Ava's Birthday

Sweet Ava's second birthday party was last week at Frog Legs. Payton had a blast. She didn't actually jump too much, but she loved rolling around in the jump houses and sliding. I think she was just too mesmerized by the big kids to do much else. We did have to leave a little early since she decided to throw a fit in the middle of Frog Legs, but we had so much fun. Happy 2nd birthday Ava! I can't believe how time flies.

Daddy's Day

Payton couldn't ask for a better Daddy. She is definitely wrapped around his finger. I am so thankful to have a husband who not only adores our child to pieces, but also helps in every way possible and does it because he wants to. We are very thankful for you, Jonathan!

This is an attempt to get a picture before church on Sunday. Getting a picture of two people who don't want to sit still and have their picture taken can prove to be pretty challenging!


Happy Father's Day also to Grandaddy, Pawpaw, and Pop! We love you all.

Beach Trip

Last week the three of us headed to Panama City for a much needed vacation. Luckily, Panama City was still oil free at the time so we were able to enjoy the beach. With our experience of sand at the park, I was very unsure of how she would take to the beach. We (I mean Payton) woke up bright and early Monday morning. We headed down to the beach to check things out. She loved it! Fearless...but loved it! Of course I'm pretty sure she enjoyed picking the trash up the most. If you haven't been around Payton lately, you may not be aware of her love affair with trash. She can find a trash can or piece of trash from a mile away. After some persuasion, we encouraged her to play in the ocean instead of picking up beer cans from the beach.




My little beach baby!

Daddy helping Payton build a sandcastle.


Loving the waves.


Is she a daddy's girl, or what?

One of the highlights of the trip for Payton was riding on the cart.

We spent some time at the fun kiddy pool that was at our hotel, enjoyed good food, and loved being together.





It was all good until Wednesday. Sweet girl tripped on a towel in the bathroom and hit the corner of the bathtub right on her brow bone. She got a pretty good cut, which eventually led us to an urgent care to get four stitches.

A Wreck. Terrified. Sobbing. You name it. I was a mess. As soon as they told us we definitely had to have stitches I lost it. Here we are at some random place, random doctor, and my baby is having stitches. Not to mention four. Let alone the pain that she was about to endure. Jonathan and I both agreed that we would do anything at all not to go through that again. It is the most painful feeling to watch your baby hurt so bad and not be able to do a thing about it. After all was said and done, I was thankful for the advice to go ahead and get stitches, the nurse and doctor were fabulous, and sweet Payton was much relieved when they put her in our arms and brought her a nice, juicy red popsicle. I will never forget when it was all over. She was in Jonathan's lap and I was sitting in front of her (still sobbing) telling her that I loved her and everything was going to be okay. she just kept giving me hugs and kisses and saying "love you" over and over. Who's the parent here? It's like she was saying, "mommy, I'm okay." Besides the traumatic event, the trip was amazing! Definitely one we will never forget. Our first trip with just the three of us and first major injury all in one!

15 (ish) month check up

Payton went for her 15 month check up on June 10. She weighs 22.5 lbs (40th percentile), is 29 6/8 in. (25th percentile), and the sweet baby's head is 19 cm (still 95th perncentile). She is constantly learning new words and very opinionated. She is still unbelievably picky but has a love for all things fruit and broccoli so we try to fill up on those. I'm thinking Andy might not be the only vegetarian in the family for much longer. The best adjective I can think of to describe her at 15 months is busy. Playing outside, reading books, climbing on furniture, you name it, she loves it.

Reassurance

"Being little is tough, especially when someone bigger than you dictates what you'll wear, and when you'll take a bath, go to bed, and eat meals. One of the only ways your 15 month=old has to assert herself is to say "no" or refuse to cooperate."
Praise the Lord, my child isn't the only one! This was the 15 month Week 3 update I got this week from Baby Center. I told Jonathan that it makes me feel better that our child isn't the only defiant one out there! We have been going through the "no" phase off and on for about 3 months now and I am just hoping that it ends very soon.

What is a post without a picture, right? This picture depicts what we've been doing a lot of lately. I didn't get my camera soon enough, but it was hilarious to watch her try to carry the book, lovey, toy, and cup all over to the Dora couch in one trip.

Fun Day in Atlanta

My parents and I headed to Atlanta Monday to visit Uncle Andy and do a little shopping. We started the day off at IKEA. The one thing that I needed was out of stock, go figure! As a side note, I didn't know that IKEA has free child care for potty trained children while you shop. Now I just think we need to take it a step further and do that with a grocery store or restaurant. Anyone in on the million dollar idea? Anyways, we then headed to eat and played at a great park that Andy took us to. Payton of course loved swinging and sliding down the slide. The picture is actually from the huge slide that Andy took her down. Let's just say it might have been a little much. We then ran another quick errand and headed back to Auburn. We had a great day visiting and Payton loved playing with her Uncle Andy!

Loving the Lake

Payton's favorite thing to do at the lake is sleep on the boat as you can tell. She sported pig tales last Saturday for the first time. It worked great to keep her hair out of her eyes and mama from fighting with a bow. It took her about 6 hours to find them and then it was a hopeless case.