This girl

Its time for a Peyton update!  I realize this update is overdue but I am sure our readers would love to know what is going on in the life of our little girl. Here you go.   

First, Peyton continues to be very happy and healthy.  Thank goodness.  She is also very curious/adventurous.  I think this gene runs in the family.  She loves to go outside and check things out.  This particular day she was exploring the front steps in our neighbors yard.  She is learning how to walk up steps versus climb up steps.  You go girl!  

Peyton, like most kids, loves candy.  While I do not keep large amounts of candy in our house I did let the kids have an extra big treat at my friends wedding a couple weeks ago.  Her favorite snack - skittles - just like her mommy.  I am so proud!  

Peyton's verbal skills have exploded the past couple weeks.  She is saying more words clearly and forming sentences.  This particular day we were at the park and she was trying to say 'look at the duck'.  It came out as 'ooh, ah ga duckee'.  Again, so sweet.  I know she can understand everything I say and follow directions pretty well for a 19 month old girl.  We will continue to work on those words and read more and more books.  

Peyton's fine and gross motor skills are also coming along well.  She runs, recently learned to jump, and climbs on everything.  She also holds a crayon/utensil very well in her hand.   Oh yes, did I mention we think she is left handed?  She eats and writes with her left hand.  While her brother is clearly a righty, this girl may just be a lefty like her daddy.  

Now that Peyton is in the 'toddler' stage of life she is more aware of and can participate in all the fun traditions this time of year.  Our favorite, the pumpkin patch.  Here is our little girl picking out her own pumpkin.  Good job!  She has also been helping me collect leaves outside and wanting to learn to ride a tricycle. I think I have a good idea of what this girl needs/wants for Christmas.  

Oh yes, Peyton has also shown a lot of interest in music and specifically the piano.  While she is too young for formal lessons, I love to let her sit and 'play' while I cook dinner.  She also loves to dance to music she hears which brings me a lot of joy since I was a dancer growing up.  I can't wait to enroll her in ballet class when she is 3.  

Finally, this girl loves her baby dolls.  She sleeps with them, brings them to school, plays with them and cares for them so well.  I firmly believe that we have a sensitive and caring young lady on our hands.  Even Preston will sit and play with her and her babies which is a delight to watch.  Now, if only Peyton would let me care for her and put a clip in that hair.  I'm working on it ;)  

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Fallen Leaves

The leaves continue to change color here in STL.  They have also begun to fall to the ground which creates a whole new space to play for Preston.  Don't worry, I plan on taking Peyton out to the park tomorrow morning for her to enjoy the fallen leaves.  Here is are a few photos from my time outside yesterday afternoon with Preston. 

The peak in STL is now!  

Oh yes, the mud is also very interesting.  

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Pumpkin patch

The Dalbey family headed to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday afternoon for some traditional seasonal activities.  It was a warm day (80 degrees), and the line to park was very long, but we made it through and had a wonderful time  Here are a few pictures from our visit.  

Here is Preston's traditional photo by the big school bus.  

We started the trend with Peyton...but she wasn't very interested.  

Here is Preston in the classic Rombach Farms fort.  I remember playing here when I was a little girl.  I have such fond memories of this place.  

The pumpkin patch would not be complete without a ride on those orange carts.  Thank goodness for a strong daddy to pull the cart.  

Oh yes, we also met up with almost all of the cousins from the Denton side.  Its amazing that all four kids are looking towards the camera.  

Here is Peyton picking out her first pumpkin.  She is such a big girl.  

Preston thought it would be a good idea to help lead the way to the pumpkins with daddy.  

Another classic pumpkin patch photo by the Great Pumpkin Pyramid.  So sweet.  

Here we have sweet cousin Alice.  

A sweet moment where daddy was helping Preston pick out a little pumpkin to take home.  

Oh how I love Rombach farms and am so thankful for the many years and memories.  I am also thankful I can take my children to enjoy this beautiful farm and let them pick out their own pumpkin.  

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This boy

Its been a while since I posted some thoughts on our boy.  Here we go. 

