11months!

I can't believe how quick our first birthday is approaching! Miss Payton is currently 11 months old and beginning to look more like a growing little toddler instead of a chubby little baby. Although it makes me sad to think of how quickly she is growing, I absolutely LOVE watching her discover new things, learn to move around EVERYWHERE, and begin to say her first few words. Life really doesn't get much better than this!

Since my last post, our new milestones include: pulling up to anything and everything, saying the words "ma ma, da da, dog, nana, ball, and bye," waving, eating table food instead of baby food, dancing, and....the best for last....sleeping all night long!!!! She also now has 6 teeth, 3 on top and 3 on bottom. We are definitely a growing little princess!

This month, we celebrated our first valentine's day as a family of 3, and Ryan celebrated his 29 birthday. I think it was kind of a bittersweet day for him; his first birthday as a dad, but also his first birthday without his mom. I am starting to quickly learn that the first holidays without Ryan's mom seem to be the particularly difficult days for him, but I continue to be so thankful for God's peace and strength that he continues to give to Ryan.

With Payton's first birthday right around the corner, it's crazy to reflect on what life was like last year at this time. Oh, we were so anxious to meet little Payton, and we kept fantasizing what life would be like with her here! At that time, I don't quite think we were able to grasp how much joy, love, and meaning she would bring to our life! Sometimes at night when Payton is sound asleep, I still find myself staring at her in pure amazement that she is ours.  (Well, actually she belongs to God, but he has given us the privilege of being her earthly parents!) How thankful we are that he has entrusted us with this precious life, and forever grateful for his example, forgiveness, and grace as we continue to learn how to be Godly parents!!

My next post will include pictures of Payton's first birthday! We are anxious to see if she will be walking by then. We keep waiting for her to take those first few steps. Check back soon to find out!!!

Enjoying My Valentine's Day Cookie!

Pig Tails!

Daddy sure loves his girl!

Taking Ali for a ride!

 Hanging out at Uncle Brent and Aunt Ashli's

Enjoying some Olive Garden!

Pretty blue eyes

Eating some chicken noodle soup...A new favorite!

Payton's birthday party invites!

10 Months!

Sitting at the Habachi grill at Zuki- The poor girl was terrified of the fire, but eventully enjoyed the show!

 Big Girl! - Brushing my teeth! (All 5 of them!)

Still Brushing!



Look at those bottom teeth!



Payton and Ali!- (She loves dogs, and pretty well all animals for that matter!)



Showing off the Valentine's Day PJs!



Playing horse with grandpa! (For some reason I don't think he lasted as long as he did when we were kids!)



Finally got that hair in some pig tails!



Definitely enjoying the 60 degree weather in January!



Payton is now 10 months old!  She is pulling up to certain things and is all over the house!  She LOVES to talk!  Her vocabulary currently includes the words dog, mama, dada, bye-bye, and dog.  She is also waving to everyone! We're still struggling with eating.  I have about decided that she does SO much better when I let her feed herself. ( This little princess likes to be in control.....wonder who she gets that from!  haha!) This creates quite the mess, but at least she is getting some nutrition.  Her favorite foods still include yogurt, crackers, cherrios, and bananas.  Payton has 5 teeth and is working on number 6.  Ryan and I are LOVING this stage with her.  (We say that about every stage, but this one has been exceptionally fun!)  She is so much more interactive, playful, and curious about things.  Because of my teaching background, I am definitely all about this!  We read lots of books, sing lots of songs, and play with different puzzles and blocks.  I have so much fun spending my days with her!

Ryan and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary yesterday.  A couple weekends ago, we went to St. Louis for the weekend to celebrate while my parents kept Payton.  It was a nice get-away.  We spent last night eating a dinner at home in shifts, playing in the floor with Payton, enjoying bath time and story time, followed by some catch-up TV show watching on the DVR! Nothing too romantic, but exactly how I would want to spend it.  Definitely looking forward to what this next year has in store for us!