Sadie turned ONE!

I cannot believe it's been a whole year since I delivered and met my sweet baby girl. I will remember that incredible and beautiful moment for the rest of my life. 

The first year truly goes so fast and we have enjoyed being new parents more than anything. Sadie has been a blessing to us and it has strengthened our relationship even more. We have gone through a lot of changes this past year and raising a newborn has taught us a lot. We have been great partners in parenting and we are still learning everyday. We managed a whole year of taking naps. Yes, naps! We have a daughter who is very calm, observant, sweet, and loving during the day, but she wasn't much of a sleeper at night. We tagged team at night and pulled through during the day. It's getting a lot better, but hope this next year we will be sleeping and not napping!

It has been an incredible experience having a baby and I have learned that I would do anything for her. I have so much love for Sadie and it just amazes me how much she has learned and grown in just one year. She is one smart, beautiful girl and I'm proud to be her Mom!

12Month Milestones/Events:

Shaking her head for "Yes" and "No"

Baby dolls-Loves them! 

Kissing and patting 

Pushing and walking her "shopping cart"

Eating more. Slowing down on nursing and no more formula. Switched to whole milk, loves bananas, raviolis, raspberries, crackers, and mandarin oranges.

Cutting down her first Christmas tree and celebrating her first Christmas
First cake smash-She was delicate, of course!
Stomach flu on her birthday and unfortunately gave it to everyone at her birthday party

First ER trip! We flew to CA (her fourth plane ride) for Christmas and went straight to the ER for the stomach bug

CIO (Cry it Out method) In CA, we finally had Sadie try to soothe herself at night. It worked drastically!!

New Converse shoes for her birthday

Sitting in a big chair, eating at a table and sleeping on a cot at daycare

It has been an incredible first year! Excited to see Sadie's changes and what this next year holds for us!

w2w2

Photography by: Laura's Focus Photography

Sadie is 5 Months old!

Sadie turned five months last week and I have been meaning to take the time to write what she has been up to. This month Sadie has been getting a lot stronger and showing more of her little personality. She laughs harder and loves getting tickled. It's very cute!

- Tummy time is longer now and you can tell her back strength is getting stronger. She hasn't yet rolled over. Soon I hope (but not really;). She is sleeping more, but waiting for our nights to stay consistent! We had a good routine 8:30p.m. up at 4:45a.m. feeding and up again at 8ish. The last two weeks have been rough (like every 2hrs, she'll call for us). The days we take her to daycare really mess her up with naps. She has so much social interaction there and I don't think she calms down.
- She took her second big airplane ride to CA for a week! She did great in the plane and smiled and looked around at all the people. At four weeks she slept most of the flights and this trip she didn't sleep that much. I nursed a lot due to so many takeoffs. My first Mother's Day was spent in Santa Cruz and it was fun dipping her little toes in the Pacific Ocean! Our week was jammed packed. We spent most of the time at my sisters with her family and with my friends. It was so nice to have Sadie get close with everyone on my side again. Her attachment issues that she had with me really stopped, since she was with so many people! We did get a date night and spent our second wedding anniversary in South Lake Tahoe. We dropped off Sadie with her Papa and Nonni and had a great time just the two of us. It was a great week, but needed to chill for a week after!
Some other new things:
- Size 2 diapers, fitting into 6month clothes and 16.4lbs already!!
- Nursing more and pumping less this month. Loves scooting across the floors in her play saucer. She totally walks in it. Grabs more toys in her hand, pets the cat and dog and loves trying to eat the corner of books.
- 4.5wks we tried rice cereal! She didn't know what to do at first, but she has gotten the hang of it. She grabs the spoon to direct for more now.
- She got her third cold/cough again from daycare last week. Boo and now she has an ear infection this week. She was really fussy and crying hard this past Sunday night, which she never does. We took her to the doctors Monday morning because she had a 103 fever, ah! She is on her first antibiotics, ugh!
- Sadie had her first singing performance! Yep, she was on stage with her other baby friends at the daycares/preschool graduation. It was adorable!

Mommy notes:
- The last two months my hair has really changed probably due to the hormones. Not liking the thick, kinky, textured curls on the crown of my head!! Hopefully after I stop nursing it will go back?!?
- The humidity lately has reminded me of my pregnancy and a few times have made me get a little anxious. It's just brought back memories because I was so sick last summer. So WEIRD to have those thoughts?? Oh and I still can't use my hairspray, perfume and chocolate frozen yogurt. So, I guess humidity isn't so weird? well kinda...
- 2.5lbs more and I'll be at pre-preggo weight!! Very surprised it hasn't taken too long to lose it, since I really haven't tried to sweat it off. A few Zumba classes and stroller walks, but nursing has helped a lot. Now if I can get my hips to shrink, so I can fit in my old pants, ha! 

