A wonderful time had by all in Utah! And Madison is ONE MONTH old.

Cousin Jennifer and husband Nathan....expecting their first baby in January!

Adorable little Claire. 16 months old.

Mary Robert, Andrew, and Claire with me, Maddie, and John.

Madison wide-eyed with Grandpa Randy.

So pretty in pink!

There's my happy girl. And she's ONE MONTH old!

Snoozing in the sun at a waterpark in Utah.

Me and my girl.

The bride-to-be and her mom at the bridal shower!

Meeting her Auntie Kimber.

We returned safe and sound from Utah on Monday evening. Definitely bitter sweet to return home as we wish we were able to see Kimber more often. The bridal shower went really well. Met lots of Kimber's wonderful friends and co workers. And she got some good gifts too! :-) Madison again did great on the LONG car ride sleeping most of the time. We were all ready to get out of the car once we returned home.

Now it's back to the 'ol grind here at the Pepper household. John back to work, and house work and laundry to be done. All the while spending time with our adorable daughter who continues to amaze us every day with how sweet and beautiful she is. Hard to believe she is a MONTH old. She seems to really be a happy girl and we just can't get over her smiles. Sleeping at night is often an on again off again thing. We got very lucky in Utah and found that she was sleeping between 5-7 hours straight. Am hoping for that routine to continue. :-)

Had a great day with the family yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa missed Maddie dearly while we were away so we headed down to Sumner to spend some time with the family. My cousin Andrew, his wife Mary Robert, and their daughter Claire are visiting from Kentucky. Madison was a happy girl meeting them and spending the day with more of the family as we got together for a meal of Cornish pasties....a family tradition that we all enjoy. Eventually Maddie will be allowed to have one of her own and I know she will enjoy it!

Safe and sound in Utah

So we arrived safe and sound in Utah on Wednesday evening after our 15 hour travel day. We left our house at 430 am and arrived here in Utah at 830pm. Considering that we lost one hour due to the time change I think we did pretty darn good traveling with a newborn. Madison did AMAZING. She is such a trooper. Definitely travels well right now. She slept practically the whole time and believe it or not, she slept REALLY well that night too. Gave her tired mommy and daddy 5 straight hours of sleep. Thanks sweetheart!

We have been having a wonderful time here so far. Had a pretty busy day yesterday, but got a lot accomplished! Looking forward to another busy day today getting some lat minute preparations done for Kimber's bridal shower tomorrow!

We are so grateful for Kimber to open up her house and master bedroom to us. Definitely saving some money instead of having to stay 5 nights in a hotel. Thanks sooooo much babe! WE LOVE YOU.

Three Weeks Old.....And time is sure flying.

She seems to be getting so big!

Snoozing

Gotta key one eye on things.

Loving her Grandma Jill.

Our little Cheetah Girl.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa.

Meeting "Auntie" Lucy.

Eskimo kisses.

She's definitely "Daddy's Girl"

So incredibly hard to believe that our little girl is already THREE WEEKS OLD! We have had such a fun time getting to know Maddie and all her little quirks. She continues to be nursing well and is looking to us like she is starting to get a little meat on her bones. Can't wait to see the little chubby rolls. He, he, he. Her nighttime sleeping routine is still a little bit of a challenge. I think she can't quite figure out day from night. Must have been my night shift work schedule. Seems as though she sleeps pretty well until about 1am or so then has a tough time falling back to sleep. Often being up for a few hours. John and I are getting used to this routine of hers and are hoping to settle her into a little bit better schedule as she gets a older. For now we just sleep when we can. You just can't be mad at her little face when she wakes up smiling at you!

We continue to busy ourselves with visits from family and friends. And even the occasional outing to Grandma Jill and Grandpa Randy's to see great grandparents and especially Uncle Kevin.

Our big outing begins tomorrow. You might call us crazy, but we are headed out early tomorrow morning for our road trip to Utah to throw Kimber's bridal shower. Madison is really looking forward to meeting her Auntie Kimber....and of course John and I are excited to see her too! Hope Maddie tolerates the 14-15 hour car ride without any problem. Wish us all luck! Will be sure to write a new post or two while we are away.

Enjoying the sunshine.

Madison sleeping through her first walk.

Daddy getting ready to head out.

Mommy's turn to push Maddie.

We went on our first walk around the neighborhood yesterday. It was VERY nice to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine. We also had the chance to show our beautiful little girl to some of the neighbors. Madison really likes moving around, so she was asleep and content the entire walk. So hard to believe that she is two weeks old already. Time sure is flying!

A shout out to our nursing and surgical team!

My fabulous midwife Donna.

The Pepper family plus "World's Best Nurse" Andrea!

"World's Best Nurse" and amazing friend Andrea.

Our surgical team. Donna, Dr. Cunningham, Dr. Berger, and nurse Andrea.

Madison's nurse in the OR - Kim.....and Andrea. :-)

Getting ready to head back to the OR to meet Madison. Could not have asked for a better group of people to be taking care of me and Maddie. Good friend Lesley and Nurse Andrea.

Me and Andrea. So excited to meet Madison.

Nurse Andie. Getting me ready for my attempt at being induced. Thanks for you speediness in getting me that much needed epidural!

Just a little shout out to thank my co-workers, midwife, doctor, and anesthesiologist who helped make Madison's entry into the world the amazing experience that it was. We were so thankful for the care and love we received while we were in the hospital. You will forever be remembered as those that helped us celebrate the most memorable day in our lives. Thanks again for all your wonderful support and the awesome care that you provided to myself and Madison. Lots of love to you all!

Lovin' life and all our visitors!

Cousins Izzy and Cady.

Cousin Cady

Pretty in Pink. Daddy picked out this outfit and the headband too!

Snoozing through today's visitors.

Visiting with newlyweds Jon and Melissa McGehee.

Hanging out with Jon.

Melissa and Maddie.

Sturgis onesie for Maddie.

Great Grannie Margaret.

At Grandma Jill and Grandpa Randy's celebrating John's birthday.

Grandpa Randy admiring his granddaughter.

Proud Diego.

Cris is such a big boy holding baby Maddie.

Had a really nice visit from Jess, Diego, and Cristian.

Wide awake and checking out this world.

Giving us the "stink" face.

Posing on the changing table.

Getting all warmed up after her first bath here at home.

So fresh and so clean.

Looks like she's liking the post-bath hair style.

Daddy washing our little girl clean.

Getting bathed by mommy.

Trying to be speedy with the bath time.

We are lovin' life with our new little addition. It's so amazing how much joy one little person can bring to our lives. The past week or so has been filled with so much happiness in the Pepper household. Madison seems to be a pretty happy, content little girl. We all know that can change at the drop of a hat, however. :-) She does still need to figure out day from night. Seems as though she has the two mixed up. Must have been my night shift work schedule.

We have really enjoyed the company from many family and friends who have visited over the past week and a half. We cannot thank you all enough for your kind gestures and love.

Went on our first trip to grandma Jill and grandpa Randy's house as a belated birthday celebration for John. His birthday kinda got a little overlooked. But John says he received the best birthday gift yet on July 20th when Madison was born.

I am healing well and feeling pretty good. Looking forward to being able to get out and about a little more easily. Until now I will continue to rest and relax and enjoy my time with my beautiful little girl.