Growing boy!

Another month has passed in the life of Peyton, and he's been as busy as ever! After getting Dale all to ourselves for the past month, Peyton has enjoyed having a man around to show him boy things! There has been lots of walking and exploring, playing with trucks, eating big boy foods, feeding ducks, swimming and smelling feet going on! (If you're curious, you'll need to ask Dale about that one!) Since having Dale home this month, we've had a picnic at the park, took Peyton to his first baseball game, made a trip to the zoo, had his first haircut, and celebrated his birthday (although a month early, we wanted Dale to be there). It's been a very busy, but exciting month in the Kozacek household!

Peyton continues learning new things everyday! He's walking better and with more balance and confidence with every step. With that has come a new perspective from Peyton's point of view, which means we've had to baby proof the house in places we never thought would need it! He's already had his first busted lip, which I'm sure hurt Dale and I worse than P. He surprised us the other day when he walked himself to his bedroom for nap when we told him it was time to lay down! He is also eating more solids and wanting less milk, which shows how he's no longer a "baby" but a toddler now! YIKES! Time really does fly when you have a kid!

We hope you're all doing well, we certainly are! Peyton and I are travelling home to Tennessee during June for an upcoming wedding and to celebrate Peyton's birthday with the rest of the family. We look forward to seeing all of you!

Until then,

The Kozaceks

Ten months!

Well, here we are and Peyton is ten months old! I didn't blog at nine months, we've had visitors and trips keeping us busy! During the last couple of months, Peyton has grown in so many ways! He is jabbering like crazy, opening and closing everything, pulling up everywhere, cutting teeth, pointing, waving and BEING A BOY! He is slowly becoming a toddler who understands exactly what "no" means, but listens selectively (he's so much like Dale!). He's also learning to eat "adult" foods pretty well and loves the idea of eating what it is that we're eating! He also understands what doorknobs are for, although he can't reach them yet (thank goodness!) He loves to check out the water in toilets, unravel a roll of toilet paper and take all the trash out the cans in the bathrooms...so we keep the doors shut now to our bathrooms!

We are looking forward to getting Dale home for a while before their next patrol so he can chase Peyton all over the house (he never sits still!). Above is a video of Peyton practicing walking, he just started really getting interested today! There are also pictures of Peyton with both Dale and I in Tampa (a mini vacation for P and I to see Dale). I hope you're all doing well, we certainly are, just missing Dale. Take care until next time!

Love,

The Kozaceks

P being sweet!

Here's my sweet little boy being loving to his gorilla! He's still hugs and kisses it every time he sits down to play, I think it's his newest best friend!

Eight Months!

Well, another month has gone by and Peyton is growing so fast! His biggest accomplishment/ milestone this month has been crawling. I've added a video of Peyton crawling on his second day. He's moving much faster (and sneakier) now in addition to pulling up on everything. He has also learned how to point and wave, but mostly at Dale's picture. He enjoys coming to my aerobics classes to watch us all put on a "show" for him, he truly believes we are there for his entertainment. We decorated Valentine's Day cards and went to a couple of Mardi Gras parades since Dale has been gone this month. We also went to Tennessee for a small get-away and enjoyed the company and opportunity to get out of the house for a period of time. He has also been trying all sorts of new foods and textures which is funny to watch. It's beginning to get warmer here in Mississippi and we are enjoying the spring weather as much as possible. Peyton loves to sit on our back porch and watch the birds on the power lines and the cars driving by. We are very excited for Dale to get back from patrol so he can see all the new things Peyton has learned. We hope you are all doing wonderfully! Until next month,

Erica, Dale and Peyton

Seven Months Old!

