Moosehead Lake, Maine

I love this photo!  

Headed to Maine for the holiday week and spent several days in a cabin on Moosehead Lake with nothing to do but enjoy being together.  

Merry Christmas

Smile!

Baby Vivien's first Christmas

Vivien's first Christmas

Rattles, books and lots of stylish onesie's were in your stocking :)  And a baby Einstein Playard so you can see shapes and color and hear fun noises as you move around more on your own.

Vivien favorite flower

Look who loves being in the water!

One month today

Dear Vivien,
Today you are one month.  Every day is a joy to be with you.  You love to be held and that is good because we love holding you!  You love to eat and sleep!  And you love to listen to our voices so we are always talking to you :)  And its not just us.  All our family and friends love you too.  The gifts are still coming in for you ~ soft blankets, cute girl clothes, rattles and stuffed dolls!  Emails, cards and phone calls wishing us and you the best.
Much love, Mom & Dad 

Big yawn

Bath time makes for a sleepy baby.  Night night, little one.

Monarch Butterflies

This is where you sleep!  We love that the monarch butterflies are watching over you :)

Counting the days til we can go home

Today we had lunch with Grampa's brothers and sisters in Stuart.  All came together to toast your arrival and journey to our family.  So sweet.  Also a surprise visit from Aunt Joanne and Karen.  We are feeling blessed :)  Time to go home though and begin our life together.

Two brothers

This is Wesley holding you and waiting for you to open your eyes.  We already know he will have a watchful eye over you as his little sister.

And this is Tristan and you at the hospital :)  Tristan is just like Wesley with blonde hair and blue eyes and loves to run and play!  You will too soon enough.  

So many people love you

So many people love you!

 You are here with your birth grandmother...

 and Grampa...

and Nana :)

Nap time

Your name

Dear baby girl,
It warms our hearts to be celebrating your arrival into this world.  You are finally here!  Cindy was amazing and brave in every way.  We are so proud of her and humbled.  She's asked what we will name you.  You have been 'baby girl' to us for so long.  We decided our name for you will be Vivien Margaret ~ a feminine name translating to Life and we think you will wear it well with your underlying strength we know you will have.  Cindy's name for you is Dakota which will always have a very special place in my heart and I know yours too.

Us

This is us at the hospital.  

We are over the moon that you are here and we are together!

Welcome baby girl

Dear baby girl,  

you are 5 lbs 4 oz and have strawberry blonde hair :)  

You were born at 3:05pm.  

We are so happy to be writing this!  We finally arrived at Holmes Hospital in Melbourne at 10pm and Cindy met us in the lobby.   She had a long day of labor that began early in  the morning, and our day of traveling began early as well.  But you would never know this.  All of us could not have been happier to be together on this day and be there for you!  You are all bundled up in a cozy swaddle and very sleepy.

November 12

This is your birthday!  You decided you were ready to meet the world today.  We got the call that you were coming early so grabbed our bags, packed strollers and car seats, Wesley and Nana, and  began our journey to you.  Cindy let us know you were on your way and you were coming fast :)  She said you made up your mind this was the day!  She continues to amaze us with her strength and kindness.  We boarded the plane in this photo knowing that we would be with you soon.  Nana and Wesley were truly good sports and kept up with our fast pace so another minute was not wasted.

Butterflies for our baby girl

As we get closer to baby girl's arrival, we are busy planning the most magical nursery ~ a room full of butterflies ~~ butterflies on the wall, a butterfly night light and colorful butterfly garland :)  imagine all those butterflies watching over you while you sleep in your cozy crib.

Two more months!

You are due to arrive in two months and Cindy is taking good care of you.  She says you're moving around and kicking alot!  She is happy to know you will be loved beyond words, and that you will grow up running around in the country.  And she is sure you will be a blondie :)

Our family in the making!

I love this picture. 

This is our family in the making.  We all visited with Cindy and spent the day together.  We talked a lot about our hopes and dreams for you, and our own experiences, interests and plans for the future.  We are humbled by the strength and courage Cindy has and know you will have the same!   

Cindy and Tristan

This is Cindy and Tristan.  Tristan lives in Florida and just turned one in this picture.  Like Wesley, he is your brother too!

The beginning

 At the time this picture was taken, you were not born yet.

This is our first meeting with Cindy.  She is your birthmother and a courageous, young woman who loves you with all her heart just like we do.  We talked about many things this day and know you will be a beautiful girl who is strong and kind, and will never be one to stand in the sidelines.