Payton, Kali & Vivienne

Expected Messes

2012-02-28T15:15:00.008-08:00

I have realized that if I am to get anything done with my little busy body side kick around, then I have to let messes be made. It seriously is the only way I can get anything done! So if I need to clean something then once I'm done I will also have a smaller mess to pick up as well. Thought it would be fun to share with you what a typical day at our house looks like....

First thing this particular morning I woke up with a bad headache! Payt got up to get ready for work and took Viv with him to make his protein shake and give me a few minutes peace. Once he left I couldn't brave the day yet and after shutting all the doors, making sure the tissues were far out of reach and getting her basket of toys, I turned on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and laid back down with an ice pack.

Que mess number one:

Not really that bad. Especially when you compare it to the tissue graveyard that was there a few days earlier when Viv discovered the box half way under the bed!

Once I was up and going for the day I jumped in the shower and then continued to get ready. Mess number two ensues:

She always has to be right at my heels and occasionally I will get a nice aching foot from a metal shaving can or large bottle of mouthwash.

Followed me to the closet while I was getting dressed.

Next we ventured to her bedroom to get her ready for the day as well as fold and put away her load of laundry. Mess three:

This particular day I was going into the office for a couple of hours. Thankfully Viv slept and did not make a mess there like she usually does! We then went back home and I had to get started on my confirmation calls for work. Mess four I believe:

There are also a bunch of little crumbs from some snacks she was having as well as a pile of books pulled off the shelf.

Once calling was done, we moved to the living room so I could fold a few loads of laundry that should have been done the day before! Mess hmm, don't remember what number we're on:

Taking a break to watch Dora, but only for a minute!

And then onto dinner time!

Love those sweet little feet poking out under her bum.

Aside from this, she has dug through the drawer and emptied an entire box of ziplock sandwich bags.

Once Daddy is home, she makes a terrific mess of herself with that nights dinner. Daddy then takes her to get cleaned up and they both have a fabulous time in the bubble bath giving Momma a little break to clean up from dinner.

Then it's time to play! This time no mess really needs to be made cause both Momma and Daddy are free! Once the yawns and red eyes appear it's off to bed and before you know it we are left to our own devices. Now this is the tricky part! Should I clean something, fold that last load of laundry, work on one of my many projects or maybe get my hairy legs back in order?! Most nights none of the above and I find myself flopped on the bed with E News on. Then when I finally climb into bed for the night, I usually wish that Viv was awake so I could hold her and love on her. But then I remember that I also want her to be sleeping so I can sleep.

Fortunately, I really am completely ok with all her little messes. And I have become an expert at picking them up in record time! I try to make sure that one mess is picked up before another begins. When I do forget one, it is usually met by a stunned face from Daddy when he gets home. Oh but if he only knew! I love having her be my little shadow. And occasionally amidst making the messes she will crawl over and climb up to me and just need a little love before going back to her destruction. I LOVE this little girl! I wouldn't trade these messes for anything.

She was enjoying this till I got the camera out, go figure!

CCC Crafts And A New Mantle!

2012-02-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the things we did over the girls weekend:

No-sew tu-tus.

Pull out photo tins. I filled mine with pictures of family so Viv will be able to look through it and know who everyone is since we don't live close.

Printed sayings onto burlap. I choose to stretch mine over an art canvas but you could put it in a frame, make a pillow or many other things I'm sure.


This is the notebook I decorated to start my own happiness project. We also made neck-tie t-shirts but I was a slacker and failed to make mine!

While I was up North for the girl's weekend my amazing Dad was down South at my house building us a NEW MANTLE! There were and still are a few things that were not exactly finished or done well with our house when we moved in. We have fixed a few and will just have to hold off on many others till the money to do so presents itself. One of the biggest things was the fireplace. They had slapped some tile around it and had not even finished grouting it or anything! It was UGLY. My Dad is an expert handy man extraordinaire! The things he has done to remodel his homes, build custom things for them, refinish antiques and well pretty much any and all projects that may present themselves have been simply amazing! I have always been so impressed with his know how and talent and abilities. So for Christmas, he said he would build us a mantel. And build it he did!

I was feeling so bad that he was coming all the way down here by himself to just work for the whole weekend! I was not going to be here to host him and make him comfortable which is how I would prefer it but he insisted. It turned into quite the project. All day Friday and then Payt jumped in and he helped all day Saturday and a good part of Sunday! They had a few set backs, Dad falling down my front porch with a section of the mantle in tow and smashing part of it! They weather getting cold and the garage not warm enough to have the paint dry properly just to name a few! But all the crazy long days and hard work paid off!! It was so fun to come home to the new mantel and I have loved seeing it everyday. It makes me excited to add one more thing to our home. Slowly but surely I can't wait for our house to get to the place I want it to be.

The only before pictures that I could find :

Yes here I was at some odd weeks pregnant. As you can see the ugly tile just slapped on the wall. No frame around the fireplace or cover for the control panel. It did still have all those little rubber X things to stick between the tile before you grout it and we did at least take those out! Ha

Shot of the whole living room. BORING.

And After:

Absolutely Fabulous! I had pretty much left it up to my Dad to do whatever he wanted and I think he did such an awesome job. He had already built five mantels to replace the antique ones he was taking out of the Brigham house when they sold it and I tell ya, this man could go into the mantel building business!

I love the red! I think it's so unique and fun. The base at the bottom is large enough so Viv can't burn her hands on the glass which is a bonus!

I love the tin accent on the top half and the bead board on the bottom. I love that I have a mantel that I can put things on to decorate my living room more! I just LOVE it! Dad did such a great job and thanks to Payt for helping him out! I could not be happier.

2nd Annual CCC Weekend

2012-02-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

This January we had our 2nd Annual CCC Baird Girls Weekend. And boy was it FABULOUS! I was so happy that I was able to go again and see everyone since I live away from them and this is basically the one guaranteed time I might see them each year!

Viv and I were able to fly up up for an extra long visit. It was so nice to not have to drive by myself with her! Especially since she has been getting more and more difficult when we travel. We left early Thursday morning the 19th and got into SLC by 10:30. Mom picked us up and we were able to go visit Angie at her home. We stopped for lunch at Plates and Palates, Yum! After just hanging out the rest the day at Grandma's house we met up with Mccall, Mckenzie and Aunt Tay with Oliver at Arella's pizza in Bountiful. It was so much fu to see those girls and finally catch up! I had not seen Kenz for about a year and a half and Call for almost four years!! We headed over to their mom's house to continue the visiting but only as long as the two kiddos would allow! I was bummed I forgot to take a picture!

Viv playing with the toys at Grandma's house.

The next day Tay and I went to get all the groceries for the weekend and Mom went to get the last minute craft stuff. People started showing around 2 and all at once the conversations began! I love getting together with this group of women! We all have so much fun together and we really don't need to be doing anything at all! The conversation and laughter and stories are enough to keep this bunch entertained for days! We had a few different crafts planned for the occasion and started out with no sew tu-tus that night and pull out photo tins.

Vivienne was SOO good! I was worried she would be overwhelmed with the masses and be a little stinker like she was over Thanksgiving but she was a little champ and loved everyone around her! She was so easy going and just played. I think she just loves being around people. She really loves Jane!


Playing in little kid dish drawer while wearing her Tu-tu Aunt Cole made for her! And yes she is still in her jammers, I believe it was like 2 in the afternoon! That night we had yummy soups with salad and rolls for dinner and the conversation continued well into the night! We had all 20 of us ladies sleeping in my mom's house! Mom, Cole, Tay, Viv and I all had a slumber party in My mom's room and stayed up late visiting in the dark. When we decided it was probably time to stop talking for about the 10th time Mom remembered that we had not gotten the stuff out for the breakfast rolls! So we all got up and ventured downstairs at about 2 in the morning or so and heard some conversation in the basement. Cole, Tay and I went down and found Ashlee, Karina and Allysia still up so we joined it that conversation for another hour or so! The next morning the conversation picked right back up and we had a big yummy breakfast after which we dove right back into the crafts. We all decorated our own notebooks to begin our own "Happiness Projects". Then some began on making t-shirts that had old neck-ties on the collar. All the while we had Mom taking numbers to have everyone print off cute sayings and pictures onto burlap to decorate with. I among many other stayed in my jammies the majority of the day and chose to forgo putting on make up, brushing my hair or even brushing my teeth! TMI?? Hahah it was SOOOO much fun!

Tay, Viv and I in our Jammies. Probably about four in the afternoon at this point!

And the whole gang with just a few of our finished projects! I will need to post some pictures of all my finished projects! Don't know why I didn't think of that till just this moment. Top: Mom, Aunt Angie, Jane, Cole, Betsy, Olive, Abby, Me, Viv, Tay, Erin and Samantha. Bottom: Mary, Aunt Kathy, Grandma Baird, Juanee, Karina, Ashlee and Aunt Laurie. I didn't get a picture this year of the pregnant girls! Last year it was Aunt Laurie, Ashlee, Allysia and I. This year we had Taylor, Juanee and Karina all due in the same month! Karina with a boy and the other two with girls. Wonder who will be in the pregnant wave next year??? That night we all went to a baby shower for Juanee at her Grandma Becky's house. It was a CRAZY blizzard!! I was pretty cranky to have to be out in that wet snow and was so glad to remember that I DON'T LIVE THERE ANYMORE!!

Lottie came to play on Sunday and Viv was in heaven! She loves other kids and Lottie loves her! She is so sweet to her and calls her "Babee Biv".

Uncle Dallen and Viv. Yes she looks like a little boy here! All her Jammies were dirty so she borrowed some Grandma had and they were boy jammies.

Monday I was able to meet up with an old friend for Lunch Tori Loveless. We met at CPK at the Gateway and she had a little boy about Viv's age that she nannies with her so that was fun for Viv. Tori and I were inseparable from about 4th grade to 11th grade! I can't even really remember why we stopped being friends, stupid high school stuff I'm sure! We have gotten together only three times since then and it had been five years since I had seen her. It was so fun to catch up and visit for a tiny bit. It stinks we had such a short time I'm sure we could have kept talking for hours! Afterwards I headed up to Nicole's house to spend the night. It was so much fun to get to be back in her home for just a small moment. Even though it is much different than it used to be when I was always there, it was completely the same. I sure love that family and all that they have done for me! It was fun for Viv to get to play with her cousins and to get to visit with Cole like old times. She made Cafe Rio pork salad for dinner, yum! And we stayed up and watched episodes of Modern Family with Matt and of course ate Cutlers cookies!

Viv seemed a little sick on Monday and by Tuesday she had really bad diarrhea. It was seriously the saddest thing ever. I had to change almost every 30 minutes and her bum was red and raw. I climbed in the tub with her and Walter and she giggled away when he would blow the bubbles! After they sat by each other and watched a show. He was so sweet with her!

We got a babysitter for Cole's boys and made one last minute trip to Olive Garden for lunch! It is always so sad to say good bye. I just have to think ahead to the next time we will get to visit and then I don't get too down.

