Countdown to being a big sister! :)

Eden I am so very proud of you and look forward to your roll as a big sister.  You have shown such love already for her and practice frequently with your baby dolls. You want to change their cloths, put lotion on them, take them for walks, put diapers on, and recently bath them.  I see you giving them soft kisses and talking to them as I do you.  I see the love and compassion you have to share and I know you are going to be the best big sister in the whole world.

I want to apologize for not being a great mommy to you the last couple months. There is so much I want to do with you and to share with you while its just us and it is disappointing to me that I don't have the energy to give you all the attention and experiences you need right now.  In fact it's heartbreaking for me to disappoint you.  I want to be the best mommy I can be and make you the happiest little girl in the world.  Your smile and giggle is my fuel for life.  I want to teach you to be active, independent and capable of fulfilling your dreams and I want you to have many friends and to be a great friend in return.  It is important to me that you learn compassion, honor, hard work, healthy habits, and that you are trust worthy and responsible.  I fear that my example is not up to par and my goal is to be everything I want for you.  We are in this together little sis.  With this being said.  I will love you for all you are meant to be.  My only wish is that you are truly happy and whatever I can do to help you with that, I am committed to do for life.

With love
Mommy

18 Months going on 2 years.

 

Eden Grace, You had your 18mth appointment yesterday and Dr said you are growing and developing PERFECTLY.  Before we even checked in at the front desk you were already showing off. You pointed to everything in the room and called it by its name. Fish, flowers, balloon, baby, dog, & pen. By the time I reached the counter you were saying Hi louder and louder until someone responded. You are so social and crave the interaction by others. It makes me proud. You freely give smiles and most the time it is warmly received... other times you look away with a brief disappointment and direct it to someone else.

You are becoming fiercely independent and protest any assistance I might offer. You're intense and expressive and leave no questions as to what you want or don't want. I think this might be a early appearance of the terrible two's although I try to embrace your will and incredible power while attempting to direct it in another direction. :) I'm not perfect, but I'm doing my best for you and for now and always I promise you that.

Here was your report for your 18mth appointment.
Age: 18mth
Date: 4/26/13
Weight: 27lbs 1oz (83%)
Lenth: 33.75" (94%)
head circ: 47.8cm (82%)

Still on the higher end of the charts.  A couple neighbors were talking today and they say you take the 2 year height and double it to find the final height you will end up. As of today, you would be 68" 5'8 most likely you will be taller then me! :) Super model!

Mommys girl!

Eden my heart feels like it will burst with the love I have for you.  After a year and a half I still wake up excited to see you and hold and kiss you as if I hadn't seen you in weeks.  I miss you when you sleep and I can't get enough of you when you wake.  Lately you have become my little buddy and a mama's girl.  You want to be where I am and want me stay with you.  You have such a sweet spirit and you are so funny! You make me laugh regularly.  You are spunky, witty, friendly and very strong minded. You love to be silly and love to be outside.  It is finally starting to be warm and you can't get enough of the fresh air.  You want to play and mingle and make new friends.  I love watching you grow and feeling my heart expand. I'm sad that our alone time is limited but excited to welcome your new baby sister.  I want to cherish every minute while it's just the 2 of us girls.. and dad! :)

Eden Bug!

Little Eden Bug.. (Love bug)
Ive enjoyed the last couple weeks with you. You have become quite a mama's girl and won't let me leave the room unless I take you with me.  You are growing up so fast and learning so many words and abilities and you surprise me everyday.  You have been feeling the need to act older and more capable and as much as I sit in aww with beaming pride.. I can't help but feel a little sadness how quickly it is going by.  Today you sat at the table eating your breakfast, your head barely reaching the top of the table. You were shirtless and wearing your owl backpack. You looked so old but yet still so young. I stood in the distance and tried to burn that image into my brain. I couldn't help but think of you 3-4 years from now, wearing a backpack and heading off to school. I hope the next few years go by just a little slower so that I can enjoy you just a little longer.

You are eating with utensils and prefer to drink from a regular cup (no more sippy). You are running and jumping and climbing on EVERYTHING. Yesterday we went to story time and you had the best time. I don't think I take my eyes off of you. Everything you do, makes me smile. You were by far the youngest in the group and they were all sitting quietly listening to the book being read. You walked around going from one child to a next patting them on the back and offering a smile when they turned around. You weren't getting much of a response.. they were very interested in the book. You on the other hand wanted to make friends. You went and sat on the lap of a 3 year old little girl. Turned around and smiled. She fearfully looked for her mom and slid away from you.  This is not the normal reaction and usually its the older kids that instantly want to hold you or play with you and you do, gladly.

