Look Who's Two!

As you can see my dad was the life of the party!

Peyton getting ready to blow out her candles.

Peyton loves the Quiet Books for church Steph made her. Thanks!

Isn't it funny how at little kid's parties there are always 5 sets of hands helping to open up the presents?

Like I said, never leave everything until the last minute or you will end up looking like this.

Peyton playing with her puppet.

The kids making their puppets.

Peyton's Ariel cake.

Peyton's party was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. I think I have learned my lesson and am not going to leave everything until the last minute again. She had a lot of her cousins over and a friend or two. It was crazy to look around at the chaos that was all the cousins running around and think they all came from one family, and there are four new babies on the way this year. I looked at my mom and said, "I guess this is what happens when you have seven kids." Now my baby is two and already is starting to become a sassy little girl. She has started bossing me around and telling me no. I think I am in for a rough ride this year with my two year old. As you can see my dad was the life of the party!

37 Weeks and Counting

Here is just a little update on the pregnancy. As of tomorrow, I am 37 weeks. At my last appointment I was dialated to a 1 and 50% effaced, so we will see what tomorrow's appointment brings. In all honesty, I wouldn't mind if she didn't come until her due date. I have been a lot more comfortable with this pregnancy than I was with Peyton. By the way, in the first picture my hands are showing you that I am 37 weeks using sign language.

Ariel Says...

Peyton is obsessed with the Disney princesses and lately she has been hooked on The Little Mermaid. She likes to act out the movies, so this morning at breakfast she looks at me and says, "Mommy, Ariel says ahhhhhhh" and starts trying to sing the part where Ursula makes Ariel sing so she can take her voice. I couldn't stop laughing, especially since it sounds like Peyton inherited mine and Cory's singing ability, poor girl. Now she won't stop singing it.

The Famous "Crap Your Hands Song"

Peyton loves to sing and one of her favorite songs goes something like this:
Clap Clap Clap your hands, that's the way
Clap Clap Clap your hands, when you want to say
Hooray!

The only problem is, she can't pronounce her "l"s very well so instead of clap she says crap. Cory and I just bust up laughing because she sings it all the time.

24 weeks and counting

Here is a picture of me on my anniversary, so I was about 22 weeks along. I just had my doctor's appointment today and I am measuring spot on, the baby's heart rate sounds good, and I am not gaining too much weight! My next appointment is on the 28th of December, so a few days after Christmas. At first I thought it was unfair having all my appointments right after the holidays because who honestly wants to get weighed around this time of year, especially a few days after Thanksgiving and Christmas? Now I am trying to look at it as a positive thing. These appointments will help me eat in moderation around the holidays because I know I am going to get weighed shortly thereafter and it's not only healthier for me, but for the baby too if I can keep my weight down to what it should be.

Ladybug

I have had a difficult time trying to decide what Peyton should be for Halloween. No costumes really caught my eye. Then one day, while out shopping with Shelley, I saw a little bumblebee costume that was pretty cute. I walked over to find the right size, when I saw a ladybug costume as well. Immediately I knew I had found the costume for Peyton. At first, Peyton wouldn't try it on, but finally I got it on her (there was some kicking and crying involved) and I took her to a mirror where she could see herself. A big smile spread across her face and she began twirling in front of the mirror. Now she loves to put it on and dance. I am sure the weather will be too cold for just the costume, but my mom made black, skin tight, polar-tech fleece shirts and pants for everyone, so it should fit under her costume and keep her warm.

Fall Fun

The weather this fall has been beautiful, and I have tried to get outside and enjoy it as much as possible. Peyton and I have been hiking with my mom and Saige and yesterday we took Peyton to Gardner Village to see the witches. I am so excited for Halloween. I love this time of year.

Everything of Mommy's

Peyton has been going through a phase recently where she wants to wear and do everything I do. I am not sure whether to be flattered or scared enough to change some of my not so desirable habits. Isn't it funny how you become so much more aware of your actions and what they mean after you have kids? Crud, you don't even need to have your own kids for this, just being around other people's children is enough. Like the other day when I was telling a story and one of my nieces was near. I used the word "stupid" and immediately she turned to me and chided, "we don't use that word." Right. How could I forget? Trying on some of my mascara when I wasn't looking. I was impressed, she actually got some on her lashes.

