1 Month

Peyton turned 1 month old on Saturday. I can't believe she is already 1 month old!

Peyton at 1 month:

*Loves baths.
*Has a clogged tear duct in her left eye.
*Is a great eater. She has never had a bottle and I don't think I will introduce one unless I absolutely have to.
*Loves to be held like you are going to burp her.
*Doesn't spit up very much unless I eat peppers or something spicy.
*Loves to poo when her diaper is off.
*Has strong neck muscles - can keep her head in line with her shoulders when we pull her up into sitting position.
*Has grown out of newborn diapers, but still wears newborn clothes (not for long).
*Would probably take a binky, but we haven't tried giving her one because we don't want her to be a binky baby. (Corbyn never took one and it was nice not to have to break him of it.)
*Makes cute little squeaking noises.

 

Keeping with tradition, I made these cupcakes to celebrate.

{They were so so so good and totally worth the extra effort. When I was buying the white cake mix for them, I saw a pink lemonade cake mix. I considered taking the easy way out and just buying that mix, but I am so glad I didn't! I had a ton of frosting left. (If you make them, you should definitely half the recipe for the frosting.) Rog needed something to take to his home teaching families, so I had him buy the pink lemonade cake mix. I made that and frosted them with my leftover frosting. There really was a night and day difference. Lesson learned - homemade really is better!}



We moved her into her nursery Saturday night. Corbyn didn't sleep well his first night in his nursery, so I was anticipating the worst, but she actually slept better in there.



We took her to church for the first time on Sunday. She did great and she looked so cute in her first dress!

 

How cute are her little socks?!



We love our little Peyton girl!

600

Yesterday Rog took the GMAT. Turns out 3rd time was the charm. His goal was to get a 600 and he got a 600! That means we can officially be done with the GMAT. I can have my husband back and Corbyn and Peyton can have their dad back!

He's worked so hard this year taking the prep class, studying practically every night, and taking many many practice tests. I am so proud of him for accomplishing his goal!

So what now? He's planning on getting a MBA/MHA dual degree from the University of Utah starting Fall of 2013. I know what you're thinking... the U? Don't you hate the U? Yes, but they don't offer that degree at BYU, so the U it is. Obviously we don't know any specifics yet. It's still over a year away and he still has to be accepted and all that. But at least now we have the GMAT out of the way and we can start figuring everything out.

But first we're going to celebrate! Here's to a fun Memorial Day weekend without having to worry about the GMAT!

Five on Friday

1. Last Saturday my sister became an Ironman. I think she's crazy, but I'm still very proud of her accomplishment. Way to go Diana! You can read more about her race here.

2. Last Sunday I dropped my phone in the toilet again. Fortunately because I have done it so many times, I knew exactly what to do and it sustained no damage whatsoever. I think it goes without saying that I am taking our "no iphones in the bathroom" rule much more seriously at least for the time being (until I slip back into my bad habits and drop it in there yet again).

3. Last night I tried cheese fondue for the first time at my dinner group and I have to say that I am a fan.

4. Corbyn has picked up some new words in the last week that make me smile - "no way" and "candy." I really don't know where he got these words as I really don't say them very often or ever. It seems like he never picks up the words I use over and over (in hopes that he will learn them), but then he'll use a word that I cannot remember ever using around him. Go figure!



5. Last night I made a late night (9:30 pm - yes that's late) trip to Walmart to pick up some diapers for Peyton. We had a full box of newborn diapers that hadn't been opened, but our little chunker has outgrown them. Yesterday when I weighed her she was 9 lbs, 11 ounces. That's 13 ounces in one week people. Someone tell her to slow down and stay my baby for a little longer!

One Lucky Mom

I am one lucky mom to get to spend my days with these two.



It's moments like these that make being a mom totally worth it.

Summer and Snow Cones

Most of my fondest summer childhood memories include 2 things - my best friend Amber and snow cones. So for me, summer is inseparably connected to snow cones. It really isn't summer until I have had one.

On Saturday after a picnic in the park, we went for our first snow cone of the summer.

