Ryan, Sarah, and Payne

Random Pictures

2012-01-21T11:35:00.000-06:00

17 Months

2012-01-20T07:50:00.001-06:00

You are wear 18-24 month clothes.
You take 2 naps when you are home. At daycare you only take one.

This month they moved you from a crib to a cot at school.
You are still a picky eater most days. Every now and then you eat well.
You love to play in the bath, but hate for me to wash your hair and body.

You love to hear music and dance. You love to stack things up and knock them over.
You love to brush your teeth.
You weigh about 24 pounds.
You are starting to try to run.
You have 11 teeth and one trying to finish coming in.

You can say lots of things now. We have been practicing with some flash cards of animals lately. You are starting to learn a few.
You love to say yes and no. You shake your head for switch one you are trying to say.
You still love your doggy and we are still trying to break you from it. Not going well!
You are wearing size 4 diapers at home and 3 at school.
You can point to your belly and nose. When we ask where your feet are you hold up your foot.

You are starting to become more social!

You hate when I leave you at daycare or at church. You sit down outside the room and scream. It breaks my heart!!

We love you sweet boy and love seeing you grow each and every day!

Christmas with D. and Big R and Family

2012-01-19T11:39:00.000-06:00

We went down to Benton the day after Christmas to do Christmas with Ryan's side of the family. We had done the big Christmas a few weeks before, so we were just opening our stockings. Payne loved running around and entertaining everyone!

Payne opened his stocking and the was the helper to pass out the other stockings!

Christmas with G and G and Family

2012-01-18T11:26:00.000-06:00

Christmas night we went to my grandparents to have Christmas with the Maulden side of the family. I was excited because I got to see my cousin Lauren's new baby, Jack! He was 4 weeks old the first time I got to see him! He was born the day after her shower in November. He was four weeks early. So if he had come on schedule I would have gotten to see him his first week of life! But, things don't always go according to plan. But, needless to say! I loved getting to hold him and cuddle with him! He is just precious!

We all meet at my grandparents in time to eat dinner and then open presents. Things were a little crazy with about 20 people, so there are not many pictures.

Robert, Lauren, and me.

My very sweet grandparents who I just love!!

Payne and baby Jack! Payne wasn't really sure about holding him! I can't wait for them to grow up being best friends!!

Christmas with Papa

2012-01-17T11:04:00.000-06:00

We drove down to Little Rock Christmas day during nap time. We spent the afternoon with Papa opening presents. Payne loved all the attention he got once again! He also loved all his presents from Papa! Thanks Papa for a a fun afternoon!

Payne got some new shoes!

Animal sound magnets for the fridge!

His favorite the stacking cups!

New books!

Some dot markers!

A new puzzle and animals!

And some geometric magnets!

Christmas with JJ and family

2012-01-16T11:18:00.000-06:00

My mom came up a few days before Christmas along with my aunt and uncle and 2 cousins. We enjoyed hanging out with them for a few days. We did Christmas on Thursday night when Ryan got home from work. Payne didn't know what to think of all the new toys!

You all have no idea how many times we have slid down this slide!! Or how many balls have I picked up around the house! He loves to throw balls!

Clayton and Chase

Payne got several toys that sing and/ or make noise and he loves to dance to them!

Needless to say, I believe this little boy was spoiled!!

Thanks JJ, Uncle Bud, Aunt B, Clayton, and Chase for all the fun gifts!

A look back at 2011

2012-01-01T16:00:00.000-06:00

January: Payne started daycare and we helped to open Cross Church Fayetteville.

February: We went to Telluride with the Fite's and the Owen's.

March: Payne started sitting up for the first time.

April: We took a weekend trip to Sea Island with the Owen's

May: We took Payne to the golf course for the first time.

Payne broke out in hives.

June: Payne's first hair cut.

Payne attended his first Family Reunion.

July: We took a trip to Colorado.

August: Payne's 1st birthday!

September: Payne started walking!

October: Payne went trick-or-treating for the first time.

November: We celebrated Thanksgiving in Texas.

December: Continued our family tradition of Christmas Eve Service, Lights of the Ozarks, and reading The Night Before Christmas.

My Little Painter

2011-12-26T08:21:00.001-06:00

Last week I was helping Payne make a Christmas present for his grandmothers. I had an extra canvas so I let him paint on it. I covered his tray in saran wrap and put a little paint on there. He used his fingers for a while, then he wanted the paint brush. He loved it. We had to take a bath afterward, because it was all over him.

His finish product. I can't wait to display it for years to come at Christmas!

Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T12:00:00.000-06:00

Payne slept in a little this morning. We got up and got a around. By the time we were ready to take pictures and video Payne seeing what Santa had brought he wasn't very happy with us. I think he was a little shocked when he came around the corner and saw all the toys and presents. He spent the morning going from one toy to the next. He loved every minute of it! We took a break and ate breakfast, but he ate quickly and went straight back to the toys and hasn't stopped yet! If he doesn't know what it does he brings it to us and in his own ways ask us. We loved getting to see his face and watch him enjoy his presents.

Sorry for the picture overload. We had a great morning and hope you all did too! We are off to celebrate Jesus's birth with some family.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T21:26:00.000-06:00

My mom was here Christmas Eve morning. She played with Payne in the morning and then got ready and headed home. Ryan and I got ready and then we ran some last minute errands. Then we headed back home for Payne to take a nap. When P got up we got dressed and headed to church. We worked in the nursery the first hour and went to the candle light service the second hour.

After church we headed to the square to look at the Lights of the Ozarks.Payne loved it. He ran around looking at all the lights.

When we left there we were hungry so we went to Ruby Tuesday.Then came home to put on our Christmas jammies and read The Night Before Christmas.

Our first attempts at a family picture were a little crazy.

By the end he was having a melt down so we didn't do milk and cookies for Santa. We just headed straight for bed!

Christmas Lights

2011-12-23T09:12:00.000-06:00

Christmas Party

2011-12-22T08:34:00.000-06:00

Ryan and I love to entertain people at our house. We decided when we got married that we wanted to have an annual Christmas party. So we have tried since then, but missed it last year due to the new addition to our family. So, last Sunday night we had a few friends over for dinner and some games.

We played the trivia game. Yes, I took up phones so no one could cheat. Needless to say we all need to brush up on our Christmas knowledge.

Then we all tried to tear a snowman out of paper behind our back. Some people were really good, others were not. We then played a revised version of catch phrase using our own words. It was very entertaining.

All in all, it was a very fun night and hope we can continue to do it every year.

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-12-21T09:29:00.001-06:00

This weekend was just as busy as the last few. My dad came up Friday afternoon and picked Payne up from daycare early and took him to the condo to play with him. That night we went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom and then head back to the condo. Payne stayed with Papa and momma and dadda got some much needed sleep. Allison and Baxter also came up late Friday night. Papa brought Payne back over about 11 and we went to lunch with A and B. Then came home for a quick nap and then headed to the basketball game with Papa and the Fites. That night our friend Lauren came over to keep Payne so that the 4 of us could go to a wedding. After the wedding we went out to eat. We had so much fun and Ryan and I enjoyed a night with our family and friends.

At the ballgame Payne got his face painted. I was scared he wouldn't sit still, but he did so good.

Sunday morning Ryan and I were lucky enough to get to sleep in again, because A and B got up and played with him. He loved it! It was also B's birthday! Happy Birthday Uncle B!

16 Months

2011-12-20T13:11:00.002-06:00

You are wear 12-18 month clothes.
You take 2 naps when you are home. At daycare you only take one.
You have had a step backwards when it comes to eating. You are starting to be picky again.
You are not liking taking baths this month.
Your favorite toy is the singing dog you got from Dee-Dot and Big R for Christmas and any ball you can find.
You have started playing in all the drawers around the house. You drag everything out!
You love to brush your teeth.
You weigh about 25 pounds.
You are a full time walker. You are starting to try to run.
You have 8 teeth, but several are about to come in.

