A Whole Summer Gone By

I can't believe that summer is over and I have been back to work for a week already. I am missing my time being a mommy at home with Payton. We had so much fun together this summer. She had her very first plane ride when we went to visit gramma in Utah, she had a blast at the beach with family, and her first trip to Sea World with Mommy, Daddy and Nana. We swam with friends at grandpas, had friends over, and went to their houses. She also exprienced her first bounce house at The Play Factory! Oh and the biggest thing....She got a new puppy! As of right now, it's a love hate relationship. They're working on it.

Our time together was so special and I am so sad to give it up. I knew that this time would come, but it doesn't make it any easier..... This summer my baby blossomed into an ariel,Belle, shoe loving, then shoe hating, talking machine of a girl. How did this happen? She tries to count, say her ABC's, sing "Itsy,Bitsy Spider, put her clothes on all by herself, and eat by herself. Now most of these things she has not mastered by any means which makes for some cranky and frustrating times for both her and mommy, but I couln't be more proud of her. It amazes me how much she knows. She is one smart cookie. A little ahead of herself, so hopefully that means this phase will just end sooner. Here are a couple of examples of what I mean.

#1 getting dressed
Me: Are you having trouble putting your shirt on? Here let mommy help you
Payton: a whiny and frustrated "NO!" puishing my hand away.

#2Attempting to shop at Target
Me: Ok Peanut we are going to go shopping( put her in cart)
Payton ( stiffin legs and scream) Up Up Up. ( starting to cry) Dow Dow Dow! All this while standing up in the cart

#3 outside
Payton: AWA ? Awa? ( outside) following ERic to go water

Me: Ok lets put your shoes on!

Payton: NO!

Me: Ok then we can't go outside... The cement is hot we need to wear our shoes. Do you want to go outside?

Payton: ehhh( with ahead nod yes)

Me: Ok lets get shoes on!( while grabbing them from closet)

Payton: Shoving my hand away saying no

#4
Me: Payton we need to sit in our chair when we eat we don't stand
Payton: Staring at me with a grin on her face
Me: Payton Sit down....
Payton: NO

These are just a few examples of her new found independence.... We are working on this everyday. Her persistence cracks me up. Sometimes it is so hard not to laugh. Just today I was giving her a bath and she was flinging the water out of the tub. Of course I told her that we need to keep the water inside or we are going to get out. she does it again, so I get her out, she cries and I tell her we can go back in, but we have to keep the water in the tub. She shakes her head yes, I put her in. She then continues to fling the water right in my face, and giggle! What a stinker!

I could go on forever, there is something new evryday! For now, here are some pictures of our summer. The beach and Sea World soon too come. There were just too many!

First Steps

Well, she did it! She finally took the plunge and headed for the Jesus Loves Me book on two feet! We knew she has had the skill for quite sometime now, but she was just nervous to use it.

On May 19th she decided it was time. We went from falling on the ground in a tantrum if you let go of her hand to "Don't touch me I want to walk by myself!" in a matter of 5 min. Ever since, she has been roaming everywhere, and wants down ALL the time. Her dancing skills have also improved now that she stays up longer and has better balance. It's too cute. If music is on you will find her arms waving and her leg kicking! I'm so proud of her new found joy!...So is she!

OK I can do this....



Concentrating very hard




Success!!...And very proud of it!


A girl of many faces

Mother's Day

Today we celebrate our Mothers and all that they have done for us. I feel so privileged to be a part of this day. As I woke up this morning and got ready to go to breakfast, I looked at my family and was overwhelmed with happiness. This is what I have always dreamed of. To have a happy family. Eric is so amazing, he makes me feel so special and loved, my daughter is the most beautiful little girl and has changed my life. Being her mom is the best thing that has happened to me. Life is good :)

Last Mother's Day



My how things have changed!

Two of a kind!

Bird Watching

A caught Pay looking out the front window checking out the birds. I love it!

The Old Spaghetti Factory

One night, back in March Eric and I wanted to go out to dinner. I know this is no surprise to anyone, but we could not decide where to go. We almost quit. Then we thought" Oh hey! The Old Spaghetti Factory just opened up, lets try that!" So we went in, got our buzzer, found a place to stand, and there are Debbie and Jeff! It was too funny. They had done the exact same thing we did. Needless to say we all ate dinner. Not the best Italian food, but Payton sure enjoyed it!

Perfetto!


Being Silly