unexpected

so happy

I could not believe my eyes yesterday, as I watched my 7 week old daughter roll over for the first time. I had just placed her on my bed on her tummy. I assumed it would be like all the other "tummy times" and eventually after she struggled to move for a while she would want to be picked up.(  She once did a 180 by kicking her legs and trying to grip the ground.. like the hands of a clock ) She immediately lifted her head , cocked it back, and started to lift her left leg. Before I knew it she was slowly rolling over. I was so excited, proud and sad all in the same moment. I began to tear up thinking about how badly I wanted Steve to be there and how much I know he would have wanted to see it in person. Despite missing Steve I was elated watching my daughter pass such a big milestone.( big for me at least) After her success, I of course wanted a repeat performance. I have yet to receive one, but I am sure she will be a little Roley poly soon enough. This girl is going to be a mover and a shaker. I can't wait to capture her rolling over on video and send it to Steve.

Chubby Cheeks

first smile caught on camera



First wierd face caught on camera

What a difference a week makes. Hallie has gained 13 oz in one week and it shows. Her face has filled out so much in the past week alone. I can't believe how quickly she is changing. I was told how fast it goes, but it is something you just have to experience for yourself. I wish so badly that Steve could be here to witness these daily changes, but in the mean time I am trying to take lots of pictures to send to him. I used to struggle to write a post, but with Hallie there is just so much to share.  Expect lots of new posts to come!

Hallie- Lujah

one day old

one month old 

Hallie Kathleen Hunter was born on December 20th at 2:24 pm and was 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. During her short stay at  hospital she made an impression. I was told that she was the best baby in the nursery and everyone loved  her hair. ( not only was there a lot, but it was such a strange and beautiful color) Hallie was beautiful  from the moment she was born, but after her bath, she looked  like an angel. Speaking of angels, Hallie's nickname before birth became Hallie lou, short for Hallelujah. It seemed fitting since her birth would be so close to Christmas.(  I am grateful my family has  moved on to other nicknames) Hallie is now 5 weeks old and growing like a weed. Everyday she seems to change and I am so excited that I get to watch.  Here are a few fun facts about Hallie.  She loves to be sung to, lucky for her, her mom loves to sing. ( not so lucky that I sound terrible) She doesn't enjoy  " tummy time". I don't blame her, I would hate to feel  suffocated and immobile, but we keep trying. While she sleeps, she is either grunting and making noise, or is so quite I have to check to make sure she is still breathing. ( I guess she really is a mix between Steve and I.. Loud and quite)  She recently made friends with a her little pink dog ( its a baby toy) She likes to look at her and is even trying to nibble her a bit. Everyday she seems to be grabbing on to more things and getting a little more control over her limbs. ( the other day her passi was in her mouth and I swear I didn't put it there) For the most part she is just a wiggly happy girl, who sadly has too much gas and a little reflux.  We are trying to get those both under control and thankfully there have been vast improvements.( hopefully it will just keep getting better) I am so blessed to have such an amazing, beautiful, sweet little girl.

Perfect mix

It has been said that Hallie is the spitting image of Steve. I love that she looks like her daddy, but I think she has a little of me in her as well. I posted Steve and my newborn pics and put Hallie's new born picture between us. I will let you decide who she  resembles more. I think she is a perfect mix between her parents. 

