A Weekend of Firsts!

It's the weekend of December 28th, 2012 and what a busy weekend it has been for you, our little Butter Butt! We have been waiting patiently for you to do many different things, and you came through...all in one weekend! I am so thankful that you waited to do these things when both your daddy and I were both with you, to experience the joy of these milestones! Just this weekend, you have started to crawl (barely, but you are moving!), you are giving "kisses" (the absolute sweetest thing ever!), you are attempting to clap your hands, your starting to pull up on to things, you sat up in your crib for the first time, and your playing keep-a-way (on purpose!). 
Your first real few steps of crawling were on Saturday night, the 29th, over at Uncle Neil and Aunt Marla's house. We were over there for Grandma Helen's 60th surprise birthday party! All of the aunts were having a blast playing with you. They set a beer down and encouraged you to come to it....and you did! I didn't know if I should be proud or scared! You wanted that beer! :) You did take your first few steps though. You are not crawling great yet, but you have now started to attempt to move! Daddy and I were so proud!

At home, with Dad and I, you mocked us by clapping your hands. We have been trying to teach you this for quite some time. Woo-Hoo! 

You have given "kisses" before, just a few times to me and to Granny Jordan. You would never do it repeatedly though, so I assumed it was a fluke the first couple of times that you did it. Starting this weekend, you will intentionally open your mouth up (extremely wide!) and give kisses when I ask you too! This was such a sweet moment for Daddy and I. We both just sat in the floor, laughing and smiling at you, demanding that you give us "kisses" over and over! 

Sitting up in your crib was one of the most fun moments we have shared with you so far! We have been waiting for the day when you would sit up and starting playing in your crib, during naps. We recently lowered your crib mattress down, and put a few toys in there, anticipating this big milestone! A lot of mommy's friends have babies your age and they have been doing these things for awhile now. You have proven to us over and over that you like to do things on your own time. I can already tell that you are a free spirit and you are going to do things when YOU want to do them, not when we want you to! I admire that about you already! So, back to how it happened...Daddy and I were on the couch in the living room and we could hear you talking to yourself in your room, and knew that you had woken from your morning nap. Daddy was on the phone, so I went in to get you. I wanted to be sure you were really awake (and there was no possibility of you falling back asleep). I tip-toed down the hall, slowly opened your door, and quietly stuck my head in to see you. There you were...sitting straight up, laughing and smiling at me! I burst into laughter, and ran in the living room to get Daddy. He hung the phone up quickly and ran into your room. He, too, burst into laughter  We both got out our phones and began taking pictures and video of you. It was so funny, and so sweet. We were two proud parents, that's for sure! 

Not the greatest quality of picture, but it was dark, and it's the best I took!
You are such a big girl!

You were kicking and moving like crazy!
I think you were also very proud of yourself! 

It's crazy how endlessly happy you make your Dad and I. It's the small things, like sitting up in your crib for the first time, that I will treasure as long as I live! 

Thank you for teaching me how to enjoy the small things in life...

Love,

Mommy

A Sad Day in America...

Payton Nadine,

December 14th, 2012 was an extremely sad day in our Nation. One of the most horrid, violent acts in our history became a reality at an elementary school in Connecticut. A man entered a school and killed several children and teachers. 
This nightmare hits very close to home. I am a 4th grade teacher, and the fear of something like this happening in my school becomes a reality that I can't imagine facing. 
As a person, I am disgusted and outraged. 
As a teacher, I am sad and heartbroken for these families, this school, and most of all...the children. 
As YOUR mother, I am so incredibly terrified. You are only 11 months old, yet I am absolutely sick over the thought of you going to school one day. I have cried and cried the last couple of days in fear of what kind of world you will grow up in. If you watch the news, it just seems as if our world is becoming an increasingly scary and ugly place to live in. It seems that darkness, bad people, and violence are taking over...
However, as I have had time to sit and reflect, I refuse to be scared. I refuse to raise you in a way that causes you to fear and worry over things such as this. There are too many reasons why we should not live this way...and here are two of those reasons.... 

1. Your daddy and I trust, love, and believe in Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. The Lord has a PERFECT plan for me, your daddy, and most of all...you. Our life is in his hands, and we are here for his purpose. We shall not live in fear as to what this life holds or what our purpose is..or how our life will end up. We must live to trust him, and that our purpose is perfect. If we live this way, we live in faith, and we will not live in fear. Through this tragedy  people have questioned God and where was our God when these horrible things happened. We know better than to ever question this. God gives us all the freedom of choice over our life. What we choose to do with it is up to us. The Lord is weeping with our Nation during this time. God is Love, and weeps with us at the choices of this man. We know that God was there. He was there in the teachers who protected their children. He was there in the police officers who ran into the building to risk their own lives. He was there in the community who out-poured their love, tears, and support for these victims. God was there. In this house, we will never question that. In this world, the peace and Love that God provides our family is essential. I feel so worried and scared for you, but then I realize that you are God's child and that he will always protect you. 

