Christmas Continues...

Payton with Grandma & Uncle Kevin

Isabella, Thomas, Payton, Olivia, and Graham

Payton with Santa - she stares in awe

The day after Christmas Payton and mommy slept in until 8 AM. Unfortunately, daddy had to go to work:( We were in for another busy day.

The Owens family came down from Chicago to celebrate Christmas on my dad's side. Everyone arrived at our house at 2:30PM for appetizers and drinks. We had our annual "white elephant" gift exchange with the adults and santa stopped by to give the kids another Christmas gift. At 5:30, we headed off to Chesapeake for a family dinner (35 people in all)! Ty surprised us by showing up for dinner at the restaurant.

This year we had a lot to celebrate. We had 5 "new" cousins join the family in 2008 (Kayli, Payton, Thomas, Grayson, and Graham).

Christmas Tradition

Red piano from Aunt Nancy

Payton trying out her new sippy cup

White vest from Aunt Alexis

Presents on Christmas morning

Doll from the Yoswig's

So, it's been awhile......a long while. We have been very busy during this holiday season with shopping, parties, and family gatherings. Finally, I get the chance to sit and write about this truly special time of year!

We begin the holiday tradition each year by going to Rodney's parents for Christmas Eve. We have a nice family dinner and open presents. Payton received her very first baby doll and blankie from the Yoswig's.

On Christmas morning, Payton woke up and got dressed in one of her very pretty dresses for the day. After breakfast we opened gifts as a family. Payton was delighted with the wrapping paper and the toys that lit up! This was only the beginning of a long day and many presents to come.

After leaving our house, we headed over to Grandma Pia's where the festivities continued. Payton scarfed down a second breakfast of pancakes and apple juice before tearing into more gifts. One of her favorite gifts was a creme colored fuzzy vest. She couldn't stop rubbing it because it felt so soft and furry.

At 11:15 AM, we headed on over to Grandpa and Grandma Sitko's house. Needless to say, Payton was wiped out as soon as we got her into the car. She only slept about 20 minutes before waking up to open more presents at their house. Each year Uncle Jim and Aunt Nancy come to the Sitko's for Christmas and this year was no different. Payton received many more gifts at Grandpa and Grandma's house. One of her newly prized possessions was a little red piano from
Aunt Nancy.

Payton's love for the piano comes from Grandma Sue. Grandma Sue and Payton play the piano whenever she goes over to her house. Now Payton has one of her own that she can play at home. She plays it sitting down. She plays it standing up with one hand. She plays it in the kitchen. And she plays it in the bathroom. She loves her new piano!

Before heading to our next destination, Ty and I make a stop at home to drop off presents. Are you familiar with a Toys For Tots drive? Our truck was so jammed packed with gifts that it appeared as though we had one in our very own car.

At 3:00 PM, we headed over to Grandma Erika's to celebrate with my mom's side of the family. We ate dinner, shared stories, and opened more gifts. What an exciting time had by all!

We left Grandma's at 6:30 and went back to the Sitko's to watch a movie. Needless to say, Payton only made it a half an hour before collapsing into a deep sleep. She didn't wake the next morning until 8:00!

It was a long and tiresome day. But it was filled with family, friends, and great memories. The gifts were great too!

Santa BABY!

Santa & Payton

Mr. & Mrs. Claus

Mommy & Payton

On Saturday, December 6, we took Payton to the annual Christmas parade in downtown Springfield. We had the luxury of standing upstairs on top of Bridge Jewelry store. Afterwards, we took her to the Santa house. Payton enjoyed seeing Santa and sitting on his lap. She asked him for a baby doll.

SHG Football Game

Louis, Grandpa Steve, Payton, and Mommy went to the SHG Championship football game the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The game was held at Memorial Stadium. SHG beat Lamont 37-15. Yea, 3 championships in four years!

