Happy Bday Granby!

Over the past week, we have seen some major changes in Payton. Last weekend we were out on Greg's boat. Usually Payton loves the boat and lake, but is sleeping, or just content staring at Brian or me. She hasn't ever paid much attention to her surroundings. Well now that's all changed. She was looking behind the boat at the wake, while standing up on my lap, laughing and smiling...just looking around. She was very observant. This was the first time I noticed this from her.

As I mentioned last week, Payton had a rash all over her body. Someone suggested it could have been hand, foot, and mouth disease, but I think it was just the start of a virus/cold after I did a little research. She ended up with some frequent sneezing and a runny nose. Then the sneezing subsided some and she had a stuffy nose. We had fun with our electric nose irrigator, ie-snot sucker! It plays music and Payton actually was a very good sport with it. Sometimes she got irritated with us, but sometimes she would push our hands away and laugh. She had a little difficulty sleeping, so that means we did also! It's all cleared up now, thankfully!

Another sign of Payton growing up....she is now in the "big girl tub" and out of that little plastic tub. As always, she loves her bath time, but now even more! We have some toys in there, and she is splashing all over the place.

We are now back from one of my favorite weekends of the year....our annual Ocean Isle Beach trip. This is the one where the Garmans, Tophams, Longs, Tisdales, McNeills, and Kuglers all get together for beach croquet and fun in the sun! Since Hurricane Earl luckily swirled up north, we had an incredibly beautiful weekend! Brian ended up passing along his croquet champ title to Troy. Grumps wasn't even in the finals this year....the first in many, many years. Uncle JP was knocked out early. It was very "exciting" as usual :) There were lots of naps taken on the beach by Payton and others. All and all it was a very relaxing weekend, and lots of fun! Brian was able to go for two 30 mile bike rides with Troy, Johnathon, and Jon. Our friends Greg & Jason drove up from North Myrtle and also went with them. Christy and Geoff Brantley came from the east end of OIB to visit. They are having their first child, a son (Knox) on September 15th, so it was good to see them while she was still pregnant. And, Sherry and Shana Jung drove over from Sunset Beach to visit for a little while.

Payton loved being around all the kids (Whitt 6, Kate 6, Julia 5, Caroline 4, Sam 1, and Thomas 10 months). She studied everything they were doing, and you could tell, she was soaking it all up. Payton wasn't sure what to think of the ocean on Friday. When big waves came, she was a little scared, and would complain a little. I sat her where the small waves were breaking and she got a little more comfortable. By Saturday, she was laughing when we were jumping the waves and didn't care when one splashed her in the face. She is sitting pretty well unassisted now, mostly holding her bottle on her own, and drinking water from a sippy cup pretty well. We tried giving her smashed avocado Sunday night, but it wasn't received very well. Then, on Monday afternoon, we tried rice cereal. She loved it, and ate a decent amount! We are very excited to add in vegetables and fruit over the coming weeks.

Please enjoy all these pictures. There is a story that goes along with each one, but you'd have to ask me in person, as it's just too much to write. It's been THE BEST summer of our lives, and I'm a little sad to see it end. The cooler weather is certainly welcomed, and I'm excited for football season to begin. Payton starts her Mothers' Morning Out program tomorrow. She goes every Tuesday and Friday from 9-1. This will give her a chance to socialize with some kids her age, and give Granby a little break to "run errands ;)" ie-shop! We met her teachers last week, and we are excited about her starting "school." It's a great program, and we can't wait to see her learn and develop new skills and make new friends. Tomorrow our little girl will be 5 months old! But today is GRANBY's BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANBY!!! We love you!