Yes, Matthew REALLY is OUR baby. (Can you guess the question?) and Tummy Time

I've had two people ask me since Matthew was born if he 'really' was our baby.  The first person was asking in a round about way if he was made up of me and Steve (translation - did we use donor egg/sperm when we went through IVF).  I kindly replied yes he's 100% made up of us. (But I was really thinking; who asks that kind of question, really?!)

This past weekend, a distant family member met Matthew for the first time and she was ecstatic to hold him and was happy for us because she knew how many years it took us to conceive.  She was admiring him and saying how much he looks like me (yeah, I get that alot).  Then she asked me (with a straight face and in choppy English); 'This really you and Steve baby?' (translation - this baby looks nothing like your husband.  You must have used donor egg/sperm).  Again, I kindly responded, yes, he really is our baby.

Boy, I can't wait until Matthew starts looking like his daddy!!

TUMMY TIME.....

Don't let that cute litte face fool you.....

It didn't last long.

He wasn't in the mood for tummy time.

He only lasted for a few minutes. 

A few minutes a day will do for now.

I love holding him and admiring him when he's naked. 

Such smooth skin (with some patches of dryness).

Chunky baby rolls too!

Guess Who Slept Through the Night??

Matthew slept through the night for the first time last night!!

He went down around 9:30 pm and didn't get back up until 5:30 AM.

We were so happy this morning!  Steve said he felt like we should have a party or something to celebrate. Ha!

What a great way to start off Friday!! 

Below are pictures from our NY trip last week. 

We are so happy that Matthew got to meet his great grandma Papa. She was so happy to see him and hold him and kept complimenting on what a good baby he is. 

Having breakfast together and Matthew with his favorite shirt on (according to mommy).  It says 'I Love Mommy'

On the way home we stopped at Sunset Icecream in Pennsylvania. 

You can't get two scoops of icecream for this cheap around here!

Steve got pistachio and rootbeer flavor. 

Loving his little behind!

Happy Friday to all!

Matthew is 3 Months Old!



Mommy can't believe you are 3 months!  Where does the time go?!

You are getting big and chunky.

I love 'sniffing' your cheeks and squeezing your thighs!

You are wearing size one diaper and fitting comfortably in size 0-3 month clothes and some 3-6 month. Mommy finally had to put your newborn clothes away. It's hard to believe how little you were when you were born.

You are eating about every two hours during the day, but get up every four hours at night to eat.  You still nurse and take a bottle.

Mommy has returned to work (from home) and we have a few different people coming in and watching you (for now) until we can get a regular nanny.  You are happy with ANYONE who will hold you. 

You took your first road trip last week when we went to NY for your great grandpa Papa's funeral.  You did so well on the 7 hour drive because you love sleeping in the car. 

Your hair is also growing and everyone always comments on how much hair you have.  Daddy has threaten to shave your hair and glue it to your face so you can look like him.  (Everyone says you look like mommy).

You are smiling A LOT more! 

It melts mommy's heart everytime I can get you to smile. I can't wait until you start 'talking.'

Mommy and daddy love you more and more each day.  You have blessed our lives so much! You are our little man

First Road Trip

We are currently in upstate NY for the week.  Steve's grandfather passed away over the weekend.  He was a good (stubborn) man.  It's that Italian blood!  We were planning to come up here over the summer so he could meet Matthew.  I am sad that Matthew won't get to meet his great grandpa in person, but we were fortunate enough to Skype with them a few weeks ago so he got to see him.

 Matthew did great on the 7 hour car ride. We stopped twice to change his diaper and feed him.  He slept pretty much the entire time.  It was very nice! (I know that future road trips won't go as smooth as he gets bigger!).

My little pumpkin swaddled and ready for bed.

We are staying at the Marrriott since the rest of his family will be staying at his parents. Matthew sleeps pretty well in his pack and play.  I have been working in the hotel room during the day while Steve takes Matthew to his grandma's house.  I miss my baby when he's not here! 

While it's nice to be with  family, I wish this trip was under better circumstances. We will miss grandpa Papa!

My First Mother's Day

I woke up this morning and looked at my sweet baby's face next to me.

What a great way to start Mother's Day!

I held him close and kissed him all over and thanked him for allowing me to be his mom.

I was asked to share a message to the Young Women (youth group at church) on Motherhood.  I shared parts of Elder Holland's talk titled: 'Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God'.  I shared my testimony of faith and enduring through trials.  I wanted the young women to know that Motherhood is such a sacred calling.  That we can't do it alone, we need to rely on God to guide us through it all.



My favorite part of Elder Holland's talk:

"May I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mom's out there!!

The Dreaded Sunday - Mother's Day

For the past 9 years, I have dreaded this coming Sunday...Mother's Day.  It was one of the hardest days for me because it was like the universere was rubbing it in my face that I was an infertile.

This year, I am finally a mother and look forward to embracing Mother's Day with my son, but there is a part of me that still hurts for all the women out there who are still waiting to be mother's.  I still remember the pain (and frustration) of the dreaded Mother's Day Sundays where I had to go to church and sit there as all the mother's were being recongized.  It tore at my heart and crushed my spirit every year.  It got to the point where I just didn't go to church or made plans to go out of town that weekend. And while it was not easy, the whole experience has strengthen my faith.  I will never forget the journey that got me to this place in my life at this time.

I realized that the universe was not against me and that God was not trying to punish me by giving me a body that was 'broken.'  He was by my side the entire time and carried me through the hardest times of that trial. 

As we celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, I want to let all my fertility 'sisters' know that they are loved by a Heavenly Father who knows them all by name.  He WILL carry them through the journey. 

I came across this book and thought it was a good reminder that no matter what our circumstances are in life, God loves us and thinks we are ALL wonderful!

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Our hearts are not large enough to contain the blessings that God wants to give." 

Matthew's Baby Blessing

It was a GLORIOUS Sunday!

MY baby was blessed at church.

When Steve and I were dressing Matthew in his cute little outfit for church, I was just overcome with emotion. We have waited so long for this day and I just couldn't believe that it was really happening. My heart was bursting with love for this baby.

We had Steve's whole family in town. I was so grateful for all the help to get ready for the big day!

I can't thank them enough for all they did. I am grateful for all the friends and family who came out for this special day. We had a great sacrament meeting that was filled with the spirit. It was amazing to be surrounded by people who love Matthew just as much as we do.

"For this Child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him." - 1 SAMUEL 1:27