Naughty or Nice?

Peyton woke up early on the Friday after Thanksgiving giddy with excitement. She was about to have her first encounter with Santa Claus. But she wouldn't settle for some tired, fake bearded Virginia mall Santa. She wanted the real deal. So, we took her to New York and paid a visit to Santa at Macy's on 32nd Street. While she was getting ready in her taffeta skirt, matching tights, silver mary jane shoes, and blue embroidered sweater, she practiced her speech - memorizing her talking points about how she's been such a good girl this year (screaming fits in the middle of the night, pulling Gizmo's tail, and grabbing cell phones and remotes even after being told "no" don't really count, right?)

We arrived at Macy's amazed to see there was no line in Santaland. Peyton was in awe as we made our way through the winding hallways decorated with trees, lights, trains, and toys.

Santa was fresh off his appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - and he did not disappoint. Peyton was fine at first - she studied Santa meticulously. Then, she spotted us standing off to the side, and her nerves got the best of her. She lost focus and started screaming.

She regained her composure quickly, and based on the look on her face as we were leaving Santaland, we're pretty sure she was able to tell Santa her wishlist before the stagefright kicked in. Pictures from the rest of our NYC Thanksgiving weekend to come.

Muffin Sundays

My family is big on traditions. Anyone who knows us has likely heard stories of crazy Christmas Eve bathroom caroling. And while some traditions are lengendary, some are born out of simplicity.

Peyton woke up particularly early one Sunday morning. In an effort to wake ourselves up and take full advantage of the day ahead, Martin and I bundled PK up in the car, drove the grocery store, bought me a coffee and Martin and Peyton muffins from the bakery. Peyton loved eating her blueberry muffin almost as much as dad loved eating his. And so Muffin Sundays were born.

Every Sunday morning we venture to the store and pick out muffins for breakfast. Peyton gobbles hers up (pumpkin is her current flavor of choice), watching her dad's every move as he gobbles his (and the remainder of hers). It might be cheesy, but I have visions of Peyton visiting us for a long weekend from college and her and Martin heading to the grocery store to pick out their muffins.

10 Months Old!

Happy ten month birthday Peyton! She has had quite a month. After speculating we might need to invest in baby dentures, Peyton's first two teeth made an appearance. We suspect two more are on their way as she has taken to waking up screaming in the middle of the night. It's only happened once or twice, but when you're used to sleeping through the night, any disturbance is really not welcome. She also got another ear infection (number 4), and it appears we might have to have tubes put in.


Peyton now weighs just over 20 pounds. And, after months of relentless signing on our part, Peyton signed her first word -- light -- back to us. She is obsessed with signing "light." In fact, everything she sees is "light". The cat, the TV, her shoes, and the car. But, we're going to stick with it - she's showing interest in other words, and we think we're on the verge of seeing a Mommy or Daddy sign soon.

Outtakes from today's photo shoot below!

"I don't know what these 'teeth' you keep talking about are, but they sure are annoying. I stick out my tongue all the time now."

"As long as I have Monkey, I'll do whatever you say."

What the heck are these things on my feet?!?! I think I like them. Mommy, will you take me shoe shopping?

"Peyton bear, any young lady knows that when you wear a skirt, you need to keep your legs crossed."

"Whatever, dad."

Fall in Virginia

The leaves have changed (and are starting to fall off the trees), the temperature has dipped, and the sun goes down way too early. That means winter is looming. Snow, ice, and cold. Yuck. But, Peyton is enjoying the fall while she can. She loves the leaves, and her new favorite game is to ride on Daddy's shoulders and "chase" Mommy.

Gold Medalist in Swimming

After eight weeks, Peyton completed her first round of swim lessons with flying colors (and got her very first certificate). Her favorite trick is floating on her back. She needs some work on blowing bubbles, but she got excellent marks for drinking the water! She also won best dressed.

More Halloween

I finally uploaded the rest of the Halloween pictures from our camera. Here are few more of our precious little bear.

A Future Pilot?

Fascinated watching the planes take off and land at Reagan airport.

Amber is One!

Peyton celebrated her best friend Amber's first birthday last weekend. I can hardly believe Amber is already one. She's almost exactly two months older than Peyton. Amber's mom, Amy, lives two doors down from us, and the whole family has been great friends since we've lived here. Amy and I went through our pregnancies together, and she has been an amazing comfort to me - giving me all sorts of advice on how to raise a baby (because I still have no clue), offering last minute babysitting services, donating fabulous hand-me-down clothes, and just generally being an awesome neighbor.

Peyton got decked out in her party outfit, complete with matching beret, for the festivities.

She had a great time playing with the neighborhood kids and eating yummy cupcakes. It was a great party!

Happy birthday to sweet Amber!

A Beary Fun Halloween Weekend

Halloween weekend was a blast! It started on Friday, when Peyton's daycare had a Halloween parade. Martin and I both took off work and walked around the shopping center with Peyton dressed her in bear costume with all of the other babies. She was the star - a lady in the old people's activity center even cried when she saw her!!

On Saturday, Peyton braved the freezing cold temperatures for her weekly swim class. She worked on blowing bubbles, jumping (leaning) into the pool from the wall, and floating on her back.

On Sunday, the excitement of Halloween must have gotten to her, because she woke up at 5am. She had a pumpkin muffin for breakfast, ate real people macaroni and cheese for lunch, tried a small bite of a Reese's peanut butter cup, and got ready for the Halloween party.

Peyton had a great time playing in the leaves and grass with the neighbors, and she really enjoyed riding around the neighborhood in the wagon with Amber. She zonked out at 7:30 dreaming of all of her candy...