My First ISU Tailgate

Marching bands, loud college kids, sirens...I sleep through it all!

Our Big Girl

Payton was weighed at the doctor today. She now weighs in at 10 lbs. 5 oz.! Although some babies are this big at birth, it's a considerable jump from 5 lbs 9 oz when she left the hospital. Her cheeks are really starting to fill out. Do you think she's storing milk in there?

Showered with Attention

Today, all of Mommy's friends at work had a baby shower for me. There was cake, presents, lots of teachers and even a balloon! I slept through most of it, but I know that I was passed around a lot. They all talked about my hair and my cute outfit that Jodi and Sara bought me. Mommy had a great time seeing all her friends again, and I got lots of cute clothes and toys!

Wild Woman!

Mom and Dad have fun playing with all my hair!

Peek-a-boo Grandpa!

Grandpa Dean and Grandma Barb babysat me while Mom and Dad went out for their anniversary. I love playing with Grandpa...he teaches me cool stuff. He says when I get older he'll be naughty with me. I can't wait!

Hanging with the Girls

Grandma Barb and Grandma Ann played with me today while Mom ran errands. It was great!

Paci for Payton

Look at me! I'm learning how to use my paci! Yah, I thought it was pretty cool until I found out that my parents were trying to con me. I'd suck and suck, a suck some more and nothing would come out. Then I found out there's not even a bottle attached. I don't know about this paci thing... I think if I was just going to suck on something, I'd just use a couple of my fingers!

Sleeping Beauty

From what I've read, it's easy for newborns to get night and day mixed up. So..."experts" advise waking your child during the day so they are more alert and will sleep soundly through the night. RIGHT! Here are my attempts to play with Payton and keep her alert during the day. I bet you can guess how the nights are going!

Grandmas and Grandpas are Special

Just Me and My Uncles

 

Mama's Girl

A Smootch for Teddy

Payton's new favorite toy is her teddy blankie. It rattles and, as you can see, must not taste all that bad either!

Daddy Time

And one...and two...and lift that head!

Payton's new morning exercise program is some light lifting on her Boppy. She can lift her head for about 10 seconds before needing a rest. It's hard work!

Summer Baby

"What do you want, Mom...I'm trying to catch some rays!"

Happy Birthday

Our little girl turned one month old this morning at 12:30 am. It seems unreal she is already that old. Time goes so fast! She is now able to grasp objects firmly with her hands (her favorite being your pinky), track objects with her eyes and move her head from one side to the other when on her belly. We're excited to see what she'll learn to do this month!

Tubby Time

While in the hospital, we were told that although we had a mild baby, expect the first breakdown at bathtime. "Babies hate to be naked and wet!" So, we prepared for the worst. However, much to our surprise, Payton LOVES baths! She will sit in the water and stare at us with a look like she's thinking "Ahhhhhhh...this feels great!" I attribute it to many hours spent at the pool this summer while she was in the womb.

My First Time at the Marcus Fair

We just returned from a great trip to Marcus, Iowa to visit Scott's family. Payton got to meet her aunts, uncles, cousins and great-grandparents, as well as stroll through the Marcus Fair for the first time. Her highlights from the weekend included: several smootches from cousin Jared, lots of hugs from cousins Greta and Madeleine, walking through the fair at 6:30 am with Mom and seeing the cows getting and bath and snuggling with Great-Grandma Sis.

Peanut to Pumpkin

Payton Michelle was born on July 14, 2006. She was 3 weeks early and weighed only 6 lbs 2 oz. When I was pregnant we named her Peanut, because she looked so tiny in her ultrasound pictures. The nickname stuck from the moment she was born. Not only was she little, but her name began with a "P" which seemed to complicate things for everyone. However, our little peanut has grown since her big debut. Payton has gained over 2 lbs sincer her birth. She is eating, sleeping and pooping like a champ! Although we have gotten better at calling her Payton, we've decided her darling cheeks and ever growing belly deserve a more fitting nickname...Pumpkin.