4-day weekend

Can't wait to enjoy the long weekend at home - with no plans of going anywhere (except maybe the grocery store). I really want to get the garage organized again - but this depends on the weather. If it is nice and warm, then we can go outside with Peyton. If not, I can do some stuff in the house. But, I'm going to try and relax some and I'll also be reflecting over the weekend and setting a few goals for myself for 2007(not resolutions, Goals). Hope everyone has a GREAT New Year's weekend.

Things to do before I die - update...

Here is my original list. I accomplished a few of the things on the list in the last year, so I'm going to mark them off...

1. See the Grand Canyon
2. Make a piece of furniture
3. Learn to cook from scratch
4. Paint a canvas, and hang it on our wall
5. Give Birth
6. Sleep on the beach
7. Visit the pyramids in Ancient Egypt
8. Do missionary work
9. Get published (either a short story or a scrapbook layout in a magazine)
10. Give away flowers from MY flower garden (which would require a flower garden)
11. Skinny dip in my OWN pool (which means getting a pool)
12. Catch a butterfly
13. Own a bird
14. Rescue an animal
15. Make some boutique children's clothes, and give them away as gifts
16. Donate my hair to children with cancer -working on this one now
17. Be my own boss
18. Sail a boat
19. Go on an African Safari
20. Sell my creations at a craft fair/bizarre
21. Colour my hair (this would be after i start going gray)
22. Run a mile
23. Attend a TV show taping
24. Be on a gameshow **price is right, here I come**
25. Go on a long camping trip, traveling through many states and sites
26. Get a master's
27. Go on a cruise
28. Taste the snow in Alaska
29. Go skiing in the Rocky Mountains
30. Make a purse
31. Get a book signed by the author
32. Go to a scrapbooking seminar -this will happen this year too
33. Meet at least one of my online friends
34. Decorate our house with Christmas lights, during Christmas of course
35. Bake a Thanksgiving feast - including the turkey.
36. Write a song or poem
37. Swim with the dolphins - AGAIN! This is too much fun to do just once in a lifetime.
38. Read the entire Bible
39. Lay tile or hardwood flooring
40. Crochet Something
41. Take a photography class
42. Take a bubble bath while watching TV for hours
43. Make an authentic Mexican/Italian/Chinese dinner and invite friends and family over
44. Have a garden
45. Study Bonsai, and maintain/create a bonsai tree/plant
46. Drive an old Fastback Mustang
47. Mentor a child/teen
48. Be a Girl Scout leader
49. Drink a *real* pina colada
50. Sleep in Eric's arms all night long

- Adding a few new ones
51. Throw a surprise party for Eric
52. Own a camper
53. Enter a fishing tournament with Eric
54. Give birth AGAIN. (One-Three more times)
55. Design a house/floor plan
56. Build a treehouse/clubhouse
57. Go to a Superbowl or National Championship
58. Invent something
59. Install a light fixture
60. Make a million bucks

Christmas 2006 - In Pictures

Our New Family



Peyton's Toy Box that his Granpa Made





Don't I look cute all dressed up for Christmas?


Look, Santa brought me a Bebe Pod Chair


Our house all decorated


Peyton with his new kick 'n play


Smiling for mommy


Daddy made him feel better when Peyton was upset - you can see his tears still on his little face


Us on our new swing - thanks Daddy!! And isn't Peyton's hat just the cutest?


Peyton on Christmas morning after Santa came to visit.

A few little things...

- Peyton is starting to want to play with his toys. He just started this last week, and over the Christmas weekend, I caught him grabbing at his toys with both hands for the first time. He seems to be using his left hand more than his right hand, I'm hoping that he is going to be a lefty like his mommy, but I know that it is WAY too early to be able to tell.

- Lately, whenever I'm cleaning or doing laundry, I collect all of the change and then put it in Peyton's piggy bank.

- We got enough money for gifts for Christmas to hopefully be able to close the 'we need a camcorder' fund and buy one.

