1 Amazing Year!!

On April 15 our little "Daffodil" turned 1 year old! She has brought us total joy, happiness, and filled us with gratitude.  We feel so lucky to be her parents! She is such a silly little girl.  She is growing so fast, and absolutely LOVES learning.  When she was first born she either slept, ate, or cried.  There was a LOT of crying!  I assumed that was normal since she is our first, but quickly learned it isn't. When she hit the 3-4 month mark she started getting happier and happier.  She already loves to make people laugh, and she cracks herself up a lot too.

At her 1 year doctor appointment we were told her language and intelligence level was at about 18-24 months.  We were so proud!  The doctor said that reading to her early and often has definitely played a part in her development.  She is enthralled with books, and can't get enough reading time.
Words she can say:
Mama
Dada
This
That
Dog
Brady
Quack Quack
Moo
Yes
Hi (her favorite)
Fish
Shoe
Aurora
Got it
Eyes
Hello
Olive
Please

Of course most of them you have to know what she is saying, but I still think it counts!  The shots were absolutely horrible at the 1 year appointment!  Daphni screamed and cried, and I was sobbing too.  Nothing is worse than having to hold your little one down while they are in pain and confused about what is going on!  I hated it.  They said these were the worst ones, so hopefully things get better.

For her first birthday we went to the Living Planet Aquarium.  We had been there before, and she loves it.  Her favorite are the otters.  She got a cute little turtle that she loves to this day.  We also took her to the library for the first time.  I thought she was going to explode!  She could not believe how many books there were and she was going crazy wanting to touch them all.  She was like screaming with glee the whole time.

We have both learned so much in this past short year of being parents.  The most profound thing I have learned is how unique we all are.  Not only are we purely individuals in everything from eye color to what our first word is, but our relationships are so intricate and unique!  I know what is right for my daughter, and it may not be what is right for another mommy daughter duo.  Whether you nurse or bottle feed, or believe strongly in cry-it-out methods or believe in rocking your little one until they are sound asleep, maybe you love sharing your bed with your little one while others may cringe - what ever is best for you and baby is exactly that--- it is what is best!! I have learned that rarely does advice from other moms help because of this uniqueness, but it is always nice to know you aren't alone.

Everyday I love this little angel more and more.  Some nights it almost hurts to go to sleep, knowing I won't see her until morning.  She is such a bright little sunshine, and I'm glad she is mine!!

Yellowstone!! And Other Adventures

One of our summer trips this year was a few days to Yellowstone. We absolutely love it there! Daphni did too.  We camped at an awesome campground, and were right next to the forest.  We even had an elk wander in while we were BBQing some dinner! It was so gorgeous to be in the clean, beautiful air. We saw some amazing sights, and even did things we hadn't done before.  But of course, you gotta get a good Bison picture!!

We had such an amazing time and can't wait to get back! Daphni loved doing some shopping in the gift shops. It got pretty cold at night while we were there, so we had to make sure our baby was bundled!

Our dog babies too. :)

And who needs a big expensive camera when you can just take a picture through your binoculars?

Other camping trips this year have included Brigham City, Willard Bay, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Nephi, and East Canyon. I absolutely hate the end of camping season!  But it has been an awesome summer.

                                         Zion's

                                        Her bed in the trailer!

                                         Coral Pink Sand Dunes

                                         Traveling in style!

                                         GRAND CANYON!

                                       
                                         Bryce National Park

Kodachrome Basin

                                       

                                           Nephi
                                       
       

                                          Standing in the trailer at 3 months!

                                          Shades Baby

                                          Willard Bay

                                         Nap Time!

We have had an absolute blast traveling around with our little Princess.  Can't wait to start planning for next summer!

First Time to Church

On May 20, 2012 we decided to finally try and make it to church.  We had every intention of getting to Sacrament meeting and staying the whole three hours, but it was not meant to be, lol.  With lots of fussing and feeding, we did make it to young women's where she was peaceful.  This dress is one that I wore as a baby, and I love it!

Blessing Day!!

June 3, 2012 was more than just my 26th birthday - it was the wonderful blessing of our baby Daphni!  She wore the same dress that I was blessed in, and was a perfect angel all day.  She didn't fuss at all through Sacrament and stayed asleep through the blessing. She was blessed by her father, who did an amazing job.  He blessed her with faith, knowledge and strength and a desire to make the temple her goal.  The day was also extra special because Stephen's sister Dawna and her beautiful family were able to be there.  Since they live in Pennsylvania, this was wonderful timing!  We love them so much, and are so glad they were able to be here.  Almost all of our siblings were there, our parents, cousins, aunts, uncles and close friends made for a huge crowd at church.  It meant so much to us to have you all there!  The only time our little Daphni-Bug fussed was when she was done having that hot dress on!  She changed into a very cute dress from Stephen's Uncle Mike and Aunt Melanie, and it was perfect!  It was such a wonderful day - we even shared a cake.  It had a princess crown on it and said "Happy Blessing Daphni and Happy Birthday Brittani." I will always cherish sharing that day with my princess.

                                    I love my baby!!

                                    SOOOO Happy to be out of that dress!!!

                                 Wardrobe Change! Sitting with her cousin Lexi.