Introducing...

Graham Matthew Woods

(Graham is Robbie's dad's middle name and Matthew is Robbie's middle name)

March 4, 2011

9:53 pm

7 lbs 13 ounces 20.5 inches long

Our first stay in the hospital lasted a little longer than planned, but at one week old I was able to spend all day at my house. Here I am with Mr Alligator, a friend from my nursery.



Coming home from the NICU

Our little family couldn't be happier!

Although it was a long week at the hospital, Graham graduated from the NICU with flying colors and we are all doing well.

Just like his mom?

There are two kinds of people. And everyone knows which "type" they fall under.

Type 1:

Is always on time. In fact, being a little late drives them crazy. If they could have it their way, the world would all be 10 minutes early to everything they do.

Type 2:

The complete opposite. Late. Late. Late. No matter how hard they try. Occasionally they may be on time, but that is very rare.

Robbie is one. I am the other. Can you guess which is which? Here is a sneak peak to help, if you are in question.

Church recently changed from meeting at 9 am to 11 am. Robbie's calling requires him to be in meetings starting at 8 am each Sunday. When I arrived at church at 10:45 one Sunday Robbie comes up to me before church and says "I was shocked when I saw you come in." Yes. He said it. SHOCKED to see that I could make it to church on time. Nice. But I will admit, I was shocked too!

You guessed it.

Type 1 = Robbie. Type 2 = Melinda

I have a philosophy as to why I am always running a little late. I over commit. I am so busy trying to wrap one more thing in, that I don't realize how long things will take and over commit. (Which in Robbie's mind is worse!) For example, drive straight home or stop and run an errand on the way? Being able to get 5 more minutes of sleep by hitting snooze. Working on one more thing for a lesson for church (inspiration that came during those 5 extra minutes of sleeping!). My mom used to always tell me I needed to practice telling people "no" in high school because I had this problem then too. I would take on too much. I love being busy. I love being involved. I love thinking bigger and making more when I have less. Plus I hate missing out on the fun... if there are friends there I can't leave. And you don't even want to know what it is like when it is my family.

Robbie's type 1 has been really good for me. He has taught me how to simplify my life. I rarely procrastinate and find myself creeping into the type 1 category more often. (Unfortunately, he has taken on the snooze button tendency of a type 2... which drives him crazy!)

Now the child. Graham (the name of choice). With less than 24 hours to count down and no signs of arrival, I am afraid he is going to be more like me... a type 2. Sure, it can all change in an hour. Sure, there are things I can do to maybe speed things up. But I can just picture our little guy up there trying to fit in a few more things before joining us here on earth. Can't you see him playing with cousins. (Hopefully there are a lot of them up there keeping him busy!) Or possibly planning a party for his friends? Maybe he is getting in one more round of golf lessons... Regardless, I don't blame him for hanging tight... that sounds like a lot of fun to me too!

But wouldn't it be nice if he is going to be a nice combo of Robbie and I...

Right. On. Time.

I can hope!

Sweet Baby Buns

On January 8th my mom and sister Michelle came up to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our little guy. Those who know... my sisters and I like to have parties! So I was not at all surprised when the theme and details of this shower were amazing! Especially since they had the help of some of the most creative friends around!

Since Robbie and I enjoy trying out new things in the kitchen they decided to make it a "baker shower". From parchment paper wrapped invites, tied with bakers string to the amazing food display. Everything there was homemade deliciousness!

Menu: Chocolate covered strawberries, creme puffs, cupcakes, bundt cakes, sugar cookies, cherry cheese tarts, butterscotch cookies, chocolate covered rice krispy treats and homemade bread and jam.

Decorations included cute red and white pennants, cupcakes liners, decorated onesies (not pictured) and the cutest diaper cake. They even had everyone sign a children's cooking book rather than a guest book!

And the favors were cute recipe cards of all the delicious homemade goodness. It was awesome!

The peeps!

I was so humbled by the turn out. Because I wanted to give my mom and sisters a chance to see all these friends! Although I didn't get a picture with everyone, I was able to get a few. Below you will find the picture of my mom and I with a cute quilt that Louise Harrington (Merrilynne's mother in law) made for me, Jessica Bench and Lawni Mulligan (I know this picture is blurry! but I had to include it... Lawni, Jess and I went to elementary-high school together!). My mom and sister's at the shower... (we missed our cute sister in laws), all the cute girlies who helped plan the shower (Becca and Jennie had already left) and a few of the Nelson girls with the Altmyer girls (we have known each other since birth!)

