2 months

UPDATE:   13 lbs. 13 oz. 88%               24.02 inches 81%
head circumference: 15.7 inches 43%

My little bubs is now 2 months old as of yesterday.
He's grown substantially over the last 9 weeks.
Just in the last few days Bennett has started cooing and smiling up a storm.
He's figured out how to sleep for 7 hours straight.
He doesn't do it every night, but overall has been a good sleeper.
3 month clothes are now getting a little snug on his little belly.
We did a "mock" measurement of him a week or so ago and he was 23 inches and 13 pounds.
We have his 2 month appointment this coming Friday so we will see his real stats then.

Bennett is wearing 3 month clothes in each of these pictures

What a Year

So facebook does this new thing called a year in review where it gives you your top highlights for 2013. Needless to say this has been a HUGE life changing year for Lance & myself.

I got a little emotional reliving my year... Let me share.

January 5 

Me: (staring at our bamboo plant we've had for 3 years) "just throw it in the garbage outside"
Lance: "no we can't. It's our love fern"

Lance & I moved out of our duplex in Holladay and into his mother's basement as our "dream house" was being built.

 

March 17

G Squared-Western Caribbean Cruise (124 photos)

Great Stirrup Cay, Ocho Rios, Cozumel March 2013

 In March we went on our 2nd cruise with the Green's and loved every minute of the Caribbean.

 

April 24

Officially done with nursing school and officially accepted an RN position with Intermountain.

 In April I was offered a position as a registered nurse on the unit I have loved working on for the past 2 years.  It was such an amazing opportunity to continue my journey with the friends and collegues I had already made. 

April 29 Christine's Graduation. — at Salt Lake City Public Library. 

I graduated from college for the 2nd time, but this time with a degree in the field I am ever so passionate about.

 

April 30 

Lance Gummersall Is Expecting a Baby Boy Announced April 2013 with Christine Gummersall Christine and I are expecting a little baby boy this October. We are so excited and blessed for this opportunity, as well as nervous to see how he is going to change our lives.

 April was such a big month for us... finding out we were expecting a baby boy the same day as I graduated from college. (we waited a day to announce it because the celebrations from graduation were a bit time consuming)

 

May 12

Happy Mother's Day to all those mothers out there but most importantly to all those struggling and wanting to become mothers. I remember a year ago to this day being so distraught and discouraged with infertility but since then I have been so incredibly blessed with the ability to get pregnant. To those still struggling I love you and wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!

 How vividly I remember the days spent crying and earnestly praying to my Heavenly Father to please bless Lance & I with the opportunity to become parents.  How Mother's Day in 2012 was spent crying at my desk while working at Primary Childrens.  My period had just starting clearly notifying me that I was not expecting and browsing facebook as I saw many of my friends post about their little children.  Needless to say I was at an all-time low, but just one year later I was pregnant.  My prayers had be answered.

 

July 22

Three years ago I married my absolute best friend in the entire world. I love having him as my companion and I'm excited to begin our new adventure into parenthood in just a few short months. He is an amazing husband, best friend, father to our puppies, and will be an incredible father to our son. 7.22.10 was the start and I'm grateful to know there is no end. For eternity with Lance Gummersall

 I absolutely love my husband to pieces.  I know everyone thinks their marriage/relationship is awesome and amazing, but I truly feel so so blessed to have found my best friend.  He knows exactly what to say to change my bad mood into one of optimism.  He knows when to be playful and when to be serious.  He's one heck of a hopeless romantic and has never forgotten our "monthly" anniversaries, always "surprising" me with flowers and my favorite things.  He is truly a catch and I get to call him mine for eternity.  I am one lucky girl. 

 

August 11

6 years ago today I made the best decision of my life. The decision to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love knowing that I am sealed to my husband, Lance, and family for eternity. The gospel has brought so many blessings to my life and I am grateful for the knowledge I have of God's plan for me. www.mormon.org

 The gospel has truly changed my life.   Back in high school you are constantly thinking of "where will I be in 5 years. Where will I be in 10 years?" Well needless to say 6 years ago I did not think for one second I would be where I am today.  I did not think I would have gotten baptized, found a love for Christ, gone to BYU, married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple at 20, and have a baby boy at the ripe age of 23 (now 24).  I envisioned my life so differently but in hindsight my life is absolutely perfect and it is all a result of a very simple, but life changing choice.  The choice to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.  If there is one thing I know it is that God lives and through Jesus Christ's atonement we can become perfect just as he is.  I know happiness comes from serving others, and relying on faith in Christ in all times and in all things and all places.

 

October 21

Shoulda listened my to gut a gotten a pedicure on Saturday.... Someone wanna come paint my toes? Haha — at Alta View Womens Center.

 The night before Bennett was born I was literally on my hands and knees scrubbing the grout in our kitchen.  I figured I had measured the same over the last 3 weeks that there was NO hope for him to come early.  Bennett, however had plans of his own.  I went to bed at 11 pm and was awoken at 2:30 to contractions.  Finally at 11:50 am Bennett emerged and forever our lives were changed.  It is nearly impossible to put into words what a blessing it is to be his mother.  To have the opportunity to watch him grow is one I wouldn't give up for anything.  He truly is my little angel and I am so thankful each and everyday to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the opportunity to be his mother and to experience to joys, trials, and blessings that motherhood brings. 