- Eric almost had Peyton laughing out loud yesterday, he was so close! I'm sure it won't be long before he is giggling all the time.

- My dad sounded really great when I talked to him yesterday. I had started planning on going to see him this weekend, but he said it would be better to wait another month so his probationary period is up and he can go off with us without his 'buddy'. They have a buddy for the first 6 months of the program, so I remember that from before, and it is just kind of weird whenever his 'buddy' is around. This time he only has to have a buddy for the first 2 months - I guess because he has been through the program before and came back on his own. I'm going to mail him a few things tomorrow - including some homemade goodies from Christmas.

- I lost 5 lbs last month, but I gained 7 over the holidays. Time to get remotivated again!

- Peyton is starting to get up alot more at night again. I'm really hoping that it is just a growth spirt or something, but I really need him to start only getting up once a night again. It is just too hard to get up for work after getting up 3 times at night.

- Went to our new Hobby Lobby for the first time last Friday. Wow! It is SOOo much bigger and better than Micheals. Scrapbooker and crafter heaven! Eric went with me and he and I picked out stuff for Peyton's Christmas album. Eric started a page last week - and I finished it for him, but he did really good. I'll have to post it soon. He is really creative, but he stresses everything too much. It is okay if it is a little crooked or off center - told him he needed to chill a little.

Huge Scare

I've been having my first post-baby AF for a few days now, but today I've been hurting ALOT. Horrible pain in my abdomen and back. It has felt like the worst AF ever, and I have never had cramps this bad except for when i was in labor. Well, I passed a huge clot (TMI, I'm sorry), but it was different from the normal clots. It wasn't bloody at all, it looked like a huge chunk of skin. I immediately started stressing and thinking that I was having a miscarriage - when I didn't even know I was pregnant. But the doctor called us back, he said my body was just healing and that it was part of the lining of my uterus sheding. Luckily, the doctor only took about 5 minutes to call back and explain - because Eric and I were both getting very upset. If this is something that is so common, then why on earth doesn't anyone warn us - or tell us what to expect during that first AF. Geez. Why do we have to learn everything the hard way when it comes to female problems.

Hurting for my dad.

This time of the year is always hard for some people. People that have lost loved ones over the year, people that have financial problems, and the list goes on and on. Well, this time of the year (along with most holiday's) is very hard on my Dad. My heart just hurts for him because he brings so much sadness on himself. He has lost so much since my parents divorce, but he doesn't realize what all he still has. I miss my 'old' Dad. The one that I get to see when we go to visit him in Ellijay. The Dad that we go camping with and the Dad that I had growing up.

I think I mentioned before that my Dad was back in rehab. The place he is at is where he got so much better a few years ago. He went almost a full year before relapsing this time, so I'm really hoping that he gets what he needs there again. But I'm so scared that this cycle is never going to end at the same time. I don't get my hopes up anymore because he has broken them so many times, but I can't give up faith. I can't stop praying for him to get healed.

But I'm hurting for him today, and definitely tomorrow, because he is missing out on so many things with us all. He is missing out on Christmas this year, he missed Christmas and Thanksgiving last year, and all the other things that he misses because he cannot live here. He will never be able to live here. Which is sad, but I would rather have a Dad that is living a good, drugfree life 3-4 hours away then the Dad that I have had on and off for the past 5 years - who was hooked on drugs.

I really think that I'm going to have to make a trip to go see him. I need to show him my support and that I believe in him. I haven't talked to him in over a month and I'm missing him. I know that most of our talks are about me paying his bills and such - but I still miss him. I pray that he is going to get better - better for himself and for all of us.

Still doesn't feel quite like Christmas

We had Christmas at my Grandma's and Eric's mom's today, but it didn't quite feel like Christmas. Maybe it is because it is because we are still running our A/C because it is so warm, or because I didn't really do any shopping, wrapping or baking this year.

