Bragging A Bit...

So, for those of you who are parents, I'm sure that you completely understand the the definition and frequency of worrying. Worrying about your child's development, behavior, personality, health, safety...etc.

Being Hayden's mommy has been the best and most rewarding gift I could have ever hoped to recieve. He's smart, he's funny, he's handsome...(I'm partial)...overall, he's absolutely perfect. HOWEVER, I do worry about how others perceive him and how a NON-partial party thinks he's developing, behaving, etc.

While we lived in KS, I had attempted to enroll Hayden in the Parents as Teachers program, but at the time they were full and we weren't able to get in. So, when we moved here, I contacted them immediately and got him signed up right away. Basically, what the program is for is to evaluate your child to see how he/she is progressing in various areas, and then to give us, as parents, suggestions on how to improve, on what we should be watching for, and what we should be expecting. We had our 2nd meeting with our "teacher" today...Miss Shauna...and it went very well. She sat and talked to Hayden quite a bit, was equiped with some fun (homemade) games, and asked Jason and I lots of questions about what Hayden is doing. She said, many times, how advanced his speech and vocabulary are, she said that she could see what a great imagination he has, that his motor skills are advanced, along with knowing his numbers, the letters that he does know, and how advanced his attention span is for his age. We are so proud of our little scholar...and are excited to know, that while I'm sure we tend to see mostly the positives, it's not going unnoticed by others either!!!

It's Not Exactly Huck Finn

Jason and I have always encouraged reading with Hayden...in fact, the reading started before he was even born. We ALWAYS spend at LEAST 30 minutes per day reading him stories, we spend LOTS of time at the library, and we're constantly suggesting that he go and "read" a book on his own...and we're always thrilled when he listens. HOWEVER, the other day when I suggested that he grab a book and read for awhile...this isn't exactly the type of reading material I had meant...but sure enough, when I walked in the room, this is what I found...

This kid is always good for a laugh or two!!!! Aren't you proud Aunt Haley?!?!?

Hayden's 1st Ginger Bread Hizzay!

Actually, this was my first attempt at a ginger bread house as well, so I was a bit nervous about it. My friend Jeannie told me that she got a "kit" that had the house already put together, so when I saw that mine was still in pieces, I was very nervous about my ability. It was very simple though, and I really didn't have any problems with the structure itself. We had attempted to wait until Daddy was around to help, but with Hayden being sick again, and us being stuck in the house, we needed to have a "project" to keep us busy!!! I was so proud of Hayden's decorating abilities...he was concentrating SO hard on this, and was really trying to do his best...and I think it shows!

...And the Title of Best Friend Goes To...

Hayden has been on a kick lately with the title of "best friend". It started out with Daddy being his "best friend forever", and would sometimes leak over to me...also being his, "best friend forever". Eventually Uncle Brandyn was thrown into the mix, along with my Grandpa, and of course his buddy Michael. His most recent "best friend" recieved the title this week, and just happens to be his pediatrician and my ob, Dr. Morris. Since we've moved to Liberty, Hayden has really enjoyed our visits to see Dr. Morris, and I always crack up when we pull into her parking lot because he insists on believing that we've arrived at, "Dr. Morris' house".

Well, the other day, we had to take Hayden to see Dr. Morris because of a cold, and he was thrilled. He grabbed his Santa ring and said that he HAD TO put it in his pocket to keep it safe so that he could take it and show his, "best friend, Dr. Morris". Sure enough, when we got to the office, he showed her, but I'm the one who had to relay that she has recieved this (not) very prestigious title. I was watching Hayden as I was telling the story, and he started to get really shy...and when I was finished, he stated, "Umm...I need to go to another room...I'm not feeling very well.", while he rubbed his tummy. What a goofball.

Our Pregnant Christmas!!!

My friend Jeannie and I always kid that we live parallel lives...here's some proof...both pregnant and glowing for Christmas this year...and we're both expecting little boys!!! We hope that they will grow up best buddies, just like Michael and Hayden!! When this was taken I was 29 weeks along, and Jeannie was 23. I can't wait to sit around and relax with Jeannie while we watch our 4 boys play together...now, if we could only figure out how to live a bit closer!!!

3 Hours Apart...But Still Best Buddies!!!

Camping...IN Bass Pro Shop!!!