2. There are so many good people on this Earth doing great things. We see so much of the yucky stuff, that it makes it hard to remember this. There really are so many great people. I hope and pray that as you grow, you are surrounded by these people. I hope you always choose to surround yourself with positive people, people who do good for others, and people who love God. It is these people who will help to shape you into a wonderful, and productive member of our society. Always choose Love, Payton, and be kind to all that you meet-for there is always someone who is fighting a tougher battle. 

Our President, Barack Obama, gave a speech last night to the country in the wake of this horrible tragedy. He made comments about parents, children, and our country. You were sleeping soundly in your bed during this speech, as your daddy and I sat on the couch welled with tears listening. He spoke so true to our heart. He said:
"To have a child is to forever have your heart walk outside of your body." 

This is exactly true. I have never worried so much, prayed so much, thought so much, hurt so much, or been as happy until you came along. I do literally feel as if my heart walks around and travels with you. I want so desperately to shield you from this world, to shield you from all negative, hurtful, and horrible things. As I sit and watch you smile and laugh, part of my heart breaks. You are the definition of pure innocence at this point. You smile at every stranger you see. You laugh without a single care in the world. To you, this is one big, happy fun place. If only you could never grow up, or if only we all had your innocence. I am heartbroken knowing that you will soon be struck with reality. In a few years, you too will experience anxiety and fear as you slowly realize that life can be scary. 

I wish I could keep you in a  bubble forever. I wish I could save you from your every fall. I wish that you would never experience hurt, heartache, pain, or anything else for that matter. I wish for no one to ever hurt you, betray you, or make you sad. 

I do know that these are all just that....wishes. You will experience all of these things, unfortunately. Knowing this, I will do my best to raise you in a God loving home, a place where you will always be safe, loved, and protected. I will prepare you for these life challenges so that you can conquer and defeat each one. I will raise you to be strong, confident, and kind. If I can do this, my job as your mother will be complete. 

You are my hope in this world. You are my love. You are my life. 

I believe that God's purpose for my life, was to have you. To raise you in his love. 

I will do my best and I promise you that.

I love you in a way that I could never possibly explain or put into words. 

There are no words for a love this deep, this passionate, and this large. 

Love,

Mommy

For Payton's Blog...

Well we got to meet PAYTON for the first time Sat. 12/15/12. You were all Nanny and I expected and more. A beautiful little girl. We have watched you grow in pictures since the start. It is easy to see you have been nurtured in love all your life. I have never seen any baby get more care and attention than you received from your Mom and Dad. We continue to watch you grow from a little rose bud into a beautiful rose. There are miles between us but love bridges the distance easily. Nanny and Paw Paw have many Great Grandchildren, but each one has a special place in our hearts. No matter what path you may take in life, Payton, you have a head start, because you are loved by so many. Love is one of God’s great gifts. Without it we are nothing. Read in the bible was Bro. John has to say about love.  When you learn to read of course. Maybe from reading this and seeing pictures of Nanny and Paw Paw you can feel some of what we were.

Watching you grow and loving you, 

Nanny and PawPaw

A Typical Day...

Today has been a typical day; nothing out of the usual. Mommy and Daddy both went to work and came home to the many chores and tasks for the evening, like normal! The days seems so long, while I am at work, without you. Sometimes it's hard to find happiness or force a smile. The stresses of work and life can so easily bring me down.
That is until the second I walk in the door to pick you up. Today, like everyday, you look up when you hear my voice, and you start to bounce and clap, smiling from ear to ear. You will start to talk, and mumble vowel sounds, with a "mamama mamama" to let me know that you are happy to see me. I laugh and talk to you the entire car ride home, so anxious to get home and play with you. Tonight, like most nights, I sat you in your high chair with your favorite, "Gerber Puff" snacks (you love them, and you love to shove like 6 in your mouth at a time, which makes me incredibly nervous!)
While I'm making dinner, I talk to you, sing to you, and dance for you. For some reason, you love my silly dance moves. You will laugh out loud and just giggle hysterically the entire time that I prance around the kitchen like a crazy ballerina. It takes so very little to impress you, and so little to please you. You are happy and you make us so incredibly happy every night and day that we spend with you. I feel like a star, as I dance for you. You have a special way of making me feel so special. The stresses of the day, of life...are instantly washed away with your smile. You are the remedy and the cure for it all! Your smile is my joy. I love you, Payton, to the Moon and back. (and then some!)

