PuMpKiN PaTcH fUn

Hey everyone! So Jared and Courtney and there kids were here this weekend and I really wanted to take them all to a pumpkin patch. So Courtney found a few and we picked one out and went. It was so much fun! I think I probably had more fun than anyone though because I loved taking pics of the kiddos with the pumpkins. I am getting addicted to photography lately and I love getting good pics and editing them in cute ways. It started with scrapbooking which I got into when Peyton was in the NICU. Now its progressed. I love it and I really wish I could get a nice camera and take some classes. Anyway, I did my best. It was a really cute family run place out in the country part of Houston. Normally the place is an exotic pet farm but during the holidays they add on the pumpkin patch and stuff. It was adorable! They had normal farm animals, goats, horses, etc. and then some not so normal animals like llamas, a pot belly pig, a little tiny deer (i'm not kidding it was tiny like 10 inches and SO CUTE), and some lemur type thing, and (my favorite) a little JOEY (thats a baby kangaroo). The joey just hopped around the patch and would come right up to you and let you feed it and pet it. The kids LOVED it! So did I! I REALLY want one for myself (too bad they grow up...too bad anything grows up!). They also had face painting and pumpkin decorating as well as a scarecrow dress up area. It was really fun. I told Daniel that when we have our little house in the country out there someday I'm definately going to do a pumpkin patch. I got a million pics so I picked a few of my favorites to post on here! Hope you like them!

Park Play

Hey everyone! I know its been a while but what can I say...not much has happened. Daniel continues to enjoy his job (somewhat) and I am just hanging out enjoying the spring-ish weather here in Houston.
Daniel and I have recently taken up tennis which we are both decidedly terrible at. But its fun and we go after Peyton's in bed so its nice to get out.
We also finally took Peyton to the park to "play" for the first time ever! He really didn't know what to do on the equipment but he loved the swing and had a great time playing in the rocks. Anyway, it was probably most fun for me. I took a bunch of cute pictures!
Thats really all for now. I know. Pretty boring. I will try to do something exciting this week to tell y'all about.

Back in Houston

Hello everyone! (This post is for everyone this time). Peyton and I made it back to Houston after being in Idaho for a week and a half visiting my folks. We flew in on Friday, slept, and got back in the car on Saturday to go to SanAntonio to my nephew Jack's blessing. Then we slept at Daniel's brothers apartment and got back in the car Sunday and drove back to Houston. So now...after a VERY long weekend of traveling...we are finally home.
Now to catch you up...Cici and Poppy's (mom and dad Carter) place was so nice. I got to spend a lot more time than usual with my family and got to take Andrew to the MTC which was really sad and exciting at the same time. I hung out and went shopping with my mom and sisters and got to spend some time with one of my best friends Gari. Of course I couldn't get through the visit without everyone hitting me up for some free design consultations! I spent a lot of the time there painting walls, shopping for furniture, and hanging pictures. But it was so much fun and I love doing it. I will post some pics of a few of my "home makeover" projects when I get them. It was also really nice to be away from hurricane Ike cleanup in Houston. My inlaws didn't even get power until the day Peyton and I came home! They went for 2 weeks without it and that was definately long enough. I'm glad we skipped out of most of that hot and humid "camping" experience.
Speaking of Ike, this place still carries the battle wounds. There are still a LOT of trees down all over and lots of tarps over roofs. Its kinda crazy. I guess a lot of people were pretty unprepared which is ridiculous to me considering they had been warning us for a week before it actually hit. The coast is wiped out, houses and land is completely lost in Galveston. We got pretty lucky in our area. We had 95 mph winds but we were on higher ground and didn't get any flooding. Just makes you realize how important it is to have a plan and be prepared for anything.
Enough of that. So I decided I will NEVER travel again with a baby by myself. It was SOOO exhausting and I would rather pay someone to fly with me than do it again. Don't get me wrong, Peyton is generally a really happy easy-going kid but he is now one (adjusted age) and he will NOT sit still for longer than two seconds! Plus, he will NOT sleep in public, hes too busy looking around at everyone and everything. So there I was with my big suitcase, carseat, diaper bag, and a one year old strapped to me, running through the Denver airport trying to catch a flight that was about to leave. Then once we got on the plane, we sat for an hour before it took off due to "weather conditions". Peyton hadn't slept at all since 8 am and it was 6:30 pm. He kept climbing up me to look at the people in the seats behind us. The man next to us had a laptop out and was trying to ignore the fact that Peyton's only goal of the trip was to drool all over it. I kept wishing that the guy would just get a clue and put it away which would've made my job of keeping Peyton from annoying the other passengers significantly easier. But no. He just kept on acting like he didn't see me fighting Peyton's grimy hands away from the glowing screen. It was like a mosquito to a bug zapper. Oh and did I mention that Peyton is in to biting now? Oh yes, he finally got a top tooth in and now when I try to restrain him or take something from him he bites me. Where the heck did he learn that?!! For all the other moms out there, what is the best way to discipline your kids in public without people calling the child protective services on you? I'm serious...I'd really like to know. Or are we supposed to just hide out in a padded room with our children until they turn 10? Anyway, NEVER again.
So I guess I should do something productive now...I'll post more when I have more to post!

