More of March and my Birthday!

Let's start off this post by talking about Abby (our dog), shall we? She has been such a good pooch since we have had Melanie. Abby is Melanie's protector and nap buddy. They like to take naps on the couch together. We thought that bringing Melanie home would be hard on Abby, but come to find out Abby loves her new baby. It's going to be so fun and cute to see them together when Melanie gets older. They are going to be best of friends. Honestly, we couldn't ask for a better dog.  

Since Melanie has been able to hold her own head up now, some of our favorite things to do with her is to hold her above our heads and play with her. Her cheeks look so funny and cute. Since they are so chubby, they droop down when we hold her like that. The bottom picture shows the view that we get when we hold her above our heads. It make us giggle! 

She's been growing up so fast and has become so responsive and alert! She has developed her own little personality and it's adorable! Some of the things that Melanie enjoys doing are sleeping in the car. She likes the movement of the car and goes out cold when we go for rides. She LOVES to look at herself in the mirror. It's so cute because when she sees herself in the mirror, she will start talking to herself and kick kick kick kick because she gets so excited! Another thing she likes to do is cuddle. I think I enjoy this more than she does. Haha! I hope she stays cuddly, but I won't count on it. I'll just enjoy it while it lasts. 

One of the fun things about having a little girl is that you get to put them in cute little dresses! 

So in the previous post I wrote, I mentioned that Melanie has discovered her hands and will just stare at them like they are the coolest things in the world. I caught her being mesmerized by them again and HAD to take a few pictures. It's hilarious because she literally holds her hand out in front of her face and just stares. 

Anyone that knows me knows that I am NOT a feet person. They gross me out. I will literally gag if I'm eating something and I happen to look at someone's feet while I'm eating. I know, it's weird. 

I will say though that these little precious feet are my favorite. I love them so much. I still cannot believe that Melanie is here and that she has two perfect little hands and feet with ten little fingers and toes. 

I also mentioned in a previous post that Melanie is such a morning person. Every morning she is all smiles. I woke up one morning and got my camera ready. I could hear her wiggling in her crib and making baby cooing sounds. She was clearly awake. So I got up and walked over to her crib. I peaked over the edge and there she was, with the hugest grin I think a baby can make. Her big gummy smile makes my heart melt. I love her!

Along with big gummy smiles, Melanie has many other faces. Here are just a few.

Enjoy...

So my birthday was today (March 17th). Most of you know that is St. Patrick's Day. A few days ago I received Ricky's gift in a package. The majority of you know my brother Ricky is currently serving a mission in Montana. He had crocheted me a green beanie! Isn't it so cute! I love it! Thank you Bro!!!

So yesterday I wasn't feeling well at all. Dallan has had a nasty cold and I caught it. When I catch something I usually get it really bad. Yesterday I got off work, came home, and went straight to bed. I slept for three hours straight. You know I don't feel good when I sleep through Melanie's cries. That NEVER happens. 

Dallan was so sweet and felt bad that I had gotten sick the day before my birthday. He made me chicken noodle soup and gave it to me in bed. He even made himself something to eat and ate it in bed with me so that I wouldn't have to be alone. What a sweetheart. I love that man! 

Today (my birthday), I woke up to these cuties! 

Dallan was really creative and romantic when it came to my birthday present. He set up a whole scavenger hunt for me. He had envelopes put all throughout the house and inside each envelope he said something sweet about me. Then he also drew a picture of the place in the house where the next envelope would be. It was so fun to figure out his drawings and to read the sweet things he said about me. Along with each envelope was one of my favorite treats and little things that I had wanted. 

Then later in the day we went over to my parents' house for dinner and cake. Boy was it yummy! My mom made my favorite meal (chicken, mashed potatoes, with gravy). Mmmm.... and she made a yummy cake and had it with my favorite ice cream (chocolate chip). Yum! I think it's safe to say that I had a great birthday. I'm grateful for a loving husband that took the time to create a gift that was so thoughtful and from the heart. It's nice to have family that love and support us! 

Lastly, Dallan took this picture of Melanie right before I gave her a bath tonight. I love love love her chubbiness and rolls. I have given Melanie a nickname that I think fits her perfectly. I call her my little "squish" or "squishy." I can't help it! She is just so squish-able! 

Dallan and I can't get enough of our Little Squish! 

In the last few months... (January, February, & some of March)

A lot has happened in the last two months. Melanie is growing up so fast and is surprising us everyday with new abilities. She became exactly two months old on March 2nd. Three days later I took her in for her "two month check up." This doctors appointment wasn't a fun one. Melanie had to get three shots. Poor thing went in as a happy kid and left as a grumpy one. Then again, wouldn't you be upset too if you had to get three shots at once? We just want what's best for our baby girl and to keep her growing healthy and strong.

After the two month check up here is where Melanie stands....

She is 23 inches long and she weighs 12 pounds! She is a healthy growing baby girl!

We have had so much fun with this little girl the past two months. She now can smile at people. It melts my heart every morning when I look down at her in her crib and she looks up at me and gives me a huge grin. I used to NOT be a morning person, but now I can't wait for the morning to come so I can look at my baby in her crib and catch her looking up at me with smiles from ear to ear.

