Blessing Day

So we finally did it. Hallie Mae Brower was blessed on Dec 13, 2009 in the memorial park ward in ogden by her dad. She was very well behaved and alert for her special blessing. She is named after her great grandma Norr. Grandma Norr was one of the most influential people in my life and there was no question from the start that we would name Hallie after her. The day was very snowy and the roads were horrible. We took some quick pics before since my parents had to leave right after due to the weather. Grandma Harris made Hallie's dress which fit her beautifully. We enjoyed our day and we feel very blessed that so many people braved the storm to share our day with us.

Christmas Parties

So this weekend was more than jampacked with family fun so on Saturday we had both Matt and I's family parties. It was alot of fun but we wish we would have had more time to just enjoy the weekend. Saturday morning we headed down to Nick and Brit's we enjoyed lunch, a visit from santa, and family pics(if you call that fun haha). Then we headed to Tremonton to the Harris family party the weather was not good and the roads were a mess we missed all of our family that couldn't make it but we enjoyed a delicious dinner, visiting, and watching the Jazz game. My aunt Julie is the best host and an amazing cook. My mom also made Hallie this adorable Christmas hat she doesn't mind wearing it at all and it is so cute on her so I had to include a pic. Thanks to everyone who was part of planning all of the festivities I know it is alot of work but very worth it when we all can get together.

Graduation

Matt and I are still a little lost when it comes to knowing what to do with our time now. Since Matt and I have been married one or both of us has been in school and as of Friday we are both done. Matt graduated on Friday at the Dee Event Center with a Bachelors in Construction Management and minor in business administration. I am so proud of him at the graduation the speaker had everyone stand that worked while they got their degree and the numbers were surprising. Matt graduated with honors and also served on the CMT presidency as well as being a full time husband, dad, and provider. Thanks to everyone who traveled from various distances to share in this special day with us. We look forward to spending more time together and with family. Way to go babes!!!!

Family Pics

Over Thanksgiving we all got together and had our family pics taken although it is a lot of work I am so glad that my mom is so persistant at wanting to do them. They turned out so cute have you ever seen such a cute family. Can't wait to see them again this weekend.

Hallie's Blessing

Attention anyone interested we will be blessing Hallie on Dec 13 @ 2:50 PM in Ogden we would love for anyone who would like to to come. We will also be doing a luncheon after. Brit was great enough to not only take Hallie's pics but also put her birth announcement together. I really don't know what we would do with out Nick and Brit and all of their talents and willingness to help us. Thanks so much. I think these turned out so cute.

Blessings

Matt and I have been so blessed in the short time we have been married. Many things have happened recently to make me realize how truely blessed we are. We went on a date last night to see Blindside and to dinner. If you haven't seen it I highly recommend it is one of the cleanest and best movies we have seen in a long time. Not to give the show away but a southern family takes in a kid from the projects and some of the things that it shows he went through were enough to bring both Matt and I to tears and it made it even worse as I thought of how blessed we are to know that Hallie will hopefully never have to worry about having a warm and safe place to sleep or ever wonder if her parents love her. It has also become a tradition of ours to sponsor a family for Christmas that is always so humbling when a child asks for some warm clothes for Christmas, how truely blessed we are. Second I have wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember and after having Hallie I wanted nothing more than to stay home with her. Well that dream has now become a reality. Oh coarse there is some anxiety that come with this decision given that I have been the breadwinner in our family since we got married. But Matt and I both thought and prayed about it alot and felt like I should stay home and we would find a way to make it work. Well I don't know why I was so worried I should know by now that once God has a plan it will happen and it will all work out and it has. So I am officially now a STAY AT HOME MOM!!! I am so excited. There are so many things both Matt and I are grateful for and probably not enough space to list it all but I am grateful for gentle reminders that God is aware of our needs and wants. And although there are times that I feel very picked on I try to remember times like these so the picked on thoughts are very short.