 

Preston is now 4 years old and a few months.  He continues to thrive in many ways.    His verbal skills are excellent as well as his fine motor skills.  He is now in preschool 3 full days a week and works on various projects around the house when we are home together.  When he is not playing with his trains you can find him reading books, working on puzzles or playing outside.  We have one happy kid over here. 

Preston continues to be in the 95th percentile for height.  I think he has inherited the tall genes.  I also think that his height will be one his greatest strengths as it applies to sports and other activities.  I can't wait to see him in sport action in just a couple years.  Oh yes, I took a video of Preston playing baseball yesterday morning in our backyard.  Wow - this kid has skills.  He hit the ball off the Tball all the way from one end of our yard to another.  I think we need to look into baseball soon.  

Preston also continues to demonstrate that he is a strong and senstive young man.  He cares deeply about others and does not like when people are upset. A couple weeks ago Steven and I were talking 'schedule' (which Steven does not enjoy) and Preston thought we were upset with one another.  Now, Steven and I are doing very well (wanted to set your mind at ease) and we were more intense/serious than upset.  Preston came in the room and told us in a very loud voice that he wanted us to be quiet.  He also looked very upset.  Steven and I took a minute that morning to remind Preston that we love him, we love each other and that sometimes it is important for mommy and daddy to talk about our schedule even if that is not pleasant.  Wow - this kid feels deeply.  I think we have an F when it comes to the Myerrs Brigg Personality Test.  Preston also cares deeply about his friends at school and often talks about inviting them over to play.  He also tells us that he misses his friends from Peeps (which was a mom's day out program he used to attend).  Its amazing how these important friendships are formed at such an early age.  

Finally, Preston is a creative and imaginative boy. He loves to make up stories, talk about riding his bide for miles and miles and even dream about all the places he wants to go.  Um, can we say world travelor in the making.  I love when he makes up train stories or tells me about all the things he wants to do.  I don't think there is a lot of fear in the child.  I am thankful for his dreams and ideas.  I am also thankful that he is a BOY that loves to play!  

I almost forgot.  Check out updated photos of the kids at www.AllThingsSimplePhotography.blogspot.com 

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This weather is awesome

The weather here in STL has been AWESOME the past few days.  The temps are in the 70's during the day, there is a light breeze, and the trees are nearing the highlight of there transformation from green to color.  First, I just love all the fall flowers.  These flowers are from my neighbors front porch. 

Here is a picture of the trees - just stunning.  

The beautiful weather outside means that I like to take the kids out as much as possible.  This morning we took the tent/tunnel outside for some active play.  

I love this photo because it shows Peyton climbing through the tent and Preston cheering for her on the outside.  

Oh yes, sometimes we like to go out in the front yard and watch the cars/trucks/busses.  When we are in the front yard we let Bailey 'guard the house'.  She does a good job.  

All this running around outside wears me out.  This was me yesterday afternoon after work.  I was tired.  The kids let me 'rest' for about 5 minutes before they were asking me to read and play with them. A mom's work is never done. 

Oh yes, we have been working on encouraging Preston to dress himself in the morning.  Good job, buddy.  

I took my beautiful bridesmaid flowers outside this afternoon for some sun.  

I also took the kids outside for a fall photo shoot this afternoon. I will be posting photos on my photography blog tomorrow but here are some photos from my phone.  Sweet Peyton is holding her babies.  

I thought this was a good photo of Preston.  

Oh yes, we headed over to the pond to watch the ducks. I need to remember to bring some bread.  

Peyton kept saying 'du, du, du!'.  So sweet.  I have noticed that she is saying more words every day and saying them with more clarity. I am sure I will blink and she will be speaking in full sentences.    

At this point the kids were tired of pictures and didn't want to smile.  Peyton was actually crying and stopped for a brief moment to look at the ducks.   At least Preston looks sweet.  

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A Busy Week

It has been a busy week in the Dalbey family.  My dear friend, Carolyn, got married yesterday afternoon and it was quite a fun week celebrating and preparing.  I was also so thankful to see some of my best friends this weekend who came in town from Arizona, Texas and Tennessee.  What a blessing to all be together to celebrate.  I look forward to more time all together very soon.   I hope to post a few photos later this week.  For now, I will leave you with this sweet photo of Peyton from our time hanging out with Grandma and Grandad Denton this afternoon.  What a sweet and beautiful girl.  

