I cannot believe that you once fit into one arm so perfectly. Now holding you with one arm requires me to balance you on my hip. You have gotten so big! You weigh 20 lbs 14 oz and are 28 inches long. You are the topic of every conversation and a conversation starter with strangers.
Prior to having you, I loathed woman who constantly "bragged" about their children, but I am afraid that I have become that person. I am so proud of you. I often times spend countless minutes just staring at you in amazement and I relish in the fact that you are all mine. What a privilege it is to be your mother.
At 8 months you are doing so much:
-You've mastered crawling
-Started cruising on furniture
-Clap your hands
-Fake cough
-Climb on anything thigh high
-Stand by yourself for brief moments
-And say the word "Out"
You got your second tooth shortly after your first one. You and teething do not get along! Your doggies are the funniest thing in the world to you. Your dad and I will sometimes prop you up on Porkchop's back and that cracks you up like nothing else. Your laughter always leads to a smile on our face as well.
This month you have also become "scare-able", here's a video of me trying to scare you.
You like to get into EVERYTHING and your favorite things are the things mommy and daddy do NOT want you playing with. The TV stand is your favorite go to area for fun. You love turning the xbox on and off and have just discovered how to eject the disc tray.
baby proofing is a joke to you
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we go to Stroller strides. Every Wednesday is The Little gym, which is something you love.
Your favorite thing to do at 8 months is standing and you've gotten so good at it. You can stand up with just the support of a wall.
And the funniest thing you do right now is play with your tongue. You love sticking it out of your mouth, you do it all the time now. Apparently, this is something your dad used to do.
your dad was caught doing it in the newspaper and we snagged a picture of you sticking your tongue out next to his article.
On your 8 month bday, we took a day trip to Killeen to visit your Grandpa D. You didn't do so well in the car and lately have hated being in your car seat for longer than 20 mins. - I cannot blame you.
Your Grandpa loves you very much and just lights up when he sees you. We Skype with him on a weekly basis. I have never seen your Grandpa as happy as he is when he sees you, and you loved it at Grandpa's because he let you do whatever you wanted.
You knocked his phone down
You also climbed on his desk and almost knocked a lamp and monitor off it.
-Grandpa would've let you if I hadn't intervened
Grandpa was sad to see you go
Thankfully you slept the whole ride home
You are a handful, but you're our handful and we would be lost without you!
I've been looking forward to Peyton's first "official" Halloween party. "Why?" you might ask... I've been wanting another opportunity (other than Halloween) for Scott and I to dress up with Peyton. I know to some this might seem dorky, but if you don't know this about me, I LOVE being dorky!
This Halloween I planned for Scott and I to dress up as In n Out Burger employees and for Peyton to be a Hamburger. I really wanted to include the dogs and have them dress as pickles, but I am having no luck finding those costumes. For those of you who have never eaten at or heard of In n Out Burger, it is a simple burger place that features 3 different entree options (only), hand cut fries and shakes. It's based in California, which is where both Scott and I first experienced their burgers. Over the past year In N Out has branched out it's locations to TX! One of my favorite things about In N Out Burger is the old fashion feel. Here is an example of what their uniforms look like.
In N Out Burger uniform
Scott and my costume was easy and cost a total of $9! We wore white clothing we had (Scott had very light khakis), we got paper hats at In N Out for FREE and I bought red fabric for $9, I put a simple stitch in it with thread I already had. Peyton's costume I ordered from Old Navy and was so happy to have found it as easily as I did.
The Little Gym Halloween Party:
Marissa (and Ryan), Riley, and Keith
Ana and David
Kelly and Dylan
I don't know these people, but I appreciated their costumes
I didn't know these people either
David and Peyton
David- he is so cute!!
Peyton on the climbing wall was hilarious!
After the party we had dinner with Marissa (and her family) and Ana, her mom and David at Palios.
This was a fairly relaxed weekend compared to last. We were not "busy", but we had things to do. Last Friday, Scott met up with Steve to watch some baseball. Peyton and I hung out at the house. That night Peyton would NOT go to sleep. He finally ended up crashing and the position he settled in was hilarious.
tuckered out on the living room floor
We met James and Michelle to try the new Smash Burger by our house on Saturday. What sets these burgers apart from any ole burger is that they smash the patty and it gives the outer burger a nice crispness. Overall, I thought the burger was a little greasy, but good. After lunch Michelle and I went and ran errands ( I needed baby proofing items) while James and Scott went to fulfilled their wood working hobby at Rockler.
At Buy Buy Baby
On Sunday, Ryan and Tori hosted a a get together at their house and we went over to watch the Cowboy's game with them. Scott's a die hard Brown's fan, but was a good sport and watched the Cowboys lose with them.
There was a little girl named Allison who is 3 months older than Peyton
As for new milestones, Peyton started cruising on furniture this past week. He started doing this once we got back from Ohio. -seeeee traveling really does help them develop! I just so happened to snag a video of him doing this:
Baby proofing is something we have been meaning to do for a while. I got a cover for the fire place, but wish I would have splurged on something more expensive. The cover I got for $20 is already being peeled off by Peyton womp womp. I also snagged some pads for Peyton's baby jail.
Got the padding at Sams Club, by far the BEST price on these I've seen.
I also got outlets covered and covers for our entertainment center -which seems to be Peyton's favorite go to place. All the toys in the world and he loves black electronics. Think we'll do our Christmas shopping at goodwill and get him some old remote controls and dvd players.