This ones for Tiff...

So I know a bunch of people read this but if you're not Tiff then I give you permission to skip this post...or if you're really bored or just plain curious I guess you can read it. Tiff! I miss you like crazy! I am the most horrible long-distance friend and I am so sorry! We keep playing phone tag so I knew you would check your blog so I thought I would use this as a means to reach my bestest friend. :) Oh my gosh! I was in a freaking hurricane! It was so cool but Daniel wouldn't wake up to come outside with me and I was too scared to go out by myself in case a tree or something landed on me. I really wanted to get a picture and video tape. I tried to get a little on tape but it just sounds like static and you can't really see anything because the power went out and it was the middle of the night. I was bummed about that. Why do natural disasters seem to always happen in the middle of the night? Anyway, we could've had so much fun in a hurricane! I really wish you were there! (People who might be reading this who aren't you are probably like "great friend she is. wanting to drag someone into a hurricane with her." but I know you get me, thats whats so fun about you).
Now I'm in Middleton and you're not here and that really stinks. I tried to get my family to go through Rexburg after we took Andrew to the MTC. They said it was too far out of the way. I wish you were here! Hey, whay aren't you here? You're best friend is within driving distance and you won't even go see her!? Whats that about. I guess I just love you more than you love me. Oh well, I'm leaving to go back down to Jumanji on Monday. Daniel says they STILL don't have power. And it is HOT. Oh well, maybe I can sweat off the last 10 pounds I have to lose.
OK. Really. We need to start formulating our plan here soon. Our husbands are graduating soon (somewhat) and we are going to start needing to break them down so that we end up being neighbors for the rest of our lives. We need to make it happen Tiff. Because seriously, I don't think I can live without you. I am scouting out a nice spot of land in Magnolia...it has our names written all over it...if only we could convince the Daniels...
So you "tagged" me, I didn't even know I was playing, but I guess that means its my turn to answer your questions. Here it is:
1. 3 Joys
Tiffany Dunn
Breyers Rocky Road
Really good kisses (but not from Tiffany Dunn)

2. 3 Fears
That everyone I love will die and go to heaven and I will be left alive and alone.
Going crazy.
Living a boring and unhappy life.

3. Current Goals
Get my hubby graduated
Get my son walking
Get myself together

4. Current Obsessions
Scrapbooking
Interior Decorating
Self-help

5. Random facts about me
I am more fun around Tiffany Dunn than anyone else in the world.
I have a fifth grade picture of myself that looks just like Legolus off of Lord of the Rings.
I secretly wish I was a rockstar and I can't wait to be old so that I have an excuse to act completely ridiculous and wear outrageous hats. (those last two things were oddly unrelated)


There you go Tiff! NOw I guess I'm sposed to tag someone...I tag Aubrey and Lisa! Tiff! I love you and miss you tons! I will be better at ccalling you! I hope you enjoyed your own little post from me to you!

Gettin Outta Town!

Hey everyone! Sorry its been a while since I last posted. There hasn't been a whole lot going on but at the same time its been soooo busy (how does that make any sense?)! Daniel is trying very hard to enjoy his internship. He has definately learned what he DOES NOT want to do for a career. At least hes getting that much out of the experience. Along with work he is taking some online classes. I am also taking three online classes in an attempt to graduate with some form of a degree in April alongside Daniel. I haven't taken classes since 2005 so I am very rusty and new to the online classroom thing. It will be interesting and difficult to get back into school mode. We'll see how it goes.
In other news, hurricane Ike looks like it might hit us in a few days. Conveniently on the day that I was supposed to be flying out to Boise to take my little brother to the MTC. So I had to change my flight to leave a day sooner. Hopefully that will be good enough to dodge that storm. It will be a very INTERESTING experience flying with Peyton and no help. I don't know if I even have enough arms to cart everything around. Hes pretty active now and is starting to definately express himself which could be very bad news on a long flight. All I can ask is this...PRAY FOR ME. :) Peyton and I will be in Middleton until the 22nd. Daniel doesn't like the idea much considering the fact that the longest hes been away from me was 9 days a couple years ago and the longest hes been away from Peyton was 5. Good thing hes got his parents and friends to keep him entertained. Peyton and I are very excited to see Uncle Andrew off for his 2 year mission with the church to Mexico City and we are also very excited to show CiCi and Poppy our new "tricks" (waving byebye and bear crawling etc.).
Anyway, thats pretty much all I've got right now...Oh! Nona and I have totally redone her kitchen the last week and a half! I will post the before and after pics soon. It looks amazing and we love it! Write more when I get back!

