Baby Brother or Baby Sister?

Dear Maizy,

I am writing this but not "posting" it until much later since I didn't want the "cat out of the bag" just yet..  

Yesterday morning I took a pregnancy test and it showed two lines = positive. You have a baby sister or brother on it's way.  I showed your dad the test and we hugged each other each with teary eyes.  Then I went in and checked on you sleeping and thanked God for the many blessings he has given me.  I never, ever, never, ever, ever dreamed I would have a child nearly as beautiful, smart, funny, perfect, fun, or as bright as you.  You are definitely mine and your father's dream come true.  I mean - just look at you!

We are over the moon excited to add to our little family and do you know why?  Because you are truly SO amazing and we know that you will be the best the big sister in the world.  How lucky is this sibling of yours going to be?  You make me and your father want another little you.

You were the first one to find out that we are adding to our family.  Randy dad's friend was second and then I called Grandma Annette and told her.  She is so super excited!  

We are thrilled to be having a baby, but we are also really excited for you.  This is life changing for you as well.  Your father and I have planned this and have contemplated about giving you a sibling and we decided it was the best thing we could do for you and our family.  I have talked to many people and asked for their input and they all said that being an only child was fun at times because they didn't have to share their toys, but it was also very lonely.  I couldn't imagine not having my sister. 

Well even though your father and I planned this pregnancy much like yours we couldn't have planned a better birth day for this baby!

See.........................

Congratulations! Your baby is due on or around:

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Oops! I will make sure that you and your brother/sister don't share the same birthday but it is kind of comical.  

Maizy you inspire me to be the best person I can be.  You make me want to be and do good, always!  This is something so special you have given me. In fact, next to you and your father it's the best gift to be given.  You really are something so special. 

I have so much love and respect for you.  I know that you will be the bestest big sister in the whole world.  I can't help but think you are also going to give that gift to your sibling of making them want to be the best they can be. 

I admit I am a little scared and nervous to have another baby because we have an amazing thing going on at our home and it's kind of crazy to think that we are going to mix things up a little bit but I know everything will work out just the way it's supposed to.  

When I think about this baby, it only has to be half as cool as you and it will still be super amazing.  

When the thought of a second child came to mind I asked myself and a few others why people have more than one child.  I just didn't want you to ever have any negative thoughts as to why we made the decision we did.  When I asked others their responses opened my mind.  We chose to give you a wonderful gift - although at times it may not seem so wonderful - of a sibling, you will soon have someone in this world besides your aging parents that you can rely, call and depend on, someone that "gets" you, someone to complain to your parents about to that will fully understand, a best friend for life, a companion, a possible travel buddy, and some one to share in the duties of taking care of your elderly parents one day - you will take care of us right!?? ; )

I admit I am nervous at times thinking of the day when we introduce this new person into our lives, but I know it will be great.  You'll make it great!

This is going to be on an adventure and I couldn't be happier that I have you and your daddy right here with me. 

You are going to be the best big sister in the history of the world! 

I love you!

Love,
mommy

Funny Girl

Dear Maizy,

You are the sweetest girl ever. You will just say to me out of the blue.

"I love you so much!  Hugs!?!"  You'll reach out for a hug and will wrap your arms around me as tight as you can and my heart melts.

You show compassion and concern when you hear a baby cry, see someone get hurt or think that mommy or daddy has on owie - you are right there to kiss it better! 

You talk about your cousins "Alexia Milania"  ALL.THE.TIME!  You say how much you miss your cousins.  I wish so badly that they lived closer so that you had some cute little girls to play with. 

You have an Ah-MAZING imagination!  I LOVE watching you play in your kitchen and see how you pretend, make things up and talk.  

Last night at dinner you were pretending my sheer cardigan was a shower curtain.  You were hiding behind my shirt it while I was wearing it and asked me to pass you some soap!  Ha ha ha! I can't get over how cute, imaginative, funny, sweet and smart.  I love that brain of your's babe!

You love to play games, do puzzles and watch movies on my iPhone.  You know how to operate that thing just right!  You even know how to work Grandma's iPad better than she does.

When you are frustrated with your dad you say "Michael Sean Gunn!!"  I think it's the funniest cutest thing - dad, not so much. 

You are talking up a STORM!! It's amazing.  You are such a little smarty pants.  You will look outside and say "Mom, it looks kinda windy out there!"  We had a HUGE snow storm a few weeks ago and you kept looking out the window and saying "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!  Look at all the snowflakes!"  So freakin' adorable.

