Her Bum Wheel - UPDATE

Peyton has magic bones! Or, the ER doctor was just overly cautious in her diagnoses of Peyton's broken leg. Either way - the orthopedic specialist assured us Peyton's leg was NOT broken, and immediately took the cast off. It took a few days for PK to re-learn how to walk, but she's back on both legs now not missing a beat!

"I Didn't Cry This Time!"

It's officially the holiday season and the calendar is jam packed with all sorts of fun-filled activities for the kids. From zoolights, Teddy Bear Tea, story time with Mrs. Claus, and a trip to sit on the Jolly Man's lap, we are running around, changing holiday outfits, and making sure we don't miss out on a thing. If it says Christmas - we are there. And this year, that included a trip to the Polar Express!

Grandma had been planning this since before Peyton was born, so I actually had more fun watching her than Peyton. Although, Peyton did enjoy it immensly. We made the two hour drive to Flagstaff (thank goodness for the iPad and Tangled) and got the kids bundled up for our night train ride to the North Pole.

Peyton broke her leg at just the right time - we got priority boarding and seating thanks to the bum wheel!

Best seat on the train!

Following along diligently to the story.

Once we left the station, Peyton gobbled up her cookies, gulped down her hot cocoa, and blew more than a few kisses to Santa as we passed by his home.

Kisses for Santa!

She got a little nervous as he boarded the train and approached to hand her her very own silver bell. But, she held it together, and managed a wave and kiss as he passed by. As soon as he left, Peyton exclaimed, "I didn't cry this time!" in reference to last year's zero-for-three track record with Santa.

More kisses - or maybe that's just her trying to hide her fear.

The first gift of Christmas!

Her Bum Wheel

It happened. My baby, who we used to want to put a helmet on, who we've tried to shelter from anything harmful or negative, got hurt.

Peyton was running with glee to the front door to greet Martin on Monday evening. Her excitement got the best of her, and she stepped on the outside of her foot. She stopped dead in her tracks and immediately began the silent, open mouth, face turning purple, can't catch any air, horrifying cry.

After calming down, Peyton said her leg hurt (not her ankle or knee like Dr. Mommy and Dr. Daddy had diagnosed). We watched her for several minutes, noticing an awkward limp every time she took a step with her left leg. After we asked her to run, and she crumpled to the ground in pain, we carted her to urgent care.

While waiting, Peyton was walking fairly normally and playing with no hint of pain. We thought we were about to throw our $100 co-pay down the drain. But, x-rays confirmed what the doctor suspected...Peyton had broken her left tibia. A "toddler fracture" she called it - typical in toddlers because their bones are not yet strong like adults. It seems that the awkward placement of her foot on the ground caused her leg bone to twist - and break.

Putting on a brave face during the X-rays.

Staying strong and not wiggling...being such a good girl.

Taking a picture of the broken leg...

Only Peyton can manage to look pretty during this ordeal.

Peyton was so brave during the hospital visit - and only cried for one brief moment during the x-rays. She even managed a thumbs up when the doctor finished off her soft cast with Tinkerbell stickers. (I won't deny it - Mommy broke down and cried too).

Getting ready for the soft cast.

Peyton was actually really interested in what the doctor was doing.

The finishing touch - Tinkerbell stickers!

Thank goodness she had a fresh pedi!

All done - and keeping her best smile throughout everything!

Peyton doesn't seem bothered by any pain - the worst part is she can't put any pressure on her leg. No walking, standing, running, swimming. And no school.


More to come after we pay a visit to the pediatric orthopedist, but we expect a hard cast to follow for about 3-6 weeks. In the meantime we have spent our yearly paychecks at CVS, Target, and Toys R Us on "seated" toys like stickers, puzzles, movies, and dress up dolls, and have amended the rules to allow for as much ice cream as she wants.

New toys, stickers, ice cream. How long before she gets used to this!?!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

Who is the fairest Snow White of all? Peyton is, hands down. And she hammed it up for the camera providing me an awesome array of facial expressions the morning of Halloween.




After the picture session, I took Peyton to school and got to watch her march in the Halloween parade. I'm so thankful I have a job that allows me to participate in fun activities like these. She loved waving to all of the other kids in their costumes, and pointed out every other Snow White to me (and Cinderellas too).

After school/work, we rolled over to the Madrid annual Halloween block party with Scott the Diamondback's player, Aunt Ginger, Uncle Jim, Grandma and Grandpa...not to mention all of our neighbor friends including Miss Jami and Mr. Mike and their kids Easton and Jameson, and Miss Jenny, Miss Laura, Miss Alyssa, and Miss Reena and Syan, Simrin, Gabriella, Sammy and a whole host of other friends.

Then it was time for trick-or-treating. We loaded Scott and PK in the wagon and embarked around the neighborhood. The Madrid neighbors don't mess around for Halloween, with most houses featuring amazing decorations, haunted houses, smoke, music, costumes, etc. The first two we went to were a little scary and Peyton was hysterical. She almost threw in the towel, but we forged ahead promising the next houses wouldn't be as haunted. Thankfully we were right, and she quickly got the hang of asking for candy, saying please and thank you and charming everyone in sight.


As she finally wound down after a nutritious dinner of snickers and lollipops, she told me that she wanted to go trick-or-treating tomorrow, and she wanted Amber to come with her (how we miss you!!) I promised that next year we would go again, and as she started to fall asleep, she told me she wanted to be Cinderella.  Love that she is already planning her costume...she truly takes after me.

A Look Back, Halloween Style

What a difference 3 years can make (more Halloween 2012 to come in a later post - you won't want to miss all of Peyton's facial expressions!)

2010 (9 months) - Peyton "Bear"

2011 (1 year, 9 months) - Pretty Minnie

2012 (2 years, 9 months) - Princess Peyton

Peyton's Antics

"What do you mean the stroller doesn't belong in the bed?"

"Hey Scott, give a girl some space, would ya?"

Sometimes, when the spoon is proving too difficult, you just need to improvise with a straw.



Getting her VanGogh on at Tempe's Oktoberfest.



Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame

At the risk of jinxing it, Notre Dame remains undefeated after eight games this season. I've not been an ND fan for as long as many, and yes, my allegiance is one made by marriage, but for the past 15 years I have witnessed the highs and lows (mostly lows) of Notre Dame football.

ND Class of 2032?

This season we remain on pins and needles - thinking this winning streak is too good to be true. For the die hards who have been cheering on the Irish for decades, I'm sure this is much more poignant. But for me, I get to watch as my husband rejoices each Saturday afternoon and shares the joys of fall football with his daughter.  She looks pretty cute in the Irish colors doesn't she? Onward to victory...