Holy cow! I can't believe it's been seven months since our little man made his appearance into our lives! We had a great time over the holidays getting to spend time with family and friends. Peyton enjoyed his trip to Tennessee to visit with the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins! Christmas morning, Peyton slept in until about 8:30! We finally gave in and made a little too much noise and to our surprise, he woke up! Haha! Like most babies, he was more interested in the wrapping paper than the actual gift, but we had a blast anyway. Peyton continues growing more and more each day and surprising us with new "tricks" (most of which entail him testing how far he can push Mom and Dad!). He's exploring everything he can and has learned that kicking things and banging them with toys is fun (more so for him than us!). He loves bathtime because all attention from both Mom and Dad is on him. He has also been making friends at Mom's aerobics classes with all the older women who can't get enough smiles and giggles from our little man. When anyone gives him the slightest look or bit of attention, he eats it up! He is so happy and such a joy to be around! He now has four teeth, two on top and two on bottom! And it seems the poor kid has been cursed with Mom's teeth (for all of you that remember me as a child, it took a lot of work to get my teeth looking normal despite the largeness and gaps!). Peyton has also learned how to use his voice this past month and can really put some noise out of that mouth when he wants to! That's really all that has transpired in the past month. We hope this blog entry finds you all enjoying the new year! Take care!

Love,

Dale, Erica and Peyton

6 months!

Our little boy is growing so fast! I know everyone has warned us that this would happen, but it's still surprising! In the past month, Peyton and I have spent A LOT of time together! Dale has been underway for the past month and we are anxiously awaiting his arrival back home before Christmas! At Peyton's six month appointment, we learned that he is now 29 inches long and weighs 18 pounds. The pediatrician seemed amused that he was wiggling and bouncing in my lap the entire appointment, so she reassured me that he is VERY active. For those of you who know Dale and I well, this is very appropriate! Peyton is learning so much about the world around him! He loves hearing many different things and is beginning to associate many noises with the appropriate thing. He seems to get very "hyper" at bathtime when he hears the water running. He knows when he sits in his high chair that it is time to eat (and right now, he loves everything!). He recognizes his various toys that play music as well as Dale's voice on the phone. He has also taken to recognizing Dale's picture and usually responds by bouncing in my arms and smiling and sometimes even "hugging and kissing" me! It is the sweetest sight to me right now! He is becoming more and more mobile everyday as well! His new mode of movement is rolling. When he decides he wants something off he goes, rolling his happy little butt around and around until he reaches his destination. Dale and I are so truly blessed to have a very happy, social baby who smiles at nearly everything! He is such a joy to be around (I know I'm a doting parent!). Anyhow, we hope this entry finds each of you enjoying your families this holiday season and remembering those who aren't able to be with their families this Christmas. (I have found a deeper respect and appreciation for our troops overseas!) We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

The Kozaceks

Five months!

Hello everyone! All is well in the Kozacek household. Peyton is getting bigger everyday and learning new things all the time. We didn't have a doctor's appointment this month so we have no new stats to report.

We've spent the last month enjoying time with Dale before he left for a month long patrol. In the midst of our "down time," Hurricane Ida made a little appearance and sent the Cutter Shamal on it's way, so Peyton and I went on our way to Tennessee for a short visit. The idea of losing power or sitting in traffic because of an evacuation was not appealing to me at all! The picture above with Peyton and the other baby is his "older" cousin Halley and Aunt Chris. We enjoyed pork barbeque that night (at least Mama did, P had green beans!).

Peyton's new accomplishments this month include holding his sippy cup/ bottle, scooting in circles on his belly and trying all sorts of new foods! His favorite veggie so far is green beans and we just started fruits, so there's no real distinction yet on his favorite, but he did enjoy peaches tonight! Peyton mouth is now the home to his first two teeth! He "cut" his first one at about four and a half months and the second on the day of his five month mark. He wasn't fussy when cutting those two aside from the occasional whine. He is really developing so much more personality which we enjoy watching daily! He has quite the sense of humor, not to mention ticklish spots! He loves to laugh and smile!

We decided to get a little "Christmas time" in before Dale left since he'll be gone nearly all of December. We went to the Christmas City Show (which is more of a shopping experience) and Peyton was sure everyone there was for his entertainment! It seems as though everyone who looked at or spoke to Peyton responded with, "Is he always this happy?!" and we were pleased to inform them all that he is! The picture above with the hat on is from the same day....we didn't buy the hat, but couldn't resist trying it on his head (and obviously, it didn't fit!)

Peyton has another appointment in December, so I'll post another update then for you all to see! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and have lots to be thankful for! I know the Kozaceks do!

Love,

Us