Sealed & Blessed

2 months ago Ryan, Brooklynn and I were sealed to each other for eternity. It was the best experience. Going into the Gilbert temple with Ryan, Bennett and Brooklynn was the sweetest feeling. Bennett was a special guest and got to witness the sealing of us. Everyone there was so nice and just adored our kiddos. Brooklynn was an angel and didn't make a peep. What I remember most about our sealing is looking across the alter at my sweet Ryan and just staring into his eyes the whole time. He held my hand so tight and his eyes were teary and he just looked so incredibly happy, as was I. I felt so much comfort in the words that were said and I had this feeling of completion. Like, I was so relieved we were finally sealed and comfort knowing we had completed the ordinace that was so important to both of us. The moment Bennett and Brooklynn were brought into the room was so sweet also. I lost it and cried to see my precious babies in the sealing room with us. I had this feeling of completion, and still do. I feel so much comfort in my forever family. I love Ryan so much. He truly is my best friend and I am so happy he is mine for eternity!

Later that same day, we blessed Brooklynn at our church building. She again was an angel. Ryan gave her a wonderful blessing where he encouraged her to stay close to the Lord and marry in the temple. He is such a great dad and just adores his little girl. He always is saying how precious she is. He has mastered putting her to sleep calming her cries. I love that he wants to be so invloved with her and hands-on. He is an amazing dad, step-dad and husband. I sure am lucky!!

4 months

Little miss is now 4 months old. She continues to be so, so, SO happy. She loves her feet, hands, and anyone who will give her some attention. She laughs and smiles big at her brother. She is also so very slobbery! She just spits and soaks her clothes dsily. We started Brooklynn on formula about a month ago. She was not seeming satisfied after nursing, so mom tried a bottle and little miss just sucked it right down. Currently we are doing 4-6 ounces every 3 hours. Her naps are ok...she takes about 3 or 4 naps a day. Most are not very long, but usually she will give me one good 1.5 hr nap per day. Brooklynn is finally pooping every day! Her diapers are much more wet too. Mom feels like she was starving her for 3 months when she compares her now to back then! At night, Brooklynn goes to bed about 8 and will sleep until 3:30 or 4:30. Usually with no waking, or maybe once for a quick replacement of the binky. We are working on extending this. We have let her cry for about 10 mins at a time when she was up around 4:30. The first night she went back to sleep until. 8! The next night she slept only until 5:30. Ryan was out of town so mom let her sleep in her bed until 7:30. Mommy just loves to cuddle with her. Brooklynn really is such a cuddle bug. The biggest news is her stats! She is 14.1 lbs and 26.5 inches! 44% for weight! but off the charts for height! She is the average height of a 7 1/2 month old! She still looks skinny but the formula is helping her to gain some pounds! She also rolled over from belly to back a few weeks ago. Doc said we can start her on food and rice cereal at 5 months. We just love our little girl!

3 monthds

My little doll is 3 months old! Time seriously flies by so fast. It makes momma sad. Brooklynn weighs 12.10 lbs- I'm not sure how long she is. I'll find out length hat her 4 month appt. Brooklynn is eating every 3 hours and cat naps in between. She isn't the best napper yet, but she is so go with the flow & entertained by anything new & exciting that it really doesn't matter. She is sleeping until about 5 am! Sometimes she goes to bed at 10, sometimes 9! So it's usually between 6-7 hrs of sleeping at night. She hardly poops or pees! Very different from her brother! She has found her band and loved to look at her toys. She will go cross eyed to see them. She blows tons and tons of spit bubbles all day long & sometimes soaks her outfit in slobber. She also coos and talks to mommy. She loves a soft blanket over her face and she is still in the bassinet next to mommy. Mom thinks it is time for her own crib soon...very soon! I hope it goes well. Brooklynn gives the biggest smiles in the morning. She is in size 3 month clothes. I just love this girl so much. She is so sweet and beautiful. I can't get enough of her!

Brooklynn 9 & 10 weeks

Brooklynn is just a doll. The time is flying and she is growing! Brooklynn is smiling- she started about 2 weeks ago. She loves to be held and she especially loves her big brother. He loves to entertain her, and put her binky in when she fusses. He helps mom by "watching" Brooklynn while she takes a shower. Her sleeping is all over the place. She is definately different from Bennett as a baby. She sleeps from about 10-3, then off an on after that. Mom is trying to figure out a better sleep plan, but sticking to a routine is difficult lately.

