Tooth Brush

Now that Hayden has 11 1/2 teeth, it is time for him to start "brushing" them. Normally, while in the bath, I let him chew on a wet wash rag to help get the food off this teeth. He loves this!

On Sunday at the grocery store, I saw the most adorable tooth brush for toddlers and decided to get him one. I knew that he LOVED Blue's Clues so I got him the one with Blue on it. During bath time last night, I took the brush out of the package and handed it to him. His first reaction was to "brush" his hair. I had to laugh at him but then showed him by brushing my teeth with it. He immediately knew what to do and put it in his mouth. He giggled a bit - I guess it tickled his little teeth and gums. From then on, he would chew on it with both sides of his mouth. I was so proud of him. I had to pry it out of his hands when bathtime was over. Next step - put toothpaste on it!

Watermelon and Elmo

Sunday was absolutely beautiful! After Hayden's nap, he got to enjoy some Watermelon and Strawberries. This is the first that he's had Strawberries so we weren't sure if he'd eat them or not. Turns out, he LOVES them!



A new word for Hayden is "Elmo". If you ask him who is on his shoes, he will pull up his leg and look at the bottom of his shoe and say "El-mo". It's too adorable!!!

He has figured out how to climb up the slide as well. He can only get a few inches up on his own and then he turns around and "slides" down to the bottom. He is so proud of himself that he can do it without us.

Shopping

On Saturday, Hayden and I went bridesmaid dress shopping with Nonna, Aunt Beth and Shelby. Our first stop was for lunch at Cracker Barrell. We had a short wait which turned out to be a good thing as Hayden LOVES rocking chairs. He even found a few that were just his size.

Needless to say, taking a toddler shopping can be quite a feat in itself. He wasn't bad by any means, just busy. He was a trooper!

Here's a sample of what the dresses look like...(shhhhhhh)

Mr. Independent

We are trying to teach Hayden to use a spoon or fork with his dinner. Normally he will let us load the spoon and he takes over from there. Half of the time he holds the spoon in one hand and uses the other to take the food out of the spoon and into his mouth.

Ravaoli was the specialty last night which is very messy. He decided that he wanted to do it by himself and did a pretty good job of actually eating off the fork. You would think this wouldn't be as messy but you are incorrect...

Hayden was very insistent on doing it himself - which is fine if we could take him outside and hose him off. As you can see, the ravaoli is ALL over his face and hands. He was even nice enough to rub it in his hair...not a nice look I must add.

His next course was strawberry yogart. Here again he wouldn't let us help him which got rather irritating at first because we are having to "hide" his allergy medicine in the yogart (it's in granules). After a slight wrestling match, he won (surprise, surprise). After a few minutes, he decided that he no longer needed his spoon and threw it on the floor. This was the result.

(He's even got manners - trying to share with me)

Here's my revenge on the mess...


As you can see the picture is sort of blurry. He was too busy rocking out to "the wheels on the bus" for me to get a good picture. The Mohawk worked for Angelina Jolie's son, why not mine?

Clown Noses

As promised a few days ago, here are the photos from Hayden's birthday party. I think the clown noses were a hit!

Climber

Hayden has finally figured out that he can climb up on things now that he is taller. It's amazing to watch him figure things out. You can almost see the little wheels in his head turning.

Monday night I noticed Hayden trying to climb up on his toy box in the living room. I hadn't seen him do this before so it was nice to catch him in the act.

Here is his "dis-mount"...(so careful not to fall)

Ta-Da!

Saturday we attended the funeral for Brian's best friend's grandmother. I wasn't sure how Hayden would do considering he doesn't sit still for ANYTHING. The service started at 2:00pm. Brian was a pallbearer and had to be there at 1:00pm. I packed a bag for Hayden full of things I hoped would keep him occupied: books, Cheez-Its, and juice.

