Happy Birthday, Kelley!

We celebrated Kelley's birthday today.  Kelley is the best sister I could have ever asked for. She is 3 years older than so it wasn't really until college that we actually began to become friends. I've always thought she was so cool-way cooler than me. She is so smart, witty, a great writer, super crafty, artistic, an awesome mom, and incredibly thoughtful.  One of Kelley's talents is that she gives really good gifts. I have always admired this about her and wish I could be more like her in this way.  She has given me so many thoughtful gifts, especially since I've had a baby. So, when she asked me to make her birthday cake, I had to say yes, especially since the last time she asked me it didn't turn out so well. See below.

What it was supposed to look like.

How it turned out. I mean seriously, what is that?

So, clearly I had to redeem myself. I think it turned out much better this time and was quite tasty.

Happy Birthday, Kelley!

Cuddle Time

Ruthie has started to put her head down on our shoulders when she is tired. She hasn't done this since she was itty bitty and it is the best. I have missed it.

This is how I found the two of them after my run one day last week. *Note: this is a completely candid shot. I know. Adorable.

Life Saver

Several weeks ago I developed an intense fear that something bad was going to happen to Ruthie while she was sleeping. So intense that I would check on her numerous times during the night, which obviously interfered with my already inconsistent sleep schedule. I couldn't get any rest. I stressed when she wouldn't go to sleep and then I would get anxious once she was finally asleep.

After 2 particularly difficult nights which resulted in me inadvertently waking Ruthie up numerous times during the night, Wade decided enough was enough! (and I agreed, but I couldn't help myself) One evening Wade surprised me with a video monitor! It was THE BEST surprise. If you had asked me what I thought about video monitors before I had a baby I would have said they were a complete waste of money, but now I will tell you it has made all the difference. Now, I still the monitor several times, but it doesn't disturb her and I am able to rest a little better if I can just glance at it and make sure she is still breathing. Wade is the best!

Happy Times

One of my favorite times of day is in the morning after Ruthie wakes up and before Wade goes to work. Here's a little picture of Wade reading to Ruthie one morning last week. There are few things that make me happier than seeing the two of them together.

Rolling Over, Almost Sitting and Hair Loss

Ruthie is coming up on 6 months in just a few short days. In the past week or so it seems that she has grown and developed substantially. Over the course of 24 hours she mastered rolling from her back to her belly (but not yet from belly to back), which has make me a bit of a nervous wreck since she won't stay on her back now while sleeping. She is also almost sitting up on her own. Just today she was able to stay up for quite a bit before toppling over (which she thinks is really fun). And sadly, she has lost most of her thick, beautiful, dark hair. No one comments on it anymore but they still think she is super cute and will usually comment on her big blue eyes (I would have never guessed I would have a blue-eyed child, but I guess it could change).

Here are some recent pictures of our precious baby:

Clockwise: Ruthie's new favorite sleeping position; just looking cute; sitting up!; she now fits in her high chair and is sampling solids.

My all-time favorite picture of Ruthie. I could stare at this picture all day long. Couldn't you?

Smith Family Reunion

A few weeks ago my entire family met at the beach for our first ever Smith Family Reunion. It was SO nice to be with the whole family, which doesn't happen too often. A week before our trip, my dad had a heart attack, which shocked and scared all of us. Luckily, after open heart surgery, he is recovering and doing well. We are so relieved he is ok.

It was a bit of a shock to realize that vacations with babies aren't really vacations anymore. But, I was glad to have several adults around that were more than happy to hold Ruthie and was especially grateful for Kelley for rocking Ruthie to sleep several times. 

I am already getting excited for when we can do it again!  And here are some pictures of the trip:

Waynesville

The weekend after my birthday we went to Waynesville to introduce Ruthie to Wade's side of the family. Ruthie made a lot of new friends that weekend.

The view from our cabin. So pretty!

Gram and Ruthie. You can see where she got her dimple chin from.

3 generations of Sutton's. We forgot to get a picture including Granny to get all 4 generations. Next time.

Papaw and Ruthie. Unfortunately Ruthie to not take to him very well. We think it might be the beard.

My 29th Birthday

I turned 29 on May 21st (I know, this is a little late). Here are some pictures of the day.

Our friends, the Militoni's, brought me this cake.