You can say thank you, ball, momma, dada, no, again, hi, bye, that, nana (banana), please, tractor, Old McDonald, and dog.You are starting to repeat things we say to you more and more.
You learned to call the hogs! If you hear it on tv you do it too and try to say pig sooie.
You still love your doggy. We stop taking it to daycare last month, but you are still attached to it at home.
You are wearing size 3 diapers.
You can point to your belly and nose.

You love to high five or fist bump people. You would rather do that instead of wave hello.

Payne's Christmas Program

2011-12-19T07:20:00.000-06:00

Payne's daycare had a Christmas program last week. All the kids at the daycare were part of the "Revised 12 Days of Christmas". Payne was a pig for the 3 little pigs. After all the kids were out on stage it started to be mass chaos. All the parents were crowding around the stage to take pictures. We enjoyed getting to watch all the kids.

Our friends Rich and Renee's little girl goes to daycare there as well. She was a ballerina!

I look forward to more fun programs by our little man!

Christmas Card 2011

2011-12-18T07:28:00.000-06:00

Sunglasses

2011-12-17T07:59:00.000-06:00

So I have always worn my sunglasses on my head. It doesn't really matter what the weather is like outside or even it is dark. I love my sunglasses on my head. Well, I started to notice that when Payne plays with my sunglasses or his he doesn't put them on his face. He put them on his head. Oops!

Christmas with the Green's

2011-12-16T07:50:00.000-06:00

We had Christmas with Ryan's family this weekend. It was a quick Christmas, but we enjoyed hanging out with the family.

The whole family

Seeing what Santa had left him.

Helping Dee-Dot unwrap her gifts.

He also help Big R unwrap his gift.

Thanks Big R and Dee-Dot and Aunt Al and Uncle Bax for a fun Christmas!

Mr. and Mrs. Dague

2011-12-15T13:18:00.000-06:00

This weekend we went down to Little Rock for one of my high school friends weddings. Kelley met Bret when she came to visit me last summer. Bret was helping the Fite's moved and we had gone over to say hi. I loved getting to hang out with her for the day and making her feel special. Everything was beautiful and perfect.

Getting ready

Waiting to go see Bret for the first time

The first meeting

The Bride and I

Heather and I. She is another friend from high school

The beautiful cake

Kelley, Emilee, and I. We were missing Abby from our group.

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Dague! We enjoyed being apart of your special day.

Pictures with Santa!

2011-12-14T08:23:00.000-06:00

We take pictures with Santa at school every year for $5! It is the best! Here is this years!

Here is last years. I don't think I ever posted it.

Ryan's Office Party

2011-12-13T07:37:00.000-06:00

Sunday night we went to Ryan's office for the Christmas Party. They had the break room decorated and had the event catered. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed getting to relax with friends from work.

Me, Ally, and Tiffany

Me, Ally, Heather, Tiffany, and Kelsey

Dalton, Luke, and Ryan

Picture from my phone

2011-12-12T13:29:00.000-06:00

The teapot was one of my toys when I was a kid and my mom gave it to my grandmommy because she didn't like the noise it makes. A few years ago when my grandmommy moved she gave it to me for my kids. Payne loves it!

Payne at a Razorback football game. He loved it and watched everyone around him the whole time.

Payne loves books and loves to read them by sitting in his drawer to do so.

Payne bangs everything together and throws things.

Payne and I at his 1 year check up.

He loves to climb on everything and throw the pillows on the ground.

Most Sundays all our friends go to get pizza after church. Payne has learned to love it!

First Snow of the Season

2011-12-08T16:43:00.001-06:00

Much to my surprise we woke up Tuesday morning to a little bit of snow. I wish I would have known so we could have prepared better around our house. I do not drive when there is any snow on the ground so that meant that Ryan had to take Payne to daycare and drop me off at work. We normally would have got a head start on the day, but we didn't know so we ran a little late. I also wanted to take a few pictures of Payne with the first snow. He was in awe of it! He kept looking out the window and when we went outside he wanted to touch it.

15 Months

2011-11-20T20:04:00.000-06:00

You are wear 12-18 month clothes.
You take 2 naps when you are home. At daycare you only take one.
You are finally eating well. You still do better if we feed you.

You love to take a bath and at the end help pick up your toys.
You favorite toys are balls! balls! and more balls!

You have started playing in all the drawers around the house.
You went on your longest car ride.
You love to brush your teeth.

You weigh about 24 pounds.
You are a full time walker. You are starting to try to run.

You have 8 teeth, but several are about to come in.

You can say thank you, ball, momma, dada, no, again, hi, bye, that, nana (banana), please, and dog.
You learned to call the hogs!
You still love your doggy. We have stop taking it to daycare. We are trying to phase it out.
You are wearing size 3 diapers.
You can point to your belly and nose.

Riding with Papa

2011-11-04T09:25:00.001-05:00

Back in August Papa came by on his way to South Dakota for a motorcycle rally. Payne loved looking at all the cool stuff on the motorcycle.

This might be my favorite picture of the two of them!

Playing Golf

2011-11-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we went with Ally, Dalton, and Luke to play golf. Payne enjoyed the golf balls the most. He would walk up and take everyone's balls.

Trick or Treating

2011-11-01T09:19:00.002-05:00

We went trick or treating last night. This was Payne's second time. We just went to a few houses, but he loved the idea of getting candy. He would sit down on the person's porch and want to eat it right then. We let him have a few pieces of laffy taffy.

We went to see Heather and Adam.

Then we went over to Tim and Leigh's.

Then we stopped by Ally and Dalton's.

When we got back home Brody came over to see us.

We had a fun night trick or treating with out little man!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T21:17:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween from our little hungry caterpillar!

Look how big he has gotten!
Halloween 2010

Hemangioma Update

2011-10-25T12:18:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I told you about Payne's hemangioma that is on his right elbow. It has really faded and smoothed out over the past few weeks. It used to be raised a little bit and kind of feel bumpy, but now it is smooth and is starting to get lighter.

Payne Stewart

2011-10-23T12:13:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago we went by the Payne Stewart Golf Course. Payne is named after Payne Stewart so we want to take him there. They have several collectibles of Payne Stewart's that were fun to see and read about.

Hopefully our Payne will grow up to be a great golfer like Payne Stewart!

Ice Cream Date

2011-10-21T16:46:00.001-05:00

Payne and I went to get ice cream after school today. I hardly ever get to pick him up before 4 and he has napped. So today, I was and so we went to Cherry Berry and got some frozen yogurt. Our favorite!

He really enjoyed sitting outside and waving at all the people coming and going.

He had to have his own spoon and feed himself because he is a such a big boy.

14 Months

2011-10-20T19:09:00.002-05:00

You weigh about 24 pounds.
You are a full time walker as of this week.
You have 8 teeth, but several are about to come in.

You can say thank you, ball, momma, dada, no, again, hi, bye, that, and dog.
You still love your doggy.
You are wearing size 3 diapers.

You are wear 12-18 month clothes.
You take 2 naps when you are home. At daycare you only take one.
You are finally eating well. You would eat until you popped!
You don't like strangers and will scream.

You love to take a bath and at the end help pick up your toys.
You favorite toys are puzzles, balls, sound books, phone, and your stacker.
You had your worst night of sleeping this month.
You love to brush your teeth.

We love you and think you are the cutest thing ever!!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-16T21:41:00.001-05:00

Ryan and I took Payne to the pumpkin patch this weekend. He loved looking for pumpkins and crawling in the hay. He wasn't into smiling for the camera because there was so much more going on around him. Maybe next year we can try out the corn maze and pony rides.

