Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Such a good place to be...



Wow, Peyton is really growing fast! He is already turning himself over (both ways), grabbing at toys, and he's been holding his head up during tummy time for weeks. He loves his sister and always wants to watch what she is doing. He laughs out loud and smiles that sweet gummy grin that just melts your heart. He's growing up too fast for me because he doesn't want to be a baby! He won't hardly let you sit him down when you hold him because he wants to stand up. He even scoots a little bit on his belly when he's trying to get to something.



As I've been watching him grow over the past three months, I have been savoring every moment. I guess because I know he is our last baby and it has also made me think back to when Addison was that small and the cute things she did. She loves to hear me talk about "when she was a baby" and all the stuff she did. But I'm really enjoying where she is at right now too because she really is a neat kid and she is fun to hang out with. I learn something new from her every day. For instance, tonight she told me that she learned about spider monkeys at school today and that they howl when there is danger to let their other monkey friends know. She also shared with us this weekend about the animals that live in Australia-koalas, kangaroos, platypus, cuckaburra birds (I have no clue how to spell that) and the sounds they make.

I also love hearing her pray. She is so sweet when she talks to God about her friends, family, school, toys, etc. The other day, I couldn't help but smile when she was saying her blessing and she thanked God for "our savings." I didn't know what she meant at first until I realized she had heard me pray before thanking God for saving us. How cute. She is such a blessing to me because she helps keeps things in perspective. You never know when she's going to call you out on something!

She is a great big sister to Peyton too. She takes great pride and joy from helping to take care of him. Her big thing now is that she wanted us to move his car seat beside her so she can give him his pacifier when he cries. Oh, the little joys of motherhood! It's crazy how quickly these things slip away, so I'm trying to capture as many memories as possible. I haven't gotten as many videos of Peyton as I did Addison when she was a baby, but I really try hard to capture those moments. Peyton is a little camera shy though because when I get out the video camera, he stops doing whatever it was I was trying to get. Anyway, I just wanted to share those thoughts and a few pictures with you.



He's going to hate this when he's about 16, but he LOVES being in Addison's room! I think he loves all the bright colors. Here he is chillin' on her bed surrounded by a sea of pink and Tinkerbell. :)



Saturday, January 14, 2012

Put on your dancin' shoes...

Addison has been asking about taking dance and of course, I have been in favor of her doing so. I've always wanted her to take dance, (preferably from my dance teacher, Ms. Earline, but we moved 2 hours away) I just wasn't sure which studio to put her in. I wanted her to be in a fun environment and not so much about competing, etc. so we just chose a tiny one nearby. She has really enjoyed the classes and meeting new friends and showing off what she's learned. She's a natural performer (imagine that). One thing that bugged me about all the dance studios here is that you aren't allowed to watch the classes at all. Not even through a window. I wanted to see what she was doing so badly. This studio has one week in the fall where friends and family can come in and watch the class, which also happens to be the last class before Christmas and they have a party. So here's some shots of her strutting her stuff in tap and ballet. I must say that the most exciting part for these little ones (if you haven't guessed) is wearing a pretty skirt with your leotard and tights. She has several new ones that she loves to take turns wearing.

Sitting with Ms. Crystal, her teacher

Reaching up to the sky to stretch with her friends

Reaching to their toes as they "roll out their cookies" and stretch.  It's a cute and effective way to get them to stretch. Each of them gets to pick what they want to put on their cookies.












She loves her tap shoes!

Party time!

Sweet bliss...

Some sweet moments captured on camera to share with you...


"Burrito baby" all swaddled up
Little heartbreaker with his collar shirt & khaki pants 






















She was pretending to be Mary, mother of Jesus :)