2015

It's been a fun month with beautiful weather, Easter activities and learning.  We had a great trip to South Carolina spending time with my family.  Unfortunately I lost most of my pictures from the trip.

Lydia is now 20 months old.  She is a very calm, passive, happy, curious, obedient, little girl.  She loves (to pretend) to put on make-up when I do, carry around purses, put lids on containers, say "hi" to everyone, flowers, kitty cats and dogs, when daddy come home from work, her baby dolls, bracelets, marshmallows, spaghetti,  music in the car, her ducky "kiki" stuffed animal, and her water (sippy cup). She folds her arms for prayers and still loves to nurse before bed. She knows a lot of signs (more, cat, dog, fish, bird, please, all done, eat, water, baby etc) but hasn't had much use for them lately because she is saying these words too. She went pee pee in her potty for the first time and likes to do anything I'm doing (computer, sew, cook...).  Her cousin Shawn turned 2 this month and we are excited to meet his little sister in July! 

1 Year Old

I can't believe my baby is already 1 year old!  She is the sweetest little girl and we love her so much!  Here are some photos taken by my amazing sister in law Laura.

Behind the scenes, Lydia and her cousin Emily.

Favorite Things: Newborn-style!

As a first time mother, I have found certain things to be extremely helpful during the newborn stage.

1.  Tank Tops
I have about 10 of these in different colors.  I always wear one under my shirt, so when I go to nurse the shirt comes up and the tank gets pulled down and I can nurse without showing off my sexy belly.  They are great for nursing in public of in front of visitors, because sometimes a blanket doesn't cover everything.  I buy mine at Khols for $5.99 each.









2.  Nuk Ultra Thin Nursing Pads

I like these because they don't have a sticky back.  I can take them out and reuse them.  The sticky ones always get smooshed when I nurse, stick together, and end up in the trash because they are in a crinkled ball.  I buy them at Wal-Mart.

3.  Swaddle Blankets

Yes, the expensive ones.  Aden + Anais bamboo muslin.  Soft+lightweight+large=perfect blanket!  Being lightweight was perfect for swaddling and using as a nursing cover for my Summertime baby.  They are still perfect for swaddling her 4 month body because they are big!  I love that they are big without the bulk.  I have washed them several times (at least once a week) and they still look and feel brand new!


4.  Colorful Burp Cloths
These are helpful so that I know which ones are dirty or which one I am currently using.  "Don't use the green one she spit up on it!"  I bought these from Wal-Mart.  You can also make them by buying white and then dying them different colors.









5.  Gerber Soothe

Probiotics for babies.  Lydia has had belly aches and a lot of gas since she was born.  A nurse told me about these drops and they have worked wonders!  I give them to Lydia every morning and it has significantly minimized her tummy problems.  Probiotics promote digestive comfort by providing the good bacteria that help balance the digestive system.  I buy it at Walgreens.


6.  Colic Calm
Along with the probiotic, Lydia's tummy sometimes needs a little extra help.  Colic Calm is a very natural mixture of chamomile, phenol, and ginger that helps relieve upset stomach.  It instantly gets rid of her hiccups!  Or if she just seems uncomfortable and cries but won't eat or burp (has a clean diaper, etc), I give her this and usually within a few minutes of holding her upright and/or burping her she will let out a huge burp! (*sigh of relief*)  It works by binding together all the little air bubbles in her tummy and making them a big one that she can pass.  I also buy this at Walgreens.

7.  The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
My mom sent me this book when I was pregnant with Lydia.  It has been so helpful to me in understanding my baby and encouraged me to follow my instincts.  It educates not only on breastfeeding, but also on sleep, colic, weight gain, food allergies, all ages and stages of babies, and includes different scenarios such as working mothers, stay-at-home moms, and mothers of multiples.  I love that this book teaches sustainable, healthy and positive ways for me to help my baby grow and thrive.

What are some of the things you have found helpful with your baby?

A wonderful time of year!

Lydia's sweet personality has continued to grow.  She likes being held, reading books, listening to music, getting her diaper changed, snuggling, and baths.  She gets excited when she hears Josh's voice and will get a big smile on her face.  I have adjusted well to mommyhood and love that I can stay home with her.

This month has been filled with wonderful events!  It started off with a beautiful sealing in the Salt Lake temple for Jake, Elizabeth and Joey:)  I wish I'd gotten a picture but it was raining outside:/

Uncle Jordan was in town for the weekend and got to meet his two new nieces Lydia and Caroline.

We also had a visit from my dad.  He was able to be here for Lydia's baby blessing.  Lydia loved her Granddad!  She gave him a grin from ear to ear when I first handed her to him.

 Shawn enjoyed playing with and being held by Granddad too. 

For Thanksgiving we went to Great-Grandma Peterson's house.  Josh's cousin's family was there too.  It was fun to relax and visit with everyone.

In addition to a fun month filled with family and holidays, Jordan & Laura's beautiful baby girl was born! We are so excited for them and little Emily.  I just want to kiss those little cheeks!!!!!  But I won't because that spreads germs.

Lydia

On January 1st we found out that we were pregnant with our first baby!  We decided not to find out the gender, something my mom did with all 7 of us and something I'd always wanted to try.  Lydia Rae Peterson was born August 17th at 8:27pm.  She shares a birthday with my sister Caroline and with Josh's sister Angela.  She wasn't due until September 3rd, but she decided to come a couple weeks early and we won't complain!  We love having her here and I couldn't imagine being pregnant 2 1/2 weeks longer! During labor we were full of excitement to find out what it was, a boy? or a girl?!  I came prepared with a little boy hat and a little girl headband, a little girl blanket and a little boy blanket.  Two of my sister-in-laws are having baby girls this year so we made a bunch of hair bows for them. I kept several for myself just "in case" it was a girl.  I thought for sure that meant I would be having a boy:)   I would be happy either way!!!  When the doctor told us "It's a girl!" Josh said "now you can use all those hair bows you made!"  We love our sweet little girl.  She is so cute and so perfect!  5lbs 2oz, 17.5 in. and perfectly healthy.  She is now 6 1/2 weeks old.  I love being a mom and I can tell Josh loves being her dad.  We are enjoying every sleep deprived, stinky, gooey, fussy, calm, cute, loveable, moment of being parents!

It has been so nice having Josh's family around.  They have been so helpful to both me and Josh as new parents and are very loving towards Lydia.  They are always offering to babysit, bring food, and help where needed.

Lydia got to meet her Aunt Jenny who happened to be in town when she was born.  Maybe that's why she decided to come early ;)

My mom was able to come stay with us this past week which was very relaxing, helpful, and enjoyable.  I appreciate and value all the advice she gave me during her stay.  I could tell that both Lydia and Shawn (Alyssa's 5 month old boy) loved their Grandma!  We wish she lived closer.  We are planning a trip to South Carolina next year so that Grandpa and the rest of my siblings can meet her.  My mom brought a gift from Maria, Caroline, & Sarah- a blanket that they stitched cute animals onto with felt.  It is so snugly!

Lydia also got to meet her Uncle Michael who stayed with us for a couple days before he reported to the MTC.

It is fun living so close to my sister Alyssa.  I can already tell that Lydia and her cousin Shawn are going to be best of friends! 

Speaking of cousins, Josh's sister Ang had a little girl the day after Lydia was born.  Caroline weighed 7lbs 11oz.  We laid them next to each other to compare size when they were about 2 weeks old.

Skirt Update

Since my chevron skirt mishap, I have successfully made two perfect skirts! 

hehe