Love,

Mommy

"Never Grow Up" By Taylor Swift

Hard to believe I am already planning your First Birthday party. As excited as I am to watch you grow and become the greatest little girl that I know you will be, this saddens me. You are the sweetest, happiest, and best baby. I will forever cherish and miss this time with you. Your sweetness, innocence  and daily curiosities fill my heart with happiness every single day. Sometimes I wish you would never grow up. I came across this song today written by Taylor Swift. My eyes welled with tears, as I related to it all so closely...

Your little hands wrapped around my finger

And it's so quiet in the world tonight

Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming

So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny

You got nothing to regret

I'd give all I have, honey

If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

Just stay this little

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you

Won't let no one break your heart

No, no one will desert you

Just try to never grow up, never grow up

You're in the car on the way to the movies

And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off

At 14, there's just so much you can't do

And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots

But don't make her drop you off around the block

Remember that she's getting older, too

And don't lose the way that you dance around

In your PJs getting ready for school

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

Just stay this little

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

[From: http://www.elyrics.net]

It could stay this simple

No one's ever burned you

Nothing's ever left you scarred

And even though you want to

Just try to never grow up

Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room

Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home

Remember the footsteps, remember the words said

And all your little brother's favorite songs

I just realized everything I have

Is someday gonna be gone

So here I am in my new apartment

In a big city, they just dropped me off

It's so much colder than I thought it would be

So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on

Wish I'd never grown up

I wish I'd never grown up

Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up

Could still be little

Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up

It could still be simple

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

Just stay this little

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

It could stay this simple

Won't let nobody hurt you

Won't let no one break your heart

And even through to you want to

Please try to never grow up

Don't you ever grow up

(Never grow up)

Just never grow up

 Love,

Mommy

Late Night Fun!

After being so sick the last few weeks, it's so nice to have you feeling better. Most of your symptoms are gone, but you still have a yucky cough that we are desperately trying to get rid of. The doctor wants us to continue to give you steroids as a breathing treatment to help get rid of your cough. Well, the first time we put you on these steroids  it totally messed up your sleeping habits. You were one WIRED little girl! The late PM hours, became your party hours. You didn't feel well, but you still wanted to party past your bed time! We had to start the steroids again this past week...and guess what...You went right back into party mode! It is entirely past your bed time, but you are making it clear you are not going to go to bed. In your crib, you have screamed and cried. The second I go and pick you up and walk you into the living room...you are all smiles for Daddy. Yes, we are wrapped around your finger, and yes, you run this house. We are here, at your service. But who couldn't be? Look at this smile....This smile makes these late night party sessions the BEST EVER. 

Love,

Mommy

A Note from Grandma Helen...

Payton,

The day they brought Chloe in with a sweater on that said, "I'm going to be a big sister", I was overwhelmed.
That night I sat back and took it all in, and cried, thanking God.
For 9 months I prayed for you every night, and then the big day finally came. There were so many people there, all waiting for you.
Your dad came out and that's when he told us that we now had you. I could not wait to get in there to hold you. You were so adorable, and I am so thankful that God gave me two beautiful granddaughters.

My love for you is so overwhelming. I will be there if you fall, to pick you back up. My love for you is everlasting.When you need me, I will be there. If you need me to talk to, I will be there.

I cannot wait to have tea time, play games, go shopping, and teach you how to cook. We will have so many fun days together.

You are my life. I have waited for 30 years for my little angels, and now you and Summer are here. We will share a lot of memories together.

You have parents that love you; Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will always be there for you. You have a lot of angels in Heaven who watch over you, too.

Grandma will love her Sweet Pea Forever...

"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself."

Happy 2 Month Birthday, Sweet Girl!

March 24th,  2012

Two months have come and gone. FAST. 

Your personality is starting to develop and you are the happiest baby. You never cry, you are never unhappy, and you just go with the flow. You have one of the calmest, most passive demeanors of any baby I know. You make it so easy to take care of you.

Your sweet smile is really starting to appear more often. You are starting to smile back at us when we smile and play with you. In 27 years, I have never smiled so much. Your smile is contagious and warms my heart. 

You Love: White noise and the sound of water, looking at books, your swing, laying under your floor gym, and when Mommy sings to you.

You Don't Like: Tummy time! You last one minute at the most and then the anger rages! The doctor tells me to keep you on your tummy and that it's okay for you to get frustrated. I don't listen. You don't like it, and I don't make you do it! (I'm sure that's not the best approach, but I can't stand to see you upset!)

