A Life Full of First's!

When you're a new baby almost everything you do is for the first time, 

somethings more fun than others...


First time meeting Mom & Dad

First Check Up with Dr. Dawson

First BLOW OUT!

First time out on a Walk

Very First Bath

First Month

First time to a Wedding

First time trying out the Bumbo

First Swim Suit!

First time in the Pool

And my favorite... First SMILES!

We have been having so much fun experiencing all kinds of firsts with our sweet Zella Jane!!
Looking forward to many more:)

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

A Room for Our Princess

I hadn't wanted to post any pictures of Zella's room until she got here because it displays her name and we were trying to keep it on the down low... But now that she has arrived it's time to show off the finished project!

Changing table in disguise... 

Quilt made by Robin Williams

Pillow Covers made by Kayla Lemons with Suggalemons

I'll put a newborn picture in the frame when we get them done...

Rocking chair from my little sisters nursery

A place to hang bows and headbands

My Mom and I made her name

"B" is for Baby Shower

These last few weeks I have enjoyed seeing 

Family & Friends

as they showered our Baby Girl with gifts. 

Today marks just 2 short weeks from D-Day. Doctor says she could come anytime from here, so we are just patiently awaiting her much anticipated arrival. We feel so blessed to have so many people who love and care for us, and have helped us prepare for our Baby Girl. 

First Shower- March 22nd 10-12pm 

We had a shower with all the people from our ward. Our neighbors, the Braithwaite's, were also expecting a baby boy due just a week before me, so our good friend Whitney Putnam offered to throw us a double shower. We had it at my house, and Whitney made the most delicious brunch. I felt so bad though cause she worked in the kitchen most of the shower. It really turned out so nice though, she did a great job. We really have loved our ward, they have been so good to us. 

Second Shower- Apr 12th 2-4pm 

My good friends Heather and her mom Shauna Thompson, and Kelsey Gillespie also threw a shower for me. We invited all my Mom's family, my friends, and a lot of people from the ward I grew up in. It was at Shauna's house which is right next door to my moms. It was later in the afternoon, and we had yummy chicken salad sandwiches and snacks. Heather and her mom made the cutest diaper cake for me, and Kelsey made a little frame with paper onesies for people to write advice for me on. We also did a diaper and wipe raffle, so for every package of diapers or wipes the guests brought they got their name in the raffle. We ended up with a good stock pile of diapers and wipes to get us started!!

Third Shower- April 19th 11am

Last my step mom Julianne threw a shower for all the family on her and my Dad's side. She fed us Hawaiian Haystacks and then had an Ice Cream Sundae bar for dessert. All my Dads sisters, my cousins, and Grandparents came. We had it in the Young Women's room at the church house. It was really nice. We are really excited about a very nice point and shoot camera my dad's family got for us so we can take all kinds of nice pictures of the baby when she comes.  

Now I am just trying to get all the "Thank You's" sent out before she gets here!