A Birthday Letter to My Son

Dearest Peyton,

Two years ago, on this day at 4:07 p.m, the most wonderful thing happened to your Daddy and I.  A beautiful 6 pound 11 ounce baby boy came into our lives.  I stopped first thing this morning to reflect on the moments when we first met you and how incredibly happy we were that you were big, strong and healthy.  Then I reflected on how wonderful the last two years were with you not only in your Mommy and Daddy's lives, but the lives of your grandparents, your Nanny and your Aunt Dawn and Uncle Brian.  You truly are a blessing and I never knew I could love you more than the first time I laid eyes on you, but somehow the love I have for you today is so surreal.   I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, smart, loving, healthy baby than you.  Happy 2nd Birthday my little man!  You are truly the apple of my eye! 

Love,
Mommy

A Letter from Daddy:

Hey Pey Pey,

My little man is growing up.  Two years old now.  Happy Birthday my buddy!  I am constantly amazed at the things you do and the shenanigans you come up with.  My dreams for you are to continue to develop and grow into the person we are always proud of.  Let's have fun at your party today!

Love,
Daddy

The 12th Night - Mardi Gras Begins

Let me be the first to wish everyone a wonderful Mardi Gras!!

Last night we went to The 12th Night party hosted by Blaine Kern.  And it was a very nice party.  The band was awesome!  We got to see all the floats up close.  Something that you really can't do when it is Mardi Gras time!  I am amazed how beautiful most of them are.  I am excited about this Mardi Gras.  I  think Peyton really will be into it this time. 

I even got to meet the King of Mardi Gras, Blaine Kern.  I was taking a picture and right before I pressed the shutter button Mr. Kern stuck his head in the picture.  I pulled the camera back and laughed and Mr. Kern told us welcome to his party.  I said thanks, not really knowing at that time that was Mr. Kern.  Kevin asked if I knew who he was and I said no.  He told me that is the Father of Mardi Gras, Blaine Kern.  WHAT!?  Well, I definitely needed to get a better picture of him.  While he was walking away, I got this picture below loving how his body guard to the right was watching the man who was hugging him like a hawk.  I wonder why Mr. Kern would need a body guard?  Kevin says Mafia connections!  :)  The guy was wearing a heavy black coat inside so it was quite obvious that he was probably heavily armed under there.   But on the other hand, that could be Mr. Kern's son but the guy looked too tense and serious to be a relative.  Just look at his face!

So I got a better picture of him as he was flirting with two young ladies.  Oh, and the coated guy was off to the side watching to see if my camera was a gun!  Ha!

You can see that as the night went on and as the wine flow was steadily coming, the blurrier my pictures got.

I love this!!  It is like a movie set.  The plantation was staged and the oak trees are fake but so realistic.  I couldn't believe that none of it was real.  They even had stars sparkling in the sky (ceiling).....so realistic it was like we were outside.

And here are some of the floats!  So beautiful.  I just LOVE the details. 

Whew, what a great night and I hope we get to go again next year!  Next time I will remember to drink water and take some aspirin before going to bed!  Red wine hangovers are the worse.  :)

Graham's 2nd Birthday Party

Today Peyton and I was invited to Graham's 2nd birthday party.  We had a great time on the bouncy castle!  Yes!!! He actually jumped on the bouncy this time!!  And he loved it!  He even went down the slide 1000 times.  So we decided that since he now starting to like the bounce, we will rent a bouncy castle for his birthday coming up!  I am so excited.  I love birthdays.  Graham was such an adorable birthday boy!  Happy 2nd birthday Graham!

Our Wonderful Christmas (2009)

Hard to believe that Christmas is over!!  We had a wonderful, magical Christmas.  I think Daddy made it especially magical for me.  I thought it was all about Peyton!  :)  But who's complaining!  Peyton got so MANY toys from family and friends, I had to put away some more of his old toys to make room for the new.  He didn't know what to do with himself or what to play with first.  He was so excited to see all his Christmas gifts from Santa!!

Mommy got more than she expected too for Christmas! I got all my camera assessories and I got my Adobe Lightroom 2.6 editing program which I absolutely love.  The other thing I really wanted was a nice Nikon Speedlight flash.  I didn't really ask for it because the Lightroom was expensive enough, so I requested a cheaper off-brand flash so that I could practice with it and maybe ask for the Nikon Speedlight for my birthday in May.  Well, what I saw in front of me when I opened one of my Christmas presents took a while for my brain to register.  Kevin got me the Nikon Speedlight SB 600!!!!  I soooo squealed like a little  girl!  I was so, so happy!  I do love my husband!!  And Peyton gave me a beautiful sterling silver Saints necklace.    I was totally spoiled this Christmas thanks to my wonderful family!  I am truly blessed in so many, many ways for my family! Check out Peyton's Christmas morning videos below. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrsnouAJyAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGmcxT9qDRI

                                     Peyton playing with his new rollar coaster!

I think he is loving his new school bus!

Mommy's Saints emblem necklace from Peyton (still didn't have my coffee yet!)

Nanny came over Christmas morning!

Dawn and Brian visit by Skype

Peyton opening his 100th present!  :)

Our wonderful family minus Dawn, Brian and future Baby Breen

Oh, Christmas Tree

It's almost Christmas time.  :)  We can't wait!  It will definitely be a great Christmas with Peyton!  The only bummer is that Dawn and Brian cannot make it down to New Orleans this Christmas.  Dawn only has 7 weeks left to go in her pregnancy, so her doctor advised against any travel.   So I guess we will see them next Christmas.

The last two years I bought a special ornament for our tree.  I have been collecting ornaments over the years, but now into collecting for my baby.  Since it is Peyton's second Christmas, I got him a number two ornament.  Hallmark is making ornaments up to the the number five, so I am hoping that I will be able to continue finding them throughout the upcoming years.  If not, I guess I can buy something else as our special ornament.   However, I do love my collection so far.  :) 

Snow on Fulton Street

Last year I wanted to go to the Snow on Fulton Street  but decided against it since we didn't think Peyton would get too much enjoyment out of it.  So we committed to this year.  It was really nice!  A little crowded, but nice.  The only thing I was a little disappointed with is that the "snow" are really bubbles.  But the kids there really seem to enjoy it including Peyton.  It was nice that Peyton was able to run around looking at lights and chase snowflakes.   After playing in snow (bubble) flakes, we got some eggnog, a caramel apple and a rice crispy treat and then headed home.  Peyton was a tired little boy and was asleep by 8:00!

Breakfast and Pajama Playdate

Today Peyton and I was invited to a Breakfast and Pajama Playdate at Bethany and Gracie's house.   Everyone brought a breakfast item...so we had a buffet of different foods!  And it was yummy!!  Peyton was so happy to be out of the house (bad rain the last couple of days) and had a great time playing with Gracie's  toys.  The kids and most of the moms looked adorable in their pjs.   I would have worn mine if I didn't have more Christmas shopping to do afterwards.  :)  Thanks Bethany and Gracie for a wonderful breakfast playdate.