Saturday, April 16th, 2011

A note from Mommy:

This morning we decided to brave potential germs a few days before surgery and went to Black Bear Diner for breakfast.  Yes - completely idiotic.  After waiting 20 minutes for a table with streams of people coming in and out we had been exposed to pretty much every germ floating around at that moment.  We were so happy when the meal arrived very quickly - we were certainly starving by that point.

Peyton was in rare form, having a great time at the table eating Splenda, salt, pepper, butter and drinking soda.  If you saw how she "ate" you would think 1- we are awful parents (I'm not necessarily disagreeing) and 2 - she should be 500 lbs by now with that diet.  She was in a great mood, though, and there wasn't any cries or tantrums so maybe people weren't thinking 1 - we were awful parents.  A group of folks were sitting across the aisle and as they got up to leave an older gentleman stopped by and told us what a beautiful daughter we had.

Now remember, we don't have anything to compare to but it strikes Travis and I as strange that people go out of their way to tell us that all the time.  Later in the day at the grocery store, the checker not only gave her the customary sticker but also dipped into her own purse to hand Peyton a toy that she said belonged to one of her grandchildren.  Seriously people this stuff happens to us almost every time we go out with her.  Part of me thinks it is very sweet and what is the harm in it.  But a part of me wonders if people feel pity for Peyton and want to try to "make up" for everything she has gone through.  Now don't get me wrong - Travis and I probably spoil her more because of that very reason at least to some extent. But I wonder what people are really thinking when they do and say the things they do and I can't help but think I am doing Peyton a disservice by not explaining that she wouldn't want to be recognized for her disabilities rather then her abilities. 

Since I want to believe in the good of people I will continue to take their comments at face value.  Because maybe they really aren't looking at her disabilities at all... maybe I am the one who can't see past them.

Friday, April 15th, 2011

Finally, there was a few dry moments so Mommy and I spent some time riding around the drive way while Daddy got some time in on the Harley.  Unfortunately it is going to be another wet weekend so we are soaking up the sunshine as long as we can tonight!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

All day at Grandma's I kept talking about "animals".  When Mommy came to pick me up I couldn't stop talking about it.  Mommy mistakenly believed it had something to do with the dogs but all questions were answered when we made it home and I brought Mommy a handful of plastic zoo animals.  Michelle had brought them for me last night and since I wasn't asleep they didn't make the trip to Grandma's today but that was all I could talk about until we were finally reunited!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

With Mommy and I both fighting our cold this week and me only two weeks out from surgery we tried to have a quiet week at home whenever possible.  Despite the inconsistent weather, I am having so much fun watching my beans grow.  Every day I come home from Grandma's and have Mommy and Daddy come with me to check out the progress. 

In the last week I have become a very dedicated mother to two of my dolls.  One is a bath doll and is never clothed but comes with me for bath time.  The other has a dress, hat, pacifier and shoes.  Since she comes with me everywhere (the store, Grandma's, the potty) it has been a challenge not to lose anything.  Unfortunately, I am down a shoe but I have been promised by Grandma Glenda that she will make me a new set of shoes for my baby to complete the outfit.  Last night I laid my baby on the Lazy Boy, covered her with my lovie and insisted that the overhead lights be turned off since she was sleeping.  It's great fun pretending to be a Mommy!

On Saturday night my two furry brothers and I stayed the night with Grandma and Papa Smith.  Since moving to Utah I have had a few overnight stays while my parents were 1/2 mile up the road at home.  Prior to these overnight stays my parents had never both been away from me over night unless I was hospitalized.  For my Mommy's birthday her family got her and Daddy a night's stay at the Park City Marriott.  Since I was over my cold, my parents left snowy Salt Lake and headed up the mountain to snowy Park City.  With ski season at a close it was quiet in Park City.  They had a relaxing night and were back to pick me and my furry brothers up by 10:30 Sunday morning.  Since my grandparents have 3 dogs of their own it was a full house.  Pandy slept with me while Henry and Chili joined Coco and Sadie in my grandparents bed!  Although Henry and Sadie had a few tense moments Saturday afternoon by Sunday morning when my parents came to pick us up they were getting along just fine!

Sunday afternoon my parents finally got me in to have my hair cut and as you can see they cut off quite a bit - about 3 inches.  I wasn't so sure I was keen on the idea of a hair cut but once I sat down in the chair and could gaze at myself in the big mirror it didn't seem like such a bad thing.  I had a great time watching Daddy get his hair cut at the same time and even got a sucker for being such a good girl!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

It may be April but in Utah we are still walking in a winter wonderland!  All that driving rain last night turned into inches of heavy wet snow this morning.  I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I looked out the window.  Both Daddy and I are itching to get on our "bikes" but with all that snow it will be days before we can get back out there.  That's okay, I put on Daddy's riding boots to ease the pain!

Did you know....the average adult experiences 2 to 3 colds per year, while children average 8 to 12 colds per year.  Mommy has lost count but she thinks she and I are now experiencing number 9 in a 7 month period.  Apparently that is normal for me but not so much for the average adult.  That's okay, I never did think Mommy was "average".  Special needs kiddos make for special mommies right?!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

What was supposed to be a really nice day became a windy and eventually rainy day.  So what is a girl to do if she wants to ride - ride around the garage of course!  After a nice long nap, Daddy and I went to surprise birthday party for Uncle Jeff where I had been booked as the entertainment while Mommy and Grandma Glenda went to the Reba/George Strait/LeeAnnWomak concert.  (Thanks Uncle Jeff for letting Mommy steal the photo from your Facebook page) We all had a good night!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Most parents don't encourage their children to practice sticking their tongues out!  Before my jaw distraction I couldn't get it out very far, though, so my parents are only too happy to have me practice!

Peyton Nicole Smith