1 year old photos

The week of Peyton's first birthday, we did family pictures in Burleson, TX. Prior to the photos, Peyton fell asleep in the car and wasn't a willing participate. I was kind of bummed that we couldn't get a single smile out of him! Nonetheless, the photos came out cute. Our photographer was Jennifer Matlock with Lovelock Photography

Here are some of my favorites.

My baby is 1!

Wow, what an incredible year! I think instead of talking about Peyton, I'm going to reserve the first part of the blog for me(which includes Peyton).

Through the blood sweat and tears, I managed to nurse an entire year! If you knew how difficult nursing was for me in the beginning, and again when Peyton starting getting teeth, you'd know that this was a huge accomplishment. I managed to nurse 12 months without supplementing a single ounce! Also, during the most challenging/rewarding time of our life, Scott and I grew stronger as a couple. I really think having a baby can do many things to a relationship, but I'm proud to say that we're stronger than ever.

Now on to my TODDLER!

It's hard to believe that my little guy was ever this little:

At 1 year Peyton is WALKING everywhere. He started walking around 11 months and has just taken off. He has crawled for 5 months, but it's like crawling is a distant past (even though it was less than a month ago). I've really enjoyed all milestones and really have embraced every single moment of his first  year. Peyton also said his frist phrase "all done". We've been doing sign language with him to help communicate and "all done" is one of our signs.

Peyton's  birthday celebration started the weekend before his birthday. His Grandpa D (aka my dad) came up the weekend before his party to help me prep for it. My dad got him his first tricycle, a royal blue Schwin. It's a gorgeous tricycle and sets the bar for Peyton's next set of wheels.

Scott's mom flew in a week early to celebrate! AND 2 days prior to Peyton's birthday party and on his actual birthday, my best friend Andrea flew in with her daughter Olivia. Peyton was very loved on his special day. 

Peyton's actual Birthday was on a Thursday. We picked Andrea and Olivia up from the airport and decided to take them to a fancy dinner at Chuck e Cheeses. They had a blast and Peyton had his first piece of cake. 

Peyton and Olivia had a romantic dinner

Followed by a drive through movie. Peyton protecting Olivia on a ride.

It was super cute seeing them walk around Chuck e Cheeses. I don't think they're quite old enough to fully enjoy it, but overall I think it was a fun way to celebrate Peyton's actual birthday.

The following day we continued the celebrations and loaded the babies tots in the car to drive out to Grand Prairie to see ELMO LIVE! Some might think this is a bit much for a 1 year old's birthday, but my dear friend and her little girl who I rarely get to see were visiting and I wanted it to be special for them as well! Elmo was entertaining for about 45 mins, which is impressive for this age. We left the show a bit early prior to epic meltdowns and ended up having lunch at an In n Out burger.

Peyton picking a good one

ELMO!

Grammy and Peyton watching the show.

The following day was Peyton's PAR-TAY! What a special day filled with lots of love. Lots of family and friends came to celebrate our baby boy's birthday and we couldn't be more thankful for everyone that took time out of their schedule to celebrate him.

Brian, Amy and their kiddos, Maya and Mason

Party favors

Mimi and Peyton

Papa and Peyton

Peyton's cake

Us with Andrea and Olivia

Sweet Peyton

8 months and happening

Dear Peyton,

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!

Love,

Mommy

Little Gym and Little Burger

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.

Peyton slept well that night.