God's Timing

Hey, all, I'll make this brief. I'm stressing, overwhelmed, and exhausted. The girl we had been talking to about keeping Hayden has just disappeared. They moved to the Coast last Friday and we haven't heard a word. I don't know if they just don't have internet yet or what, but now school starts next Wednesday and we need childcare. David assures me God has it in His timing, but really? I mean, He does, but why are we to this point and things are back where we were months ago? I have to be at work by 6:45, and getting a baby up, fed, dressed, and ready to go by that time is not going to happen easily. Which is why this chick coming to our house was ideal. Now she's not returning any of our messages. So I don't know what to do. Mom can't lift him and it would be so much better to have someone come to our home. I just want to cry. David doesn't understand my reaction, but it all has me in such a tizzy. I don't want to leave Hayden in the first place, but now not to know who he will be with?

He keeps growing and growing and growing...

Our little energizer baby! Hayden at 3 months. He's huge and so expressive!

Grand Pictures

Pictures from our crazy weekend at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, AL. I didn't get too many because of our zany schedule, but these are from our barbecue on the pier and our room.
July 24-25, 2009
Hayden, 3 months old

The Grand and the Peas

David got sent to a "networking" type shindig this weekend at The Grand Hotel in Fairhope, AL. We're talking rooms that start at like $300 a night, and we didn't pay a cent for anything! Our room itself wasn't anything grand (pardon the pun), but the grounds were ah-stinking-mazing. We unfortunately didn't get to partake of the pool because of a wedding vow renewal ceremony David was in for his brother Saturday. So here's how our weekend went:

Friday-
David: work
Me: work in classroom; then come home to visit with his mom (who stayed at our house while we were gone), finish packing, and get the kiddo ready.

Then we headed to the rehearsal which ran late; thus we were late getting to the hotel. David had a meet-and-greet he needed to attend, but he was fashionably late. Hayden and I actually got to go with him and partake of some fantastic food. The dessert table would have blown your socks off. So then we headed back to the room with a sleepy baby and slept.

Saturday-
Slept in some, then booked it back to the Coast for David to get ready for pictures. Had the wedding, which also started late. David needed to be at a meeting at 5, but we didn't get back to the resort until 6:15! Then we had a wonderful "upscale" barbecue on one of the piers. Hayden loved the wind and the water. That's when we tried peas for the first time. I wished I had captured his face on film. The boy loves sweet potatoes, but definitely not peas! So we used only old faithful that night for supper. We'll try peas again another time. Supper was fantastic; there were also 2 weddings taking place. I don't even want to know what a wedding at The Grand costs! Let's see: Hayden started getting fussy just as we finished eating, so to let David work his magic with the other guys, the kiddo and I took a stroll back to the room.

The grounds are just so inviting and intimate. We definitely want to go back when we can go just the 2 of us. Hayden loved all of the new sights and sounds though. There's an agenda for every day: they were even showing a movie in the pool Saturday night! Check this place out: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptlal-grand-hotel-marriott-resort-golf-club-and-spa/

Go if you ever get the chance! I took a few pictures that I'll have to put up sometime. It was just so great to get a mini-vacation before school starts and not cost us anything!

Sweet Potatoes!

A few pictures of Hayden enjoying one of his new favorite foods: sweet potatoes! (Okay, so it's the only food other than breastmilk he's had, but still, he LOVES them!)

First attempt at solids, Sunday evening, July 19, 2009. Did super with the spoon.

Daddy feeding Hayden sweet potatoes for the first time, Wed., July 22, 2009. First time in his high chair. Loved the seat, hated the seat tray! Sent him into a tailspin when David tried to put it on.

Enjoying supper!

Checking out Daddy and enjoying the conversation about the dog we're getting. (I'll blog about that another time!)

Solid Foods

I've debated publishing this blog for many reasons, and we'll see if those reasons hold true once this is out there.

