HaPpY #5

What a HAPPY day 5 years ago!
Our little Gavin made his entrance into this world and changed our lives forever! He is one of three of the greatest blessings of our lives. As the day came I kept thinking back to the days leading up to when he was born. What a world away that was. We were so excited for him to come and have never regretted the decision to bring him into our family. He is the best big brother and is a big time helper when we need him to be. Somedays as all moms and dads know are better than others, but Cort and I are so grateful to be given these beautiful children to care for and to make our lives better. Happy Birthday to our BiG gUy!!!!!
We love you Gavy!!!

Photo Editing

My good friend Maren took some photos of Malaya a few weeks ago. I thought I would try using this picasa program Cort's brother gave us. I really want a nice photo shop program with an even nicer camara. I guess that will happen in another life! But I was pretty proud of myself with this program, and my very limited computer ablilities!

I made her this tutu and flower. Isn't the flower awesome it is HUGE!!!!! I think it is as big as her head. We may use this for halloween if I can figure out something cute to make it into like a dragonfly or something!
This is the pride of my skills. I just may have to put this on the wall. I edited out a bumbo seat she was sitting in. She is such a goof, but this captures her personality totally!

I love love love this photo!!!! If anybody knows me well they know how much I enjoy antiques and that is exactly what this photo looks like to me. She is such a sweetie! I am so glad I got some pictures of her in her blessing dress, even if it is a few months late!!!!

She doesn't even look real!

5 MoNtHs!!

I just can't believe how fast time goes by when your not lookin!

Can you believe that in 5 small months by sweet baby girl went from this tiny fragile adorable bundle of joy to......

THIS!!!

and THIS!!!

She is the BEST baby right now! I say that because Noah was really mild at first too. Everybody who sees her can't believe how mild and good natured she is. She always has a smile on her face when she sees people. Look at those cheeks, don't you just want to kiss them!!! She even has two teeth. Which is so hard for me to believe, because my boys were between 8-9 months before they got teeth. It just makes her seem bigger than she is.

Oh how she makes us soooo happy!!!!

We love our little Malaya!

Ruby Slippers!

These shoes may be red in color, but you would think they were made of GOLD! I bought them at Old Navy on clearance for about $2.50 a couple of months ago. I love them and put them on Malaya whenever possible. I am a bit of a shoe freak and love to buy them! So when I get cute ones on sale I go a little crazy. So to fill everyone in on how crazy I really am I will tell you the tale of the ruby slippers.

About a month ago Cort and I went to Salt Lake to watch the NCAA third and fourth round games with his family, we took Malaya with us and had a great time! While there we did a lot of shopping and visiting. One of the days we went all over the place and ended up at some families house in Ogden. While there I realized one of the ruby slippers was missing off of my little Dorothy's foot. I looked all over the couch and surrrounding area for it. It was MISSING! I was frantic and could think of nothing else. Then my frustration kicked in and Cort was the brunt of my attack. Of course I could not be blamed for losing the shoe. I was not the one caring her throne around. As we were leaving I just could not let it go that HE had lost her shoe. We were just going to have to go back to Kaysville where we were before to find the shoe. While putting Dorothy in her carseat I found the shoe tucked under the seat of the car. It had been found!!! Just a little craziness!

So fast forward to yesterday and I put the ruby slippers on my Dorothy. I was in a hurry to pack my 4 kids under 5 into the car to take our little foster girl to her visit. Sucsessfully we drop her off and head to Fred Meyer to get some clothes for her. Probably not the greatest idea I have had but I thought 3 would be easier to deal with than 4. From the time I placed Dorothy in the front of the cart and the Tin man and Scarecrow in the back they were spitting on each other and play fighting at the top of there lungs. Public abuse was out of the question (though tempting) I resorted to just be as fast as possible. We got what we needed and more and headed to the customer service desk, because they are the only ones who can do the vouchers. Dorothy was now getting fussy because she was hungry and the grandpa behind us was talking to her trying to keep her happy, while the clerk bless her heart was trying to coax the Scarecrow to sit down in the cart and she would give him a sticker. I was thinking in my head" the faster you are the faster we get out of here." Now that there were 5 people behind us and it was taking longer than I thought. Finally we were done and I was at the car in record time. Kids in and threatened with there lives we headed to McDonalds for an early lunch. I got the boys lunch with NO drinks. (We do not do well with drinks in the back seat) So what was the first complaint as we leave the drive thru. "I AM THIRSTY!" How can they already be thirsty they haven't even taken a bite!!! I sent back a drink for a sip and what happens the Tin man dropped it in the Scarecrows seat. "WHAT THE H - E - DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have about a half hour until we had to pick up our foster girl and Dorothy was screaming at this point so we headed home. I make the Tin man and Scarecrow stay in there seats while I fed the baby. I know you are saying to yourself why she didn't just take them inside. It would have been more work to take them in for 5 min and then take them back out. So I fed Dorothy and proceeded to burp her, this is where she threw up all down the back of me. With no time to change I put her back in her seat. I then realize that one of the precious ruby slippers is missing. No where to be found! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do I blame myself? NO, of course not it has to be the naughty peoples fault. I couldn't focus while they were freaking out in the store! At this point I was flamin! I was late, had naughty boys, spilt pop, throw up on my back, and a missing slipper! On my way to Health and Welfare I caledl my freind to watch the kids so I could go find the ruby slipper. She said yes!!! Hurray! We got the girl and headed back for the drop off. Now I was back at Fred Meyer scowering the parking lot and store for the missing Ruby Slipper. Finally I headed to the service desk and was praying it is there. The clerk looked and didn't see anything at first then she noticed it in a small cubby. The ruby slipper had been FOUND!!!!!!!! Now you are probably saying to yourself why is she worrying about the shoe it was only $2.50? Honestly I don't know. This is where the craziness begins. I think something is messed up in me, because I was not going to lose it when it was such a good deal. They really should be made of GOLD! Just A LOT of craziness!!!

