The Rampton Family: 1/4 of a year

Oh, how do I catch up on the past three months???

The newborn stage is hard for me; most the time I feel like I'm drowning, especially with little Troy AND a newborn. But they've been sweet days too. They both just want me, want to be held, want to be acknowledged. So thus, nothing gets done. But I do love them near and know I'll miss this when they don't need me quite so much anymore.

Life for me mostly consists of feeding and cleaning up the feeding - which includes diapers.

I have recently stopped doing cloth diapers and stopped line-drying my clothes, so I do feel like I have a whole new life!

I haven't blogged since the birth story, so you must forgive all the pictures! I could have added 100 more.

This boy loves to sleep right next to me...Troy never did.

His smile muscles have been strong from day 1; it's so easy for him to smile.

So wittle, I'm used to having a chunky baby, like Troy. I am working my hardest to fatten him up!

This is the look Troy gives Rocky most of the time. And Rocky just watches Troy all day long.

Biggest bags under the eyes award.

His dad thinks I give him way too much sugar, his grandma says not enough.

Forever cheering on BYU,

and Troy regressed to a binki

Troy always loved baths, but Rocky hated them the first couple of weeks! At 4 weeks I had only given him 4 baths. But now he loves them. He just kick kick kicks.

Bobby made me leave the house and go to the zoo, and somehow Rocky survived.

Troys look again

Who is this little boy?

We drove(!) to CO for two weeks for Chelsea's shower. It is all kind of a blur now, but I do remember my angel mom meeting me halfway. We parked my car at a diner.

Troy had so much fun, at the zoo and the park, but mostly exploring Grandma & GP's house.

Aren't they the cutest grandparents??

Rocky liked my dad. He could make Rocky stop crying when no one else could.

When I look at this picture I am reminded how lucky I am to be these babies mama.

So proud of himself.

Troy has a little shoe feddish. He has figured out that when we put shoes on, something fun is about to happen. SO every morning he wakes up, hands me his shoes to put on, finds me shoes to wear (usually Bobby's since they are laying around) and runs to the door like "Let's go!"

Just another day!

Only a couple more weeks until I start a schedule for us.

Troy doesn't get dressed as much as he used to.

...or Rocky.

I'm getting better and better at holding two on my lap.

We also got to go to Chicago and visit Meta while Bobby attended a dermatology conference. I apparently did not take enough pictures, but we had such a fun time. And Meta is such a good ma, she taught me so many things just by being around her.

And Tutu was there at the same time! It is always the best time when Tutu is there. I love her so.

I have been counting down to nursery for about 17 months now.

Bobby has to work just about every Sunday. And not only do I watch the boys in a public place for 3 hours, they have to be silent for 3 hours, which is practically impossible and quite exhausting.

When we first moved in the ward, the nursery leaders said I could bring in Troy in the third hour so he could gradually ease into it. So I counted down until then, but then they changed their minds.

So I counted down to 18 months. Then at 18 months, they recommended that I stay in nursery with Troy because kids don't do well being dropped off. It seems silly, but I was so distraught! Church was such a stressful, tiring time for me, I just wanted to drop him off! Plus, I didn't want to take my newborn to nursery. Plus I was SO looking forward to being able to pay attention in Relief Society.

So the bishop asked how I was in the hallway, and I started crying! And told him what those mean nursery leaders told me ;) Bishop said I could just drop him off, and if Troy needed, he would go sit with him in nursery. He's so sweet.

Well, Troy did just fine with me dropping him off. He was bright-eyed every time we checked on him (which was often). I can't believe my baby is old enough for nursery. He is so brave and curious and watchful and I'm so glad he likes it.

He's been twice now and the leaders say he was great each time! Yay!

This guy seriously smiles huge every time anyone makes eye contact with him...and he makes these gasping grunting noises which may be laughing :) I'm not sure yet.

Bath time is everyone's favorite time.

Doesn't he look OLD here?!

It's getting chilly here!

We were "warned" about El Paso. But we actually really like it! I LOVE El Paso weather (so far). It is definitely fall in the air, but still pretty warm. That's my kind of weather.