This week

Look at these sweet babies in front of the Christmas tree!

Payton has found a new love for cereal bars. These pictures don't even do the mess justice. By the time she finished the thing it was in her ears, nose, hair, and eyes.

The little monkey has really started trying to walk more this week. Instead of having to have someone there to encourage her, she has stood up several times and just taken off after what she wanted.

I guess it would be a good choice to go wrap some presents instead of uploading pictures. We don't have a single present under our tree right now.

10 months

It's so hard to believe that our baby is 10 months old today! I think back to this time last year and remember how anxious and excited I was for February to come. This Christmas will definitely be much different than any other. Although Payton doesn't know the difference, we are thrilled to celebrate Christmas as a family of three. I love this age because I feel like she is learning something new everyday. In the past few weeks she has started saying hey, uh-oh, and using bye-bye, mama, and dada much more in context. She has learned to blow kisses and babbles all the time. She is still working on taking several steps at a time and is ticklish as ever. She has started eating a little bit of "real" food, but I'm not rushing it. Call me a terrible mother, but baby food is just so convenient! She does eat oatmeal a lot for breakfast and has had simple foods like mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, etc. She has been going through a stage (or what I'm hoping is just a stage) where she wants to wake up in the middle of the night and be held. I have been so spoiled for so long, and this surprise is hopefully going to end soon. People keep telling me it's probably just a growth spurt or teething, but I am sure ready for it to be over.

We hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and is able to enjoy the true blessing of family and the birth of Jesus!

And she's off!

Payton took her first official steps last night! She has been taking a tiny step or two and then falling down for a while now, but she is now taking several at a time. In no means is she actually "walking" but she's getting there. Ella was just the motivation she needed.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well, except for the fact that we still haven't decorated! Jonathan did have time to put up the wreaths on the front of the house today, but nothing else is up. This is the first time in four years since we've been married that our house hasn't been decorated the day after Thanksgiving. I can't imagine what would be the reason??? Maybe this sweet little face?




We went to the Auburn Christmas parade tonight, and Payton actually did pretty well. We bundled her up good and she enjoyed watching all of the lights and listening to the music. I love starting traditions like this with her. Jonathan and I were talking about the fact that at next year's Christmas parade she will probably be running in the street to get the candy. CRAZY!

Thanksgiving 2009

Payton had a wonderful first Thanksgiving. She got a taste of real food at both stops. She enjoyed mashed potatoes, peas, dressing, mac & cheese, etc. We had a wonderful day spending time with family and enjoying the beautiful day. It is definitely a reminder of all that we have to be thankful for. We hope yours was just as blessed as ours!





Okay, so I am probably going to be killed for posting this picture, but I just couldn't resist. This is proof that there were four children under the age of 3 at our Thanksgiving. What could be more fun?

Just call her Monkey

Wonder where the nickname came from? Let me give you one hint...




She makes an obstacle course out of anything possible. In other news, she turned 9 months old last week. She had her check up today and Dr. Williams said she looked great. She now weighs 19 lbs. 5 oz. (60%) and is 27 7/8 in (60%). Her noggin is still a whopping 95%. Some of the things our little angel is doing right now are:
walking with a walker across the room
crawling everywhere and getting into everything she can possibly find
she has been cutting her two top teeth the past week or so (oh, so fun!)
can say bye-bye and wave (but only when she wants)
still completely amused by Mollie, and Mollie is becoming less and less interested in her by the day
we're working on starting a sippy cup
she loves any Gerber snack they make
she still eats just about anything we give her (especially when her daddy makes her grits and eggs for a special breakfast)
she HATES to have her diaper changed or clothes changed
she is very ticklish and cracks up laughing when you tickle her
she refuses to keep a bow, clip, or anything else in her hair
She brightens our lives everyday!

We're still here...

We're still alive, just busy as ever. Be back soon with more pictures and updates! Hopefully this will at least make my mother happy for a few days! :)