Our very kind friend, LaDonna, watched Ruthie the night before my birthday so we could go out to eat. It was SOOOO nice to go out just the 2 of us. I'm not sure I had had a relaxing meal in 4 months. It was amazing.

My hot date.

Me at 29 years old.

My sister treated me to brunch at IHOP. So yummy!

Mother's Day

Well, here we are! This is us on Mother's Day. It's still kind of strange to look at a picture of us and realize that we have a baby. Our nice neighbors took this picture of us after church. Too bad baby Ruthie was really hungry and just want to eat my hand.

It was a really nice day. Wade made me breakfast (pancakes, eggs AND bacon, mmmm). It was nice to have breakfast before church. We don't get to do that anymore because Wade has meetings at church super early and it takes me all morning just to get Ruthie and me ready.  Wade also got me cards from all of the members of our little family, including the cats, and gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure. :) More than anything I just want a really good foot rub and now I get it!

Being a mom has given me a completely new perspective on life and especially my own mom and all that she has done for me and my family. It's like everybody says, you just don't know until you have your own babies.

I absolutely love being a mom. Although some days are hard and I end up with spit up all over me and my house (there is currently dried spit up on our exercise ball, carpet and couches that I haven't gotten around to cleaning), there is nothing I would rather be doing with my time. Compared to working full-time as a dietitian, I feel like I have so much more purpose to my life.  Even though I am exhausted from constant interrupted sleep, I get so excited to wake up to see that chubby little face smiling back at me. I wonder if you feel like this with every baby you have, because if so, I want 100 little babies. 

Ruth: 3 Months

Here is Ruth at 3 months. Seeing her smile is the best thing in the world. She loves to be kissed all over-her hands, belly, cheeks, feet-and will get really excited if you talk in a high-pitched voice.  Her eyes are still very much blue and her hair is very much still there and the thing that people comment on the most--"look at that hair!" Her chubbiness is increasing by the day, which I love. In fact, we are completely in love with all of her.  To say I am obsessed with her would be an understatement (Wade is pretty much obsessed too, although he would probably not admit it :)).

I went back to work on Saturday (I'm not going back full-time just maybe one day a week to help my boss out). I never ever thought I would work at all after having a baby.  I was so nervous about it I only slept 3 hours. It all turned out just fine, though, and Ruthie and Wade enjoyed a day all to themselves.

On Sunday Ruthie was blessed by Wade at church.  We almost didn't make it because Wade's phone alarm didn't go off and Ruthie-aka my alarm-was sound asleep.  I didn't have time to fill her up 100% at home so right before it was time for the blessing she started screaming. Miraculously she calmed down during the blessing and was a complete angel. But talk about stress. I didn't even get a picture of her with her cute little dress on. Oh well! Maybe we'll all get dressed up and pretend it's still her blessing day. :)

How it All Began

I originally posted this on my personal blog last summer but wanted to include it here for historical purposes.

...

This summer marks 10 years since the first time I met Wade. I remember thinking he was really nice and really cute. He remembers thinking I looked really young. And I was. I was 18 and he was 25. Nothing happened with us happened that summer, and I went off to BYU. It wasn't until 2 years later that we met again when I came home for summer break. I was only home for 2 weeks, but I guess I caught his attention this time. Once I returned to BYU I got this e-mail, which was the beginning of many e-mails, phone calls and letters.  Enjoy.

Chrissy, Hey. How are you doing? I am sitting here with your sister talking to her and so I finally got your email address out of her. It was nice to see you and hang out with you at the baseball game. So your sister just told me a story about you. Let me apologize for asking Holly out a long time ago and not you. I hope you can forgive me. I know that humor does not come over well on email so let me tell you i was joking. You probably have already forgotten about that. How is school? I just wanted to say hello so I will talk to you later. Wade

Us, from the olden days. :)

Introduction

I've been meaning for some time to start this blog. I am going to copy my sister-in-law, Elisa, who blogs as a way of journaling for her family. At the end of each year she publishes all her posts in a book which is always really fun to go back and look through. So, here it is. The beginning of the Sutton Family history. So, just as a warning if you are reading this, I'm writing for historical purposes which means there might be extra details that no one will really care about but our family. But you are welcome to read and enjoy the adventures of our family!