Peyton

you continue to impress us everyday. you have adjusted so well to your big boy bed, it is really amazing. you didn't flinch at all when we sold your crib or when you saw the nice lady drive away with it in the back of her car. i was thinking it was going to take a lot of talks and comforting to get you to like your new bed, but it didn't. you crawled right into it and slept like a baby, i mean big boy. you have started to come into our room in the mornings around 6:30, sometimes even earlier. you go to daddy's side of the bed (thank you) and tap him on the head and ask 'time to wake up now?' you end up laying with us and either hug us or tap on our foreheads until we get up. (the hugging is nice, the tapping.... not so much).

we painted your room a few days ago. you picked out the paint. you wanted blue, so we took you to Home Depot and of all the (blue) paint samples they had, you found one that you just had to have. you said you wanted it, so we bought it, and it looks great. you did a great job painting and helping us with everything. last Saturday i decided it was time to take your lolly (pacifier) away. (yes, i am aware that 3.5 is probably way to old to have a pacifier. that is why most people probably didn't even know you still had one). i was in my own secret my3.5yearoldstillusesapacifier club, and i knew it was time to drop out! i have to admit i was scared and worried. you LOVED that thing, and a little part of me loved it too. it was your last 'baby' thing. but we HAD to do this. i didn't want you to cry and i really thought you would. but i am SOOO happy to say it has been FOUR DAYS and you have barely even asked for it. i am SOOO proud of you! i really thought it was going to be one of the hardest things for you to do. we had a talk about your lolly, how it was for babies and you are a big boy now and you didn't need it anymore. you said 'ok mommy' and went on your way to bed. you didn't even ask for it last night or this afternoon. the first couple days you were a little sad. but nothing near what i expected. you did SO GOOD! you have always adjusted so well to things. (your helmet at 4 mths, moving at 1.5 years, and a new house & little brother at 23 mths). i have no idea why i thought getting rid of your lolly was going to be hard. i have to admit, i cried a little the first night you went to bed without it. for some (weird) reason it made you seem bigger to me. (do moms ever get over their children getting bigger? probably not.)you are having so much fun with Jayden everyday. you play with him like crazy, pick on him, and wonder where he is when he is sleeping. both of you play so well together that daddy and i actually got, not only your room painted, but our bedroom, and Jayden's bedroom as well. we even installed chair rail in Jayden's room. both of you 'helped' us. it was fun, and everything looks great. you love helping us with everything. you have been asking to do 'big boy' things a lot lately. we usually find something for you to do like helping with the yard or with the pool, or even giving Sammie a treat. whatever it is, you love doing things on your own.you still LOVE pre-school and still get upset when i come pick you up in the afternoon. your teacher thinks it's funny. she told me that when everyone sings the 'goodbye' song, you always say 'i don't want to go home'. it makes me feel bad, but i know it is only because you love school so much. i am proud of you for doing such a good job there, and with everything you do. youre a great boy Peyton and i love you a lot.