Saturday, January 14, 2012

Love Her

Gretchen and I were just hanging out and she started "reading" my Bible.  I used my computer to try and catch some of the cuteness . . . 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will in Christ Jesus for you."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  


Then we just started being goofy . . . she's going to be such a fun big sister!!







Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rooke Turned Four!

Someone in our house had a birthday yesterday!  Rooke turned four and we were all excited about the day.  It's truly hard to believe that I've known this little man for four years.  Where has the time gone?  His goals for this year are to learn how to read and ride his bike without training wheels.  Rooke is our thinker.  He asks lots of questions that give insight into the wheels that are constantly running in his head.  His ability to retain things is just like his dad's - amazing.  And he's pretty literal in his thinking, which I think he gets from his mom.  He's a good big brother and a great encourager.  We love our four-year-old!


Rooke got to open a present before his request of pancakes for breakfast - I love his sleepy face.

Gretchen and I joined him at preschool later in the morning.  I sang some songs with the class, Gretchen got to have lunch with the big kids, and we shared cupcakes with everyone.  

There was some miscommunication and the school wanted to use the cupcakes for snack, so we took two home and left the rest for the next day.  I offered to let Rooke eat his outside before heading home, but he wanted to wait to have a candle.  "I want a candle in all my treats today!"  Ok!


In keeping with tradition (three and two), I let Rooke help me pick out his birthday cake.  I prepared three options from pictures online that I thought I could handle.  But in between clicking through the images, he spotted a race track cake and claimed it.  I was putting the finishing touches on when he came down from his rest time . . .  

He picked out four of his favorite race cars and strategically placed each one.  It was an intense moment for my little man.


He was happy to smile, as long as he got to be by the cake!



Next he opened one of his presents from Grammy Deb and G-Daddy - a new baseball tee with bat and ball!  Thank you! 

He went right to work practicing . . .

. . .  and we quickly moved the game outside!  I love his stance!

While we were playing outside, some friends stopped by with a present for Rooke.  So thoughtful!  Their three boys love legos and were excited to help Rooke put together his new lego man!


And after homemade pizza for dinner and yummy race track cake, Rooke opened his last present from us . . . authentic knight wear.  =)  He's been into dressing up as a knight lately and we thought that, as cute as his socks and pillow case armor is, we'd take it to the next level.  His four-year-old brains were too big for the helmet, but everything else worked out!

It was a happy day to be four!


Saturday, January 7, 2012

29 Weeks

Baby Girl is healthy and growing.  I feel a bit bad that this is my first real belly shot.  I'll do better once she doesn't look so much like a globe!

It was a slow week.  Ryan went back to work after having several days off for the holidays.  Rooke went back to preschool.  Gretchen and I had tea parties and spent an entire morning at the doctor's office for routine visits.  Glad to report that all three of the Payne girls are healthy!  

Rooke is hit and miss for naps these days.  Mostly miss.  He still has rest time, but yesterday was day four that he came down from his room after rest time was over and asked me to play Lincoln Logs with him.  Ryan and I found this set for five bucks at a garage sale and held onto it for Christmas.  It's been a hit.  And as much as I tire of building log cabins just so the bad guys can knock them down and narrating stories about plastic people missing the train, I am grateful for some great one-on-one imaginative play time with my son.  He's awesome.  







Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Nine Years Strong

Today marks nine years that I have had the blessing of being married to Ryan.  
He's still my favorite.  
I am more in love with him today than I was when we said "I do" 3,285 days ago.  
Happy Anniversary to my man.  I love you.


Friday, December 30, 2011

Ryan's been having fun with the Istagram app on his phone . . .





So Ryan didn't take this one, but isn't my sister beautiful?!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The 25th

The four of us spent a wonderful Christmas day together.  Stockings were fun, breakfast was yummy, church was a worshipful blessing, gifts abounded, naps were long, and Skype still baffles me.







Saturday, December 24, 2011

JOY to the WORLD . . . the LORD has come!
Merry Christmas!!


Friday, December 23, 2011

Gretchen Turns Two

Our little girl turned TWO yesterday!  We had a great time celebrating Gretchen Ruth and the absolute joy she brings to our family.  She is spunky, fun, gives great cuddles, loves babies, and thinks her brother is great.  We love her - bring on the twos!


We started with "Minnie Mouse" pancakes and her family presents - a purple car from Rooke and a booster seat that will let her sit at the big table with the family.  The high chair can take a break for about a year!


She picked out her whole outfit - accessories included.  She's been wearing the "birthday girl" shirt for several months now because I didn't hide it well enough and she likes the polka-dots on the sleeves, but I was glad she wanted to actually wear it on her big day.
"It's my birthday.  Don't mess with me."

After a morning walk to enjoy the sun, she got to open presents from KayeK and Big Daddy!

We had a long tea party with her new tea set!  Thank you!



Naps are better on birthdays. 

After Daddy came home, we opened Grammy Deb and G-Daddy's presents while talking to Grammy Deb on Skype.  She was so excited about the Elmo pajamas, she wanted to wear them right away!  Thank you!

Dinner included french fries and ketchup - her favorite.  Then it was time for cake!



It was a happy day!



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Almost Two

I simply CANNOT believe she turns TWO this week.  In some ways, she seems completely two already.  But in many other ways, I'm not ready to admit that she's growing up this fast.  I've been trying to capture some of her personality on video (with grandparents in mind).  Here are a couple snippets . . . they both happen to be just after she's woken up.  I really like my girl.