More Visitors

Crazy Grandma came to visit a few days after we brought Brooklynn home. She stayed a couple nights to help out which was greatly appreciated! And we took this cute picture of both of them "pretty in pink" right before she had to go back home to work.

Meeting Brooklynn for the First Time

Aunt Lauren with Brooklynn
Mama, cousin Chelsie and Aunt Anna (yes the baby is Brooklynn's Aunt)
Uncle Joshie Poo- how cute both are sound asleep!
Amazingly Papa held her shortly after birth!

Someone to Watch Over Me

Meeting Aunt Robynn for the first time

Gary practicing for the arrival of their little one
The boys and Aunt Robynn after administering a blessing.

Today we are grateful for so many things but after this weekend, we are most grateful for the health and safety of Aunt Robynn, soon to be Uncle Gary, and Baby Bean. We had been looking forward to this past weekend for sometime now, knowing that Aunt Robynn and Gary would be coming to visit us on their way to Park City. We had the visit all planned out to see each other on Sunday. However I awoke Saturday morning to learn from my Aunt Donna that Aunt Robynn (who is 7 months pregnant with Baby Bean), and Gary were involved in a car accident the night before in West Wendover and were now stationed in a Salt Lake Hospital. Per a request from my dad, Aunt Robynn's brother, the boys prepared to go up to the hospital and give her a blessing. Not the circumstance any of us were hoping for for their introduction to our baby Brooklynn but nonetheless we were going to go see them. Gratefully, they were being watched over because both Robynn and Gary walked away from the accident (a rollover and landing upside down) and we are happy to report that all is well with little Baby Bean in the womb and they were released from the hospital Saturday evening. What a trooper that baby is! And what a story to tell!

Robynn and Gary then stayed the night with Paul and I and we got to enjoy them for a couple hours on Sunday morning before they were off to Park City. It was so wonderful to see them. I am so happy and excited for them and looking forward to another Ridley cousin! We will soon find out upon its arrival if it is a boy or girl. Either way, as long as Baby Bean is healthy we will be happy!

A Moment Back in Time

Daddy's first time holding her.
Grandma holding her first grandbaby for the first time too!
After her first bath with cute bows in her hair.
What mommy and baby do best- SLEEP!
Grandma and Grandpa together. I love this picture!

A brief re-cap on the day Brooklynn was born....

I awoke at 4:45 am because my water broke. I woke Paul up informing him it was time and then he ran down the hall to awake and inform my mom. We calmly arrived at American Fork Hospital at 5:30 am. Since my water had broke but I had not progressed any they started me on the drip, which began such intense contractions I threw-up a few times. I went natural for about 5 hours but then finally received the big shot around 9:30 am. That begun the restfulness of the day. I slept while Paul and mom watched movies. Paul's mom and Papa arrived around 1:30 pm in anticipation that I would have already had her- not the case. We began to worry I might have to have a C-section because I was not progressing on my own and the drip was causing too intense of contractions for the baby and her heart rate so they were going to monitor me for one more hour and then make a decision. Fifteen minutes after being told this I began to feel that urge to push. Luckily my Dr. walked in right about this time- 5:00 pm- to check me. I was finally at a 10 and we could prepare for the delivery of baby Brooklynn! I sobbed I was so happy. 5 contractions and 24 minutes later she finally graced us with her presence- after 13 hours of labor. It was the most amazing experience of my life. Such a beautiful day and wonderful memory. Not only was I instantly in love with our little girl but I fell more in love with my husband Paul as we welcomed a part of us together and I felt a greater love and appreciation for my own mom as I became one myself!

First Time to Church

Her first experience at church and even primary was at 3 weeks (a little too soon for mommy- as I got nervous with all the little kids around her and wanting to touch her). Church starts at 9 am- the same time as her first feeding of the day so she was not very happy getting ready because she could not eat right away. Hence the only picture I was able to get was in the carseat with her binki.

First Real Bath

So once her umbilical cord fell off, we were finally able to give her a real bath in the big bath tub. Daddy got in with her and did a great job at keeping her warm so she stayed happy! These are a few of the images I took to capture this momentous event!

Valentines Surprise

So with the arrival of Brooklynn, we have been shopping for a bigger and more reliable car for sometime now. I really wanted a new camry so for Valentines thats just what my kind, giving husband gave to me- a fully loaded adorable white camry. I am so spoiled, I know it! He even put a red flowered heart on it and I gasped the moment I walked outside and saw it (thank you to Stephanie for her help with the surprise). Also for Valentines Day, Paul gave me some money to go buy a new outfit, which I have been in great need of since losing some pregnancy weight, and he watched Brooklynn for a couple of hours while I went shopping. I returned home to a sleeping baby, which enabled Paul and I to enjoy the beautiful candle light dinner he had prepared. Then he had a massage table with candles all set up and I finally received my hour massage I have been longing for since giving birth! What a perfect day with the perfect man- I love him so much. Oh and a quick ode to my sister-in-law, Cassie, Josh and Paul got us the same card. I snuck a peek at yours while Joshie was here, not knowing it was the same one Paul bought for me, and then told Paul that card fit the two of them perfectly. He got all bummed and then gave me my card early since I had already read it. How cute- they went shopping together and then got us the same card! Guess they not only look alike but think alike too... oh wait a minute, we already knew that huh? Got to love them!

Brooklynn Merie Giddings

We have finally welcomed our new little one, Brooklynn Merie Giddings. She arrived on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 5:24 pm- after 13 hours of labor. She was 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 18.5 inches long. She and I are both healthy and happy. We were discharged Friday afternoon, and were so happy to come home. It has been so much fun as Paul and I are adjusting to the new schedule and life that we have been so anxious to arrive. It is amazing the instant love and connection you feel the moment you first lay eyes her. She is so precious and Paul and I feel closer together than ever! It truly is a miraculous experience- one that I am willing to do again- most likely several more times! Thank you to all for your well wishes and love. We feel so blessed to have so much family and friends to support us! We are looking forward to the times ahead of us and will do our best to keep you all updated.