Last night I did a moms night in wreath making party with the stroller strides moms. It was a fun excuse to get together! We did a mexican potluck and everyone brought their own supplies. Food and drinks were plentiful!
Stacy and I each picked a wreath to make and help guide anyone who needed help. Stacy helped some make a yarn wreath and I did a burlap one. I think this one was my most favorite moms night out (in).
Stacy, Bethany, Nancy, and Cassidy
Bethany and me
here's the burlap wreath I made. Not sure I like the bow, will figure it out later
Today Scott woke up early and drove to Houston. He was going to go last night, but bc I had plans, he decided to wake up super early instead. I know, he's a good hubby! Ironically, my mom and her husband Rick drove up from Houston while Scott was on his way down there. They stopped by on their way to Arkansas and Indiana. Peyton hasn't seen them since he was 4 months old, but that didn't seem to matter. He took 2 naps on his Mimi within in a 4 hour period and seemed to really like Rick.
waiting for Mimi to get here
Rick and Peyton
My mom showing me how she used to carry my siblings and I when we were babies. And then I showed her my ergo
my mom and baby
Peyton also discovered his tongue last night and has been playing with it in his mouth. He likes to stick it out on the sides of his lips. Trying to take a picture of this is like trying to capture a mythical creature. Luckily, I snapped one without even knowing I did.
I was trying to take a picture of us and then I spotted his tongue sticking out
Oh, and today I unexpectedly received a book in the mail from my brother Derek, Blog inc.I know my "blogging" isn't up to par with most, but I didn't think it was horrible. lol Thanks big brother! I guess there's always room for improvement and I really would love to become a better blogger.
Last Friday we flew to Detroit, Michigan (DTW) and then drove to Ohio. We were going up to Ohio for Wes and Holly's wedding, but what a great excuse to visit family. Scott and I were both anxious about flying with an active 7 month old. This wasn't Peyton's first flight, but he is 1000x more active now than he was at 4 months. We packed as lightly as possible. I even limited toys bc Peyton plays with everything other than his toys.
One thing I HIGHLY recommend when traveling (especially with kiddos) is taking a picture of where you parked. So glad I did this. Even with getting to the airport with plenty of time, when you are traveling with a baby for some reason everything seems rushed.
I knew exactly where we were 4 days later
We traveled with:
2 suitcases (my old flight attendant travel pro)
laptop bag (Scott ALWAYS has to have that)
Travel system -Stroller and car seat. Having that made it super easy to bring the carseat with us to the gate AND Peyton
diaper bag
boppy -loved having that, really helped with breastfeeding and Peyton sleeping
We brought all of this stuff on the plane and curb checked our stroller and carseat. Traveling to DTW was super easy.
our flight was delayed, so Peyton and I got comfy on the floor
Keeping Peyton entertained was what we did the majority of the flight as he did not sleep.
Yo Gabba Gabba, what would we do without you.
Peyton LOVED looking out the window
We made it!!
Scott's parents live 2 hours from Detroit. By the time we landed (plus an hour time change) and made it to our rental car, it was late. Add a cranky baby, 2 hour drive to Norwalk, OH, and cold wet rain = NO FUN! I think I told Scott several times while he was driving to never fly us into Detroit again... He was a good sport and husband and rather than arguing back, he agreed.
The following day, we drove to the Toledo area (which is less than an hour from Detroit) for Wes and Holly's wedding. The ceremony was beautiful. It was held outside in a park. It was cold, but the setting was perfect for a wedding. The leaves were turning to orange and reds. Holly was absolutely gorgeous.
So PRETTY!
Mike who was our best man and who also married our friends Carly and Justin, also married Wes and Holly. Holly's adorable kiddos (Ava and Blake) were her flower girl and ring barrier
I really believe that traveling helps with development. Peyton started fake coughing on the drive up to the wedding. I would cough and then he would mimic me. It was super cute and kept us entertained. I just wouldn't recommend teaching your baby to do this on your way to a wedding. Sure enough, during the ceremony, Peyton was doing his fake cough. He wouldn't stop, I had to take him to the side so he wouldn't ruin it!
The reception was held at the Toledo Zoo. Such a cool place for a reception. We rode on a golf cart through most of the zoo to the reception hall.
Peyton was even dressed to the nines
Holly and Peyton
All the guys plus 2 new additions. Scott has known these guys for over 10 years
The rest of our stay was spent in Norwalk, Oh. I really love spending time with Scott's family and I think Peyton did too. He was busy getting into everything and going everywhere.
he really wanted that light switch
Grammy even got him to take a nap on her lap!
Connie must have made 10 dozen of Scott's favorite cookies
While Peyton was busy getting into everything, Scott spent hours inventorying and looking at coins with his dad. They literally spent hours doing that.
3 generations of Youngs
Peyton and I walked over to his Great Grandma Young's house while they looked at coins
Peyton even crawled into the room to check out the coins
Oh and Peyton also learned how to clap
The last day in Ohio was spent with more coins, naps, Lunch at Great Grandma Young's house, visiting Grammy at work, and saying "Hi" to Great Grandma Hertenstein.
Peyton and Grandpa Bill
I was able to pick up lunch and flowers while Jimmy and Peyton napped
I sadly didn't get any pictures with Great Grandma Young this trip
Peyton's Great Grandma Hertenstein
We made it back to Detroit with plenty of time. We had enough time to have a sit down dinner at the airport, which was nice.
TSA is so strict! ;)
After an eventful fun weekend, we made it back to TX late Monday night
.jpg)
.JPG)
