Two much fun! Happy 2nd Birthday Payton!

TWO Much Fun – Happy Birthday Payton

When I look back on these last two years with Payton, the one word that comes to mind is… FUN! Two years ago today my quirky, smiley, and independent baby girl joined our family, and made me a mom for the second time, and Praise God, life has never been the same!

I didn’t know what to expect when I found out we were having our second daughter. I naively thought that she would be just like her older sister. Boy was I wrong, Payton Reese is quite literally the complete opposite of her Big Sis! God has quite a sense of humor and I’m sure He has loved watching me grow and nurture my sweet little mini-me. And mini-me she is!… Payton reminds me so much of me as a child, and sometimes that can be scary, but it has given us an extra special bond from day one!

Payton always wants to try everything on her own, Little Miss Independent! She is filled with passion and so much joy and she always wants to be included. But I must say it is the little things about her that make my heart skip a beat. It is the way that she squeezes me back tightly when I hug her. When she wants to show me her sweet love she will snuggle up and squeak out the sweetest “mama” before passing on her loving (but sloppy!) kisses.

I love the way she squeals with excitement every morning when she sees her Big Sis for the first time. I love the way she has made a soft fluffy blanket and a stuffed lamb (that she ironically named “puppy”) her two most prized possessions in the world. Naturally, they must go everywhere with us… at all times!

The joy in her face when daddy walks in the door after a long day of work, and of course that uncoordinated ‘gonna eat-it any second’ toddler run as she trudges for him and trustingly throws herself into his arms! Talk about heart melting!

Her desire to learn is always a highlight of my day, and she begs me every night to read her a “booooooook”.

In contrast to her sister, she is our little daredevil, and I’m often amazed we haven’t ended up at the ER yet!

As I mentioned before, she is our quirky one! She makes the silliest noises and facial expressions that make me stop in my tracks and just laugh, even in moments of discipline.

Even though she doesn’t talk much yet, I love that she is always willing to try for those she loves. Don’t get me wrong, she somehow picked up the words “No” and “Mine” effortlessly! … And of course “cake-pop”, her favorite snack!

The worst is when I offer her the option of finishing her dinner or time-out and she will happily walk herself over and put herself in time-out, like she is doing me a favor. Did I mention she is a smart one? Ha!

TWO Much Fun!

Payton – We are crazy about you. Everyone falls so quickly for your FUN and rambunctious spirit, and we believe that you have truly been fearfully and wonderfully made! You are my little spit-fire and I’m so thankful to be your mommy!