Little Monkey

The fan wasn't laying down like this. he knocked it over so he could climb on it.
This is how I found him

He got a little help from Dad on this one.


Hayden is still showing little interest in walking, but his new skill is climbing everything! He also loves to push and walk behind anything he can move. Some of them include; dining room chars, clothes baskets, leapfrog table, walking toy, and stroller.
The other day Hayden was playing in his room and I could hear scratches on the screen in his room. I went on to find him standing on his new birthday present from Uncle Mike and Aunt Sherry. It is a plastic box that can hold hot wheels. he pushed it over under the window and was looking out. I laughed so hard! Pretty resourceful little guy! He still hasn't figured out a graceful way to dismount from the higher objects that he climbs so he does a stunt man/army roll to get back on the floor. I will try to upload a video that shows that it is pretty funny!
He is also saying a new word. Well he has been for a while now but I keep forgetting to post it. Uh-Oh is the new word. He says it all of the time and for the most part in context also. He also trues to imitate any word that starts with B. I have a feeling that most words are going to start with a B even if they aren't supposed to. He has started saying bup and lifts his hands up to be picked up.
Friday Jen, Sara and Noah came to eat at Red Robbin to celebrate Noah's 5th birthday. Bev and Johnny came also. We had a great time.
We had a great weekend in Waterloo at the Paricka's. We went up Friday evening so Joey could practice on the motorcycle because he decided that he needed to get his license. He took the test written here on Friday and failed by one point. On Saturday he passed the written and the driving portion so he is official. He and Johnny drove around town most of the afternoon Saturday. They weather was absolutely perfect Saturday! While they were out and about Hayden and I got caught up on some sleep!
The weather has really cooled down this week! It is awesome! Last night we grilled brats on Joey's new charcoal grill. He bought it from someone at work for $1. It is in perfect condition and they just used it once. Joey was so excited to find a bargain and is happy to have a charcoal grill.
We have Kindermusik today and nothing planed for the rest of the week or weekend. We are looking forward to spending some time outside.

It's Official Hayden Can Survive Without Me!

Monday was our first experience with unfamiliar people watching Hayden. We got into the PDO program (Parent's Day Out) at a church downtown. It is not a daycare but a program that appreciates parent's need for personal time. I will be taking Hayden for 4 hours every Monday. It think it is a great first step to leaving him with unfamiliar people. I was pretty nervous dropping him off on Monday because I didn't know how I was going to react and I wasn't sure how Hayden was going to react. When we walked in the room I set Hayden down and signed him in. He just st there for a minute with his back to me and then crawled away and started playing. I called 1/2 way through the day at 11:30 and they said he was fine for the first hour and then he cried off and on for a 1/2 hour after that. My first reaction was to run back there and get him, but I didn't. When I arrived at 1:30 to get him he saw me and burst into tears. I think it was just tears of relief that I actually came back and didn't forget about him. He was definitely happy to see me. Oh and also because at that same time he got hit in the face with a book by a kid going down the slide while Hayden was climbing up it! :(
The teachers said that he had a great first day and that it is normal for him to cry when he sees me. They also said that another child started crying before Hayden earlier so that may have set him off. Other than that he had a great time playing. They also said he ate an awesome lunch. He ate almost every bite I packed for him. Ham and cream cheese rolls, mandarin oranges, cheese chunks, cereal bar, applesauce, and milk. He also ate some of his peas and goldfish, and had a snack of puffs and milk. I only sent the applesauce, goldfish, and cereal bar along in case he refused to eat his ham and peas. I definitely thin he is going through a growth spurt.
Yesterday we had our first meeting of MOPS. I am really excited about it. I have a great table of ladies and can't wait for the next meeting. We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month for 2hours. I was anxious about dropping him off in the nursery because I thought he might throw a fit. He sat right down and played. When I picked him up they said that he may not be feeling well because he kind of cried off and on for the 2 hours. Poor guy! That made me feel bad. The director of the children's ministry assured me that there would be a few "velcro" days, but he would adapt. The ladies all commented that the 1-2 year old room was very quite this year compared to last. Last year they had to shut the doors to the fellowship hall to muffle the cries. So we will see how it goes. I think it is great for me to trust extremely capable unfamiliar people with Hayden and good for him to be able to be without me. It was great for me also! I truly appreciated the 4 hours on Monday to fun errands and clean without interruption. I also loved the fellowship and time spent at MOPS.