Your vocabulary is constantly growing and I love to hear all the new words you say daily. I just wish I kept a better record of them.

You have been reminding us to say our prayers at dinner time. You bow your head and whisper under your breath with your head down and your brows frayed.. we respond to your reminder and during our prayer you typically fuss and throw your food.. so we aren't sure what the right thing to do is yet. 

We love you so much and are so grateful for you in our lives. These next 6 months are going to be the only time it will be the 3 of us and I want to enjoy every little bit of you. :)

To Eden with LOVE

Dear Eden,

I just wanted to write you to tell you how happy I am to have you in our family. Its hard to picture life without you and I can't remember what we ever did before you enhanced our lives. You make me laugh daily and smile with every thought of you. I live to see you smile.

I want you to be a happy little girl and grow up to be a happy young woman. My dream is to provide you with the tools you will need to be successful in all you do and to find pure happiness. I want you to know your worth, to know you're loved, and to know that anything you dream can be yours. My heart hurts to know that you will hurt, have disappointment and that you will struggle at certain times in your life. I just want to hold you near my heart and protect you from all I can. But you are strong and determined and I will keep you that way.

You truly brighten our lives with your passion, your strength, your gentleness, your silliness, and all things Eden.  You have a strong spirit that knows what she wants and is very confident in getting it. Your opinions are strong and your will is even stronger and growing more so every day. I know that my approach must be gentle and loving and patient; for you are a young woman in a toddlers body and I want to encourage your spirit to soar.

You will soar Eden. You are a social butterfly. You LOVE people. Young or old. You crave to be around others and welcome them freely. You smile, wave, reach up to those that gaze your way. People can't help but love you. You welcome others into your life and they want to stay. This quality I adore in you. I love your trusting and loving nature and I hope I can always encourage that quality in you and to teach you to listen to your intuition, without adding fear. 

Your gentle side warms me. I melt and grasp to hang on to those moments. I love when your head rest on my shoulder- although brief- it recharges me. It makes me squeeze you a little tighter. Its also in the moments when you reach up and grab my hand/finger and then look for daddy's for your remaining hand and we follow your lead, its those random moments you seek me and with your lower lip stretched, you wait for me to return your kiss with a "mmmm" sound encasing the moment. Its in the sweet patting of your tiny little hand on my back or legs that reassure me that you know who I am and we are soul-mates. Its these sweet little moments Eden that make me want to absorb you and keep you here with me, just like this... forever.

I love you forever my cute baby
Happy Valentines Day

Mommy

I'm ONE!

I am 1 years old! It flew by so quick.  I have learned so much in JUST 1 YEAR!!! Mom and Dad think I'm the cutest and sweetest baby in the world and they can't believe how much love they have for me. I know I'm loved and I'm starting to show my love toward them. I give hugs and kisses and reach up for a cuddle when I need some loves.
Here are a few things I'm doing now:
Walking EVERYWHERE..
Climbing up ladders
Drinking out of a sippy cup
Taking 2 naps a day
Playing with my baby's
Scaring mom and dad
Hiding in boxes and other hiding places
playing peek-a-boo
Learning sign language
Throwing and Rolling balls
Climbing up slides and sliding down
taking showers
Climbing up and down stairs
sitting in a forward facing car-seat
Using forks and spoons to feed myself

I'm on the go and mom and dad have to watch me every second. They like to push me around in my car and take me on walks to the big hills by our house and let me roll down them in my push car. I have so much fun.
I have started talking and saying lots of words. Here are my favorite ones..
Light        ball         Apple
Jesus        outside    Thanks
Baby        No No     ma ma
Da Da      Dad         out
up            Boo         bah bah
Banana    Hot          birds
Fish         Trash       bye bye
Books      E-d-e-n    snow
Flower     shoes       Na Na (Christianna)
papa

I am also making these animal sounds
Cat     Dog
Bee     Monkey
Bear    Owl

We had my Dr. Appointment last week and he said I was growing great and that I was doing so well.
Here are my 12mth stats
Age: 12 mths
Date: 10/23/12
weight: 24lb 4.5oz (90%)
Length: 30.75" (92%)
Head circ: 46.5cm (85%)

I also got my flu shot and was such a good girl.  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me and gave me lots of hugs and kisses.
Love,
Baby Eden

9 Months Old Already.. ?

I can't believe it has already been 9 months.  It's amazing how much I can learn in such a small period of time.  Here are a few things I've learned and mastered.

