Blessing day

We have had an awesome week with the finalization of the adoption, sealing Payton to us in the temple and today Geoff gave Payton a name and a blessing. It was very special and some powerful things were said. Payton is one special little boy. We feel so blessed that both sets of grandparents were there to share this special day with us.

Forever Ours

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that families are forever. When we are married in the temple, it is not just until death do us part.We believe that through the proper priesthood authority,our families can be sealed for time and all eternity, not just for here on earth. The finalization of the adoption was not only anticipated to have it all done and over with, but it was to take our sweet little Payton to the temple and have him sealed to our family forever.

Words can not quite describe the joy we felt that day. When I woke up that morning, it almost felt like my wedding day all over again. The excitement we both felt was surreal. Payton woke up at about 7 that morning, I went and grabbed him and brought him in bed with us. We all just laid there together and I was overcome at what was going to happen in just a few short hours. It was as if he knew what was going to happen too. He had one of the happiest mornings I can ever remember him having. I like to think he knew that day was extra special too.

We were scheduled to be sealed at noon that day but we were asked to be there an hour before. As soon as we walked in the temple doors, we were greeted by about 8 temple workers. They were all waiting to meet little Payton and knew who we all were immediately. Payton greeted them with his adorable smile and seemed almost excited to be there. While we were changing, the sweet ladies at the temple cared for Payton for about an hour and let Geoff and I spend some time together alone. It brought back memories of my wedding day when we were able to do the same exact thing before we we were married. As I sat there I remember something said to us that day that really had a profound effect on me... We were told that we were not just getting married that day, but we literally were creating an eternal family. And here we were, almost five years later, sealing the most beautiful baby boy to us where that promise was being fulfilled.

When it was time to be sealed and they brought our sweet little Payton in, all dressed in white, I lost it. I had tears streaming down my face, as did Geoff, at this miracle baby who we waited for, for so long. He entered the room, all wide eyed and smiling and immediately searched the room to see where we were. As soon as he found us and our eyes met his, he smiled. It melted my heart. Throughout the sealing, it was confirmed to me that this is how it was all meant to turn out. This little boy was supposed to be ours forever. He has brought us so much joy and he is so very very special. The sealing was so incredibly beautiful and the most spiritual experience we have ever had. I may not get to experience childbirth, but I like to think this was just as special as that.



As we were leaving the temple, a little old lady pulled me aside and with tears streaming down her face, she told me she knew just how special Payton was. She went on and said that the few minutes she spent with Payton in the nursery, were the closest she had ever felt to God. I have always known that Payton is so very special.... but for some reason, I think because of how he got to us, it makes him even more incredible. He was definitely worth the wait. I feel so honored and privileged to be his Mother.

I love this little boy more than words can say. I still look at him and get emotional thinking of all the times I had wished for him and here he is before me as perfect as can be. I will always be indebted to a loving Heavenly Father for the blessing he has been in our lives. Taking him to the temple will truly be the best day of our lives.

Letters to Payton: Month Six

Dear Payton, 


Halfy Birthday little buddy!  I cannot believe that you are six months old!  It seems like this is a huge milestone and that it is all just downhill to a year now. You have had a pretty exciting month. You've learned how to sit up (actually have been doing this since 4 1/2 months but are really good at it now) though you don't like to. I put you in the sitting up position and you stiffen up because your favorite thing to do is stand. You've started eating finger foods, mostly just baby crackers and banana chunks. You love it though and devour them and make noises for more. 

You've become a ton more playful this month.  You laugh a lot more and love to play little games with your dad and me. Especially peek-a-boo. That is your favorite and it never seems to get old with you.  You are still just such a smiley guy and melt the hearts of everyone who ever meets you. It really doesn't take much to get you to smile and I love that about you. You'll play on the floor and play with your toys for what feels like hours to me.  We also just got you a high chair and you love sitting at the table at dinner time with me and your dad.  The first time I gave you some finger foods you were pretty timid about putting them in your mouth. You looked at me like you weren't quite sure you were doing the right thing.  But once you got the hang of it, you loved it. 