Popsicle at Grandad's

Yesterday afternoon the Dalbey family went over to Grandma and Grandad's house to hang out and help with some fall yard work.  Well, the colors haven't changed yet in his backyard but it still make for a beautiful view.  I love this lovely green color. 

Preston enjoyed helping Grandad by sweeping up some leaves that have changed and fallen in front of his house. He was a great helper!  

While Peyton couldn't help with the yard work she kept her eyes on the sky looking for airplanes.  So sweet.  

What does a kid like at the of the day?  A yummy popsicle at Grandad's house.  

Presteon loves his green and blue popsicles!  

The two kids in them in the same photo! 

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Peyton and Mommy Snuggle

I just posted some reflections about my difficult experience at CVS pharmacy yesterday afternoon.  I thought I would lighted the look on my blog by posting this photo of Peyton and me.  This photo was taken by my good friend, Kaylie Duke.  I can't wait to print this photo. 

 

Bye Bye CVS

The Dalbey family will no longer be using CVS Pharmacy after our experience there yesterday morning.  Here is our story:  Steven continues to work long hours and therefore has little 'extra' time to take care of random erands, phone calls, etc... Since Tuesday is my day off I thought I would take care of filling Steven's prescription at the pharmacy.  I picked up the script and headed to what I thought would be a convienence CVS pharmacy drive through.  Yes, I had 2 children in the car with me and thought this would make our lives a little easier.  Any mom knows that it takes a good amount of extra energy to get your kids in and out of car seats, into a store and try to wait with them.  So, I waiting for about 5 minutes in the drive through line and then sent my script through that vacuum shoot thing.  I was told it would take about 15 mintues to fill my script.  I pulled my car around to a parking spot next to a vehicle with a dog.  'This is great', I thought to myself.  The kids and I began to 'talk' to the dog and make funny faces at him.  After 15 minutes of play, singing and story telling I headed back to the drive through line. I had to wait an extra 5 minutes because someone in front of me was picking up their prescription.  No worries. I'll be next.  After another 10 minute wait I was then told by the 'lovely' CVS pharmacy assistant that my insurance did not fill prescriptions at CVS because we were not in their 'network'.  Are you kidding me?  I have now been at CVS for almost 40 minutes and you are just now telling me this information?!  I told the lady that this information would have been helpful when I dropped off the prescription so I didn't have to wait so long with 2 children in my car.  She tried to tell me where I could go to get my prescription filled and I kindly told her that we would no longer be shopping at CVS pharmacy or store for anything, ever!  I think I gave the lady quite a shock but I was and am completey serious.  Good news: I filled Steven script last night at Target.  I love Target.  I can drop off my script and take the kids to play with the toys, pick up some diapers and even check out that cool $1 area.  Oh yes, it only took 15 minutes to fill my script at Target - just like they said. 

Thoughts on Tuesday

Its been a good couple days in the Dalbey house.  On Sunday, we headed out to the Cardinals game with some friends.  We had a wonderful time.  Here is a picture of Preston and his good buddy, Micah.  They both love those ballpark hotdogs. 

We tried to take a family photo...Preston had no interest.  Oh well.  I think Peyton looks cute in her Cardinal PJ's.  

On Monday I received a beautiful gift from a dear friend.  This California Starbucks mug is an awesome addition to my collection. I am so excited.  Thank you, Lindsey and Drew.  

Today was a fun day at home with the kids.  First, Peyton and I did some painting.  Um, notice her painting with her left hang.  Yup. I think we have a leftie which would make her just like her daddy :) 

After Peyton went down for her afternoon nap Preston and I did a little educational project.  We made a piece of paper for every day of hte week and then drew some pictures of what we like to do on those days.  For example: On Monday Preston goes to school.  He helped me draw a chicken coop with some chickens like the one at his school.   This was a great project to help Preston color and leran his days of the week.   

Here are a couple cute pictures of Petyon.  First, just sipping on some milk after her nap.  So cute.  

Final picture: Peyton enjoying her Oreo snack in the car.  Yes, she was a mess but oh so cute. 

Thats all for today. 
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