Three??? How can it be?!?!?

This sweet boy is 3 years old! You're such a tenderhearted boy that i can hardly stand the cuteness! You are shockingly helpful - that I occasionally have to take a deep breath since you want to do everything! You can dress yourself, go potty alone, buckle the top of y our car seat, and brush your teeth, among other things. You LOVE to help mama. You wash and rinse the dishes, like to vacuum and sweep, put soap in the dishwasher, assist me with the laundry, and put your clothes away. You also LOVE to make cookies, pancakes, cut salad stuff, and anything else we let you do it the kitchen. "I'm a chef, Mama!"

You are a mama's boy when it comes to your love for all things sweets! Anything chocolate will put a big smile on your face - and suckers make you downright giddy!

Oh the words that you say. I can't keep up with how quickly you are learning and growing.
- 'bit o bit o bit' - little bit
- 'don't let the lady bugs bite you when you go nigh night!' - don't let the bed bugs bite... every single night
- P EE Boy - peek a boo

You are learning so much so fast. I love all of the questions about Jesus. You asked me how to pray in October and you talk about your Bible stories all the time. Your favorite story is Goliath right now because you want to grow big like Daddy. You are eating excellent for that same reason, and often wear daddy's clothes because your so big for yours. You also make us touch your belly after you eat because 'it's so big and full!'

You just love to play. Building forts by taking all the blankest and pillows in the house make me a tad stressed - but you love it so much. Puzzles make you super proud of yourself! Drawing, play doh, reading, and singing are your favorites. You also have a few favorite games. 'tag your it' where you tag us and don't run away. 'hide and seek' in which you still come out before we find you. You say '1,2,3, are you Dada??' 'big t rex' you rawr and gets real big. Peyton, you also run from 'daddy monster' and 'sadie monster'. Sometimes you're legitimately scared Sadie is going to get you. Building towers is super fun and jumping off our bed onto pillows, or flipping on the couch shows us you are all boy. :)

Whenever I try to ask you what your favorite things are - food, color, show - or who your friends are - you say all of them. You can't leave anything out and I love that about you.

Your job is super important. Usually that job is digging rocks. You fill up buckets with water and then pile them high with rocks. You take it very seriously and work up a sweat. You also collect them. Every time with go to church, a restaurant, the Dr office, or basically anywhere, you want to find a rock to take with you. Again I say, it's your job.

You have been sick with so much since August. You've had Hand Foot Mouth and Strep Throat and a stomach bug and allergies. Surprisingly you were the only one in our house that didn't get the Flu over Christmas. YAY!

My sweet baby bubba (which you insist on me changing to 'big kid bubba' or 'big kid Peyton Andrew Hunsley Bubba') you are passionate and emotional. You like things in their places, are quick to get upset if something stresses you out, but are also super quick to calm down once you are reassured that everything is okay. I love that you trust us when we tell you we will fix things.

For you, snuggling is your favorite. You have rest time while Sadie sleeps and almost always want to do it in my lap in the recliner. If I say not now you always say ' but I wanna snuggle with you'. Be. Still. My. Heart.

Bedtime routine is still super important to you. You go potty and brush your teeth and then get your jimmies. Then we read a couple stories (usually Bible stories), pray (usually for your friends to sleep good), and then sing. Right now you want to sing your Christmas program songs every. single. night. Those are 'this little light of mine' 'away in a manger' 'cows go mooing' and 'we wish you a merry christmas' (which you told me tonight was your favorite). I sneak in 'Jesus loves you' and 'I love you' - A song Mama made up for you.  You enjoy looking at your shadows now - something that scared you last year. Daddy and I have been so proud of you for staying in bed after we leave the room. We make sure to check on you, but you used to have to fall asleep with us in the room. Now you go to bed like a big boy and it makes us so happy!

Words cannot express all of the things we think about you sweet boy. My heart overflows with adoration of the wonderful little boy you have been to us. You love us so much and we love you back even more. This year as a three year old promises to be one of excitement, patience, growth and a whole lot of love! Mama and Daddy are so proud of who you are becoming!

Ahhndru Pey-in

"Peyton what's your name?" "Ahhndru Pey-in!" Well that's close bud. We'll take it. :)

It has been way too long since I've talked about what a wonderful little boy you are... so this is going to be a long rambling post on how much we love everything about your 2 1/2 year old self! 