Viv and Cole at lunch. We headed back to Grandma's for a couple of hours before booking it to the airport to catch our plane that night. We had a little hold up with a blow out and a diaper rash bum! It was a little crazy with Viv in her sling on my hip and me lugging my carry on and a back pack seriously to the freaking boonies in the airport! I swear it was literally the farthest you can possibly go. It was quite comical getting through security, having to try and get my boots off with Viv attached to me and almost forgetting my jacket while a security woman chased me down. My arm that was pulling my suitcase and taking the brunt of Viv's weight from the sling felt like it was going to fall off! I was about crying and breathing really hard in pain to just make it to the gate! I made it to my gate as they were boarding thank goodness and was very grateful when a nice old man offered to take my carry on so I could board. The woman that took my ticket informed me that she had saved the seat next to me so I could have more space which was really nice. I thought I was really lucky that even though we got stuck waiting in line to take off Viv was being very happy and alternating between peeking between the seats at the man behind us and then out the window at the lights. Then about 15 minutes before take of she had another poopy! I didn't want to get up since I knew we were gonna take off but was worried to change her in my seat for fear it would smell. I decided to wait till we took off then head to the rest room. Of course when we took of she fell right to sleep and I felt so bad waking her but didn't want her to sit in it till we landed with her diaper rash. by this time most people had their lights off and I decided to chance staying in my seat. By some miracle Viv let me change her diaper in silence, that was a first, and then I nursed her back to sleep. She stayed asleep the whole flight and even when I got off till I handed her over to Payt. Oh boy was it good to see our Daddy!! It was so fun to get to visit everyone but it was soo much nicer to come home to my sweet love and our sweet little home. Poor Viv had a fever for a few days after we got home and it took her over a week to get her little tummy back to normal at which point both Payt and I got sick with cold's as well!

Viv staring out the window of the plane.

Viv and Momma on the plane. We had such a fun time and I'm so grateful to Payt for letting me go and take his little girl away for a few days and to Mom for helping me get there! Until next year!

January 2012

2012-02-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

And the catch up slowly continues.....

January 6th was Payts 24th birthday. That young thing! Ha I really don't ever remember the fact that he is younger than me until his birthday has to remind me every year. He insists that his Birthday is just another day and refuses to let me remind anyone or have any sort of fuss over the event. So I simply made him a cake to come home to and we did end up going out to dinner with Bentley and Kyann that weekend.

Viv and The Birthday Boy

My sad attempt at a cake!

She had a sampling of the frosting while I was making the cake and for the first time ever was very demanding that she have more of anything she has ever tried! I guess it's true what they say about avoiding sweet things!

She basically picked all the frosting off and licked her fingers.

She saw this kitty at Urban Renewal and it has been the first thing she has really ever gotten excited over so we just had to buy it for her. She had been being really fussy in the car up to that point but the rest of the time she just sat in the back and talked to her new Razzy Cat. It was so cute! After that every time you would show him to her she would get a big grin and throw her arms around him.

Playing at the park with Bridgett and Boyd. She just wanted to put every little thing in her mouth! Can't wait till that phase is over.

First time in a swing. She was not super thrilled.

We have been seeing lots of Bridgett and Boyd lately! Viv loves to have a little friend to play with. Of course they both always seem to want what the other has!

Viv showing Boyd how much fun it is to yank all the books off the shelf.

Daddy gave Viv some of his frozen berries he uses for his shake and she was in heaven!

It looked like she was bleeding!

Just hanging out with Daddy watching the cars drive by and enjoying the warm sun.

I love how she always kneels and her little feet stick out from under her bum!

The last few months she has decided that she had been good long enough when it came to getting her diaper changed and getting dressed. Now she hates it and rolls, twists, kicks and screams! I have to usually get her dressed while she is playing and crawling around. So in between picking up toys I am yanking a shirt over her head or slipping an arm through a sleeve! For about a week all she wanted to do was get up and yank all the diapers out of the basket.


I finally just put them on the floor and let her go to town so she wouldn't fall off the table! Cute little nakey bum! And that was January at our house in a picture nutshell! We are just happy as pie and loving the warm weather!

Christmas Day 2011

2012-02-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

Well here we are a week into February and I am just getting around to posting Christmas! I have no good excuse for my lack of blogging. This does seem to be the normal for me though! Christmas this year was pretty odd. It was the first Christmas that I was not able to see any of my Garner family and it just reminded me that I am growing up and can't still be a little kid running around with all my siblings. I guess every step in life has it's ups, and also it's downs. It just makes me grateful that I have such amazing relationships with all my siblings and that we are always able to pick right up where we left off and have a blast with each other and all our new little families.

On Christmas Eve I hosted a simple get together with Payton's Mom, Todd, his grandparents and his brothers. Lots of yummy food and treats! Joyce brought a fun DVD compiled of old home videos of the three boys and it was so fun to see how stinking cute they all were when they were little.

Christmas morning was simple and quiet. We just had our sweet little family like it was any other day. We assisted Viv in opening a few presents.. okay it was mostly for us. She had really no idea what was going on and just thought we were all hanging out in the living room together. It will be so fun next year when she can be excited. It is so funny how Christmas just changes when you grow up! I finally realized that my Mom and Dad really didn't feel bad that they had hardly any presents under the tree with their names one them. All the fun is in watching your kids excitement and happiness. I always felt so bad when we were little and they only had a few presents next to all of ours! But little did I know!

We just relaxed the rest of the day and then headed over to Bentley's house late afternoon to spend time with Payton's Dad and Tanya. After exchanging presents, we switched gears and went into Birthday mode! Kyann's little girl Addy turned 7 on Christmas day so we did presents an cake for her.

A day after Christmas Nicole was able to come down for a couple days and we enjoyed some much needed sister time! Matt was so good to keep the kids and let her get away. We stayed up way too late, ate way too many treats and had way too much fun! Lots of fabulous conversation, laughter, a little Edward Cullen in there somewhere, a trip to Urban Renewal (never a disappointment!), lunch at a fun little cafe and just plain old fun. It has been so fun to have the roles switched and get to see Cole with my little Viv. She is so good with her and I love that when she is around she is completely wrapped up in her just like I was with her little ones!

It was a great holiday and I can't believe that it was already a whole month and a half ago! Where in the world does all the time disappear to??

First Christmas-8 months old.

Momma opening Viv's present!

Christmas book from Grandma Tia that has her recorded reading it!

What happens when I tell Payt I want him to take a picture of Viv with him!

Kitty had fun with all the paper

Banana muffins for breakfast

Viv loves her baby cousin Beckam! And we have a pretty cute Daddy if I do say so myself! MmmmHmmm.

"Why are you crying Beckam?"

Christmas outfits

Grandpa Hugie and Tanya with the kids. Addy, Beckam and Vivienne.

First Christmas as our little family, with awesome white socks!

Vivienne 8 months and Beckam 2 months. They weighed almost the same here!

Videos For The Family

2012-01-10T21:59:00.000-08:00

Well here is a grundle of little video clips of Vivienne just being her cute little self. These are for my family since they don't get to be around and see her much. This first video is her with the lap top, she loves to close it.This is just Viv chatting, saying Da-Da a little bit.This was when Nicole came to visit after Christmas and she had her laughing.Here she is enjoying some left over Christmas ham.Here you can see how the cat runs from her, a little crawling and her cute little wave that she learned from telling Daddy bye when he goes to work.And a little bit of her dancing. Sorry she is nakey from taking a bath and the video is sideways!

Eight Months

2012-01-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

I had originally been counting by weeks for how old Viv was and realized that when a year hit then the weeks would not add up! So after her seven month post it was more like a month and a half before she was officially eight months. And of course I am behind as usual, so at the moment she is eight and a half months but I still have all these cute pictures I need to document!

Vivienne has been going 100 mph and is showing no signs of slowing down! She started crawling right after her seven month post and has turned into a little wind up speed demon. It still is amazing to me how fast she gets from one place to another. If she has things to hold on to then she can walk her little self anywhere within reach with ease.

She has the cutest little sassy attitude when she is trying to get what she wants. She is a little screech owl when she gets really excited and we play a game where we go back and forth squealing louder and louder. When Payt and I get laughing with each other she quickly realizes something is up and joins in with the laughter.

For some reason she loves to eat tissues and toilet paper and we have to keep an eye on her, for if she gets her little hands on it then it goes straight in her mouth for munching.

She loves kids and especially babies smaller than her. She gets so happy and excited when she sees them and can't get enough of her little cousin Beckam.

She has become our little dancer and whenever music comes on she just can't help but to bounce her little body up and down. She has always loved when I sing to her and it can usually stop her crying, unless she is beyond ticked!

About two months ago I decided to cut her off of her nightly milk feeds and was prepared for the worst week of no sleep. But sweet little girl that she is, she only gave me one rough night! The next night she slept for 12 hours! She has slept through the night without fail since then, anywhere from 10 to 12 hours average. And right from the beginning, when she wakes up in the morning she makes a few little noises and then patiently waits standing up in her crib for us to come get her. The only exchange is that she has to have her Momma and get some milk in her tummy before she will be happy and playful like she used to be when she woke up.

She can handle the vacuum, blow dryer and magic bullet but for some reason she is terrified of the hand mixer.

She has turned into such a great little eater and her appetite is starting to become more apparent. I am so proud of how well she does with food. I have been so pleased with the Baby Led Weaning method so far and I am so happy that I came across it when I did. I have not had to step in at any moment and help her in any way. She is so good at working with the food and not choking on anything. If she does get something caught she is so good at getting it back out and I love feeling relief that I don't have to be paranoid about her choking.

She still loves the Kitty so much and after man handling him one too many times he stays clear of her! When she sees him she squeals in excitement and I am pretty sure his hair stands on end as he books it to another room.

She is top notch at making messes! But if Momma ever wants to get anything done then messes we shall have! I have gotten used to re-arranging the books on the bookshelf, loading everything back in the bathroom cupboards, replacing shoes on their shelves and so on. Payt will say "Momma she is making a mess", and if I am busy I say "well is she happy?" Haha that is just the way it is and I'm sure when walking begins it will multiply ten times over!

Oh I just LOVE her. That is the most I can remember at the moment but I'll be back soon with her nine month post. And of course lots of pictures!!

Before the Kitty would run!

Mmmm sghetti! The only down side to Baby Led Weaning, MESSY!

Look at those giant bites out of that mallow!

Munching on some Christmas ham.

Hello stinking cute little jeans! From Grandpa Hugie and Tanya.

Skinny little bum!

November

2011-12-17T01:11:00.000-08:00

I have neglected the blog a little as of late. So now I'm back and you will have to bear with me and my catch-up. This is just a quick look at our month of November in pictures.

We took a quick weekend trip up to Logan to attend Craig and Tanya's wedding. It was a fun, freezing snowy weekend. Very low key and relaxing. They were married on 11-11-11. That doesn't happen very often! It will definitely be easy for me to remember! We of course went to El Sol for lunch and then had the wedding at Elements. Craig and Tanya's good friend owns the restaurant. It was a small quick ceremony and then very yummy meal. Then Saturday we had an early Thanksgiving dinner with Tanya's mom Rae and sister Nancy. Lot's of relaxing and tons of food! We decided to head to my parents that night and spend a little time with them before heading back to the warmth and leaving the snow behind.

With Tanya and Craig after the ceremony.

She loves when you give her water with a straw!

Viv's first time seeing Snow.

Payt was excited to show it to her and stuck her hands right into it. I am not sure what she thought of it!

With Grandpa Garner and having Sunday breakfast below.

She loves drinking like a big girl.

Bubble Bath!

Weekend naps with Daddy are the best!

Diaper head! She looks like she's wearing a powdered wig.

Showin off her chub!