We ate a nice big dinner at my Grandma's. She makes the best dressing EVER! And at Eric's mom's we just had some snacks. The kids get so excited about opening presents! It is so fun watching them open there gifts. It is going to be alot of fun watching Peyton do that next year.

My Mom, Grandma and Eric's Mom all gave us money, so Eric is out trying to find us a camcorder. We really didn't have the money to get one and I thought that would be the perfect thing to spend our Christmas money on. Peyton also got a handmade toy box from his Grandpa that is just gorgeous!!! He racked up with quite a few toys, a high chair, some clothes, and a little kick 'n play thing that kept him occupied for quite a while tonight.

Tomorrow we will be going to my Aunt Kelly's for my Dads side Christmas. Then on Christmas Day we will go to south Georgia to Eric's papa's. So many places!

Rainy Day Fisasco

This morning was HORRIBLE. I get to work, and it isn't raining too bad. I had to run into another building to give my friend Christina her christmas card. By the time I was finished visiting her, it has started raining pretty hard. So, I get to my building and get a parking space, and as I'm walking to the building the rain starts getting harder and harder. I even took the time to roll up my jeans so they hopefully wouldn't get too wet. That didn't work too well. I get to the gate and guess what, I had forgotten my badge in the car. OMGosh! By this time, it is raining REALLY hard. I wait about 10 minutes for the rain to lighten up, and then start the long walk back to the car. About half way back to the car the rain gets VERY heavy. My pants are soaked from mid-thigh down and my socks and shoes are drenched. So, I get my badge and don't even bother waiting for the rain to lighten up this time, I just walk back to the building.

My socks and shoes have been drying on my fan for about 2 hours now, and my barefeet are in a box under my desk. What a way to start the day. Thank GOD it isn't a Monday!!!

Typical

I was inspired by Candace's ornaments, so yesterday I was going to dig out my felt and try to make a duck ornament for Peyton. I've carried around a few sheets per color of felt for quite a while, over 5 years. Well, when I was organizing my stuff a few months ago, guess what? yep, I threw away all of my felt. I figured it had been so long since I used it that it was wasting space. Figures!! So, now I need to go and buy a few colors again.

At least now I have an excuse to go to the new Hobby Lobby. It opened a few weeks before Peyton was due, and I've been trying to stay away b/c I know that I will want to spend money whenever I do go. But, hopefully next week I can go one day...if not sometime today or tomorrow. ;)

Early Christmas Gift

Eric gave me one of my presents this morning, a NEW computer chair. It is nice! Something that we have needed for a LONG time. About 4 years ago I flipped backwards in the current chair when I was sitting indian style and rocking - well, I broke off one of the arms - and we have been using an armless chair ever sense. Also, now I have the computer desk and my craft desk in the same room - and I'm always taking the same chair back and forth between the two areas...so it will be nice to have both of them.

Craft Auction to benefit the Kim Family

There will be an auction in January to benefit the Kim Family. Here is the website. There are really some gorgeous pieces available, and over 40 artists/designers have donated things that are very nice. Lots of great pieces for inspiration also.

Peyton is getting better

Yesterday the doctor gave Peyton antibiotics since he thinks that his cold could be turning into a sinus infection, and he seems a little better already. I haven't really blogged about how great he is doing at night now - but he is. Every night he goes down for bed around 8:00 without any problems. I just feed him, rock him for as long as I want, and then lay him in his bed and leave the room. I really enjoy this time every night. I usually rock and cuddle with him for at least 15 minutes longer than I 'need' to...but this is our special time every night. He is still getting up around 3:00 for a feeding, but that is 7 hours straight and I couldn't be happier!!!

Tonight my mom is going to come watch Peyton for a few hours and we are going to go to the mall. I'm going to pick up his Christmas pictures, exchange a gift, and HOPEFULLY get a bra that fits comfortably. But I have a headache. Last time mom was going to come watch Peyton I had a headache and had to cancel. Typical. I hope I feel better by tonight.