You have begun to teeth this month and for the most part you have been a trooper. You have had a few rough nights but the benefits of that is I have had some amazing nights just rocking you in your quite room in the dark. You wrap your little arm around my shoulder and snuggle up to me and in those moments I just fall in love with you over and over again. You really have such a special spirit and I am so excited to see how you are developing more and more into this fiesty, flirty & funny little man. In just a couple of weeks you will be sealed to us in the temple. This is a day we have all anticipated for months and months. To say you will be ours forever is something that is priceless to me and will be the most special day of our lives.

I love you so much Payton. Never forget that.

Love,

Mom

Letters to Payton: Month Five.

Dear Payton:

Five whole months.  I can't believe it. This month has gone by so quickly that it is hard for me to feel like you're that much different than you were a month ago. Except for the fact that you are now MORE than double your birth-weight and have legs that are about as rolly-polly as them come. I love how you look in a onsie and nothing else. I could just eat you up!

You are still an awesome sleeper. You sleep through the night and take at least 2 two hour naps everyday. You know exactly when to wake up and you kick your little arms and reach your arms up and greet us with the biggest smile whenever we come to get you out of your crib. Occasionally you will just sit in your bed playing with your toes and even sometimes I have woken up to you giggling all by yourself in your bed. What is so funny? I wish you could talk and tell me.

Every morning, your Dad gets up with you to feed you and I love coming out and seeing you sitting in his lap, or right next to him. You are often just talking away. You really adore your Dad. I love just coming and sitting with you guys on the couch. These little family moments are some of my favorite.

This last month you have started solids and I have yet to find something you do NOT like. You devour everything and sometimes fuss a little when it's all gone. You also grab at EVERYTHING. I have to wear my hair back everyday or else you will manage somehow to pull a bunch of it out. Sometimes when you get lucky you grab my hair with both hands and pull my face in and suck on it.  I'd like to think you are being sweet and giving me kisses.

You had your first Christmas and got to meet your great-grandparents and your famous Uncle Brett. They all fell in love with you and you with them. You were such a good baby even though your schedule was totally messed up and you had to sleep all over the place as we went all over the city doing stuff. Such a champ!

You are truly such an incredibly happy baby. You smile SO easily which makes for some awesome photos. I was told just this morning by a good friend of mine that you are truly the cutest baby he has ever known (and he has well over 10 nieces and nephews). I would like to agree, but I may be a little bias. 

We are still head over heels in love with you. Next month we get to take you to the temple and make you ours forever. That will be the best day of our lives. I can hardly wait.

Love,

Mom

Now THIS is the life

Mmmmmm....

This little guy tried cereal this week. Yes, my blog has come to posting about my baby eating solids. I am THAT Mom. And because Mindy Thornley was wondering, his stats for 4 months are as follows:

15.8 lbs (65th percentile)
26 inches (30th percentile)

Basically he is short and chunky! Just the way I like it!

Letters to Payton; Month Four

Dear Payton:

You are now 1/3 of a year old!  You’ve made all sorts of advances this month. And I am pretty sure you got even cuter!  You sleep for 9 to 10 hours at a time which is spectacular- keep it up.  When I lay you down, you always turn over onto your left side with your legs at an angle,  You must also be practicing gymnastics while you sleep because when I come get you in the morning because quite often you are not facing the direction I left you.  You always turn a full 180 degrees during the night.  It cracks me up.

You’ve been rolling from your back to your side for a few weeks, but usually can’t get all the way over because your chubby arm gets in the way.  But the other day you suddenly rolled from your stomach to your back.  You seemed pretty surprised when it happened, but when we put you on your stomach again you did it a few more times. So exciting!

You put EVERYTHING in your mouth, and are almost constantly sucking on your hands.  Now that you're grabbing everything, I have to really watch my hair! You love to run your fingers through my hair when you are sitting on my hip which I know you're just doing it because your hand is right there, but it always seems so sweet and tender.  