We came back up North for the Thanksgiving Holiday and spent the weekend at my parents house. After a crazy Thanksgiving day; getting very lost, being very late, eating cold food and having a clingy fussy baby things were great! It was fun seeing all the Baird clan! We did take a trip to Holgo Zoo that morning to see the elephants with the giant pumpkins. It was pretty crowded but was fun to walk around and see all the other animals. Sadly Dad had to leave the next morning and go do some damage control in Denver for work. We had lots of relaxing down time and we were able to hang out with all my brothers a lot. Cole got really sick and had to take a trip to the hospital so we weren't able to spend any time with their family and I was so sad! We all went to dinner at Pizza Factory Friday night and then watched the boys try out their skills on the flow rider in Ogden. Saturday the boys were able to all go shooting and blow up some of Matt's pumpkins! The girls had some of their own time and Mom watched the kids so we could go shop a little. That night the Dane made us his fabulous ice cream topping (no-bake cookie sauce minus the oatmeal, yummy!) then they watched a movie while the girls worked on Christmas banners. Dad got home late that night so we were able to see him for Sunday breakfast before he started out his meetings and we hit the road. The last few trips have gotten progressively more difficult with Viv. Unless she is sleeping she doesn't wanna be in the car! Hopefully it doesn't get too much worse! Other than that Viv and I just continue being buddies all day while Daddy is at work and love when he gets home each night. I'll try and get caught up and do Viv's 8 month post in a few days! Below is us at the zoo!

Video Fun

2011-11-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

Here are a few fun videos of sweet Viv. These are for you Nicole!!

Finally crawling, well sort of!

Seven Months

2011-11-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Last night Vivienne had gone to bed particularly early. Since she slept in my bed for the first six months, we have not broken her habit of waking up often and wanting to nurse back to sleep. So the time rolled around that she started fussing. Even though I had already been in bed for over an hour I was still wide awake and let her fuss off and on for a while before I made my way to her room. I reached my hand into her dark crib and touched her cheek. She immediately stopped crying. I picked her up and she curled into me and rubbed her tiny hands over her eyes. I settled into the rocker and she began to nurse. Usually I am so tired at these moments and I can barley keep my eyes open but tonight was different. I sat and stared at her dark figure and thought about this sweet baby girl curled up in my lap. Her soft tiny fingers tickled back and forth over my chest and neck. She then reached up for my face, found my chin and followed along my jaw until her fingers entwined with my hair. I reached up and untangled her fingers and she began to play with my hand. I rocked her until she drifted off. It reminded me of one of my favorite books growing up and a line out of it. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be".

Earlier that night we had bathed together, one of our favorite things! I took her out and wrapped her in her monkey towel. She usually never holds still and squirms the second she is put down. This time I plopped her on the bathroom counter in front of the mirror and she just sat there as still as could be. She looked into the mirror back at me with the most beautiful calm face. My eyes filled up with tears. I have these moments when it hits me like a ton of bricks that this sweet little girl is mine. She is so perfect and healthy, so strong and so smart. She is the most amazing thing in the whole world. Payt and I continuously say to each other, "she is so sweet isn't she?" And the other always replies, "Yes she is."

I am so excited for this little girl to learn and grow. To experience all the wonderful things and to be able to help her along and teach her. But I am so sad to see each moment pass. I wish I could steal these little moments in time and hide them away in a safe place. And someday when she is grown and wondering what she is going to wear to school the next day or who her best friend is, then I will be able to find a quiet place to myself and pull out my little box of stolen moments and hold my sweet baby girl again.

Seven months has flown by! I still can't believe how grown up she already is. She is so playful and DOES NOT hold still unless she is asleep. She is so close to crawling all over the place. I think we might be baby-proofing the house this weekend! She rolls and twists, rocks and wiggles. She moves all over the place, just hasn't quite figured the moving forward part yet. She talks in her sweet little jibberish all the time and discovers different sounds that she can make with her mouth. She loves strawberries, cantaloupe, cucumbers, apples, carrots and pickles! She still has no teeth yet but that doesn't stop her from gnawing little bites off of her favorite foods and munching them around in her gummy little mouth. She weighs 17 1/2 pounds and is 24 1/2 inches tall. If she is ever sad, just give her something to stand up and hold on to and she is just happy as pie! She is a big time Momma's girl and is very wary of strangers. But she sure loves her Daddy! She always has a giant smile for him. She loves, or maybe is just very curious of the kitty. The second he is in her view she is entranced. If she gets close enough she will man handle him and thankfully he has not bitten her yet. It helps to give me one more pro in deciding to keep the cat. She is of course still the best part of our world and we can never get enough of her. We sure love our little Viv. And of course here is a picture overload of the last month.

Hanging with Daddy
We went out to shoot Payts gun one afternoon and took a nice long fall drive.

Lovin her a nice big juicy strawberry!

Momma and Viv.
We finally got her a walker just after she was six months. She loves it and has figured out how to get around quite nicely.
Taking an afternoon walk.
Grandma Garner sent us this sweet snugly little kitty jumper. This was about as far as Halloween went this year.

One day last week she just started doing this face and breathing hard and fast through her nose! She did it for three days straight and it was the cutest thing. She has not done it since but has done different things. Opening her mouth and letting her tongue hang out while she panted like a dog. Then smacking her lips for a few days.
Viv with her new cousin Beckam. She is just so big now, I can't even remember her this tiny!
Sweet little snugly bug.
Little chubber chub.
Daddy and Viv.

She still stinking loves the tub! We get in all the time and she gets so excited when we start filling it up.
Little gummy face.
Hanging in the car while Daddy worked on some things.

Last night she was playing and started laughing at the Kitty, I only got a tiny bit of it but it was still just cute as ever. She still has the funniest laugh. It sounds painful!

Six Months

2011-09-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

My little Vivienne has the most beautiful sparkly big dark eyes I have ever seen. She has the most adorable button nose and sweet pouty little lips. I am convinced that her bitsy feet are THE CUTEST feet in the whole world. They have the most perfect long skinny toes. She has sweet little chubber legs and a cute little tummy tum. She has the most beautiful shaped little baldy head and of course the cutest little nakey bum! Yes it's true I think, I mean I know...... that my Vivienne is the most perfect, beautiful, sweet little girl in the entire world.

Viv will rustle around in the morning for a bit until her big eyes pop wide open. She looks straight at me and when I say good morning I am rewarded with the biggest gummy smile. We then lay next to each other for a few minutes and between the cutest yawns and stretches she reaches her tiny little fingers out towards me and feels over my face. It's like she is starting out her day confirming that I am her Momma and I am here for her from the moment she wakes up.

Viv turned the big six months, half a year on Friday the 7th! I LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL! How in the world six months has already passed is beyond me! I can't even come close to remembering what my life was like without her. The few times I have been away from her are so strange and I miss her dearly. I just can't wait to get back to her and watch her in all her adorable glory.

She learned how to roll over shortly after her five month post and is now close to crawling. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth. She uses her arms much more than her legs and will somehow shimmy straight backwards and end up across the room. She is so playful and loves playing different games with her Daddy. She has the most adorable little voice and just gets more expressive each day. She still loves the water and splashes like crazy. It is so fun for me to watch her through out the day and just see how she works. See how she learns and figures new things out, how she watches Payt and I and then continues to figure out how to copy something we have done. It is amazing to think how much she has grown and learned in just six short months. She brings us more joy everyday than we every could have dreamed of and I am just so overwhelmed with love knowing that she is ours.

This post has a load of pictures covering the entire month since her five month post.

We found a potato head family at Costco and just had to buy it. I think Payt and I like it more that Viv!

Play date with my friend Bridgett's little boy Boyd. Just a month and a half older than her.

Hanging out with Daddy watching a rainstorm.
Hanging out with Daddy again while he worked in the garage.

Helping Momma with laundry, sort of.

Loves her toes!

Oh sweet pouty lips. I love watching this girl sleep.
Hanging with Daddy after he hurt his thumb.
She loves the computer and our phones! UH-OH.
She LOVES being nakey!

Watching the marathoners come in.
Loving her some popsicle.
Bring on the messes! Momma was trying to do a craft project and this was what happened!
This was the day before she was six months.

Tonight is the first night she is sleeping in her crib in her bedroom all by herself! I think it is definitely harder for Momma. Ugh. She cried for 40 minutes and it was so sad. Then she just slowly whimpered her little self to sleep while Momma cried! It is gonna be a tough week but I will never regret getting to snuggle her sweet little snugly body for the first six months of her life. I love you baby girl!!!

Five Months

2011-09-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby girl is heading out of "baby hood" at full speed ahead. She is so grown up all ready it has been hard for me to look back and remember how small she was. I was watching a few videos of how tiny and helpless she was the other day and it was hard to believe that was my same little peanut. It just seems like she has always been so good with her hands, like she has always been laughing, smiling and talking, she has been able to hold herself up and interact with us from the beginning! Ahhhhh! I just wish I could stop time and soak up this little one in all her glory for a while longer. I don't think that I could ask for anything more than having this little buddy hooked to my side every day.

She is still so darn sweet in the morning and makes the sweetest faces and noises. Her laugh is contagious as can be. She is still our little swimmer and has gotten so playful in the tub. She gets so excited when her Daddy gets home from work. She always gives him the biggest smile. She is definitely getting to the "stranger stage". She now pays attention and decides if she knows you or not and if she is willing to let you hold her. She is a full blown Momma's girl! Daddy has decided to let her sleep in our bed for one more month and both Viv and Momma could not be more happy! She is SO CLOSE to sitting up on her own. She has become very spoiled and refuses to take a bottle. After a night out and poor Daddy being put through the ringer, guess Momma won't be going anywhere without Viv for a while. She loves watching cartoons in the morning. We are going to be using Baby Led Weaning for Viv to start on solid foods and we are pretty excited about it! We will start full fledged around six months but she has already tried a few things including chicken, beans, bread stick, banana squash and crackers. I think she is going to love food! She is just getting more cute and more fun by the day and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. We could not love her more!
Almost sitting on her own.
Her first taste of chicken while we were out to dinner at Sakura. She LOVED it!
Swimming at Bentley's over Labor Day weekend.
Grandma Garner gave us this adorable swimmer.
She is loving the pool more and more every time we go.
Having dinner with the big kids.
Smiley bean.
Tummy time.
She loves to play with her toes! Especially when she has no pants squishing her belly.
And munching on her fingers! Still doesn't like her binkey but her fingers will do!

The other night she laughed for like 10 minutes straight! I finally ran and grabbed the camera when I realized this was no normal short laughing time. Then for about 15 minutes after I would say "yum" to her and she would giggle. Her laugh sounds like she could be crying if you don't see her face. Oh I just love her!

August

2011-09-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

Well here is the recap of the month of August in pictures. Hopefully I don't get in the habit of doing monthly recaps from now on!

I love watching this little girl sleep.
Just hanging out, I love all the cute onesies that Cole embellished for her.

Taking a Saturday afternoon nap with Daddy.
Check out that chubber chubs!
I was able to go up North and visit family for a whole week before summer came to an end. My mom insisted she get us up there to celebrate my birthday and Payt was sweet enough to let me take Viv and leave him stranded for five days. He was able to get work off a day early and drove up for the weekend to visit his dad and bring us home.
We caught a ride up to Centerville with my mother in law Tia and her sister Jodi. We got to my parents Sunday night, which happened to be my birthday, and they all surprised me. My dad had made my favorite pot roast dinner and my siblings had brought their cute families over to celebrate. It was such a nice surprise and of course made me cry like a baby. It made me even more sad that I didn't have Payt their with me.
The first day my mom and I went to visit Grandma Baird. We met her and Grandpa for lunch and then visited at their house for a while. We were able to run over and see my cousin Ashlee and her new baby Heber for a quick minute. He was only 6 weeks old and such a big boy! Ha had so much hair! I am so used to my little baldy that I just couldn't get over how much hair was on his little head! Viv was over 4 months in this picture, they are just about the same size and Heber was even heavier than Viv!

