Weekend Events

Saturday we were all up early and decided to hit some garage sales. We had a successful day! Hayden got a walker and a few toys. Joey noticed out tire was bulging so we headed over to the tire place by our house. Luckilly it was still under warranty and we got a new tire and all of our other tires rotated and balanced. By this time it was now only 9am so we headed to Culvers to pick out some Mother's day gifts.
Sunday we went to church with my parents and nephews Devin and Niall. My step-sister had to stay back with her youngest Quinn because he had the flu all weekend. We experienced a first for Hayden. We put him in the church nursery! I was a little nervous because he woke up on the wrong side of the bed but they said he did great. Our long time family friend Joan took a job at the church with the children's ministry so she peeked in on him a few times. There were 3 adults in there and only Hayden so he got a lot of attention. I was sitting in church fearing that Hayden's number would pop up on the screen during the service. But it didn't!
After church Mom went home to stay with Quinn and we all headed to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Magee family birthdays. We met my step brother Dennis and his family, Step sister Julie and her family, Step sister Becky and her family and Grandmother Augusta there. We had a fun time. It was not busy at all so it was nice. Hayden even got to enjoy one ride. Joey and I enjoyed the rest of the tokens! Pictures to come once I get some sent to me. We forgot our camera.
After that we met Joey's family at the Boat House. Faith and Noah wanted to take advantage of the nice weather and go for a swim. We chatted for a bit and then headed home. Hayden was exhausted and crabby by then. He slept from 5 to 7 am and took 2 2hour naps on Monday!
All and all it was a great weekend and a great family filled first Mother's Day for me. Looking forward to many many more!

Last Week Recap

Wow time flies! Can't believe it has been a week since I posted last. Here is a recap of the last week.
Tuesday Bev came down to visit. We had a great lunch at Mr. Beans and walked around the mall a little. She bought me a great pair of sparkely flip flops for Mother's Day.
Wednesday we sold the Jeep. We sold it to a family from Cedar Falls. We are sure happy it sold! Hayden had his 9 month appointment. He weighs20.7 pounds and is 29". He is now only in the 50% for weight. Dr. Nau gave Hayden the ok to start drinking whole milk and stop formula. We are trying to ease him into the milk thing. So far he is not the biggest fan. He now is getting a lot better all of the sudden at eating solids. We haven't had a gaging incident for a while. Cheerios are now a favorite. In the morning he is SOOOOOO excited when he sees the yellow box coming his way. I can only compare it to my reaction if someone called to say that I had won one million dollars. He also wants to try any food we are eating. So far he is willing to try everything and loves chicken, rice, chocolate (thanks to daddy), and ice cream. Oh and he also begs to drink water out of my cup during the day.
Thursday My parents came down for the day. We waited around all morning for the air conditioner guy to come for a tuneup. Once he arrived Raleigh set off to visit some old friends and Mom, Hayden, and I set off to do some shopping and driving around town. We drove past a few spots I was thinking of having Hayden's birthday and drove around our old neighborhood. We had a great time reminiscing. Come to find out we live about a mile away from the house that my Mom and Dad met in. Pretty cool. After exploring the town we hit Kohl's and Target. Mom got Hayden got a new toy and some new clothes. She got me some formula and diapers from Sams for Mother's Day! Hey I was happy to get them!
Thursday night I had bunko and Joey and Hayden went to the police pig out to get Hayden fingerprinted and mingle with the police officers. Hayden had a great time and got a new soft spongy book that he loves! Oh and Joey had a great time also! Even though the fingerprint thing didn't work out with his tiny fingers. It looks more like black streaks all over the paper.
Friday Joey stayed home from work because he was sick! Which is a rare thing here. He NEVER uses his sick days. Hayden and I were sick on Monday so Joey stayed home to take care of us both. He is the best.

Weekend in Des Moines/Ames

We had a fun weekend. We got to see a lot of people and accomplished a lot. Friday Hayden and Joey dropped me off in Tama to meed Sara. Sara and I ate a quick sandwich at Maidrite and we were on our way to Waukee. The drive went quickly as we chatted the whole way. We arrived at Beth's and chatted a bit before we headed out for the evening. We had a great time meeting new people and it was a treat to be out without the kids.
Saturday Sara and I were up at 6:30 chatted for a bit and decided we needed to try to go back to sleep since we could! We then got ready for the day and helped Beth get ready for her purse party. It was an experience. Her whole living room and family room were full of purses. It took us a while to get all of the boxes unloaded. It was amusing to watch people come in and go nuts over these knock off bags. People came to Beth's house that she didn't even know. Beth also had a friend there selling Pampered Chef. My friend Kelli came to the party but she was the star of the show because she came bearing 30% off coupons for Gymboree.
After the party Sara, Kelli, and I went to Jordan Creek. We walked around for a bit and then Sara and I headed up to Ames. Sara chatted for a bit and then headed home.
By the time I arrived in Ames they had Lomen moved in. We ran to get a bite to eat. When we arrived home I was all ready to get boxes unpacked but the guys had a different plan. They decided they needed to fish. Our friends Sara and Jeremie came over and the guys took of to the lake and Sara and the girls hung out with Hayden and me. We had a good time chatting and the girls had a fun time running around in the unfinished basement. We were hoping to go to the park but it was very windy and getting cold.
Sunday we helped Lomen get his kitchen unpacked and headed home. Hayden and I came home with spring colds. He has a nasty cough. He was soooo pooped and was in bed by 6:00. I followed soon after!
This week we have Hayden's 9 month appointment and are expecting a visit from my mom.