You were able to meet your Grandma & Grandpa Brown this month and even though you weren't feeling your best while they were here, they fell in love with you and you them. I think you are the luckiest little boy to have the grandparents you do.

You’ve started smiling with your tongue sticking out ALL the time and I love it. So stinkin cute! You’re laughing a little more often, but they are still a special treat that we really have to work for.  But when we do get a laugh out of you it is just about the sweetest thing.  I can't wait until hearing your little laugh becomes a regular part of our life. 

You're still in love with your Baby Einstein movies and you kick your feet when they come on and have the biggest, goofy grin on your face. I love it and love those movies cause I can actually get things done when they are on!

As your personality comes out more and more it just makes me so excited to see who you're going to be when you grow up. Your Dad is convinced you will be a scientist of some sort. We will see. (:   Whenever I see things like dump trucks, trains, or dogs- things you'll find fascinating in a few short months- I just can't wait to share these things with you and see your excitement.  Even though I'm always relieved and exhausted when you finally go to sleep each night, spending my days with you is the greatest joy I have ever felt.

You have become a momma's boy quite a bit lately. Part of me dislikes it, but mostly it makes me so happy knowing you love me that much. I will cherish these days because I know before long you will be way more independent. 

We love you so much Payton. You will never know the amount of happiness you have brought into our lives. You are our little miracle and we are the luckiest people alive to have you.

Love,

Mom  

Shabby Apple Promo!

Hey Guys,

For any of you who are wanting a new holiday dress or want to give (or get) one, for the next two days you can order a dress for 15% off (because I am such an awesome customer) by following this link. I now own 15 Shabby Apple dresses, and love them all. They are beautiful. modest and make me look forward to Sundays even more! (: Enjoy!

Shabby Apple 15% off discount Link

Best sound ever.

How delicious is Payton? Yes, sometimes I really want to take a bite out of him cause he is SO stinkin' cute. But no worries, I won't. You can get CPS off the phone now and enjoy this cute little video of the sweetest sound ever.

The Exercising Mom

There are a few things I have learned the past three months being a new Mom. One, never under-estimate a baby and his power to create loads and loads of laundry. Two, be prepared to worry more about someone more than you ever could possibly imagine and love someone more than you could imagine. Finally, I have learned that no matter what, you need to take time for yourself.

This was really hard for me at first. When Payton came, I only had three weeks to mentally prepare myself to be a Mom. It was all a whirl-wind and when he finally came, I never wanted to leave his side. Even for a minute. I was afraid if I left him, I would miss out on something. His first smile, his first funny face, etc. But I noticed I was sluggish and not feeling good after only a WEEK of taking off from working out. I know that I needed to find time in my life to devote to myself and to find some "me" time.

 For me, this "me" time comes from exercise. I know I am a better wife, mother, and over-all person when I take the time to take care of my body. I work full time (nanny-ing for another adorable baby the same age as Payton) and it is VERY tricky managing my time at home between housework, cooking, grocery shopping, taking care of Payton & Geoff and also finding the time to do something for myself. 

I think it is SO easy for Moms to "let themselves go" and use the excuse of children because they become our whole world. But I promise you, you will have more energy, be more confident in your relationships and just feel better about yourself if you make the effort to exercise and eat healthy.

 I feel better losing an hour of sleep and dragging myself to the gym, than if I were to get that extra hour of sleep. I have promised myself that no matter what comes in life, I will take care of this body, with all it's many imperfections, to the best of my ability. I truly am amazed at how amazing our bodies are. Just today I ran 6 miles, and as I drove home from the gym today I was thinking how crazy it is that I can go that far and that our bodies are capable of doing such amazing things. I will never be a size 2, and that is OK by me... But I am healthy and I will be able to keep up with my children and I am  trying to do everything in my power to be sure I am around a long time to see them grow up.