My dad is back in Rehab. He really started messing up pretty bad after he lost his apartment (due to not getting his roommate approved) and then finding out that my mom was getting remarried. He was doing really good for over a year, but during the last 3 months or so, he has fallen off the wagon BIG time. I hate that he has to live the way that he does. I know that it isn't fun being broke all the time - since he is disabled living on social security - which is NOT enough for anyone to live on - which is why he always had to have a roommate. Anyway, I need to make up a package to send to him. I sent him one last year also, but he didn't get it until February. I'm thinking maybe I can just send him a card with some pictures and maybe a carton of cigs or something. I hate this cycle that he has been living for the past 5+ years. It is REALLY hard to keep faith that he will one day be better. Every time he gets better, he eventually reverts back again. The Rehab place is bible based, Pentecostal I believe, but bible based regardless of denomination. The ONLY way that he is ever going to get better is through the lord. My dad needs to find the lord again, and keep him with him at all times. My dad was saved a few years ago, at Promised Land (the rehab facility), so he is back on the right track. He was even a counselor there for awhile. He just needs to get back on that track and STAY motivated and keep his relationship with Christ going at all times.

Just another Monday!

Peyton is still sick. We are taking him to the doctor today. He has been sick for 10 days. I really hate this, and I know that this is what I'm going to have to get used to. He got sick, then Eric and I both got sick, and he started feeling better, but then got worse again. This cycle is probably going to be pretty common - since he will be around other kids at the daycare all the time. At least there are only 4-5 other kids, and not a whole nursery full.

My weekend was really great. Micheala had her 3rd birthday party, and we had alot of fun there. They rented a jumbo jump thingie for the kids to play in - and the adults could get in it too. Lots of fun.

We have a quote for the trees on our land, and it is almost enough to pay off our debts. I so wish we didn't have debt so we could use this money to invest or so we could just not cut down the trees at all. We are going to replant the entire property, but I know that it takes a very long time for some of those trees to grow. The pines don't take very long, but the hardwoods do. We told them that we didn't want them to take any of the hardwoods - but it would be too hard to harvest the land without them taking some of them down. We are also leaving a big chunk of trees along the side of the property where the railroad tracks are, but that is for a sound buffer from the train.

I scrapped for the first time since Peyton was born on Saturday and it was such fun. I'm working on him a first christmas mini-book which is turning out very nicely. I'm also going to start working on something for Eric for v-day - but can't tell any details incase he reads this.

A Great Appraisal

I had a really good yearly appraisal today. I wasn't really too nervous b/c I know that I do a good job and get my work done and the customers are always happy - but if you get a good appraisal and exceed all of your elements, then you can get a bonus. However, the bonus pool isn't very big, so you could do really great, but others also do really great, and you end up not getting a bonus b/c of the budget. Well, for this next year I should continue to get the bonus. They already cut it in half - so my paychecks have been $250 less than they used to, but as long as I'm still getting some extra money I'm happy.

Found more inspiration...

This site: Mom's World has inspired me to dig through my Grandmas pictures and get her commentary on all of them. I would LOVE to get all of her memories recorded for us all to enjoy. Maybe one photo a week? I don't know how I could fit it in, but it sure would be worth it.

My Grandfather, Papa Bo, was a Marine, and I fondly remember many of his war stories. He would sit with me and we would talk for hours. I know that there is no way I can remember all of them - and I wish that I did. He also played major league Baseball - and right now I can't even remember the team. If I can only remember a few now, just think how hard it will be to remember the stories later in life.

It would be very rewarding for me to get with both of my Grandma's and get stories from them about their childhood and my Pop and Papa Bo's childhood. Both Grandma Glad and Stella are approaching 80, so now is definitely the time for this.

And Eric's Papa. He has the best stories too. Eric and I will talk with him for hours and hours. He can carry some of the best conversations!

I think I'm going to get me a voice recorder and get started on this project!!! It could be one of the things that I cherish the most if I just make it a priority to do it.

