Best of friends!!

Today Payton and I went over to visit with our good friends Jana and her son Aaron. Jana and I knew each other from our summers in Tenakee (her grandparents live there) and became close friends when we met up in Child Birth Preparation class!! Payton and Aaron are three weeks apart and we've been having the funnest time watching them grow up together. I always forget to take pictures of them playing...so today I made sure to bring my camera :)

Who's here?!

Looking for Baba or as Mason calls him-Bobby (Grandpa Kurt)

Ready, Set....

It's hard to believe it's been a year!!

Okay, so I know that technically this is a few weeks late...but cut me some slack :) I'm busy chasing a very active 1-yr old!!! Payton has changed soooooo much in the past year. It seems like he's doing something new every week. He's on the verge of walking. In fact, last night he just took off walking from the glider ottoman to the couch!!!!! FOUR steps....then he remembered he couldn't walk...and fell. His favorite things are cars (or anything with wheels), books, puzzles and blocks. He's also discovered the cartoon "Wonder Pets" and is enthralled with it! Very nice when one has something to get done and doesn't need little hands helping :)

Here's a little photo recap of the past year-

First day home!!

about 6 weeks old

3 Months old, in NC visiting Aunty Amber and cousins!

4 Months

5 months

7 months

10 months

ONE!!

I bought a (nice, used!)Chariot Carrier a few months ago. For those that aren't familiar with them, they are an awesome, versatile CTS (Child Transport System). You buy the chassis of your choice and then they make MANY different kits for them (Bike trailer, jogging wheel, strolling wheels, SKI'S etc).

So the point of my useless rambling is that I wanted the ski conversion kit but was NOT willing to pay $258 (before shipping) for the one that Chariot made. Instead my genius (and ever so handy) husband made this one for me for approx $30 :)

The front wheel pops off and Erik has poles that attach to the stroller and up to a hip belt so I can be on ski's as well. But we prefer to leave the front wheel on with the ski's and just walk, as it makes for a smoother ride (and I don't have XC ski's for me).
Every time we take it out we get at least a 1/2 dozen compliments :)
Good Job Erik!!


The happy (really, he was!) rider.

And in this corner....

Weighing in at a healthy 23#.....PAYTON JAMES!

(His bathrobe makes him look like a boxer)

Commander Payton!!

Payton got a REALLY cute NASA suit from a good friend. While Payton can't yet appreciate the cuteness of it, Erik and I have been loving it ;)

Man's (or Baby's) Best Friend.

Payton has really taking a liking to Buddy. While Buddy isn't too thrilled about the baby being fascinated with him, he puts up with it like the good dog he is :)

They're always cuter when they're sleeping!!

It's funny, some days I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. But no matter how frustrating kids are...once they're asleep...all is instantly forgiven :)

Vegas Baby!!!

Quite honestly, I've never ever had any desire to go to Sin City. I'm not much of a gambler...but after being there, I'd definitely go back! But not with Payton. Our first day there was his birthday and the family was trickling in all day, so we just hunkered down at the hotel to wait for them and eat cake :)
Our first real day sight-seeing, we walked from the hotel (1/2 mile off strip) to the Flamingo and wandered from there. Payton did a great job at being patient and hanging out in Ergo for the morning.

We got to walk part of the strip, take a few pictures, before it was time to go back and let Payton crawl around for awhile.




I think Payton decided he's seen enough. He was scared of the fountains at the Bellagio, and cried until we took him back to the hotel. Where he'd almost instantly become really cute and dole out kisses (a defense mechanism so we wouldn't throttle him).

Happy Birthday Payton!!!

As most of you already know....We've survived the first year :-)
To celebrate, we met up with Erik's family in Las Vegas. Since we were staying in a condo, we didn't think they'd appreciate frosting on the carpet (and we wanted our incidental's deposit back) so we set up Payton's cake in the entry.


At first, he didn't know that to think. Erik was holding him, as I was manning the camera, but he didn't last long. He got frosting on his hand and started crying when it wouldn't come off. I ended up practically holding him, but managed to convince him to taste it.


After a few bites and a few more tears, we decided it was time for the tubby. Maybe next year he'll face plant into his cake :)