First Steps

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

Well better late than never!

You can judge for yourself how the smash cake went!

 

Mr. Independent

 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...

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

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

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

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

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

Outside Fun

Being Honest

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