I feed myself finger foods
I wave Hello & Goodbye
I give kisses on command
I crawl EVERYWHERE
I pull myself onto anything I can
I eat cords, paper, books, and pretty much everything in sight
I say "mama" all the time
I can say da da and bah  bah
I can point at objects & use my pincers
Ive also got 8 teeth and I smile at anyone that looks at me. I'm friendly and love to be around other kids and adults.  I enjoy being outside and playing in the water. My hair is thickening and I love crawling into cabnents, dishwashers and under tables.. I love exploring.

I had a 9mth visit with my Dr. and here are my stats:
Age: 9 months
Date 7/20/12
Weight: 21 lbs 15oz (92%)
Length: 29.25" (94%)
Head circ: 44.8cm (71%)

I'm growing healthy and strong and mommy and daddy are so proud of me!!

Love,

Eden

A few video's of my latest tricks

 

TT Important lessons #1

I want to thank my cousin Christianna for teaching me a important lesson..
Picking my nose...


And eating it...

Gross!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Baby Eden

I'm 6 MONTHS YOUNG!!!!

 I can't believe I've been a part of my family for 6 whole months. I'm learning so much and M&D are enjoying every second with me.  Here are a few things I'm doing.

- I'm sleeping in my OWN room and my own BIG crib. I love it! I roll around and love exploring from one end to another. I sleep throughout the whole night and love to stretch out. I'm so glad mommy finally let me move from the cramped bassinet!
-Mom started giving me baby food although I don't really like it yet.  I like to arch myself back to avoid the food entering my mouth. Mom will occasionally trick me and give me a toy for me to chew on or make me laugh and when I open my mouth she sneaks it in. I did really good eating carrots with daddy and was even holding the spoon myself. That was fun but I don't really like carrots anymore!
-I'm sitting up on my own and can reach forward and side to side while remaining balanced
- I'm rolling all around the place.  WITH NO HELP! Side to side.. back and forth.. and although I'm not crawling.. this system helps me move from one place to another.
-I'm TALKING sooo much.. mostly it's just jabbers and I play with my sounds and occasionally make a real word.
-I've found my tongue and know how to use it. I spit all over the place and I love the vibration on my lips.
- I laugh a lot and smile all the time.  Mostly I laugh when M&D try to eat my juicy little thighs and tummy.  I like to smile at strangers and I LOVE when they tell me how cute I am!
- I'm cruising all over the place in my little "car"I like to chase daddy around the kitchen.
- I love to jump. M&D bought me a jumper that they hang in the doorways and I can jump for so long. But now my favorite thing is to jump when mommy and daddy are holding me. I CAN'T stop. I definitively give their arms a workout.

I had a 6mth Dr appointment yesterday and the Dr said I was doing really well. Here are my stats
Age: 6 months
Date: 4/24/12
Length: 27.75" (97%)
Weight: 19lbs 11oz. (96%)
Head Circ: 42.6cm (52%)
I also got my booster shots.  I only cried for a few seconds and then daddy gave me some love and mommy distracted me with sticking my toes in the running water in the waiting room. I forgot about the pain and was back to being my smiley self.

Being six months is fun because I get so much love and make so many people smile. I'm sure getting a lot of attention with my smile. I think I'll keep using it! I love to be around people and be outside. I can't wait to play with all my neighbors and be able to run and keep up with them.

Love,
Baby Eden
P.S. I eat EVERYTHING!
(below example)

Important Message

Dear Sweet Eden,

Due to your two bottom teeth coming in I regret to inform you that you will no longer get milk FRESH from the dairy.

Regretfully,
Your loving Mommy

My 4 month check up was a success!