Favorites

2011-10-13T10:48:00.000-05:00

Phones....

Being tickled.....

Boxes...

Helping Mommy...

and climbing!

Beautiful Weather

2011-10-12T10:42:00.000-05:00

We have had some beautiful weather these past few weeks. Payne loves to be outside. He waves and blows kisses when I ask him if he wants to go outside. He is still unsure of walking in the grass, but we will learn. He loves to just walk up and down the sidewalk or push his lawn mower. He also into playing peek-a-boo. I love these pictures. He is getting so big!

Toy Box

2011-10-11T08:11:00.000-05:00

Well as you already know I have the best daddy ever! You might remember last July before Payne was born Papa built Payne a bassinet. If you don't know about that please click here and read.

Well this year for Payne's 1st birthday Papa built Payne a toy box.

When he was in Colorado in the spring he pick up some wood from the pine trees that are being killed from the beetles. We refer to it as beetle pine, but it is really called blue-stained lodge pole pine. He built it, and stained the outside. It has some great detail in it! The front has a half inch cut off so that he can't slam his hands in it and the hinges don't allow it to slam either! It also have a top little bucket in it that can slide from side to side! We couldn't be more proud of him and his beautiful gift!

Thanks Papa!

Tailgating

2011-10-10T08:07:00.001-05:00

Here are a few pictures from the first few football game tailgates!

I Phone Pictures

2011-10-09T08:04:00.000-05:00

Walking

2011-10-08T07:43:00.000-05:00

Payne is finally walking! I was surprised when I went to pick him up from school on Tuesday, September 27 and his teacher told me she had a surprise for me! He walked to me and then he walked out to the car! I was so excited we drove straight to Ryan's office to show him and everyone else!

Getting Caught Up

2011-10-07T07:35:00.000-05:00

We have been super busy over the past few weeks with football season, getting into the swing of school, and just everyday life. We have celebrated Jillian and Brody's birthdays, taken a trip to Little Rock, had a garage sale, gotten our second haircut, Ryan and I joined a gym, and much much more! With all of that I have some pictures during this time I wanted to share.

First Steps

2011-10-06T07:32:00.000-05:00

Payne took his first steps while we were taking his 12 month pictures. I was so happy that Meredith was able to capture the moment! We can't thank her enough for everything she did for us over Payne's first year! I was pretty sad at 13 months when we didn't go take pictures. Things didn't seem right!

Smash Cake

2011-10-05T07:24:00.000-05:00

Well better late than never!

You can judge for yourself how the smash cake went!

Mr. Independent

2011-10-04T19:23:00.001-05:00

Payne has become much more independent lately!

He is starting to be a much better eater! We will actually pick up his food and feed himself! Most nights we have to start with using a fork, but then he gets tired of that and throws it aside and uses his hands. While I am so glad he is feeding himself, he is the slowest eater ever! I am so glad though because now we can all join meals together.

He loves to brush his teeth and take a bath. Taking a bath used to be a HUGE struggle for us and he would scream the whole time and hold on to the side. Now he will play and brush his teeth. He will let you know when he is done because he will start cleaning up his toys.

We let his run around a little bit after bath time. He is into just about everything. We were hanging up some new clothes the other night and he started climbing on the box and then into his chair. Then he rocked himself.

Phat Chance...

2011-09-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

My husbands company just opened their latest store in a long line of internet retail outlets, FAT CHANCE! Fat Chance is a mega-store made up of all the products they offer on the other 10 stores - medical scrubs, workwear, outdoor gear and apparel, country/western wear, baby/children items, art supplies, kitchen supplies, everything dance, hunting and fishing gear, and baseball/softball equipment - that rewards one out of ten customers by giving an entire order away for free. Absolutely free. No strings attached.

It's a marketing ploy, plain and simple. And it's not a new idea either. Some restaurants give every hundredth customer their order for free. But that's good but how many chicken sandwiches can you really need/want...

At FatChance.com our prices are as competitive as you will find anywhere else on the internet and shipping is free (Orders over $100). On top of that, we give away every tenth order FOR FREE. This does not mean that if you place ten orders in a row that one of them will be free, although your chances would get better!

Why would you want to shop anywhere else? You don't, when you have a phat chance of getting it free!

13 Months

2011-09-20T19:11:00.001-05:00

You wear size three diapers.
You weigh about 21 pounds.
You have 8 teeth.
You eat three meals a day, but fruit is your favorite.
You have milk at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You are still trying to walk but have taken several steps on your own.
You can stand on your own.
You will not touch anything that is not dry.
You blow kisses when we leave.
You say bye, hi, no, thank you, please, again, and sorry.
You want to be the center of attention.
You favorite toys are puzzles, stacking blocks, or your car.

Pots and Pans

2011-09-19T20:37:00.000-05:00

Sarah and I are looking at getting a new set of pots and pans. Her Rachael Ray set has seen its better day. She used to LOVE Rachael Ray and I couldn't talk her into a choosing new set for our wedding registry back in 2009. This spring our deep skillet caught on fire while she was on the phone and forgot she was warming up oil to fry some fish. Post Pregnant Brain!! We have 1 requirement: DISHWASHER SAFE. Any one have suggestions or real life experiences to share with us?

Payne's 2nd Christmas

2011-09-15T15:00:00.010-05:00

Last weekend Ryan and I took a trip to Little Rock. A fun-filled down and back trip to drop off a couch at Ryan's parents, spend the night with my papa and back. In a 3 hour car ride there are several things we got to talk about and catch up on. As most of you know, I shop for Christmas in July (and usually finish in September). So....we started talking about what to get Payne. He is at an age where it is kind of difficult. Too old for a stacker but not old enough for his first baseball glove since I won't get to pass mine down (looks like he will be a lefty like his Aunt Al).

What was your 18th month olds favorite Christmas gift??

Razorback Football

2011-09-14T17:44:00.000-05:00

College football season is my husbands favorite time of the year. We have had 2 Razorback football games (one in Little Rock, one in Fayetteville). He hasn't been to either - his first time to miss a Razorback "home" game since 8th grade. He has been begging me for a pair of Arkansas Razorback boots to keep his spirits alive. This weekend we are tailgating despite the forecast for rain. The Hogs are 2-0 with Troy coming to town - should be an easy win and he is super exited to catch his first game of the year. Support your favorite school with a new pair of boots!

Party Decorations

2011-09-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

Outside Fun

2011-09-11T19:38:00.000-05:00

Being Honest

2011-09-02T09:44:00.000-05:00

I haven't blogged in a long time, because I have NO TIME!

I can't tell you how stressful, overwhelming, crazy, and exciting my life has been lately!

Since, I really sat down and updated I have completed over 60 hours of in service for school, Payne's 1st birthday has come and gone, he has taken a few steps, he has become a terrible eater, we have started bible study again at our house, Ryan's men's bible study has started back, I have taken in coordinating two services for church preschool, and I have started school. With all of that I have completely filled my plate and I feel like I am about to fall flat on my face!

I can't hardly find time to do anything for myself, which makes me mad! I am trying to read The Help and I really want to just get it over with so that I can't have some more free time. But, I continue to read it because it is the only time I escape from reality and get to do something for myself.

Payne has been going through so changes lately. We have pretty much gotten rid of the passy all together. There are those times that I think it would just be easier to give it to him, but I don't want to give in. I am thinking about putting them in the attic so it won't be a choice to get it anymore. He also has decided to be a really picker eater. He won't hardly eat "table food". He wants everything to be smooth and he won't eat it unless it is mixed with a fruit or yogurt. He also won't eat with more than one person in the room. Therefore Ryan or I have to leave the room when the other is feeding him. He has taken a few steps every now and then but he is content to crawl or better yet you carry him. He also naps twice a day when he is home with me, but at daycare he is lucky if he sleeps 30 minutes. Better yet I am lucky. He is normally passed out asleep by the time we get home, and therefore cranky the rest of the night.

