I Couldn't Have Imagined This

There have been a lot of moments in my life that I feel have defined me. When I was baptized. When I first sang in front of an audience that consisted of more than old people at a retirement home. When I tried out for a play for the first time and got the lead role. When I finally let myself realize that I was in love with Derek. When I said yes. When I went through the temple for the first time. When I said yes, again, and became a wife.

All of those moments, along with many others, have shaped me into me. Then, this last February, finding out I was pregnant changed my opinion. I was going to have a baby, and I knew it was going to change my life. But I don't think I could have ever imagined this.

It's almost as if your heart grows an extra chamber, making room for all of the love that will fill you once you have your baby. It gets bigger every time they squeeze your finger. Each time they smile when they see your face. Each time they refuse to sleep until you hold them in your arms. Each time they poop so much that it goes up their back and you still think they're the cutest thing in the world, your love for them grows.

I've only had Reece for 33 days, but I already love her more than I thought I could.

I love my little family. Derek is the best husband and father. Seeing him with her is always my favorite part of the day. I look in Reece's eyes, and I see me. I feel like she is me. But she's not. She's a part of me, just as she is a part of Derek. But she's Reece.

She is the perfect, beautiful little baby that has become the most important defining moment of my life.

One Month

Reece is one month old today. Each day this month, I'm posting on facebook one thing that I'm grateful for. Today, I was tempted to post this since one month ago today, I was in labor:

Oh, epidurals truly are amazing.

Anyways, back to Reece and how she's doing!

She is still a perfect baby. Sleeps and eats really well. Doesn't cry unless she wants something (to eat, be held, or poop). 

She's getting a lot stronger when it comes to lifting her head. She can even hold it up for a good length of time.

She is still wearing newborn size clothing. Some of the 0-3 month clothes fit, but most of them are still too big.

She is consistently sleeping 5 hour stretches each night, which is WONDERFUL. Feels so good to get that much sleep at once. Hopefully in another month, we'll have her sleeping through the night.

When she was first born, I saw so much of Derek in her. I had a hard time seeing much resemblance to me. But now that Reece is getting older, I see more and more of me in her every day.

Who do you think she looks more like? I have a hard time deciding. I think she's a pretty good mix of the both of us.

But, Reece and I have a few similarities! We were both born on the day after our due date, and she was born at 6:41pm and I was born at 6:42pm. Pretty cool, huh? 

Well, I think so.

Reece and I even make similar faces and have the same nose:

And now, here she is in her church outfit yesterday! There is a possibility that I might be obsessed with my baby.

Pictures of her from today... one month old!

Just More Pictures... Because I May Be Slightly Obsessed

I can't help myself. She's too cute.