This is the darling little Dorothy later that night. How can you not love that face and mohawk!

P.S. Sorry I know this was a long and kind of sadly written post and the pictures are a bit blurry. The Tin man and Scarecrow dropped my camara and it no longer focuses in and out. But that is a story for another day!!!

Picture Day!!!

We had the kids' pictures taken on Saturday. It was kind of last minute. I needed to get them done for the boys since their b-days were awhile ago. I also was losing time to get Malaya's done before she got too big!! We tried a new place and I was pleased with the job they did!

When I went to put Gavin's picture in the frame I was looking back through the years of his photos. I can't believe what a good lookin boy he is becoming. He has always been pretty thin, but he is getting so thin in the face where most of his chub was. One of the girls in his preschool class is in love with him. Cort went to school with her mom and they were talking at church on Sunday and she told Cort that Allison doesn't stop talking about Gavin. Everything about school revolves around him. I don't think I am ready for the flocking girls!!! He is still my baby!!!!!

Noah was such a stinker when having his pictures taken! You would never know that by looking at the pictures though. He has some of the cutest pictures that were taken! He is absolutely hilarious when he isn't being naughty! Today he had a 10 minute conversation with his grandma about his imaginary dog. Yes that is right, I haven't given in to a real dog so he has resorted to having an imaginary one. He throws it toys and talks to it. My mom told him she was bit by a dog on the ankle so she is afraid of them. He told her his doula rhino (that is the dogs name)
"is nice and would not bite her on the knee!"

Then there is my pretty little girl! She is getting so big so fast!! At her 2 month appt. she was 10lbs 11oz and 22 3/4 in. She is so fun to have in our home and I have had the greatest time dressing her up! She is also such a good baby most of the time. I say that because she is screaming right now and will not give in to taking a nap. She does however sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night! Yes I am not joking one bit about that. It has been the greatest blessing I could ever ask for! She loves to be held and we all love to hold her!!

Doesn't she look like a doll? I gave this dress to my sister when she had my niece right before Cort and I got married. She gave it to me and I had to get Malaya's picture in it. It is such a pretty dress. Kiely my sister's little girl is in love with Malaya and loves it when I show her stuff Malaya is wearing that was once hers.

More Photos!

I love my kids and I love love love pictures of my kids. Even when they are not the best posers. So I was a bit flustered with a certain child of mine during this photo shoot, but I was plesantly surprised how cute the photos turned out. They have all the personality that my kids do!!!

What cute little feet!
Gavin is the best big brother! He always wants to hold and take care of his sister.
Noah loves his sister very much too, just in a smothering sort of way!
What a sweet group! It only happens once in awhile that they are all sweet at once!!!
She likes to give us the One Eye. Oh but she is such a sweet girl!

One is serious, one is mischievious, one is bawling!

Now everone knows what my days are like!

Mr. GQ!

Elaine and I said we would probably see him in a magazine one day. Not that I want my child to be a male model ever!!!

I have a feeling he is always going to be this protecting of her.

Brothers and Best Buds!!!!!

Cheese!

Such a cutie, but very decieving!

This is the only way we could keep her quiet. She didn't like to be naked and photographed. I love her little duck mouth in this picture!

She is tiny and beautiful! I will miss this time in the not so distant future.