School has been extremely hard for me. I hate to say that, but I am being honest. This year is so overwhelming. There are 35 of them and 2 teachers and I can't possible give all the one on one time to them that I wish I could. I know it is probably like this every year, but my first year there were 24, and last year I was at home with Payne. Which leads to another point of which I keep telling myself that I wasn't here last year because I was with Payne. Then I want to be with Payne. This group of kids is so fun and eager to learn. Therefore they ask lots of questions. We are all still trying to figure out groups, schedules, and on top of that they are confused because they are also practicing for a play in two weeks. Like that wasn't enough I have decided to write a book with my third graders, an ABC book about our school. We have to have the book done and sent off to press by October 20th! I hope we get there! Then there is just keeping up with grading, conferences, and planning. What would be being a teacher if there weren't any challenges, right?

In our personal life, Payne's party was perfect in my eyes! We love hosting bible study at our house, Ryan loves attending his bible studies but it is hard to make time for our family. Now football season is here and we love that time, but that means no nothing to do weekends. Plus we are working in the preschool area every week at church. Love it all but, so overwhelming.

Needless to say I love my life and wouldn't trade it but if there were just one more day of the weekend that I could devote to relaxing I could do it much easier! As of now, I want to come home from work and crawl in bed and sleep until morning!

12 Months Pictures

2011-09-01T19:43:00.000-05:00

Invite

2011-08-22T09:59:00.001-05:00

I love how his invitations turned out! One of our friends that works with Ryan, Xuan, made them for me! She is so sweet and did them quickly and I got them in the mail with in a week! They were a postcard and had the address and return address on the back with red stripes. We had a Razorback themed party so I choose three pictures of Payne with Razorback gear on when he was a newborn, 5 months, and 10 months!

1 Year/ 12 Months!

2011-08-20T08:25:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness! Payne you turned 1 years old today at 12:58! I can't believe it! Where did all the time go? I can't believe that I taught a whole day of school and then went to the hospital to have you!

You have become such the little man over the past few weeks.

You love to play with your cars, puzzles, musical instruments, and geometric stacker.

You are still wearing a size 3 diaper.

You are drink whole milk out of a sippy cup at every meal and snack except at dinner when you have formula out of a bottle sometimes.
You have three teeth and two teeth that are part ways in on the top. Plus you have three more you are working on.
Your eating habits are all out of wack! You like something one day and not the next. Driving your parents crazy!
You still weigh about 20-22 pounds. We go to the doctor Monday.
You wear mostly 12 month clothes.
You eat breakfast and lunch at school with your friends.
You laugh lot.
You say momma, dada, again, please, and thank you.
You still like to have someone in the room with you at all times.
We made it another month without you getting really sick. You do have this nasty cough though.
You are really good about playing by yourself and talking to yourself.
You will follow any kids around that you think might be having fun.
You are one of the sweetest babies I know!
We love you so much and I can't believe we are celebrating your one year old birthday today!
Happy 1st Birthday Payne Boy! We love you so much!

Lately...

2011-08-08T20:08:00.000-05:00

We have grown a mustache....

learn to drive.....

sweated to death....

and I started back to work.

11 Month Pictures

2011-08-06T13:43:00.002-05:00

Water Baby!

2011-08-05T08:49:00.000-05:00

We went to the pool with Ryan one day after work last week. Payne loves the pool, but hates the bath tub! We played in the baby pool for a while, but he kept wanting to climb out and then "jump"/crawl back in.

So, we took him over to the big pool! He loved it! We would set him on the side and he would scoot off the edge and start kicking as we helped him. Every now and then he would move his arm. I think he might just love to swim!

After we were done swimming we got out to have a snack.
Payne's poor little feet were so wrinkled. He ate and played in a cup of water, which he thought was so fun!

Look at those three teeth! I am sad summer is almost over for me! I hope to get in a few more pool trips before the pool closes!

Starting to Walk

2011-08-04T08:46:00.001-05:00

Payne has started to push around his dino. You can hear him say again a few times. He loves it! I think walking might be in our future!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

Baby Food for a 1 Year Old

2011-08-02T08:39:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to try new things with Payne. He will eat whatever you give him off of your plate. He doesn't think twice about it. He will stick his hands in your bag of chips or stand next to you with his mouth open for a bite. But, if you tried to give him the same thing at a different time and your weren't eating it. Well, no go for him.

So, we are starting with breakfast foods because well, I guess because it is the first meal of the day. We started giving him muffins, cheerios, and oatmeal these past two weeks. He loves them both. The oatmeal is easy and I just feed it to him, so it is an easy clean up. Now muffins on the other hand......well, I hope you have some time to clean up. But, he thinks they are great so whatever!!! I love to watch him! I normally tear it into pieces for him, but I did give him a whole one the other day and he picked it apart and picked up the whole thing.

He is just so stinking cute I couldn't not take pictures!!

What do you feed you 1 year old?

Summer Week 8

2011-08-01T17:20:00.000-05:00

Monday: We went to the library with Jillian and Brody. We are dog sitting for a week and half so Payne is loving getting to hang out with the little guys!

Tuesday: Payne went to daycare and I hung around the house doing little things trying to enjoy relaxing for the last two weeks. Then I ended up going to work to help pick out new Math text books. Before I picked up Payne I ran to the mall to return some things. Then we headed to the golf course with Ryan.

Wednesday: Payne went to daycare again and I worked on reorganizing some things around the house. For bible study we meet at Walgreen's and help buy some last minute items for Nicole's Haiti Mission Trip before going to eat at Chili's.

Thursday: We ran errands after Payne's morning nap which he was not happy about the whole time!! Then came home for his nap. After his nap we went to the pool and played with Daddy before his dinner.

Friday: We hung out around the house and waiting for JJ to get here! Then we did some birthday shopping for the little man. Then that night Ryan and I went to the 4-Ball dinner out at the club.

Saturday: Ryan was still playing golf. My mom and I ran some more birthday errands and then came home to play with Payne.

Father's Day Golf Trip

2011-07-31T07:09:00.000-05:00

For Father's Day Ryan didn't want a traditional gift, he wanted a gift of time. He wanted for Payne and I to go to the golf course and ride around with him for a round of golf.

Well, first yes it is the end of July and we just did this because we have been so busy. Second, we did pick the hottest time of the year!

It was a lot of fun though. Payne slept for the first two holes. Then he woke up and decided to play a bit, but by the time the 7th hole rolled around he was done. So we only hung out for 9 holes.

Daddy teeing off on the first tee.

Mommy and Payne hanging out in the cart! Yes, we put his car seat in the cart and it was a perfect fit!

One of Payne's favorite things right now is a golf ball! So he chased the golf ball around the green.

Waiting in the cart for the people in front of us.

Daddy was nice enough to park us in the shade everytime, but you can see how hot we were! Poor Payne's cheeks were so red!

Then it was dinner time!

Happy Father's Day Ryan! We love you!

Hope this is a tradition we can keep up every year!

Play Dates

2011-07-30T09:57:00.000-05:00

We have had three play dates with Jillian and Brody over the past few weeks and I haven't blogged about any of them!

We went over to play the Friday before we left for Colorado. This was the first time that Payne had played with Brody since Payne could crawl! Payne absolute loved it! He loved Brody's big Tonka trucks or just chasing Brody around.

This was the best pictures of the three of them! Ha!

Then last Sunday we picked up with our bi-monthly dinners with them! I love these times of being able to spend with Josh and Jen talking and letting the kids play. We sat in Brody's room and watched the kids play for a couple hours.

