Christmas around the world...

or maybe just around Auburn. It sure does feel like we've been around the world. I can't imagine people who really have to travel to every stop. Our stops around Auburn make it crazy enough. Payton had a wonderful first Christmas and we now have more toys than we could ever imagine. Payton doesn't care much for crowds and chaos, which caused a good bit of fussiness during a lot of the gatherings. Regardless, I think she really enjoyed everything. I feel like things have been non stop lately. We started the festivities the Saturday before Christmas with the Wood family. Luckily, Granny was able to join us and we had a great time eating at Wayne and Penny's house.



Payton playing with cousin Chad. He let her play with his cell phone and she didn't really know what to think. Cell phones are a major no-no around our house.

Pawpaw and Renee' with all of the children and grandchildren.

Trippi and Lisa came over the 23rd, and unfortunately I didn't take any pictures. Payton loves her talking stuffed dog. She is very into cuddling with anything soft.
Christmas Eve night we went over to my parent's house to visit with my family. Payton and Kayden got to play together. Aren't his cheeks scrumptious??

Payton got several great toys. She got stackable rings and stuffed animal from LeAnn and Michael, a bug that teaches shapes and colors from Great Bamama, a Minnie Mouse for her to carry around from Barbara and Art, and a Golden Book Bible from the Richardson clan.


Christmas morning we checked out everything that Santa brought! The Gerber stars and balls were by far the favorite of everything. She also got an alphabet train (that came with a million pieces) and a pop up tent/tunnel. Santa forgot to bring over her picnic table, but it has since found its way home. Please excuse our appearance. These are true Christmas morning pictures.



After playing with gifts from Santa, we headed to Nana and Pop's. She got so many great things from everyone.

Payton got a wagon (and many other fun things)! She and Ella took a stroll around the house. Ella got Payton a ball popper to play with.

Nanny got Payton a ride on toy that plays "Muffin Man" OVER AND OVER again (it also doesn't have a power switch). Payton absolutely loves it though. She just gets frustrated when she runs into something and can't back up. We'll get there!

Chillin' on the bean bag Uncle Jeremy gave her. Look at that gut!

Going on her first wagon ride outside the day after Christmas.

I didn't get a picture of Payton playing with her bath toy set that Grady and Vicki gave her, but she loves it! Barbara and Chuck got her the Baby Genius CD that we always listen to at home. Now we can listen to it in the car! The child loves music.
After visiting there, we went to Waverly to my grandmother's house for breakfast (yes-I did say breakfast). Everything else had taken place before 9 AM. Kayden gave Payton a really cool lady bug that also is a book! I had never seen one like this before.



After leaving Waverly, we headed straight to my parents house to do presents with them. Bamama came to down to help...



I didn't get a picture of her on the slide, but here is a picture of her on the rocking horse a few days after Christmas.

Uncle Andy gave us a really cool stroller that can actually fit in my car, and Payton loves it. The true test was the Wal-Mart trip and she didn't make a sound the entire time! Thanks Andy!
After a few minutes of not hearing Payton, I went into the kithen and this is what I found. I couldn't resist this picture. What can I say? She is her momma's child.

Afterwards, we went back to Nana and Pop's for a late lunch. We just finished up Christmas last night with Pawpaw and Renee'. Payton loved her stackable rings that light up and make sounds. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures because I was dealing with a fussy baby that has an ear infection and is teething. If anyone is still reading this ridculously long post, you must love us. As you can tell, we had a wonderful Christmas and definitely count the blessings that we have in our lives. Thank you so much to everyone not only for the presents, but for the great company and fun memories.

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!