You are totally attached to me lately and don't want much to do with daddy, it hurts his feelings but I know it's just a phase.  When you don't see him for a few days you are all about him and you two are back to normal.  

You go to Grandma Donker's during the day most days except as of Christmas Grandma has been taking care of Aunt Laurie too, so we have been taking you to Grandma Annette's and that has been a DISASTER!!  Your dad and I are struggling on what to do - Grandma Donker is worn out from taking care of Laurie but she wants you too, but it makes us worry because it really wears on her.  Then at Grandma Annette's you don't get the care you deserve, you are left in your p.j.'s all day,  Sienna doesn't treat you well at all, there is a lot of yelling that takes place in that household, Sienna is from hell - did I mention that yet? and I just worry about you while you are there.  

Last night we (me, you and daddy) were saying our good nights - oh yeah did I mention that you sleep in our bed at night now!?!  - and you said to me "Goodnight honey!  I love you!"  You melt my heart with the cute, cute, sweet things you say!

Your imagination is out of this world!  You are always pretending and making things up and I LOVE it!! 

You are starting to sing to yourself and it's the cutest, most precious thing in the world!! Usually in the mornings we sing Twinkle, Twinkle and Mary Had a Little Lamb and you sing right along with me!  You have the sweetest little singing voice.  

My first day back to work after the New Year and being sick.  Gosh I sure love you two!!

You are getting really good at taking pics of yourself with my phone!

You and I playing Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead

You building your blocks super tall while playing  "mommy" with your baby doll. 

Another self pic.  Love this face!

A weekend phase of playing with your tongue and making faces.

Playing dress-up.  Yep, that's my boot you insisted on wearing. 

I asked you what you wanted for breakfast and you said birthday cake and candles,  so dad headed to the store and  got you a pink frosted donut - the best we could do!  You were pretty dang impressed..........I think.

You came to our appointment to listen to the baby's heart beat and see it on  the "big screen."  Your eyes  got quite big with wonder and excitement.  

We spent the afternoon with Grandma Shelly  meeting your new baby cousin and  playing with your "big" cousins.  We truly had an amazing fun-filled day. 

Your first pomegranate!  You were helping dad get the seeds out.  

Smiley girl!  On our way out the door to breakfast.  One of our fave breakfast places, Bay Leaf  Cafe, was closing forever after this day, so we had to go eat there one last time!

Chasing dad to our breakfast destination downtown. 

Us girls at breakfast!  

Poor thing!  You gave yourself a uni-brow.  You and I were playing hide and seek and you scratched yourself on the back of your highchair!  OUCH!

You and daddy look outside at all the snow.  Look how dang cute you two are!?!  You put your arm around daddy! I just love you guys!

Babe you truly are such a special gift to me, your dad, your grandparents and everyone else that is so blessed to meet and know you.  I have never met anyone so sweet and beautiful!  Oh my gosh are you beautiful!  I love you so much that I feel like my heart could just explode at any moment.  I am the luckiest person on this earth.  I never take a moment with you for granted.  I know that you are a gift to me that I am completely undeserving of.  

Love you!

Love,
mommy

Happy New Year!!

Dear Maizy,

Regardless of me being sick we stuck to the plan of staying New Year's Eve at Little America and going swimming!  YAY!!

We got ready for the day, packed up all of our stuff and went to the hotel right at 3pm to check in.  I was SOOOOOO excited.  I think it's fun to spend the night at a hotel.  Plus the beds are really comfy and the tubs are big!  Nice!

Daddy checked in with us then he had to run a quick errand so you and I just hung out in our room and explored it a bit - or maybe I just wanted to lie down since I wasn't feeling too hot.  I set you up with a coloring set while I laid down for a sec.  Well it was awfully quiet for a minute so I sit up look down at the foot of the bed and Uh Oh!  You decided to color yourself instead. Yikes! I hurried and washed you off and luckily the marker on your face came off pretty good but not so much on your legs.  Ha ha ha! 

Well daddy made it back and we decided to get ready to go swimming!!  You had been so patient.  We got you in your darling new swimsuit. 

You were all ready to go but we still had to get ready.  

You are such a little monkey!!  You know it too because you will say "I'm a monkey!"  We couldn't get to the pool fast enough.  The place was FULL of families ready to ring in the New Year.  We strapped your life jacket on you and jumped in the pool.  Um, I wish it was a bit warmer but it wasn't too bad.  We went in the hot tub for a minute and that was awesome and crowded!