Ode to craftyness

I would LOVE to be more like Soulemama. She made this cute skirt and an adorable dress for her little girl. I have no idea how she has the time to do anything. She is a SAHM, but she has 3 kids, which are all pretty young. I don't think I would be able to do a fourth of what she does with just Peyton. However, she is so inspiring. I want a little girl one day so I can make her dresses and teach her all the 'crafty' things that I know, including how to sew. Sewing seems to be becoming a lost talent. Just like woodworking. Yes, people still do it, but nothing like back in the old days. I have so many fond memories of my Grandma making me little outfits when I was a kid and then once I got to highschool she started teaching me and helping me make my own clothes. I have made many dresses and skirts for myself, all of which will probably NEVER fit me again, yet I cannot throw them out. They are all special. Especially the ones that we made together. I attribute most of my craftyness to my Grandma. We did so many different types of crafts when I was growing up! I hope to be able to enjoy things like that with my children and grandchildren. These are the things that make me even more excited about being a MOM!!!

I also HEART Baby Einstein

Thanks Kelly for reminding me about the Baby Einstein videos. Last night we tried them again with Peyton and he LOVED it. He got all excited and was kicking a cooing at the TV for the whole video. Last time I tried the Christmas video, and he didn't watch it. This time it was Baby Bach and he loved it. Maybe he was too young last time, or maybe he wasn't in a good mood, but this time it worked. And I got to cook dinner while he watched it. Amazing!!!

As for the towels that I 'accidentally' dyed - it really wasn't a 'good' mistake, but I'm downplaying it to make me feel better. And luckily these are not our 'good' towels that we break out when we have company, so that was good. My bathrooms are not all 'matchy matchy' except for a few towels that we put out only for the guests. Our daily towels are all just different types of cream and white for easier cleaning.

Childrens Medicine

WHY do they make them hot pink, red, purple and just other BRIGHT colors? Why not just leave them clear or 'natural' in color? Why ADD dye to get them these very STAINABLE colors? I do not know. What I do know is that at our house, we have stained clothes, comforters, sheets, baby blankets and carpet.

Oh, and last week I accidentally dyed a whole load of white towels purple. I put in a brown rug at the last minute - since I had room in the washing machine, and everything turned a lovely shade of brown/purple. Wonderful. At least the color is kind of pretty.

Shopping

Why is it that once you have a baby (or were expecting) you CAN NOT go into a store without browsing the baby section, and more times than not, buying something. Today I went to Walmart to shop for bras - which I didn't end up doing b/c I ran out of time, but I did have time to pick up Peyton a new pair of corderoy overalls and a small rattle type toy. At least the overalls were on sale!!!

Quick Post

Quick post

1. Peyton is sick for the first time. Poor little guy is so stuffed up - but at least he isn't running a fever.
2. Our neighborhood finally got a homeowners association going, and we hired a lawyer to go after the developer of the subdivision to get the street lights cut on and signs for the entrance. The 'developer' just happens to be the guy that built our house. Oh, and the lawyer was nice enough to represent us for FREE.
3. I need a haircut so bad. My last haircut was in Sept 05. I just need a trim though b/c I have decided to grow my hair out for Locks of Love.
4. Eric signed me up for the scrapbooking 3 day event that I want to go to in March. I hinted a MILLION times that that was what I wanted for Christmas...and he got it for me last week. Yippie.
5. Tomorrow is my nephew Dilyn's 7th birthday, and Wednesday is my niece Michaela's third birthday.
6. We bought land back in Oct and I still haven't blogged about it. We signed papers the day before Peyton was born, and finalized the loan when he was 2 weeks old. So far, everything has gone pretty smooth. We are trying to get the trees harvested for money to pay off debt, and then we will replant. Only the pines will be harvested though, none of the hardwoods.
7. I'm going today to try and figure out what bra size I am and get a comfortable bra. I'm still wearing sports bras b/c my old bras hurt...hopefully I won't be too depressed when I see what size I'm wearing now.
8. I've lost about 4 lbs in the last 2 weeks. I've been eating slim fast bars for breakfast, and they are pretty yummy. I might start eating them for lunch too, but I'm afriad that might cause me to be starving when I get home from work...and I don't want to overeat at night!

