Valentine's Day

All decked out in her two best colors!

Mommy came home from school on Friday to discover that she and Payton received flowers from daddy. Mommy got pink roses and Payton got a pink carnation. Too cute! She loved putting her nose up to them to smell their fragrances.

On Saturday, we joined Grandpa and "Gamma" Sitko for dinner at Island Bay. Payton enjoyed her entire meal of garlic potatoes, bread, salad, and sherbet. Needless to say, she was stuffed when we left.

Sunday Brunch

Eating a pancake

How much can she fit in her mouth?

We are pretty sure she is full now. There is only a crumb left!

On Sunday, February 1, we met Roma, Jwick, Mel, and Travis at Cracker Barrel in Springfield for breakfast. It isn't often that we get to enjoy breakfast with our friends from STL. We had quite an enjoyable time!

Payton was hungry as usual that morning. Before we went to breakfast she consumed a jar of bananas and some milk. At Cracker Barrel, she ate two jars of baby food, puffs, and entire pancake! By the end, she appeared to be stuffed.

Day Trip

Waving "bye-bye"

Honk, honk!

Payton and I went down to Belleville to visit friends on Saturday. We gathered for lunch with some of mommies old school colleagues, then went back to KB's to play. She had an awesome time playing with Chloe and "Baby Bossler's" toys. She was wiped on the way home and slept the duration of the trip.

Just Some Cute Pics

"Big Girl!"

Payton sitting in mommy's bathroom sink

In case you were wondering, yes, the little, red piano still travels around the house with Payton. She loves playing it everywhere!

Payton loves showing everyone that she is a "Big Girl". Everytime we say it, both hands and arms go straight up in the air.

Her hair is really starting to fill out and get even longer (look closely at the middle picture).

Baby Weight

Nothing comes between Payton and her waffles

The morning hairdo

Payton making a silly face!

Payton went to the doctor on Tuesday for her nine month check up. She weighs in at 13 lbs. 12 oz. and is 27 inches long. The doctor said that she is on an upward turn with her weight. In otherwords, they are no longer concerned. Yea!

She has been a very active little lady the last couple of weeks. She loves pushing her little shopping cart around the basement. She will make quite the shopper some day! She does a nice job of looking around, while navigating the cart. She also likes to babble "ba ba ba" and "da da da".

She discovered chicken and noodles with carrots at Grandma Pia's this weekend. She thought they were great. We brought some leftovers home.

Payton getting her hair rinsed

Lounging with mom on the couch

Watching the Illinois game

Snuggled up in her vest and blankie with her new baby

Now that the holidays are over and we have begun the New Year, I feel like we can finally relax and enjoy some family time. Payton spends her days playing with her toys from Santa while Ty and I put the house back in order (lights down, decorations away, etc.). I go back to work tomorrow, but I have had a wonderfully relaxing winter break with the family.

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!