9 Months

Hayden is now 9 months. Seems like each month is flying by faster than the previous.
Here are some of the things he learned last month.

• moves from sitting to belly (beginning of month)
• moves from sitting to knees (end of month)
• 4/20 top tooth next to top two on left
• 4/23 bottom tooth next to bottom two on left
• eats yo baby yogurt for breakfast and oatmeal
• hates rice cereal but will eat oatmeal
• pilled up on knees to see what I was doing on laptop
• rolls around to get where he needs to
• schooches on belly
• pivots on bottom
• we moved his crib down
• eats 2 size 2 baby foods for dinner
• claps

Fishing With Dad

Hayden went on his first official fishing expedition with Joey last night. They had great success and caught a lot of fish. Joey said that Hayden LOVED to touch the fish on the tail and head. It took him a while to get used to the first fish but Joey said every time he caught one after that Hayden immediately would stretch his arms up to reach the fish and get all excited!

Hayden and I have been enjoying the beautiful weather. We have been eating lunch all week on our back porch. Monday we met some friends at Cherry Hill Park. We had a huge blanket under a tree in the shade. Hayden and Will had a great time playing together on the blanket. We put the boys in the infant swings and they loved it. Will even took a little snooze. We even ran into our neighbor kids there so Hayden we very happy to see them. They provide Hayden with entertainment daily at home. He LOVES it when they are around. Hmmm maybe Hayden needs some more company here. Well good thing Aunt Ingrid is coming this summer.

Ingrid bought her ticket yesterday. We are going to enjoy her company from June 22-Aug 15. Yippee! We have been planing things to do all summer. Which include visits to the pool. Yes you heard me right! I am going to hop into a bathing suit this summer and go with Ingrid and Hayden to the pool. I figured I shouldn't deprive Hayden of fun things just because of my insecurities. I have had this talk a lot this week with may people that feel the same way so we are all going to gang up and frequent the pool this summer!

More travel news. We are going to Germany to visit Andrew and Ingrid over Christmas. We are so excited. We have been busy planing things to do while we are there. Ingrid and Andrew have been nice enough to offer to watch Hayden if we don't want to drag him around Europe. We all (including Hayden) are hoping to take a trip to London and Paris over New Years.

Hayden is almost crawling. He gets onto his knees from a sitting position but doesn't quite know what to do from there. Last week he crawled a little but quickly dropped onto his belly and rolled to where he needed to be. He is getting more interested in trying to pull himself up. We don't have a lot of things for him to practice on so we are trying to figure out things to put in the living room to assist him. If I am sitting on the floor with the laptop we is over by me in a flash and pulls himself up very quickly to see what I am doing. The only other option is the exersaucer but that is so unstable that when he gets up he quickly falls and clunks his head.

We have also been working more on table food. He is now eating the puffs better. Yesterday we worked on shredded cheese and apples. He still makes the funniest face when he gets something in his mouth but is getting better at chewing. Unless it is a mouthful of paper. He can handle that for some reason but a teeny tiny piece of food throws him off. I am going to start feeding him solids at lunch now because he is barely interested in his bottle at all. He also finally figured out his sippy cup. I put water in it and he is not that enthused. I think he is still getting a hang of it. He does however enjoy drinking water out of my glass.

My friend Sara and I are headed to Waukee Friday and Saturday for a girls weekend. We are visiting my friend Beth and hanging out on Friday and Beth is having a purse party on Saturday. Then Saturday afternoon Sara is dropping me off in Ames. Joey and Hayden are headed to Ames Friday to help Johnny finish packing (much to Joey's dismay) and getting ready for the big move to the new condo on Saturday.

I am also including a picture of Hayden's new sleeping position. He now likes to sleep on his knees with his toosh in the air. Too cute!

Ahhhhhh

Grandpa Paricka, Hayden and Joey

Hayden and Daddy wrestling. Daddy never lets Hayden win!