Ashlee and her two boys, Hank and Heber. Hank was so cute with his new brother and called him "Hebee".
It seemed like every time Grandma was holding Viv she ended up out cold. I guess she had the magic touch because Viv rarely just falls asleep like that.

We went up to Brigham that night to celebrate Oliver's first birthday. Dad, me, Seth, Mom with Oliver and Grandma Baird.
Tay and I.
Silly face!
Oliver LOVED his cake! He dug right in.
Little cousins. Tay was able to come down to Mom's for the rest of the week and hang out with us!
The next day we went to the Hogle Zoo. On the way, Lottie held Viv's hand. It was so sweet, Lottie loves her so much.
Viv and Lottie sporting their cool shades.
I love this sight. It is so sweet to me to see a child's cute face pressed up to the glass in wonder.
The momma elephant with her baby. Funny how even though this baby was HUGE, it was still so cute since it was the baby.
Viv and I in front of the giraffe house.
Cole and Viv taking a lunch break.
Grandma Baird and Mom.

Jane, Eli, Hyrum and Walt checking out the reptile house.

All of us at the zoo. It was so fun to see all the new things they have done and are doing to the zoo. I had not been there in such a long time. Grandma and I took a minute and saw the bird show. It was really neat to see so many amazing, and large, birds!

Uncle Dallen and Viv.
We of course took a trip to the Rec Center for a swim.
Oliver and Viv.
I love eating out in my parents back yard! Then we all just sit around and visit.
Silly Grandpa and nakey Viv.
We spent a day Playing at Willard Bay. Here the kids are patiently waiting while we get ready and load the boat.
My little peanut.
Oliver, Tay, Viv and I.
Viv's first time at the lake.
Sweet sleepy boys on the boat! Hyrum climbed under the seat to catch some zzz's. I love sleeping on the boat! It's such a great childhood memory.
Cole and I.
Sleepy bug.
First time wearing a life jacket. She did pretty good consider most babies scream when they have to have that on!
Viv with Great Grandma.
And one with Great Grandpa.
That night, our daddy got there and we were both so happy to see him! We headed up to Logan the next morning to spend a couple days with his dad.
Grandpa Hugie and sleepy Viv.
Tanya's yorkie had five puppies the week before and they were SO CUTE! This was the little runt of the litter.
Out to dinner at Elements, yummy!

We took a trip to the Logan City Pool.
Viv was pooped after all the fun in the pool. I am sure all of us would love to enjoy the feel of napping out naked in the shade!

Our little family.

We took a quick trip to the driving range, Payt did really good. Me, not so much, but it was fun!

Grandpa and Viv watching us golf.
Viv seeing one of the puppies.
The puppy sucking on Viv's little toe.
Once we got home, I was unpacking while Payt watched Viv. Next thing I know, she is munching on a taffy and loving it! She was just too cute to take it away from her. And that wraps up August! I am so happy that Payt let me take the trip up to see everyone. It was so much fun to see everyone and let Viv get to know her cousins better.

J Is For July

2011-09-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

**WARNING** PICTURE OVERLOAD!!

Okay, it's time for catch up! I am bummed I didn't document all the fun happenings on July one by one but I just have no idea where the time goes. So this post will just be a quick recap of the month. We were fortunate enough to spend lots of time with family for loads of summer fun. We started out the month with our traditional trip up North for the Cache Valley Car Show.
Ali, Viv and Addy in their woven caps we picked up at the farmers market along with some fresh veggies and yummy bread!

Payt and I taking a rest while the girls were getting henna tattoos at the farmers market.
Kyann, Addy, Ali, Tanya and I at the car show.
Grandma Tia and Viv at the car show.
Payt finally getting his Jamba Juice he had been craving for months!
Tys, Jeremy, Payt, Matt, Jodi and Bent trying to be the best at a game Jodi taught them.
Uncle Tyson and Viv.
Hanging out at Jodi's house for a Sunday BBQ.

Playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Tys was reluctant enough to let Addy do his hair!
Seeing the monkeys at the Willow Park Zoo.

My cute boy.
Grandpa Hugie and Viv.
Looking at the ducks.
After a fun weekend, Bent and Payt were sweet enough to let all the girls stay while they headed back to St. George to get back to work for the week. We then headed to Matt and Cole's house for Matt's annual Fourth of July BBQ and Firework show.
Grandma Garner with Oliver and Great Grandma Baird with Viv.
Waiting for the firework show.
Grandpa Garner and Oliver.

Sweet Cole and I. I can't believe how amazing Matt and Cole are! They have got to be the most amazing hosts! They put out such a fantastic spread and fun games for kids. They put so much work into anything they ever do. I was fortunate enough to be there for Matt's very first firework show the summer Payt and I were dating. Since then it has gotten bigger and grander every year! So many friends and family show up for the fun festivities and not only neighbors but people from all over show up for the fireworks. Matt did such a ridiculously good job! Those is no dinky production! Lots of men behind the scenes, crazy timing and synchronized play list to the fireworks. This show is better than just about any show I've ever seen in my lifetime. Thank you Matt and Nicole for letting us share in the fun! I was so glad I didn't miss out this year!
Viv, Addy and Ky at the Logan City pool.
Back to St. George for more fun.....
Another swim day at Uncle Bentley's house. Viv has already had plenty of trips to the pool and them some! She has continued to love every minute of it and is still our little fish.
Craig sent all the girls to see a few shows at Tuachan for the weekend. I think it was really just an excuse to get to tend Viv! We saw Little Mermaid Friday and Grease Saturday.
With our luck 20 minutes into Mermaid, we found ourselves in the middle of a monsoon. Fortunately since it was not too far into the show they will let us come back and we've rescheduled for October when it won't be blazing hot. Grease was lots of fun! I just wanted to jump up on stage and sing all those fun songs with them. Tuachan is such a fun place. If you have never been there, it is a MUST.
This picture does not even come close to showing how soaked we all were. I talked the girls into heading to the car instead of waiting the 20 minutes for them to tell us if the show was canceled or not. Thank goodness! We got out of there and didn't get stuck in traffic. At least it was warm rain since it was up to our ankles as we were running to the car!
We had a couple weeks to ourselves and then we made a quick weekend trip to my parents over the 24th. Grandma Garner with Viv and Lottie. Lottie is so cute with Viv! She loves her so much and has named all of her baby dolls "Baby Viv".
Hanging out in Mom and Dad's fabulous back yard. Uncle Dallen is so cute with the grand kids.
We headed over to Bountiful Park for the little carnival they put on. It was SO HOT. Viv always kicks her little foot up when she is riding in her stroller.
Walter happy with his snow cone.
Hanging out while Matt waited in line for the kids to be able and do the trampoline with a harness.
Matt waiting in line in the horrid heat. What a good daddy.
Then we headed to the rec center to cool off! That night Mom was nice enough to watch Viv so we could go out to dinner with Dane and Erin at CPK and then wander around the Gateway for a bit. It was a super quick trip that I am so glad we were able to take. Any time with family I can get, I will gladly take!
Sweet Sleepy baby.
We continue to visit Daddy at work for lunch. It is our favorite part of the day!
Silly face.
Out to lunch with Great Grandma McGregor.
I watched my cousins Andrea's kids for a couple of days at the end of the month. Abby and Rett. We had lots of fun reading books, watching shows, doing projects and going to the pool.
Abby loved Viv! She was so good with her and just wanted her to be her living doll. She wanted to hold her the whole two days. She was such a good little helper and was always making sure Viv was taken care of.
And more swimming! Payt was so sweet to come to the pool with me and all the kids. And of course it was nice we could borrow Bentley's pool and have it all to ourselves!
Just taking a break from swimming for lunch. And that wraps up the month! Can't believe that it went by so fast and that it is already September! Still doesn't feel like it since I am living in 100 degree weather! Next to come..... the August wrap up!

Three Months

2011-07-20T18:59:00.001-07:00

Where does the time go? My little Viv was three months on Friday. What can I say really? Love my little girl, love my husband, love my life. Among many other things.

Viv has continued to fill our days with happiness. She is the best thing to wake up to and the best thing to curl up and go to sleep next to. She is continuing to grow and daily developing her sweet little mind and personality. She weighs not quite 12 pounds now. I am amazed by the pile of clothes that she has already grown out of. Yet she is still so small, finally fitting into 0-3 month clothing. Hasn't made it to 3 month clothes, not even close.

I know when you are tired and can get you to sleep with ease. When you are hungry, you know the moment I sit down with you that food is coming. I know that bath time will bring all sorts of smiles. I know what all your different cries are telling me. You have learned to manipulate Momma into keeping you out of your cradle and in bed with me. When we snuggle up in bed together, we could sleep all day. You are determined that the moment you are strong and coordinated enough that nothing will be able to stop you from getting around. Bring on the baby proofing. You pick and choose when you would like to share your voice. But when you do, you hold nothing back. You and Momma, you're best buddies. And when Daddy comes home, we always invite him to share our toys.

Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
You smile and coo at the TV.
"Dad, get that camera out of my face."

She fell asleep next to us while we were doing Ab Ripper X.
Sometimes, but not often, she lets Daddy enjoy her sleepy self!
Having fun in her Johnny Jump Up. She loves that her little toes touch the floor!
After about five minutes she was out cold.
Her normally dark gray eyes took on navy blue with this shirt on.
My little chubber cheeks.
Payt says her ears have started to stick out more. Here she is in her new jammies looking like she may have lost her way in bound for The North Pole.
Viv and Momma .

I can't get enough of those big dark bug eyes!
My sweet little peanut.

Girls Trip

2011-06-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

It was so nice to have the girls here for a few days! Mom, Cole and Erin came down with all the kids to have a little girls trip. Taylor and Oliver unfortunately got sick right before and didn't get to come. :( We did lots of swimming and just hanging out. Went for walks and took a trip to Snow Canyon and The Wildlife Museum. Viv is still so little but I can't wait till she is old enough to enjoy playing with her cousins when they come to visit! The trip went by much too fast as usual and we were sad to see them all go. I love spending time with all my cute little nieces and nephews. I miss all their cute little faces and the fun things they say and do. Nicole was always nice enough to share her kids with me until I could have my own!

Mom won me this fabulous jogger at her relief society swap. I was so excited! Maybe I can push myself to get outside and exercise. It will be hard with the St. George heat that has now reached over 100!

Grandma and Viv with the cute glasses she brought her.
Little Lottie Bug. She is an absolute doll!
I love Walt with that water gun propped up on his shoulder.
The cute McConkies. Hyrum, Eli, Jane, Cole and Walter.
Viv loves the pool!
Doesn't that look like something you'd love to do? Just be free lounging out in the shade at the pool!

Lottie loved Viv! She says "baby Viv" so dang cute. She was so sweet with her and would kiss her head.

At the duck pond by my house. The ducks were a little disappointing and didn't really want to eat our bread we brought for them.

Eli was so sweet with Viv and was so helpful when she was sad. He was her little buddy and could really make her smile.
I forgot her hat so this worked to cover her bald little head at Snow Canyon.
The kids playing in the sand with grandma.
We went on a short little kid friendly hike called Jenny's Trail. This was the cute little boy I got to follow.

