We're In Love!

On January 25th we were able to go to court to finalize Isabella's adoption. It was less scary and more intimidating than I thought it would be. We are so grateful for her birth parents and their selfless and difficult gift!

Her beautiful dress is a gift from her birth-great-grandmother. We received it in the mail soon after she was born.

We were sealed on Saturday, January 30th in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.
It was a beautiful day!

Bella was blessed by her dad on Sunday, January 31st. We had an AMAZING week!

Happy Holidays!

I am a slacker. I know, but take a gander at this beautiful girl!

A Turkey? Me???

We had breakfast with Santa. She was exhausted but liked his beard.

Our pseudo-Christmas morning on the 22nd. We tried to incorporate all of the holiday traditions but she needed a snack before we could celebrate.

I loved how her eyes lit up when the toys she received lit up and made noise. Her face is worth the annoyance.

We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

She is a strawberry. Her top says "Strawberry Kisses"

We hope your day was great!

We struggle with keeping our baby warm! Here are a couple different tries.

This was her first snow storm! She loves it!

She is rolling from her belly to her back, giggling, and chattering. She is so dang fun!

Fall Days

Just this morning, Bella and I relished in the joys of Fall. She was still in her sleeping bag jammies and I slapped on a sweatshirt to go on a morning stroll. As we started in my premeditated destination, her stroller began to roll through the leaves that have scattered all over the road and sidewalk. I couldn't help but smile. I love the sound of crunching leaves. I love it!

I could've...should've taken a picture of us this morning. We were a layered and entirely uncoordinated pair. We loved every minute of it! As we walked, additional leaves fell over us.

Things I love about this time of year:

Bella's sleeping bag jammies. They are amazing.

The brisk chill in the air.

Oranges, Browns, Reds, and Creams

I love the beginning of school. I love new school supplies. I love the opportunity for a new beginning. ("Opportunity" is our family theme this year.) Bella is very loved by our students and our community-so we try to give back by displaying her support and cuteness.



Of all of the sports that I am required to watch, volleyball is my favorite.



We, Bella and I, really love him. We love to watch him in his element.




I love the natural beauty of change. Change is good. Change is welcome.

***Big congrats to The R House!***

12 Weeks

It's not so bad to start the day when this is the face that greets you in the morning!

Her temperment is so sweet.

We like to talk and smile together in the mirror. This was my attempt to catch that! She is incredibly gorgeous and we can't get enough of her.

So Many Pictures

Our Joy!

She is two months, weighs 8 lbs. 13 oz., and is 21.5 inches tall.

Our date while Grandma has been here helping us transition.

Her new trick. Oh...how we love it!

What she thinks of us while we do crazy things to get her to smile.

The baby shower with the family.

The lovely table. We had grilled chicken salad, eclairs, mini cheesecakes, and yummy candy. It was a lovely pink tea party!

The first week of her smiling.

Her first photo shoot. We had her picture taken with the blanket that matches the one we gave to her birth parents.

She is more beautiful...perfect...fun...good...etc. than we could have ever imagined. She sleeps through the night a couple of times a week-which is incredible. The doctor says she is perfect. We know that already.

Tears of Joy

The weekend after we had been chosen by our birth family, Shawn and I went to Park City to go shopping at the Carters' Outlet. For along time, I have walked past those baby stores and ached for the opportunity to one day walk in there and shop for my babies. In March, I finally had that opportunity-and we spent a lot of money! The one thing that I knew I wanted to get was a newborn dress-a risky idea when you don't know how much the baby will be born weighing. I bought this one. It was the most pink and frilly thing I could find that day. On Sunday she wore it and she looked gorgeous.

I was asked on that shopping trip what I was doing in Park City and I responded, with tears in my eyes, "We are shopping for a baby girl who we will adopt in July!" I can't believe she is here. I have teared up often as I've rocked her and stared at her in awe of the miracle that she is!

Perhaps one of the most rewarding things about having Bella is that she recognizes me and my voice. She calms down to listen to me-it is incredible. The other amazing thing about her is watching Shawn be her dad. He is so good with her and she loves to snuggle up in his arms and fall asleep.

Grandma and Grandpa F. were here for a week.

Isabella enjoyed her first game night and, specifically, her first nertz game. She'll get the hang of it all!