Amy's Gift

Kate, this is such an exciting time for you and Dan! We are so happy for you.

We love storytime at bedtime. I believe reading together is one of those bonding activities that really opens channels of communication between parents and their children, and fosters great question/answer moments that will make you smile long after they're over. I chose this book, The Classic Treasury of Best-Loved Bedtime Stories because it is one of Thomas' favorites. Its got classics like King Midas and Stone Soup along with lesser known tales such as The 3 Sillies. I think I get just as much fun out of reading these tales as he gets from listening!

May this new adventure ever delight you and Dan. We love you.

Jon, Amy & Thomas

Trish's Gift

Kate,

Congratulations on your little son who will soon be joining your family. I remember having dinner with Tyler when I was in the early stages of labor with our Kate. (I didn't eat much.) We talked about how different our lives would be in just a matter of hours. We wondered about all the changes and adventures ahead of us. We couldn't believe that we were about to have a new person in our family. But, the moment Kate was born, it was like she'd always been there...like we couldn't imagine our lives without her. Parenthood is an amazing thing.

We received both of these books from people in the Heritage Oaks Ward when I had babies. The "Time for Bed" book was from Jane Taylor when Kate was born and the "Mama Says" book was from Janie Brown when David was born. These are two of my favorite books to read with my kids. I hope you enjoy them.

My thought for you as a new parent is to know that the Lord has chosen you as this child's parent (and any other children you might have) because of how you, and only you, will parent and care for them. You will make decisions for your children's care that might not be what other people would decide, but trust yourself, trust your decisions and trust your heart. The Lord wants you to care for them in your way. You are the best thing they could ever have on this earth. (Dan, too!)

(We have yet to get a family picture with all three kids where one of the kids isn't crying, so here are other pictures instead!)

We wish you the very best! Love, Tyler, Trish, Kate, Will and David Alderman

Angie's Gift

Kate,

We are so excited for you! You and Dan are going to be incredible parents. This little boy is super lucky to be sent to your family.

I thought this book would be such a blast for a little boy. It's got pictures with interesting textures on every page, so it's going to be tons of fun for Baby Foster to touch as you read.

And this one is lots of fun, too. It's got a great rhythm, which makes the text more interesting for babies to listen to. I think it would be a great one to read before naps or bedtime, because it sounds soothing and ends with the animals in bed like you'd want your little one to be also.
We wish we could see you in person at this exciting time, but we'll definitely have to stop by and meet your kiddo this winter when we're back in California. We're looking forward to seeing you guys again!
love,
Angie, Todd, and Hazel Bonner

jamie's gift

congrats kate and dan!!! we're super excited for you. hope the little tike likes these books; they are two of our girls' favorites.

i don't know about advice, but here are a few things i've learned since i've become a parent:

1. snatch a nap whenever you can--it's exhausting at any age!
2. you don't have to give up the things you love just because you have a child...but you'll have less time to do those things. consequently, you'll always have to pace yourself.
3. singing a song can fix almost any situation.
4. routines are a good thing!
5. babywise works (wink, wink. i just HAD to put a plug in there!)

here's a recent picture of our family. lexi's four and assuming the "big sister" role (whether or not that's a good thing is still up in the air). tatum's 2 and a half and keeps us on our toes. teague's 4 months and constantly smiles. life with three is CRAZY, but SO much fun! we've loved washington so far and are looking forward to moving into our first home the first week of july!

The Bruschke Boys Share Their Favorites....

Kate, we are sending your our best...."I Love You Stinky Face", "Love You Forever", and of course a "cozy" blanket to snuggle your little one up in while you read! These books and cozy blankets are a regular at our house - hopefully they are as wonderful for you as they have been for us!

My advice to you is pretty basic, and yet I am still working on it after two with one on the way....take the magical moments that come throughout your days - and they may only be moments, and completely enjoy them! Child-rearing is hard work and sometimes completely overwhelming, but there are those moments that make all the struggles worthwhile and then some! Take note of those moments, write them down, and re-read them often!