After about an hour or so we convinced you to go back to the room and "swim" in the tub in our room.  You were all for it!  The tub in the room was a huge garden tub and I brought lots of bubble bath for you.  

After your bath we all got dressed in our comfy clothes, ordered room service, danced around the room and waited to ring in the New Year!

We did the count down to midnight near the balcony and watched all the fireworks across the valley, it was AWESOME!!!  Shortly after midnight you went and crawled into your bed and you were OUT!

It was a very fantastic New Year's Eve.  I wish us all the best in 2013 and look forward to another terrific year of being your mommy, watching you grow and learn.  I can't get over how amazing you are and how proud of you I am.  You are tender-hearted, lovey, caring, passionate, smart, kind, thoughtful, strong willed and hilarious!  Oh my gosh you are getting more and more hilarious!

You slept really well through the night and so did daddy, but me - not so much!  UGH!  Anyway,  we woke up about 9ish and went swimming one more time! I mean that's really why we stayed there.  

You are such a fantastic swimmer.  You picked up right where you left off this summer.  You kept saying "I do it ALL.BY.MYSELF."  You did want me to touch you and you didn't even need me too.  You are a pro at kicking your legs and paddling your arms.  You make me so proud.  You have no fear either.  You loved to climb up the ladder and jump off the sides into the pool.  There was an outdoor area to the pool - you would go under a bridge and through a tarp of sorts, it was FREEZING but we had to check out the action a couple of times. 

After we swam for a bit we hit the hot tub, then convinced you to go back to the room and "swim" in the tub.  I was really sad to see our fun hotel stay come to an end!  It seemed like forever to pack up.  We left the room with way more than we came with I swear.  

You just played for a bit while dad and I picked up the room.  You had a blast putting a chair in front of the sink and playing in it!

This is you in the lobby.  Everyone complimented on how dang cute you are!  

I seriously can't get enough of you.  You say and do the cutest things.  You are SO dang smart.  You are like a little sponge that soaks it all up!

Anyway, before we left the hotel you took my camera and took this picture.  I see some definite potential as an abstract photographer.  

Happy New Year Babe!  I promise it's going to be a great year!

Love you!

Love,
mommy

Sick Mommy

Dear Maizy,

Well it was official.  I was sick!  I had to call into work on Thursday and Friday following Christmas.  I had the body aches, vomiting and sore throat. Daddy went to work Thursday and took you with him.  Grandma Shelly asked to keep you while daddy and I went to Instacare that evening.  What a joke that ended up being?  Paid my $35  co-pay, waited 2 hours to see the doctor just to have him tell me that there was nothing he or I could do. He told me to get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids.  Um, yeah I've been doing that. I asked the doctor what to do about preventing you from getting sick too.  He said that we should keep our distance.  Um, yeah right!  Plus obviously he doesn't know how freakin' adorable you are and that I prefer to hug and cuddle you as much as humanly possible! I called and told Grandma this news and she was already planning on keeping you overnight anyway, so she insisted upon it and there you stayed.  All. Night.

The next morning daddy went to work and I was home alone all day which was fine because I just slept and cried because I missed you dearly and was sick of being sick. Grandma Shelly did us a big solid though and took you to get the flu vaccine - whew! Because even though I had the flu shot I still managed to get the flu.  Whatever!

Well Daddy came home from working at Grandma Shelly's without you!  Yes, without you.  You were staying at Grandma's one more night.  Insert big giant sad face here. 

Daddy and I just watched movies and laid in bed and poor dad had to take care of me all night. 

I was sick and delirious and started to wonder if I was ever going to see you again.  It was a legitimate fear of mine. Also, I was worried that you'd forget about me, but everyone lied reassured me that you did indeed miss me. 

Saturday night you finally came home!! I was still sick as a dog, no fun, but I got my selfish way of seeing you and having you home.  

You got home, got in your dress up clothes, put on your new crown and picked up where you left off - made me more tea.  Life was looking up.

Gosh I love that face.  

I was so happy to have you home!  So was daddy.  We just played and relaxed a bit.  I still felt like crap but at least we were all together.  You are such a sweet girl.

And I wanted to tell you this - one morning dad was putting your coat on you and you said "where are my cute little fingers?"  So adorable.  That is what we say to you when we put on your coat and your fingers get stuck.

Thanks for being such a good girl while mommy was under the weather.  Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Glen had a blast with you while you stayed at their house.  I so proud of you!

Love you!

