Viv's First 3 months~

We have had so much fun getting to know Vivian Suzette. She has changed our world!

Some Highlights over the past 3 months...



To My Spicy little Girl:

We have fallen in love with you sweet girl. Your first 3 months of life have been so fun. Your Dad and I never realized what we were missing not having you around! We are so glad God chose us to be your parents. You are such a gift and we pray for you daily. God has an incredible plan for your life, we are thrilled to help you live it out.  Some of the things we have been praying for you; to be a wise and tenderhearted leader-for joy to be quick in your spirit and forgiveness to always be freely given. For your heart to not be jealous or envy, but always cheering others on, that you would be a blessing to everyone you come in contact with. We pray longevity and health over your sweet little body and that the Lord would always surround you with great friends.

"For I know the thoughts I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  -Jeremiah 29:11

 November was such an exciting month. We moved in to our new home in Richmond, Virgina. We bought a house and as daddy describes in it's original form , "a toxic wast dump" but we saw the potential. We gutted the kitchen, painted the whole house and your Mama spent endless hours designing the rooms. I watched lots of HGTV to get inspired! We had the house mostly put together right before you were born. The kitchen was complete exactly one week before you arrived. Your room was by far the most special. We had a little mishap with your original crib and had to buy a new one the week before you were born. SueSue worked SO hard and sewed your bed skirt. I had in my mind what I wanted, but couldn't find it anywhere, so I enlisted SueSue to make it. She wrote you a letter about the bed skirt. The letter to you is precious. I know you will treasure it forever. I'm actually still in the process of putting your room together because you only starting sleeping there two weeks ago. Your Daddy and I LOVED sharing a room with you. The first night you stayed in your own room like a big girl we both cried. You slept with us in the bed and also in a bassinet (the professionals say not to let babies in the bed, but we were very careful with you) we used a co-sleeper to ensure your space would be protected. It was such a memorable time. We really feel like we all bonded as a family. We will never forget it! But we are glad you enjoy your new independence of sleeping in your own room.

You are so blessed with such incredible grandparents! SueSue was here when you were born, in fact she was in the delivery room and got to see you take your very first breath. "Big" came to visit a week later and stayed for Thanksgiving. You loved listening to Big's voice. You had a special love for him from day 1. He is very special because he is your only Grandpa that you will know for now. Grandpa Bert (your daddy's dad) is in heaven and I know it will be a treasure when you get to meet him one day. Grandma Peggy and Grandma Wanda came to visit 3 weeks after you were born. We think it is such a treat for you to get to know your Great Grandma ( Grandma Wanda) not everyone get the priviledge of knowing their great grandparents. It was a really relaxing week. Grandma Peggy loved to sing to you and you intently listened. Both Grandma's made some yummy meals for us.

December was a whirlwind! We packed up your 5 week old cuteness and headed to Missouri for Christmas. It was pretty wild making the rounds! Mommy got very sick and ended up in the hospital with a stomach bug! Yuck! I was so afraid you would get sick, but you never did!-Tough girl! You got to meet pretty much to whole family. All your cousins and even your newest cousin Kaylin who is 4 weeks younger than you. You played next to her in the pack and play. Your Aunt Kari and I were please that you played very well together for the first time! ;) You also got to meet your cousin Smith who is 5 months older than you- He was so much bigger than you. Your Aunt Alison and I got a kick out of the difference in you guys. You are just a little peanut and Smith is our big guy. I hope in the years to come you will have so much fun playing with all your cousins especially Smith and Kaylin since they are your "size". Another treat was getting to meet some of Mommy's Best friends and also some of your new friends! You met Lucy Robbins. She was born two weeks after you. Her Mommy Ashley is a dear friend of mine and has been an incredible support through our pregnancy's together and she has been such a comfort as we figure out the new Mommy thing together. I know you and LuLu will be good friends and will be in the same cabin together at kamp one day! You also met one of Mommy's dearest friends Jonya and her sweet little girl Jalee. I know Jalee will always have some great fashion tips for you! :) Also a highlight was meeting Elisha.. she cried when she held you the first time- you guys bonded. In December you started to smile at us. It was such a fun milestone. You sure melt your daddy's heart every time!

January was our trip to California. You met the west coast family-the Albas. We visited for two weeks. The house was loud, full of food, and lots of love as usual. Fran aka "FiFi" had clothes she bought waiting to be opened when you arrived. FiFi has really good taste- You were stylin in your new threads- Complete with a new pair of Uggs which will fit you next winter. :) We had so much fun hanging out and soaking up the California Sun! We also introduced you to all of our dearest friends in California. It was a memorable time. You really started "talking" on this trip. I think all the loud Italians in the house might have had something to do with it-you just wanted to join in.. You also had your first five star hotel experience at the Four Seasons! It was such a treat. There was a basket of baby gifts when we arrived and a really cozy crib set up- You slept SO well there! We enjoyed breakfast in bed and looking at the beautiful view out of our window. When do we get to go back Daddy?!? ;)

February we got settled back in Richmond and took a little break from all the travels. We had two visitors. Theone' and SueSue. Your daddy was on the road a lot so we enjoyed the company and ate a lot of cookies! Both Theone and SueSue got snowed in on their visits. We saw TONS of snow in February. It was beautiful and forced us to relax by the fire. As frustrating as snow can be I was very grateful for it. You also started a music class in February- Kindermusik! You are the youngest one in the class by 7 months, but you do very well keeping up with the "big" kids. You squeal and laugh a lot during class- I can already see you love music. One of your "milestones" this month was rolling over and sucking your thumb! The first time you rolled over I got so excited I scared you and made you cry.. oops! Sorry. I will have to remember that when you start to crawl and walk! (wink)

We are so excited to see how you grow the next 3 months!! XOXO- your MaMa