Ready to Work

Hello everyone! Thought I'd post real quick about Daniel's internship stuff. So Daniel DID fet hired on with a great company (phew) here in Houston. Their called Goodman something or other (Daniel will not be happy that I can't remember the name) and they are the 2nd largest manufacturer and distributor of heating and air conditioning systems. Daniel will be working on a pretty big project that has to do with international sales which he is pretty excited about and will look great on a resume. He will most likely start next week although we're waiting to find out when exactly and they have offered to start him at $15 an hour which is more than what we were expecting (always nice). Daniel has had a long month off to sleep in and "do nothing" so he is well rested and ready to work. Along with his internship, it looks like I might be taking over Travis's job (Daniel's little brother) when he goes back up to school in a couple weeks. It will be a very laid back job with decent pay working in the laundry facilities at the LDS temple which happens to be just around the corner from here. If they decide they need me, I will be getting $9 an hour and will be working no more than 20 hours a week. Nona has offered to watch Peyton so it will work out great if I get it. A little extra money would be nice plus it would get me out of the house. We will see!
For family news we are pleased to announce that we have a new nephew! Daniel's older brother's wife Courtney had their second baby a few days ago, a very cute 9 lb baby boy they named Jack. I can't believe how big he is! Courtney is so tiny you would never think a 9 lb baby would be possible for her! Jack is literally more than 8 times the size of Peyton when he was born! Of course that isn't that unusual considering Peyton was a 1 lb baby! :) Anyway, we are all headed to San Antonio tomorrow to meet Jack and see his mommy and daddy and I can't wait! I know its going to make me very baby hungry! I already am! It is funny that I spent so much energy wishing for Peyton to grow and now that he has gotten so big I wish he would stop and just stay my little cute baby! Its crazy what a baby will do to a girl. It makes us all googley eyed and loopy.

On the road again...

Hey everyone! Sorry its been so long since we've blogged! We've had a super busy month an d a half. Heres a little list of what we've been up to:
-I worked my tail off all through July to finish decorating a 6 bedroom 4 bath home in Idaho Falls which looks great (if I do say so myself)...I'll post pics when the finishing touches are done.
-Peyton began army crawling finally and is now a little soldier army crawling at amazing speeds and getting into everything he can. He also recently learned to pull himself up stairs and onto his feet with some support.
-Daniel was very relieved to finally finish his summer semester at BYU-ID and was very proud to say that his Taco Rapido IBC company came in 2nd place for revenue by a hair. He also was able to maintain excellent grades and is now looking toward graduation in the spring.
-We all flew to Houston at the end of June for Daniel's grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. Peyton and I went a little early to spend time with everyone and let me tell ya, that boy got so spoiled! The anniversary celebration was great and it was so good to show Peyton off to those family members who hadn't met him yet.
-After Houston, Peyton and I drove down to Middleton to see my family and extended family on my mom's side and to decorate Jenna's (my little sis) room for her 13th birthday. It was so much fun and it was somewhat bittersweet because my grandpa (who everyone had come to see) was just diagnosed with pretty advanced cancer along with a serious heart condition. That could be the last time we see him so it was very good that we were able to go. We worked hard on Jenna's room and it turned out so cute, I'll post pics of that later too.
-After the traveling we got busy packing and cleaning the apartment and moving our stuff into Daniel's grandparent's empty grain siloh for storage in Shelley. It was SOOOO exhausting but we finally got it done and somehow managed to leave by the 27th of July to make our way south for the summer/fall.
-The day before we left for Houston I did pictures with a great photographer in the NICU for one last time. She did a great job and promised to volunteer her time and her talent once a month to go in and take beautiful professional pics of the NICU babies and their parents. I was so glad to have found her and so touched by her willingness to help and I am glad to have left that volunteer experience on such a good note. After she did the NICU pics we went and did some Peyton pics in downtown IF. I'll post some of them because they are ADORABLE!
-I can't believe how we fit all our stuff into our ford taurus to move down to Houston. I kept looking at the pile and telling Daniel that there was no way it would fit. Miraculously and with a lot of careful puzzelwork we fit it all in the car with the help of a bungee cord to strap the over-flowing trunk shut. Peyton was in a cave in the backseat which actually worked out well because it shielded him from the sun and tuned out some of the noise. He did really well on the trip and we made it here in three days. The total driving time ended up to about 31 hours but we split it up and it actually wasn't too bad.
And thats where we are now. We are living with Daniel's very generous parents and Daniel is interviewing for a few various internships. We are hoping he will find a good one soon so that he can begin working. He is SO glad to have a break from classes since he has been going to school nonstop for the past two years. Peyton and I are loving the pool that Daniel's parents have in the back yard and I am also doing a little bit of catering with a friends catering business while we're here. It'll be a good change of scenery for a while and we plan to return to finish Daniel's last semester at BYU-ID in January.