November 25

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes. I am grateful for all the wonderful friends and family I have in my life. I am especially grateful for a beautiful, healthy baby boy and a maternity leave that gives me all the holidays off to spend with those I love.

 This past January I spent 4 months with my friend and co-worker AnnJanette as she mentored me in my final clinicals of nursing school.  She had just returned to work from maternity leave and kept bragging about how awesome it was to have had her son in October and had leave all throughout the holiday season.  Although I personally did not plan for Bennett to come when he did, Heavenly Father's plan worked out in my favor.  How awesome it is to have this season to spend with family and friends and to not worry about work. Thank you thank you thank you. 

So there ya have it.  My 2013.

 

A week of visitors and visits

Growing up I was always excited when the end of November was nearing because it always meant I was getting one year older and wiser and typically meant my wish list of things I had been craving for the last 11 months was about to be fulfilled. (Sorry I'm a bit materialistic, but at least I'm honest about it). Going into this year was a little different. I am in awe that I am now 24. My friends will laugh because them along side my husband are nearing 30 and I'm baby of the pack, but honestly I do not feel 24!

My birthday came and went last, last Monday (sorry I waited awhile to post this)  and was rather dull for Lance had school and work all day long and my day was spent doing what I do everyday, sitting at home watching recorded tv while I browse Pinterest and feed Bennett. That night however lance came home and gave me an hour to run some errands baby free so I could do it in record time. 

The journey driving in my car alone made me reminiscence on the years and how this year has changed my world forever.  It is now impossible to pack up on a whim and run to the store, make dinner on the fly, or even shower and be ready in an instant. Having Bennett in our lives has made each of these tasks about an hour longer, but how awesome it is that this year I became a mom.  I was given the greatest birthday gift I could have ever received. A gift I had been longing and praying for so long would enter my life.  Bennett has taught me more life lessons in his 6 weeks of life than I could have imagined I would learn in a lifetime.

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Wednesday with a day full of family, food, and fun at our house.  Thursday was a lazy day spent recovering from the excitement of the previous day, and Friday was spent traveling to Grace, Idaho to introduce Bennett to the Gummersall Farm for the first time.
Saturday was dinner with some good friends and Sunday was yet another day to recover.

I am a little bummed I didn't take pictures of our two Thanksgiving celebrations.  I had every intention, but ended with only one picture of my little pumpkin.

1 month

Bennett is one month old today.  It is absolutely crazy to think that he has been in our lives for one month and even crazier that I can't imagine our lives without him.  He has slowly started to establish a routine and we can almost count on him waking up every 3 hours throughout the night... like clockwork.  He has grown substantially over the last month now looking a little less ridiculous in 3 month clothes.  Bennett continues to have skinny little limbs with the longest fingers I've seen.  Bennett loves to be held and cuddled on your chest and has transitioned from the soothie binkie to his favorite basketball binkie.  Bennett loves bathtime and enjoys sucking on his bath puppy towel.  His eyes have transitioned to a bluish-greenish color which we think will end in a green.  He loves car rides and his swing has become his favorite morning activity.  At 3 weeks old he was already rolling from his tummy to his back impressively enough he has done it 80% of the time we attempt tummy time.  

enjoying some candid moments with his kangaroo.

Finished Duplex

A week before Bennett was born we began renovations on our duplex.  Our renter had lived here for 15 years and everything was original to the 1950's pink tub and all.  Finally this past Saturday we finished our remodel and now have new renters.  Our new renters are in the same shoes Lance and I were in when we bought the duplex.  We were engaged and one of us moved in until we were married a few months later.  In looking at the finished product I started the reminiscence on the days where we only had the upper floor as living space and us being newly married.  I started to remember how much I loved our ward and missed those who are still there and how much I loved going on our nightly walks with Ellie and the many firsts we experienced being newlyweds.  It is also crazy to think of how far we have come since those first days at the duplex and how truly blessed I am.

Before:

The After:

we refinished the floors, replaced the entire kitchen with new flooring, cabinetry, counters, lighting, and appliances.   Also new paint to the entire place.

 we gutted the bathroom and replaced the flooring, shower, vanity and toilet.

Announcing: Bennett Nicholas

words cannot express how beautiful I think my little boy is.  some days I just stare at him in awe that he is a creation combination of Lance and myself. We are so so lucky to be your parents!!

Week 3

Saturday Nov 9

You my little munchkin are 3 weeks old and already leaps and bounds from where you were a week ago.  You've transitioned from newborn diapers to size one and from newborn clothes to 0-3 month clothes.  0-3 month pants are still drown you out, but the tops fit you length wise.  You have also been very good the past week at keeping your mittens on so you're precious little face remains scratch free.  We can always tell when you are hungry because you go from completely content one second to red faced and so mad/frustrated in about 20 seconds.   Your cry is QUITE LOUD, but you are only fussy when you've got a full diaper or are starving otherwise you are content staring and kicking your limbs.  On Monday Nov 11th you decided to roll from your tummy to your back.  Your dad and I were SO impressed/shocked!  We finished the remodel on the duplex and you enjoyed your afternoons napping in your carseat as we finished the last odds and ends.  At night we've gotten down a 3 hour routine. Like clock work you are restless and squaking for food and completely content after we've filled your belly.  All in all the last 3 weeks have been amazing, tiring, and wonderful to have you in our lives. -love mom

Sunday Nov. 10

Nov 13

Nov. 13