Two Amazing Weeks

I can't believe that Arista is two weeks old already. We were so blessed to have my parents out here to help us out with our first days of parenthood, and we were so sad to see them leave. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with them, and with our good friends the Koesters. I could not think of a better Thanksgiving, for we truly had something spectacular to be thankful for.

My parents transformed our house into a Christmas wonderland. They set up our tree, put up lights outside our house, and even set up a ton of lights down both sides of our stairs. We also all went up last Saturday to visit Preslie's grave. We brought a little tree up, along with the stocking filled with letters from us. It was very difficult to go, but it was so great to be able to come back to a beautiful live baby.

On Sunday we blessed Arista, so that my parents could be here for it. We missed Chris' parents, but were grateful they were able to listen and watch via webcam. Chris gave the most beautiful blessing, and Arista looked just like a princess. I know that her sister Preslie was so proud of her baby sister. We were able to have our great friends in the circle as well as our bishop, and a member of the bishopric Ryan, who had counseled with us throughout the past year.

Arista is such a great baby. She only cries when she is hungry, or needs to burp. She has gained back all of her birth weight plus some, and she loves to snuggle. She has only been waking up once in the early morning to eat, and then lays awake looking up at me for a while. We could not have asked for a better baby. She has been sleeping in her car seat, in the adorable bassinet we have. My mom made all the bedding, and we just love it! We hope Arista will sleep in it soon! Arista is such a huge blessing in our lives, and we are not taking a single minute for granted. She is constantly in our arms, and we have no guilt of that at all. We love Arista so much!