Blow out the candles!

Hello everyone! We hope all is well with you! Its been a while since the last post but that doesn't mean we haven't been doing anything. Actually we have been very busy! Here is the summary of the last month or so:
-We were interviewed by 2 news stations and 2 newspapers for the March of Dimes and Peyton's preemie story.
-Daniel started his taco stand with his class group and has been running around campus promoting it because he is in charge of marketing for the business.
-The turnout for the NICU parent support group has been rapidly increasing and we have been having fun running that.
-I am still decorating a house in Idaho Falls and it is coming together beautifully (if I do say so myself).
-We have only lost one grass volleyball game even with the constant wind, hail, and rain that we've had nearly every game.
-Last weekend we had the March for Babies in Idaho Fall.
-Daniel's birthday was on Sunday the 8th and so we had a combined birthday party for him and Peyton (Peyton's b'day is this Saturday).
So thats pretty much it. Despite the 45 degree weather and 30 mile an hour winds we had a pretty good turnout for the March for Babies and walked the 6 miles around the river. About a quarter of the people there were our family and friends: Tim, Cindy, Jenna, and Andrew Carter, Great Granny Rawson and Great Grandpa Rawson, Aunt Deanne and Cousin Devry and Paxton and Cooper, Christen and Matt Schneider with their 2 doggies Charlie and Trooper, and Daniel, Tiffany, Wesley, and Kate Dunn. There were also a few people that Daniel invited from class that braved the weather and showed up. We actually had a lot of fun even though it was cold. EIRMC provided a breakfast before hand and a barbeque afterwards. I spoke a few minutes before the walk and Daniel was interviewed again by Channel 3 news. All in all a really good event, though I'm glad it is over and am relieved to have one less thing on my plate for a little while. We did manage to reach our goal which was $1000 thanks to all of you and your wonderful donations. Thanks so much for your help!
That same night we had a big party for Daniel and Peyton's birthdays. We had about 20 people come and had quite the full house! Peyton was showered with toys and had more fun playing with the wrapping paper than his presents. Daniel got a few dvds, a game, and a really nice bike that Daniel Dunn helped me pick out for him. He has already ridden it to school twice now and says that he loves it although the uphill route is giving him a pretty severe workout. We had pizza and ice cream cake for Daniel, chocolate cake for Peyton. Peyton also got a high chair from Cici and Poppy which he got to try out while eating his b'day cake. I couldn't believe how much he LOVED his cake! I didn't think he would eat it because he is pretty picky about textures but I turned around and he was shoving it into his mouth by the fist fulls! It was pretty funny. He got all hopped up on sugar and was acting crazy. Cici very thoughtfully gave him a bath afterward and cleaned of the chocolate that he had caked himself in. It was a really fantastic day!

Summer? Is that you?

