Christmas in Louisiana!!!!

This year we spent Christmas in Louisiana. We alternate each year here and there. My mother's family is from Slidell, Louisiana...a 9 hour drive. Now normally we would get up extremely early to being our long drive but this was the first time having to take it with an infant. I was a little nervous about how Peyton would do on such a long drive. Turns out she did excellent!! We left at 1pm on Wed and only had to stop once to feed and change her half way through, and then she slept the rest of the drive. At one time I did have to climb into the back seat to entertain her but then she went back to sleep. We got there at about 9:50pm. This was the first time for my Grandparents to meet their Great Granddaughter!!

Grandmama & Pops!!!

It was so sweet, they fell in love with her at first sight! I would have figured that Peyton would not have wanted to go to sleep that night but she took her bottle, played with Pops and Grandmama and then was able to sleep all night!!

I am so excited that Peyton was able to meet the rest of her family over the few days that we were in Louisiana!! She was handed from person to person on a daily basis but overall did very well with all the new faces.

Weezer & Nubnose feeding baby girl

In Daddy's socks  =)

Peyton's 1st Christmas Experience:

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional roast beef po boy dinner and exchanged gifts with the Grandkids, Aunts and Uncles, and Parents.  My Grandpa sits by the tree and calls out each gift. This is something that I look forward to every time we go to Louisiana, not for the gifts but for the time spent with my family that I do not see but once maybe twice a year.
Peyton was all dressed up nice and pretty in her red Christmas dress ( thanks to Gamma), however she fell asleep right after opening presents. I had to settle for her being asleep in our family photo by the tree, then of course after I change her she wakes up haha. I was so excited for Santa to come and visit Peyton. Even though she was fast asleep we set out cookies and hung up her stocking for Santa to come.  This was such a fun experience for me even though she is too little to understand Santa yet, I had a great time =)

1st Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning....

Weezer, Paw Paw & Peyton

Up and early at 6:30 am! I could not wait for her to get up and for us to wake the rest of the house. Im such a nerd, she is not even able to talk and I was sooo excited to get photos of what Santa brought. Everything was by the tree with a few ribbons and a full stocking!  My sister, parents, Uncle B, and Grandparents were with us to share in Peyton's First Christmas morning! This will always be a very special memory for me. Santa delivered a swing, jumparoo, shirts, and some other little things!

Gamma, Grandpa, & Peyton

The rest of the day was spent with more family and a wonderful Christmas dinner. That night we went to Nubnose's house to watch the game. We left the next morning bright and early and needless to say it was very hard to leave. That night Nubnose ( my Aunt) and I cried hugging each other bye. This I blame on the hormones and new mother emotions LOL.

 We left Sunday morning to drive back home and Peyton slept the ENTIRE way home. She was definitely worn out from such an exciting vacation! We got to Scott's parents house that evening and had our 2nd Christmas with the rest of our family! Peyton was full smiles with her Gamma and Grandpa.
We had so much exchanging gifts and taking pictures with Peyton and Braxton!

I am so thankful for the amazing Christmas we had this year. I am truly blessed to have an amazing husband, a beautiful & wonderful baby girl, and such loving family members.

3 Months Old

Peyton turned 3 months old on December 10th. WOW, how time flies even faster when you have a baby. She is getting so big! Not sure on her length but she is weighing in at around 12 pounds now.  She has done such a great job sleeping in her crib and continues to sleep through the night.  In the mornings when I get her out of her crib she is nothing but smiles. I love seeing her smile at me. Peyton and I have had many conversations, I could go on and on with her. Since being back at school I have gotten used to the new schedule but I sure am tired! I try to hurry up and get ready in the mornings so I can spend a little bit of time with her cuddling and playing and then I leave as soon as possible after school to hurry home to her. I love walking in the door and seeing her smile at me. She knows that mama is home!!

She did come down with her first cold  this past week  =(   She has been congested mainly at night and in the morning, but it looks like it is going away. It sure is hard to know that your little one is not feeling good.

Here are some of the things she is now doing:

-Giggling out loud. (We have only heard her out loud a few times, but it is the greatest sound in the world)

-She is grasping things now, but only if it is close. Things like my shirt, her own clothes, and her blankets. She does not grab for stuff yet but is able to touch something and then hold onto to it.

-She is super observant, and is able to follow someone/thing in front of her all the way from side to side. She has also started turning her head more in the direction of a sound when she hears it.

-She has done really well with keeping her head up without support. After a while though she has to take a quick break and then is right back up to moving her head around. Scott and I have tried to hold her sitting up so she can strengthen those back muscles that will eventually help her sit without support.




So more great news.......

~Peyton has a new cousin!!!  Braxton Ryan was born on Nov. 30th.  He is a splitting image of his daddy, and is absolutely precious. Peyton loves her new cousin already.

~My sister Jennifer graduated from MSU over this past weekend with her business degree. We are so proud of her!! We went on our first mini road trip to Wichita Falls to watch her graduate. Peyton did really well, she was having fun with me and Weezer in the back seat. And on the way back home she slept the entire time!