It was so fun to be with all these people and celebrate such a special time. Thank you all for coming. We missed those out of staters and people who couldn't make it!

It's official... We are going to be parents!

Not that is was not official before, but it is starting to feel more real! Last night Robbie and I made official purchasing plans for some of the "major" items (i.e. rocking chair, car seat, etc). While there we realized one of our strollers is being discontinued so we put the last one in the state (the floor model) in Orem on hold.

I just got the phone call that my wonderful father in law just picked it up! Yes... that is right. We have made our FIRST baby purchase! For some reason, this silly little thing makes it feel so much more official!

Those who know me are probably shocked by this news. I have not purchased anything yet for our baby but fabric to make window treatments and pillows and a diaper bag. (But the diaper bag looks and feels more like a purse, so it wasn't so monumental!) Over the next month there will be some serious baby preparations in our home, so I will be posting!

Baby W

Ever since I found out we were adding a baby to the mix I thought it would be a girl. Secretly I wanted a boy and always have. You know... one that plays hard, has a lot of energy and is always into mischief! But since I was convinced it was a girl, I put those thoughts aside. You can see why I was shocked to find out we are having a boy in February!

Not only are we having a boy, but the doctor and ultra-sound technician (who also is my friend and neighbor) both commented on how active this little guy is going to be. He was moving all over the place, but they were still able to find out he is growing healthy.

Merrilynne and Jaidyn joined us for the appointment and brought a little bubbly to celebrate! Bright Blue Jones Soda and sugar cookies... my favorite! We are thrilled to welcome our little guy into our family!

And yes... the overwhelming tasks of; the perfect name search, nursery planning, clothing shopping and thoughts of adjustment has begun.

ps. Apparently our little guy already has a problem... he wouldn't leave his private parts alone during the ultra sound. REALLY? I know they say we need to talk to our kids about that at a young age, but he isn't even born yet. I think I am going to be in trouble!

Smile or Scowl

Robbie has this obsession with babies who scowl. He loves it when a baby will not smile back regardless of how hard someone works to make them smile. (Abbie Bonham won his heart for this exact reason and that started their special bond.)

My mom was just in town and brought up a hard drive of pictures from our childhood. In them were a few of Robbie's pictures since we made our wedding video down there. I quickly realized why Robbie has this obsession:

That is right! He was (and for those who still know him, still can be) a total scowler!

I on the other hand....

had (let's be honest... still have) huge cheeks, so all of the pictures are of this gummy big smile.

I can't help but wonder what our baby (debuting February 2011) is going to look like. Will he/she be a smiler or a scowler? We shall see whose genes are stronger! I am happy with either one!

Robbie did point out there was one picture of him smiling... so he wasn't glaring at the camera all the time! (In reality, Robbie's mom said Robbie was a really happy baby.)

All of my pictures just look the same. Baby Woods, we can't wait to meet you!

Starlight, Starbright...

...first Star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, Have this wish I wish tonight.

Robbie and I recently started volunteering with Make A Wish Foundation of Utah. Those who know us understand how this foundation would be something we are all about. Being able to help kids is magical especially through such a positive organization. Thanks to our close friends Brad and Megan Bonham for encouraging us to get involved and Robbie's Aunt Nancy for sharing her experiences with us. (Nancy is a volunteer in Los Angeles, CA and has been working with MAW for over 10 years).

Melinda, Kimberly, Estrella, Daniella

We had the chance to work with Kimberly and her family recently to help Kimberly's wish of a Bedroom makeover come true. Kimberly is five and has a brain tumor. She loves Dora the Explorer and can't wait to see her on a pillow each night!

Broyhill Furniture donated all the furniture for this wish and R.C. Willey planned the room. All Robbie and I had to do was come and make it magical. Since the family speaks Spanish, Robbie got to translate for the media while I got to play with Kimberly and her two sisters. We are preparing for the reveal day where we magic will happen.

Working with Kimberly and her family has been inspiring, humbling and a reminder of how thankful I am for the gospel. Families are Forever! To read more about Kimberly here and Make a Wish of Utah here.