It's not just my glasses she likes to wear, it's anybody's. Anytime she sees someone wearing glasses she approaches with arms outstretched saying, "gasses, gasses?" because she would like to wear them.

Little Ballerina

Cory had dreams of Peyton becoming an allstar basketball player, but I think he might have to create another dream, because she loves to dance. Once she gets going, there's no stopping her. Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses is one of her favorite movies, probably because most of it is pretty girls dancing around. After watching it a few times, she must have figured she had the moves down because now every time the dancing scenes are on, she is up, copying their moves.

Girdwood Glacier

There are so many beautiful things to see around here. We took a tram up a mountain in a place called Girdwood and hiked around on a Glacier. It was one of the prettiest views I have ever seen. The day was misty and clouds settled on the tips of the mountains. A truly gorgeous experience.

Please and Thank You

There is something about polite little kids who know how to say please and thank you that wins me over. So, I have been working with Peyton on this. She can be a little turkey and be driving me crazy, but then she will say and sign please and it melts my heart.

Concert in the Park

Here in Anchorage they have a ton of activites going on in the summer. We went to a concert in the park for pre-schoolers and had quite a blast. Peyton was a little hesitant at first because there were swarms of kids everywhere, but her fixation for music beat out the shyness and soon she was twirling and swaying to the music. We will have to go to these more often:)

Scenic Drive

For our Sunday getaway, Cory and I drove to Eagle River in search of a good view of the valley. Up, up, up we drove and still we couldn't see anything but the trees surrounding our car on both sides of the road. Then at the very top of the hill we got above the tree line and had one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I snapped a few shots with our sub-par camera, and they do not by any means do it justice, but at least they will give you an idea.

Someone Needs To Have A Girl

I enjoy quilting. Maybe a little too much at times. I had this great idea for a little girl's baby blanket, and since Stephanie was so sure she was having a girl, I decided to make it. Of course, Stephanie had an ultrasound and is having a boy. In fact, everyone I know is having a boy. No offense to boys, but their quilts are just not as fun to make. So for crying out loud, will someone please have a girl so I can give away this quilt :)

Mmmmm

Cory has been on this chocolate milk kick lately (thank you Ryan Dudley) and so we decided to let Peyton try some out. Now she too is hooked and loves to show her appreciation for the yummy stuff.

New Signs

Peyton and I have been working on some new signs. In this video she eagerly shows some of them off.

Day at the Zoo

The Alaska Zoo very different from any I've ever visited before. For starters, it's in the middle of the woods and you are constantly surrounded by trees while walking on a dirt path. They don't have exotic animals like elephants and giraffes. Instead they fill their zoo with animals indigenous to the surrounding area. So, we got to see a lot of bears, some moose, wolverines and even bald eagles, among other things (I guess they did have a tiger). My favorite would definitely have to be the stir-crazy wolverineand the polar bears. The wolverine was doing laps around its cage (which wasn't all that small) the whole time we were at the zoo. Apparently they are really smart too and will set traps in the snow for their prey. It definately gave me more respect for Jenna's mascot and team name. The polar bears were huge and very playful! Peyton was very curious to see all the animals and kept growling at the bears.

She's Got Rhythm

Ever since Peyton could walk, anytime she hears a good beat her body starts swaying. Her dance style has evolved over the past few months. I think my favorite is her version of Latin dancing. Latin music really gets her going. I think everyone would agree she gets her smooth moves from Cory :)

Why did the Moose cross the road?

I had my first real Alaskan experience today. While on my way to the library (which is in the middle of Anchorage, which is the biggest city in Alaska mind you) I was driving past a grove of trees just beginning to bud when out comes running this moose straight towards my car. The car we rented is not big by any means, and so I don't think I would have been the one to walk away unscathed in this kind of a collision. Luckily it was just trying to play chicken with me and I won so it stopped and I drove on. Cars behind me stopped and the moose criss-crossed its way across the street to the other side of the park. Was I scared? No, more amused than anything. I couldn't help but think, "Only in Alaska". I guess on some roads they have signs with a Year to Date moose kill count and already it is around 300 and the year is not even half over. Wow!