Erin, Cole and I.
McConkie kids in their tie-dye shirts Grandma made for them.
The slot canyon at the end of the hike.
The kids in "the cave".
Jane and Cole.

Eli entertaining Viv. She just couldn't stop staring at him.
We went to the Rosenbach Wildlife Museum, Viv was out the whole time. The whole museum is full of animals from all over the world. They were donated from a man that hunted all of them over his life time. It's pretty crazy to see so many animals I've never even heard of and surprising all those animals are allowed to be hunted!
Walt was in heaven! He was so cute and did not want to leave.
Cole
Walt and Lottie with their binoculars.
Hyrum was a little tired.

Lottie in the exotic insect room. I can't believe the creepy insects all over the world! Yuck, I'm just glad the biggest thing I have to deal with are small cockroaches.

The butterflies were really pretty though!
Grandma and the kids watching "The Sandlot", one of my favorite movies!
All tuckered out from a few days of fun.

The last day we went for a walk but Grandma was gone with the keys and the strollers were in her car so Walt was nice enough to share his seat with Viv. It was so cute!

Cute little feet from above.
Hyrum and Lottie are good little buds. They were so cute walking to the pool together for one last swim before the trip home. I can't wait till the next time I get to spend time with all these fun people!

The Park

2011-06-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

Viv LOVES to be outside! And she loves to go for walks in her stroller to the park by our house. When we moved in Payton said he thought there was a park somewhere near by. We ventured out one night and came to find it is about three minutes away! Just halfway around the block and through a yard and there it is! I was so excited. There is a playground at one end with a basketball and volleyball court. A few picnic tables, a large field for soccer and such and a good size pond with coy and ducks that love to be fed! All wrapped up with a walking path surrounding the whole thing. I walked that path many a time at ten months pregnant trying to get my little Vivy Bean to come. Didn't ever work mind you.!

The field.
The playground.
More field.
Here come the ducks, wanting to be fed!
They come right up to you!
The pond.
It was only a matter of time before there was polish on these cute toesies!
Kitty loves to explore outside at night, we hang out on the porch and he lounges on the rocks like a little lion.
Payt caught her in a yawn.
Payt and Viv.
Viv just joining us for dinner!
I love those big eyes!
I just had to get a picture of her when I put this outfit on, she is my favorite!

Two Months

2011-06-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

Vivienne is two months old today! I can't believe she has already been with us for that long and I can't believe it's gone by so fast! We absolutely love everything about this girl. She could not be any sweeter. I want to remember all the moments of my little peanuts life as best I can so I'm putting it on my blog since this is really my scrapbook. Plus it's a nice way to show her off to my family that doesn't get to see her grow. Things to remember about her:

She is so sweet in the morning. She is always so happy and smiley.
I love her sweaty little feet in the morning and the lint between her little toes from her jammies.
She loves to have her diaper changed. She loves the circles on her wall above her changing table, she smiles and coos at them every time I lay her there.
She LOVES the bath! She loves to bathe with Momma and the tub always makes her happy.
She loves to go swimming. She is going to be our little fishy.
She loves being outside and going on walks.
She LOVES the car! I put her in her seat and she just knows we get to go for a ride.
She is an awesome nurser. I love the little noises she makes when she's eating. I love how her little fingers tickle the back of my arm and grab my shirt and hair.
She is so strong! She wishes she could just get around on her own. She loves to use her legs and kick off anything her little feet touch. She loves when we help her stand up.
She has started to find her voice and has gotten so smiley. She has the cutest laugh! of course she has only done it while in a deep sleep, but it is adorable!
We are trying to wean her out of our bed and into her cradle. I think Momma is more sad than she is. I love snuggling with her all night long.
She is Momma's little buddy and we love visiting Daddy for lunch a few times a week.
She loves to nibble on her little fist.

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting but that's a good list for now. W e just love her so much and feel so blessed that she is a part of our little family.

Happy in the morning.

Those are THE cutest little toes in the whole world! I love each and every one of them!
Taking a late morning nap.
Getting ready to go visit Daddy.
Momma and Viv.
Daddy and Viv.
I love her big dark gray eyes.

Happy to be standing up.
Just hanging out with Daddy at work.
Getting her diaper changed.
Loving her circles!
Daddy and Viv at the pool last weekend.
Swimmin in style!
Viv in her cute swimmer Grandpa Hugie and Tonya got for her.
We had family pictures taken two weeks ago with the whole Garner side and here is a cute one of my little Vivy Bean.

Vivienne's Special Day

2011-06-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

I was so excited that we got to spend a weekend with ALL my family! We took a trip up to have Vivienne blessed. We headed up Friday afternoon and stayed at my parents house. Only my parents and Nicole had seen her. I was so excited for the rest of the family to meet her at six weeks old.
Meeting Uncle Dallen and Seth. She was so smiley! She did so good in the car, almost slept the whole way!

Grandpa and Viv.
Meeting her cousin Lottie. Dane had held Viv the night before and Lottie had quite the fit that her daddy was holding another baby and made it known that he was hers! The second time around we had them both sit on his lap, it worked out much better. Lottie is such a doll, it was so cute to hear her say baby Viv.

Dad, Dane and Seth are training for the Spud Man this summer and all got road bikes. Mom got one to train as well and the boys decided to go for a ride. Payt had never been before and borrowed Mom's bike. They ended up taking him on a 26 mile ride! He was a little pooped, sun burned and saddle sore. Plus he had his running shoes on with only the small clips as pedals. He was such a sport and I can't believe he went that far for his first time! I am so happy that Payt enjoys being with my Dad and brothers. He is such a hunk! :) Yes cheesey I know, but he is!
Saturday night we had family pictures with the whole Garner bunch. It was funny to try and get everyone to cooperate for a big group photo. After, those who could went to Texas Roadhouse for Dallen's birthday that was the next day. He turned all ten fingers and ten toes. I told him he was so big now!
Cole, Mom, Viv and I
Mom and Dad
All tuckered out after a long day.
Sunday morning getting a bath in the sink. She still loves the bath!
Payt, Viv and I after the blessing. We were able to give Viv a name and a blessing with all my family there. My dad was so sweet and gave the blessing for us. He did such a wonderful job and Viv was so good the whole time. My Mom made Viv's dress out of an antique table cloth and it was nothing less than perfect. My parents are both so amazing and I'm so grateful for both of them.
I didn't get a good picture of the dress, I'll have to post one later once I get it back from my Mom. Cole made her cute headband.
Olive and Aunt Angie. The Barlows happened to be in town for the weekend and were able to come. I sure love this family, the are such awesome people and amazing examples.
Craig, Tonya, Ali and Tia were able to come down. Payt's Uncle Bryon and his family surprised us at the church and came too.
Cole and I.
All the yummy food! I love things like this because there is always the best food. :)
Dane and I.
All my siblings. Seth, Nicole, me, Taylor, Dane and Dallen. I am so lucky to have all these amazing siblings in my life. I love having so many! It is so nice to have all sorts of great relationships with these people. I love that it doesn't matter how long it's been since I've seen and of them. the second we're together it's like we've never been apart and we always have so much fun together.

Grandpa Hugie and Viv.
My cousin Heather and Her family happened to be in town too and stopped by. I had not seen her in two years and it was so nice to catch up!

Checking out Dallen's pet python that a girl he's been dating gave him for his birthday.
That night we had cake and ice cream for Dallen's birthday.
I had the guy write 10 fingers and 10 toes. I'm sure Dallen was just laughing inside about how dorkey I am sometimes.
Dallen and Viv. It was so cute, Cole had Viv and Dallen came up and said "how long have you had her?!" He clearly wanted a turn. I love how my brothers love all their nieces and nephews.

I was so sad that we were going to have to leave pretty soon after church to get home so Payt could go to work the next day. I was up packing and Payt surprised me and told me to stop packing we could stay on more night. I of course started crying cause I was so happy and he was so sweet to do that for me. We had such a good weekend and I was so sad for it to end. It was so nice to spend time with every one.
One last picture of my cute little Viv. She has gotten so smiley! I love her sweet face, I could kiss it all day!

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-06-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

We had all of Payton's family in town over Memorial Day Weekend. The weather was so nice and we had lots of fun swimming and BBQing.

Little Viv and I.

Friday night Craig insisted that Payt and I go on a date and let him tend. It took a lot of persuading us but we finally went. We tried out the new Japanese Sushi House on the Blvd. It was just like our favorite place Samuri 21. While waiting for our table, I realized it was the first time I had ever been away from Viv and of course emotional me, I started crying. Good thing Payt is used to it! We then stopped on the way home and grabbed ice cream from Baskin Robbins. It was a quick but fabulous little outing for the two of us.
Just hanging out on the porch, it was so nice outside at night.
Ali and Viv in the dress Grandma Garner sent her.
Saturday we spent the whole day by the pool at Bentley's house. We took Viv swimming for her first time at five weeks old.
All ready to go swimming!
She loved the pool! I thought she would since she loves the bath so much and Bentley was nice enough to heat the pool to 85!

We are teaching her to love to swim early. We dunked her a few times and she did so well!

Everyone playing in the pool.
Payt discovered the little girls goggles and nose plug and was in heaven!
He learned how to do a hand stand in the pool and perfected it :)
Viv in her bumbo.
Relaxing that night for a BBQ. I didn't get any pictures really of all the fun people we got to visit but we had a great weekend!

Catch Up

2011-06-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

Well I am finally going to try and catch up from the last two months! Here is a quick re-cap in pictures of the second, third and fourth weeks with our little Viv.

Visiting Dad at work.

Taking her first bath at two weeks old. She loved it and continues to love getting bathed!

Grandpa Hugie came to visit for the weekend at two weeks old.
We took her on a walk to the park by our house one evening. She loved being outside!
After taking a bath with Mom, Dad dried her off with the blow dryer and she was in heaven!
Put her right to sleep!
Aunt Cole got to come visit when she was two an a half weeks old for a couple days. It was so much fun to spend time with her. We always have such a good time together and of course it was time for her to go home much too soon. :(

Just sleeping.
Visiting Dad at work again. We love to go see him for lunch and go a few times a week.
She is always so wide eyed.
Great Grandma and Grandpa Baird Stopped through for a night when Viv was three weeks old. We went out for dinner and ice cream and good conversation.
Just sleepin by her daddy.
Headed out for a walk to the park.
She of course loved it since she was outside.
Her cute jammies that Aunt Cole sent her. She is so cute in them!
Tummy time. She is such a strong little girl!
Showing off her neck and back strength with Dad.
Silly face, we fed her twinkie filling.... she was pleasantly surprised by the taste!

Week One In Photos

2011-05-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

Wow just looking at this picture while I am holding Viv at the same time, she is just SO BIG now! She was just 4 days old here and already so wide eyed. She had her first doctors appointment at four days as well and she did so good. She hardly made a peep and she is so strong and healthy.
We visited Payt at work for lunch after the doctor.

My mom got to come back after my grandpa's funeral and stay the whole week! It was so nice to have her around. She did so much for us! Cooked us yummy food, cleaned my house, did my laundry, helped with the baby and kept me company. I was so sad when she left! My dad flew in on Wednesday when Viv was five days old and got to stay for a few days as well. Viv have her newborn pictures done that same day and then we all went out for some fun. We took a trip back to the mini golf course. It was quite entertaining, my dad was so funny! The weather was perfect as well.