While visiting Bass Pro Shop's Christmas Village, we came across this cute tent and sleeping bag combo!!! Hayden got SO excited and climbed right in...sure hope Santa was watching!!

St. Nick Came!

Peeking to see what's out there...

Wow!!! Look Mommy...The Grinch!!!

Ooooo...Stickers!!!
Happy St. Nick's Day!!!

Growing up, my mom and I always (well, almost always) celebrated St. Nick's Day. Basically what this meant to me was-we put our shoes outside of our door (or next to it, depending on the weather) when we went to bed and when we woke-up there was a little something in it...usually candy or a small gift...sometimes even oranges or tangerines. It was never a HUGE deal, but a fun little tradition...that was occassionally forgotten. One that stands out in my mind is the year that our shoes had to stay inside, and my trinket was some yummy chocolate. The only problem with that was...we had a puppy...poor Muffee got a tummy full of chocolate that year (she was fine)...and while she wasn't thoughtful enough to share, at least we had lots of laughs.

In our house, we've kept up the tradition...only, instead of doing candy or oranges, we all either get a movie that we've been wanting...or a CD (typically Christmas themed)...we typically also get Hayden a little game or toy of some sort as well. It's always fun way to wake-up that one day of the year...

By the way...here's a little background on St. Nick's Day:

In many places St. Nicholas is the main gift giver. His feast day, St. Nicholas Day, is December 6, which falls early in the Advent season. Some places he arrives in the middle of November and moves about the countryside, visiting schools and homes to find out if children have been good. Other places he comes in the night and finds carrots and hay for his horse or donkey along with children's wish lists. Small treats are left in shoes or stockings so the children will know he has come.
Where St. Nicholas is prominent, his day, not Christmas, is the primary gift giving day. Parties may be held on the eve, December 5th, and shoes or stockings left for St. Nicholas to fill during the night. Children will find treats of small gifts, fruit or nuts, and special Nicholas candies and cookies. St. Nicholas gifts are meant to be shared, not hoarded for oneself.

Songs with Santa

Just listening to the Christmas Carols
The boys...entranced...

Santa..."rockin' up" on his guitar!

Hayden and I spends lots of time at our library, and were really excited to find out that Santa was going to be there...at night...so Daddy could join us!!! This was our first encounter with the jolly man this year, and just like last year...Hayden didn't want to get too close. Maybe next year!!

A Snowman Family

Even though we only got a dusting of snow, the boys managed to make good use of it...and build a snow family of 4!!! Notice that the Mommy snowman has 5 balls...hmmm....

Snowball Fight!!!

Hayden's 1st Snow Angel!!!

Meet Hayden's Baby Brother!!!

Bundled Up for Our 1st Snow!!!

We woke-up this morning to a great surprise...SNOW!!! Hayden looked out the window and was absolutely amazed...and of course...couldn't wait to get out in it! His first comment was, "I want to make a snow angel Mommy!!". Sadly, Mommy and Daddy weren't quite prepared for a fun-in-the-snow-day, so we quickly jumped in the shower and headed directly to Target to purchase the essentials...boots and snowpants! Thankfully they had his size in both, so we were set!

We made it home, and Daddy quickly got Hayden ready for his big adventure!! Thinking back, while this is Hayden's 3rd winter, we don't think we had actually ever taken him out to PLAY in the snow before today...so this was a BIG deal!!!

Anyway, after MUCH preparation, Hayden was ready to go...and I was able to snag my camera for a few pictures on their way out the door!

Playin' with Daddy!

Shootin' Some Hoops-I think this is considered traveling!

Kickin' Butt in Candyland!

Huntin' Bears
Dunkin' Hayden

An Illegal "Steal"

Funny Laughing Hayden!!!

Finally Wearing His Mickey Ears!!

Lighting the Tree in Liberty

The town where we live had a tree lighting ceremony...soooo...even though it was frigid outside, we decided to bundle up and brave the cold to watch the festivities. I have to say, Jason and I were a bit underwhelmed, but we were able to meet up with our friends Leslie, Izzy and Mary (poor Ty and Jim were sitting in the car warming up), so Hayden had a great time playing with the girls. It was too darn cold for me to keep taking off my mittens to pull out the camera, so this is the only shot I got...King Tut sipping his hot chocolate!!