Thanksgiving

So for Thanksgiving we were able to go to Las Vegas and although I hate that my parents are that far away it is so nice to get away to somewhere warmed when the weather here turns cold. We decided to fly so it wouldn't take forever with Hallie and weather(I hate driving). She was great she fell asleep before we even took off coming and going. She flies alot better than her mommy does. The weather was perfect at a comfortable 70 degrees. My mom even got in the swimming pool. We enjoyed spending time outside shopping and going for walks. Our entire family was able to be there and it is so fun to have everyone together. Growing up at times we didn't get along but now it is so fun especially to see how they all interact with Hallie, she has everyone wrapped around her little finger. Thanks mom and dad for your hospitality we can't wait for you to come next week and hopefully again for Christmas!!!

Wisdom Teeth

So the week before Thanksgiving Matt had his wisdom teeth out after a long time of needing them out. He decided to be brave and not get put to sleep which I never could have done. I had to of coarse take some pics and hope he doesn't get upset that I posted them. I love you babes and we will look back and laugh at these at some point.

1st day to church

So we have been taking Hallie to parts of church the last couple of weeks but now that she is seven weeks old she got to go to all of church I'm not sure if it was because I'm completely ready for her to be out or because I needed out of the house for a while. For any of you who know me know that I am somewhat of a germaphob and I don't want her sick. Sometimes knowledge is something I wish I didn't have but we are learning and will figure it all out eventually. Anyways she is finally getting to the point that some of her clothes kinda fit she still is so long and skinny (don't get me wrong I love that she is so little and I wish she wouldn't grow so fast but that wont happen). She is smiling more and more and has started to coo and giggled twice. She is a joy to have in our home and she has already made Matt and I better people. Mom in a week you will get to see her in person again but until then I will continue to post pics k. Love you Hallie!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Norr!!

Cute smiles



Just chillin in her swing


She loves when her dad comes home from work

Today is my mom's birthday so I have some new pics. Hallie is changing and everyday is becoming more fun. She is still the best baby(I"m bias though) She eats every 3 hours during the day and sleeps for five to six hours at night(I think this alone makes her the baby of the year). She is getting better at smiling and we see more of her personality all the time....thank heavens she is more like Matt in the fact that she is laid back and patient.

Fall

Have you ever played where is waldo? Well as I was looking att these pics I couldn't help but think of that. We love our trees and the shade they provide but in the fall racking leaves is a pain in the butt! Yesterday afternoon we headed out to get it done before the snow comes. We bundled Hallie in a fuzzy snow suit and she sat content in her car seat and watched all the action. We couldn't help but wanting to put her in the leaves and she didn't even care she actually went to sleep..go figure.

A 25 yr old outfit

So the outfit that Hallie has on was the outfit that I came home from the hospital in over 25 yrs ago! My mom gave it to me when she found out we were expecting Hallie I have sporadically put it on her but it has been to big to this point. I was 8lbs 1oz and little Hallie was 6lbs 8oz. Well I put it on her last week and it is all but to short for her but we got a picture anyways. Something fun to look back on years from now.

Smiles and a family pic

So Hallie has sporadically smiling for about a week now and over the weekend we finally got a pic of one. Having your child smile at you when prompted is so rewarding its as if you have some reassurance that something you are doing is right. Doesn't she look so cute in her jacket? We will hopefully perfect the smile thing so we can get more pics plus coos and giggles are next we can't wait.

I realized while organizing pics that we haven't had a family pic since the day she was born so while at work the other day one of the girls Matt works with was nice enough to take one I think it turned out pretty since we hadn't planned to do it.

Happy "Hallieween"

So we totally stole this idea from Becca but thought it was to cute to pass up. Hallie didn't mind at all. She I guess has learned its easier to just let us take pics cause its over sooner. Lat night we headed to Nick and Brits to have dinner and decorate cookies. Although Hallie didn't care we are starting traditions with the cousins we have close while we can. Thanks Nick and Brit we have missed you guys a lot the food was great and you were awesome hosts as always. Hope everyone has a happy and safe Hallieween.

