A Name and a Blessing

On the last Sunday in July, the 29th, we finally blessed Rhett in church. We had so many schedule conflicts this summer so that was one of the few Sundays we had available to bless him. So many friends and family came, and I was so appreciative of my parents for hosting a big dinner for everyone at their house afterwards.

I will never forget Clarence's blessing to him, and my mom also wrote it down so we can put it in his scrapbook. Some of my favorite parts of his blessing were that Rhett would be a leader and a good example to his siblings as the older brother, that Rhett would always serve the Lord and others, and that Rhett will be forgiving, patient, and compassionate. It was a very special day and I felt so much love.

I am so grateful for my little family and that we are sealed together forever.

Adventure Rhett

His serious face. Makes me wonder what he's always so deep in thought about.

I can't believe it's September. Even though every summer goes by so fast, for some reason I'm still surprised how fast it really goes every year. Rhett will be four months next week. He is growing way too fast for my liking. It seems that almost every other day I am going through his clothes, packing up things that no longer fit and moving the bigger sizes to his dresser.

 Of course the fact that my baby boy is getting bigger makes me sad, how could it not? Each moment with him is so precious because I know that I will never have that exact moment back with him. But I am also so excited for each new stage that he enters into. He is so strong and loves to stand up and sit up, with our help still, of course. He also talks like crazy and is still a smiley happy baby. 

This summer has been so busy and I feel like we've actually gone on quite a few trips, considering that we have a new baby and I wasn't expecting to do much at all. We also take Rhett places a lot, such as on a walk at the park, or just out and about. We call him Adventure Rhett, since he goes on so many adventures!

June 30, 2012

July 4, 2012 - In Sun Valley, ID, crashed out with dad

Rhett LOVES his baths. He is such a little trout and loves to splash and kick.

Asleep on Aunt Rach, his hand in his favorite spot...

Rach is so good at getting him to sleep.

The many faces of Rhett...he has so many expressions.

At Flathead Lake in Montana. August, 2012.

There were a few days when he suddenly discovered his tongue could stick out!

Looking skeptically at Rach while she took him on a walk so Clarence and I could go to the gym together.

Rhett Harley

I love this little onesie we bought for Rhett. I love even more that his middle name is Harley. This kid is too cute.

Rainy day thoughts for someone I love

 

 

"I have always, essentially, been waiting. Waiting to become something else, waiting to be that person I always thought I was on the verge of becoming, waiting for that life I thought I would have. In my head, I was always one step away. In high school, I was biding my time until I could become the college version of myself, the one my mind could see so clearly. In college, the post-college “adult” person was always looming in front of me, smarter, stronger, more organized. Then the married person, then the person I’d become when we have kids. For twenty years, literally, I have waited to become the thin version of myself, because that’s when life will really begin. And through all that waiting, here I am. My life is passing, day by day, and I am waiting for it to start. I am waiting for that time, that person, that event when my life will finally begin."

 

-Shauna Niequist

 

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." 

-Douglas Adams

Sun Valley

Over the fourth of July weekend, my parents were generous enough to take us on a trip to Sun Valley, ID. We stayed in an awesome cabin surrounded by hills and trees and best of all, a deep quiet. My dad lived here for only a few short years when he was a young teenager, but it made a lasting impression on him, so it was fun to go back together as a family and to have him tell us about some of his memories there. Some of my favorite activities included eating at Rico's,--seriously an amazing restaurant, must try the meatballs and alfredo sauce!--driving over the mountains to Red Fish Lake, and walking on the many paths surrounding our cabin. Oh and I can't forget the Kneadery! We went there for breakfast twice, it was that good.

Rachel being all cute-like, as usual.

The Kneadery

Ketchum is such a cool little mountain town. My breath was literally taken away when we first drove in. You feel completely surrounded by mountains and pine trees, tucked away in this small resort town. While I was nervous to take Rhett on his first road trip, he did great and I was so happy to have many willing hands to hold him and rock him to sleep, especially while we were at restaurants or out and about.
 

A wall on the visitor's center--very cool.

I am so lucky to have my family. My parents are already the greatest grandparents (even if they are a bit crazed, dare I say, obsessed? over him). And of course Rach is the ultimate sister so naturally she makes the ultimate aunt. This trip was very much needed and it made Rhett's first fourth of July memorable in so many ways.

Walking around Red Fish Lake.

Wearing the hat grandma so thoughtfully got him.

Red Fish Lake

Asleep in Grandma's arms. Adventure Rhett is wiped out.

With his dad after fly fishing.

This summer is going by way too fast.

Two Months

Today my baby Rhett had his two month appointment with the pediatrician. The past two months have had more ups and downs than I can count. From the moment my water broke at the doctor's office and I went into labor until now, I can honestly say I've never felt more happiness and also more anxiety in my life. I never thought that first week of his life when he had to be in the NICU instead of coming home with us would end, but somehow it did, and not a day goes by that I am not grateful to have my baby in my arms.

Rhett in the isolette in the NICU. We could only take him out two times a day to hold him.

Rhett with his Grandma Spohn. She was in love from the get go. The circle on the side of his head is from all of the monitors he had. The worst was all of the IVs he had, especially the one they put in his head. Traumatizing.

Rhett, fresh from a bath! I love parting his hair. Such a gentleman.

 No words can express how blessed I am to be a mom. I can't help but feel proud of the fact that I am the only person in the world who can calm him down at times, or who can give him what he loves the most--milk, of course! He is such a sweet baby and many people have commented at times on his sweet spirit and gentleness. I love everything about him, from his grouchy frog face he makes to his right ear that slightly pokes out more than the left.

Grumpy frog face. Or as Aunt Raytch says, his "I'm underwhelmed" face.

Pretty much sums it up. Dried milk around his mouth, in a drunken stupor, right ear poking out.

Only 2 weeks old.

Serious after church with Grandpa Spohn.

He loves his daddy.

First time as a family to church. We went to hear my dad speak in Sacrament meeting over Memorial Day weekend. I love this outfit that Caiti sent to us in the mail.

 He is growing so fast. I didn't think I would love this newborn stage as much as I do, and I am sad to see it go so quickly. But I am also so excited to see him grow. He is 25 inches long and 11.5 pounds--in the 90th percentile for height! He has also started smiling like crazy the past few weeks and knows just the right gooing sounds to make to get me to pick him up and give him a million kisses. Nothing can compare to waking up every morning to a big grin from him.

I am in love with this little guy.