Then on Monday with went with them to the Fayetteville Public Library. We didn't make in time for Baby Book Worm but the kids loved the puzzles and Payne enjoyed chasing Brody around wherever!

We love playing with Jillian and Brody!!

Happy Birthday D.

2011-07-29T09:21:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday D.! We hope you have a fabulous day!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US!

Umbrella Strollers

2011-07-28T10:05:00.000-05:00

Before we headed to Colorado we knew we want to have an umbrella stroller for the trip. It just wasn't really practical to take the big one with driving to Tulsa, flying, and then driving around in Colorado with 4 other people in the car. So, having an umbrella stroller seemed to be the answer. We Ryan read all the reviews online and picked out a few for me to look at. We settled on the Mia Moda Sportivo.

It arrived in a few days and we took it on several test runs before leaving. It was perfect! It was really easy to open and close! It gets super small, compared to the big stroller we have, when folded up! It has a basket on the bottom for things. It's not huge, but it works! It turns very easily! Seriously, I loved it!

There is one downfall to it though. It doesn't have a cup holder, but I got over that pretty fast!

So if you are looking for an umbrella stroller we love ours!

Pineapple Glazed Pork Tenderloin

2011-07-27T09:49:00.000-05:00

My new years resolution was to start cooking more meals and different meals for Ryan. Well I did great until the snow storm of 2011 hit ( here was our life then) and I fell off. Well this summer has been really hard to pick back up with it as well. Though a few weeks ago I sat down to try to find some new recipes. This one was awesome. Ryan talked about it for days! I am sure it will become part of our regular routine now!

1/3 cup of frozen pineapple juice concentrate

1 tablespoon dijion-style mustare

1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 clove of minced garlic

1 pork tendorloin

( I had everything but the pineapple juice and the pork tenderloin which I picked up both things at the store for less than 5 dollars!)

In a small sauce pan heat the juice, mustard, rosemary, and garlic for about 5-7 minutes on a medium heat.

Then remove and allow to cool before marinating tenderloin for how ever long you have. (I did mine for about 6 hours.) I also set aside some glaze for after I cook the tenderloin. Then when ready grill until done. Then serve. You can put the extra glaze on top or not. Either way is good!

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday Grandmommy and Aunt Karen!

2011-07-26T08:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday! We hope ya'll have a wonderful day! We love you!

Summer Week 6 and 7

2011-07-25T13:22:00.000-05:00

Saturday: We headed to Colorado

Sunday: We rode bikes from Breckenridge to Frisco and shopped around town.

Monday: Ryan and I went Whitewater Rafting down Brown's Canyon and Payne stayed and played with my parents.

Tuesday: We went shopping at the outlets and around Breckenridge.

Wednesday: Ryan stayed at the hotel with Payne and I hiked up Mount Cameron.

Thursday: We went on a jeep tour and celebrated my dad's birthday at the Swiss Haven.

Friday: We went shopping some more at the outlets and then went to Boares Pass to look for wildlife.

Saturday: We flew home again and unpacked and tried to get back to normal.

Sunday: We got up early and went to church and came home to relax a bit. Then Ryan went to play golf with a roommate from college.

Monday: We started to settle back into our normal routine. P and I did our Wal-mart shopping for the month. Then we went by the mall to pick up a few things before coming home to cook dinner for Ryan.

Tuesday: Payne went to daycare and I relaxed around the house. Then I went to lunch with some girls from church. Tuesday night the club was having a semi-annual meeting so we met Tim and Leigh for dinner and the girls talked and the boys went to the meeting. I love getting to see them!

Wednesday: Payne and I hung out at home I took him to daycare late. Then I went and ordered his birthday cakes, had lunch with a friend from college, and went to a training at school. Wednesday night we hosted bible study at our house. We love doing this every Wednesday.

Thursday: A friend from Ryan's office did Payne's invites for us. They are awesome and she was so sweet to do them for me! So, we got those ordered and they will be here Tuesday! I also had to go by work to get my computer worked on for a bit, so Payne played in my room. Then it was back home to hang out!

Friday: We have been having problems with our garage so they came out to fix it and the P and I went to Target and Sam's. Friday night Ryan and I went to a dinner for the golf tournament he was playing in. It was fun to hang out with some friends.

Rainbows

2011-07-24T07:38:00.000-05:00

We we were at Boreas Pass Friday night it rain for about 20 minutes. As the rain started to move out we got to watch a rainbow appear. Then another one. It was so weird because we could see where the end of the rainbow touched the ground. It was simply beautiful!

Then we saw this beautiful sky line on the way home.

God is good!

Colorado Family Vacation Part 3

2011-07-23T07:37:00.000-05:00

Well... I slacked a little with finishing our trip, but I am getting it done with a week of being home. I say that is success!

Thursday was Papa's birthday so we planned to have a nice dinner. He picked the Swiss Haven. We had never been there, but looking at the menu I got pretty excited because they had lots of fondue.

We ended up have a cheese fondue, steak fondue, seafood fondue, and dessert fondue! My favorite was the chocolate fondue!

We walked down by the Blue River on the way home for a photo. We have also been practicing walking the past two weeks and Payne has been standing on his own for a few seconds every now and then. Papa caught this one on camera on our way to the room.

When we got home, we opened presents and played cards.

Friday we went back to the outlet mall and shopped for ourselves, then came back home to let Payne nap and pack to head home early Saturday morning. Friday night we drove back up to Boreas Pass to watch for wildlife. We saw a moose and several deer. Though one thing we saw was one of the most beautiful things ever! Come back tomorrow and I will show you!

Hemangioma

2011-07-21T09:23:00.000-05:00

When Payne meets someone for the first time the typical conversation is, "Payne meet _____." They say hi back and then"What happen to his arm?"

I have gotten all sorts of things from, "Did he burn himself?", "Is that a bruise?" or my favorite is when little kids ask, "Does he have a booboo?"

At first I was kind of offended by these questions for some reason, but now I just answer it is a birth mark. Really it is much more than a birth mark, but saying " birth mark" gets WAY less questions (and funny looks).

But, now I am going to answer what it really is for you!

And now because you are wondering if you have ever noticed it and I know you are wanting a picture, so here.

It is a hemangioma.

A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin. About 30% of hemangiomas are present at birth. The rest appear in the first several months of life. Most hemangiomas are on the face and neck. Superficial or "strawberry" hemangiomas often are not treated. When they are allowed to disappear on their own, the result is usually normal-appearing skin. In some cases, a laser may be used to remove the small vessels. Small, superficial hemangiomas often disappear on their own. About 50% go away by age 5, and 90% are gone by age 9.

Here are some pictures so you can see it really starting to turn red. Most people didn't start to notice it until the spring when he started to where short sleeve clothes. Truth is I didn't notice it until we were already home from the hospital and I freaked out myself. Ryan had one as a kid so he told me what it was and we were going to the doctor the next day so I was able to ask. Turns out that was the least of my worries during his first month of life. You can read here to find out about our many trips to the doctor. They still measure it every time we are at the doctor to make sure it isn't getting bigger. So far nothing to worry about.

Hope that answers some questions for people. If you have anymore please let me know and I will do my best to answer them.

11 Months

2011-07-20T08:45:00.001-05:00

You wear a size 3 diaper
You weigh about 20 pounds
You have your three bottom teeth.
You get a bottle/sippy cup with 8 oz at 7am, 4 oz at 10am, 6 oz 1pm, 0-4 oz at 4pm, and 6 oz 7pm.
We started giving you cow's milk this past week. You are off and on about liking it.
You are eating rice cereal at night along with a veggie and a fruit.
You are eating a fruit and either oatmeal or yogurt in the morning.

