200 days old

How is it that our sweet girl is already 200 days old! Time is passing too quickly. Although I marvel on a daily basis how much she grows before our eyes. Her bottom left tooth has broken through and her sitting skills get better every day. I'm hoping she is going to have strong tummy muscles just like me :) when she sits up I put her boppy pillow behind her which she falls back on at times- and she is just about to the point where she can pull herself back up to sitting from that position. It truly amazes me how quickly she's gaining strength. She is such a sweet happy baby whose laughs make me want to cry tears of joy!
She also starting eating oatmeal this week which she loves! What a good little eater she is :) I feel so blessed to have a wonderful girl with such a great attitude. I hope we are able to nurture her in such a way that she stays this sweet always.
Tomorrow we go for her six month check up. I am not looking forward to her getting shots but I am eager to see how much she has grown in the last two months.
At the end of the week we are having her six month pictures taken which ought to be a blast! I am having fun picking out outfits for her to wear.
As much as we had a great summer I am looking forward to the holiday seasons with the giddiness of a child! I include Halloween in the holidays so it seems it has already begun! I hope the weather improves some so we can take advantage of some outdoor fall activities.
Being mom has come so naturally and easy for me, I just love everyday with Grace more and more. She truly is the light of my life. ❤

Who needs sleep?

It's 4:45am and our lovely Grace woke me up about 4am. Not because she was hungry or because of her teeth hurting. Nope, apparently in her adorable mind it was just time to be awake and play!
Yesterday I got the flu shot so I went to bed feeling pretty crappy and all I wanted was a decent night sleep. Go figure the night I really need some rest is the one she decided to not sleep!
Over that last hour I keep telling myself that she will not be this little for long and to enjoy it. It may seem like a pain but her and I get more quality time because of this. I will take her smiles and giggles any hour of the day. :) as we close in on the 5am hour she is eating and falling asleep. So cute and innocent. I wouldn't pass this up for anything in the world. I love my girl so much. <3

First Birthday

It's been awhile since I've posted. Our life has been so busy it seems! August was a whirlwind and now we are half way through September already!
With that time of year comes my birthday- my first birthday as a mom. It does feel different this year which I didn't expect. My focus is solely on Grace with her needs always being first so I think it's hard to have a day "for me". Although I thought a lot about my own mom today as she was the one who gave me life. Ten years she's been gone from this earth yet everyday I am grateful that she was my mom and that I had her for as long as I did. This first birthday as a mom has shed light on the importance of a birthday because I cherish the birthday of Grace. That connection we share is so powerful just like the connection I will always share with my own mom, even if she can no longer spend the day with me.

Grace has been growing by leaps and bounds. As I approached my first birthday Grace has experienced a number of firsts herself. Very important is that she was able to go to Fricano's for the first time! This is major stuff!!!:) She is now a master at rolling over and sometimes reminds me of a log rolling down a hill, there's no stopping her! She can also sit up unassisted pretty good these days, although its best not to leave her side- she still has a tendency to topple over! Her major first recently is that we have now started solid food. We are just doing rice cereal but she has taken to it very well! It seems our baby is growing up! Her personality is starting to shine through and her expressive face makes us laugh every day. Grace is such a happy baby and just radiates that in everything that she does. We feel so blessed to have her.
As this first birthday of mine comes to a close I am so happy to live the crazy, sometimes chaotic life we have, I truly wouldn't want it any other way.

Nine years and Four months

I have been slacking lately, but we have had a few milestone days.
On the 21st Grace reached the four month mark. She is such a joy every day. I can't believe how much she has changed this month. She is a "talking" machine and we just love to hear her voice. Intermixed in her talking she has started laughing- now that is music to my ears! Her chatter and laugh just brings a smile to my face. In the last week she has also started to stick her tongue out. I feel like if I blink she'll do something new! She hasn't managed to roll over yet but I'm sure she isn't far. It already feels like she's growing up too fast so we can spread these milestones out!
While our little girl is growing before our eyes, we celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary on the 26th. I honestly don't feel old enough to be married for close to a decade! While we have had our share of trials in the early years, we have become closer and stronger than ever. As we have accomplished this milestone of nine years I look at the three of us and I love our little family.
Each day I see how blessed I am to have a wonderful supportive husband who is also a loving father. I also see my beautiful daughter who I can't imagine my life without. I look forward to all the coming milestones our family will reach together. :)