I used my Moby Wrap for the first time and it was perfect! Would you believe that not only am I holding her in this picture but nursing her as I am hitting the golf ball?!

We had our first successful date night! We all went to Olive Garden after golfing and Viv was a little dream.
After getting her newborn pictures taken
Payts favorite little outfit

Six days old, just hanging out.
Viv and Grandpa
Viv in her ducky jammies
Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa, one week old. It was a bittersweet day. I was so sad to have my parents leave and go back to my empty house. And I was so sad that my little girl was already a week old. I am so excited for all her fun stages, but it was so sad to let those first days with her already be gone.

Easter Weekend

2011-05-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

Payt and I were pretty antsy to get out of the hospital as fast as we could. The morning after we had her, they finally let us leave about 11:30. We got home and all three of us crashed on the couch for a good hour and a half! Grandpa Craig came over and held her the rest of the day! We had everyone over for a BBQ that night. Tyson was up for the Hurricane car show so it worked out perfectly for him to get to see Viv. It was fun to have everyone over and keep my mind off my discomfort.
Viv got her dads long skinny toes! I can't get enough of her adorable feet :)
She slept the majority of the first three days of her life!
It was hard for anyone to get a turn holding her with Grandpa around!
Uncle Bentley with Viv.
Bent and Kyann, they are expecting in November so we'll have to send Viv their way to prepare Bentley for daddyhood!
Everyone hanging out.
Craig and I.
Looking at our baby books to compare who Viv looks like.
Uncle Tyson
Happy Daddy.
Sunday we stopped and saw Tia and Todd before they left town. We also had Viv meet her Great Grandparents for the first time.
Great Grandma McGregor, Grandma Tia, Viv and I.
She is so strong and always rolls on her side, I think she likes sleeping like this!
She had her first sponge bath at home Easter morning and she loved it!
Getting her hair washed is her favorite part.
We went to Bentley's house Easter sunday for yet another BBQ!!
And then we ended the day at home just the three of us after so much company. It was a great first weekend with our little Vivy Bean.

Vivienne's Story

2011-05-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

Warning! This post is long and lots of pictures!

Well I should have known that this little girl would come on her own time. And her own time she did! My Dad's father passed away on April16th in his sleep. I loved my Grandpa Garner so much and was so sad that I would not be able to attend his funeral in Idaho Falls the following weekend. Monday the 18th, my due date came and still no baby. My Mom called and said would you like your Dad and I to just come down anyways? Yes! That was just what I needed and maybe with some luck she would show that night and we would have her just in time to fly up for the funeral.

So Mom and Dad hoped in the car and showed up that night. Next morning, no baby. And what I did next was out of pure and utter desperation.... I went to the store and picked me up a bottle of castor oil. I mixed more than half the bottle in with some root beer and drank it down. Felt like a tub of lard sliding down my throat. Then we went about our day and I waited for some signs. Well the signs came. Not the ones I wanted though. I DO NOT recommend this feat to anyone. Yikes. I still can't believe I did that. Night came and went, still no baby.

I had my 40 week appointment that morning. I think Dr. Lunt was surprised to see me after he had stripped my membranes a week earlier and told me he'd see me within the next two days. Hmmm. I was dilated to a 4.5, fully effaced and he said my bag off water was"bulging". He stripped me again and said he'd see me in the next two days. I went on one more long walk and even ran a bit to give it a final go. The rest of that day I had extremely painful contractions but they were so irregular and never created any sort of pattern. My Uncle Russ and Aunt Kathy were in town so we spent the day with them and had a BBQ that night. The next morning, Thursday the 21st, still no baby. I was feeling so bad that my parents had made the trip for a no-show baby and had to leave that night for the funeral. My mom and I spent the day spending her gift cards and she spoiled me good! I continued to have the most painful contractions all day. So two full days with the contractions but I thought it was nothing since they were never close together. My parents left that night about 9:00 and Payt and I went to bed defeated once again.

About 11:00 I woke up to my water leaking, I thought. But shrugged it off. After getting up four more times I decided ok this must be the real thing. Contractions still irregular, 10 min apart at the closest. I woke Payt after I couldn't deny it anymore and we headed to the hospital. Of course I was still skeptical and so afraid of being sent home again. They checked me in and gowned me up once again. I don't think the nurse really believed me when I said my water was leaking. maybe she was having a bad night. She checked me, dilated to a 6.5! The cranky nurse decided that since I was Strep B positive and needed antibiotics that she would call the doctor and see if they should keep me. Hmmm, could she really send me home!!? Finally after what seemed like an eternity, she came back and said they were going to admit me. Halelujia!

They moved me to my room at 1:30 AM and immediately hooked me up to my IV and got the antibiotics started. Ouch I hated that part. I called my Mom about 3:00 and told her what had happened. She of course being the amazing mother she is, jumped right back in the car after only being home an hour and headed back down. Since my contractions were still only about 10 min apart they decided to give me a little pitocin to speed them up and that's when I decided to get my epidural at 5:00 AM. Ahhh cue the nerves! My nurse was so sweet and held me while Payt held my hand. I am such a BABY! It's all in my head, and boy is it ever in there! Glad to have that part over with. I was so glad I got it then because the pitocin kicked right in and brought my contractions to 2 min apart. I could still feel some pain in my nether regions and I was starting to get really nervous for what I might feel when it came time to push. After being introduced to my "button" for more epidural medicine the pain slowly decreased but never fully went away. At 7:00 the nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 9! I still needed my other dose of antibiotics so she cranked up the speed to my IV and I thought my arm was going to fall off. It was the most painful ache and burn ever and I got the shakes really bad. Payt was ever so sweet in helping me through the pain. Once the IV was done we started getting nervous we would need to start a whole new bag of medicine for my epidural since it was almost out. We voiced our concerns so Dr. Lunt decided we would have a test push even though she wasn't down all the way. Test push a success! You're gonna have a baby right now he said! I needed a local anesthetic since my epidural hadn't done the trick. About four more pushes and she was just all of a sudden here! Woah that was all? I was expecting that to be much longer! I was in shock she was already out. And we had just mere drops of the epidural bag left, talk about lucky! They layed her on my chest and she grabbed my finger and just starred her big dark eyes right into mine. I of course was in love.
My very last belly shot at 40 weeks 3 days, up and ready to head to the hospital.
I decided to take one bare belly picture just to remember how crazy it all was!
That's one round shiny belly!
Happy they decided to keep me and that this is actually gonna happen!
Excited to finally meet our little Viv

Okay the pain is really starting to kick in...
And someone is having fun with the camera...
Please stop taking pictures of me. This was the most glamorous of the 50 shots he got!
And still having a good time on his side of the room!
Payton was so sweet to me. I was so glad to have him by my side the whole time cheering me on and comforting me when I needed it.
Vivienne Hazel Hugie
Born April 22, 2011 at 9:31 AM
Weighing 6 lbs 15 oz
19.5 Inches long

Very proud daddy.
My mom got to the hospital right as we were gonna start pushing. Talk about perfect timing! We had her come in after we'd spent a little time with Viv.

Once was all said and done Payt called for room service and ordered me some french toast. And boy was it yummy!
Mom,Viv and I. She got to hang out with us all day and then caught a plane that night to Idaho Falls for the funeral the next morning.
She got her dad's long skinny toes and my lips.
We had to try this little premie outfit on her that my mom had gotten her. It only fit that once.
Grandma Garner and Viv
Proud Grandpa Hugie, this is his first grandbaby.

She looks exactly like my baby pictures here!
Getting Dressed to go home.

Proud Daddy
She just looks so tiny in that seat all ready to go home.

We have had so much fun with our little peanut. She has been such a good baby! She sleeps great and has become a fantastic nurser! Many, Many more pictures to come of this sweet little one....

Worth The Wait

2011-04-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Vivienne Hazel Hugie
Born April 22, 2011
9:31 A.M.
6 pounds 15 ounces
19.5 inches long

Perfect and healthy! We are in love.
Pictures and story to come.....

40 Weeks And Mini Golf

2011-04-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

39 weeks+5 days

Well it looks like any hope of having her come early have gone out the window. I have tried everything and then some to urge her along! I even had my membranes swept at my last appointment four days ago. I had lost three pounds and two centimeters on my tummy so they decided to monitor me a little and do an ultrasound to check for amniotic fluid levels. Everything checked out just fine and she was doing great. We had a fun false alarm early Friday morning and to my dread were sent home from the hospital after three hours of contractions at two minutes apart but no change in dilation. Dang. Of course they went away and I have had no signs since.

Yesterday we went on a little date to get out of the house. We had a couple baby gifts to return to Christiansens and to our surprise had plenty of store credit to spoil Viv with three new pairs of adorable shoes. Her little feet are already more spoiled than mine! Which is saying something! We then went to get some spicy Mexican food at Pancho and Lefty's. After which we headed over for my first experience at Fiesta Fun Center for mini golfing.

The weather could not have been more perfect. I think it had gotten up to 85 during the day and the evening was so nice with a breeze. We had not been mini golfing in a couple years and I think we had forgotten how much fun it was!

Payt was nice enough to set me up for all my shots and get my ball out of all the holes so I didn't have t0 bend over!
I was doing so good, even winning!

Near the end my winning streak took a wrong turn when something too difficult to explain caused me to start laughing! Which made Payt laugh and then I laughed even harder. I was pretty much done for. I had to pee, bad!! Which of course stating that through my laughter just made us both laugh more. I was in a complete laugh attack, there was no stopping it and I knew I was done for! I sat right down there in the middle of mini golfing and pee my pants, well skirt actually. I decided it was perfectly okay due to the fact that I am 10 months pregnant! We laughed the rest the time and finished the last three holes. I had to ride home on a plastic bag! I don't think that anyone ever realized what I had done. Payt is so sweet to love me even with me peeing my pants and all!

Can you see how there was just no stopping it!?
It was a very fun and memorable date. And of course Payt won, but I think my accident might have helped him out! Now we are just back to playing the waiting game....

I Am Currently....

2011-04-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Trying to get this little girl to come out!!!!

If you would like a little enjoyment today, come to my house and peek in the window. What you will witness may just possibly give you comic relief for a week, maybe two even. One very large and ready to pop 10 month pregnant woman in her stretchy clothes. Furniture pushed aside and fan going at full speed. Dancing. Not really. More like trying to shake her thang and move her hips in all sorts of directions she never thought possible. Throw in a few hand gestures, a couple kicks, and every now and again a sing-a-long. I tell you, if this crazy movement does not urge this baby to come, she will prove to be one tough little cookie. I will surrender after this attempt. I don't recall the last time I have thrown myself around this much to Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Usher.

Eleven Days.....

2011-04-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well this was at 38 weeks. Not much to report, dang. Payt and I went on a few little outings this last weekend just the two of us. Not sure how much longer that's gonna be and as much as we want her here it was nice to enjoy each other. Even though we pretty much enjoy each other all the time! We went bowling for the first time in almost a year! I can say that I pretty much sucked. The guy behind the counter gave us our shoes and then handed me my very own pregnant woman ball. I'm assuming they must give this to people that look like they might hurt themselves. It weighed about 5 pounds. Which was probably a good idea now that I think about it.

Even though he looks mean, he is still oh so cute!