She now has become quite the little "talker." I think she's taking after her mom. Lol! Melanie can "coo" and she does it all the time. It's so cute! I love hearing her little voice.

She can take a pacifier and keep it in her mouth. We use it as her "mute button." Sometimes, I don't know what I would do if she didn't take one. It's a life saver. Although, we only use it when she needs it. Other than that, if she can keep herself quiet and happy we don't shove it in her mouth.
  

I've kept this blanket that I made when I was a senior in high school. I made it in a sewing class. I chose the colors with the intent of using it when I started having kids. It's a fun colorful little blanket. It even folds up and slips into that little lime green pocket (shown in the picture) and becomes a pillow! Melanie uses it now to lay on the floor for "tummy time!" 

Like I said, I made this blanket knowing I would want to use it for my future kids. Now that Melanie is actually here, it's crazy to look back and think that I made this for her five years ago knowing she was going to eventually come.

We do "tummy time" with Melanie everyday. She seems to like it. She loves being on her stomach. I think she gets that from me. That's the only way I can fall asleep at night. Lol! 

Tummy time has helped strengthen her neck muscles. She is able to hold her own head up now! She's getting to be such a big girl! 

This little girl has discovered her hands. Every time she gets the chance, she is sucking on her tiny hand. It's funny because her own hands can catch her attention like they are the coolest things in the world. She will hold her hand out in front of her face and slowly lean in towards it and make herself go cross-eyed. It makes us laugh. Who knew a baby would be so entertaining to watch even if they are doing nothing! We love our little munchkin!  

This duo of pictures is funny. I had to put this one up. For some reason my mom always says how she loves Melanie's face when she cries. She says, "It's sooooo cute!" 

Isn't she right though?! Check out the lower lip action in the picture on the right. Melanie has the cutest crying face I've ever seen! 

Ok this next picture depresses me (just kidding), but I HAD to put it up. Lol! Melanie has lost most of her hair on the top of her head and has kept a "ring of hair" on the bottom. I call it her "Old Man Hair." No offense to my father-in-law. Hahaha! WE STILL LOVE BOTH OF YOU! We just had to take this side by side picture of the two of them to show off their twin heads. 

It was slow at work the other day and I decided to doodle. It's what I do. All of my co-workers know I'm so in love with my little family. I wonder how they can tell? Lol! 

My awesome Manager gave me and Dallan tickets to the Utah vs. Oregon State basketball game. It was fun to go on a real date with Dallan again. We needed it. Even if it WAS at a Ute game.... ugh. Hahaha! I'm kidding. 

My father-in-law is going to be so thrilled and probably fall off his chair because of this... Ready for it.... (I'm taking a deep breath) I like the Utes. There, I said it. I enjoy cheering for them. I gave in. It took many years, but I did it. There! You happy!? Lol!

BUT.... 

I will make myself clear... If the Utes and the Cougs are playing one another, I WILL root for BYU! "Rise and shout, the Cougars are Out!"

The past two months have been a fun journey. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Because I have Dallan and our baby girl, I am the happiest woman on earth! 

I'm excited to spend forever with them, bring it on!

March Has Been A Month of Excitement!

It is the beginning of March and already a lot has happened. On March 3rd our baby girl Melanie was blessed. It was a great experience and there wasn't a dry eye (not from me anyways). It was so fun shopping for a little white dress, baby pantie hoes, and cute little white shoes.

Melanie did so good! She didn't cry or make a peep during the blessing. I was one proud mama. After the blessing, we hung around the church and wanted to take pictures with all the family that came to support us and Melanie.

Melanie took pictures with her Great-Grandma and Grandpa Hope. Then she took one with her Great-Grandma Ebert. The one she took with the Hope's is so adorable! Smiles all the way around! 

Then Melanie took some pictures with her Grandparents and Aunts and Uncle. 

(First picture was with her Nana and Tata. Again, smiles all the way around)

(Then she took one with her Grandma and Grandpa)

Aunt Lauren, Uncle Ben, and Aunt Lindsey were next!

Our cousins Jared and Kristy came! They brought their cute little boy with them. He is just too cute! 

Lastly, after all the picture taking with all the family we wanted to take one of just our little family. I am so grateful for my husband Dallan and all that he does for Melanie and me. I am grateful for our baby girl. She brings us so much joy and happiness. I can't imagine our life without her. I love my little family. 

Another great thing happened this past week. My little brother Ben got his mission call. He was called to serve in CHILE! That is so special and exciting because that is where my mom is from. We are so proud of him and my other brother Ricky (who is currently on his mission) for making the decision to serve our Heavenly Father. 

Yesterday, we wanted to go out and spend time as a little family out on the town. Lol! We took Melanie for her first time to Temple Square. She seemed to enjoy it... well,  for as much as a two month old can enjoy something. She more like tolerated it. She didn't cry or anything. 

Like I said, it's only the beginning of March and already a lot has happened! I hope this post turned out ok. This is my first "Official Blog." So enjoy!

Lots more to come.......

Blogger in the making! First post!

So everyone, I've broken down and decided to start a blog. I figure it's a lot easier to post about special events that happen in our lives this way, especially now that we have a little one. I'm still pretty clueless on how to do this, but at least I have my good friend Madi to help me do this :) I hope you guys enjoy reading in what goes on in the life of the Hope's!