Fourth of July

I was very excited to celebrate another "first" holiday with our Grace. Even more excited to be able to bring her to Muskegon where we have celebrated the last few years. We travel up to Bear Lake with our friend Chris to visit with his mom; Nancy, stepdad; Jeff and his brothers family. It's always been a great time.
This year we not only had baby Grace in tow but it was also our first over night trip. Boy did it go better than I thought! Grace took great naps and seemed to ease into the unfamiliar territory. Best part of it all- she loved the water! It was so cute watching her kick those little legs as we drifted her through the water. It was so warm that she just relaxed and enjoyed herself. So much that she started to fall asleep as I moved her through the water! We can't wait to take her back up to visit Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Jeff again later this summer.
Having Grace has been such a huge transition for us, especially considering we have always liked to party so much. But this last holiday really opened my eyes that I am not the same person any more. I enjoyed swimming with my baby and playing with her surrounded by wonderful friends. That's all I need. :)
Looking forward to the next first holiday with our sweet girl!

3 months

A week late but better late than never right? :)
Has three months really gone by? Our sweet girl is no longer considered a newborn anymore. I feel like she changes before my eyes every single day. When she smiles, coos, and picks up toys- I wonder where the time has gone. Before we know it she'll be crawling!
The last three months have posed their own set of of challenges but we got through them the best we could. We've had to adjust to our new life which at times hasn't been easy. It seems everything is harder with a baby in tow. Yet I wouldn't change it for the world.
I am so very grateful to our friends who have adjusted with us. Grace has not only thrown us a curve ball but also to the relationships we have. I have learned in the last three months who our real friends are by the love and support they have shown us. Those are the people who I know will be by our side through the long haul. These last three months have been a huge transition for us. Now as we enter into the next quarter I am glad with the friends that have been understanding and are still a part of our lives. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Not to forget about our families as they have been awesome too. Our friends just have a choice if they want to accept our new and growing family or move on because it isn't the same anymore. We truly appreciate how accommodating, supportive and loving our family has been. Without them we would be lost.
Grace is so lucky to have the wonderful people in her life that she does. She is a sweet, happy, smiling baby girl that we adore.
We look forward to the rest of the huge changes this first year brings. We love her more than words could ever express.

The Baptism

This last Sunday our sweet Grace was baptized. It was an event the I greatly anticipated. The ceremony was beautiful and all I hoped it would be- and more.
She was baptized at Christ Our Savior Lutheran. It's the church we attend and the church where I grew up. Her Godmother is my cousin Sarah who is truly more like a sister than a cousin. Her Godfather is our dear friend Chris. We know that we are so blessed to have wonderful people on this journey.
It was a small affair with immediate family and Godparents only, which is what made is truly special.
Our Amazing Grace was welcomed into God's family and only her birth was as special as this. It was her re-birth as a Christian child which brought me to tears. I love my sweet angel more and more everyday.
This blessed event was a beautiful day that I will never forget.

Memorial Weekend

I know it's a week after but we are just now getting back into the swing of things post holiday weekend. What a busy but fun time we had! Our first adventure on Sunday was a trip to our good friends house in bear lake. Grace was able to finally meet her Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Jeff. I think Grace is going to have more unofficial family than she'll know what to do with! That is good though- no one can ever have too many people to love you!
Anyway- we had a great time visiting and enjoying the beautiful weather. As always Grace did wonderful just taking it all in. It was a great day.
Memorial Day was another busy one with our family. We started out at the parade where Grandpa Jim and Uncle Dave marched in the parade. Grace was very proud to see them march for the very first time. The weather was perfect and she did very well at the parade. We weren't sure how she would do with the drums and loud bands but she took it in stride- that's my girl! After the parade the family was able to spend the day having a cook out and catching up. We were so lucky to have Uncle Dave and Aunt Cheryl in town from NC. They were able to meet Grace for the first time and we always love it when they visit. Grace really enjoyed her first Dalman family memorial day picnic. Aunt Cheryl got in lots of cuddle time and we got to hang out with Grace's cousins along with her Aunt Katie and Uncle Geoff. A fabulous success of a holiday weekend.
Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Dave didn't head back to NC until Thursday so we spent as much time with them as we could. Grace also got to attend her first girls lunch on Wednesday. She had a lot of firsts in this last week! This is why we are just now recovering.
We were tired but it was worth it- we look forward to many more exciting holidays.