Oh the irony

Eric has been very sick for the past two days - like 'can't get out of bed sick'. Well, he was feeling a little better today and he goes to get lunch at a local 'mom and pop' cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. When he gets there, the sign on the door says 'Closed due to illness'. Eric ate there Monday - and didn't get out of bed much Tuesday or Wednesday, then today he sees this. Now, it could just be a coincidence, or he could have gotten sick from them. I know they are very sanitary (they always have a very high inspection rating), but it still makes you wonder.

Another thing that I have discovered the last two nights - how on earth do single mom's do it? Last night I didn't even eat until after Peyton was in bed for the night. Maybe I should have skipped dinner all together - considering I'm having trouble losing any weight. I lose a little, gain it back, lose a little , gain it back, and the cycle has repeated over and over for the past few weeks. But, really, how can they do it all. Many single/divorced parents have more than one child too.

Very Sad Day

I have been following the story of the Kim family for about a week now. Checking the website at least once a day hoping for the best. Kati and the girls were found a few days ago, and the search continued for James, the dad. He didn't make it. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his family. I can't imagine what his wife and family are feeling right now. Such a horrible tragidy.

I hate long meetings

This morning I have a 4 hour meeting to go to, and I'm NOT going to enjoy it. I hate long meetings. I'm prepared this time though. I brought a scrapbook magazine (which will be hidden inside a folder) and a notebook to jot down lists and ideas - so hopefully the 4 hours won't really feel like 4 full hours.

Last night we didn't go out. I told my mom that maybe next week she could come over - but that I wasn't in the mood to go out last night. I think yesterday was my worst day so far since I've been working.

Yesterday when I went to pick him up, he was eating, so I sat in the rocker and was feeding him the rest of his bottle. Well, instead of looking at me the whole time, he kept watching Ms. C and following her voice around the room. It is normally my voice or Erics that he follows around so it hurt my feelings. He is spending alot more awake time during the day with her than he does with me. I didn't want him to get attached to anyone else like he is with me, but at least he is comfortable with her. I guess I should have expected this to happen, but it doesn't make me feel any better.

Missing my baby!

Yesterday I couldn't take it. I typed the previous post around 2:00 and after worrying about Peyton for about 15 minutes I couldn't take it any longer. I had to go get him! And he did great for me. He wasn't cranky or anything. As soon as I got home with him we played a little and then took a nap.

And then we went out to eat with Eric and we had his pictures taken at Sears. This time he did much better, as did the photographer. He wouldn't smile for us, but he was awake this time. He had gas really bad the whole time, so it took about 30 minutes to get 10 decent shots, but we are happy with the ones that we did get. He looked so cute in his little outfit!

Tonight my mom has volunteered to watch Peyton for us to go out to eat - but I'm missing him so much I think it will be harder for me to leave him with her than the other time. I miss him ALL day long, but it gets really bad after lunch. I can't wait to see him every afternoon and hold him. I don't want to cancel - but then on the other hand I do. I guess I'll see how I feel after I get home.

Peyton is 2 months old

Today Peyton is 2 months old. He got his shots today and it nearly broke my heart. Poor little guy. He is now 21.5 inches and 12 lbs 4 ozs. The doctor said that he is already measuring like a 4 month old, so he is definitely healthy. I just called Ms. C to see how he was doing and she said he wouldn't eat and he has been crying alot. I just want to cry b/c I can't leave yet. I had to take 2 hours leave this morning for the appointment. Maybe the next time he gets shots I can take the whole day off so I can comfort him when he doesn't feel good.

I don't know if we will be able to make it for his pictures tonight. I should have rescheduled weeks ago. I'll just wait and see how he is this afternoon.

