Songs of the South

After Matlock goes over in the morning “I Love Lucy” comes on and we have to hurry up and turn the channel real quick because I can.not.stand.that.show. Usually we switch over to CMT to see if her Uncle Keith is playing. Today we switched over and it was Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins in their "Hillbilly Bone" song. Several times in the song they let out a very country “YEE HAW!” and Peyton kept right up with them. Although her “YEE HAW!” sounded more like “AH HAW” we’ll still take it! Girl after my own heart! She’s awesome. ;)

Thank God for Alabama Weather

This past weekend was one of those where I sit on my deck in a short sleeve t-shirt thanking my lucky stars that my parents had the infinite wisdom to move us to Alabama. Sort of helped that Dad got a job offer he just couldn't refuse either. While last weekend our house and yard were covered in about 2" of snow (cold, miserable snow) this weekend we were able to shake off the cobwebs and enjoy the sunny, cloudless 65 degrees! And boy did we ever!

Wayne had to go up to his parents house so Peyton & I took advantage of the weather, grabbed two hitchhikers we're slightly related to and went to the petting zoo at Oak Mountain. The petting zoo there is like none I've ever been to. It's a completely natural habitat for them and they're used to visitors big and small. It's a great experience for everyone and you can walk around without worrying about whether or not one of them will mistake Peyton for a light snack!
Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the day:

I love this last one - that mama sheep was so protective with her babies around mostly everyone there but was completely cool with Peyton walking right up to them. How cute is that?

Then Sunday was an even better day weather-wise. We broke out more short sleeve shirts and headed out to enjoy the day. Peyton got a taste of freedom on Saturday and was raring to go play. Tanner even brought her primadonna self outside - lucky us!

Slow down little girl - you're growing up way too fast!

A White Valentine's Day

So down here in Alabama snow is a rarity. So much so that even the slightest whisper of impending snow sends people running to the grocery stores for milk & bread - MILK & BREAD! It causes quite a fiasco each time.

Peyton's seen snow twice in her 18 months - once in March 2009 and again this past Valentine's weekend. I compared the pictures side by side and can't believe how fast she's growing up. And she's not even sneaking around - she's doing it right in front of my eyes! Check her out!


Her and Wayne were able to get in a one-sided snowball fight and it seems they both enjoyed it. You'll notice that my little weather-related mini-me likes to enjoy the snow and it's coldness from the inside rather than be out in it. Girl after my own heart! She definitely gets it honestly!

This weekend is shaping up to be one more typical for Alabama. 60's and sunny - thank goodness! I can't remember what it was like in Pennsylvania with the prolonged cold but we're dying to get out and do something outdoors. I'm good with one snowfall a year as long as we're talking 1-2 inches instead of feet!

A New Years Resolution 2 Months Late...

I'm terrible at taking pictures and even worse at making videos. I'm setting this blog up in hopes that something will make me more accountable for documenting our lives. Granted we're not the most entertaining people in the world, but it will be nice for our girls to be able to look back at the things we did with them when they were little. So here we are...a beginning.

As I type this, Peyton is snoozing - hallelujah. I swear we're in the throws of the "terrible twos" and fortunate enough to be 6 months ahead of schedule. Hopefully it means we'll be through with this phase 6 months earlier than expected. She's a pistol - but man she's awesome! Tonight we played with bubbles - a first. I wish I could have got her on video because apparently bubbles are amazing to a toddler. She reached and grabbed and jumped to catch them only to have them pop when she'd touch one. Then she'd try and try to blow some of her own but couldn't quite get the pucker just right. She's a quick learner though - I foresee a bubbled covered kitchen floor in our near future!

Also as I type, I'm currently almost 31 weeks pregnant with our second daughter. Parker is set to enter our world on April 19th. While I'm so happy and thrilled to be pregnant, I'm so ready for her to be here. I have a hard time picturing myself with two babies - 2 under 2 to be exact - but it will soon be a reality I'll have to adjust to very quickly. Parker's room is painted, the furniture's assembled, the double stroller is bought, and the baby shower is next Saturday. Reality is coming very quickly into view.

And while I can't go back and catch up on 18 months of Peyton's life, I will do my absolute best to get all of the rest of it on "paper."

If you're still with me, you're quite a reader as I'm quite a talker. I hope you enjoy!