Lucky Girl

Dear Friends and Family,

While Steve and I were engaged I went with my mom to her favorite nail place to have a pedicure. The nail technician was asking me all about getting married, Steve and pretty much anything you can think of. When she found out I was marrying a younger man she proceeded to tell me what a LUCKY GIRL I was and that in her country that was considered to be very lucky. Her accent made for a funny story to tell Steve and it has become a running joke between us. I always say what a lucky girl I am in the best accent I can manage. Today I was thinking about just how lucky I truly am and wanted to share. In a few hours I am going to the airport to pick up STEVE!!!!! It still doesn't quite feel real yet, but I am sure that will change the moment I see his face. Not only am I lucky he even gets to come home on leave at all, but we are both so fortunate to have him home during this special time. ( the birth of our first child) I have complained a lot over the past few weeks that I was ready to have the baby and she could come at anytime and I would be alright with it. I am so grateful that she chose to wait for her daddy to come home and be there with us. I am so blessed to have a husband like Steve. He is always supportive, understanding and can make me laugh even when I am mad. ( which gets him out of trouble way too often) I am a lucky girl to have such an amazing family that has taken care of me while Steve is away. Their support has given me the strength to move forward and live as normal of a life as I can. I can't imagine doing this alone, and I know it would make Steve's job in Afghanistan that much harder if he was worrying about me. I just wanted to say Thank you to all of our friends and family that have supported us. We are both so lucky to have all of you in our lives!

Love,
Megs

Imaginary Husband

Dear Steve,

I woke up yesterday to the clamoring of thunder and the gentle drumming of rain on my window sill. There is nothing better than a mid-west rainy day where you can curl up and get cozy while the storm rages on outside. In an attempt to " get comfy" I dug out your navy blue over sized sweatpants and your gray Idaho tee shirt, but decided to take it one step further and sprayed your cologne on the baggy tee.(that is not nearly as baggy anymore) After waddling back to bed and finding a comfortable position ( as comfortable as I can get right now) I snuggled up with your blanket. For a moment, I felt like a Steve impersonator, but I don't look nearly as good in your clothes. ( more like a Walmart regular) Suddenly the image of you all dressed for church came to me. I am assuming that memory surfaced because that is one of the only times you would remember to wear cologne. I could smell you the entire day and at times it was comforting and at others heart wrenching. ( for a pregnant chic I really don't cry that often) There was a moment I felt it was a mistake spraying the cologne. The feeling was quickly replaced by more memories of you and the other times you would remember to wear Aqua Di Gio.(which lifted my spirits) No matter where I am or what I might be doing you are there with me. When I watch a movie, you are beside me, falling asleep.. as usual. When I'm in the car driving and singing, you are there poking fun of me.( and singing too) When I sleep, you are laying next to me, practically hugging the edge of the bed ( I still don't know why you do that) Even though you are not here physically I imagine you with me everywhere I go and remember what it was like before you left. You have become my imaginary husband. It is a nice temporary fix, but not even your memory can come close to replacing you. I miss you so much, and December can not come soon enough. Until you come home, I think I will keep imaginary Steve around. I hope you don't feel like I am cheating on you..( with you) I love you more than I love guns( ohh wait that is your line.. but you get the idea)

Love,

Megs

I'm gonna miss...

Dear Steve,

I can't seem to leave the house without seeing at least one black Jeep Cherokee. While they all lack the red sapper sticker on the window and almost none of them are lifted, I am reminded of you. We had some pretty good times in that Jeep. My first memories of that car were also my first memories of you. As we drove to the corn maze on our first date, I played with your ipod and "spied" on your taste in music. I remember turning the volume way up, so I could hear over the rattling of the jeep, causing Jamie and Blaine to nearly go deaf. Then there was the time I asked to drive. I didn't know how well it handled and was testing the Jeep's limits, which got a little scary. ( I am sure you saw your life flash before your eyes at least once) Eventually I got used to driving the Jeep and enjoyed being higher than the other vehicles on the road.( as long as I was not driving on the highway) My favorite Jeep memory would have to be when you were towed from my apartment. Even though you had to get back to school and it was already late, we had so much fun just hanging out and talking while waiting for the tow guy to call us back. ( Jeep lesson # 56 don't park in a handicap space, even if it is just for ten minutes) Despite the numerous flat tires, incessant rattling, and the shear terror that it would fall to pieces once we went over 60 miles an hour, I will always love your Jeep and the memories it was a part of. ( Jeep lesson #102 don't leave your purse in Rexburg and remember once you get to Blackfoot.. ) I bet you are smiling right now thinking about that trip to Idaho in the Jeep.( See you do miss it.. at least a little)

Love,

Megs