Yikes not a good picture! Bad angle and the face I am making makes my cheeks look really chubby. I had to post it anyways cause I thought it was funny. I'm sure that everyone at the bowling alley got a kick out of me. Of course I don't think they realized that I was only two weeks away from my due date!
Me and my cute honey.
I had my 38 week appointment yesterday and no progress from last week. My doctor said he will strip my membranes at my next visit. I did have contractions for a couple hours last night but they stopped of course. I am trying not to get too anxious like I said I refused to be. That is proving much more difficult than I had originally thought. And it doesn't help with a husband that I think might be even more anxious than me! It's like he's a kid waiting for 20 Christmas mornings all at the same time! I did walk about two and a half miles to his grandmas house today. And ran up and down the stairs a few times when I got home! Alright I am getting anxious dang it. I will just continue to try and tell myself she isn't coming early! I will keep you posted till the big day!

Home Sweet Home

2011-04-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Well I am finally posting pictures of our house! These are for you Cole! We have had so much fun owning our own house so far! I love that we can do whatever we want when it comes to decorating. And we can paint if we so please. We did yard work for the first time last weekend. I hate yard work. But for some reason knowing that it was our house and our yard made it seem like a breeze. Except for the fact that I was done after about an hour and left Payt to finish the work. It just wasn't that easy trying to maneuver and weed with this giant belly in the way! There is already a huge list of things we would love to do to the house and I am sure the projects will never run out. Of course it's hard to have to pick and choose and wait to do any of them due to money! Dang money! Plus the fun little expenses you don't see coming. Like the A/C not working and the problem we had to pay someone to find was two wires that needed to be twisted together! Hmm, so easy if you know what you're looking for I guess. Well here are the pics, some are not great lighting but I hope you enjoy! And feel free to come visit....
Entryway

Kitchen/Dining. I love to cook and clean in my new kitchen! And I love all our big windows! Of course in the evening the sun sure heats the house up, it will be interesting to see how hot it gets in the blazin St. George summer!

Balcony

The back of our house is right against a main road but it really doesn't bother us much. We are use to the sound of the cars.

Living room. I love how our kitchen, dining and living room are so open!

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom. I love love love my tub. I think within the first month we used the tub a few times a week!

Guest bedroom/Office

Payt has never once questioned my need to decorate my Audrey Hepburn room! He is so sweet and just knows that is what needs to happen. He put those shelves up for me and I love them!!

Guest Bathroom

Baby Vivienne's Room. Payt designed and painted the wall, he also designed her crib bedding. i think I have myself a pretty talented guy!

I made the hoops with fabric and embroidery hoops from the craft store and Payt painted the dresser knobs.

We found the table at the DI and Payt painted that as well! The quilt was made by Tanya and the picture on the wall was the inspiration for the whole room. It came from Payton's Grandma's house. I found it in her basement and fell in love. It is made with yarn. Grandpa Don's sister had made it I have no idea how long ago. I am guessing long though!

Oh Baby

2011-04-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well it's only been over a month since this baby shower and I am finally posting it! Yikes. I am so bad at posting sometimes! OK most the time. Tia, Kyann and Andrea threw me a shower down here in St. George just a week after my shower up North. Whoever it was that decided to throw new moms baby showers and help them out was a genius! It is so helpful to have everyone be so giving when you are starting out with nothing. I didn't even get my camera out so there aren't many pictures. I stole all these from Andrea and Tia. Andrea made the cutest invitations and of course what would a shower be without yummy food?!

Andrea, Kyann, Tia and I
Kyann, Tia, Bridgett and Emily. Bridgett had just had her new baby boy Boyd about a week and a half before. Holding him sure made me want my little one!!

I think I was 33 weeks here. Thank you so much for a fun shower!!

37 BIG ONES

2011-03-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

37 Weeks.

Well three weeks sure seems like no time at all. And three weeks seems like FOREVER. Mostly the complete lack of knowledge as to when THE BIG MOMENT will hit us. Especially when everyone I talk to says the same "you are gonna come early". What's that supposed to mean exactly?! How on earth do you have that insiders edition sneak peak, and please let me know your secret! Two days after last weeks picture I was sure I felt her readjust. I was right! I went to the doctor last week as I had said I would be doing and was tested for strep B. I find out in two days what the verdict is, cross your fingers please. He also told me she had moved! Now she is right down in position and ready for the big day. I think you can really tell from this new picture that she has dropped. At the visit I was dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced. Not that that really says anything. That could mean a lot of things so I am choosing to not look into it any further. If it looks much different on Wednesday.... then maybe I might considered looking into it. :) I was feeling pretty decent till Saturday when BAM! Out of nowhere, the dumb demon known as a sore throat came a knockin. I was obviously thinking myself much too lucky to have not gotten sick once this whole pregnancy. Dang was I wrong. Saturday night was a bit tough but last night, well lets just put it at the top of the list for worst night in my life....EVER. I decided the combination of sore throat, aching ears, ALLERGIES, and wretched HEARTBURN (or as I lovingly refer to it flaming esophagus) is possibly the worst combination ever created. That I've experienced that is. Needless to say, I was a little pooped this morning for work. Which was a bummer since they just hired two new girls for my position and I trained them both today. One this morning and the other this afternoon. I felt pretty dumb sounding the way I did and feeling the way I did meeting them both for the first time. I hope they don't hold it against me or think that I possibly gave them some sort of plague. I am being positive and telling myself that tonight will be a much brighter night! Payton of course has been amazing and takes care of my worthless self as best he can. I will be working full time at the office this week and next week if my body allows, then I am done. I worked my last day at the salon on Saturday and will return back two days a week once I am recovered from baby. Payt can spend Saturdays with her and my sweet cousin Andrea has willing offered to have her on Mondays! I am excited, nervous, anxious, excited, ready, tired, and of course very excited for this to finally happen. I think I won't jump the gun and pack my bags quite yet. Maybe sometime next week I will consider putting the car seat in the car. Till then I will keep you posted!

Nine Months And Counting....

2011-03-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

36 Weeks.

I can't believe I have come this far. I have definitely reached the uncomfortable stage. Darn. Payt has been continually sweet and patient with me and all my complaining. I am a very lucky girl. I have my 36 week check up on Wednesday and they will check me for the first time as well as do the strep B test. Not looking forward to either of those. I honestly have no inclination as to when this little girl will come. I will plan on my due date and possibly even a week later but if she feels the need to come any earlier I will not complain! I have started having a few braxton hicks the last few days and she is very squished at this point. I used to love when she would move a ton but now I would be okay if she moved just a little less! We are just about 100 percent ready for her to get her, but can you really ever be fully ready? I don't think so!

We had visitors this past weekend, and the weekend before. Of course I failed to get my camera out even once. We had my brother Dane and his wife Erin first. We shopped, ate yummy food, layed by the pool for the first time this year! (Yes it was my first and probably only time in a swimsuit while pregnant!) Had great conversation and lots of laughing! Dane makes me laugh so hard! And it was so fun to see Payt and him together cause they make me laugh twice as hard when it's both of them! It was so fun to spend time with them and hope they can come back again soon.

Next we had Craig, Tanya and Ali. Tyson also made the trip with his friend Matt from Scottsdale. I love when they come to visit! It is always so fun to see them and I HATE leaving day! Craig of course had our guest bath sink torn apart within hours and fixed when he got here. Huge thanks to him since it had not worked upon moving in. Of course more fun shopping, lots of yummy food and great conversation. We did go to Springdale for the St. Patty's Day Celebration. It was freezing cold though! We were not very prepared, especially since the day before in St. George was beautiful and sunny. I LOVE VISITORS!!! It helps me remember that even though we live by ourselves we still have family close. I can't wait to see all of our parents when this baby gets here and Cole is planning on coming too! Yes! we have a good reason that everyone has to come!!! Well, I will try and keep everyone posted for the next few weeks. We are just so EXCITED. Can't wait to meet this little one!

2011-03-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

My sweet sister Nicole has been so wonderful at throwing more showers than I can count! She never hesitates when the opportunity to throw a shower presents itself. And she has proven herself time and time again to be the most amazing shower host. It was so nice to get together with friends and family one last time before this little girl comes. It was so sweet of everyone to take out from their weekend and come to the shower. That was the one last trip up North and I am glad I won't have to sit in the car again that long with this mondo belly! The theme of the shower was owls. Mom, Erin and Taylor also pitched in and helped make this all happen.
Owl banner that Cole made

Erin made these cute owls out of scrap material I had from a quilt Mom made for Viv

Taylor made the cutest owl pops for the favors. She did such a good job and I know they weren't easy!
Lottie, Karlee and Jill
Aunt Laurie and I
Aunt Bonnie and Austin
Ashlee and Karina
The cute diaper bag that Payt picked out. Mom, Cole and Erin all went in to get this for us

Meredith, Tay, Oliver and I

Grandma Baird, Aunt Laurie and Mom tying the quilt Mom made
Ali, Tanya and I
Oliver, Tay, Cole, Walt, Mom and I

I am so grateful for my sweet sisters and Mom that are so willing to do just about anything to help me out. I felt so loved having everyone come for me and just Love Love my family.

"CCC" Chit-Chat-Create

2011-03-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

The First Annual Baird Girls Get-Together

My mom and my sister Nicole have got to be two of the most creative, talented people I know. They put together such a fun weekend for all of us to enjoy. My mom was sweet enough to fly me up for the weekend so I didn't miss out on all the girliness. It was just a couple weeks before Valentines day so that was the theme. Of course Mom and Cole out-did themselves! Planned three meals for everyone and fun crafts. Mom and Dad's house in Brigham could not have been more perfect for this get together. We got there Friday afternoon and some of us stayed till Sunday morning. Just one big sleep-over party!
Cole set up a little "candy bar" with all sorts of sweet treats to enjoy. She used all the cute jars she had made for her Leila Bird Business.
Fun decorations

A beauty shop was set up in the master bathroom where toes and nails were bedazzled up!
Picking out our frames to make vintage Valentine pictures. Mom had found a whole bunch of these vintage Valentines from an old store. They even had the writing on the back. They were all so cute! It was so hard to decide on just one.
The finished frames on display.

The four of us all pregnant! Me 29 weeks, Alyssia 23 weeks, Ashlee 18 weeks and Laurie 8 weeks.
Just hanging out

Making Valentine banners, thanks to Erin for the crafting idea!

Oliver was a little worn out from all the ladies.
And the whole group, minus mom who is taking the pic. We made gumball necklaces and sweater flowers, ate lots of good food and stayed up much, much, MUCH too late! There was loads of fabulous conversation and some laughing till we couldn't breathe anymore! Can't wait for next year!

Belly Update

2011-03-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

Well I can't believe I only have 7 weeks left! It seems so surreal. I don't have the antsy "I wish I wasn't pregnant anymore", only the "I just wanna hold her already!" feelings. I am still feeling pretty decent. My heartburn is really the only thing that causes me serious grief. I have it all day and night now. I have also been sleeping much less due to the fact that it is impossible to get comfortable. Which I am sure is much of the reason that I have been feeling tired during the day. If I don't get started on the something the second I walk in the door after work, I find myself drifting off and then the whole afternoon is shot! I realized I have not been keeping track in any way my weight or the growth or roundness of my belly. I go to the doctor and they always tell me the measurements but till just a few days ago I didn't even realize that I actually never pay attention to what they say! If I could do it again, I would have been tracking the centimeters and also it would have been fun to measure my belly around in inches. Oh well, maybe next time! Payton and I are getting even more and more excited to bring this little one into our lives. I am finally feeling ready with all the "baby" things you need. With awesome friends and family to help out with baby showers, we only have a few things left on the list! Viv's room is coming along and is just missing a few finishing touches. The main one being her bedding! We have had a hard time finding the bedding we want and I even took a trip to the fabric store today with the very small thought that I might end up making the bedding. Yikes. We went and had one more ultrasound the other day just to get another look at our little one. It was so fun to see her and figure out exactly how she is positioned in my belly. I was right about her little feet, up in my ribs on my right side! She was definitely much more crammed in there. Everything was looking great with her anatomy and we are just glad to know we will hopefully have a healthy little girl. here are a few belly pics for now.
31 Weeks
33 Weeks

Winter Whirlwind

2011-02-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally have internet! Wonderfully Fabulous and Stupendously Awful all at the same time. Now I can catch up! But I can also get behind on all my other tasks while being glued to the computer.... ugh. I am going to need some serious discipline. Here is a quick review of the holidays.