Its been kind of a crazy month so we haven't had time to sit down and post anything. So let me fill you in...
Daniel's little brother Travis lived with us for a while before he was able to move into his apartment up here at BYU-ID. It was fun to have him, although I'm not sure if he'd say the same thing if you asked him. Our apartment isn't exactly DisneyWorld and I think he was more than ready to start school and get into his own place by the time he was able to. Daniel's mom Nena (Nona---her granma name) was here for a bit too when she dropped Travis off. It is always SO fun to see her! She is such a firecracker!
Daniel was lucky enough to be able to get everything arranged the way he needed it to so that he could go to school and take the classes that he needs this summer. His schedule is the most demanding that he has had so far and we already can NOT wait until this semester is over. He leaves the house around 7:15 am and usually doesn't get home until 7:30 pm and then sometimes has to go back for group meetings later than that even. The good news is that BYU-ID has short summers only going through until mid July. Then he will have a nice long break until September. Its pretty crazy and I'm trying to cut him as much slack as possible.
Since Daniel is going to school this summer, I have to wait to go back myself since we can't afford for both of us to go right now. That kinda bummed me out since I was anxious to finish up, but it really would be impossible for us both to go, especially since he would never be home to watch Peyton for me to go to class. I think during the 2nd block I will try to see if we can afford for me to take an online class or two. I'd have to do something this summer in order to finish at the same time as Daniel. We'll see.
I'm still decorating houses and trying to get the NICU group up and running at the hospital. The turnout is getting better which is encouraging and I am finally cleared to go into the NICU unsupervised so I know that will help the program take off. I need to get this March for Babies thing on track. I have been busy with the NICU things and have sort of put that aside but the march is only a month away so its time to get crackin! Please help us! This is a fantastic cause! Please donate at our website or if you can't donate then at least get the word out for us about the event! Thank you thank you!
Oh...okay...so I really am going to get my inventory together this week and post some items on my website CatsCranny. Sorry if you've looked at it and nothing was there for you to see! :) Check again in a few days and there will be a few things!
Oh my gosh!! I haven't told you the best news! RSV season is OVER!!!!! You have no idea what that means to us (especially me)! We are no longer quarantined in our tiny apartment! We are now officially "allowed" to take Peyton out and about. It is SOOOO nice! It has been the longest winter of my life, literally and figuratively. Now if we can just get the weather here to cooperate. This weather is so schizophrenic. One minute it is really nice and warm and the next its haling. This week it is so nice, around 70 degrees, and a week ago there was a blizzard. I'm sick of it! Just leave winter! You are no longer wanted! (Actually, you weren't wanted in the first place).
Well thats us in a nutshell! I have pics of Peyton with his glasses I need to post so those will be up here soon!

Change of plans...

So...Daniel didn't get the Target internship after all. Big bummer. It was actually pretty ridiculous the way they went about his interviews and such. He first interviewed with them in February, then had several other interviews with various Target people over an entire month, all of whom acted like Daniel was "just what they were looking for", and then just before the begining of the summer semester they finally told him via e-mail that they had given the job to someone else. Yeah...we were pretty suprised and annoyed that they would lead him on like that. Especially since he turned down other internships and opportunities that wanted an answer back at the end of February. So Daniel has had to go back to the dean of the business program and beg to get into IBC this summer since it was full when he found out about the Target internship. He was let in eventually to IBC and now he feels like things have probably worked out for the best. I'm glad he can be positive about the whole thing. Its been a real pain in the rear. So now the plan is that he will continue working on campus through the summer and do his IBC (a class that requires you to run a business from start to finish throughout the semester) and then apply for fall internships. It'll workout I'm sure and he will still be able to graduate next April.
Well thats the latest on that! Write more later!

Happy Easter!

Hey everyone! Nona and Travis are in town this week! YEA!! Travis is coming up here for school in the summer. He is going to be staying with us for a while until he can get into his apartment. It has been so much fun to have them here!
Daniel has his final interview with Target on Monday. He has had to have like 4 different interviews and had to take this quiz thing and had to have even more phone interviews and now finally he is going to meet with the corporate recruiter for his final interview. It seems like a pretty intense interview and application process just for a summer internship. Oh well. I know he is going to get the job. We just have to hear it from this corporate person. Hes pretty excited to work for Target even though he was dissapointed about turning down Smuckers. They seem pretty easy to work with as far as scheduling and what not...except for Sundays. They don't budge on the Sunday issue so I guess that means he will have to work a few Sundays this summer. They did say that they would schedule his Sunday work around church though so I think that made him feel a little better.
I am keeping pretty busy lately with the NICU Parent Support Group and the March for Babies. Also, I am decorating a house in Idaho Falls for a lady who Daniel had talked to about me. I'm really excited to decorate again and since the lady has a pretty large house I am planning on working on it for a good month or so.
Before I forget, we really need donations for our March for Babies walk in June. If you would like to donate go to www.marchforbabies.org/TeamPeyton and sponsor us! Please help us out and support the March for Babies! They literally saved Peyton's life.
Another thing I am doing these days is starting an online shop and selling my craft projects. I am still getting an inventory together but I hope to have it up and running by the end of next week. There will be my handpainted cards, silhouette baby onesies, and artwork, among various other little items. Go to www.CatsCranny.etsy.com to see what I've got for sale!
We love you all and wish you a HAPPY EASTER!

