It's very common for new growth on rhododendrons to wilt in conditions of direct sun and/or warm temperatures. In time the growth should turn a deeper green color and resume an upright posture. Misting the new leaves several times a day for a few minutes can help, but do not overwater the ground. Rhododendrons do not in general like the high nitrogen content of most compost. Peat can be useful in certain soil types that drain too rapidly such as sandy or gravelly ones, but neither peat nor compost improves drainage. In fact, they do the opposite. Rhododendrons need a coarse organic planting medium such as conifer bark that holds water but also allows a lot of air to reach the roots. Fine peat and compost decay rapidly leaving a soggy mass that encourages root rot diseases and deprives the roots of oxygen. Peat can also dry out to the point that it becomes extremely difficult to rewet. Since these rhododendrons have been just recently planted, it should be easy to lift them, improve the planting area with lots of bark or other slow-decaying organic material, and replant.

thanks for the update. and as you said about an hour later the new growths were upright again as the sunlight turned to shade. I'll keep an eye out and do what I can around the base to encourage better drainage. I'll also tell my wife to stop watering so much. Thanks!

follow-up question .. is it normal for a it to be losing its blooms so early? my wife thinks so. I'm not so sure.

Thanks again!

Without knowing your location or the particular variety of rhododendron or what your local temperatures have been, it's impossible to say. Exposed to high temperatures, direct sun, wind and the attentions of pollinating insects, rhododendron bloom does not last very long. Even In cool, rainy climates, most varieties will bloom for 2 to 4 weeks at the most.