Pregnancy Photos

So I am usually a very skeptical person when it comes to pregnancy photos, especially ones of me in the end of my pregnancy or the beginning for that matter. But I have this really good friend who has wanted me to let her do them. I finally consented on the terms that none of my bare skin be shown. That is something nobody wants to see even my husband and he has to!!! I do want to thank Elaine very much for being patient with me and my kids. She did such a good job. These photos are something I will always be grateful she talked me into.

I made this quilt when I was pregnant with Noah. I could never give it away. I guess I was hanging on to the hope that I would have a little girl of my own.
This is Malaya's blessing dress. It was also my blessing dress. I made a long slip and the bonnet for her. I was surprised that I could figure out the pattern, clothing patterns are not really my cup of tea.

It has these bright little pink flowers all over it. You can definitly tell this material was made in the 80's, but I LOVE THIS DRESS!!!!!!

I love these shots more than I thought I would. Please just don't focus in on how large my expanded belly got.

Reading a children's book (only if you couldn't tell)

Way cute!! I heart my new baby!

Here is my baby just awake from his nap.He is such a cuddle bug! He loved to talk to the baby in my belly.

He is sooo cute!! What mommy wouldn't want this to love! As for the older brother, he wanted nothing to do with the camara or me.

Thanks Again Elaine!!!!!

What a busy week!

I can't believe we have had Malaya at home for a week! She has been such a good baby I can't complain at all. She already sleeps 3 and 4 hours at a time during the night. I have to say that it is GREAT being an all nursing mom! I never had the opportunity with my very stubborn little boys and I am loving it!!!

This is Malaya in the hospital before we left. She was so tiny she was drowning in this outfit. I actually bought her another outfit to bring her home in and the pants were as long as she was. It was a good thing I packed something else.

The carseat as we are leaving the hospital. I love little babies snug in their carseats. I have to say I am pretty pleased with myself. I made the floral head pad in her car seat. I had to just look at one I bought and go from there. It turned out pretty good if I do say so. I also made a matching hooter hider and wipe case.
My little sister Halli is absolutely in love with Malaya. If I go to my parents I have to wait until she gets home from school so that she can see her. The day I brought her home she asked if she could bring her to school for show and tell. The next day she had already asked her teacher. We will be going to school at the end of the month. She is estatic!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!! Of course we had to make sure that she had an outfit for the Fiesta Bowl. What a cute group of fans!!!

I think she really was the smallest fan this year. She was drowning in her pants if you couldn't tell. Oh but she is so stinkin cute!!!!

Gavin is the best big brother! He told me he has now learned how to hold her like a big kid. That means he thinks he can stand up and hold her with her head on his shoulder. He is pretty sweet though. He likes to cover her up with his Dee Dee. I don't think he ever offered the Dee Dee to Noah so it is a pretty big step for him

What a cute smile! Even if it is just gas!!! I always tell Cort when our kids smile like this in their sleep, that they are talking to his mom. I know she took care of her before she came, and knew how much I wanted to have a little girl. Even though I never knew her personally.

Just a nice relaxin night with the family!

What a good lookin group!!! I am so lucky to have the family that I have. I have three beautiful children and the best spouse ever. I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I am thankful everyday especially this last week for the opportunity that the Lord has given Cort and I to bring these children into this world and to raise them.

It has been a wonderful week and we are so grateful to have Malaya in our home. She has been so good. It is very interesting how after you have each kid that you can't imagine your life without them. We love her and when I say that I mean some people in our family just can't get enough!

Happy New Year!!!

We had the best new year this year!!!

On January 1, 2010 we got to welcome our very precious little girl into the world!

She came at 12:18pm after about 24hours of just waiting.

Malaya June Peterson

6lbs 12 ozs

19in

The very proud papa. Can't believe this is #3!!
A very tired Mama! As you can see by my lovelyness(if that is even a word) it ended up being a longer birth than I planned.Our little girl! I can't believe she is here. She is such a little tiny thing.

Anybody with kids can tell you that it is a little crazy to have your older kids come and visit, especially if you have a Noah. He has been so excited for her to come I don't think she will ever be left alone. Sometimes he can be scary so I have to be very watchful over them when they are in the same room.

Here is the biggest brother. He is such a sweetheart. Gavin has always been nervous about me when I am in the hospital. At least this time he would talk to me and even sit on the bed with me . Since we have been home he has really taken on the role of protector. Cort and I have been amazed at how much he seems to have grown up since we brought her home.

Here is the prettiest girl I have ever seen!!! (YES I am very biased). And she isn't spoiled or anything!! We are so excited for her to be here if you haven't heard. Thank you to all of our family and friends who have helped us out with the boys during the craziness of the last few weeks.