We bought a house! We signed the papers on it just days before Christmas and got the key! But had no time with work and then left town to see our families for Christmas. We drove up to Logan and spent a few days in the frigid cold! Still don't miss that.

We all got together for lunch at El Sol. Me, Payt, Todd, Tia, Tys, Kyann and Bent.
Bent, Ky, Tys, Craig, Tonya, Payt and I
Craig and Tonya hosted the Hugie family party and it was a success! Lots of fun to see everyone, great food, fun games plenty of visiting!
We went to Todd and Tia's for dinner and games. Cranium was highly entertaining. Especially the charades!
I think Payt knows me too well, I did hardly anything and he guessed the correct answer, Lightning, within seconds.

We spent Christmas morning with Craig and went to visit Brett and Julie for a bit before heading down to see my family.

Payt opening his present, an inversion table he'd been eying at Costco
Seth
Dallen, Roz, Dad and Mom
Lottie trying out her new swing from Grandma and Grandpa, she was happy just to sit in it.
Walt and Lottie are best buds
Payt, Lottie and I. And below the whole Garner Gang. It was so much fun to spend time with family and see how everyone has changed since we saw them last. It is always so bitter sweet seeing them because I love them all so much and love being with them. But, know that I am not always close to see them more. Then it was time to rush home for a whirlwind move! We had to be out of our other place by the 31st.
We needed to buy a new fridge and also blinds for the whole house. The fridge was one thing that couldn't wait! We bought it the day after we closed. It was so exciting to bring it in and hook it up! The timing could not have been more perfect for the move! The whole week after Christmas I had work off and spent the first two days finishing packing. Payt and Bentley moved just about everything in one night other than a small load we had brought over earlier and the fragile stuff I brought through out the day. I think we all might have worked ourselves a little hard. I think the timing could not have been better in my pregnancy as well, any bigger and I for sure could not have done as much as I did. My feet ached for days, and I know Payt's back ached. But it was all worth it! And we finally had a fantastic tub to soak in!
Some of the giant mess we had to sort through!
Payt and I just went to work and little by little the pile got smaller, got it all done that week. Payt is quite the handy man and can do just about anything he wants! I love that about him, I am always so impressed with his abilities! There were plenty of things that needed a little fix up here and there.
This was our room for about two weeks while waiting for blinds, the rest of the house we were pretty much a big fish bowl. There are lots of large windows and they all face right onto a busy road. I was extremely pleased the day the blinds came!
I think the funnest part about moving in was finally setting up our crib that had been in the box for over a month! It just made me so excited knowing that we owned this home and could do whatever we wanted when it came to the nursery!
We have felt so spoiled and blessed to have gotten into this home. We still can't believe how it all worked out so slick and are constantly saying "wow, is this really our house?" Matt is seriously THE MAN! I love how generous he is and he was so willing to do anything it took to help us out. It has been so much fun settling in and decorating and making it our own. It was fun how much Payt and I just got to work together and be a team. We still need a few things for it to feel complete but it's been fun adding things when we can. Makes it more exciting with each new thing. We have finally been able to focus on Vivienne's room. I have been very tickled with how involved Payt has been. He is so creative and again.... very handy! I can't wait for the finished project! I will post the house pictures soon. Easy since I have the internet at my fingertips now! Untill then......

2011-01-31T14:35:00.000-08:00

21 weeks... and lookin a little tired!

22 weeks.
26 weeks.
27 weeks. Notice not just my belly but my butt is getting progressively larger????
28 weeks.
And 29 weeks! At the 1st Annual Baird Girls Retreat in Brigham. All the pregnant girls at the moment.... that we know of! :)
Me 29 weeks, Alyssia 23 weeks, Ashlee 18 weeks and Laurie 8 weeks.

I had this big plan in my head to take a picture every single week and go above and beyond! Documenting my progress and my feelings regularly..... obviously none of that has happened. Not even slightly. It seemed to go so slow the beginning due to not feeling well and also, not really feeling pregnant. I could not wait to finally have a belly and have it be very apparent I was pregnant. Now that I look back I can't believe I am 29 weeks! only a measly 11 left! Although I added on another week just for myself, so 12. I refuse to be one of those girls that freaks out the last couple weeks and just wants the baby out! I have just wanted the baby out the whole time truthfully. Only because I just can't wait to finally hold her precious tiny body. But I don't want to jump the gun and throw myself into a tissy when I am 38 weeks and not having my baby early like so many girls I know. So I'm saying 41 weeks and some change. That way if she comes any time before that I'll be just happy as a peach. Payton has been so continually sweet. I love how excited he is. he doesn't even seem nervous, or at least he hides it well! He asks me constantly if we can just have her now. And ya know I wouldn't mind that one bit! I felt amazing from about weeks 20-26. It's true how they say the middle is the best. Still it could be much worse I'm sure so I continually consider myself lucky. Only the heartburn and discomfort on my hips when I try and sleep has kept me company the last few weeks. I finally gave in and got myself a bottle of tums. I hate tums. I used roll aids the first half but in the end they just weren't cutting it. I still hate tums. But I love tums. Dang you tums. It has been so much fun to feel her move. She is awake almost all night and the last week or so has become much more active through out the day. I love the calm feeling that washes over me whenever I feel her little body move. I know that lots of women probably have the same fear at one point or another about raising a child or children and worry about what they may do wrong. But I can honestly say I have never once had that fear, not even briefly. I am so excited to be a mom and be able to have the amazing experience of raising a child and having that amazing bond. The labor on the other hand, not only terrifies me but petrifies, wait is there a better word to put here???? And the post par tum....... don't even wanna go there. But hey, it will all be worth it right?? That's right Kali it will all be worth it. :) So here I go with my last 12 weeks and change...... I may be just as much of a slacker as I have been or I may possibly surprise myself. I guess we'll just both have to wait and see. Oh and my nursery, pretty darn ecstatic about it. I'll post pics of the finished project, someday. Thanks for reading!

Fall Review

2010-12-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

Well WOW. The way I treat my blog is about the way I always treated my journal. Every few months it was my normal "catch up". I have no excuse for this post being so late but the next posts are late due to the fact that I have not had internet for a month! I still don't, just finally borrowing someones wireless. So after this post I still don't know how long it will be till the rest the update is received. This is a whirlwind rewind in pictures of the fall here in St. George.

Went and saw Thriller at Tuachan with Joyce and Tia.

Took a trip up North to see family, this is adorable Lottie May.
Lottie and Walter singing songs
Grandma playing games with the kids to tide them over before they could try out the new hot tub
Grandma and Grandpas new hot tub, the kids loved it!
Thanksgiving dinner at Bentley and Kyann's house with Craig, Tonya and Tyson.
Playing Memory with Addy.
The whole "McGregor Clan"

Tyson, Bent and Payt
Getting the lesson on "How to shoot a hand gun"
Seth
18 weeks pregnant and learning how to shoot
Not sure what i'm doing here.....
Dallen
Mom upstaged all of us by far!
Waiting outside Texas Roadhouse for dinner, freezing our butts off!
And shooting again.....
That gun is about as tall as she is!
Payts new toy
Mom and Tay came to visit the first week of December, so fun to have visitors! I had not seen Oliver since he was only a few days old!
Hanging out at the mall
Me and Mom
Olivers Christmas Jammies
Mom cooked the most fabulous dinner for us while she was here! It was quite the adventure to find all the right ingredients, even took a trip into the liquor store at 20 weeks pregnant! That's the acohol being burned off in the pan. I think we all ate much more than our tummies could handle but it was so worth it!

And I will be back as soon as I can steal someones internet again!! I do have updated belly pis too!

Announcing

2010-11-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

Vivienne Hazel Hugie
coming......April 2011.

We are having a little girl! And we couldn't be more excited!

Eighteen Weeks

2010-11-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

Well if you have not already heard by now.... yes I am

PREGNANT!

18 weeks yesterday to be exact.
And just to be clear, I am pregnant. I am also expecting, having a baby, carrying a child even.
I do not however, have a bun in the oven. Nor am I knocked up, preggers and most especially not PREGO.

Just to clarify. :)

I waited to post about it till I had a belly shot. It seemed like it took FOREVER to look pregnant! It has only been the past week or so that this thing has appeared and I think it's here for good. FINALLY! Payton and I could not be more excited, thrilled, tickled, anxious and nervous all at the same time! Plus a few other feelings thrown in there.

We find out the gender a week from today and yes we are finding out! Payton would like a girl. OK would LOVE a girl. As would Craig. Too many boys in this family they say. So cross your fingers for us.... of course, that doesn't mean we would love a cute little boy any less!

We have been looking into buying a house for the past few months now and would love to get into one before this baby comes in April. It is very slow going and the few offers we've made on ones we like have so far fallen through. But we will just keep on looking and hope for the best!

As for me, I am feeling pretty darn good comparatively speaking. I had a short go of it for a few weeks about a month and a half ago but with all the "issues" I still deal with, I find myself quite lucky. Only threw up about 10 times total! Though I sure felt like it should have been 100! This baby has sucked any and all moisture and then some out of my poor skin and I can't keep the lotions, creams and butters on enough! Once I got past the saltine cracker and lemon water stage I didn't feel like I would have any specific cravings. But these days I would like a steak from Ruby Tuesday, a steak from Outback and a steak from The Gun barrel. Oh and any other place that offers a good steak. Funny since I never liked steak before, nor would I have ever dreamt of ordering one from a restaurant. Sweet Payton has been very understanding with my strange new love for meat and treats me just about every week! When I can't get my steak, I resort to my second favorite new dish. The ever healthy, nutrition packed ramen noodles! Wow, I know gross. Nothing good in those. I hope this baby doesn't come out craving meat and salt.

It hasn't seemed fully real for me that this is actually happening. Sometimes I wake up and for a second feel like it is all a dream. Then I feel my slowly swelling belly and the insane pressure on my bladder and I calm down. I can't even remember if there was ever a time that I didn't crave to be a mom and have my own little babies running around me. I already feel so blessed to know that I have this sweet little being growing inside me and that I will be able to hold their tiny little body and kiss their soft face and breathe in their skin. And already know that I could never love anything more than I will love this child. And any others if they come to me.

Two more weeks and we're half way! I am already telling myself that the first half was the hardest! We have just barley started looking at cribs and car seats. So many decisions to make! I am so happy how excited Payton is and how much fun we've already had with the anticipation of this little one. I can't wait for him to be a dad, he is so darn sweet and loves little kids. Of course, he will be changing his first diaper come April! I'll try and keep a good update for the rest of the time being so stay tuned till next week... what do you think a he or a she???