I'm doing so good! I was happy and smiley and ready for my 2nd round of shots.  I didn't even cry this time.. I just turned red and looked like I was about to but took a deep breath and mommy picked me up to hug and kiss me but I didn't cry. I'm so brave! M &D were so proud of me.
The Dr. was proud of me too. He said I'm growing so big and that I am doing great.  Here was my report card:
Age: 4mths
Date: 2/21/12
Length: 25.7" (92%)
Weight: 16lb 11oz (95%)
Head Circ: 41.4cm (61%)
I've been getting lots of comments lately. Like "what a chunk", "look at that chunk a munk", "Those cheeks!!", etc.. It was starting to make mommy nervous but Dr. said not to worry.  So mommy is continuing to feed me when I'm hungry and I'm going to keep growing and getting stronger.  I've been rolling over a lot lately and M&D are so happy!
Love,
Baby Eden

My Two Mth Check up

My two month check up was kind of a big deal. I had to get my shots. Mom and Dad were so nervous and have been trying to decide which shots they think were necessary they decided on (mommy has to confirm with daddy). I was afraid of the needle but I think mommy was more scared. I had to be tough for her. I only cried for 2-5 seconds and was back to smiling! Mom and dad kept telling me how proud they were of me.
I'm growing so much bigger and the Dr. was so proud of me. Im strong and healthy and responsive. Here is my 2 month report card:
Age: 2 months
Date: 12/20/11
Length: 23.25" (82%)
Weight: 11lbs 14oz (77%)
Head Circ: 38.6cm (46%)

This 2 month I have learned a lot of things. I'm smiling and holding my head up when I'm on my tummy. I've started smiling and grabbing for things. I'm sleeping through the night and waking up happy. I can't wait to see what else I can learn.
Love,
Baby Eden

I'm a happy sweet girl!

Things I have learned in my short 13 weeks.
- I love smiling. Smiling is my favorite!
- I love sleeping through the night. I have been sleeping 10-13 hours straight and this is M&D favorite thing that I do!
-I love to stand on feet! I grab on to MorD hands and they pull me up and I love using my strong leg muscles to stand and wobble around. I've learned to grab on to the side of the crib and hold myself up too.
- I love playing in the park (our floor play mat) I have birdie friends that I love to play with. One sounds like a bird and the other is a rattle and I can watch all the balls move around when I shake it.
- I love to talk. I say all kinds of words and I like to try to repeat what M & D are saying but mostly I like when they copy me.
- I love looking at the mirror. It makes me happy and I smile big and giggle. I figured out it was me a couple weeks ago when mommy was pointing at me in the mirror and I kept jumping.
- I love getting kissed and loved. M&D smother me!
- I love to listen to music and watch M&D dance and sing to me. I'm starting to dance a little myself.
- I love waking up from a Nap
- I love to watch "toon toons" the images on the tv, the music, the color.. it all gets my attention and I think it is soo funny!
- I'm learning to be on my belly and hold my chest and head up high. I'm getting stronger but I don't quite love it yet.
- I'm close to rolling over and I know with a little more practice I'll have it figured out. M&D continue to help me learn.
- I've learned to sit up for about 5 seconds without folding over onto my face. M&D are so proud of me and I like to hear them cheering me on.
-I've learned to hold my bottle for short periods of time. The longest I've held it is for about 15 seconds.
-I'm starting to suck my thumb (AND FIST) and I do it very awkwardly. Mom thinks it is so cute..
-My MOST FAVORITE thing to do now is to SWIM! I LOVE SWIMMING! mommy puts me in the bathtub with a couple inches of water and I have FREEDOM! I kick and splash and have so much fun! I love to stay in my "swimming pool" for over 30 minutes and I don't like when I have to get out!
Here are a few pictures of me in action:

2wk checkup got 2 thumbs up!

Mommy and Daddy took me in for my 2 week checkup and were surprised to hear how much I've grown. I had grown 3 inches and gained all my weight back plus 3 oz so a total of 12 oz!!!
This was my 2wk report card:
Age: 2 weeks
Date: 11/2/11
Length: 21.2" (75%)
Weight: 6lbs 13.5oz (10%)
Head Circ: 34.6cm (10%)

They pricked my heal and I was so sad. Mommy held me tight and wanted to cry too. I hadn't cried that much since they brought me home. It was so hard for them to watch me cry. My umbilical cord fell off while daddy was undressing me to be weighed and they also said my jaundice was looking better and better. I'm changing so much! :) I'm holding my head up more and more and can move it from side to side. I've gotten a hang of this nursing thing and I can't believe how much I've learned in 2 weeks. Daddy & Mommy are so very proud of me.