For the past 2 nights we've given Hayden "solid" food; well, as solid as Stage 1 baby food can get! We started with sweet potatoes, and he loves them! David and I debated whether to wait another month or give it a go already. After research and my mother's intuition, we decided it would be fine to try it out. He does great with the spoon and meets the requirements we kept finding for starting solids: assisted sitter, double birth weight, moves tongue back and forth, etc. The only problem is that I can't feed him fast enough! Yes, I'm still nursing and we're only trying solids at night right now. We'll stick with sweet potatoes for a few more days to see if he develops any allergy, then we'll move to another vegetable. I hear babies tend to love butternut squash!

Hayden can't wait til he's mobile. I'm sure you wonder how I know that, but I just do. If someone else has him and he sees me, he lunges for me. If you're assisting him in sitting up, he can and will pull himself up to a sitting position. He may not last long there, but he can do it. Hayden has also somewhat found his hands; no idea he has feet yet! But it's fun to watch him catch sight of his hands and realize they're there. He's also strong! If you're holding him he'll push off of you and lean back and move until he's where he wants to be. Oh, and talk about verbal! He never stops! I LOVE IT!

Advice

I simply need to get something off my chest quickly.

Sometimes advice goes too far, and it simply becomes nagging. I'm not even talking about baby advice right now, either! I won't reveal too much because too many people read my blog who would make this a bigger deal or what-have-you, so I'll just leave it at that.

On another note, yes, my son is a beast. He's big. But he has been from the start. He's not overeating anymore (going anywhere from 3-4 hours between feedings) and he's long and solid. He's perfect. I'm so sick of my grandmother saying we might need to put him on a diet. I think she's just kidding and making conversation, but Hayden is just fine. He's healthy, happy, and wonderful. Yes, he has a double chin, but do the same people need to make a point to remark about it every time they see him? He's beautiful, and the "extra" will begin disappearing as he starts crawling. Sigh.

He's starting to discover his hands and feet. It's so fun to watch!

And on a final note, this cross-dressing man addressed me in Wal-Mart today. He was odd. And a little scary. He wasn't ashamed to be who he is, but I hate that that is what he feels he is. Did that sentence make any sense?

Okay, enough rambling. My son needs to play. Bye, all!

Family Pics

Before my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew flew back to CA, we were able to grab a few pictures of all of us. We had planned to take formal pictures, but time just didn't work out. So enjoy these!

Hayden (11 weeks) and Gabe (3)

4 generations

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Us!

Seeing Myself in Another

It's amazing how you see yourself in your children. I notice different features in Hayden that tie him to David and to me (and even to other family members! Generational traits.) Above all, I just find him to be a beautiful boy and I love to look at my son!

What I've Learned...

Dear Hayden,

In the nearly 3 months you have filled our arms and our home, you have taught me a great deal. You have filled our hearts and our lives for far longer than 3 months, and that time before we held you was spent in anticipation, excitement, anxiety, and preparation.

You have taught me that the most well-intended advice does not always work.

You have taught me that you can sense my presence in a room before I even speak to you or before you see me.

You have taught me that I can pick you up from behind and you immediately know it's mommy.

You have taught me how to soothe and calm you, usually just by speaking your name or by touching you.

You have taught me that you know ultimate security when in my arms.

You have taught me that the going to bed process can take 2+ hours.

You have taught me how to create songs on the spot and how to include your name in some fashion in each one.

You have taught me how to make myself look like the biggest goofball when entertaining, soothing, and loving on you.

You have taught me that watching you sleep is better than any television show.

You have taught me that you need me more than I ever imagined and that my simply leaving the room you're in (even if daddy is holding you) can cause panic.

You have taught me a completely new and different routine, one in which some days I might not get a shower and others in which you need my comfort all day long.

You have taught me how to survive on limited sleep, and in many cases, just how few hours I can get and still be sociable.

You have taught me how to know the greatest frustration and most satisfying joy in the same moment.

You have taught me that feeding you can take much longer than I ever expected, was told, or could have imagined. (Thankfully, this has drastically changed!)

You have taught me that the worst moment, hour, and day can be brightened by a toothless smile or happy giggle from you. (And that things are never as bad as I really believe they are.)

