20 months

Wow! Seriously, 20 months old? I was just reading back in January about a Peyton update, so I figured it's about time for another one.  Here's what this crazy, sweet, little girl is doing these days...

•  This weekend we were swimming in a friend's pool.  Peyti swam under water from me to Gabe for 5 whole seconds!! Her little face was under water the whole time and she would move her feet like a fish, while reaching out her hands for us. We were so proud. And kept making her do it over and over. 

• She says "mom" clear as day and says it as many times a day as she can.  It's really flattering that she loves calling for me so much, but sometimes I wish she would just answer me when I say "what Peyt?" 

• She's obsessed with her baby doll. She gives it kisses, takes it in the car, puts her in the stroller, pats the baby on the back. We're really thankful that she's so nurturing and look forward to her being a great big sister in September.  

• At night when I'm putting her to bed, I'll sing to her and she'll sing right along with me. Of course she hasn't quite picked up on the tune or the words, but who cares. In her heart she's singing with her mama. 

• Another one of my favorite night time routine's is Gabe putting Peyton to bed. He typically puts her to bed at night and my heart just melts. They say prayers every night and go through every single person in our family. She'll take her paci out and say each family members name and who goes with who.  I hope and pray that Gabe will pray with her as long as she lives under our roof. She's so blessed to have such a Godly daddy who invests in her spiritually. Love this time!

• We did get rid of the paci except in bed during naps and at bed time. It's more important for me to be able to sleep in until 7 than to get rid of the paci. Selfish? Yes. But glad she will be a part of it. 

• She's a little bit naughty and throws food off her tray at meal times. She turns her head and laughs. I try my best ABA on her I can, but sometimes I'm at a loss. I think she's gonna give me a run for my money.

• She HATES brushing her teeth. It's a fight every night. We're trying to push through it, although there is absolutely no teeth brushing happening.  Hoping it's more about the routine and someday she'll have healthy brushing habits.  

Here's to 20 months, Peyti Leigh! We love you more everyday and can't wait for you to meet your little sister.  You're going to be such a great big sister. I hope you and your little sister love each other as much as me and Tanta do! 

Last day of school

Well, today is a milestone in our little Peyton's life.  She finished her first year of "school" at All Saints in Winter Park.  We were super blessed to have friends and family watch her the first year she was born, so it was inevitable she'd be going somewhere her second.  Thankfully we fell in love with All Saints and truly felt like it was her home away from home.  She went in a baby, not walking, talking, feeding herself, taking naps away from home, and she has come out a big girl. Today she is more independent, spunky, dramatic and sweet than I ever thought she would be. I am so proud of all that she has learned this year and couldn't be more pleased with Miss Cindy and Miss Brittany for encouraging her development.  We love you Peyti Leigh!!

Beach weekend

This weekend we came down to South Florida to visit our friends Jordan and Kaili. Our other friends from Orlando, Amanda and Craig came, too, so we had a big fun party. We hit the beach, Bonefish, an Irish pub and a nice relaxing Sunday at the pool. What a great weekend with good friends!

Whelp, there goes 2 months and I haven't blogged. At this rate, I'll be up to 6 posts by the end of the year. Sweet. So, in the last two months, here's what we've been up to...

In January, Gabe and I went on a much-needed vaca to the mountains of Tennessee for our 4th Anniversary. We left Peyti behind with Nana, Tanta and Gigi. We missed her but had so much relaxing time we cherished. We went hiking in the Smoky Mountains, read books all day and even visited a few winery's. It was such a blessing to be with Gabe and just enjoy time with him without any distractions.






We also enjoyed the unseasonably warm Florida temperatures and spent Saturday mornings playing at the park. Peyt just loves her daddy. He's been taking her to the park and teaching her how to hang from the monkey bars. She's pretty good at it!






I'll update on February when I get some more time. Hopefully won't be 2 more months or I'll be ridiculously behind.

So, this picture pretty much sums up our lives these days. Peyton is one hilarious little girl. In lieu of the new year, I'm back on trying to make a better commitment at doing this blog. I want it for our sake, to be able to look back at the year and see what we've done. I want to look back and see what life has brought us and how we've handled it. Here's to trying. Again.