First scoop of rice cereal!

Mmm goood! New feeding seat thanks to my Aunt/Uncle!

First beach dip!

Mother's Day in Santa Cruz

Cousin Lauren taking sweet care of Sadie

Morgan and Emerson teaching Sadie piano;)

2nd Anniversary spent in South Lake Tahoe

First pool dip at Papa and Nonni's new house

Memorial Day

Pebbles

Sadie Elizabeth is here! (4 weeks ago)

We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas this year!

Sadie was born on December 26th at 7:51p.m. weighing 7lbs 4oz and 22inches long.

Like any mother would say, she is absolutely perfect. It's amazing to finally meet the little girl who was growing inside for the last nine months. She is a combination of both Darrin and I, but mostly resembles her Daddy. Sadie is the sweetest, calmest, easy-going baby and I'm am so grateful to have her. It makes me sad that she won't be this tiny little newborn for that much longer, but it will be exciting to watch her grow. Motherhood and parenting with Darrin has been incredible so far. It has not been stressful on us (yet) and we have a pretty good routine going. In the four weeks of being home, we have only had one bad night, but after two lactation appointments, we have the feeding down now. I love being home with her and I'm so happy to have our little girl in our life. I love her so much and I just want to kiss her face all day long;)

My Mom and sis flew in!

Sadie loves paci's 

Love

Letters to our baby girl

I've been waiting all my life to finally be a Mom and I can't believe that day is about to happen in just a few days. I grew up playing with my dolls and dreaming that someday I'll actually have my own little baby to play and take care of. I am so lucky to have become pregnant so quickly with no complications and I hope I deliver a healthy little girl at the end. For the most part, it's been a wonderful experience being pregnant. There has been some ups and downs, but it's been amazing. I have to thank Darrin for always being so supportive and loving throughout this whole journey.

To my little girl:

I've carried you for nine months and I anxiously wonder what you will be like. Now, that I know you are the girl I've always wanted to have, will you be more like me, like your Dad or a combination of us both. Will you be as sweet, patient, and loving like your Daddy or be observant, kind and quite like the both of us. Will you have blond, red or curly hair like the rest of the family? Have my green eyes or your Dads blue eyes? Will you be tall and have big lips like your Dad or have one dimple like me? Have a bottom like your Dad and be a dancer like you were in the womb? Will you be artistic and creative like the Gillespie side. I'm so curious and can't wait to meet, kiss and hold you. I will love and support you whatever your heart desires. I can't wait to watch you grow, learn and experience every milestone in your life. I know you will make mistakes and I will always be there for you and try to guide and protect you. I wish you happiness, love, and laughter in your lifetime and I hope I can be the best Mother to you. I am so proud to be your Mom and I love you so much already. 

Love, 

Mommy

Letter to my daughter:

The date is December 23rd, 2012. Unless you decide to come before, you will be born December 26th. I can’t even describe how anxious and excited I am to finally meet you! Your Mom has done a wonderful job carrying you in her tummy for the past 9 months. You couldn’t have had a better Mom to take care of you. We are very lucky to have her in our life.

I have been dreaming and praying for the day that I would have a family of my own. The greatest day of my life was when I married your Mom. We are very much alike and we both couldn’t wait to have our own child. Then we were blessed with you! It was the happiest day when we found out that we were pregnant.

I have so many questions right now… What are you going to look like? Are you going to look like your Mom or me or a combination of both of us? What is your personality going to be like? Are you going to be quieter like your Mom and me or are you going to be a talker like your grandparents? What is going to be your favorite subject in school? I will go ahead and apologize if you aren’t good at math. I hope that you are though! Are you going to like playing sports like me? Are you going to be an artist like your Mom? No matter what you do in your life, you will always have our support.

I can’t wait to hold you as a baby. I can’t wait to hear you say your first words, and take your first steps. My new favorite thing to do is going to be hanging out with you, reading you books, watching cartoons, and watching you play with Maddie. The list of things I can’t wait to see you do is too long to write in this letter. I can sum up my feelings for you before I have even met you in a few words: You are the greatest thing that I have ever created. Nothing that I accomplish in my life will compare to the joy that you and your Mom bring me. I pray every night that you are healthy and that you live a long life. I pray that I can raise you the right way and provide everything that you need. I pray that you think I am a good Dad. I pray that you live your life to the fullest and accomplish your dreams. I only ask a couple things of you though: for your Mom and my sake, don’t grow up too fast. We will talk about the others when the time is right;) I love you more than I even know right now, see you in a couple days!!!!

