Raylin's 1st Brithday Party 5/15/09

My original plan was to just have family over for cake and ice cream because I knew that I would go overboard if I tried to do dinner. Well, I wanted my niece and nephew to be able to come, so I decided we would have a BBQ and I would try to keep it simple. We did have a BBQ, but Kandy and Kendall couldn't come and I didn't keep it simple. Oh well, we had fun anyway.


Here is the before picture of Raylin's very own birthday cake.


Here is the cake for everyone else. The cake I did keep simple. We also had homemade ice cream, which turned out delicious.


Raylin got to eat dinner with everyone in our squishy living room. We had 14 adults around two tables. Great Grandma Crosby, Grandpa Bill, Grandma Diane, Grandma Marilyn, Grandpa Richard, Uncle David, Aunt Mandy, Uncle Robert, Aunt Holly, Aunt Jodi, Uncle Matthew, Aunt Kathryn, Daddy, and Mommy.

Here are four of her cousins. Carter, Solomon, Faith, and Gabby. They got to eat in the dining area. Lucy and Nathan came to the party too.

Singing to Raylin. I know it looks bright, but the lights were out and it was dark.

Raylin likes to share.

Yummy!!

Jonathan loves to get looking up shots. It makes her big blue eyes stand out.

Opening presents.

She knew what to do with the gift bags.

I think her favorite right away was the puffs.

Uncle David and Aunt Mandy got her cute clips, one of which she wore the whole night.

We were sad Jonathan's family from Eagar was not able to make it, but they sent this pink hooded towel in the mail. Her other gifts include Straw Cup and Colorful Bouncy Ball; Bracelet and Pink Hat; Sit-to Stand Dancing Tower; Clips; Ladybug Toy and Puffs; Pink Towel, 4 Pool Toys, Swimming Duck Toy, Swim Diapers, and Baby Pool.

I had to get a picture of the after cake. She would have kept going, but I didn't want her to get sick.

Here is a short clip of her devouring her cake. I think the frosting was her favorite part.

12 Months Old 5/15/09

We set an early appointment on Raylin's birthday so that we wouldn't have to wait for a long time. Her 9 month appointment was ridiculous. We were hoping she would weigh at least 20 pounds so that she could start facing forward, but she didn't even come close. Here are her 12 month stats...

Height - 29.75in - 75th percentile
Weight - 18lbs 10oz. - 15th percentile
Head - 17.5in - 35th percentile

Raylin is now drinking whole milk. I have been waiting for 12 months for this day and now that it is here I am sad that I am not nursing anymore. She was much healthier that way. It is nice being able to be away from her whenever I need to since others can feed her now. We thought she was going to start walking months ago. She has been walking around furniture since she was about 7.5 months old. She finally got a little more daring on Tuesday May 5th and took her first real steps all alone. She is still pretty wobbly and I know she will be running around in no time. Raylin continues to be a great sleeper. We put her to bed around 7:30 PM and she sleeps until about 8 AM. She also takes 2 naps that are about 1.5 to 2.5 hours long. I think she is trying to get rid of one of her naps, but I don't know if I am ready yet. We love watching our baby grow up and learn lots of new things.

Happy Anniversary!! 5/17/09

2 Years!! I know that is not very long, but we were excited to celebrate anyway. Since today is Sunday we decided to celebrate yesterday. We started by dropping Raylin off at my mom's then off to breakfast. It was more like lunch by the time we got there. Then we both went and got pedicures. A little shopping and then a movie. We then went to Texas Roadhouse because that is one of our favorite places to eat. Then more shopping. I missed Raylin, but it helped knowing that she was being well taken care of. Thanks Mom, Grandma Crosby, Kathryn and Matthew for playing with Raylin all day so Jonathan and I could spend some time together.


We have done a lot of fun things together this past year and I look forward to all the adventures this next year will bring. Thanks Sweetie for all that you do for me. I love you so much!!

My Baby is 1!! 5/15/09

I am not going to bore you with how the year has gone by so fast, so here are some random pictures of my baby girl in her first year.

Raylin is so fun to watch as she learns new things and explores the world around her. I am so grateful to have the privilege of being her mother. I am so excited for the years to come. Happy Birthday Raylin!!

My First Mother's Day 5/10/09

I had a great Mother's Day. Jonathan made me breakfast burritos and orange julius and so I had breakfast in bed. He also changed all of Raylin's diapers, including the stinky ones. Church was great too. It was fun watching my sunbeams make gifts for their moms, even though they wanted it all to themselves. They made Fruit Loop necklaces and cards with a treat. My mom and Richard came over for dinner. Richard was nice enough to make dinner for the five of us. Yes, Raylin loves chicken, potatoes, and green beans too. Then, we surprised my mom and my three brothers came over with their families for dessert. We are going to need to get a bigger home to fit all of our family. Sorry it was so squishy.

We want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to Mom Crosby, Grandma Marilyn, and Grandma Diane Thank you for all that you do. We love you!!


This is all of the cousins minus Nathan. Grandma was feeding him.


Raylin, Grandpa Richard, Grandma Marilyn, and Nathan enjoying the party.


About a month ago Jonathan told me that he bought me a present for Mother's Day. He knows how much I don't like knowing that I have a gift, but not knowing what it is. I am the type of person who opens all of their Christmas presents before Christmas. Silly I know. I decided this time I wasn't going to try to figure out what it was. Apparently it was hidden at his brother's house, so when he picked it up yesterday and brought it home, I accidentally saw part of it. I only saw part of the frame, so I didn't actually see what the picture was. I felt so bad. I tried. He decided to give it to me last night, but I was super excited to get a picture of the Mesa Temple. It takes up most of our wall, but I love it. Thanks Sweetie for all that you do for Raylin and me. I love you so much!!