Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!

This year, Peyton was a little monkey. It just seemed right considering his obsession with Curious George. :-)

Peyton has been transitioning away from napping. He dropped from two naps to one back in April and now seems to think he doesn't need to nap at all. When he does this, he usually goes to bed between 5 and 6pm for the night, so no trick-or-treating for us. But, we dressed him up in his costume and went and played outside for a little while in the afternoon.



A full body shot of the costume.



And the back! That's Russell, our neighbors' cat that he's walking towards.



James loves his little monkey!



Time to go back in.



So, no candy for Peyton this year (not that I would have allowed him to eat any). Maybe next year!

Santiago Valentin Valdez

My cousin Heidi, Peyton's Godmother, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last Wednesday, October 20th (10/20/2010)!

Heidi's water broke early the morning of Monday, October 18th. After over 50 HOURS of waiting, Santiago Valentin Valdez was born at 3:41pm on Wednesday, October 20th. But, boy oh boy, was he worth the wait!



He weighed 8 pounds, 1 oz and was 19 inches long.

Look at those big, beautiful, brown eyes!



Congratulations Heidi and Rene!!! I'm in love and he's 400 miles away.

Drinking Water from a Glass

Peyton has become really interested in what James and I eat and drink and often requires a taste. He loves to drink water from a glass (with James' help).







Mmm, tasty!!

Sunrise 10/7/10 (Outer Banks, NC)

The first clear day in the Outer Banks started with an AMAZING sunrise. James jumped out of bed and ran outside with the camera and got some great pictures!

James was able to capture a video of it too.

I love sunrises!

Oh, What a View (Outer Banks)

We had an amazing view from the house!

Indoor Fun in the Outer Banks

The first few days in the Outer Banks were cold and rainy, so we spent most of the time inside.

Peyton found several things to keep himself busy, including this basket.



He enjoyed picking it up...

...and carrying it to the baby gate at the top of the stairs....

...and throwing it over!

Ta dah!



We did get a few shots outside one morning. (Uncle Dave looking on.)



I love my little man!



Peyton enjoyed lounging on this chair!



Now, one thing Peyton really enjoyed doing, albeit hazardous to everyone else, was to sit on the pool table and throw the balls around. It's too hard to describe properly, so here's a video showing you how this worked.

Oh, what you can get away with by being a baby!

Outside Fun in the Outer Banks

When the weather cleared up, James took Peyton down to the ocean! I took these pictures from the house and couldn't zoom in any further. Peyton didn't really like the cold water.



Squishing toes in the sand.



James spotted me!



And now Peyton spotted me.



James washed off their feet.



Grandpa Jim decided to spend some time on the beach too!



James let Peyton test the temperature of the water in the pool.



Too cold too!



Our last full day in the Outer Banks, the pool temperature was just perfect so we decided to go swimming!



James had fun playing Blast Off (pushing off from the side of the pool).



Peyton loves Blast Off!



Getting some Daddy love.



Cozy!

Meeting Cousin Lisa (Outer Banks Vacation)

Earlier this month, we headed East for a Stafford family vacation in Duck, North Carolina (in the Outer Banks). This was the first time Peyton met his Uncle Matthew, Aunt Kathryn, and cousin Lisa.

Lisa liked some of the books we brought.



The house had a pool table which really intrigued Peyton.



I had the opportunity to read "Goodnight Moon" to Lisa and Peyton.



Lisa liked Peyton's slinky and Peyton liked Lisa's farm animal collection.



Kathryn watched the kids play.



Ooooh, slinky!



James saying goodbye to Lisa.



Matthew got to hold Peyton, though Peyton wouldn't behave for the camera.



It was fun to have the cousins meet!