Lots to report

Let's start with the fact that SCHOOL IS OFFICALLY OUT!!! I still have a teacher work day on Tuesday, but I can definitely handle that. I am so excited to spend every day with Payton and just hang out: no school, no classes, nothing but fun and relaxation! I really never thought I would make it until the end of the this year.

Mollie doesn't get too much blog attention, but she is definitely still my baby. Yesterday morning I noticed that her ear was really red and inflamed. Jonathan took her to the vet and we found out that she has an infection. She absolutely hates when we give her the medicine. Hopefully she will be back to normal soon!

Payton was 3 months old on Thursday. Her hands are much more active these days and she is able to pick up toys and play with them. She is a happy baby 90% of the time and loves to smile and even sometimes squeal. She is also making of habit of sleeping through the night. She makes life so much more exciting!



Jonathan's sweet grandfather passed away Friday morning. Grandpa is one of the most quick witted people I have ever met. While we will miss him terribly, I know that he is in a better place. Please keep Jonathan's family in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days and weeks.

Four

Today is mine and Jonathan's FOURTH anniversary. I cannot believe that we have been married four years today. I was listening to the radio this morning as I was getting ready and I heard a song titled "And I Thought I Loved You Then." As I listened, I was thinking of how true that is. May 20, 2005 was one of the best days of my life. I was head over heels in love and so looking foward to the rest of our lives. It's amazing how at that moment I never imagined I could love Jonathan more than I did. Looking back now, it's crazy how your love grows and changes. While I certainly don't claim to have the perfect marriage, I love him so much deeper and differently today than I did then. It has been such a joy to see him become a father and the love that we both share for our sweet little girl. I feel blessed beyond measure to have a husband who I know loves me unconditionally, puts up with me at my worst, and brings a smile to my face daily. Jonathan, thank you for being an amazing husband. I look foward to many more years together. I love you!

p.s. He surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas next week!!!!!

Head strong

Payton's head control has really improved lately. I decided it was time to try out the bumbo this morning. After giving it a try, I don't think she is quite ready, but she is definitely getting there.

Happy Weekend!

Mother's Day

We have celebrated Mother's Day all weekend around our house. We went to the lake on Saturday and enjoyed being with everyone. Payton was an absolute angel all day. On Sunday we invited our parents over for breakfast and just hung out at home. I have been lazier today than I have been in a really long time. I must admit, it has been wonderful! Payton and I cuddled on the couch and took a nap as Jonathan worked in the yard. Payton and Daddy did an excellent job shopping for me! They got one of the pictures of Payton and I blown up and put on a canvas in black and white. It looks so good! I can't stop staring at it. It will be something that I cherish forever. In the short time that I have been a mom, I have learned so much. I realize now how much my parents sacrificed for me and how much they love me. People say there is nothing like having a baby, and it is so true. I love Payton in a way that I could have never imagined. Sometimes it is still so hard to believe that I actually have a child. I just pray that I can guide her and lead her down the right path. I am so blessed to have such a healthy precious little girl, I couldn't ask for anything more.
This is a picture of the picture Jonathan and Payton gave me for Mother's Day.

Payton hanging out at the lake. She is a smiling girl these days. Does that melt your heart of what?

Payton has slept 7 or 8 hours straight the past few nights!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! I love my sleep, and forgot just how wonderful a full night's sleep can be. Between pregnancy and the first few months with her, sleep has been more sparse than normal. Dont' get me wrong, she really has been a great sleeper from day one. She has never been up all night, or even more than twice a night at that. But let me tell you, a full nights sleep can make you feel like a new person. I am so proud of my big girl!

Payton's new obsessions include sucking on her fingers (or entire hand) and pulling her dresses over her head. Daddy has already had to put his foot down on this one :)
Happy Mother's Day Mom and to all of the wonderful moms I know! I hope yours was as wonderful as mine.


p.s. Countdown update: 10 more days with kids and 1 work day!!

Playtime

Payton has become quite the little active girl lately. She is usually in a really good mood in the afternoons when I pick her up. Her new favorite place is her playmat. She loves holding onto toys and waving them around, as well as looking at all of her hanging toys. She has also recently discovered the mirror, which she loves. She is so much fun to play with and hear her sweet coos. I was so worried I was going to miss the sweet newborn cuddling (which I do), but she is becoming more fun by the day. Several people have told me that each stage gets better and better.


Her congestion has gotten a little better. We went to the doctor last week (twice actually). The dr. said that her ears were clear and that it didn't seem to be anything to be worried about. However I feel like the past two days it may have gone from a head cold to down in her chest. Her eyes were getting lots of gunk in them, but she gave us some drops that cleared it right up. Hopefully she will continue to bounce back. Although I have to admit it really hasn't seemed to phase her. Jonathan and I are the ones who have had a hard time with it.

Did I mention that she now weighs a whopping 10 lbs 6 oz? She actually gained 4 oz just last week! I thought that seemed a bit much, but actually the dr. said that at this age they do normally gain about an ounce a day. That just seems like an awful lot! She got all of her two month shots, and she is actually free of shots for the next months.

As for me, I have 19 school days until I get the spend the entire summer with her!!! Although I did anticipate how hard it would be to go back to work, I am absolutely exhausted. My sweet mom told me she would keep her a little longer this afternoon so I could go home and rest. Thank goodness for the telemarketer calling, or I might have slpet all night. I was also able to indulge in a pedicure yesterday afternoon. Mom, thanks for letting me have some down time. It was wonderful!!

Happy 6th Birthday Mollie!

8 Wonderful Weeks

Our precious girl turned 8 weeks on Saturday. She has blessed our lives beyond anything we could ever imagine. We are getting more smiles and coos each day. I love that she is now interacting with us. Her sweet smile makes all the hard work, 3 am wake up calls, and exhaustion well worth it. Speaking of sleeping, she has teased us several nights. Easter weekend she slept about 7 hours Friday and Saturday night. One day last week she slept 8 hours straight! However, the following night we were back to our 3:30 feeding. She has been a little congested and I am hoping that when that clears up and she is feeling better, she will start sleeping more consistently. But for now we'll take what we can get!