Things I want to remember

I just finished putting Peyton to bed, and while I was rocking him I was thinking about his first two weeks. I wish I could somehow bottle up the feelings that I had and save them for later so that I can feel them whenever I want. I don't think I have ever felt closer to Eric than I did those first few weeks - the intense love that I felt those few days was wonderful. Not that I love Eric or Peyton any less now, but my emotions were just very very strong during that time. That is one thing that I don't ever want to forget.

These are a few others...

I want to remember that feeling that I got when I saw Peyton for the first time. The way that I couldn't stop crying happy tears during those first few moments. The spark in Eric's eyes when he held him for the first time. Those first few minutes were magical, just magical.

I want to remember the car ride home from the hospital. I barely took my eyes off of Peyton the whole way home (I was in the backseat with him). Eric probably drove the best that he has ever driven in his whole life on the way home. And I wanted some lunch, but Eric didn't want to go anywhere with Peyton except home - not even through the drive thru.

I want to remember how I could not put him down whenever his eyes were open. He slept alot those first few weeks, so whenever he was awake I soaked up every minute with him.

I want to remember the way that I felt when I saw myself naked in front of the mirror. It was very depressing and caught me off guard when I couldn't get rid of the lump in my throat. I was a little shocked to say the least, but when I thought about what I gained in Peyton - I knew that I wouldn't have changed a thing - and that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. (Hey, who said they all had to be good memories?)

I want to remember all of our wonderful friends and family. Yes we had alot of visitors those first few weeks, but everyone was just wonderful. We are very blessed to have so many people that care about us so much.

I want to remember how awesome my husband was (and is). I don't think I could have made it those first few weeks without him, and I'm so thankful that he was here with me the entire 8 weeks. Eric was making me food, going to the grocery store, washing clothes, cleaning/sterilizing bottles and doing anything else to help us out.

I want to remember the way that his eyes would follow my voice around a room. He knew me before he was born, just as I knew him. I want to remember the way that I could calm him down instantly when no one else could and how his favorite place in the whole world was in my arms.

I want to remember the way that his soft baby skin feels against my skin. How I love it when he nudges his face right into my neck.

I want to remember how protective Eric was of him, especially those first weeks at home. Eric didn't want him to EVER be alone and he constantly worried about something happening to him. The first night home he didn't even sleep unless he dozed off in the rocking chair beside Peyton's bassinett. And how Eric became a 'burp' nazi. He was constantly asking me if I burped Peyton when he was eating, and he would ask over and over.

I want to remember that first doctors visit. We were so scared that you would get sick! We were so silly not touching ANYthing. NOt the door knobs, magazines, chairs, etc. I had a blanket over your head the whole time we were in the waiting room so that you wouldn't get any germs. Everything was just fine though...you made it just fine.

And I want to remember the way that it felt to know I was a mom. It was so sureal. He is two months old now, and sometimes I still think - 'I'm a mom'.

I have lots of other memories from the first month, but I wanted to get some of them down before I forgot them. So, this is my attempt at bottling up my emotions so I can remember them later.

Long Lunch

I took a long lunch today and went out to eat with my SIL Emily and then I went to Old Navy to find a cute outfit for Peyton's Christmas pictures on Monday. I had alot of fun picking him out a few very cute outfits, and I really think I could have gotten everything in his size. Baby clothes are soooo cute, especially the little girl stuff. I got him this for his picture:




This is only the second (and third and fourth) outfit that I have purchased for him. We were so lucky to get hand-me-downs from my sister that I have plenty of clothes without ever buying him anything. But - it is fun to shop and get him a few new things.

Hope his pictures go well. He has his first set of shots on Monday also - so hopefully he will feel like having his pictures done. If not, I'm NOT buying them this time. Repeat, I will NOT buy the pictures if I don't like them.

Tomorrow is my SIL Heather's baby shower for my soon-to-be nephew. I still have to get a present for her, so I'm sensing a TARGET trip in my future.