Secondly, be sure to share who you are with your son - make sure that he knows who you are outside of being his mom - he will be impressed and inspired!

All my love and best wishes to you Kate - this is going to be the most amazing and rewarding adventure of your life!

From the Notleys..... "round, round, round..."

My boys always loved books you can touch or do something with and the touch and feel series is a big hit. Also, Henrie's favorite song for a while was the Wheels on the bus.... so, we have several versions of that book. You gotta have at least one. :)

As far as advice goes....
I liked the advice in "The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" for getting your kids on a schedule and knowing when and what to feed them.
Read and sing to your kids every day - right from the start.
Listen to advice from others but remember that you are the mom and every child (and every mom for that matter) is different so make your own decisions.
Try to live in the moment with your kids. Every stage is awesome but it goes by so fast... (yes, even the hard times go by too).
Get used to not sleeping. :)
Love you!!!!
Jen

Caterpillars and Gorillas, oh my!

Dan and Kate, I hope you and little zucca enjoy these books. Our kids have loved them. As for advice, I could ramble for pages, but I'll try to keep it short.

Labor and Delivery: read tons, decide your wishes, make your voice heard, keep an open mind to whatever happens.

Newborn Stage: sleep when the baby sleeps, don't try to focus on anything other than you and the baby for a while. Have confidence in your instincts while staying open to others' experience and suggestions. Read The Happiest Baby on the Block for great advice on calming your baby in the 0-3 month stage (swaddle, shush, sideways hold, sucking, swinging all at the same time. Works like a charm...eventually!) Soak up the innocence, the newborn baby smell, the delicate connection with heaven that you might feel, the whispery-smoothness of newborn baby skin, the overwhelming feeling of love and being absolutely essential to this baby. It is truly life-changing and as everyone says, they do grow so fast.

Parenthood is a marathon, grueling at times, especially in the beginning, and yet the endorphins of joy and love kick in often enough to keep you going. The trick is to enjoy the journey, of course.

much love! -Rachel

Courtni's Gift

Hey Kate!

Had to throw in a kangaroo book :-)

We are so excited for you and Dan! We are also happy that we will be able to meet your new little boy by the time he is only a month old! He will be such a fun addition to your family, and as soon as you get to hold him, your life will never be the same. You have so many qualities that will make you a good mom.

My advice would be to still go on dates with Dan...even an hour for dinner where it is just the two of you. I think we went on our first date when Brett was 3 weeks old...we took him to the Bruschkes and went for a quick dinner (funny enough, Brian Bruschke was fortunate enough to be holding Brett during his first, and only, leaking dirty diaper!) Don't get me wrong, you will be excited to go pick up your little one when you are done, but you will have the rest of the day (and a lot of the night at first) to snuggle and play with him! Don't lose Kate and Dan time.

There will be some stressful times, but I seriously have laughed every day at something my kids have done...even when they were a day old and I was watching them pull their newborn faces. Enjoy each phase, because they all pass so quickly!

Congrats again!

Courtni

Wendy's Gift

I'm glad to be able to participate in this fun way to have a shower for you! What a great idea for those of us who still have fond memories of you and your husband, but can't be there "live." I'd give you some advice, but I'm not sure it would have much credibility! My best to you in this new chapter of your lives.

Susann's Gift

I'm glad that I got to see you, in person, at your other baby shower. It was good to see everyone else who came. I hope your little boy enjoys these books. I'll see you next time! --Susann Jarvis

Change of date....

Hopefully you all received an email letting you know that we are requesting a date change for sending gifts due to Kate and Dan's move! Please send your gifts sometime between the 14th and 20th! The email should have contained Kate's new address, which we won't post here for privacy reasons! Contact Trish Alderman, Megan Bruschke, or Kate if you did not get that email and need her address! Thanks to all for participating - this is going to be fun!