It's mid-January (really it's only the 12th, so it's still beginning, right?) and Gabe and I have yet to discuss our New Years Resolutions. We're going to Tennessee for our Anniversary next week and we'll hopefully get some things down on paper. We did pretty good on our goals last year, but there's always a new year to get even better. In the meantime, I'll give an update on our Peyti.

1) She is a talking machine. Not that we understand what she's saying, but she sure acts like we do. I like to entertain her gibberish because I've heard it's good to act like they're saying words. Plus, it's so darn cute that I can't resist. She now lays in her crib in the morning and after she's had enough of waiting for me, she starts hollering "mooooommmmmm" over and over and over. I love it so I don't mind getting up to see that face. Plus, it's 7:00 a.m. and I should be out of bed. She also says "Kenz", our dog's name. Although, it doesn't sound like Kenz to anyone else, it does to us.

2) Her daddy's her best friend. Peyton's eyes light up when Gabe gets home from work and she immediately goes over to find a toy for him. It's usually her soccer ball and she keeps repeating "ball ball, ball ball" until he starts playing with her. He's pretty smitten for her, too, so it doesn't take much convincing on her part.

3) She is becoming quite the cuddler. We're still nursing at night (too much info, sorry!) and as soon as she's ready to get in her crib, she lays her head on my shoulder as I rock her. She cuddles her little hands under her tummy and I absolutely melt. I pray over her and thank God for the most amazing gift I could ever receive. And for making her so super sweet.

4) She loves being outdoors. This we already knew, but her obsession with going to the park, going camping, riding her tricycle, taking her wagon out with Kenzlie, is all growing. I love to watch her as she learns about her environment. Which brings me to number 5...

5) She's obsessed with airplanes. She sees one in the sky and immediately points and makes the "bbbbb" sound with her mouth.
I'm not sure how to explain it, but I think she's convinced that this is the proper name for an airplane, so we might have to unteach that some day. Even when we're in the house, she'll stop, look up to the ceiling point and make the sound. She's such a genius.

I could go on and on, but no one's probably still reading this, so I'll stop for now. Just know we're crazy for this little girl and couldn't imagine life without her. It's funny to think what Gabe and I did before she came along. We're so blessed to have her!

Peyton Turns One (and 3 weeks)!

Peyton Leigh turned 1 year and 3 weeks today. She brings more joy, excitement, laughter, and smiles into our lives than we ever could've imagined. Just today Gabe and I were playing with her and I was thinking how much better our lives have become over this last year. I can't remember life without her. We love you so much Peyti!



Here's what she's up to these days:
1) She took her first steps yesterday! She took a few more today, so I know it wasn't just a fluke. She does still prefer to crawl, or better yet, have mommy pick her up. But she's totally capable of walking. Just needs a little practice.
2) She has 4 teeth on top and 2 on bottom.
3) She loves avacados and currently is eating flax seed on everything. She needs to put on a few pounds, per the doctor's request, so we're trying to fatten her up. She also loves to drop everything off her tray she does not feel like eating. We're working on signing "all done" instead of dropping it. She prefers to drop it.
4) She is signing "eat", "drink", "milk", "blankie" and the occasional "all done."
5) She LOVES her wagon that Memaw and Papaw got for her birthday.
6) I think she's officially become a blankie girl. Thanks to her mama, I was pulling for that one. She's definitely my daughter.
7) She's really into imitating what we do. Gabe and I will whistle and she'll try so hard to do it, too. It's the cutest. thing. ever. But then again, we think everything she does is cute.
8) She loves climbing the stairs and thinks it's a game when I come to get her. It's worth getting up for just to hear her cackle.
9) She says dada over and over and over. Her daddy is her absolute best friend. I hope it stays this way forever and I'm totally fine with her one word. She knows who feeds her.

Peyti's First Boat Ride!

This weekend we went to Jacksonville to visit Gabe's family. Gabe got up early Saturday morning to go shrimping with Jeff and they caught nearly 10 pounds of shrimp. We met up with them and got to spend the afternoon on the boat. Peyton loved being on the boat, it's so fun to see her adventurous and enjoying things Gabe and I love doing. Here's a picture of the shrimp before and after. I much prefer the look of them after.