Our new truck

What beautiful weather. This morning we woke up to crisp fresh air and to the sound of birds singing. Oh and Hayden singing also. Some people call it screaming and yelling but I like to refer to it as singing! Once he wakes up for the day he is instantly at full speed ahead and FULL volume.
Thursday Joey's dad Joe came down to check out the new truck. Joey is still getting used to parking the truck. Going from the short Jeep to the long truck is a big jump! We hung out and Hayden loved playing with Grandpas watch and jumping on his lap.
Yesterday Hayden and I went to our neighbors. Kathleen and I swapped some recipes and the kids had fun playing. I came home with some great new recipes and am eager to try them. Sometimes I feel like I am in a recipe rut and cook the same few things over and over.
This morning Joey made us pancakes for breakfast. They were yummy! Today we are going to run some errands and clean out the garage. Joey is desperately getting a pile ready to take to the dump since we have a vehicle now that can transport our junk. He is also eager to take Hayden to the dump for his first time. Must be a guy thing.
Looking forward to a weekend at home getting some things taken care of. Also looking forward to enjoying the great weather. 74 degrees today and 84 tomorrow. Have a great weekend everyone.

2 New Teeth and Noodles

The official tooth count is now 6! The top tooth on the left next to the two top ons poked through on Saturday and last night I felt a new one on the bottom left next to the bottom two. I can also see the whites of a couple more on the top. No wonder he has been soooo whiny!
Sunday during Mom and Raleigh's birthday lunch Hayden actually ate a few puffs without incident. I think he just needed Grandma there to encourage him.
Last night Hayden ate his first noodle. How much he got down I am not sure but he had a great time playing with them and putting them in his mouth.
Just last night he started another new trick. Clicking his teeth! Than sound is soooo awful. joey and I couldn't figure out what it was for a few minutes. We thought he was chewing on a dry noodle somehow. But he continued to click and grind all last night and I heard it a few times this morning. That is a disturbing sound. Worse for me than fingers on a chalkboard.

Busy Fun Filled Week-Weekend

Grandma M and Hayden


Becky and Hayden



JP and Hayden

Wow! This past week and weekend flew by! We had a great week and weekend with friends and family.
Friday I hung out at our neighbors for the afternoon. Then Bean family has 4 children so Hayden loves all the attention and action over there. Sometimes I think Hayden gets bored with me..... sniff sniff... so I learned if I go over to the Beans or invite some of the kids over Hayden gets really excited. He has been extremely whiny lately and after a few hours it is enough to drive me insane. So the kids are a great distraction for him! Later that evening Kari, a friend of Kari's, and I went to a wine tasting. It was fun and we all were excited to get out without the kids. We all have little ones so the guys took care of the kids while we enjoyed the evening. Lomen came for the weekend and was at our house by the time we arived back. So was our friend Robby.

Joey was inspecting Robby's truck one last time before he agreed to buy it. Yes you heard me right! Joey is selling the Jeep. A big step for him. So we are now the proud owners of a Dodge Ram huge truck. It has a extended cab with fold out doors so amazingly enough we have a lot more room in the truck then the Jeep. It was a struggle to get Hayden in and out of the Jeep and once Hayden was in we had no room for the stroller. So much to Joey's dismay he agreed to sell the Jeep. We picked up the truck yesterday and have the Wrangler on the market as of today. Hopefully it goes quickly!

Saturday we hung out. Joey and Lomen went fishing. Bev came down to visit. We de-winterized the back porch while Hayden was sleeping. Once Hayden got up we met Joey and Johnny at Cranky Hanks Pizza. Then Bev, Hayden, and I went to TJ MAXX and then home. Joey worked on his Jeep the rest of the night. He put new bumpers on and changed the oil.
Saturday we grilled out with our Neighbor Nancy. She got wind that Lomen was coming for the weekend and made strawberry pie. She always makes a pie when he is in town. We had a great dinner and the 3 of us enjoyed pie while Hayden slept and Joey did his final. After pie Lomen and I got in an intense battle of bowling on the wii and stayed up way later than we planed to. I won just for the record!

Sunday Mom and Raleigh came down for a birthday lunch. Lomen Headed home after lunch and soon after Becky and JP arrived for a visit. Joey finished the rest of the bumper work and Raleigh and JP sat outside to make sure he was doing it right. Mom brought 2 big boxes of my old books she saved so I went through them and sorted out the ones we can read to Hayden now.


JP and Raleigh making sure Joey is doing it right

I love how when you have nothing planned your week and weekends can fill up in a flash with good quality family and friend time! One good bonus about being back in Iowa. We can enjoy family and old/new friends more. Not that we didn't have great friends in Colorado and we MISS them.

Ohhhh the memories. Hate to see it go but this time Joey can blame Hayden instead of me. He blames me for the sale of his first Jeep. Hmmmm marry me or sell the Jeep? The choice seems pretty easy to me!!!!