Peyton, YOU are my sweet, snuggly boy. You still need to play with my hair when you are sleepy, or scared, or sad, or watching TV, or well, randomly throughout the day.You still like to be carried, especially in unfamiliar places because you are so shy! Peyton you take your time warming up to people but then you show everyone your crazy side. I am totally fine with you being a Mama's boy, and I'm glad Daddy and I are your safe place. You take your 'babies' everywhere which includes Buzz, Woody, Elmo, Teddy Roar(Drew's stuffed bear from when he was little), Blue, Mickey, Donald, Rex, and Cookie Monster; and you also love your blanket which he calls 'sankset' and your beloved pacis.

You insist on praying at bedtime, and remind us if we forget at meals.Speaking of meals you are becoming opinionated about what you eat, and prefer chocolate milk and anything unhealthy over the healthy options. Thankfully we still have some 'go to' yummy and healthy options but they are getting slim.

Oh the things that you say, and the way that you say them!

- 'woo hoo' when you get excited.

- 'Mama, Mama, WIWI!' 'Dada, Dada, DRUUU'

- 'pup' instead of cup

- 'silly Bubba' 'silly mama' - whenever you do something wrong, like when you put the puzzle piece in the wrong spot, forget something, or say something incorrectly.

- 'tweet tweet' (bird) 'sssss' (snake) - you still say animal noises instead of saying most of the names of animals.

- 'happy dada' - or whoever is having a birthday or party... he said happy dada after Father's Day

'got you ___' running and hugging our leg

'Aww MAAN' - whenever you don't like something or mess up

'Yummy Belly Belly' I taught you that food was 'yummy yummy in your belly' instead of tummy and that's what you took from it

'shark, dun nun, dun nun' (you love when your hair sticks up in the bath)

You are getting so big! You haven't taken daily naps since June, although we try to get you to take one on church days. When you were taking them you slept for around 3 hours every day and wouldnt go to sleep until 10 or later. that doesn't work when you can't go to sleep without me snuggling with you. I LOVE snuggle time at bedtime but I was laying in bed for an hour or more and Mama and Dada didn't have any time to hang out before bed. Now you and I just have rest time during the day and you are ready for bed by 7:30. It works best for all of us! 

You are the epitome of a kid who stays at home. You LOVE wearing your pajamas all day and unless we go out I don't bother fighting with you over it. I'm glad you can stay comfy. When you do get dirty or wet  while playing outside we take your clothes off but then you'll run around naked the rest of the day because that's\ your next choice. ;)

 

You were potty trained super quick and already rarely have accidents. We keep you in diapers at night since we still had some, but it is almost always dry the next morning. 

You are my OCD child. Peyton you insist on wearing socks to sleep. You dress yourself even when you don't match... wearing ties, PJs and your rain boots are a favorite of mine. You are opinionated about doing things your way - we know not to move your babies or play-doh or whatever else you have lined up a certain way. When you read books you occasionally want to play with the balls or animals on the pages and gets frustrated they aren't real.

You are so smart! You can identify all of your ABC's since you were about 28 months, although you call them your 'AB ABs'. You draw... a lot! You love shapes and drawing people. He can put together a 25 piece puzzle in minutes. You cant count to 10 but usually skip 7 & 8. That's progress considering a month ago you were still saying '2 8 8' instead of '1 2 3'.

You love watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - which you call "Roar" and Blue's Clues. Occasionally you add 'Wyatt' - which is Superwhy - to the mix.You love helping with laundry, drawing, play doh, painting, hide and seek, and jumping off of our bed onto a pile of couch cushions. You love chalk, sliding, bubbles, playing with rocks, golf, playing with water, and pretty much anything else involving being outside. Being tickled is also a favorite activity of yours, along with building towers.

You are definitely two. Sadie is testing your patience with sharing but you are trying hard to find something else for her to play with if she tries to take your toys. You have your disobedient moments but I am so thankful they are quick and you seem to be learning. I understand you are figuring out how to respond to situations and hope that we have shown you patience and love while guiding you to love and obey us and Jesus.

Where did these 2 years go???

My dear baby boy,

You're two years old! I can't believe it, and yet I can because you have been growing and learning so much lately! I could not be prouder of the little boy you are turning out to be. You are so sweet natured and are the most snugly thing ever! You share most of the time, and are kind most of the time, and obey most of the time. :)

Peyton your heart is tender, and while you still have to go to time-out occasionally - some weeks more than others - you are usually quick to say your sorry. Your version of saying sorry is hugging, because you don't know how to say it yet.

