Spring is in the Air!

The weather is teasing us. Last weekend temps tempted us at 70 degrees, but snow flurries are in the forecast for this weekend. So as Martin and I discuss indoor options to entertain our darling daughter in the coming days that are sure to maintain our winter blues, I pray that spring is near. In the meantime, Peyton has enjoyed the few days of nice weather we've had with her best buddy Amber.

First, Peyton saw that Amber had a really cool lawnmower, so she convinced Grandma Richardson to buy her one just like it last time she was in town. Now the two of them push their mowers around the Circle, with the occasional fight over who gets the pink one.

"Cool mower, Amber. I got one too. Think we can mow the whole circle together?"

"Thanks Grandma. I would have just DIED if I was the only girl in the circle without a mower."

Second, P and A took a stroll to a nearby pizza joint for a dinner date. They shared some puffs and let their Moms and Dads (and A's big bro Ethan) tag along. After dinner they treated their parents to blizzards.

"Seriously, A, our parents are so embarrassing." "I know PK. Talk about the nerd herd. Hopefully we can ditch them later and get our party on."

Head of the Class

Peyton no longer stands for us carrying her into daycare in our arms. Gone are the days of those last minute snuggles before we leave her, or her slightly clinging to our arms as we drop her off. Instead, Miss Thang insists on walking into school on her own. She knows exactly which room to go into, and upon entry, immediately tries to take off her coat. As soon as she arrives, the day can begin -- as if all the other children are just waiting for her arrival. She is, naturally, the center of attention. Her teachers ooh and aah over her adorable outfit, marvel at her delightful charm, and melt over her regal gait.

Hugs!

Peyton has never been a cuddler. But she sure is a good hugger.

Sweet and Sour

We bought our little bear a blue frosted sugar cookie over the weekend. She's a good girl, and she deserves it! I gave it to her after dinner the other night. It was love at first bite. She knew exactly what to do - licking the frosting off the top of the cookie first.

"Cheese, green beans, water, and a sugar cookie. What more could a girl ask for?"

Unfortunately, her joy turned to anguish in a matter of moments. It seems our little princess does not appreciate being sticky, and she lost her marbles when the frosting got smeared across her face and in her hair. We'll stick to unfrosted cookies from now on.

"I hate the Smurfs, I hate the Smurfs, I hate the Smurfs!"

Grandma Richardson Visits!

I am updating this as I'm taking care of a sick little Monkey. Poor Peyton has come down with a terrible sore throat. Her illness was enough to get her booted from daycare yesterday (she had a 102 temperature). A doctor's visit last night confirmed it - no strep and no ear infection, but definitely a viral sore throat. Unfortunately, there's not much we can do for it other than feed her ice cream and popsicles (doctor's orders!) and tough it out for the next couple of days. The good news is P Bear is acting like her normal chipper self today - playing, squealing, and looking for dogs. And, I get to spend the day with her, so it's not such a bad thing.

Her latest bout with illness comes on the heels of a great weekend. Grandma Richardson needed a Peyton fix, so she flew out to DC from Arizona. And here's a shocker - she spoiled Peyton rotten. Grandma played with Peyton all day on Friday while we did some much needed work around the house, and then we all went out to dinner at P's favorite - Macaroni Grill. Peyton charmed the pants off of everyone, as usual. She also enjoyed playing with crayons and stealing Grandma's credit card!

The weather sort of cooperated, so we made a trip to the playground to let Peyton run amok. Her favorite was definitely the slide. She is still a little small for the swings, but she made the most of it. Grandma also babysat for a night while Martin and I got a chance to see a movie for the first time in almost two years.

We topped off the weekend with a Grandma Richardson sponsored visit to the toy store, where Peyton picked out several new toys, sunglasses for the summer, and some new books. The only regret - we didn't get one picture of Grandma with Peyton. How the heck did that happen?!?!

Thanks Grandma for a great weekend - all three of us had a wonderful time. And to prove it - today, as I was reading Peyton her book "Grandma and Me," the little stinker walked down the hallway and into the guest room - searching for Grandma.

14 Months Old!

If Valentine's hearts were enough to entice me to keep taking Peyton's monthly pictures, surely an adorable shamrock outfit and green converse (I had a pair when I was in high school, and when I saw these I just had to buy them for her) would do the trick at 14 months. I've actually decided I'm not going to be the mom who refers to her baby's age in months until she is 6 years old. "My daughter is 135 months." What the heck does that mean? When asked, I will say Peyton is just over a year. Or Peyton is a year and a half. Or two years. I'll round up or down. No more month talk.

I can' believe Peyton is 14 months! Fourteen months is crazy. At 14 months Peyton is really starting to shine (not that she didn't already). She won't admit it, but she knows almost every sign we practice. She never uses them, but when quizzed in the bath or in the car, she does everything from butterfly to mouse to baby to fish to daddy. She can pick out every toy by name, loves bringing things to mommy and daddy, and her new favorite trick is to pick up the remote (it's a no no) and immediately hand it to us. It's her way of getting to touch it without getting in trouble.

This month's winning shamrock shot is above. The outtakes are below:

"Notre Dame in the Sweet Sixteen? Wishful thinking, Daddy."

"How about a taste of that green beer, already?"

"That green beer is some good stuff. I feel funny. Do you think I'm ready for some Irish Whiskey?"

"The luck of the Irish is smiling on you, Mommy. I just gave you another adorable picture."

One Year Professional Pictures

Like most mothers, I set out on a mission when Peyton joined our lives to take as many pictures of possible of her so we wouldn't forget a single expression, milestone, or outfit. Thank God for IPhones! But, knowing that I am not a good photographer, I hired someone to capture Peyton at two, six, nine, and twelve months of age. The two month shots were taken in Arizona, but the rest were taken in DC by Emily Hayes. She was wonderful to work with, completely relaxed, and really captured exactly what I was looking for - Peyton being Peyton at that particular stage in her life. Now that we're done with all of the sessions, I'm wondering how often I should have professional pictures taken. I'm running out of wall space (and money!), but having these shots is absolutely priceless to me. Maybe again in six months. In the meantime, here are a few shots from the finale to our year long photo experience.

The Latest and Greatest

The past few days have brought nothing remarkable or outstanding in Peyton's world. She has gone to school, looked for dogs, practiced her walking, and been adorable. Below is a photo montage of a random assortment of pictures, chronicling Peyton's exciting life.

I will note that it appears the Princess is getting her second molar. And just like the first go around, it really sucks. She isn't sleeping well - waking up at 2:00am screaming in agony, taking 45 minutes naps (instead of her usual 2+ hours), refusing most solid food, and my personal favorite, waking up at 5:40 this morning (again screaming in agony), unable to go back to sleep. Can't they build babies with the teeth already installed? Mommy and Daddy are tired.

Peyton enjoys a taste of spring with Amber and Ethan with a ride around the circle in the wagon.

"If I stay here long enough, surely a dog will walk by."

Peyton's new TV watching throne - Daddy's laundry basket cushioned with warm towels from the dryer. A video of this chair being turned into a rocket ship is soon to follow.

"It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And that's why I wear my pearls with my PJ's to watch cartoons."

"Grandma and Grandpa: please, please, pretty please with sugar on top, buy me this playground."