You Eat: You have been eating around every 3-4 hours during the day. At night, you are usually asleep by 8:30. You will sleep until around 4 AM, eat, and then go back to sleep until 8:00! We are pretty spoiled. You are such a great baby! 

2 Month Check Up:

15.2 Pounds

25 1/4 Inches

100% for Height and Weight

2nd Month Memories:

Love,

Mommy

Happy 1st St. Patrick's Day!

Today is your 1st St. Patrick's Day!

We are so "Lucky" to have you!!

Love,

Mommy

Is Your Big Girl Bed Big Enough For Mommy, Too?

Noooooo!

The time has come. 

With as tall as you are, you are becoming uncomfortable sleeping in your bassinet, which is next to our bed. 

At night, every time you move, your little arms and legs bash into the sides of the bassinet, and it wakes you. 

I never dreamed of putting you in your own room, in a big crib, by yourself....at only 5 weeks old! 

Daddy and I were honestly prepared to let you stay in our room for at least your first three months of life! 

We were left with no choice. It was time to make the move so that you could sleep comfortably. 

I worried so much for you thinking that you would be scared because you were by yourself, your crib was so big, etc. In all reality, you loved the space. 

It was Mommy who was scared to be alone and scared to be away from you. And Daddy, too. Luckily for us though, we bought a video monitor, so we could see you on our portable video screen whenever we wanted. 

You slept all by yourself for the first night on Monday, March 5th! 

You slept so peacefully, and slept the entire night! 

Us on the other hand, I don't think we slept at all. 

Your daddy got up at least 10 times to go in and look at you. 

I got up probably triple times to roll over and look at the monitor. 

But...We all survived!

You are getting to be such a big girl. 

It's incredible how much you grow and change with each and every day. 

Love,

Mommy

Itching To Get Out...

Mommy, Daddy, and especially Chloe were all just itching to get out of the house!

You were born during the heart of winter, so needless to say, we have all been 

cooped up entirely too long. 

Before you were born, we were so used to being "On the go!" 

We never did rest. We are always busy going somewhere and doing something. 

Now, our lives have completely changed and You control everything! Haha.

It was very warm out today, unusually warm for February. 

We decided to take you out for some fresh air.

Your first trip out was to Fenton City Park.

We all had fun getting some exercise and fresh Winter air.

Chloe was very thankful to have a few minutes to run with her Dad, too!

As we strolled you along in your stroller, I thought to myself...

"This is finally me! I'm a mom! I have MY baby at the park!"

This is the life I have always dreamed...

You have made my dreams come true!!

Love, 

Mommy

Sleep. Such a BEAUTIFUL thing!

Wooo-Hoooo!

You have officially slept more than 5 hours through the night. 

Wow! Getting 5 hours of sleep never felt so good!

AMEN!

1 Month Memories...

1 Month checkup:
13 Pounds
24 1/2 Inches long
100% for Height and Weight



1. You wake us every 4 hours during the night to eat. I am still trying to breastfeed, but am doing it mostly out of a bottle now. With all of the complications, I just want you to have the healthiest milk in the most convenient way...which for you, has been from the bottle! I'm finally okay with that. Whatever it takes to get your little body fed! Luckily for Mommy, Granny Jordan comes over everyday from about 6-9 Am (before she goes to work.) She takes the early morning shift with you, catches me up on my laundry, etc. This allows me to get over 5-6 hours of sleep at one time. It makes all of the difference in the world. We are all very lucky for her. She loves you so much, as do all of your grandparents!

2. You aren't making to many sounds yet, but you sure love to kick your little legs and move your arms! 

3. You absolutely love anything that plays "White Noise". The sound of running water is our saving grace. We turn the noise on our phone and it goes with you everywhere. It will put you right to sleep!

4. You love to go outside. You seem so amazed and so curious with the outside world. 

5. You make the sweetest "Turtle Face!" You pucker your little lips out and every time you do it, I always swoop down and kiss them! When you make this little face, I try as hard as I can to snap images of it in my memory. I never want to forget this face. It's soon going to be just a sweet memory. 

6. You are starting to smile! It's usually when you have gas or are sleeping..but regardless, it's adorable!! 

Here are a few memories from your first month of life...

Payton and Poppy!

Mommy's Best Friend, Stacey.

You with your cousins, Hailey and Ella!

Sleepy Girls!

You, Daddy, Grandma Helen, and Aunt Shelly.

You would always sleep in the funniest positions!

Snug as a bug in a rug!

You with Aunt Ashley!

 Love,

Mommy