You sleep from 7pm to 7am most nights.
You are wearing 9-12 months clothes. But mostly 12 month shirts and 9 month bottoms
You must have someone in the room with you. Though you are starting to explore a lot more now.
Your favorite toys are still board books, a starfish, and your stacking cups. This month you have added noise makers to the list.
You have started to dance anytime you hear music or someone tells you to dance. ( I love this)
You are "talking" all the time.
You are ticklish and laugh.
You are crawling everywhere and fast.
You are pulling up on things and starting to walk around things.
You have started to hold our hands and walk, but you are still pretty lazy.
You have stood by yourself for a few seconds several times.
You can wave bye and say bye.
You can say momma and dadda and hi.
You haven't been sick all month!!!!!!!
You went on your first plane ride.
You went to a different state (actually 2, Colorado and Oklahoma).
We can't believe that you will be ONE next month! We love you!

Family Vacation - Colorado Part 2

2011-07-18T10:10:00.000-05:00

Tuesday we had an easy day. We headed to the outlet malls about 20 minutes west of Breckenridge. We did some shopping for Payne and then we all decided we were hungry so we went to eat and then headed back for P to take a nap. After his nap we walked around in Breckenridge and shopped.

Wednesday Papa, Teme, and I got up at 5 and we to hike a Mount Cameron. Remember me telling you about hiking here. Well, the dreaded day had come. All in all, I feel I did great! I did get really tired at 13,800 feet and told my Papa I was done. It was so cold and super windy, but we pressed on to the top, 14,275. We didn't stay at the top long because of the wind and there was no where to hide from it. We were also afraid it was about to rain so we headed back down pretty quickly. On the way down we stop and had lunch.

When we got back Payne was a sleep and so I was able to take a quick nap before he woke up. We took him down to the play place for a little bit to get out his energy. He loved it! I wish we had a place like that here.

Thursday was one of my favorite days. We rented a jeep and drove up Georgia Pass and then over Boreas Pass. It got to be a little rough, but P had no problems falling right to sleep.

At this point in the ride, Teme, P, and I got out and walked. It looked more like a canyon than a rode and I didn't want to risk anything. Turns out the boys drove around it anyways.

The top was beautiful. It is actually part of the Continental Divide.

Then we headed over to Boreas Pass.

This overlooks Breckenridge from the pass. I absolutely love this view!

Colorado Part 1

2011-07-17T16:21:00.001-05:00

Saturday morning we headed to Tulsa to fly to Denver to meet my parents and spend a week in Breckenridge. This was Payne's first time to fly! He was super excited that morning and took a fairly good nap on the way to Tulsa.

Payne did great on the plane. We sat next to a great-grandmother because I want to make sure I wasn't going to annoy anyone around me. He got a little grumpy about 15 minutes before landing but held it together. As soon as we landed and made it to baggage claim Teme got him and he passed out!

This is the view from the Hyatt. We stay there every time and the view never gets old! You can see the ski slopes! There was still a lot of snow up there! They have also had a lot of rain (unlike us) so they are having a lot of flooding.

Our room wasn't ready when we got there and I had seen this Children's Play Place last year, so we headed over to check it out. Children under 1 and with grandparents are free! Super great for us! Otherwise it was 7 dollars for kids 1+ and 5 dollars for adults. They had lots of things to play with for all ages and the pass was good all day. Though this time we only stayed for a few minutes it was great for Payne to get some energy out!

One of the things I was glad we made the last minute decision to do was take the high chair that attaches to the table. If you don't have one of these GET ONE for traveling or restaurants!

Sunday morning right after Payne's nap we rented bikes and rode 11 miles to Frisco on the bike path. It is a beautiful view the whole time and mostly downhill. Don't get me wrong there were 2 HUGE hills that we had to go up. I only was able to do the first one, by the second one my bottom and legs hurt so so so bad!!! We ate lunch in Frisco and then rode the bus back to Breckenridge to take a nap.

On Sunday afternoon we walked around on Main Street for a bit and then that night Ryan and I went with my dad to the Breckenridge Backstage Theater to see a play. They always have great plays and they are so funny!

Monday morning Ryan and I drove to Buena Vista to go White Water Rafting. This is one of my favorite things to do in Colorado in the summer. We did Brown's Canyon which is one of the easier ones, but since the water was so high it was a little more difficult. The one we wanted to do which is the medium one was closed due to the water. We were on the raft with part of a group who camps out at the rafting place and rafts for three days. One of them took these pictures and some videos which she is sending me. I can't wait to see them. I will share them hopefully if she gets them to me.

Come back tomorrow to see what else we did!

Have you ever visited Colorado in the summer? If so what did you and your family do?

10 Month Pictures

2011-07-16T20:07:00.000-05:00

These are my favorite pictures so far! This age has been super fun as well! These were all taken at Weddington Lake.

Projects!

2011-07-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

I have a lot of summer projects I am trying to complete while Payne is at daycare this summer. I have let Nicole help me out a lot! She recovered several pillows for me a few weeks ago. I love how they turned out!

The small one was Ryan's baby pillow and the big one was one that was on his bed in college. P sleeps with the baby pillow and the big pillow is in the den so he can lay on it or do whatever with it.

I already had the polka dot pillow cases so I bought cheap plain pillows at Wal-mart to put in there and then I had found some napkins at Target I liked so Nicole did her magic and made some pillows for me again! There is six of them, which do not really fit on the couch now. But, guess what! They soon will when I get my new couch!! I can't wait by the way!!

I have done some other random things around the house like spray painting the pipe outside on the deck.

Then I make some really random things and really random times! I know! But, when I come up with the idea I run with it!

I used this to make

this!

I will probably put it in my classroom this fall.

Then I made a Valentine's wreath and spray painted some letters that say LOVE. Not sure where I am going to put either when the time comes, but I have several months to figure that out!

My next projects include making some door stops and finishing a Razorback wreath!

Happy Birthday Papa!

2011-07-14T09:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to the best Papa ever!!

He is always up for an adventure!

Climbing a 14.000 ft mountain last year!

Even when your 6 months pregnant! He'll have you doing wheel barrow races!

This is before my rehearsal for the wedding.

One of the many years we attended the Heart Ball! One of my favorite things to do with my Daddy!

At the Horses Races last year!

He came to see my classroom my first year of teaching.

We love you! Thanks for all things you do for us!! Looking forward to many more adventures and memories!

Wordless Wednesday with Instragram Pictures

2011-07-13T09:52:00.000-05:00

Payne's First Hair Cut

2011-07-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

We had Payne's first hair cut almost a month ago, but that was the day we came down with the stomach virus thing so well, I never blogged about it!

I was going to get my hair cut and so Julee just cut Payne's hair as well. Ally and Ryan came by to take puctures for me since I was holding the little man. He looks so much older now! But, I do miss that long piece on top! He has had it forever!

Payne's wings!

I think P was a little confused on what we were about to do to him.

Julee gave him a comb to entertain him. It didn't last long.

There it is! The extremely long piece of hair!

He was pretty proud of his new hair cut!

Thanks Julee!!! We can't wait to meet Preslee!

Summer Week 5

2011-07-10T08:52:00.000-05:00

Monday: It was the Fourth so it has its own post here. But, since I like a picture for each day.

Tuesday: Payne went to daycare and I watched the Casey Anthony trial like I was going to win something for doing so, but I literally jumped out of my chair while getting my nails done when they said there was a verdict!! I went back to Ryan's office to watch it because I had a meeting at school shortly afterward. After she was found NOT GUILTY! Which is freaking crazy, I went to sign my contract so I can teach again next year! Whoop whoop!Then the other 3rd grade teacher, Lina, want to see Payne so I went to get him and took him back to school with me. He was asleep when I got there and looked so sweet!

