June

This is what two months old looks like.  Now to start getting more of that shut-eye in the middle of the night, not during the day! Maggie at two months is becoming a lot more fun.  She's smiling at us and getting generally happy!

 

Happy Father's Day Gavin!  You're a terrific dad of girls - and they all adore you.

 Not a bad Father's Day meal, even if you did cook it yourself.  :)  I guess if you want something done right...

Payne Reunion 2012

Don't be too surprised, but I'm going to try to resurrect this poor, sad, out-dated blog!  So, while I'm reading the rest of your lovely blog posts about Valentines day, I'm heading way back to June to catch up!

We got to play host to the Payne Family Reunion in June.  With our Maggie being only two months old, it was nice of them to come to us, so we didn't have to travel.  We had a great time cramming the house with family.  There was lots of great conversation, hiking, shopping, an Amazing Race for the kids, a Rockies game, Chinese at Heaven Dragon, and probably even more awesomeness I can't remember because that time is generally a blur in my new baby memory. 

Gavin the Gastronaut sous-vided some steaks and grilled others for comparison.

The cousins together at Lily Lake. 

No family visit is complete without Crispy Prawns at Heaven Dragon.  We missed you Ryan and Sara, next year... your place!

So Very Blessed

We were so lucky to have a bunch of family here in June for Maggie's blessing.  Gavin must have planned ahead, because his "ninja hold," you know, the one that always calms the baby down, is just like the way you hold a baby to be blessed.  So, for the first time for us, our little one didn't wail through her blessing!  As a result, I think she got more blessings than the others.  :)

 

We sure do love our baby girl.  She keeps getting cuter and cuter.  It might have something to do with smiling and sleeping through the night.  Just maybe. 

Look-A-Likes

Lots of people like to point out the similarities between our three girls.  I agree, it's fun to see what our family cookie-cutter has turned out. :)

I found a picture of each of them wearing the same cute outfit when they were about 1-2 months old, so you can see for yourself how much they look alike. 

First Month with Maggie

It's been busy since our 3rd little girl joined the family.  With the fact that I can't Photoshop one- handed and Maggie's high-maintenance personality... it's taking some extra time to catch up on our blog!  Here is a sampling of Maggie's first month.

Brand new

Look at all that hair!

1st photoshoot - 4 days old

With Grandma Payne, who was a huge help!

In the swing, weighed down with soup cans 

Loved by the sisters

learning to love the bath

In addition to looking cute, Maggie gained 2lbs, grew .5", and cried through most every night this month.  Good thing you are so adorable!

And Baby Makes Three

We are happy to announce the addition of our third little girl to the Payne family this weekend!  She's a doll; is adored by her sisters; and is healthy and perfect.  What more could we ask for?  Well... sleep will be on the list pretty soon, but besides that we're all feeling so blessed. 

Eleanor is Half-Way There

We celebrated Eleanor's 9th Birthday this week!  Gavin's been pointing out that this is half-time and we only have another 9 years with her at home.  I don't like it when he says that...The first nine have flown by.  We couldn't have been more blessed with an oldest child than our Eleanor.  I'd say some of her greatest talents are being helpful, empathetic, and super smart!

You can't help but have a good day when it starts with donuts and sprinkles!

 We're excited to see how many books Eleanor can read on her Kindle.  She's saved every single Friend magazine she's gotten since she turned 3.  Now, they can all be in her hand at once!

Bless her heart - she picked ice cream cones for her treat.  I can handle that this week!

Happy 9th Birthday Eleanor!  You're becoming a more beautiful young lady with each passing day. We love you!