Peyton's Follow up Clinic....and his four eyes

Hello all, Daniel here again. This past weekend we went back down to Provo for Peyton's follow up visit with his original occupational therapist, eye doctor, pediatrician, nutritionist, etc. This is done every six months. It was great to go back and see some of his old doctors and nurses. Also, we saw some of the other babies that were Peyton's neighbors for a little while when he was in the NICU--some doing great, others not so great. Peyton, however, is doing fantastic from what the doctors say. He's very healthy, and his lungs are much better. Something rather suprising though is that he needs glasses. We knew that he would need them at some point, but we didn't think he would need them this early. As some of you know, Peyton had ROP in both eyes, which is a cause for blindness in many preemies. ROP has five stages. Once at stage 4 and 5, blindness is pretty much inevitable. Doctors have to intervene and perform a laser corrective procedure before their eyes reach those stages. Anyway, Peyton's eyes reached stage 3, but miraculously did not progress to the other stages and avoided needing laser surgery--which would have caused him to lose his periphreal vision. Because he did reach stage 3, the doctors said he would probably be nearsighted. At the follow-up clinic, the doctor said that Peyton is nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other. He also has stigmatisms in both eyes. Hence, the need for him to get glasses this week. It will be interesting to keep glasses on a 9 month old baby. I am sure they will be in his mouth much more than on his face. We think its a definite good thing for him developmentally, since it would be pretty hard to focus on things when your eyes are improperly balanced visually. He'll be a four-eyed stud like his daddy!

Internship

Just thought that I would post an update on the internship search. I had two interviews last week, one with JM Smuckers and the other with Target. I was primarily going after JM Smuckers since they have been in Fortune Magazines Best 100 companies to work for in the U.S. (being in the top 25 for eight years in a row). Plus, their internship payed pretty well and also paid for the housing...which by the way was right on the beach in Oxnard California! It was a pretty exciting opportunity. I was offered the position, but after going through everything we would need to keep Peyton's health care, occupational therapists, etc. we discovered that moving out of state would really complicate things. Although very exciting it would be, it wasn't right for our family, so I turned them down....regretfully. Right now I have one more interview with Target, which would be a local internship here in Idaho Falls. They pay very well, and I'm actually excited about staying in Rexburg for the summer. Catherine also has a lot of work cut out for her with the parent support group at the NICU in Idaho Falls and with the March of Dimes March for Babies coming up in June. I guess when you grow up and have kids, you have to give up those exciting opportunities to live on the beach for free. It's worth it all in the end, and I'm actually pretty excited about this Target opportunity.

Giggly Peyton

Yesterday I had Peyton lying on the floor and I just walked up to him and he started laughing hysterically! I didn't even do anything, he just thought I was so funny. It was the hardest and longest I have ever seen him laugh so about five minutes into it I finally grabbed the video camera! It is so cute! Hope you all get a kick out of it like we did!

The Internship Search

Hey ya'll. We're doing just dandy here at the Rawson residence. Peyton continues to grow and get cuter and cuter. He is now "officially" been discharged from his O2 by the doctor and we're glad to finally get rid of the piles of O2 tanks and tubes. He has a follow up clinic on March 7th in Provo and we're excited to have an excuse to go back and see his old doctors and nurses form the NICU. Its funny how you hate the hospital so much while you're in it but miss it when you are kicked out! :) He will have all the normal checkups and such and also be seen by his NICU occupational therapist and the ROP specialist will examine his eyes (which is horrible to watch...poor Peyton). It will be nice to get the rundown from all his original doctors, the doctors here are not as educated on preemies. Also it will be very good to see some friends from Provo again! We miss them so much!
We got to go to my parents last weekend and we had a great time hanging out with the family and getting away from the Rexburg snow. Unfortunately Poppy had to go away on a business trip so we didn't get to see him much but it was still really nice to see the rest of my family. Daniel and I got to leave Peyton at home with Cici and Aunty JenJen while we went on a REAL date with Christen and Matt. It was so much fun and so nice to be a couple again! We saw "I Am Legend". We loved it and it was very intense, Matt almost pee'd his pants which is funny because hes a big tough cop.
Daniel went to the Career Fair on campus the other day and had some great interviews with various companies for internships. He has a couple more tomorrow and Tuesday which he is looking forward to. I'm sure he will get some great offers. The only problem is that all the internships he is applying for are for the summer, which kind of screws up his school schedule since he is on the Winter/Summer track here at BYU-I. I'm sure it will work out somehow though. Keep you posted on what happens there.
March 6th Peyton and I are going to EIRMC for the March of Dimes Kickoff and Open House. Since we are the Ambassador family for the area I will be there to tell our story and answer questions for the people who attend. I'm a little nervous but excited to get started. Have you got your team signed up for the March for Babies in your area? If not got to the website and make a team and follow the directions for sponsorship. If you happen to be in the Idaho Falls area on March 6th, come by EIRMC between 11:00 and 1:00 pm and I'll be there with the March of Dimes people to get you started.
Speaking of being nervous, they asked me to play the piano in Sacrament meeting today. I played the only church song I've written, a rendition of "Nearer my God to Thee" that I wrote a couple of years ago for my Granpa's funeral. I was sooooo nervous! It is irritating! I could literally play that song with my eyes closed but for some reason when I have to play in front of people I ge panicky and I feel like I'm going to either pass out or throw up! Then when i finally make my way to the piano I look at the keyboard and it seems completely like a foreign object to me and I can't even remember where middle C is! I've been playing the piano in front of people since I was 6! You'd think I'd be over this by now. Anyway...it really bugs me how much stage fright I have. I tell myself that no one cares and try to pretend I'm alone but I still freak out. Whatever, Tiff came and said I did good. I guess the good thing is that since I wrote the song myself no one could really tell how bad I screwed up since they'd never heard it before. The bad thing about performing my own songs though is that I don't actually physically write them down so when I'm nervous up there I have nothing to look at and if I forget the song (like I ALWAYS do) theres nothing there to save me. HHHuummmph. I still am shaking and its been two hours since I played. Honestly it feels like I just ran a marathon. Thats how bad it is. I know...I'm pathetic. Well, if you would like to ever hear my music Daniel is helping me record it, alone, in the comfort of my own home, where no one can hear me, and we can get you a CD or something. Just don't expect me to play it for you live and we will all be able to enjoy ourselves. :)
Hope all is well with everyone and like always we love you tons and tons!

