Maternity Shoot

This pregnancy is flying by and I haven't taken much time to write in my journal about Baby Girl.  My goal while i'm in Alaska is work on a journal and to record things about the first part of this pregnancy. In the meantime I need to get these sweet pictures posted of our little photo shoot.

We didn't announce publicly that we were having a baby so when we took gender reveal pictures we posted them online to announce to extended family and friends.  It was hard to wait 20 weeks to announce, but it was so fun to get these pictures done!

Memorial Day 2015

We had a great Memorial Day weekend spent in Salmon, Idaho with Bryan's parents and extended family. It was good to see so many of Bryan's aunts and uncles and Eli loved playing outside! 

Our first stop was the cemetery to visit Bryan's grandma on his dad's side. Eli was more interested in finding big 'camping sticks'. 

It was hard to get a 4 generation picture of Eli, Bryan, his dad, and Bryan's Grandad Westfall. But we snuck one in ;) 

There were plenty of BBQ's and lots and lots of yummy food!

Eli loved Bryan's great uncle. This is his grandpas brother. It was sweet to see them playing and imagining what it would have been like for Eli to know Bryan's grandpa. 

Salmon is just a quiet beautiful farming community. This is where Bryan's mom grew up. Bryan's dad grew up in salmon too! 

Eli requested Shane to push him :) 

Then off to the cemetery to visit both of Bryan's mom's parents. I was able to meet Bryan's grandpa a couple times before he passed away and he was a very very sweet man. 

Eli found this blue ball of yarn before we left town and insisted it was his puppy. He dragged that thing around everywhere! 

Great weekend but I think we wore Eli out ;) 

Mother's Day 2015

As the weather has gotten warmer we've gotten busier playing outside and I've neglected blogging as much. I hope to catch up soon but in the meantime I'll post just a few pics from Mothers Day. 

On Saturday we went shopping. For me. Which is pretty rare. Usually it's for things we need or work clothes for Bryan. I found a great tunic to work while I'm pregnant and after and a fun kimono style cardigan thing. I feel pretty in it :) 

Then we had lunch at a Mexican resturant which was soo yummy, probably just because I had been craving Mexican food. 

Sunday was a relaxing day at church, and we snuck in a couple family pictures. All in all a good day. 

This was the first Mother's Day where I was a mom to more than one. Although one is still cooking, I felt more of a bond as she grows inside. It also made me miss the teeny spirit we miscarried. I never met this baby, and was only pregnant for 12 weeks but I missed that baby a lot that day. Maybe just thinking about what a blessing motherhood is but also how fragile life is. 

There is are two lilac bushes that hang over into our yard so we enjoyed some free mothers days flowers this year. And holy Cow they smelled amazing!! 

Rice Chex Carmel Cookie

I found this recipe online last night but didn't have any butterscotch chips so I tweaked the recipe to make due without. And they were amazing! 

http://prettyplainjanes.com/2014/02/26/chex-scotcharoos/

I cut the original recipe in half and it still made a pan of cookies:

Place  3 cups rice chex in a bowl. Set aside. In microwave safe bowl add 1/2 c corn syrup, 1/4 c brown sugar and 1/4 c white sugar. Heat for 30 seconds at a time until almost boiling (1 1/2-2 min)

Add in 3/4 c peanut butter into syrup and sugar. Pour over cereal. Using spoon, scoop lumps onto wax paper or greased foil on a cookie sheet. 

Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired. Let cool or refrigerate. Enjoy! 

Dear Baby Girl,

My sweet baby girl,

We have waited a long time to welcome you to our family. The first three months after finding out I was pregnant with you creeped by so slowly. I was so afraid something would go wrong or I would lose you. Each time I heard your heartbeat or saw your tiny heart beating on the screen I was filled with peace. 

From the time I became pregnant I thought you were a girl. Everytime I imagined you I saw a sweet calm daughter. I was not suprised in the slightest when we found out for sure you were going to be our first daughter! 

Your big brother kept asking to see your sweet face and see your lips and mouth moving. He thought you were talking to him. I can hardly wait to see your friendship grow over the years. He will be so kind and gentle to you. And protective in keeping you safe. 

Your daddy and I love you so so much already and look forward to the day we can snuggle you in our arms and kiss your sweet cheeks. Please know you are loved more than you'll ever understand.