Love,
mommy

Day After Christmas

Dear Maizy,

It was the day after Christmas and you still yet had to see what Santa brought you!  I had Wednesday off of work, good thing because I started feeling ill.  Anyway,  we slept in and then it was back to opening presents.  I think you were kind of over it from the day before since you just ignored the presents at first and showed little interest in opening them, but once we got you started you were into it once again.

This is the stuff you received prior to gifts from Santa and mommy and daddy.

You helping daddy out your shopping cart together.  You LOVE to help and you're so good at it!

Then came the mac daddy of gifts.  The one daddy was "building" two nights prior.  The one I was SOOOOO excited about.  The gift that will keep on giving and give you years of fun and entertainment.

You knew exactly what to do with this gift!  We had such a great day of playing with all your toys! Dad fixed us a really yummy breakfast, then he had to go to Grandma Shelly's to work.  Us girls just stayed warm in the house and played, but eventually you wore yourself out!

As the day went on for me I kept feeling more and more sick and I felt bad that I wasn't more fun for you, but you did make me feel better by making me lots of chocolate tea!

Thank you for such a wonderful, fun and exciting Christmas!!

I love watching your eyes light up with wonder and excitement.  You deserve all the best things in life - which aren't always things mind you.  I want to give you all those "things".

Love you sweet girl!

Love,
mommy

CHRISTMAS!!!!

Dear Maizy,

We woke up Christmas morning.  You were wearing the darling Minnie Mouse pajamas that the Christmas Elf delivered to our house for you.  On Christmas Eve night there was a knock on our door, you guessed that it was Santa - close it was the elf that left a present for you on the door step. 

Anyway, we woke up, got dressed and ready in a flash and were out the door.  Ok not that fast but pretty dang fast. You briefly saw all of your gifts under the tree.  We were already late but we headed to Grandma Annette's for breakfast.  Sienna was there in her jammies ready to play with you.  You had no interest in breakfast just yet. Then it was time to open gifts.  Grandma Annette gave you $50, some play tupperware for your kitchen, a flannel nightgown - just like Sienna, a darling, darling outfit - pants, shirt and fur vest and a really cute Osh Kosh sweat jacket. Then Aunt Jenn and Aunt Deb gave you some crayons, coloring book, a doll and a Minnie purse that you decorate yourself.  You got spoiled babe!  Then we ate scones, eggs, bacon, daddy's homemade biscuits, gravy, fruit, coffee for me and o.j. for you.  YUM!  we were stuffed.  You had a blast playing with the kids and running around.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing you running around, smiling and laughing.  

Then we had to get ready to go visit a few other houses so we got you dressed all cute.  I asked Aunt Deb to do your hair all cute and she did!  You were in a darling black and white dress that was once Sienna's, with cute hot pink tights to match.  

We headed to Grandpa Frank's house to go see him.  Unfortunately we didn't get to stay long.  We gave Grandpa his coffee mug, bottles of whiskey, a some darling magnets that I got made of all of us!  Super cute!!  Grandpa gave you a bag of quarters, and makeup kits with lip gloss, lotion and finger nail polishes.  We kissed and said our goodbyes.

Then we headed to Grandma Donker's house where we were meeting up with Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Glen too.  Holy Crap I have never seen so many presents for such a little girl.  We started by opening presents right away.  Grandma and Grandpa Donker gave you a darling talking Mother Goose that recites nursery rhymes along with a little book of nursery rhymes. 

Look at how gosh dang cute you are!  We continued to watch you open some more presents then we finally ate some dinner.  YUM!  Grandpa made a turkey and ham with all the fixins'  it was DELISH!!  

I am trying to remember all that you got for Christmas but I am not sure I can - you got a Dora Playhouse that is actually really cute, it came with little figurines of Dora and her parents and some furniture for the house.  You got a really nice, cute coat but since you already have your coat this year we returned it for a bigger size for next year.  You got some new cute black boots.  Some clothes.  A tea set that was and is still one of your faves.  You and Grandma kept having tea parties!  

You were quite the gift opening pro by the end of the evening.  Well it was getting later into the evening and you were becoming quite tired.  You were being silly!  Grandma Donker got some really delicious chocolate cake and almond raspberry torte for dessert.  You decided you didn't want to use utensils to eat your dessert.  Ha ha ha!  I was ok with this but Grandpa Donker wasn't too keen, so we started wrapping up for the evening.  We were all tired.

We got home, you looked passed all of your presents at our house and we all pretty much went to bed.  Nice!

Thank you for the best, most fun and entertaining Christmas yet!  I love you with all my heart.

I love you!

Love,
mommy