hard for me to see how quickly time has passed since Brooklynn was born.  She's growing and changing so quickly, and I already feel like I'm losing my baby!  She's already been with us for over 11 weeks!  

She's gone from this teenie tiny little baby, 
to this infant that's trying to hold her head up, who is constantly smiling, and starting to make squawking noises!
Joe put her in the Bumbo the other day just to see how she would do.  She's still so little, but she's grown so much since she was born.
 During the first few weeks, besides a trip to her pediatrician's office, we spent most of our time at home.  We had several fun visits from friends and family, including:

Tiffany, Braden, and my parents.



My Best Friend, Ashley.

 and my Sister-In-Law and niece (Brittany and Raquel)
It was SO much fun to have them come stay with us, and to see them so excited to meet Brooklynn.  We're so blessed to have such incredible family and friends.

Brooklynn was blessed the first Sunday in June, and we were blessed to share the day with Joe's wonderful family.

We just love this little girl SOOOOOO much!!!!

In the beginning, it was an adjustment for sure!  It took me a few days to wrap my mind around the fact that I would be home pretty much all the time, and I would be repeating the same things over and over again.  It was hard for the first week or so.  Then it became the norm, and I learned to enjoy my time at home, just taking care of her.  Now, we are able to take her out to do things and she has just become my little buddy!  She goes where I go!  I love looking in the back seat and seeing this......
I mean seriously, she's so adorable!!  

Our days have been filled with trips to the pool,
Running Errands,
and lots of time just chilling at home together.  This is my favorite place to be, and these are my favorite moments.  I love just looking at this sweet girl.  

She is such a happy baby, and there is nothing sweeter than when she looks up with those big eyes, and a huge smile crosses her face!  She's starting to find her voice, and it's the sweetest thing to hear her cute little noises.


Joe has been so sweet to watch Brooklynn for about an hour and a half several times a week, in the evenings, so that I can go to the gym.  He's such a wonderful father, and I have never worried about leaving the two of them alone.  I know he loves her just as much as I do, and he loves spending time with his little girl.  

Anyone that knows Joe, knows that he's a big kid at heart.  He loves to tease, tickle, laugh, and have fun!  I'm sure he does this when it's just the two of them, but I have heard and seen him use her as his little puppet when I've been getting ready on Sundays, or at night if he's holding her.......... and she loves it!  Here are a few that I've captured.....

This is "Home Alone!"   He also has her do the "Sprinkler Dance" with her arms.

This happened one Sunday night when we were just chilling at home.  He told me to look over, and this is what he had done with her finger while she was sleeping.  I will admit that I laughed pretty hard! Such a silly guy!  

We never knew how much this little girl would change us.  She's taught us so much!  She's made us want to be better, and she's brought us closer.  We feel incredibly blessed to be her parents.