I'm starting to get it...

Amazingly Peyton has been resting long enough to give me a computer break. I've started to figure out some patterns and routines, but he is still a tricky little guy to put down. Yesterday I put him down on the bathroom floor as it's the only room dark enough to keep him from eyeballing everything. Poor guy!

The past week I have actually started to understand why it is people have more than 1 kid. It's pretty amazing. Peyton has changed so much in the past 6 weeks and things are now becoming more rewarding. Granted we still can't travel by car or stroller, we are learning to love life inside these walls. We are greeted with smiles every morning, after being able to sleep for 6 or 7 hours in a stretch. Now Peyton is playing with his voice and beginning to realize he is capable to making sounds other than a cry. He opens his mouth with a huge smile and it looks like he wants to laugh, but hasn't quite figured that one out yet. He continues to love love love the bath. Daddy holds him with one hand under the head and he floats and kicks off the side. He is also starting to produce tears. It makes mom fall for the sad cry he makes even harder. A few weeks ago I just wanted to pass him off when he started his crying bouts, but now I want to be the one cuddling and soothing him. Peyton is an active baby. He loves to use his legs and it seems like he is continually figuring out how he can get places. Even after he falls asleep he continues to wiggle and kick. I now understand why my belly moved the way it did when pregnant. Peyton's focus is sharp. He has no problems following me across the room. Even when I'm rocking or bouncing him, his gaze remains locked on that one object of interest. I love my days with Peyton though I do feel somewhat isolated. That will get even worse when the regular visits from my mom come to an end as she heads back to school next week. I'll just keep hoping that one day the car will become tolerable, and the stroller ride a treat. Until then I'll just enjoy and embrace the cuddles, coos, and cuteness.

My Whole World

"Can I really do this?"

Not a day goes by where that thought doesn't cross my mind at least a few times. In the middle of a meltdown or when I think my back can't possibly take one more bouncy step. Fortunately, those moments are quickly forgotten as we are often caught up in the joys of learning what Peyton has to offer each minute of each day.

Peyton, while I can't remember the last time I questioned myself to this degree I also can't remember I time I've laughed hard as often as I do now. When you decide to pee on mom, dad, the blinds, or the wall, we can't help but giggle. When your projectile poop coats the wall 3 feet away it brings a smile to my face (after I've cleaned up). Hearing your "coos" as you lay on the change table melts my heart. Witnessing a 2 minutes smile session this morning let me know the day was going to be just fine (30 seconds later it turned to a cry but that didn't even matter!). I love watching you work so hard to bring your little hands to your mouth so you have something to suck on. Your coordination isn't quite there, but your desire to try is! I love your angelic look just before you fall asleep. For that brief moment all the energy it took to get us to that point is quickly forgotten. Though I sometimes complain about being "cooped up" with you, when I leave I can't wait to get back. I love you buddy!

1 month...and how time flies

Peyton joined us a month ago. Hard to believe how much the little guy has grown. He has put on a pound a week and according to our scale now is weighing in at just over 12 pounds. Big guy! This past week I have noticed lots of changes. It sounds like he is starting to make noise other than crying. Up until now he eats (usually quietly), sleeps (not so quietly), and cries (loudly!). It has seemed when he was awake he spent his time crying. The last week, though, he has started to have more, and longer, quiet alert times. He is definitely curious about the world around him as it is hard for him to ever shut his eyes and go to sleep. He does sleep well at night though. The last two nights though he has only woken up between 2-3 and then has been good till the morning. I definitely appreciate the nighttime as during the day getting him to rest is an uphill battle. Yesterday I saw some glimpses of a smile while awake, and today I got a full blown smile. It was the same smile that we usually only see during his sleepy time twitches. Made my heart melt.

Peyton is a noise baby. He has taken a liking to the vacuum cleaner. It is one of the best tools to quiet his sometimes piercing scream. I just tried the blowdryer out, and that to seems to be working some magic.

What Peyton doesn't like is car rides. Even a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa at the farm is a scream fest. We will keep practicing and hopefully it will get better soon because I am getting a little bit tired to being in the house every single day. Along with that, hopefully walks become a little more enjoyable in the near future. I'd love to get outside more, but at the moment that doesn't seem to be on the list of options.

I think Peyton is a sensitive baby. He's like me that way. He is wide eyed, alert, and very aware of his surroundings. He does seem bothered by a change of scenery, and doesn't seem to care for tons of people. Dad doesn't like it when I say this, but I think it's true!!

All about Peyton

I put a little photo slideshow of Peyton up on our shutterfly site. Feel free to check it out!

2 Weeks New

There have been ups and downs the past few weeks. This whole parenting thing is a minute by minute challenge, but an amazing and enjoyable one. We are starting to get to know our little Peyton a little better each day. He seems like he has changed so much in such a short time. He has definitely put on weight. It took him all of 6 days to regain and surpass his birth weight. I wouldn't be surprised if he was over 10 pounds by the end of this week. It's good to know he has a healthy appetite. Mom is learning how to deal with your frequent feedings. Soon we will have it all sorted out.

Peyton, here are some ways you are like your mom:

• You love to take baths. I think if you could you would like to sleep in the bathtub.
• You fight the urge to sleep. Taking a nap, especially in the afternoon, is a hard thing for you to do. You like to cry and cry in order to keep yourself awake. Hopefully this changes sometime soon.
• You don't seem to like a lot of people around you. You are definitely not one of those babies who can be passed from person to person and be perfectly content. At least not yet.

Peyton, here are some ways you are like your dad:

• When you sneeze they come in multiples of at least three. You sneeze a lot!
• You love to eat and you eat quickly.
• You like to run your hands through your hair. Daddy does the same except his head is bald.

On Sunday we had newborn pictures taken. Peyton was wide eyed and alert, as was expected. About half way through he had a meltdown, but eventually he calmed down enough to fall asleep. The session ended with a few sleepy pictures. You are a beautiful baby and we love each and every picture!

P