Peyton's Blessing

Last weekend was all about Peyton's blessing.

I made the invitation in Photoshop.



My parents and Roger's grandparents came from St. George and Roger's parents came from Colorado.

On Saturday Roger's parents met Peyton for the first time. She is their first granddaughter, so I think they were a little excited!



My mom and I cooked all afternoon and evening for the brunch after the blessing. We made Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Cinnamon Muffins, Peach Muffins, Zucchini Cheese Quiche, Spinach Artichoke and Bacon Quiche (from the Our Best Bites 2012 Calendar), and Lime Fruit Dip.

Rog and I were up late cleaning and putting the finishing touches on everything. I was making her bow at 11:00 pm!

We blessed her in our ward along with 4 other babies.

Those in the circle were Peyton's:

Great Grandpa Phillips
Grandpa Phillips
Grandpa Ririe
Mom's Uncle Kevin Ririe
Mom's Cousin Brady Ririe
Uncle Anthony Gonzalez
Uncle Bill Petrosino

Roger gave her a beautiful blessing. He blessed her with a love of the Savior, a life of happiness and joy, health, and to keep her eye on the temple. He told her that she is loved greatly and that her Heavenly Father has wonderful things in store for her here.

Now for the pictures of our little princess.









It was a beautiful day!

Friday Letters

Dear Provo,

Obviously it has been too long since I lived in your beautiful city. Last night I ended up taking the most roundabout way from Roger's softball game to the temple. I've driven those streets countless times, but I honestly could not remember the most efficient route. Thanks for being close and letting me visit on occasion.

Love,

A BYU grad who doesn't want to move on

Dear husband,

Thanks for the fun date the other night. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was probably my favorite date we've had this year. The shakes at Sonic where good (and the perfect price - half off), but the best part was watching our wedding video with you when we got home. I love you!

Love,

Your wife

Dear Corbyn,

I don't think you understand the concept of being quiet while baby sister sleeps. Today I put her down for a nap in her crib. When I told you to be quiet because baby sister was sleeping, you ran into her room and slammed the the door against the wall. She'll either learn to be able to sleep through anything or never sleep at all. But aside from that, you are becoming a very good big brother. You love to help me give her baths and I don't have to watch you quite as carefully when you are around her anymore. She's lucky to have you as a big brother and I'm lucky to have you as my little boy. I love you!

Love,

Your mom

Dear Peyton,

I feel like I've been a neglectful mother these past 5 weeks. Yes, I fed you, changed your diapers, rocked you, and kept you clothed. But I didn't keep a bow on that cute little head of yours and for that I am sorry. You are practically bald and I didn't have much success with the corn syrup. But don't worry, yesterday I bought you a headband that I can clip your bows to. That's how much I love you my baby girl!

Love,

Your mom

Busy!

Our Memorial Day weekend was in one word - busy! On Saturday we started the day with a ward breakfast/service project and we did not stop going the rest of the day! Errands, work on our cars, celebrating PJ's 1 month birthday, dinner with my parents at Pizza Pie Cafe, and a highly competitive game of Chicken Foot.

Memorial Day started out with our annual Ririe Pancake Breakfast up Mill Creek Canyon.



Peyton spent the breakfast bundled up in her stroller. A spring baby = no warm hats, so we had to improvise a little.



Corbyn loved exploring the great outdoors with his dad.



After the breakfast we went to visit my Grandpa Ford's grave. Corbyn stole a pinwheel off a grave. We didn't know where he stole it from, so we couldn't exactly return it and we figured he was enjoying it more than the owner was anyway...



We visited my Grandma Ford and stopped to do some errands at the University Mall on our way back. (Rog and I followed through with our goal to update our wardrobes - We both got new shirts at Aeropostale!)

Then we stopped at the Provo Cemetery to visit my Grandma Joan's grave. Peyton is named after her, so we made sure to get a picture.

It was very bright!



We ended the day with a barbecue with the Petrosinos.

And the busyness didn't end there. This week we've had something going on every single night and this weekend we are blessing Peyton! Aiyiyi!!

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.