Activity Time!

Vivi loves her activity mat from Nan & Grandad (Mike's parents).  She enjoys looking at the animals, seeing the lights and hearing the noises.  It won't be long before she starts to play with some of the toys.

Pops & Nana Come For A Visit

Pops & Nana (my Dad & Stepmom) came to see Vivi this week.  We had a great time!  Pops had his 60th birthday on February 25th so Vivi wore a special onesie, Mike cooked a great dinner and we had birthday cake. Although Vivi and I were confined to the house during their visit, Pops & Nana took a drive to Durango and explored Farmington.  We were very sad to see them go, especially me as I was about to embark on my first week without any help.

Happy Birthday Pops!

Happy Valentine's Day

It feels appropriate that our first holiday as a family is Valentine's Day.  I couldn't resist dressing Vivi up in a red and white outfit (thank you Uncle Chris & Auntie Dynie) for the occasion.

My First Photo Shoot

We arranged a newborn photo session at our house with Trisha Christensen http://trishachristensen.com.  We were a bit nervous but Trisha quickly put us at ease.  After four hours, many hair bows and diaper covers, several feeding sessions and diaper changes and one accident on Mummy & Daddy, we had some beautiful photos!

Here are some of our favorites!

First Bath at Home

Vivi loved her first bath at home!  As I was a little hesitant about bathing her, Ringo stepped in to do the honours while Daddy filmed and I took pictures. Her favorite part was getting her hair washed, contrary to the look on her face.

She Has Arrived!

Fashionably late by 1 week, our little girl finally made her appearance.  She was kind enough to wait until the end of the Super Bowl before my contractions really started progressing.  By that point they were 5-6 minutes apart and when we arrived in Durango, CO (45 minutes) they were just 3 minutes apart.  My labor progressed quickly and by 3:15am, Vivian Nora was in our arms.  The most wonderful feeling...truly indescribable.  She looked just like her Daddy and had a full head of hair. I was shocked to find out that she weighed 8 lbs, 15 oz.  At this point, I must brag and say that I had absolutely, no pain relief...nothing!  Our medical team (Dr. Roach and Nurses) were excellent and we had a wonderful experience.  The next day, Mike picked my Mom up from the airport and Vivi got to meet her Ringo for the first time....tears all around.  Mike was off work for 2 weeks and Mum was able to stay for 1 week which was a huge help.

One of Vivi's First Photos:

Our First Family Photo:

Vivi & Ringo:

Our Baby Girl!

Our precious daughter, Vivian Nora Gardiner was born on February 7, 2011 at 3:15am. She weighed 8lbs 15oz and was 21 inches long.  With this blog, we hope to capture all of her adventures.  At her first birthday, we plan to print the blog as her baby book.  Since we are starting the blog in June, the first several entries will look back at her birth and first milestones.