GO DEVILS!

Everyone knows Martin went to Notre Dame. And we all know how much Martin loves Notre Dame. Peyton's closet is filled with Notre Dame gear. But we finally have some balance. I was able to snag some great ASU gear a few weeks ago. And Peyton just loves donning the Maroon and Gold!

Mischievous Monkey

Peyton has a knack for looking like she's just gotten away with something, and to her, that is incredibly funny. I love this picture - her expression is priceless. Oh, and it appears her left hand is in her pocket. Wonder what she's hiding in there...

5 Months Old!!

Random Pictures

Because if you read this blog, you can't get enough of Peyton's adorable face!

I'm a morning person!

A girl can never have too many toys...

Can someone please get me a napkin?

I love my jumperoo!

Really, I can't get any cuter!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Peyton is obsessed with the TV. Just like her daddy.

Kindred Spirit

Martin, Peyton, and I participated in the Race for the Cure 5k. We ran in honor of Kindra McLennan - a friend who passed away last year from a rare form of cervical cancer. (To read more about Kindra and her inspiring journey visit kindramclennan.blogspot.com). It was incredibly hot and humid, but the energy at the race was awesome. This was the farthest I had run since having Peyton, so I definitely needed the boost! Kinda's memory kept me going - she was pretty amazing.




Peyton did great - she finished the race (with Martin pushing her) in about 23 minutes. I finished well behind them, but at least I finished! It was a lot for a four and a half month old - she passed out as soon as she got into the car on the way home!

More Memorial Day...

Hanging out in Annapolis with the family...





With Uncle Gary...

Memorial Day = Pool Fun Day!

As if getting baptized wasn't excitement enough, Peyton went for her first swim over Memorial Day weekend.

Martin dutifully blew up her pool (the first of many toys he will have to assemble for her)...



She put on her patriotic suit (complete with terry cloth cover up)...





And we dipped her feet in...



She wasn't too sure about it at first (the water was a bit too cool for her liking - she prefers temps around 98 degrees)...



But after a few minutes she started to enjoy it!

Peyton's Baptism

Peyton had a big Memorial Day weekend, kicked off by her baptism at Washington Street United Methodist Church in Old Town. We were thrilled that her Godparents, Aunt Ginger and Uncle Gary made it out for the special occasion, as well as Uncle Jim and Grandma and Grandpa Richardson.

Mmmmm...cereal!

Turning four months old comes with a whole set of new responsibilities. Peyton now rolls over in both directions (although she sometimes forgets she knows how to get back once she has flipped over one direction), squeals, and has even been caught letting out a belly laugh once or twice. But the biggest change is that Peyton is now able to eat cereal! We tried out some very runny rice cereal right after her four month checkup. As you can see - she was none too pleased that we were shoving this sloppy stuff in her mouth instead of her normal easy flow bottle. She was extremely frustrated with the whole process and the poor thing completely lost her mind. Lesson learned - we now give her the bottle first, THEN the cereal.

Four months old!

Peyton is now 25 inches tall (70th percentile for height), 12 pounds, 12 ounces (30th percentile for weight), and her head circumference is 15.5 inches (20th percentile). She is our tall, lean, little pinhead!

My first Mother's Day

I've had a lot of titles in my life. Daughter, friend, sister, communications director, wife, professional, colleague, and shopaholic come to mind.

Growing up and even in the early years of my marriage, I wasn't one of those women who was dying to have children. I liked kids...but liked giving them back when they started crying more. Martin and I spent a wonderful six years together as a married couple with no kids, focusing on our friends, travel, and career.

But four months ago, I earned my most important title. Mother. I can't describe the feeling of having Peyton in my life. All I can say is I've never felt a love for someone like I do for her.

My first Mother's Day was perfect. I spent the day with Peyton, Martin, and my mother-in-law. We didn't do anything fancy, and I didn't escape the house for "time to myself." I just enjoyed time with my precious little girl - and counted my blessings that I am her mother.

Spring has sprung!

The frigid temps and icicles have finally gone...and we are thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather! Peyton got her first taste of spring at Casa Hellmer in early April when we planted our annual flowers.



She wasn't much help - she slept the entire three hours in her swing, listening to the birds chirping and feeling a calm breeze on her face. She lives a tough life.