Happy love day!

Just wanted to tell everyone Happy Valentine's day and that we love you all soooo much!
Peyton and I are spending most of the day with Tiffany Dunn and her kids becasue her hubby is out of toen and mine is taking tests until 8:00 pm. It'll be fun though! We love Tiff! Her son Wesley loves Peyton and has been asking Tiff after we leave, "Meynon's house?" (he says Meynon instead of Peyton...hes only 19 months). Its really cute.
Last night Daniel and I left Peyton with Tiff and went to see the Vienna Boys Chior on campus. It was really amazing! Those boys got pipes! It was so nice to get out, just the two of us, since we NEVER go anywhere becasue Peyton can't go in public yet. The only downside was that when Daniel was backing out of our parking lot there was a dark car parked illegally behind him that he didn't see and he bumped into it. We left a note even though we couldn't see any damage for ourselves and so far they haven't called. OOooops. :(
Daniel had another "oops" this morning when he was trying to leave to go to class. His truck is not made for snow and ice and hes been getting stuck in the parking lot a lot lately. Well this morning I guess he couldn't push it out when it was in neutral and so he decided to put the truck in reverse thinking that he could give it a push and then run around and hop in. Yeah...it didn't really happen that way. He barely pushed and the truck rolled back faster than he thought it would so he ran around, grabbed the door, slipped and fell, almost got his head run over, and the truck burried its back end in the 4 foot snow bank on the side of the lot. He felt really dumb and probably won't appreciate me posting it on here but it was really funny to me. He has just had really bad luck with cars the past few days. Anyway, he came in and woke me up and we spent and hour and a half digging his truck out and pushing it back onto the parking lot. Happy Valentine's morning to us. WE HATE THE SNOW.
Tomorrow we will be going to Middleton to see my family and we're excited to get out of here for a few days. Hopefully the weather will be good and we won't have any more "oopses" to report when we get back!
Love you Love you! :)

March of Dimes donations

Oh...also if you would like to make a donation in honor of Peyton to the March of Dimes you can click on our link and then on "How You Can Help" and then there is a box that says "Banding Together". Click there and then do search for a band and type in Peyton Rawson. It should take you to his band and let you make a donation in honor of him! Fun fun!

snowed in!

OH MY GOSH!!!! It won't stop snowing! There is literally like 4 feet of snow right outside our apartment. This morning Daniel had to take the car to class because his truck was snowed in. It is begining to get a little ridiculous. We were planning on going tubing with the Dunns this weekend but I think there is actually TOO much snow to go! Oh well...I guess its good for springtime moisture.
Not much has happened since I last blogged. My friend Tiffany and I are doing girls nights every Wednesday night now. We have way too much fun together, its a much needed break for both of us and our hubbys don't mind too much becaust they're best friends too and they just watch the kids and hang out while we're gone. Last night we saw the movie "Enchanted". It was soooo cute! Go see it if you haven't already.
Our family was chosen as the March of Dimes Ambassador Family for the Idaho Falls/Eastern Idaho region. Basically we will just help get together sponsors and teams for the Walk for Babies by visiting companies and sponsors and telling our story about Peyton and answering questions about the March of Dimes. We are really excited and can't wait to start helping out. If any of you would like to get a team together for the Walk for Babies or if you own a company and would like to sponsor a team just log on to marchofdimes.com and you'll find the info there. If you happen to be in the Idaho Falls area and would like to participate we are trying to get our team together so let us know! Together we can help these babies and solve the mystery of preterm labor! We love you all!

