Memorial Day Weekend

This was a busy weekend for us!  Saturday we traveled to Carlisle to visit my college roommate and her two kids.  Emily was back for her sister's high school graduation, so we stopped by her parents' house to visit.  Then we went to see my brother's town house that he recently purchased in Carlisle.

Here is Aiden, Payton, and Olivia :)

On Sunday we went to my parents' house for a lunch bbq and hung out and visited.  Then we came home, relaxed a bit, and then headed over to some friends' for another bbq.

Today we headed to New Hartford to visit Chad's dad's grave.  It makes me so sad to think that Gary never met Payton, but we know that he watches out for her every day.  We love and miss you, Gary!

3 More Days!

3 more days of school with students, then one teacher work day, and then....SUMMER VACATION!!!  I am so ready!  I can't wait to spend the summer going on walks with Payton, taking her to the pool, and having playdates. 

10 Events...

is what Chad's team qualified for the State meet this weekend!  We are pretty proud of Daddy's team.  Here is what all qualified:

• 4x100
• 4x200
• 4x400
• 4x800
• 1 girl in the 200
• 2 girls in the 800
• 1 girl in the 1500
• High Jump
• Shot Put

The district meet was Friday night in Marshalltown, and it was a great night for a meet.  It was the longest that Payton and I have stayed at one all year.  We would have stayed longer, but little peanut was getting hungry so we had to go home for supper :)

The girls will run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  I am hoping to make it down to watch on Saturday.  Go Bobcats!!

My 1st Mother's Day

My 1st Mother's Day was very special.  It began with Chad and Payton surprising me with breakfast in bed.  After my lovely breakfast, I was getting ready for church and went to let the dog out.  When I opened the sliding glass door to our deck, I saw a nice, big hammock sitting there!  I am excited to spend some lazy summer days lounging with Payton in my new hammock!  Chad also got me a pretty rose corsage to wear to church.  After church we headed to Baxter to have dinner with my parents, grandparents, Uncle Ted, and Aaron, Jess, and Kaylee.  It was a wonderful day! 

9 Months Old

I am a bit behind in my blogging.  Payton was 9 months old last Friday.  Here are her stats from her well-baby visit:

Weight:  15 pounds, 14 ounces (5-10th percentile)
Height:  27 1/4 inches (25-50th percentile)
Head:  17 inches (25th percentile)

(Not really liking being on the scale)

As you can see, she is quite a peanut.  We have started feeding her more at each meal and making sure she is getting enough ounces of formula.  She has a weight check in two weeks, so hopefully she has put on some pounds! 

Before I was a Mom...

In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday, I wanted to share this.  My mom sent me this email today, and it brought tears to my eyes for it is SO TRUE! 

Before I was a Mom...

I never tripped over toys

or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not

my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

 Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind

and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child

so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night

watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just because

I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small

could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of

having my heart outside my body..

I didn't know how special it could feel

to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond

between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,

the joy,

the love,

the heartache,

the wonderment

or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

before I was a Mom.

I love you so much, Payton Ann! 

I am so blessed to be your mommy!