I love my kid. He fills my whole heart.

Places I didn't even know that love could exist, he finds those spots and fills them as well.

And he does it all without even trying. Hayden, you are so precious to me.



Oh yea, kid. You've got it alright.

I also love Adam. Or better yet, I *lurve* him. He puts that tingly feeling in my heart.

And just when I get caught up in reality, a busy day, a tired moment, he brings that rush of love right back to me.

Thank you for loving our boy so unconditionally.

You guys are my whole world. I love you both.

Summertime

On the 4th of July:

Ever since I was a little girl, the month of July has always been a magical time for me. I love the 4th of July more than Christmas and Easter combined. And that's saying a lot. The two holidays you are guaranteed a present or two (or three? chocolate bunny? Who loves me?) and I'd trade it all in for the "non present" holiday anytime. It's just such a magical celebration. It's a time of togetherness and warm memories that fill up your heart with that happy tingly feeling. It's the sun on your shoulders and the warm glow of it's after sheen on your skin. It's the creamy white topping on a cupcake specially decorated in raspberry red and blueberry blue. It's the cold pucker of a lime margarita that send small chills down your spine as you settle in to relax. It's the refreshing burst of water around your skin as you splash into a cool pool to revive your sun kissed skin. It's the glow of a sparkler in your hand as you lounge on sizzling hot pavement still warm hours after the sun has set. It's the excitment of a pop-and-boom when a colorful firework twinkles in the night sky as it lights up mother earth for a hint of the beauty the morning light will bring. And that my friends, makes July something special. So that's how we celebrated. With baby pool water, sun splashed skin, and cold drinks. I was so excited to share the 4th of July with Hayden this year. Can't wait to share many more with him.

On the rest of July:

It's been a wonderful July thus far, especially so since we've had Adam home. Hayden and I get by while he's gone, but it's nothing compared to having him home. There's something magical about hearing your little boy squeal and giggle while his daddy talks to him in his "Chewbaca" voice during a diaper change. I never knew diaper changes could elicit so much joy. And it's beyond amazing to watch your child do something for the first time together. A few days ago he started pulling up on furniture. We both just turned to each other and popped the "how did we get so lucky" grin. It's the grin you try to hide, but you just can't contain it when it takes over your face. You beam like a complete idiot. But we know we are completely, totally, and indescribably lucky to have Hayden in our lives. He's something we don't deserve and we can't explain how we were chosen to be his parents. Lucky us. Lucky Lucky us. But when Adam is home, we have our complete little family of 3 1/2. (We love the cat too). And it's perfect. So here's to you, July, for giving us family time.

And that's how we do July here in Aledo Texas y'all. Yeehaw.

Oh little blog. This has been a day. It's been one of those days where not only do you loose your mind, your sunglasses, your car keys, and your sanity, but you also loose your child...repeatedly....




And that same missing child also manages to get into every nook and cranny in your home, leaving behind his little trail of hot pink terror...



And that oh so "colorful" child celebrates that victory with multiple fists full of peas throw on the floor in confetti fashion


But it's ok little blog. Because I can leave it all here, all the exhaustion and stress. And I can remember just how lucky I am to be following that precious little mess around all day, because even through it all, he's so wonderfully perfect to me.

Goodnight little blog. Momma's sleepy.

Oh the places we shall go

Oh my stars. Hayden is crawling. Well, let me be honest. That's a bit of an over statement. He doesn't actually crawl in the conventional sense. No, my little creative baby does a hop, skip, leap. It looks cute and tiring all at the same time. It does, however, get him places and it makes him a very happy little man. Now when the toy elephant with the red bird on it's back and wheels for legs takes off across the living room play mat with it's zebra, hippo, and giraffe in tow, he flashes a smile that says, "Ah ha, elephant. I shall follow you into your musical jungle and bring with me my slobber stained hands to stop you in your tracks." (No elaboration there...)

The only down fall to his newly found frog abilities is that I find myself about 70% 99.9% of the time following him in his little trail of terror. And oh the places he will go.

Getting into presents that are *shock* not for him...

or finding mommy's personal belonging for her under the couch

Or deciding that he just HAD to watch the newest episode of Glee

Or running off to play peek-a-boo

Yes, my little adventurous man is into everything. And as tired as I am running around all day trying to keep up.... keep exploring little man. You have the whole world at your fingertips.

But I must say, nothing...absolutely nothing is better than the fact that he loves to chase the cat.

And now I present to you...the stand off

*Ooohhh whooo ow whooo ooow*

*Wha wha wha*

(tumble weed rolls)

*Oooohh whooo ow whooo ooow*

*wha wha WHAAA*

It's a western showdown y'all...

(100 bonus points to the person who understood that and is currently humming it in their head)

Maybe I should have titled this the rear end post, since that is apparently all you see. So here you go, his sweet face



Peas, love and carrots. Until we blog again.

Adam

Happy Birthday, Adam. You are such an amazing father. Every time this little boy sees you, that smile lights up and I know he loves his daddy. I am amazed every passing day by how much our little man looks and acts just like you. I know he will turn out to be the most incredible person having someone like you to lead him in life. I never could have dreamed to have had a sweeter baby and a sweeter man. We love you so much.

It's very late and I am exhausted. Tonight, I will not get much sleep either. My body hurts and my brain needs a recharge. The thought of the morning is the most dreaded thing to phathom right now.






But then I remembered...





I get to wake up this face...





And suddenly morning can't get here fast enough...

As a new parent, I am beginning to think a lot about the future. I wonder everytime we start something new if I am doing the right thing in Hayden's best interest. So far, he seems to be a happy baby, but I know I am not perfect and there will be mistakes. I also know that someday, in the far...Far...FAR distant future (ok, maybe not so far) when my little baby grows up, he will make those choices and decisions for himself. But for now, I will continually strive to choose the paths for him that will further him in life.

But still those questions emerge about what he will do: Will he play T-ball like mommy hopes or football like daddy? Will he be kind to people and understand compassion? Will he be the sweet gentleman his daddy is? Will he answer the great question, "What came first the chicken or the egg"? Will he travel the world and be famous? Will he climb Mount Everest? Will he like the mountains and being an Aggie like we are conditioning him to be? (c: Or will he break our hearts and go to t.u.? I don't know what the future holds and what my child will choose to do, but for now, we are exploring some options...

Like whether or not engineering is in his future, as he figures out how to arrange and solve puzzles that are far beyond my understanding.




And trying out motivational speaking, where he can challenge people to change their lives for the better.

Maybe he might become a concernt pianist. Johann Von Hayden...He does have German heritage...

Or play in a rock and roll band!!!! ROCK FOR LIFE!

We also dabble from time to time in fashion. The kid has always loved blue. Dolce and Baby anyone?

Maybe he will be a comedian and have everyone in fits...well, he already does that for mommy!

And let's just hope he doesn't become a nudist...

Well whatever he does, I just hope he continues to be this sweet boy I know him to be. I love you little man. You rock my whole world!