As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we give our babies a blessing when they are infants. We dressed Hallie up like a little princess and Ben gave her a beautiful blessing. He blessed Hallie with health, honesty and a love for all people, among other things. We were able to invite our friends and family out in the DC area and we had a great turn out. We are so grateful to be surrounded be such good people who support us. What was really neat for me was that I got to see some of my friends from my mission who I hadn’t seen in a year and a half. It was Fabulous!! Thanks again every one for coming!

My parents splurged and bought plane tickets so that they could be there when their first grand baby was blessed and I’m so glad they did! They flew in on Friday and we blessed Hallie that Sunday. It was a quick trip but they needed to get back for my brother’s wedding. (I will post pictures of their trip later.) My mom was a huge help when it came to the luncheon that we had after the blessing. She throws such great parties!! Thanks again Mom!!

All and all it was a wonderful day. Hallie looked beautiful and Ben and I were overwhelmed at how much we love our little girl and how much the Lord loves her too. We are grateful she is our daughter and can’t imagine life without her.

Here are some pictures of Hallie in her dress.

As I have thought about 6 things people don’t know about me I realized that I’m not sure who knows me best. I think different people know different aspects of me. Heck, I don’t even know the “whole” me.

1. I am a germ freak.  Some of you may know this. However, did you know that I have a sixth sense of being able to feel the germs on my hands. It’s true I can actually feel them and until I can wash them off it’s all I can think about.

2. I hope to write and publish a book one day.

3. Since I was 14 I have wanted to be an inspirational speaker.

4. I’m OCD when it comes to washing my hands.  I soap and then rinse and then have to do it a second time- just to make sure.

5.  I am always afraid of inconveniencing people. Often I would rather suffer than ask for help. (However, I never seem to have a problem asking my parents or BF Tiffany for things.  Yet at times I’m sure they wish I did.)

6. I am very competitive.  When someone thinks of a good idea or answer I get upset that I didn’t think of it first.

There you have it. I tag Shanna, Marci, Bree, and Lindsie

Great Falls Park

Originally uploaded by Brittany and Benton Crane

This past Saturday we took our little family to see Great Falls Park. It is where the Potomac river divides Maryland and Virginia. Hallie was really good until she wanted to eat just as we were leaving. (Add nursing in the car to my list.) Everyone kept owing and awing at Hallie- asking how old she was etc. Wherever we go Hallie always introduces us to new people. Now I can see why guys use babies to pick up on women. haha

That’s right I’m coming to Utah!  My little bro is getting married October 18th (crazy I know).  I’m flying in Oct. 13th and will stay until the 28th.  I’m hoping that I get the chance to see everyone so please text me so we can arrange something.  I should be free as a bird!  I can’t wait only another month. Boy do I need this trip!!!!

This was an eventful weekend. It involved the new Pentagon Memorial, the Capital building, a ride on the Metro and Hallie’s one month birthday!

Funny story~ Hallie had to be nursed at both the Capital building and on the Metro. I guess I’m not such a private person anymore. 🙂

Here are a bunch of fun pictures of Hallie.

Here is my big one month old!!

She looked sooo cute in her little summer dress.

Dad having a little fun making Hallie look like a Nun.

Our trip to the Capitol Building. This is where all the Presidents are inaugurated.

The new Pentagon Memorial for Sept 11th.

Hallie’s first trip on the Metro.

Hallie the peanut. (swaddled ready for bed)

Sleeping to the sweet sounds of the dryer.

Bath time!! She’s such a little smurf.

Hallie’s Doctor Visit

Originally uploaded by crane.brittany

I think this may be my favorite picture of Hallie so far. I can’t get enough of her!!

I know it’s been awhile~ being a mom consumes my every moment. Here is a little clip of Hallie and Ben that we took last week.

Here is my little Hallie Marie. She was born Wednesday August 13th at 3:30am at a birthing center in Alexandria Virginia. She weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and measured in at 20.75 inches. She has a little bit of strawberry blond hair and two birth marks on the back of her head.

I started having contractions Tuesday morning but they stayed 10 minutes apart for the majority of the day. I went about doing normal things and had an average day. The midwife came to my apartment around 7 pm and checked me. I was only dilated to a two and was told to relax because it could be awhile. Ben and I popped in a movie and by the end I was curling over in pain. We ended up going into the birthing center just before 1 am. My midwife and birthing assistant met us there and my contractions were now within minutes of each other. My labor progressed very fast after that. Hallie was born only three hours later. Labor was the most painful thing I have EVER experienced but God blesses moms by erasing the most painful memories. It was only two days later that my memory of the pain was vague.

Hallie is now a week old and we can’t stare at her enough! She makes the funniest faces and does the silliest things with her hands. The only complaint I have is her sleeping habits. She seems to think day is night and night is day. She also loves to sleep right next to Ben and I. (Usually on our bellies) I have come to find out that I too have to follow her sleeping habits if I am going to stay sane. Little naps, nursing, and changing diapers has taken over my life. Yesterday was my birthday and the best birthday I have ever had. I have the best husband who is already an amazing father and a beautiful little girl who I can’t wait to see grow up.

It’s been awhile since I posted the latest about my pregnancy. I am 39 weeks pregnant and officially due next Monday, August 11th. However my little angel gets to decide when she wants her birthday to be and I’m hoping it will be sooner than later.

Something that is worth mentioning is the fact that Ben and I decided to not have Hallie born in a hospital. Anyone who has talked to me throughout my pregnancy knows this was the last thing I planned on doing. I always said I would welcome the drugs to ease the pain. However, after taking a Lamaze class and going on a hospital tour Ben and I both didn’t feel right about it. We checked into a birthing center that is covered by our insurance and amazingly they made room for me although I am so close to my due date. When I went and visited the birth center I was amazed at how welcoming the midwives and staff treated me. They spent time really talking to me and they made me feel like a million bucks. Not to mention that fact that they made my labor and delivery sound like an event that could be a good experience and was meant to be a good experience.

The birth center is just a small little building in Alexandria, Virginia that doesn’t stand out from any of the surrounding buildings. They have two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a Jacuzzi all upstairs. During labor I will have Ben, a midwife, and a birth assistant who is also called a Doula. I will also be free to move around and change positions as much as I need and I can eat. I do not have the option of an epidural which scared me at first and to be honest it still does a little bit but I have faith that I can do it and I really feel like the birth center is the best place to deliver my baby. If any complications do arise I just go to the hospital and they have a doctor that is contracted with them.

All the midwives are amazing and oh so nice. My birth assistant is also great and even made a home visit the other day to meet Ben and I. One of the “different” things that go along with the birth center delivery is the fact that I go home about 3 hours after I have the baby. CRAZY! They also make home visits to check on us 2 and 3 days after-which is nice. So there you have it- a big decision late in the game.

On to more current news- today I went to yet another checkup and found out the following.

Hallie is healthy as can be with a very strong heart rate

She is descended and in great position

My belly grew an inch and a half this last week

I didn’t gain any weight

I am dilated to a one

My insurance will pay for my Doula

I also picked up a book called Active Labor by Janet Balaskas. It talks about being proactive during labor and not just sitting around waiting for something to happen. It is all about how natural child bearing is meant to be. I’m excited to read it and hopefully it will help when the big day comes.

I can’t believe it is only a matter of days until I’m a mom! I’m not sure if one could ever properly prepare for such a life changing event. I get more excited everyday and more aware that the little wiggle worm inside me is going to be mine forever.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you & I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.
2. Next, re-post this on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually pretty funny to see the responses.

Life is great!