JD and Addy's wedding

On July 19th, Ryan, Gracie and I attended my co-worker JD's wedding. It was so beautiful and hot that day! The wedding took place at JD's fiance's parent's house in Monroe. They have a HUGE backyard and it was perfect for an outdoor wedding.

I was excited to be able to go and see some of my co-workers (I hadn't seen most of them since I had Gracie) and to be able to have fun with Ryan and our friends without kids, even though we did take Gracie. :) Our friends Natalie and her husband Jesse were there as well as Amy and her husband Aaron. It was so nice to be able to have a drink (my first since October!!) and relax!

The beautiful bride, Adrienne and groom JD
Ryan and I

Gracie's first wedding!

Gracie was so good during the ceremony and reception. Ryan's little sister Brittany came over to our house to play with Payton. We figured Gracie wouldn't be much trouble at the wedding and it was still like being without kids since she sleeps so much still!

Natalie, Amy, Gracie and I

Aaron, JD, Ryan and Jesse

Update on Gracie

Our little babe is getting BIG! She had her one month check up last Friday and she now weighs (or last Friday she weighed) nine pounds even and is 22" long! Our little girl grew two and a half inches and gained two pounds in a month! She's in the 37% for her weight and 77% for her height. Dr. Haugen (Payton and Gracie's pediatrician) said she's tall and skinny.

Here she is showing off her strong neck.
Gracie loves to be held! I love that she loves to cuddle, but it does get hard when I need to get things done. Thankfully she's been napping when Payton naps, so I can actually do some things around the house. She still sleeps quite a bit and us girls have gotten into a bit of a routine in the morning. I'm able spend some alone time with Payton still, which we both enjoy and still have a little alone time with Gracie as well. I'm starting to think I need a clone of myself though.. :)

Gracie's two week pictures

Three weeks ago (I know, can you believe that Gracie is already five weeks old?!) we had Gracie's two week pictures taken. When we had Payton, we decided that for each of our kids we were going to have their pictures taken at two weeks so we could remember how they looked at that time. We also thought it would be nice to have their pictures on the mantel side by side to show how they might be similar or different.

Here are a few of Gracie's pictures that we decided to purchase. I had to scan them, so take into consideration if they are a bit blurry.. :)
She was starting to get a little frustrated with us moving her around all of the time.

Of course we needed a picture or two of Payton with Gracie

Our beautiful sleepy girl

And then she woke up. She wasn't mad until the VERY end. Understandable though.

We had the photographer take a picture similar to the one that we had when Payton was two weeks old. It's cool to see how much the pictures are similar, but of course with Payton (and us) now being two years older! Look at Gracie's red hair!

I decided to put Payton's picture up to show how different Gracie and her look. I can't believe our little girls are getting so big!

Birthday party at the zoo

On Sunday we went to the Woodland Park Zoo for Payton's friend Austin's second birthday party. We all had so much fun and wished we would've been able to be there longer. It was a beautiful day out and perfect for a trip to the zoo.

I tried to get a picture with all of the kids, but of course it's hard to get a bunch of (around) two year olds to get together and sit still and look at the camera all at the same time.

I told them to make a funny face and this is what I got!

From left to right: Payton, Austin, Gabriel, Caitlin, Madilyn, Ryan, and Hudson.

(Missing: Adrian, Neil, Noah, Will and Gracie)

Ryan, Payton, Gracie and I arrived a little bit before the party started so we could take advantage of seeing some of the animals. However, we only arrived a half hour before so we didn't get to see much.

Of course we had to see the Gorillas. There was a baby gorilla, but there were so many people swarmed around the window that the only picture I was able to get were of people's behinds. :) We had Payton squirm her way to the front, so fortunately she was able to see the baby, which she loved!

Here's another gorilla at a different window. Payton kept talking to her.

Austin's daddy, Shaun, works at the zoo and he and Sam (Austin's mommy) surprised everyone with a special trip into the bird cages where you get to feed the birds. All of the party-goers were the only ones who were in the cage (since by this time the zoo was closing). Payton loved being able to feed the birds.

Ryan did a really good job taking the pictures while holding Payton. I was back at the picnic area with Gracie.

They stopped to see the kangaroos on their way back from the birds.

Ryan told me that Payton loved the Emus. I'm not sure if it's because the Wiggles sing about them? Or maybe because it came right up to her..

Sam and Shaun then had a special surprise for everyone again.. Everyone got to ride on the carousel. At this point the zoo was very closed and they had the carousel all to themselves. It was such a fun time at the zoo!

Thank you Austin for inviting us to your birthday party! We had a great time!!

Beach bum.. more like pavement bum

Everyday I've been trying to get the girls out of the house in one way or another. It might be a walk to the store and around the surrounding neighborhoods, to the mall for a quick trip, run errands, to a friend's house for a playdate, to a local park or to see Stroller Stride friends after class etc.

We've been going to the Willis Tucker Water park a few times as well since it's been so nice out! Payton loves it and starts yelling "water" as soon as we turn off of Cathcart on to the road that the water park is on.

Here's Payton when we met up with our Stroller Stride friends
We met up with our friend Rachael and her kids, Taylor, Addelyn and Blake at the park on Tuesday. Unfortunately the kids were all over the place so it was tough getting a picture of them together.


Our big girl on a big kid swing.

Gracie sleeps pretty much the whole time we are out and about. I try to plan our trips around her sleepy time.

Payton's still having a difficult time with knowing her boundaries and making sure that I can see her at all times. She likes to be independent and check out things, but doesn't remember that it's important for me to see her and know where she's at. Hopefully soon she will understand. Lately we've had to leave a bit early due to her not listening or her taking off.. I'm sure it's a phase and as she gets older she'll start to understand that it's important for us to stick together. She's a very good little girl and growing up so fast. :)

Three weeks already!

It's crazy to think that three weeks ago Gracie was born.

Just born

Gracie's hair is still pretty red, which we love! She's such a beautiful little girl! One week
Gracie still sleeps quite a bit, but is starting to have more and more alert times. Thankfully they are more during the day than at night!

Two weeks

Everything is falling into place fantastically. Payton is adjusting better than Ryan and I had hoped for. She still loves to give Gracie kisses and hugs and so far hasn't acted jealous or upset that there is someone else taking up some of her attention.

Three weeks

Gracie's eyes have started to look more blue. It's still a little too early to tell what they will be permanently.. but they are no longer black.

I'm amazed at how fast time is flying! We are having so much fun with our two beautiful little girls. Ryan has gone back to work and I've been home solo with the girls. On Monday it was a bit tough, with tantrums (from Me and Payton) but thankfully everyday it has gotten much easier. I was terrified at first, but I truthfully could not imagine not having two kids now. I absolutely love it!