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!

That's One Way to Eat Cheerios....

Play Date with Dominic

Today, Peyton and I got to see my friend Michelle and her son, Dominic! It's been a while, but we had fun. We met for coffee, where Michelle and I were able to catch up a bit, then headed over to Mitchell Park and let the boys run around. Unfortunately, Peyton and Dominic spent most of the time on different ends of the play area, but it was fun nonetheless.

Peyton really liked this elephant statue. (Dominic was playing on the slide on the other side of the park.)



He spent quite a while looking at it and stroking it.



But, he wouldn't let me put him on it.



He also enjoyed finding leaves and other things in the sand.



Dominic chose to play with traditional toys and he actually lets Michelle put a hat on him!



Dominic had fun on the elephant!



We did manage to get them both on the little car.



Having fun!



And, Peyton also took a liking to the construction cones.



Peyton also liked the frog statues in the water area (which was turned off).



Michelle got a great video of the boys playing in the car.



Thanks for such a fun time Michelle and Dom!

Forward-Facing Carseat

Today was a big day for us! We turned Peyton's carseat around to be forward-facing. He was stretching his legs and bowing his back when it was still rear-facing, so we figured almost 16 months was long enough.



He was very confused as James put him in "backwards"...



And it took a few tickles from James to get a smile, but he was happy with his new view.



Now, he just sits quietly and looks out the window at everything we pass!

Are You Ready for Some....

Yup, it's that time of year again. Football season!!

Last year, when James' parents' neighbor, Paula came to visit, she gave us this great Pittsburgh Steelers onesie for Peyton. But, it was sized for 18-months, so we knew we had to wait. It fits!!!



Peyton was helping James find the game on tv. Okay, not really, he loves playing with the remote controls).



It's great that he has some Steelers gear to wear this year - he outgrew his Colts outfits. I need to get more!

A Morning at the Mall (Meeting Curious George!)

Last Saturday, Pottery Barn Kids was holding a special event where you could meet Curious George. As Peyton adores the PBS show, James and I thought it would be fun to take him to see him in person.

We got there a little early (PBK is at Stanford Shopping Center), so I took Peyton for a little walk while James stood in line and took pictures (what a great Dad!).



Peyton caught sight of something...



...and decided he wanted to walk! (Yes, he's outgrown this outfit; we're moving on to 18 month clothes now).



James and Peyton got to meet Curious George!

Stanford has these metallic statues situated around the property. Peyton really took to the installation of two men with a dog.

Oh, did I mention that Peyton LOVES dogs? We were at a friend's birthday party last month and Peyton spent quite a while chasing their poor dog, Skyler, around the yard, with his arms held out and screaming "doggy, doggy, doggy"! He was more calm with the metallic dog.

And it wouldn't be complete if he didn't also touch the other man.

Luckily, there's a Gymboree not to far from these statues, so we finished off the morning doing a little shopping. :-)