Brooklynn 10 weeks: Brooklynn is still a content, happy baby! We had her 2 month doc. apt yesterday. She weighed in at 11.13lbs and 24 1/4" long. She is 52% for weight, and OFF THE CHARTS for length. She is super long- mom is hoping for a vball all-star! She is sleeping from about 9-4 (on a great night) and after she eats, she usually goes right back to bed for another 3 hrs. Mom wishes she could stretch out that sleep time after her night feeding. Brookylnn is only nursing- and she nurses SUPER fast! Only 5 mins (at the most) on each side. It doesn't feel like it is enough, but it must be, b/c she is growing like a weed. She still eats every 3 hours. Brooklynn only cries when she is tired. She loves being rocked to sleep. She will not let mama swaddle her, however I swaddle her from the chest-down, and I think it seems to help her sleep longer. She will wear bows and is happy to be kept "busy." She gets sick of the carseat after awhile, and is so happy to be held. She loves to make eye contact and just smile back. She also has recently found her fist. She holds it up and stares until it makes way to her mouth. She is the absolute happiest in the morning. Mom loves it. She has a lot of dark hair, a few inches long- on the back of her head. She has the most girly, beautifully curled eyelashes. We just love our beautiful girl!

1 month

Little Miss Brooklynn is 1 month old. She is so sweet, we love her so much. Currently, she eats every 2-3 hrs, sleeps 4-5 hours (since about 2 weeks) at night and loves to be held. Little missy only poops every 3 days. The longest was 6 days at 3 weeks. Mom & dad were worried, but the doc told us it was no big deal. She also LOVES bath time. At 1 month, Brooklynn weighed 10.13lbs and was 23 1/2" inches. She is such a happy, sweet baby!! We love Brooklynn.

Brooklynn is here!

Brooklynn Marie Hardy was born on May 13, 2014 at 4:59 pm. Her arrival was easy, and mom couldn't have asked for anything more. I was induced again, as with Bennett. Ryan and I woke up at 4am, called the hospital to make sure there was enough room- and we were on our way so we could arrive by 5! By the time we checked in and got my IV going, it was almost 7. They had to stick my 3 times...I would say again, the IV was the worst part of the whole labor. My doc. started me on Pitosen, I felt little cramps but nothing big. I was only a 2 when I was admitted. By 12ish, I was a 4.5 and feeling substantial contractions- and I knew my doc. was coming soon to break my water. I decided to get my epidural before he came b/c I knew the contractions would be steady and strong as soon as that happened- and I didn't want to deal with that! Who would, right!? My edpidural was painless and worked great. Shortly after my doc. arrived and broke my water. This was around 1:30. Then things really started to happen. We could see my contractions on the monitor, however I couldn't feel anything. At 4, I was starting to feel light headed and wanted some juice or calories to settle my tummy. I hadn't eaten anything since 4:30am (besides the cheese-its Ryan would sneak me when the nurses were out of the room!) The nurse checked me and I was fully dilated. I could feel the pressure at that point and knew it was time. I got the shakes a little bit too. Our nurse called my doctor- and he got there about 4:30. I did two little "practice" pushes with the nurses. Then the doc was ready and I did one big push, (then I got an episiotomy- my choice)- and on the next big push her head was out (I could actually feel it "out" this time! Not super painful, but with Bennett I felt nothing). One more push and baby girl was here. It was so amazing to have such a great labor. Ryan was amazing and super supportive and happy to do anything I needed. He was right there with me, holding my hand and taking everything in. The nurse tried to get him to look at her dark hair (before she was out) and he opted not to look! We both cried when she was given to us. She was alert, eyes open and calmed down very quickly. She immediately grabbed my finger and just looked into my eyes. It was perfect. She was 21" long and 8 lbs, 11oz! 2oz bigger than Bennett. I was 5 days over due.

Our hospital stay was great. Personally, I would stay a week if they would let me. Meals, medication, cleaning service, all delivered right to your bedside. The first night, I got 3 hrs of sleep. She was either awake or eating. Ryan was amazing and took her on a long walk the next day so I could nap. The nurses were dying over what a great hubby/daddy he was. He also sent me flowers :-) Yeah- I know I have a good one. Oh and he also changed diapers the whole first day. I didn't touch a poopy diaper until day 2. And she pooped like 6 times that first day! haha. The next night, Brooklynn's weight had dropped 11oz, so we decided to let her take some formula. Becuase we were supplementing, the nurses offered to take her to the nursery and let her sleep and feed her- so Ryan and I could get some sleep. BEST DECISION EVER! They took her for 6 hours and Ryan and I were out cold. I'm sure we were both snoring like bears. We were so exhausted. We got out of the hospital that morning and then real life with a newborn began!

Things have been overall amazing. She is such a sweet baby. She sleeps and eats good. We can't believe she is already 3 weeks old. Bennett seems HUGE now- and he is doing really good with his baby sister. He mimicks everything Ryan says- and talks to her in a high-pitched voice. He loves to give her kisses and hugs- and is very concerned anytime she cries. Life is good!  Pics soon to come.