We figured you would start exploding with words around your second birthday and boy were we right! Right around Christmas you decided that trying to repeat what we said was valuable to you, and as a result we have heard so many words this past month!

bubba(what you call yourself), bowl, bie (bye), hi, high, ball, cup, ju (juice), car,baybay, bah (bath), mama, dada, nay nay, cookay (cookie), cracka, ha (hat), deh (dead- lovely I know, it's in reference to a phone or toy not working), baybay(baby), Mawmaw, Papaw, Dadaddy, Momar, kaykay(pancake), bahbah (basketball), Lala(Lydia/Lilly Ruth), Gah (gas),caykey (candy)

You also still sign for more, all done, thank you, please, I love you (Crosses your arms across your chest), paci/drink (sticks your fingers in your mouth),

For most everything else you still do your famous 'guh guh' which is you trying to talk but it getting stuck somewhere in your throat. ;) I sure do love that sweet quirk.
 

Your comforts are still your milk, paci and playing with hair. You make me take my ponytail out if you are sleepy or just want to snuggle a few minutes. I'm once again sorry I cut your hair too short a few months ago - which resulted in you not sleeping great which I can only assume is from you not having your hair long enough to play with. That is definitely your substitute for a favorite blanket. Speaking of blankets, you used to kick them off of you when we tried to cover you up, but now you have embraced the wonderful feeling of being cozy and like ALL your blankets on you when you sleep. 

You love so many things it's hard to name them all... drawing is still very much a favorite, along with reading books. You love being able to play CDs in your room, building towers that are so high you have to climb on a stool to keep building. Peyton, outside is your favorite place to be - well besides being in one of our cars pretending to drive. Playing with the light switches, Sliding, Basketball, golfing, keys, pretending to direct a choir, having daddy spin you around or tickle you are all favorite hobbies. :) I love the way you sign 'more' whenever Dada spins or tickles you. You have several favorite YouTube videos including '7 ways to discipline your child' 'Usher's ABC song' and 'What I am' by Will.I.Am. Your favorite shows are Elmo and Blues Clues.

Peyton you are so blessed that Daddy's job gives you so many admires that want to play with you. There is never a shortage of entertainment from the kids/teens at the church. When you aren't around them, you have Audrey, Owen, Norah, Kaehlen, Lilly Ruth, Lydia, Gracie, Luke, Elijah, and Isaiah to play with you. I love that you have gotten a tad more independent from your mama because I sure do like watching you interact with your peers!

You learned how to flip over this month and are so proud of yourself for that! Oh, and everyone should be aware that if someone stands up they are sure to get their seat stolen by you crazy boy. That just tickles you to death! :) 

Baby you are so good with your little sister and are concerned when she is crying. Whether she's happy or upset you are so patient, and love getting her paci, bottle, an abundance of toys, or help burp her. I love that you love to hold her, and that you also have a special thing for your cousin Norah. That makes my heart happy.

Mr. independent has emerged - so much so that you get mad if we do things that you want to do (ie.  turn off baby's bouncy seat, shut doors, close lids, tie shoes, etc...).

You have been going to the potty for a couple months now, but it's on your terms. If you aren't in the mood for m&ms then you say you don't need to go. This past week you have gone multiple times a day and we are so proud of you for that! You have begun to dress yourself as well which is thoroughly amusing - your shirt is usually inside out and your legs go in the same hole every time. You're getting it though!

You are my goober. You are Daddy's Bubba. You are such a wonderful boy and we couldn't be prouder to call your our son. Happy 2nd Birthday sweet boy!

Peyton at 21 months!

My baby is once again growing too fast! It is extremely evident that life is flying and we have a lot on our plate because my pictures of Peyton since my last update are severely lacking!!It's probably because my camera goes missing for days, and there are many days of 'surviving' which means more TV watching than I would like. The other days we are too busy enjoying ourselves to stop and capture it.

Peyton has done a great job playing with others and gets excited to see his friends. Our Chick Fil A has a mommy & me program. Every Wednesday from 9:30 - 11:30 you can come hang out. There is coloring, play doh, and other activities, along with the play place and a story time at 11. We've gone a couple time which is great for Peyton, and for me to be around other mommies. He enjoys the nursery on Sundays, although he still occasionally cries when I leave him - and he definitely runs for me when I return! :) The easiest way to get him to church is to say we're going to see Dada and he is ready to go bye-bye. We definitely miss getting ready for church and going together, but Drew has to be at early service as well as the 11 o'clock service.