Labor Day Weekend

We had my Aunt's funeral in Marshalltown on Saturday. The visitation was Friday night and we spent the night. It was a beautiful service and great to see all of the extended family. Friday after the visitation we went out to eat for authentic maxican. It was yummy. Then my cousin Dawn, her husband, and her old college roommate Maria, and I went out for a couple drinks. It was nice to reminisce about old times wen Dawn and Maria babysat my sister and me. It was also nice to reminisce with Dawn about her mom.
We had the funeral Saturday morning and then headed back home after lunch at the church.
Sunday we went to our friends cabin at Holiday lake. We had a great time! It was Hayden's first experience on a boat and with a life jacket. As soon as we got in the water Sara and I put the life jackets on Briar and Hayden and it was hilarious. They HATED the life jackets and cried and cried and cried. They we both standing in the middle of the boat staring at each other and crying. As soon as the boat took off they were both fine. I went to grab my camera to capture the momentus ocasion and discovered that I left the battery at home in the charger. Sara took some pictures so as soon as I get them I will post some. We had a great time cruising around the lake. We parked in a cove and dropped the anchor. Phil, Joey, and the girls went for a swim. Hayden loved it. It was a beautiful day. After they swam Joey went on the tube. It was sooooo funny! He had a great time and held on forever. His arms are still very sore.
After the afternoon of fun we went back to the cabin and made supper. Joey and Phil decided to try out the charcoal grill instead of the gas. The food tasted sooooo yummy on charcoal. It has been a long time since I ate grilled food on a charcoal grill.
After dinner we helped them pack up and we all headed out. Hayden was out by the time we got on the highway.
Monday I was feeling yucky! Joey and Haydn got up and I laid in bed until 9:00! When I got up I discovered Joey attempting to make french bread from scratch! We just hung out at home all day and I rested. I finally started feeling better yesterday.
We had spaghetti and Joey's french bread for dinner and it turned out great!
Monday night Johnny stopped by on his way back home on his motorcycle. He spent the night with us and left in the morning on Tuesday. Johnny and Joey went out and did some night fishing.
Yesterday we had music class. Hayden is enjoys it so much! He loves to clap and laugh through the whole class. Grandma Bev came down after that to watch Hayden so I could go to the eye doctor. I came home with contacts! I tried to put them in today but for some reason I can't get them in. I have anxiety about touching my eye! I just can't seem to do it. Hopefully if I continue trying I can get over that and get these stinking contacts in!
Hayden wouldn't lay down for his nap in the afternoon. After grandma left I tried again, but he wouldn't do it. I put him in his highchair and gave him a snack. I went in the kitchen and was talking on the phone and peeked out. He was asleep. This is a first! He rarely falls asleep anywhere besides his crib or car seat. He was even snoring.
Joey got a big chunk of his homework done, so hopefully we can get out together this weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather. I am anxiously waiting for the humidity to drop so I can get the windows open!

First Haircut

Hayden had his first haircut today. He skipped his afternoon nap so I was a little worried how it was going to go. He cried at first when we put him in the swing but relaxed as soon as I brought out a chocolate chip cookie and let him drink water from a cup with a straw. The cookie was a first for him, and drinking out of a straw is one of his favorite things to do. Once she got the clippers out he started to giggle and lean into it. I think it tickled/felt good.
Now he looks like a little boy! I like his hair a lot better than I thought I would. All in all it was a great experience. They took before and after shots, printed Hayden a certificate, and gave us a bag with his hair in it.
Today we met Kari, Todd, and the boys at the park. It was absolutely perfect weather. The boys climbed, went on the swing, and went down the slide for 2 hours. Our friends Nadine and Theo came out to play also. We had a great time!
Tonight we went to Jazz Under The Stars. It was almost chilly! Hayden had a great time pushing his stroller up and down the hill. We stayed for about an hour because Hayden was ready for bed!
Tomorrow we are headed out to Marshalltown for the visitation, and the funeral Saturday.
Looking forward to the long weekend. Hopefully the weather stays this nice all weekend through Monday!

