Eat...Play...Sleep

Many of the books that I have read and advice I have received from other moms suggest implementing a routine of some sorts for your baby. Although I am not one for the super strict schedule, I do see the need for some predictability for Peyton and also for myself. From day one we have been on feeding schedule of 2.5-3 hours and sometimes a little earlier if I see she is giving me hunger cues etc. but other than that she has been able to sleep when she wants. This past week or so we have been working on a new approach so that she is awake more during the day which is great for several reasons, one, I can interact with her and teach her things and two, she will be less likely to be wide awake all night long. So we are working on the Eat, Play and then Sleep routine. Peyton has the eating and sleeping portions down but it is still a huge challenge to keep her awake to play for a significant length of time consistently. Sometimes she will not wake up not matter what you do, sometimes it is for five minutes and sometimes it is for a full hour. Overall though we are having more day time interactions and for the most part she is sleeping four to five hour stretches at night. 

Since we have been able to have more day time activities here are some of the things I have learned about Peyton...overall she is a very relaxed baby and is content to look around

and just lay there but while laying there she has to be moving and is constantly moving her hands, kicking her feet, grunting and just being active. It is interesting! She adapts remarkably well to wherever she is and will nap wherever...including really loud restaurants, around barking dogs and anywhere you put her. Peyton also loves it when we sit her up on our laps, she loves to look around and try to hold her head up herself. Finally, she is a vocal little girl! She is always grunting, sighing and making all kinds of noises...it is highly amusing! Finally she is a clown, she loves to stick her tongue out (as you can see in the picture), make funny faces and just be silly!