He loves dragging stools or chairs around so he can reach things. He is still obsessed with coloring/drawing, although he moves the paper to random places... such as the stove/bedroom floor/couch and occasionally the bathroom. ;) I still haven't seen him color on things that aren't allowed... although he has tried to use his bathtub crayons on me.

He is very opinionated and would spend all day every day outside - as long as at least half of the time is spent playing in our car, and at least a fourth of the time is spent playing with chalk. He has a new swing set which he loves to swing and slide on. He also loves playing basketball or golf with Dada, and going to get the mail. He stomps his foot when he is frustrated and we have to remind him often to ask for things nicely. I can see how easy it would be for a child to get everything they want. It is way easier to give in than to listen to the whining!!

Our sweet boy is a huge helper. He loves to pretend to wash dishes and vacuum. Since we borrowed Nay Nay's small vacuum he can do it himself which is just precious! :) It makes it difficult to get our floors completely clean but we roll with it. He also is a mostly obedient child. He likes getting into my gum, but usually unwraps it to give to me. The other day we saw him chewing on something and he had gotten in my purse and tried the gum. He handed it to us when we asked him to and told him it was mama's gum - not Peyton's. A few hours later he comes running to me in the kitchen and starts picking out gum of his mouth and handing it to me. He was shaking his head and saying 'Mama' like to say, ' sorry mama that's yours not mine.' LOVE IT! :) We're praying now he is that honest when he's a teenager... long shot definitely, but I was pretty good about telling on myself so we shall see.

I hope he is always my snuggle bug, because he sure does still like hugs, kisses, and being rocked. He wants us to kiss his boo boos now which is precious, and rarely actually cries when he scraps a knee. He usually just glares and pats the hurt area over and over.

He eats wonderfully, and I am glad we are settled in our house so we are eating less french fries and more veggies. It was a little rough there for a week or two! He likes most foods, although he doesn't ever choose to eat his meat first. He loves veggies, bread, croutons, and chocolate the best I would say. Hey at least veggies are in there! :)

We can definitely see his mind work a lot more over the past few months. He is more creative, and getting great at puzzles and doing things himself. He loves feeding himself even if it makes a mess - of course he asks for a napkin when he gets too much on himself. He loves to play 'seek and find' in most books and will tell us what pretty much anything on the page is. So we know his vocabulary is growing, just not being spoken. HA.

He still only says a few things, but now they mean multiple things which is pretty easy for us to distinguish based on the pitch or context... he says:
'Mama' - mama, Elmo, milk
'Dada' - dada, Dadadddy, Granddad
'Baba' - big bird, buzz, blues clues, ball
'Byby'- bye bye,
Bi-bile - Bible
Nay Nay - NayNay, notebook, Norah
Hi - Hi, hat
Nan Na - banana

He is still signing 'thank you', 'please', 'more', 'all done' and Drew taught him to cross his hands across his chest for love you. We figured the actually sign for love you would be too confusing for him. We sure do love when he does it though!!

He knows the noises for Cow, Horse, Pig, Bird, Dog, Elephant,  and probably more I can't think of right now. He has a Melissa and Doug puzzle that makes noise and he gets so excited when he hears the sound because he got the puzzle piece in!

I'm pretty positive that Peyton thought my name was Sadie. He interchanges 'Mama' when I say Sadie. Half the time when we ask where Sadie is he points to my belly, the other half he just points to me. When we ask where Sadie's room is he goes to it, points and says 'mama'. Thankfully since Sadie has been here he has started to point to 'bay-bay' when I say Sadie.

Speaking of which, he is SMITTEN with his baby sister. He kisses and hugs and holds Sadie, and even helps burp her. If he wants my attention and I'm holding Sadie, he simply points to her and says Dada as if to say ' Dada hold her because I need mama'. I try to give him all my attention and snuggles when someone else is holding Sadie so he doesn't feel neglected - although he sure seems fine. While he isn't acting bad towards Sadie, he has started to get more of an attitude - which I'm sure is partially because of all the changes. He raises eyebrows, screams, stomps his foot, or hits when he doesn't get what he wants. Most of that is if he is tired or hungry, but he is almost two, so there is that...

Peyton loves music. He gets on the front row during youth group and looks at the words on the wall and sways and claps as the teenagers sing. I just love seeing him enjoying songs about Jesus - even though he can't comprehend them yet.

We are praying for our dear baby boy - in hopes he loves Jesus as much as we do - and that He understands how important it is to love Him and others. So far, he is a wonderfully, sweet, sensitive, caring, funny, and adorable boy who we love so much!!