Two subjects for the day.

First Subject

The Great Outdoors:

Never seen a kid love them as much as Hayden. I walk to the door and turn the knob, the kid comes flying across the room from whatever trouble making he was in, arms flailing like a wild monkey, screaming like a old fighter jet coming for battle. God help the person who mistakenly realizes they no longer want to go outside and shuts the door. Infant meltdown is what we like to call not-so-fun. I swear he can sometimes even sense when you are *thinking* about taking him outside, similar to a house pet. Not that I'm comparing children to animals....

I do try to get Hayden outside as often as we are able to. Dishes pile, laundry lingers, and cheerios are repeatedly being smashed into the floor, but there's always time for an backyard play date in Hayden's world. Who needs a clean house when you aren't ever in it?

But let me say, I am working on my punting skills. Hayden has been patient with mommy for now, but I sense those days are fading....

And for the record, I've met the neighbors: Donna and Stephen. They are nice. Luckily they have a 10 year old, so they return our lost yard toys.

Second Subject

Hayden's Daddy

Hayden is a super sweet little guy. I am a very lucky mom. I get little kisses and hugs all throughout my day. They are the sweetest form of a pay check I could ever have asked for. I have all the riches in life with this job.

His sweet disposition shouldn't come as much of a surprise to me though. After all, half of his DNA comes from the fountain of sweet hearts, his dad. I wish I could really put to words how amazing my husband is. I've never seen a man love the way he does. He fell into fatherhood so naturally.

I can remember the day we left the hospital after Hayden was born. I was so scared out of my mind having this new little life to care for. Becoming a mom for me was more of a learning process and most things "baby" were incredibly frightening. I wasn't a natural in the slightest. We gathered up our take home items, overnight bags, cards, balloons, blankets, pacifiers, and baby paraphernalia onto a little cart to bring to the car. We buckled Hayden into his carrier and buzzed for our nurse to come with the discharge papers. We waited. And waited. And waited...

Twenty minutes later, we still had not heard from our nurse. It was at this point that Hayden decided he was not the biggest fan of his car seat and Mommy decided she was not the biggest fan of being at the hospital. A few squirms later, Hayden was in full on screaming tears and Mommy was soon to follow. Adam quickly scooped up our little man in the carrier with one hand, gently swinging it back and forth until Hayden was calm and the other hand was rubbing my back reassuring me that everything was going to be ok...

I had fallen in love with Adam well before that day, but I stumbled off a cliff at that moment. There's something to say about a man who is caring for both his child and partner at the same time, all while he himself was being propelled into the uncharted territory of parenting. My cup has been overflowing ever since that day.

Adam, you are my love and my hero. I hope you always know that.

Thank you for loving our little boy with everything you have.

For all that you are and all that you teach him.

Continue to steer him in the right direction.

He's got every chance in life with the example that you set for him.

I love you both.