Updates

Alysssa is 7 weeks old today. I just can't believe it, it has gone by so fast. We blessed Alyssa a week ago. Russ gave a very special blessing where some of our family came, it was very special. I have been back at work for 3 weeks now. Next week I am going full time. Part time has been really nice but I am really sad to go full time. Russ is watching Alyssa, he is really good with her but it is still really sad to leave her. It is what has to be done right now. This past weekend we went to Park City for a hockey tournament Russ was in. He had a lot of fun. They won 2 games and lost 2. Russ scored in the 2 games that they won (two really cool shots!!). His team also won the provo city league championship. Below are some pictures...

Here is Alyssa in her cute Hawaiian Dress!

Alyssa smiling. It is the cutest thing the world!

Russ has a white helmet but I don't think you can tell which is him

Sleeping in Grandma's arms

After winning the final game!

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Babycenter sends us emails every week about Alyssa's development and on different parenting topics. This is the one they sent at 6 weeks, it was titled "what changes when you have a baby.."

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.
3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.
4. You respect your body ... finally.
5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
9. Your heart breaks much more easily.
10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
11. Every day is a surprise.
12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)
13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
14. You become a morning person.
15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

Having a baby really changed my perspective on many things. I worry about her constantly and hope that I can be a good enough example and parent. She is all I think about and want to talk about (sorry). The little things in life become so much more important. She really is a gift from God.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!! Here is our first family Easter photo . Unfortunately we were in a hurry for church so we couldn't get the best picture and the sun was bright and in our eyes. Also was also crying so its the best we could do. We had a good Easter though. It was our first day back at church and Alyssa's first time at church. Everyone of course came to look at her. I had to teach primary so my sister held her during relief society. I skipped sharing time to feed her in the mother lounge (I'm glad they have that!) After church we went to Russ' moms house for Easter dinner. All of his siblings were there so we got to chat alot. One of his sister is moving to Ohio to get her Phd sooner, so we were glad to spend more time with her.
Alyssa is now 5 weeks old. Can you believe it, time goes so fast (after the first week of no sleep =). We just love her to death and can not get enough of her. We take trillions of pictures of her. She is so fun. She half smiled yesterday so we are anticipating a real smile soon. She has a very strong neck and loves to look around. She also LOVES the bath, it is so cute sometimes it relaxes her so much she falls asleep in the bath. The picture below is funny, she loves to have her head in the water so Russ holds her and we let the back of her head sit in the water.
In her swing

A cute picture!

Grandma Judie was in town and came by to see her first great granddaughter (I am her first grandchild!)

In the bath

Noelle, me and Alyssa easter morning.