Thanksgiving

Greggie and Payton

Aunt Les, Gregg, Payton, and Greggie

Aunt Nancy and Payton

We traveled to Fenton, MO for Thanksgiving again this year. Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jim hosted the wonderful family gathering for thirteen people. Payton got an opportunity to play with her cousin Greggie who she has only met twice. It was great to see everyone and we cannot wait until Christmas!

"In A Pickle"

It has been a slow couple of weeks, but we are back on the busy train with Thanksgiving in a couple of days. Payton went to see the doctor last week for a weigh-in. She gained an entire 8 ounces from last month, which puts her weight at an even 13 pounds! Even though she is in the lower percentile for weight the doctor does not seem to think that it is anything to be concerned with.

Payton also been experimenting with new foods. Her latest discovery and love is pickles. She enjoys chewing and sucking on them. I think the cold paired with the flavor is enticing to her!

Although she is small, Payton is very strong. Grrr! This week she has been working on and successfully standing. She loves standing up and holding onto the couch or mommy's leg. Payton is getting to be such a BIG girl.

6 Month Pictures

Payton just went to get her six-month pictures taken this past week. I know I'm a little behind, but better late than never! Click on the link below to see some of Payton's Pics. They are too cute! We go back tomorrow to get more pictures taken at the studio.
http://brandyfletcher.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Ty!

We celebrated Ty's birthday a day early by going to brunch at Island Bay with Grandpa & Grandma Sitko and Uncle Kyle. Then we went back to the house to open gifts. Payton gave her daddy a toy firetruck so they could rescue people together!

Illini Fever

Payton and I met Ty and Grandpa Steve downtown at Sammy's to watch the Illinois game. This is daddy's birthday weekend, so we are spending time doing activities that daddy likes to do! Unfortunately, Illinois lost to Western Michigan. On the upside, SHG beat Peoria Richwoods. Go Cyclones!

NuK

Payton loves her Nuk (pacifer)! As a matter of fact, she will only use the kind of Nuk that the hospital gave her when she was born. She also uses it as a chew toy for her gums. One of her newer tricks is putting the entire Nuk in her mouth. Only recently was I able to capture this moment on film. It is too cute! It actually looks as though she is smiling with it in her mouth.

Playing in the Jumper

Doctor's Appointment

Payton visited the doctor last week for her 6 month appointment. She weighed in at 12 lbs 8 oz and 25 3/4 inches long. She will go back this month for a weigh-in. her next official appointment is not until January.

Elvis is in the Building!

This weekend we attended a costume contest held by SpringfieldMoms.Org. The event was held downtown at Farmer's Market on Saturday. Our friends, Bryan & Julie, along with their son, Hudson, joined us. Payton dressed as "baby Elvis" and Hudson was an owl. Payton placed 3rd in the 0-2 age group. Yea! She won a giftcard to Babies R' Us and will have her picture posted on the Springfield Mom's website.

Teething!!!

Needless to say, it has been a LONG week. Payton is cutting two teeth on the bottom. Her sleeping habits have never been that great anyway, so it was no surprise to us that she would sleep unusually bad when her teeth started coming in. Instead of getting up once/twice a night, Payton is getting up 4 times a night. Mommy and daddy are feeling very sleep deprived! And still we are waiting on the teeth to come in completely. Such is life...

Payton took her 1st bath today using the "big girl" part of her bathtub! It took a little persuading on mommy and daddy's part for Payton to let go of the sides.

On a side note ~ Mommy feels her 1st tooth coming in. Yea!

Payton is trying out the new jammies that Aunt Lesley sent her. Thanks Auntie Lesley:)

Last weekend Uncle Kyle, Ty, and I took Payton to her third Illinois game. Even though Illinois lost, Payton was the "hit" of the game. She managed to stay awake through most of the game, but dozed off at halftime!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

The Sitko family visited The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, Illinois on October 5. Payton got to enjoy the corn maze, bakery, band, and various animals. We spent 3 hours picking out pumpkins and exploring the area. This is a great place to see. We will definitely be coming back here next year!