1st Road Trip

So with the weather getting colder we have been inside alot and decided we needed to get out in the fresh air and where better to do that then sunny St. George? So we headed down Friday morning and had a ton of fun the weather was beautiful mid 80 Hallie got to wear some of her newborn cute clothes since it was warm. The whole family was there which is becoming more and more difficult to do. Hallie also got to meet her Grandpa Bill and Uncle Nathan for the 1st time. My dad is a natural as if you couldn't tell in the pics and Hallie just stared at Nathan we wish we knew what she was thinking. We celebrated Kim's b-day, did some shopping, and went to the what women want expo. Just a great weekend with great weather and good company. Hallie did great in the car following her normal sleep patterns and then staring out the window or at the light while she was awake we will hope she always likes to ride this much. Thanks Kimber for letting us crash your weekend we hope to do it again really soon.

Nap Time!!!

So like I said before Hallie is a great sleeper we have one problem though...she loves to sleep on her tummy(which scares me to death). So we started for nap time putting her on her tummy and bought a video monitor so I can hear and see what she is doing(helps my anxiety alot). She sleeps in her crib during the day but still sleeps in our room at night on her back which sometimes means less sleep but she is alive so I took some pics of her 1st nap in her crib(not that exciting to anyone but me I know)

More Visitors

So since my last post we have been lucky enough to have more visitors to. Tiff and Aaron stopped by while they were in town. Kim, Ez, Nic, and Kyle also came for the weekend. We took Hallie to her 1st tailgate party which she slept through the whole thing(it was nap time). Then we drove to Tremonton to see Grandpa Norr. He thinks she is so cool and she loves when he rocks her. Can't wait to see everyone again for the holidays..stay healthy.

1 month already

So to say I have been a super slacker with posting would be an understatement. I can not even believe that Hallie is a month old how time flies when you are doing something you love. She is growing and at her last apt weighed 6lb 15 oz and was just under 21 inches long about a week and a half ago. She is still to big for all her clothes so she continues to wear her newborn outfits and diapers(I'm so not complaining because I love how little she is). She continues to be ahead of where the dr says develop wise. She loves to hold her head up and look around and can track Matt and I completely across the room as well as follow our voices. She is a very good baby and is content to sit or lay as long as someone is within eye shot. Once she can't see someone she cries until she is picked up(I think babies are a lot smarter than we give then credit). She usually sleeps four hours at a time at night and takes a short morning nap and a long afternoon nap other than that she is awake and interactive. After Matt leaves for work in the morning and she eats we go back to bed she sleeps on Matt's side of the bed propped in her Boppie. I have a hard time even remembering what life was like before her its wierd because it seems as though she has always been there. We are so excited to continue to be part of her firsts and as she grows.

Tired Already



She loves her grandma

She is already a thinker

Matt loves this pic I think its sad she was ready to be done

2 weeks and eating my words already

Where does the time go? So here Hallie is just over 2 weeks old and I find myself wondering where did the last 2 weeks go? It is somewhat frustrating realizing that time is flying. I told Matt while I was pregnant that I would never do it again but I now understand why everyone said I would change my mind and I totally have. Most people also said that after quite a bit of time had passed after the delivery I would forget and be willing to do it again. Well Matt and I attempted to go on a date friday and as we were driving I told Matt I was ready to do it again he laugh and asked if I was kidding but I wasn't and I'm not all the pain, discomfort, weight gain, sleepless nights are worth one look from the beautiful child when you realize they are yours forever regardless of what life may bring. She is currently sleeping on my lap(heaven forbid she ever gets put down). I also said that I would be fine leaving her and that was not true. Friday my mom was nice enough to watch Hallie since Matt had made plans for us. I was ok til it was time to go then I cried all the way to the restaurant so our date turned into take out with the fam and a nice 30 drive to and from the restaurant. Maybe next time. Only time will tell what more I will eat my words on.