Hayden's 6 month photo session

Well, we are movin' and groovin'. It seems that seven months snuck up on us a little quicker than we anticipated. That pesky thing called time never really knows the appropriate moments to speed up and when to slow down. Lately it's been going all too fast. It hit me the hardest this week as I fed him his first green beans. GREEN BEANS!! You heard me right? It was *real* food. "Big boy" food. And honestly, I got weepy. You stupid green bean. You made momma get all teary eyed....


But with that time has also come a whole new perspective. I remember feeling so lost when I brought Hayden home from the hospital. I was convinced that my life as I knew it was over. And of course, life "as I knew it" was over. But I never anticipated the life ahead of that and all I would learn. For instance, the knowledge I would aquire knowing that if he stops dead in his tracks from a happy nonchalant playtime into a massive screaming fit around 10am, he's ready for a nap. The childlike curiosity I would remember from watching him in the tub reach for the water stream from the faucet to ensure that, for the hundreth time, he can still put his hand through it. The innocence he exhibits when he pulls every piece of paper off the coffee table onto the floor and then proceeds to flash a big proud grin combined with a full hearted belly laugh. Or learning that love is so deep, that he can be almost passed out asleep on my shoulder at night, but instantly wide awake in awe and smiles when he hears his daddy walk through the door from work. And all those moments far exceed the life I lived before.



All that in a short 7 months. I love this kid.



So I celebrated this passing of time and the first half year of his life by taking him to get his pictures taken. The photographer will never exactly understand what she has given me, but it's such a precious gift. It's a moment in time that I will never forget.


So here's to half a year, and here's a few samples from his day:



Hayden's business casual






My little bear





In his Aggie overalls that daddy got him





Just missing his cup of coffee and a news paper (yes, that's me behind him)





His first album cover (c:





Mommy, pa-pa-pa-lease.... (Sure, whatever you want!!)

Haybear

You got a little something right..there...

The Easter Bunny is coming!

Who needs long lines at the mall when you can find the Easter bunny right in your home? Hayden and I had a little impromtu photo session the other day. I found these oversized Easter eggs at Michaels and a pair of bunny ears at CVS and wha la! Instant bunny! It's like sugar, sparkles, and rainbows all exploding at once! (Warning: This bunny is known to cause giggles, squeals, and smiles. Use at your own risk. Eggs sold seperately)

We have also lately discovered a new joy. This joy is called Bath Time. Hayden LOVES to splish and splash. I had to stop using his infant tub because he would get so excited about the water, it would require a half hour of clean up after the event was over. So we have started using the Big Boy tub. He loves his bath toys and splashing everywhere.

And let me tell you, this kid is not lacking in the bath tub toys thanks to his Auntie Em. He has duckies, whales, seahorses, frogs, dolphins, and even a tug boat! YES! A TUG BOAT! And in the words of his daddy, "You can't have bathtime without a tug boat." Although, the tug boat and I have a love hate relationship. It had a 4:30am port time the other morning waking me straight up from a deep sleep. I guess the makers of the Bubble Bath Express Tug didn't think to make a muted horn. And for the record, if the tug boat has an offshore disaster and dissapears, I had nothing to do with it...

Irish baby!

Kisses to all the Irish babies! No pinches! Love, Hayden

L.O.V.E.

In the world of "Mommyhood" I am learning that some days/weeks are easier than other. It's a vicious cycle, but definitely continuous. The one constant thing in parenthood is knowing nothing is constant. (Chew on that Pluto...I mean Plato...) But every once in a while, there is that moment in a restaurant when your child is performing his *famous* blood curdling scream while everyone around you is staring and your waitress is out back taking 45 minutes to chop down the tree that she will use to make the paper on which your check will eventually be delivered to your table by mail courier that is hits you. I.DON'T.CARE.

Because the person in the booth across from you giving you the stink eye was NEVER a screaming child in a restaurant. Ever. They were perfect.

And either way it doesn't matter. In a short while, you will have left the restaurant and somewhere between the emergency diaper change, the drool covered hand that landed right on your eye, and the injured foot from the baby toy casualty in the middle of the hall way, your baby flashes you that smile....Oh that smile. It's a golden smile. One that is so genuine and pure, you can't imagine loving anything as much as that baby in that moment right there. Glorious little chubby cheeks and beaming eyes that are all for you. All the restaurant hoopla is such a distant memory. It's just you and your baby loving each other.

And that magical moment sustains you. It recharges you.

Even though you are exhausted...





Sometimes I wonder if it's harder to be the baby or the parent...

Videos!!

I know what you're thinking. How can you leave me this long without a Hayden update? It's sad I know, but we have been busy! Regardless, Hayden is still growing so fast and his little social life is getting full. We dart here and there and play all day long. I am loving this new phase in his life. 6 months is an amazing time. Being a mommy is so fulfilling and I just love hanging out with my little man! Here's a few videos of Hayden in the past couple of days.

Hayden thinks his Uncle James is hilarious!



Hayden being an "Assistant" at my moms office. He's so handy with the paper work.



We promise a real update soon! But for now, nap time is over and we must get back to playtime!