Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Jamaica, Ya Mon

Ya mon, we went to Jamaica!! We stayed at the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa by Montego Bay. I guess you could say it was an early 1st Birthday + early Christmas + early 5th Anniversary celebration in one!  The resort was breathtaking as our room overlooked the white sandy beach and Caribbean seas. We decided to take Grace (at 11 months) and did not regret it! She was such a great little traveler and slept 3/4 flights. She Oooh'd and Awww'd her way through Jamaica. Sure, taking her did add extra work to our vacation but it was so fun to watch her excitement as she experienced the beach for the first time and the warm ocean water. Everyone out there loved watching and talking with her, especially all of the staff at the resort. The little Jamaican mamas all wanted to hold her and Grace usually accepted and then smiled and rubbed their faces. It made me wish we could all be as accepting and loving to everyone we meet just like a little child is.

The first night at the Resort, Grace came down with a VERY high fever and was wheezing to breathe. I immediately wondered if we had made a very big mistake bringing our baby to a little island far away from home. We had passed the hospital on our way into the resort and I knew I wouldn't want to take her there so I was starting to panic. Ethan then offered to give her a priesthood blessing and within the hour her fever broke and she was able to breathe well enough to sleep the rest of the night. The next day she only continued to get better and I was reminded of just how blessed we are to have the priesthood to protect and bless our little family no matter where we are in the world. 

We loved our first real family vacation and are so lucky we were able to go. We spent most of our time in the water or tanning/napping by the pool. I attended one of the most amazing and relaxing morning yoga classes overlooking the beach, a super fun water aerobics class and mini golf. Below are pictures and a video I created of our time out there to share with family and friends. It's by no means professional, but I think you'll enjoy it since most of the video is Grace! :)

 "Jamaica, No problems"

Thursday, December 6, 2018

A Letter to My Daughter on Her First Birthday



Dear Sweet Gracie Mae,

It's hard to accept that you are one already! Technically, you're not a baby anymore but to me, you'll always be my little girl. I remember the day I found out about you. I had always wanted to surprise your dad in some creative and elaborate way but when I randomly took the test, not really expecting a positive, I couldn't hold in my excitement when I saw that beautiful little plus sign. I grabbed your dad by the hand and led him out of bed to see it for himself. Of course, he already suspected it, reading the pure joy written all over my face. We fell asleep that night happy and in love, with each other, and with you!

My pregnancy was rough those first few months. Lots of nausea and puking in the bathroom at work. I welcomed it gladly though because it was a reminder that you were still there, growing healthy and strong inside of me. I still can't believe you were apart of me. I will always miss it, even feeling the hiccups you had daily!

I'll never forget the first day I met you. You changed my life forever. I will never be the same. It was a long and hard Delivery but meeting you at the end of it was completely worth it.  I'd do it a thousand times over just for you. You were so loved from the very beginning, by mom and dad and everyone.

Honestly, we've both grown over this past year. You learned and I learned. In many ways, you taught me more than I taught you. This past year you have been my biggest blessing and my constant worry. Between introducing solids, sleep training, and teething remedies,  I was always researching so I could provide the best for you. I tried not to be a helicopter parent, but I think I  may have fallen in that category at times.  As you learned, I learned.

  • As they laid you on my chest, you looked at me for the very first time and reached out to touch my face - I learned what unconditional love meant. I had never seen anyone more beautiful. 
  • You learned to nurse, only for a few months - I learned that breastfeeding wasn't right for the two of us and that it was okay. I learned to not judge myself and we learned to bond over bottle feeds. 
  • You learned to roll over - I learned to always have the camera ready.
  • You learned to laugh - I learned my new favorite sound and that somebody finally thought I was funny.
  • You learned to say dada, momma, and dog - I learned to not get my feelings hurt that you said dada first. 
  • You learned to crawl  - I learned to babyproof the house. 
  • You learned to pull yourself up to the coffee table and stand - I learned to hold my breath in anticipation for every time you fell. I also learned you'd always get back up. Nothing will stop you. 
  • You learned of your love for Kat - I learned to carry Zertec in the diaper bag.
  • You learned to wave at everyone, even strangers - I learned to be more friendly and kind.
  • You learned to say Ooh and Aww - I learned to more fully appreciate the little things in life.
  • You learned to walk (early) - I learned to pick you up and give loves each and every time you fell and got bruises which were inevitable. I learned to cheer you on and tell you that you can do anything! I also learned that from here on out you would never stop going!! 
We did it, baby girl! We survived our first year together. I look at you each morning and I can't believe you're mine. You are so beautiful, strong, brave, and curious. You pick up on things so quickly and you are so proud of yourself when you do. I hope you never stop. I can't believe you're my daughter. Thank you for choosing me to be your momma. Thank you for the lessons, the laughter and for changing me forever. I'll love your forever.

- "Momma loves Gracie Mae".

MONTH TWELVE

How is my sweet baby a one year old?! Where did this last year go?! I can't believe how much Grace has grown. She's a busy curious and beautiful little girl. I have to keep my eye on her at ALL times or who knows what she'll get herself into. I love her curiosity but it sure does keep me on my toes. She is constantly trying to make new sounds and really just wants to have conversations. Sometimes I swear she thinks we understand her. She can now say momma, dada, dog, and Kitty Cat. When we ask her a question or she's looking for something she tilts her palm up and looks at us as if she's asking, what? Where? or Why? It's the cutest little thing. 
P"eight & Height -  Grace now weighs 20lbs and 28 inches tall. She wears 12-18 month clothes and is continuing to thin out with all the walking and constant moving she's doing. It doesn't look normal to see her walking around on those tiny little legs. 