You have taught me that I am just beginning to see how much I will sacrifice for you and because of you, and that every last sacrifice is worth it. I would give my life for you.

You have taught me that it doesn't matter how I look; you love to stare at me and follow my every move.

You have taught me that your coos and giggles and yells are the sweetest soundtrack.

You have taught me what I can and can no longer eat; ie., pizza and homemade tacos.

You have taught me just how heavy the lightest carseat becomes when filled with your solid 16 lb. frame!

You have taught me that I have more patience than I realized.

You have taught me the mommy look!

You have taught me that you don't care how superficial, jealous, and petty I can be. In many ways, you have helped change these unattractive traits of mine.

You have taught me just how quickly time passes.

Son, you have taught me all this and much more. I am not an expert, nor will I ever be. Thankfully, you are forgiving, resilient, and as in love with me as I am with you. I learn something new every day with you. I pray you never stop teaching me as I seek to guide, mold, teach, and help shape you. You are so special and you are so loved, and I do my best to tell you both of these multiple times a day. I hope you know this.

Love,
Mommy

Camera Happy

See? I told you I've been camera happy! Hayden doesn't like to pose so I take what I can get!

Happy 4th!

This post is a little belated for a few reasons: 1. I needed to get a few pictures and 2. life has been incredibly busy. My grandparents from south TX were just here, and my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew are currently here from CA. My nephew Gabe turned 3 June 30 and we celebrated with a Thomas the Train birthday party at Martin Lake on July 3. It was pretty doggone hot, by the way.

Hayden's first 4th was pretty uneventful. We spent the majority of the day at home, then ventured to some friends' home that evening. The fireworks didn't really bother Hayden; he's not rattled easily.

I really just wanted to post some recent pictures. I've been very camera-happy lately! Trying to capture every moment before I go back to school and lose those 8+ hours with him every day. That thought has made me want to cry since he was born! He's definitely a momma's boy!

My pimp hat for the lake and Gabe's birthday party!

Hanging out with daddy and cousin Gabe.

Hayden had to lose the clothes after awhile. It was just too hot for my baby!

Hayden's first alone time with Uncle Danny.

It's Aunt Erin!

Chatting it up with cousin Gabe. Me in the rocker and him in his Cars chair. He's definitely the light to my dark! Total opposites!

Mystery Date

Last Thursday (July 2) was the 4th anniversary of David's and my first date. And yes, we celebrated it. We have pretty much celebrated this anniversary every year because as my husband says "that was the summer that changed my [his] life." He's right, of course. I rocked his world--for both good and bad! He planned the entire evening, even arranging a sitter without my knowledge. I was simply told to be ready at 5.

Let me take you back to our very first date quickly: it was an event I planned to simply "get over with" since I was preparing for my senior year at MC and was not looking for a relationship. So I gave David one date. I had never been on a date or held hands with a guy or anything. I was 21 at the time. David arranged a great first date---we went to New Orleans for a dinner riverboat cruise. That was excellent. Then we went to Cafe du Monde for beignets. I had never been there. Keep in mind how close I live to NO and had never been to CDM? I know, I know. The only issue that night was that his car kept trying to overheat and we got caught up in traffic for the Essence Festival. Fun, hot times!

So for this date, David had planned to take me to a place called Felix's in Spanish Fort, AL. Unfortunately, there was an accident in the Mobile tunnel so plans changed. We were NOT moving in traffic. So after trying to find a way around (which was impossible), David made a phone call and we attempted Plan B. Plan B (which had originally been Plan A but then changed to Felix's) was Ruth's Chris. This was quite yummy. I don't know how to describe it. My steak was the purest beef I had ever eaten. I don't know that I want to just run out and eat here again too soon, but it was delicious. Due to traffice, we ran out of time to do much of anything else in Mobile except hit Babies 'R Us before getting back home. We just couldn't pass up a chance to look at stuff for baby boy! It was a wonderful evening, and my thoughtful husband took care of all the details! Yea!