Snow day

My first snowman

Peyton first saw snow back in Iowa over Christmas. However we decided it was too bitter cold to take her outside to play. Since Saint Louis has such mild weather I was worried that she wouldn't get to have her snow day.

What luck! We got nice sloppy-warm-snowman making snow after all.

<3 Daddy

Hi Kinny!

Merry Christmas Baby!

Sweet girl

Peyton had fun at Christmas Eve Service! We all got a turn to hold her as we passed her down the pew and she was delighted when the candles were lit for "Silent Night".  Our little pyromaniac!

After, her true loves gave to her... three iToys, two Sesame Street puppets, and a bulky noisy Fisher Price playdoor. (perfect fit for the car ride home *wink wink)  

Before heading back to Saint Louis we made a tour of Iowa and saw all five great grandparents.  Fun first Christmas if you ask me!

Aunties helping me with gifts

Another iToy

One of the girls

Little drummer girl

Rat-a-tat-tat

Peytie got to open up a couple of presents from Mommy and Daddy before we headed out of town. I thought this little drum would be a good idea, but she may be a tad too young because all she did was suck on the mallet!

Kissy Kissy

Star of Bethlehem

Against my better judgment, I present Peyton and Daddy's first small screen production, "The Nativity Story."

Do not open until Christmas

Naughty list

We left her alone for only a minute and Peyton saw her opportunity.  She rolled over to the tree and started opening up her present.  Naughty naughty!

Daycare Surprise

Our first gift

Today we received our first Christmas gift from Peyton, this hand painted masterpiece she made at daycare.

Peyton started attending daycare two days a week after I returned to work.  The Safari Tots really enjoys having Peyton in their classroom because of her sunny disposition and napping ability.  Each day when I pick her up we receive a daily report card that outlines her napping/feeding schedule and lists the days events.  Peyton and I always have fun reviewing her report card in the back seat of my car before we leave each day.  I particularly find some of their activities rather humorous: 

• Squished colored shaving cream in a plastic bag
• Listened to soft jazz music (a regular staple)
• Tickled with a feather duster
• Went on a buggy ride (this ridiculous eight seater red plastic buggy that they roll outside, park, let the kids stare at a tree, then roll back inside)  
• Slip-slided in cool whip        

Toyland

Baaaaa

Over the past couple of weeks I've been able to break out the toys I received at my baby showers.  Peyton caught on to her farm puzzle right away.  I was thinking to myself, "Wow... genius baby!" because this puzzle is for 12+ months.  However Jon was quick to remind me that all she can do is pull the pieces out and suck on them... a bit more hard to impress.  "Moooo-Baaaa-Neighhhh", says crazy Mommy

The other new game she plays is empty out the toy bin.  I have an orange bin full of stuffed animals, dolls, and various rattlely type toys.  She likes to sit in the glider with me as she requests the contents of the bin.  She squeezes each item real tight before throwing it to the ground and requesting the next doll.  This goes on until the entire bin is empty.  Then we pick up and start over again!  Yeah.

Ring things

I will get you beetle!

Younger man

Baby talk

Peyton had a playdate with her friend Gavin.  It was the first time I noticed how social she has become!  

She gibber-gabbered and squealed and swung her arms all around.  Actually kind of freaked him out.  We decided that Peyton may need to learn how to play hard to get. 

Please help me mom!

Oh Christmas Tree

Let me help!

Peyton was very helpful when it came time to trim our tree.  She helped hang some of the fancy glass ornaments and had a great time grabbing at the pine needles.  No broken ornaments and no pokes from the ornament hooks.  I'd say it was a successful night!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

Sitting up

It's time for a stat update!  She had her 6 (and-a-half) month doctors appointment this past week.  She was 27.5 inches tall (92%), 15 lbs 6.8 oz (29%), and 16.8 in head circumference (49%).  

In the last few weeks she learned to sit up (November 30th) which has been great because it's much more fun playing with her ring stacker sitting up!  She also got her wish... two bottom teeth.  She is not shy about leaving bite marks on our fingers either. : )