Success!

The last two nights our sweet girl has slept through the night. It seems like such a milestone. She has always been a good sleeper, but this is heaven! Now if only I could get to sleep at a time closer to her, I would be doing much better :) I'll get there.
I am really enjoying our new schedule because I feel like I have more of the day to divide my time between Grace and doing stuff around the house.
She has solids naps instead of sleeping sporadically which allows me the opportunity to accomplish tasks without guilt. What a wonderful feeling! When Grace is awake I want good one on one time with her and I am getting a lot more of that now.
Each week that passes I enjoy being her mom even more. I look forward to all the stages in her life, but right now at this moment, this stage is my favorite. :)
Love my girl endlessly!

Two months

I know everyone says it, but I can't believe it's been two months already! Our sweet Grace is changing so much everyday it seems.
In the last month she really has started to engage with us more, which is such a joy to see. Her smiles warm my heart and brighten up my day. To see her big eyes sparkle when the huge smile spreads across her face. She also is beginning to express her preferences. Sometimes she just doesn't want to be in her swing. Which I have no problem picking her up and having some good quality cuddle time. It's these moments that I cherish most. She is such a good baby that I try not to take it all for granted. What a good sleeper ER have on our hands! Tonight I am actually going to see if she will sleep through the night. It has started to become evident that the middle of the night wake up is more for me than it is for her. I guess we'll have to see how it goes!
What a blessing Grace is to us. When I was pregnant I wondered in what ways my daily routine would chang. I never imagined it like this, but I wouldn't trade the chaos that has become the new normal. Instead is becoming too overwhelmed I am embracing the craziness! It's all part of our story.
I am looking forward to all the changes that the third month of Grace's life will bring.

8 weeks

It's hard to believe its been eight weeks already since our sweet girl was born. So much has changed it almost seems like a life time.
Those first few difficult weeks have transformed into a sort of organized chaos for us. Yet I enjoy every moment because I only get them once. As each day passes I watch how she changes and grows. It truly is amazing, the process in this first year.
We are getting more and more smiles everyday. She is such a joy for us. Even our 3am feeding is precious to me. This time passes to fast and I don't want to blink. Granted its all I know so far but I love this infant stage. She is so innocent and fragile, I adore being her mommy and caring for her. It is the greatest joy of my life.
Even though it's hard to believe where the last eight weeks have gone, I look forward to each new adventure.
Grace has just started to outgrow her nb size clothes. I had to laugh and cry a little when it was clear last night her pajamas no longer fit :) Time to move up a size and have a whole new batch of adorable clothes to wear! What a lucky little girl!

First Mother's Day

What a wonderful first Mother's Day! I chose this day to start this blog because today was so special. I have waited such a long time to be a mommy and I want to catalog this new chapter in my life to treasure for years to come!
This morning we enjoyed a nice church service to start our day- it was great to celebrate and praise God for all that we are thankful for.
The weather today was absolutely gorgeous so I couldn't resist taking our sweet girl on a long walk. The three of us were able to get some fresh air enjoy each others company (even of Grace did sleep most of the way!).
My first Mother's Day gift from Nate was a salad spinner! This actually is a big deal because I eat LOTS of salads and green smoothies. Washing lettuce and spinach is so time consuming and I've been wanting one of those. I love how thoughtful Nate is to get me something that I will use on a daily basis.
However, the greatest gift Nate has given me is our beautiful daughter. We are so in love with her and I thank God everyday that we get to be her parents. As I sit here and watch her sleep I reminisce about my own mother and how much I know that she loved me. I know that I learned from the best and hope that Grace knows every day how much I love her just like I know how much my Mom loved me. She is my world and that will never change no matter what life throws at us.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there- you are truly loved and appreciated!