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.