We got Corbyn his very own.

The worker suggested we get him Pina Colada, so it didn't stain his shirt. He liked it, but I think he liked ours better because ours was colored.



Ah summer, I'm glad you're here!

Five on Friday

1. I'm back in my regular clothes which is awesome. But as I transitioned from maternity clothes back to my regular clothes I realized that my supply of regular clothes is dwindling. And most of what I do have is looking pretty sad. Shopping has never been my thing and I hate spending money on clothes, so I hardly ever do it. I've come to the conclusion that I need to update my wardrobe a little bit. As much as it seriously pains me, I've made a goal to buy at least one new article of clothing a month until my closet isn't so bare and pathetic.

2. After today I will have successfully made it through my first full week of being a mom to 2 kids on my own. We're starting to get in a rhythm and it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. I even made it to the grocery store on Wednesday by myself with 2 kids.



3. Yesterday we made it all the way up to Orem to weigh Peyton at the Lactation Clinic at the Orem Hospital (because I am totally paranoid when it comes to making sure my babies gain enough weight). At 2 weeks she weighed 8 lbs, 5 oz and yesterday at 3 week she weighed 8 lbs, 14 oz. That's 9 ounces in 1 week! (They are supposed to gain 4-7 ounces a week.) So I guess I can relax a little bit.

4. A few days ago Rog came up with the brilliant idea to hang a blanket over Corbyn's window to make it extra dark in his room. He had been waking up at 6:00 (or sometimes earlier) which was killing me and making him one grumpy little boy. And what do you know, it worked! Now he has been consistently waking up after 7:00 which makes all the difference in the world. He has been such a happier kid and the best part, he's been much nicer to his sister!

5. This week I've been working on Peyton's birth announcement and blessing invitation. I'm making them in Photoshop and having them printed out at Costco. That means poor Rog has had to go to Costco every day this week to pick up the latest version. Lucky for him, I ordered the final copies last night for him to pick up today.

23 Months

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of pictures this month... I've been a little preoccupied.

The Corb at 23 Months:

*Says bye bye (while waving), wa for water, wee for slide, hi, hat, boo (while playing peekaboo).

*Answers yeah to most questions we ask him. Or if he's really excited about it, he'll answer yay.

*Puts his toys/stuffed animals in his crib before nap or bedtime.

*Loves his baby (a glowworm from his Aunt Kenzie).

*Doesn't want to sit in his booster seat or wear a bib anymore. (He has taken advantage of me in my weakened state and gets away with it most of the time.)

*Seems so big now compared to his little sister.

*Makes elephant and monkey noises.

*Can open the freezer.

*Sometimes we get lucky and he'll eat what we are eating, but he mostly eats the kid classic foods now (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, Mickey Mouse chicken strips, etc).

*Likes to get stamps on his hands. This started because they do stamps after story time at the library. Now if he ever sees a stamp, he insists I stamp his hand.

*Is becoming a good big brother. He likes holding Peyton (with help), giving her kisses, and checking on her in the stroller when we go on walks.



*Likes to line things up in a row.



*Has taken a liking to Walter (the frog).

I can't believe he'll be 2 in one month!

Mother's Day

I feel like I was really spoiled this Mother's Day.

Rog and Corby made me my favorite breakfast while Peyton and I slept in (for a few minutes).

We got to talk to Elder Ririe on Google+.

I got a lot of presents (including a few not pictured).  



Rog made me Fabulous Orange Chicken for dinner (with a little supervision).



I got to enjoy this little sweetheart who made me a mom for the second time a short 2 weeks and a few days ago.



We played games and enjoyed this delicious pie (which was actually even more delicious when I had a piece a few minutes ago) with Bill and Mariah.

Yes, I was most definitely spoiled.

Newborn Photo Shoot

A week ago Jocelyn (one of my roommates from college) came to take Peyton's newborn pictures. She did such a fabulous job and it was so fun to catch up with her.

Here are just a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love our perfect little angel!

Friday Letters

Nap time with daddy.