Love,

Your Dad

Our fun maternity shoot in November

31 Weeks and Baby Showers

How many weeks: 31 Weeks 

Baby Size: Pineapple. Over 3+lbs and 16 inches long

Weight gain so far: About 20 now. 

Stretch marks: Not yet and that line below your belly button has thankfully not appeared.

Sleep: I hardly slept at all when I was home in CA this weekend. The baby started kicking throughout the night and waking me up. Also, not sleeping in my own bed with Darrin was difficult, but for the most part I'm doing really well on sleeping. Just takes me longer to roll over;)

Best moment these past weeks: My two baby showers (VA and CA) and getting excited to put all the wonderful gifts away in her room. Getting to fly home and see my family and friends. Also, punches and kicks are not as often anymore compared to full on body movements. She is constantly moving now. 

Missing Anything:  I went to my favorite Cal-Mex restaurants, Aquis when I was home and I wanted one of their strong margaritas so bad! They are the best ever and I wish I could ship one to my hospital room:) 

Movement: Like I said above, tons of movement! I see my belly move all the time now and her butt or head sticking out of my stomach. I love feeling the hard spots and Darrin loves feeling them too. I feel hiccups everyday.

Food cravings: Again carbs. I have been drinking coffee again:( 1/2 cup, but it's the pumpkin creamer and ads at Starbucks that are sucking me in! I have to stop again! I eat more than Darrin now though, which I don't like, ha!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not since 16weeks

Gender: It's a GIRL! 

Labor Signs: A few days ago, I had a lot of pelvic pain and we went to the hospital to get checked out. Everything was fine, but I learned my lesson to call the doctor as things were happening. I waited to call the next morning when things had subsided. Baby is healthy and I need to drink more water than I am.

Symptoms: Her butt moved out of my ribs and ever since I went to the prenatal yoga class, my lower back has not been hurting! I don't know what I did to stretch that out, but it worked! I went again last Sunday and it is really helpful.

Belly Button in or out? It's still flush with my tummy and hoping it won't pop!

Mood: Pretty good still. I feel I'm waddling more, but we've been taking Maddie on walks since it was  gorgeous outside last week and I've been keeping up.  

Baby Likes: Mornings, after lunch and nights. Mainly after food is when she is active. Music from Lil' Wayne and Drake (we call her a little dancer). Cereal, peanut butter, drink a lot of Dole pineapple/strawberry/orange throughout this pregnancy. 

Baby and I Do NOT Like: In the first 16 weeks it was hot chocolate, coffee smell, perfume, hairspray, bathroom spray (still is that), claustrophobia, wire bras... 

Looking forward to: Our maternity photo shoot this weekend and setting up the baby room more! 

Things to do still: Attend the birthing classes we signed up for.  Mark off/buy the things we still need from our registry. Read more...

Due Date: December 29th! Christmas/New Years baby!

A few things that have happened since my last post:

- Darrin turned 29!

- We setup the baby room even more and it is looking so pretty.

- I've gained the most this past month and really look pregnant. I think my 6-7 months have been the best so far though. I didn't expect to have more normal energy.

- I'm still in awe about living in the South and experiencing Fall colors.

- My Mom came to visit and we took her to her first VT game! It was a really great game and perfect weather! She had the best time at it.

 - My Mom, Darrin and I attended the, "Taste of Inspiration" silent auction event for Special Olympics at Lane Stadium. I had worked on the events designs since August and happy it all came together. 

- You can never predict the interstates here, since they have tons of semi-trucks. Our flight back to CA didn't go as planned and we had to stay an extra night near the Charlotte airport. Thankfully, they didn't charge us for changing our flights. 

- I had my two baby showers! I had a great time at both and laughed a lot at the games we played. I was happy to have Darrin there at my VA party too! I learned he needs more practice on diaper changing, ha! We got a lot of great gifts and we are very thankful.

- Darrin surprised me with Eric Church/Justin Moore concert tickets at the Roanoke Civic Center and I'm so happy we finally got to go! He was way better than the first time I had seen him in San Jose. It was probably the last time I'll get to dance for awhile and I'm proud I stood most of the three acts!
- Hurricane Freakin' Sandy brought in our first snow!

31 weeks

VT vs. Duke... and we won! 

My Mom's first Tech game and she loved it! 

My first baby shower in VA! 

Darrin's side

The guys stayed and had a diaper changing contest.
D needs more practice!

Best buds

First stop in CA-Playing in the leaves w/Trent

Second babyshower in CA!

Who can draw the best baby on your head. My niece won!

Love my nieces and nephew. They are growing too fast!

My family and friends planned a great shower for me;)

The party favors my sis made. So cute!