Wednesday: Payne went to daycare and I laid low around the house. Ryan came home for lunch and then I ran to Wal-Mart to get a few things and then did some small projects around the house before I went to get Payne. When I got there they told me Payne hadn't taken a nap all day! So that meant time to go home and take a nap! He was dead asleep by the time we got home.

Thursday: Payne slept in until 7:45, which I was then scared he wouldn't nap again. Wrong! He went down at 9:15 and slept until 10:45. We got ready and went to the pool for a little bit. Came home and had lunch with Ryan and then P went down for a nap again. I was thinking it would be short! Nope 1-4:45! He made up for yesterday needless to say! We played and had dinner and back down he went at 7! It was a quick easy day to say the least!

Friday: After Payne's morning nap we went over to play with Brody and Jilly Kate! I love watching them interact. We need to get back doing our bi-weekly dinners with them, but summer has thrown us way off!

Happy Birthday to the best SIL ever!

2011-07-08T08:18:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday Allison! We all love you so much!! Hope you have a fabulous day!

Fourth of July

2011-07-07T20:51:00.000-05:00

We spent the Fourth of July weekend at Tablerock Lake with some friends and some new friends. We camped out all weekend and floated on the lake. We left Payne at home with D. and Big R so we were able to relax and sleep in all weekend. It was much needed. I love camping out and not having to worry about anything.

There were no pictures taken at the lake sadly! Though I followed the Casey Anthony trial by twitter the whole time!

On Sunday night we headed back home and hung with Ryan's parents on Monday. Then Monday night we went to the club with the Fite's and Owen's to eat and watch the fireworks. Payne liked the fireworks, but he crashed as soon as we started walking to the car. He goes to bed at 7 and it was 10 by the time it was over.

Our family. We didn't dress very festive. Oh well...

Then we went outside so Payne could play.

Then it was time for the fireworks!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T09:42:00.001-05:00

Summer Week 4

2011-07-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

Has it really been 4 weeks of summer??

Monday: We got up and played around the house for a while and then took a nap like normal and then played some more. After lunch time we went to Cherry Berry to meet some friends for ice cream!

Tuesday: Payne went to daycare all day and I ran and picked up around the house. At lunch I went to meet Ryan for lunch and went to look for a new couch. Then Tuesday night we went to take Payne's 10 month pictures out at Lake Weddington.

Wednesday: Payne went to daycare again. The girl we met at IO Metro, who is a decorator came over to the house to help me decided about the couch and how we would rearrange the other furniture.

Thursday: Payne had his infant eye exam in the morning and then we ran some other errands before going back to IO Metro to meet with the decorator. Then Payne and I came home and he nap and I ate lunch. Then I taped out the couch on the living room floor and moved all the furniture to how it would be. It took a while and the decorator coming back over, but we finally decided to do it! We decided on brown. We then ordered the new couch! Hopefully it will be here before Payne's birthday!

Friday: We laid low. We met Ryan at Sam's for our monthly shopping trip and lunch. While Payne was napping I finished up cleaning the house, packing, and of course watching the Casey Anthony trial! Then Ryan and I headed to the lake with Ally and Dalton for the Fourth of July weekend!

Family Reunion 2011

2011-07-01T08:35:00.000-05:00

I just realized that this post never went live. Therefore image you were reading this June 20!

We headed down to Lake Catherine last weekend for the Maulden Family Reunion. We have been having a family reunion since 2002. We get together at other times for the year, but this one is just for fun!

Several things we always do are jet ski/tubing, eat Corky's BBQ, take the family picture, sign the banner, play games, and have chocolate gravy for breakfast on Sunday morning.

Here is some pictures from the weekend.

We played some minute to win it games! Lots of fun!!

Random Thoughts and Questions

2011-06-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

I have some random thoughts and questions.

1. When did you start giving your baby cow's milk? The day he/she turned one? Before to introduce it slowly? Did you put it in the bottle? Please give me your thoughts on this.

2. Do you watch the Casey Anthony trial? I do and I am completely obsessed with it! I love to text my aunt and get her thoughts on it because she is an expert on it and I love it! ( Confession: I wanted to be a CSI growing up) Do you think she is guilty? If so what do you think her sentence will be? If you don't think she is guilty, who do you think did it? Just give me your thoughts! I would glad to talk to you about it!!

3. I have been working on Payne's birthday party. I think I have most things planned, but I am still up in the air about invitations. Is there some place you suggest I use? What are some things you think I should include in his party? Things I should not worry about?

4. Remember when I told you I was given a noticed about jury duty from July- through September? Well, On Tuesday I was called and I have to report next Wednesday for a one day trial. I will not know until that morning if I got selected, but I still have to go down there. Regardless I will get paid $15 for showing up and if I am selected I will get paid $50 for being on the jury.

5. I have been running/jogging/walking everyday now! If you have been following my blog for a year or so you know that my family vacations are not lay around and eat and get fat! In fact, you probably will lose weight on my family vacations. I am not very good at sitting still for very long in general so this is ok with me. Well, last year I was 34 weeks pregnant so I was unable to do much in Colorado, but this year is different! I am going to participate everyday! One of the things we will be doing is climbing a 14,000 ft. mountain!

Let me give you some background on this climbing mountains business! When I was a sophomore is high school I went with the church to climb Mount French in Colorado. We hiked and spend 5 days out on the mountain. You can see below my huge pack that I hiked with! ( Don't be fooled. I might be really short, but that was a guide who was extremely tall) You have to take everything with you! Tents, food, sleeping bag, clothes, EVERYTHING!

And as if that trip wasn't the hardest thing in my life I had ever done! I decided to do it again two years later after my senior year of high school! ( Might I add I told my Papa he had to go too :) ) I had done a lot more training this time around! Like running with weights in my backpack around my neighborhood or climbing Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock with a watermelon in my backpack! I could freaking run up this mountain with no problem the second time! The thing that made it harder was less than a year before that I had knee surgery! Therefore my knee was not able to hold me up a lot of times! I fell several times! Maybe I will show you that picture of that sometime!

Here is me the second time I climbed Mount Arkansas.

Therefore my Papa likes to continue to climb mountains still! This time we will only be making a one day trip up and down so we won't be packing all of this stuff in and out which will make it ten times easier! The view from the top is incredible and worth it every time! My favorite part is the way the clouds look up there! And since the first time I climb to the top and saw those clouds I think of it every time I see a cloud now! ( I now also have a cloud obsession from teaching 3rd grade)

Ok there is all my random, random thought and things for this week! Sorry the pictures are so bad, I took pictures of pictures with my phone. I thought you really needed a visual of my crazy things I did!

Picnic at the Park

2011-06-27T08:49:00.000-05:00

Sunday afternoon I decided we need to take advantage of the great weather and parks in our area and go have a picnic. We picked up some food and headed to Wilson Park with Dalton and Ally. Payne had no idea what kind of fun he was going to get into!

Payne played on his blanket while we ate and then Ally feed P. He liked crawling around and exploring things around him.

Then we headed over to the swings and let P swing for a bit. He really liked this! Then Dalt and Ally had a photo shoot! Never a dull moment with these two!

Now it was time to slide. Payne didn't like this as much. He was a little scared!

He really enjoyed crawling around and exploring on his own. I'm thinking we will be going back soon.

Time to head to Andy's and then to see baby Silas. Payne normally goes to bed around 7 we didn't get home until 9. The poor baby was worn out, but he had lots of fun!

Summer Week 2 and 3

2011-06-26T21:39:00.000-05:00

Sunday: We worked in the nursery at church.

Monday: Payne got his first hair cut! We got the stomach virus from below!

Tuesday: Payne and I spent the day trying to recover from the stomach virus.

Wednesday: We packed up and head to Little Rock to spend a few days with my Mom, Gran, and aunts.

Thursday: Hung out with some friends from high school.

