Blessed Baby Girl

Zella Jane Curtis, 

On June 29th 2014 your daddy, Jonathan David Curtis, took you in his arms along with: 

• Box Elder Stake President Ronald Frandsen
• Brigham City 2nd Ward Bishop Brent Wyatt
• Grandfather Daryl Hansen 
• Grandfather David Curtis 
• Great Grandfather Bob Hess
• Great Grandfather Brian Burbank
• Great Uncle Gregg Hess
• Uncle Jordan Curtis 
• Uncle Brian Curtis 
• Uncle Cameron Salony
• Uncle Matt Sleeman 
• Family Friend Michael Hinrichsen

and with the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood they all hold he gave you your First Blessing.

He blessed you with the strength to overcome all of lives challenges, with a sound mind and a healthy body, that one day you will find a worthy man to make sacred covenants with in the House of the Lord, and all other blessing your Heavenly Father sees fit. You were so good during the blessing. You didn't make a sound, and just drifted in and out of sleep. 

You wore a beautiful but simple all white dress. It is a special dress because it was my baby blessing dress, and your Aunt London and Zoe also wore it for their blessings. On your little wrist was a bracelet that I wore when I was blessed, and Grandma Jen and I found a flowery headband for your sweet head.

After everyone came to celebrate with us at our house in the backyard. We had Sloppy Joe's, Salad, Fruit, and Chips to eat. Then for dessert everyone enjoyed Root Beer Floats.

Your Guests Included:

• Dad and I
• Grandma Jen, Grandpa Craig, Aunt London & Zoe
• Grandpa Daryl, Aunt Brynne & Taci, Uncle Jarom
• Grandma Dianne & Grandpa David 
• Great Grandma Dixie & Great Grandpa Bob
• Great Grandma Eileen & Great Grandpa Brian
• Great Grandma Nanny
• Great Aunt Emilee & Cousins Kiersten, Karlee, Kenidee 
• Great Uncle Gregg and Amy
• Aunt Elise, Uncle Matt, & Cousins Cohen, Beckett, Sawyer
• Aunt Heather, Uncle Cam, & Cousin Roderick
• Aunt Stephanie 
• Uncle Jordan
• Uncle Brian
• Friends Alex, Whitney, & Carter Putnam
• Friends Michael & Katrina Hinrichsen
• Friends Kelsey & Nyck Chastain
• Friends Keaton, Karen, & Charles Braithwaite
• Neighbors Bob & Vicky Dudley

You have so many people who love and care about you. You have brought such a sweet spirit into our home, and we know Heavenly Father sent you specially to us. Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives. Daddy and I love you so much!! My prayer is that you will cherish and love the gospel and let it bring you happiness in your life as it has mine. 

Love you Forever and Always, 

Mommy

**Beautiful pictures taken for us by Whitney Putnam.

A Child is Born

Zella Jane Curtis

May 8th, 2014 3:20 PM

6 pounds 8 ounces  19 3/4 inches

Delivered by Dr. Ferguson 

at Brigham City Community Hospital

At what would be our last doctors visit our baby girl looked great, but I was starting to show signs of preeclampsia, a condition pregnant women sometimes develop that is characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. I was just a week shy of my due date so our doctor felt it was in my best interest to start labor. The plan was to arrive at the hospital the night of Sunday May 4th to start a medication called Cervidil that would help dilated and soften the cervix, then the next morning they would induce labor.

Although the next morning my cervix was not favorable for induction, and the baby was still high. It was very disappointing to hear that our best option was to go home and try again in a couple days. It was so hard to come home after thinking we would have our baby that day, and was even harder telling all the family and friends that were expecting a baby that day as well.

A couple days later, we went back for round two the night of Wednesday May 7th. I was given the Cervidil overnight again, but this time the next morning my cervix was thinned and dilated. The doctor felt comfortable with going forward so they started the Pitocin drip to start contractions and he broke my water. After a few hours I was dilated 4cm and feeling very ready for an epidural. After my epidural the nurse said it would be a good time to try and take a nap. Jon left to get some lunch and take care of the dog, and I fell asleep.

When I woke up just an hour later I felt a lot of pressure. The doctor came in and checked me and I was 9cm and he could feel the baby's head. He said if all went well she would arrive before 4:00 PM. After the doctor left I started practicing some pushing with the nurse. I sent a text to Jonathan letting him know what was going on, but finally had my mom call him when he still wasn't back to the hospital. We had been anticipating a much longer labor, and were both surprised with how fast I had progressed.

The doctor arrived and I pushed with him for about 10 minutes before she was born at 3:20 PM. When he held up our baby girl I couldn't believe she was the one I had been carrying for 9 months. It was so strange to put a face to all those kicks and squirms. It's hard to find words to describe the overwhelming amount of love I felt when he placed our beautiful baby girl on my chest. As I looked into her big bright wide-open eyes I knew she was sent to us straight from heaven. I marvel at the little miracle she is, and continue to thank my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with her care. I never realized until now what a marvelous blessing women have been given to carry, bring forth, and then mother a Child of God.  

Motherhood hasn't been easy, but it is so rewarding. I love the little family we are now. Watching my sweet husband be a Dad is the most precious thing I have ever seen. I understand now more than ever that our families are the most important things in this life. Having a child has brought new meaning to the Plan of Salvation and a Forever Family.

Even now, a month later, it's hard to believe I am a mother. Our girl is the sweetest baby, and is such a blessing. She is growing everyday and is now 8 pound 10 ounces 20 1/2 inches long. I look forward to the days ahead and the many milestones with my Zella Jane.

**Photos taken by Elise Sleeman