I LOVE YOU!!!!

Riley and Payton are so in love and they love cuddling! Almost every morning (and then throughout the rest of the day) Riley asks to hold Payton and/or snuggle with her. Riley is just too cute in her big sister role and Payton enjoys being the little sister too....she usually responds by staring into her sister's eyes. In the truck when it is just the two of them in the back, I often look in the mirror and see them staring at each other. Sometimes Riley holds her hand or lays her head in her seat. And the other day she was singing the songs from her movie to her. It is just so darn cute to see them interact and show their love. Riley is a great big sister and helper. In fact, I miss when she is not in the back because she is so good at comforting Payton and giving her her pacifier. Here are a few of them together.
I am enjoying every moment that I am home with my girls! Sadly my maternity leave comes to an end next week and it is back to work on Friday:( Guess I knew it would come to an end but it has just gone so fast! Maybe I should start playing the lottery....

Cookies, Popcorn, and Lavalicious Fudge Cakes!

It is fall and that means fundraising time at school! Riley is selling cookies, popcorn, and lavalicious fudge cakes if you are interested. I am going to attempt to attach the information and if you have any questions, let me know. All of the items are $11 and she has to turn in the order and $$ on 10/7. I am picking up the items on 10/30 and then we can make arrangements to deliver. No pressure...just thought I would see if any of our blog viewers were interested:)

Happy 2 months!

Yesterday Payton celebrated 2 months since her birth! She has been up to a lot in the past 2 months. She can now smile, is cooing and finding her voice, and loves to pump her legs. OH and did I mention, growing like a little weed?! She has put on almost 6 pounds since she was born!! She continues to be a great eater, as you can tell, and is a great sleeper too. We have begun putting her in her bed at night and she is doing fabulous. (I think this was only a difficult transition for mommy and maybe daddy too) She has a long stretch of 6-8 hours in between feedings at night too, so this is good for mommy. Even though the time begins at 7 or 8.

She had her 2 month appointment today and the doctor is super pleased with how well she is doing. She smiled and cooed for the doctor. Payton also showed off how strong her neck is and really moved her legs like she wanted to go somewhere when she put her on her tummy. The only downside was that doctor still has no advice for me about her spitting up (and occasional returning of whole meals on me). She thinks it is just that her tummy is still adjusting and the valve at the top needs to get stronger. Hopefully by 6 months it will be much better and after the next appointment we will get to add in solids and she said that will help too. Payton got 3 shots and an oral vaccine too. I was able to hold her during the shots and she really only cried when she got stuck. She was a super patient today!!

Here is how she stacks on top of, oh wait, I mean up to other babies:
13 pounds 3 ounces (96th %tile) WOW is right...you can all say that again!
22 1/2 inches (56th %tile)
And her head is almost 16 inches around (88th %tile)

I now realize that I was not imagining that she was growing out of her 0-3 month clothes (and current seize diapers..)and I am all set to go with the next size:)
Double biceps pose for daddy!
Look at those chubby thighs:)
Here are my growing feet....

Fall Fun

Today Grammy and Papa had planned on taking Riley to go apple picking and then making a pie for us to enjoy. The trip started out as planned, but then when they got to the place, they realized the day would not go as they hoped. The orchard was picked clean of all the good apples:( Thankfully they all rolled with the punches and changed their plans. Instead of the original plan, they went apple picking at Jewel and had some lunch. Then it was back to our house for apple sampling and pie baking. Riley did a great job working Grammy's apple corer, peeler, and slicer and helping with all the other baking duties. She even washed the dishes:) After dinner, I made some (sort of) homemade spaghetti sauce, we all enjoyed the fabulous pie. It is really starting to feel like fall. (Even if the weather is changing its mind yet again.) And sorry there are no pictures. Papa had planned on taking some during the apple picking, but people would have probably thought it weird if he were snapping away at Jewel....

Just for Fun

Here are a few pictures I took of Payton yesterday and 2 of the girls from this morning. Payton is 8 weeks today already! 2 month check up in 1 week. I need to get a few more of them together but Payton spit up on Riley during our attempts and then she was done:)

And our little girl is growing so fast....those outfits are both 3-6 months! Although she still fits in most of her 0-3 month clothes too, but not for long I bet....

Payton...7 weeks

Happy...belated...Birthday!

Shannon and Mike were having a fabulous new pool installed in their backyard this summer. Shannon and I attempted to plan a pool party for Eli and Riley throughout the whole summer...the date just kept having to be changed. Who knew this summer would be so rainy and their pool would take so long to get done.... (I think Shannon and Mike learned that these projects are much more challenging than expected....!) Well this weekend we were finally able to have the party:) The kids had a blast swimming and the adults had fun hanging out (and some swimming too). It turned out to be a beautiful day to celebrate with family. I was not able to take many photos, but here are a few of the adorable Toy Story cake that Shannon got them. I think Riley is going to expect 2 birthday celebrations again next year....And a huge thanks to Shannon and Mike for hosting such a great party!!!!

New things....

Beginning last week, Payton started trying to smile. I was able to snap just a few attempts as she was trying....so hard to get her to smile and get the picture:) This week she continues, although I have not gotten any more pictures.



Here are also a few of her playing on the floor with Riley. She continues to grow like a little weed and we cannot wait to see how much she has grown when she goes for her 2 month check up on the 20th. Her smiles are getting better, she is getting really strong at holding her head up, starting to make cute noises and coos, and she is awake a lot more. She continues to adore her big sister and Riley adores her right back. Riley is now back in preschool and she is going every morning. Payton and I get to enjoy just a little quiet time in the morning and then we are off after lunch to pick up Riley. It is a busy morning for me....no more sleeping in and being lazy....but I am enjoying it. My maternity leave is just flying by:(

Green Thumb

In the spring, Riley brought home a tiny little sunflower in a styrofoam cup. The seed was just beginning to sprout. We put it on the windowsill and watered it until it outgrew its cup. At this point we planted it in the corner of the backyard and waited to see what would happen. Little did we know that it would take off or become as large as it did! Our fence is 5 feet and it is easily a foot to 2 feet taller. Riley was so excited at her little sunflower. We think next year we will try some of our own....starting them out in a little cup of course:)