Love,
Eden

I'm Here!

I surprised mom and dad early! Mom's water broke on Tuesday, Oct 18th at 3:30pm. She was pain-free and was not even sure that the small trickle throughout that afternoon was for sure the water breaking. They waited until 8:30 to go to the hospital where they kept mom and gave her pitocin to speed things up. The contractions started coming hard and fast and by 11:30pm mom was ready for the epidural.

I was so lucky to have grandma and Grandpa Simkins in town visiting. They met us at the hospital before mom got the epidural and were as excited and M&D. They left once mom requested epidural and returned around 2am when mom was given a 30-45 minute window before she should start pushing. Before they knew it I was here at 3:15am. :) It was smooth and stress free for me and I was eager to be in their arms. I weighed 6lbs 10oz and was 18"long. 1" long dark hair (mostly in the back) and lightly sprinkled hair on my back and the edge of my ears. My skin was beautiful.. no splotches or marks. I took their breath away.

Dad and I started crying before I was completely out. He took one look at my cute little scrunched up face and couldn't believe I was his "daughter" :) Mommy was in shock and took one look at dad and I and started crying too. They placed me in her arms and she kept gently kissing my head saying "Hi Eden, I'm your mommy". Daddy's tearful eyes were stuck on me too, looking lovingly with a big smile. :)

I calmed down once I was laying naked on mommy's bare chest and she gently rubbed my head which is my favorite way to be soothed. (how did she know?) We laid like that for awhile before they took me to test and to put a diaper on me, and move mom to a permanent room.

Grandma was there the whole time taking pictures and watching with anticipation for my arrival. They were all so happy that I came so healthy and happy.

Love,
Baby Eden

it's getting closer..

Mommy had an appointment last Wednesday at 36.5wks. She now is going to visit the Dr. once a week. She can't believe it is so close to my arrival. The Dr. had surprising news! She said mommy was already at a 3 and effacing. She predicts my birthday to be within the next couple weeks. She pointed to the calender and said that I should be here between Oct 14-21. Mommy couldn't believe it and hopes the Dr. is right. Her and daddy went to the hospital right after the appointment to do the early registration and Mommy came back to pack my bag for the hospital! They both want to be prepared if I decide to come 2-3 weeks early as predicted. Mom has felt like I would come on Oct 22 for most of her pregnancy.. Daddy on the other hand is hoping for Oct 23.. He likes the number 23. He is a big Michael Jordan fan and thinks that 23 is a lucky number! They will just have to wait and see.

Daddy has been working hard on my nursery and finishing up all the final touches! He likes to go and just sit in there and imagine me there. He talks to me and tells me that I will love the nursery and that he cant wait to see me. I can already feel all their love!

Love,
baby Eden

Daddy's girls are growing so fast!!

Here I am in mommy's belly at 35wks!!!!!!

I have kissable cheeks!!!

Ive been in here for 35wks and 5 days!!! Can you believe it?!?! M & D went to get ANOTHER ultra sound yesterday in hopes of finally getting a better look at me. They were hoping 3rd time was a going to be the charm, but I am so comfy in my little place that I still haven't moved. Mommy's placenta is a built in pillow... why would I move? Unfortunately for them, this means that they can't get a great look at me! I guess they will just have to wait another 4wks 2 days. They were able to get a small but detectable profile of me. My cheeks look round full and TOTALLY KISSABLE! :) I even might have a dimple.. or so it may seem. I'm still a girl and have lots of hair. The color is still a mystery but mommy thinks it will be dark and that it will turn blonder as I get older. They were able to count the toes on one of my feet.. I have all 5! They look long like daddy's left foot! :) I've been using them to kick mommy's right side a lot lately. It's getting kind of squished in here and I have to move and kick. The ultrasound tech said I weigh about 5lb4oz. Can you believe I'm getting so big?!?! Mommy thinks I look a lot like daddy but grandma thinks I look like Mommy did. I think they are all going to be surprised when they see me, cause I think I might just look like me.. Eden Grace! :)

My aunt Heather bought a ticket to come see me from Vermont. I hope I come by the time she gets here! I want to meet her. Plus, I have a feeling she will be a good snuggler and love on me lots & lots.

Love,
baby Eden

Follow up to Eden from Mommy & Daddy!

You are in big trouble little girl! :)

Lots of Love,
M&D