Aunt Norma

Unfortunately yesterday evening my Aunt Norma passed on. She has been battling cancer for about a year. They took her to the hospital Sunday night because her pain was uncontrollable. Monday Hayden and I got the call when we were headed up to visit Joey's mom. We hung out there and had lunch and then followed my parents to Marshalltown to visit Norma. By then they moved her to the hospice floor. My mom's brothers and their spouses were there when we arrived. It was hard to see her in so much pain and discomfort. I have seen people with cancer, and people dying of cancer, but never on their death bed with cancer. I didn't expect to see what I saw. I hear all of the time how nasty cancer is, but until Monday I never knew what a gruesome killer it is! It was hard for me to understand with all of the pain medicine they were giving her how she could still be in so much pain.
Norma was conscious enough to recognize my mom. My parents, my mom's brother (Norma's husband), and her two daughters were there yesterday when she passed on. She just stopped breathing.
My favorite memories of Aunt Norma:
1. The all consuming hugs she gave. Not a lame hug with a pat on the back, but a real squeeze while she was cradling your head. A hug that when you got done with it you would think, now that was a hug.
2. The laugh. (need I say more?)
3. Saying it like she saw it.
4. Her joy for life and her love for her family and friends.

I am still thankful that we were able to attend Jerry and Norma's anniversary party last May. It was a great glimpse into the "real" life of Norma. We were able to see her interact with her friends and other family. I always love to see people in their element. I believe that you get to know a lot about a person when you see them interact with people they love. Both friends and family. It was great to hear all of the stories they shared. Norma finished the festivities off with a poem she wrote about their life together. (Jerry and Norma) It was hilarious!
I remember Joey and I driving away and talking about what a great joy for life Norma has and how we hoped that our joy for life could shine through as much as it did from Norma!

Ahhhhhh

This is why I can't seem to get anything done lately. I have a teething baby at my feet all day!
Hayden likes to sleep with his feet up.

What a difference a good night's sleep makes. I have been having troubles falling asleep and staying asleep. So I have been dragging. Last night I went to bed late, but slept the whole night. I woke up feeling rested and rearing to go! Oh yeah so did Hayden. He was rearing to go today at 6:30.
Since quitting the bottle we have had some cranky mornings. Tuesday Hayden woke up at 5:30, sleepy, and wanting a bottle bad! He did not want a sippy cup or his binky. He was mad! I really considered giving him a bottle to stop the crying but held out. He finaly gave in and went back to sleep. Whew! I am proud of myself for not giving him the bottle. It was tempting. I really wanted to go back to sleep also. Nothing like screaming in your ear at 5:30 am. We had the same scenario yesterday morning as well. He was getting frustrated because he was trying to tell me something and he thought I wasn't understanding. Poor guy. I can totally understand. You are used to something for 12 months and all of the sudden--it's gone.
We haven't had any troubles getting him to sleep without the bottle. We always fed him his last bottle an hour before bedtime, so he is used to going to bed on his own. Last night I fed him oatmeal before bed, and he woke up happy at 6:30. We will try that again tonight to see if that helps. It has been 6 days off the bottle cold turkey, and I must say it was easier than I thought. He has been doing very well with the sippy cup. For a while I wondered if he would ever use one. It took him a while to get warmed up to one.
Wednesday we went to play at Backyard Adventures with Kari and her boys. Hayden and Will had a great time crawling all around, swinging, and playing with the balls. It is the coolest place. They sell huge wooden backyard playground equipment. They let kids come in and play everyday in their showroom. They even have a party room with a microwave so you can bring your lunch in.
When we got home I put Hayden down for his nap. He was wired and not interested in taking a nap. I heard him talking and rolling around for a while. Then I went in to check on him and noticed 3 things laying on the floor. His binky, giraffe blankie, and his DIAPER! I was shocked. I expected to see the first two but was absolutely surprised to see the third! Hayden loved the freedom. He was running, and rolling around in his crib squealing and laughing.
Thursday was a rainy day. We went over to Kari's. Kari's mother-in-law picked up Charlie for the day. Hayden and Will had a great time playing together with all of Will's new toys he got for his birthday. It is so fun watching them play and interact now that they are older.
Yesterday we went grocery shopping. It is another rainy and HUMID day! I am so ready to see the sun and get some windows open. Then temps have cooled down but the humidity is so high it is miserable.
Today I am going to a book party. Joey is finishing his final. Then he starts his new class tomorrow. My parents are coming here today to visit a friend in the hospital. Then we are all going to a folk festival. It should be a good time. The sun is shining finally and we are excited to get out and enjoy the not rainy weather!
Tomorrow Joey's parents are coming for a visit.
Have a great weekend

