6 years

Wow. Six years ago today Ryan and I got married. I cannot believe how fast these six years have gone by. If you would have told me what my life would be like in 6 years on the day I got married, I would have told you that you were crazy. I thought we would have two or three kids by now (we have 2, just not the way I thought it would be). I thought Ryan would be done with school. Our life is different than what I thought it would be and I love it just the way it is. I love Ryan more today than I did the day we got married. He's such a rock and an amazing support. He is the best daddy to our children. I love looking at Scarlet and knowing that she is here because of him. She is his daughter and she is beautiful. I think what we have been through, especially in the last year, has made our relationship stronger. I'm grateful that what we have been through, albeit extremely difficult, has made us who we are. I'm excited to see what the next 6 years hold in store for us, and the next 6, and the next, and the....

Dear Scarlet -- First Food

Dear Scarlet,

Tonight was a new first for you. You got to try your very first rice cereal!! You absolutely hated it. I would put it in your mouth and then you would shiver like it was the most disgusting thing you have ever had in your entire life. Well, that's probably exactly what it was actually. You were so stinking cute! Hopefully you start to like food or we will be in big trouble. I'll try this again tomorrow and see how it goes. You are just too cute to not try it again.

Love you baby girl!

Heart,

Mom

New Blog

Since it's a new year, and we all have resolutions, I have decided to create a blog of letters. My goal is to write a letter each day for an entire year to various people, places and things. This should be interesting. Wish me luck! Feel free to follow it as I attempt a daily post for an entire year. Oh my! Do you think I can do it?

Dear Scarlet -- 5 months

Dear Scarlet,

Not only is this your five month birthday, but exactly one year ago today, you were transferred from a petri dish to my body. I guess you could say it was one year ago today that I became pregnant with you. It was one of the best days of my life. I wanted nothing more than to be a mother. You have fulfilled a life-long dream of mine and I couldn't be more happy. You make me smile every single day and for that, I am thankful.

You are a pro at sleeping now. It's heavenly. You sleep 10-11 hours a night almost on a consistent basis. I call you my magic baby because you just love to sleep. You're either magic or just my daughter. Sleeping is probably the thing I do best. You probably just take after me on that one.

This last month you have met some monumental milestones. We took you to the baby-sitter and when we came back to get you, they had video of you laughing!! That was your first real laugh. It made me so happy. It still does make me happy. Your laugh is totally contagious. Not only that, but you learned to reach out and grab your toys. You also love to talk to your toys. It's quite adorable.


Bella has become very protective of you this last month. She loves when you come home after we have been out. She has to give you kisses all the time. You love her too. You are constantly watching Bella. You try to grab her at times too. Bella isn't so thrilled with that one.

On Christmas Eve, we went to visit your brother at the cemetery. You stayed asleep through the entire ordeal, but I feel like you were at peace there. I hope it is somewhere that you can find peace because it is such a special place. Kingston was, and still is, such a special angel.

Your first Christmas was very fun. I enjoyed watching you even though you had no idea what was going on. Maybe next year it will be even better. I'm so excited to watch you grow and change.

You are still in size 1 diapers and newborn clothes. You can wear 0-3 month onesies, but the pants in that size just fall right off. You're such a skinny little thing. Your fuzzy head is slowly becoming more fuzzy. I love it. I love to kiss your sweet little head.

Scarlet, keep being exactly who you are... an amazing little angel. Your father and I love you more than you will ever realize.

Love always,

Mom

Christmas 2010

This year for Christmas, we went to Elk Ridge and spent it with my family. Scarlet did great. She went right to bed and slept all night until we were ready to wake up for presents. Santa did not disappoint. Scarlet got the diapers she wanted, some spoons, some plastic keys, some wooden blocks for developmental exercises and these cool toys from Crayola called Jumbles, also good for developmental exercises (when you have a preemie, you work on development all the time. Scarlet even has her own special nurse who comes to our house to work on us with development). Scarlet even got a very cute princess dress from Grandma and Grandpa Dunn. I had to put it on her right then. It's a bit big, but she will be so cute when it actually fits her! Of course Bella was not left out of all the fun. Nunkie Josh brought her a very special gift... the cutest Harley-Davidson hoodie. Bella LOVES it.

Christmas night was the annual Hone party. As always, it was a blast. This was Scarlet's first year to take part the in pinata at the party. She even got to take a few swings. Grandma Hone always gets the grandkids some sort of funny dress up every year. This year they were reindeer and oh so cute! Scarlet is in the top right with Brylee or should we say Brudolph?

Baby Owen

This is the cutest little guy I have ever seen! Check out his story here. I had the pleasure of meeting him today and totally fell in love with him. I had to get a picture of him with Scarlet (Scarlet was just into eating her hands at the moment). Owen was just born a week ago and he is only about a pound and a half smaller than Scarlet and only 1-1/2 inches shorter. I'm sure in no time this little guy will be bigger than my girlie. Congrats Dari and Chris! Owen is amazing!