Dear Diana,

Thanks for coming all the way from Texas to visit us. You and Blake were Peyton's first relatives who don't live in Utah to meet her! It was fun for our little boys to get to play together. 

Love,

Your sister

Dear Mom,

Thanks for everything you did to help us! We really can't thank you enough. I know it probably wasn't the most fun vacation you've ever had, but we really appreciate you helping us ease into having 2 kids!

Love,
Your daughter

Dear Dad,

Thanks for letting Mom come stay with us when it meant you had to be wifeless for 2 weeks. I know it was a sacrifice for you. Hopefully all that golf you got to play made it worth it!

Love,
Your daughter

Dear Corbyn,

Kid, you've really got to get an immune system. You'd think with all the colds you've had in your life you would have developed one by now. Thanks for playing in your crib and letting me sleep a little longer. 5:30 is a too early for any mom to have to wake up, but 5:30 is especially too early for a mom who has to get up to feed your baby sister in the night! Take a good long nap and get better soon! And do me a huge favor - don't give your cold to baby sister!

Love,
Your mom

Dear Peyton,

You are the sweetest little thing. I love the little squeaks and grunts you make. Sometimes when you fall asleep in my lap after nursing, I can't help but just sit and stare at you in amazement. I can't believe you are mine!!

Love,
Your mom

Dear Rog,

2 weeks until the GMAT. I know you're sick of studying and being spread so thin. And I have to admit, I'm a little sick of it too. But you are going to do awesome! And I'm sure one day when you're a big hospital administrator it will all be worth it!

Love,
Your wife

Big Brother Corbyn

I get asked a lot how Corbyn is handling becoming a big brother. That isn't the easiest question for me to answer because sometimes it seems like he is doing just fine and other times it seems like he's having a really difficult time. It's been kind of a roller coaster ride for him with lots of ups and downs.

When he first came to visit baby sister in the hospital, he had a few rough moments.

 

He also had this sweet moment when we let him hold baby sister. (Yes, I realize I've already posted this picture 2 times, but I really love it.)



My mom was sweet enough to watch him while we stayed in the hospital. They had fun, but I also think it was rough on Corbyn to have someone other than mom or dad come get him when he woke up in the mornings and from his naps. I think he thought we were never coming home.



But of course we did come home. And he was SO excited. We got home on Saturday (the 28th) right before his nap and let him examine baby sister for a few minutes while we read books. (Our pediatrician recommended we try to sell Corbyn on the idea that baby sister's toes are all his - rather than having him touch her face and hands - in an attempt to prevent him from giving her his many colds.) Unfortunately when he tried to put him down for his nap, he would have nothing to do with it. And then of course he was pretty awful for the rest of the day.  



I spend most of my time protecting Peyton from Corbyn. He can be very rough. He likes to snuggle up to her when she is laying on the ground by putting his head right next to hers and then trying to do a somersault onto her. (Don't know where he got that!) But he can also be very sweet - bringing her all her toys, getting me diapers for her, throwing her diapers away, etc...



And we have moments like this one where he just lies calmly next to her and tells her all about Buzz.



I think the hardest part for him is when I have to sit down and nurse her. He knows it is going to take a long time and I can't do very much for him while I'm doing it. (I'm open to any suggestions about how to entertain him during that time. I really don't want to resort to turning on a show every time I feed her.) One silly thing about nursing time - he thinks my breast pads are hats for her and will always put them on her head.

 

My mom stayed until yesterday afternoon and she was such a big help - taking him on stroller rides, keeping us fed, cleaning the house, doing the dishes, etc... He was pretty clingy to me the whole time she was here though. (I think he thought I was going to abandon him again.) So while it was hard to see her go, it was also good because maybe now he will realize that I'm not going anywhere!

Today was my first full day all by myself with 2 kids. We had Peyton's 2 week checkup at 10:45 and he was pretty awful from the time he woke up until we left for that. But when we got home he was much better for the rest of the day.

We still have a ways to go as far as adjusting goes (and that goes for me too), but we'll get there. I've been told that in a few weeks he'll forget what it was like before baby sister was here. Hopefully that is true!