Hibernating

It is still soooo cold outside here in Rexburg! It got down to -27 the other night! BRRRRR! Peyton and I are keeping warm hibernating for the winter while papa bear is out freezing in the cold hiking on campus everyday. Daniel is really liking his schedule this semester. He is taking 14 credits and works 18 hours a week as a peer advisor on campus. He is enjoying his job, there is a lot of downtime, and he gets a lot of his homework done during work which is great. I try my best to keep myself busy with Peyton but it gets really boring being stuck inside our little apartment every day. I have been exercising daily and trying to eat right so that I can fit back into my old clothes. Its tough and frustrating but Daniel keeps me motivated cheering me on from the couch with his tub of chocolate ice cream. It really stinks that he can not work out and eat whatever he wants and stay the exact same size! I feel silly that I have gotten so much bigger since I can't really blame it on my 1 and a half pound baby. :) But the hormonal changes and stress and staying home has all caught up to me and its time to get my old body back. At least it gives me something to do everyday.
Aunt Christen and Uncle Matt came on Monday. It was so great to hang out with them and let Peyton meet another uncle. I think Matt really liked him. I know Christen is in love with Peyton. We're all "chubby chasers" now! :)
On Friday Peyton and I met with the social worker and the lady in charge of the NICU in Idaho Falls to meet and greet and discuss our plans for the new Parent Support program we want to start. They were so wonderful and were very excited that I was so excited about helping them get something going. There is still some red tape to get through before we can really get going, I need a backround check and a TB test before I am allowed in the NICU, but we are at least on our way and I am thrilled to be doing something with our experience.
Peyton is pretty much completely off his oxygen now! We only put it on him if his saturations start to drop or when he sleeps but he has done really well without it for the past four days straight, even at night. It is so nice to have a cordless baby for the first time ever. I can put him in his baby sling and carry him around with me without having to drag a big tank around behind us. I can tell Peyton feels relieved to to not have anything in his nose anymore. We are very excited and are so grateful still at how well he has turned out.
Well, thats a lot of news so I guess I'll stop but I'll keep you posted!

Its been a while...

Well the holidays are over and we're settled in to our new apartment in Rexburg now. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.

Peyton was blessed in Provo on the 30th of December. It was a beautiful blessing and his daddy did such a wonderful job. We were so blessed and honored to have both sides of the family there for the most part and missed those that couldn't make it. We loved seeing everyone and we are so grateful for the love and support!

Daniel's family came on the 26th of December from Houston and we had a great time with them, especially since we don't see them as often as we would like. Nona graciously babysat Peyton on the 27th so that Daniel's dad, brothers, and I could spend the day snowboarding. The boys had a great time. I on the other hand spent the day falling down the mountain time after time. I was frozen, wet, bruised, and exhausted by the end of the day. I was frustrated that my body just didn't perform like it used to! I hear that having a baby does that to you. Next time, if there is a next time, I think I will take it slower and only go half day. It was fun to get out of the house though regardless of the pain and suffering. :)

We moved on the 31st and arrived in Rexburg that evening. It was 7 degrees outside when we got there. I'm afraid its going to be a long winter! But we are glad to be here and to be finally finishing up school...at least the first half.

Peyton is doing wonderfully. He is over 12 lbs now and is starting to babble and laugh and play. He is on the lowest flow of O2 and I monitor him periodically throughout the day. He is very close to be able to do without it so that exciting. It was quite a hassle to get everything set up for him here but I think its all set now which is a relief.

I contacted the Social Worker at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to see if Daniel and I could volunteer for their NICU parent support group. I left a few messages and finally got a call back on Monday. The social worker there said that as of yet they didn't have a parent group but have been thinking about forming one since they have just recently expanded their NICU to except babies as young as 28 weeks and are working towards further expanding to be ready for babies as young as 23 weeks. She was very excited to hear that I was so interested in helping out and we spent 45 minutes talking about how the parent support group was run in Provo. She told me that she thinks I have great ideas and would be a good person to get their program started. She is going to get the permission and paperwork worked out and she is supposed to call me by next week. Hopefully starting next week I will be able to volunteer there talking to parnets and helping them through their preemie struggles. I'm really excited to put our experience to good use!

Peyton is crying at me so I gotta run! Keep you posted!