No more bottles

It is still hot and HUMID. After dinner tonight Hayden, Joey, and I went to the park. We had a fun time. We have a nice little park a few blocks from our house. We had some errands to run so we stopped at the park on our way so Hayden could have some fun. He loves to swing. He likes to stick his hands out in front like he is flying. He tries to grab us when we push him and thinks it is sooo funny. He also loves to climb up the stairs on the play equipment and go down the slides. We played for a while and then headed out to run our errnads. We had a great time!
Today was our first official day without a bottle. Hayden did great. So I guess it is nor more bottles for us. Yippee. It does mean that we get up earlier now. Hayden used to get up at 6:30 for a bottle and would most likely go back to sleep. This morning he was up at 6:45 and rearing to go. He was yawning at 7:30 but I managed to keep him up until 8:30.
We had a few spills the last few days. Hayden was speed crawling the other day and fell right on his mouth. His teeth cut his lip. There was a lot of blood but not to much damage. Then the next night he did the same thing. This time it sliced his lip slightly. His new thing now is to climb everything. He climbs steps, chairs, his high chair, the couch, the gates. Last night he was climbing his bookcase and slipped and cut his lip again! Today we didn't have any lip cuttings. Whew! He is however still clingy and cranky. His 2 lower gums are pretty swollen, and I think I can feel his bottom 2 molars getting ready to push through. So I guess I would be cranky as well with 4 molars on the move.

Attack of the Molars!

Will was more interested in his balloon string
Why is everyone staring at me?

Last night we discovered the reason that Hayden has been a little on the cranky side. He is getting his two top first molars. Those molars are pretty pointy and large. No wonder he is in pain! He lower gums are pretty swollen as well so I am guessing the bottom 2 first molars are going to work themselves out any day now.
We had a fun and relaxing weekend. Friday we hung out and I finished finding new places for all of the displaced items from the dishwasher instillation. Since I was in the mood I am still in the process of cleaning out and downsizing the remaining cupboards. We grilled yummy kabobs for dinner. For some reason we haven't grilled that much this year. After Hayden went to bed, Joey and I hung out and talked for a while and watched tv. It has been a long time since we have been able to do that. It was son nice.
Saturday Hayden and I ran errands while Joey finished his homework. Saturday night we went to Will's first birthday party. The rain stopped just in time for the grass to dry out so all of the kids could enjoy the backyard. Hayden had a blast playing in their sandbox, playhouse, and swinging. Will was not that interested in his cake. He got his fingers in it but had no desire to eat it.
Today Joey went into work for a couple of hours. I did laundry and played with Hayden. It is soooo humid today but I am trying not to turn on the air. I am tired of bing cooped up in the house with the air on. I seem to get a lot more accomplished around the house when I have the windows open. It is raining now so maybe it will cool things off.
Hayden learned a new sign. He now can sign more. He has all done mastered and can now apply it to the correct circumstances. When he does more it kind of looks more like a clap. He is still working on getting those fingertips to meet! He is also crawling around like a bandit but is showing no interest in walking. He will cruise around the furniture, but if I try to walk with him he isn't interested. He would much rather speed crawl to where he needs to go than walk with my help.
We are also working on some words with Hayden. He can say ball and associates it with a ball. We are working on bow wow. Be says bow wow but if I say bow wow wow he will say bow wow and then do the Indian call (put his hand to his mouth and move it back and forth so it sounds like wow wow wow). It is pretty funny! He is also into imitating facial expressions. He likes to wrinkle up his nose and have us copy it. He and his dad do the Indian call all of the time. We are trying to teach him la la la. He can do it but his tongue movements aren't that graceful. His tongue moves in and at slowly and flops everywhere. Hmm I need to get the video camera out tonight and capture this. I always think I will remember every little sound and movement of his, but I know I will have a hard time remembering as the months and years fly by.