Memorial Day Weekend....7 Weeks Old

The past week I started working from home. I've learned to be more efficient getting ready, getting Payton bathed, dressed, fed, and all the things I have to do to get me ready. The dogs haven't had much fun, but we did take them on the boat yesterday, and out to swim. It's Memorial Day today, and pretty yucky outside. We're doing some house projects, working some, and having a cookout at the pool later today with friends. I was able to wakeboard yesterday, and actually still remembered how to do it :) Payton was a trooper... out on the lake, lake party, and dinner with friends last night. She's rolling over from her belly to her back now. She smiles all the time, and is starting to giggle. Not full-on belly laughing yet, but definitely giggles. She's a great eater and sleeper, and we're just looking forward to what's next, although we wish time would slow down a little!!

Payton's First Beach Trip

This past weekend was awesome!! We headed to Wilmington, NC to stay with the Guthrie family. My best friend growing up, Gary Guthrie, his wife and daughter, live at Carolina Beach, but we stayed with Gary's parents in Wilmington. They have a gorgeous house, and awesome backyard, complete with swimming pool, tiki bar, a garden, koi pond, and beautiful plants and flowers. We didn't want to leave! Thursday night we were greeted with a homemade seafood lasagna, ala Gary. The weekend was full of wonderful foods....Belgian waffles, french toast, king crab legs, steak, wine, and too many desserts!! We took the dogs with us, and you can imagine how we looked like a zoo, trying to transport everything, and everyone, to the beach. Gary's place is just across the street from the ocean, so we didn't have far to go once we parked at his place. We had a great set up with a tent and umbrella, to keep Sweet P out of the sun. Payton enjoyed the beach, so much so, that she wouldn't take a nap!! She wasn't fussing, just loved watching her dogs swim, and "Uncle Gary" surf. We met up with an old college friend of mine for dinner Friday night, Aaron Martin, then headed back to the beach on Saturday. Not a cloud in the sky the whole weekend....my other good college friend, JJ Catlett, met us out for a day of surfing. He brought the beer. He was our hero ;) Payton also took her first dip in the pool, and loved it! Of course she has no choice but to be a water baby! Gary's daughter, Cameron 5 years old, was a huge help. She LOVED Payton, and she and "Grammy", Gary's mom, really wanted to keep her there! The dogs were completely worn out, and so were we. Our "relaxing" days on the beach are over, but it's SO worth every bit of it. As soon as we got back home Sunday, we jumped on the boat and headed to our friend, Adrianne's lake house. Then had a cookout at Britt and Dan's. It was an incredible weekend. Enjoy the pictures!!

Life on the Lake

It's rough, but someone has to do it!!! Payton with her BFF's, Raegan & Madison...

6 weeks Tomorrow!!

As the weather is getting warmer, Payton is getting bigger and stronger with each day that passes. She's so aware of what, and who, is around her. She's smiling, on purpose, and grabbing at toys. She can hold her head up really well, and sit and stand, with assistance, of course! We are taking her on her first beach trip this weekend, visiting our dear friends, The Guthries. We will also get to meet up with my college friend, JJ Catlett, and my college boyfriend and his wife. The dogs are coming with us, so they'll have a blast out on the beach! Packing might be a challenge, but I'm blessed with having an engineer as a husband, so he'll work it out ;)

I've been able to get back into running some, and Payton really enjoys the walks/runs. Callie and Emma are doing really well with me, and the stroller. People can't believe I'm trying to handle all that at once!! Now I'm ready to wakeboard, but still a little timid....I really don't want to blow my abdomen open :O Soon!

Speaking of being blessed, Payton is being baptized on June 20th, Fathers' Day. I'll be sure to post pictures of her in her Christening gown. Hope you are still enjoying the pictures!

More Pics....1 month

Great Granddude Visits!!!

Last Thursday and Friday, Brian's parents, Grandfather, and his friend, Virginia, all came to visit Payton. She got to meet her Great Grandfather, Burton, for the first time!!! We went to a couple dinners, and a lunch with them, and they also came by the house to hang out with Payton for a while. That Friday morning, I was on Fox News Rising, as a model for how new moms should dress. The news anchors talked about little Sweetness, and she behaved while I was getting ready and on air :)

http://www.foxcharlotte.com/rising/93074889.html

Then we met Brian at Payton's pediatrician for her ONE MONTH check up, and shot :( She weighed in at a whopping 10.13 pounds, 23 inches! She's in the 97th percentile for height, 75-90% for weight, and 50-75% for head size. So I guess her body finally caught up, and surpassed, that big head of hers!! She was very brave for her shot, and only screamed her head off for less than a minute. I was even cringing at that needle!!

Afterwards, we met Payton's grandparents, Great Granddude, and Virginia at "Dish" restaurant for some lunch. We all got naps, then had a wonderful dinner at the Fishmarket in Baxter Village. We were so happy Payton was able to meet and spend time with her only living Great Grandparent, who traveled here all the way from Colorado!

The pediatrician has cleared Payton for swimming, so as soon as the pool water warms up a bit, Payton will get her first swim lesson...she loves bath time, so we're hoping to have her VERY comfortable in the pool by the end of summer....swimming before she walks?? We'll see :)

My First Mother's Day!

Today has been fabulous so far! First of all, I have the most precious gift any mother could ask for...Payton is perfect! She gave me a self-signed Mother's Day card, a photo book of various pictures of us thus far, AND a new laptop computer...since she knows I will be working from home starting very soon. We took a long walk with the dogs, and I jogged a little. This afternoon we'll be taking a family cruise out on the boat....it's just gorgeous out, then we're probably going to dinner with Grandby & Grumps (my parents). What a fabulous First Mother's Day! Brian & Payton have made it very special for me!!