Sleep I don't know exactly how it happened but she's dropped to one nighttime waking. She wakes up between 3-4 am and after a quick bottle is back asleep until 8:30. I love that she is finally sleeping well through the night but unfortunately just in time for it to be ruined by our family trip consisting of two red-eye flights and a new bed. Fingers crossed she doesn't notice ;)

Eat - She is getting to be quite the little eater. She loves mealtime and eating whatever we are eating. We learned over Thanksgiving that she hates mashed potatoes, especially sweet potatoes. We think it might just be because the texture is too much like regular baby food. It was so funny to watch her scrunched up little face when she spits it out and then refused anything else from us because she was afraid we were tricking her into trying it again. 

Mommy Update:  I don't know how it's possible already that I am a mom to a one-year-old!? I am proud of us. Of Grace and I getting through this first year and learning and growing together. We survived!! It will be weird to not have a monthly post anymore but I don't think that will mean I'll take any fewer pictures! I think I have to get used to hearing the phrase now, "so when's the next one?" The answer, I'm not ready. To go through another pregnancy, another delivery, and then be responsible for keeping another teeny tiny human alive. I enjoy the phase of life the three of us are in and I think we'll keep it this way for a while. Plus, I finally hit my pre-pregnancy weight a while back and I want to just enjoy it for a minute. I just want some more time one on one with my sweet little girl! 

Monthly Photo Dump
(click to enlarge)

Monday, November 26, 2018

Tree Hunt

Our annual family Christmas tree hunt was a success! We decided to go up to Cedar Mountain this year so we didn't have to drive quite so far. It was freezing as usually but mostly it was just a blast to all be together tracking through the snow to find that perfect tree. When I say perfect, I  mean perfect cuz Momma Spendlove is picky about her Christmas trees! We had snowball fights, did a little sledding and drank hot chocolate to stay warm. Ended the day at Pizza Hut, because dad always gets his way and now that's just tradition. ;) It was another great year with our evergrowing family!! 
A fun new tradition we started with the Jansons is this mouthwatering Charcuterie Board! After hunting all day for Christmas Trees we built up quite the appetite so it was perfect to head over and enjoy this with them! Isn't that platter just Pinterest worthy! 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

MONTH ELEVEN

How is my baby almost one!!! This past month has been a big one. She now walks and pretty well I might add. She started the week she turned 10 and has been just moving ever since. It didn't really surprise me that she walked before a year, she has always wanted and tried to be so mobile. You'll often find her dragging a shirt or hand towel around and getting angry when she steps on it and can't walk anymore. She's got a short temper like her daddy ;) Her first word after mom and dad is "dog" and she says it for dogs and all other animals. We are working on Cat or Kitty. She understands certain phrases such as "go for a walk" or "time to get out".  She loves to wave at everyone and knows that "hello" and "Bye-bye" means to wave. She's so talkative right now and trying out new sounds. The best part is she puffs out her lips when talking! Her most favorite place to go right now is Home Depot to see all the Christmas Trees. You will always hear her saying WOW or OOH about everything right now. I love her excitement and love for life at this age! She brings so much light and love to our little family and we are incredibly blessed to have her.  

Weight & Height - Grace has actually lost a little weight being so mobile this month. She weighs 18 lbs and she's just over 2 ft tall (26 inches). She is thinning out now that she's walking and loosing her cute little baby chub. When I kiss her cheeks you can feel them sunk in a bit. She's wearing 9-12 month and some 12-18 month clothing. 

Sleep She is back to sleeping 5-6 hour stretches and still LOVES to cuddle! I'm starting to wonder if our king size bed will someday sleep Ethan and I and our x amount of kids that all love to cuddle. You know, that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. She still naps at least once a day. Rarely twice because she'd rather be awake and playing. She doesn't want to miss anything. She's back in our room because after about three weeks in her own room I decided it really wasn't worth it for me to stay sain and be able to have the energy to take care of her all day. She didn't sleep for more than two hours at a time so I was constantly getting up in the night. I'd rather still co-sleep and get 6-hour stretches than have her in her own room sleeping 2. Oh, the joys of sleep training. Not my talent.

Eat - Grace will eat anything and everything she finds on the floor ;) She loves her yogurt melts and holding/eating her own apple. She will only sit in the high chair for a limited time and then when she's done she constantly tries to climb out! Her dad loves sharing his sweets and treats with her and I have to constantly remind him she's still a baby! Although, she sure does have a sweet tooth! She's gonna love her cake smash next month!! 

Mommy Update: This month we are headed to Jamaica and I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to leave her. It's too hard to leave my baby. I'm still too attached. I guess it'll depend on how she's sleeping.  I think I'll always have this strong attachment to my baby girl, it's just something I'll have to learn to adjust to. Ah, I'm so lucky to be her mom. 

Monthly Photo Dump
(click to enlarge)


Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Logan + Lagoon

This month Ethan didn't have Drill so we decided to head up North anyways and celebrate Ethan's Birthday, as well as our little niece Olive's Birthday. We spent the day at Lagoon Amusement Park and the next morning enjoyed a catered brunch followed by Boo at the Logan ZooUtah. It was so nice to be up there all weekend and actually get to see my husband! 
I honestly wish I could say Grace love her first ride...but it was quite the opposite. She hated it!! However, she did love watching all the rides and people. Watch the video below. :)