Friday: We headed down to the lake!

Saturday: Spent the day at the Maulden Family reunion!

Sunday: Had the big Maulden Family breakfast and went back through Little Rock to see Big R on Father's Day and back to Fayetteville. Where Payne still was having problems eating and keeping food down!

Monday: Took Payne to the doctor and found out he had a ear infection along with some drainage so the doctor put him on a bananas, applesauce, and no lactose diet.

Tuesday: Payne went to daycare and I had an all day professional development training in Springdale.

Wednesday: Payne went to daycare and I had some more training and picked up before bible study. After bible study we went to Cherry Berry with some friends.

Thursday: Payne and I went shopping and ate lunch with Dalton, Ally, and Ryan. Then we came home and I worked a lot on Payne's birthday!

Friday: Hung out around the house and Teme and Papa came up and Teme and I went to the pool with Payne.

Saturday: Teme took Rae-Marie and I to get pedicures while Papa kept Payne and Ryan played golf and worked in the yard. Then Saturday afternoon Ryan and I cleaned up around the house, mainly the garage and laundry room, then ran some errands.

Sunday: We went to church and worked in the nursery. While P was napping Ryan went to play some golf and came back home and we took Payne on his first picnic and park experience. Then to see baby Silas Parrott!

It has been a wild and crazy past two weeks. I am really glad to be able to have summers off and stay home with Payne. I feel like it is going by so fast and I am trying to take each day as it comes and savor each moment!

Overcoming the Sickness

2011-06-23T14:28:00.000-05:00

We have finally overcome the sickness after a week! Though about half my family has gotten it now! My aunt sent me this email and I thought it was so funny and it really lets you have an inside view to what we went through! She had two kids with the virus when she wrote this and the next day her third came down with it while at camp.

Email:

For the 17 1/2 years that I have been someone's mommy, I have believed that it has been a privilege to care for my children when they are ill.

Truly....a privilege to hold buckets while throwing up, wipe noses, massage away growing pains, hold heat pack on hurting ears, ease fears in the ER or the dentist's office. Pete and I have battled rotavirus, the swine flu, influenza A & B, strep throat, pneumonia, giaradia and every other bug that someone brought home from school, church or camp.

We have held small hands while immunizations were given and casts set...we have even carried our daughter's broken front tooth in a cup of milk to the dentist's office for re-attachment (3 times actually).

However...nothing compares to the last 36 hours! I don't know if this bug has a name....but it wants to take us down.

In the last 36 hours, I have changed the sheets 5 times....now Olivia has declared defeat and she is sleeping on the bathroom floor. She is wrapped in my shower wrap, using pool towels for a pallet (because the bath mats got nasty-you do not want to know.). She gave up on panties. She has discovered the joy of ice chips.

I am in the hall outside the bathroom with a pillow, magazines and a pool towel for a blanket (because all of the blankets are in the laundry room)...I have a long line of piles waiting to go into the washing machine.

In 36 hours, I have held a bucket 27 times, wiped a bottom 14 times, and washed, dried and folded 21 loads of laundry (22 is in the dryer and 23 in the wash). I have washed every surface in every bathroom with bleach and water at least 6 times. I bet I have washed my hands at least 75 times.

In the last three hours, I have given a bath to a child 4 times.

As awful (and disgusting) as this has been, each daughter has said "Mommy, thank you for taking care of me." While lying on her bed, one daughter said, "you are so pretty tonight, mommy." Clearly, she is a little loopy because I have slept 4 hours since Saturday.

It has been 60 minutes since Olivia has thrown up or had diarrhea (really, it is the wrong name for what is coming out of her!). I am orating foe the end. I am praying that Pete, the boys and I will be spared. Not counting on it.

Planned to have a witty or profound to end this email....but frankly, i'm too tired. I am, however, content in the knowledge that our sweet children have been lived and cared for when they feel so vulnerable.

10 Months

2011-06-20T08:19:00.000-05:00

You wear a size 3 diaper
You weigh about 19.1 pounds
You have your two bottom teeth.
You eat 4 oz at 7am, 10am, 4pm, and 7pm and 6oz at 1pm.
You are eating rice cereal at night along with a veggie and a fruit.
You are eating a fruit and either oatmeal or yogurt in the morning.

You sleep from 7pm to 7am most nights.
You are wearing 9-12 months clothes.
We have started trying to give you a sippy cup every so often and you are doing great!
You must have someone in the room with you.
Your favorite toys are board books, a starfish, and your stacking cups.
You have started to dance anytime you hear music.
You are "talking" all the time.
You laugh so hard at anything you think is funny.
You are crawling everywhere and fast.
You are pulling up on things, but you won't walk around anything.
You can wave bye and say bye.
You had hives and the stomach virus this month.
You got your first hair cut this month.
You went on your first boat ride.
You went to the pool for the first time.
You have been teething but, no new teeth.

Sick

2011-06-14T18:31:00.000-05:00

I CAN'T BLOG LONG BECAUSE OUR SECOND WEEK OF SUMMER IS OFF TO A ROCKY START. MONDAY P WAS FUSSY ALL DAY AND I CHALKED IT UP TO TEETHING. BY THE TIME RYAN GOT HOME I WASN'T FEELING WELL. BY 730 THE STOMACH VIRUS WAS IN FULL SWING. BY MIDNIGHT P HAD IT TOO. AND WELL I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT SINCE I'M STILL LAYING IN BED.

Easy Weekend

2011-06-12T21:16:00.000-05:00

I love knowing that Monday morning will be here shortly and I won't have to get up and go to work, but I get to stay home with my little munchkin and play all day!

We had a great weekend just relaxing. Friday night we sat outside and had dinner and let Payne play in his packnplay and Ryan played with Lucy.

We got Payne a life jacket for the lake. I laughed so hard when we put it on him.

Saturday morning Payne slept in until 8:15!! :) So did Ryan and I! Then Ryan's parents came up to spend the day with Payne. We all ran a few errands and took them to see the new office. That night they kept Payne while Ryan and I went on a quick date! Thanks D. and Big R!

Sunday we got up and headed to church and worked in the preschool area. Then headed home for lunch and a nap while Ryan went to play golf. Then we met him out at the pool and swam for a bit before heading home for dinner.

Tonight we are grilling burgers and hanging out on the deck. I love summertime! We have a busy week coming up, but I have a feeling it will go by fast and be a lot of fun!!

Summer Week 1

2011-06-11T09:56:00.001-05:00

I am going to try to recap our week each week for the summer.

Saturday: Kelley came to stay with us for the weekend and we all got up and went to the Farmer's Market and then went to breakfast at Rick's. That night we cooked out for several friends and hung out talking on the back deck. Lots of fun and hope to do this several times this year!!

Sunday: We went to church and working in the preschool area. After lunch we went over to the Scott's house and ate lunch with several friends. We really enjoyed this and so did Payne.

Monday: My first real day not working!! Payne was great. He played and nap perfectly and the maid came! It couldn't have been a better day!

Tuesday: Payne went to daycare and I got to sleep into until 10:30! I found this great! I then got up and got ready and Ryan came home for lunch, then I ran some errands before picking up Payne.

Wednesday: Payne went to daycare again. I got up and picked up the house a little for Bible Study and then ran some errands. Then I took lunch to Ryan at the office and attended a workshop at school for my training hours for the summer. After that I had some grand idea that I could make baby food between 5-6:30 when Bible Study started! It stressed me out slightly, but I got half of it done.

Thursday: We got up and played and during Payne's first nap I finished making baby food. Then when he got up we went on a walk. It was slightly hotter than I thought, so it didn't last long. After lunch we went to get some ice cream with Jillian and Brody.

Friday: After Payne's morning nap, I took him out to the country club for a little swim then to eat lunch with his dada.