With an hour until the service started, we all wandered in the halls and caught up with family and friends. Hayden did really well! As the services was starting, Hayden and I sat in the back with Thomas' girlfriend (Katherine) near the door for a quick escape if needed. I pulled a book from our bag and opened it up for him to look at. The first thing out of his mouth was "Dog". That wouldn't have been so bad but the entire congragation was silent as the service had started. Brian (seated in the front) nodded his head as he recognized that was Hayden's voice. I quickly turned the page and had forgotten that Hayden knew most of the pictures in the book and proceeded to tell everyone. Done with that book!

After about 10 minutes he started getting ansy. I started shoving Cheez-Its in his hands which pacified him for a few more minutes. I felt bad for Katherine as she had to endure his impatience. After the Cheez-Its, he wanted down. No place for that so I had to make my escape. Once out in the lobby, he walked up and down the hallway and was great. Catastrophe diverted!!!

At the grave site, I stayed in the car with Hayden since it was so hot outside. Brett and Amie's little man, Connor, stayed in with us as well. He is 2 months old and absolutely a cutie! He just talked and cooed at me. He brought back some fun memories of Hayden at that age. The boys are exactly 1 year and 3 days apart. They will have so much fun growing up together!

Happy Birthday Nonna!

(not a fabulous picture as Hayden doesn't like to be still long)

Today is Nonna's birthday! We celebrated last night and had some great family fun. Hayden was on his best behavior and ate like a champ! I'm tellin' you - this medicine is like gold!!!!

Here are a few pics of Hayden's favorite things to do at Nonna's house - play in the cabinets.

Right after dinner, Aunt Beth was chasing Hayden down to get him ready for his bath. As you can see here as well, he doesn't do well with being held much anymore. He is too busy for that.

If you can't tell she is my sister, then you might mistake her for Hayden's mother. Beth was so excited when we were pregnant that you'd have thought it was her child. I think she fell in love with him the moment he was born. Michael (her fiancee) even agrees with that. They both are so good with him and love him dearly. Beth has been a savior many times with being able to stay with him when he was sick and I had to go to work. She has even survived a few "cranky" times with him. Hayden definately loves her!

Owls and Cookies

Normally on the way home from daycare, Hayden looks like this due to playing all day long.

This was not the case yesterday. He has been learning new words and really talking a lot here lately. A few weeks ago we were at a co-worker's house for a cookout and he saw a "bobble-head" owl on the front porch. I pointed to it and said "Owl". He immediately repeated what I said. Throughout the day, he would walk to the door where he could see it and then point to it saying "Owl". Since then, he hasn't said it much even when we see pictures of one in his books.

On the way home from daycare yesterday, he would point out the window and constantly say "Owl". I could get him to repeat a few other words after me but he always went back to "Owl". I have a feeling that learned about them at school or maybe he just likes the way it sounds.

_____________________________

Each morning when I drop off Hayden at daycare, a friend of ours is there with her daughter at the same time. Haylee will be 2 in September and is absolutely the cutest the little thing. She is so petite and quiet. Since she and Hayden are in the same classroom in the mornings and late afternoons, they seem to have drawn quite a cute friendship.

Each morning they sit side by side and share what morning snacks each bring. Hayden is well known for his Mini Rice Cakes which Haylee has come to love. This morning was a special one - Hayden had cookies!! Haylee brought some mini cookies with chocolate on them (along with her Cheerios). She was nice enough to share with Hayden who looked at me and say with his smile "Mommy, she is the coolest! Can I have chocolate cookies every morning?" What could I say to that other than "Of course!" (just don't tell you grandmother who is a dental hygenist).

He was so excited about the cookies, he barely noticed that I had kissed him, wished him a good day, and left. I watched for a few seconds thru the "secret window". He was so happy with the cookies that I don't think he even touched his rice cakes. I could see him taking bites and then nodding his head from side to side like he was singing to himself "I gotta cooookkkieeeeeee, na na na na na na!" And to that I say...bring the kid more cookies!

Hello?

Apparently Hayden has learned a few new things...from where? We aren't sure unless he is really watching us closely (scary). Not only does he mimic our words or sounds but it appears he has learned to hold the phone properly and say "hi".

Last night he found the phone on the couch. He LOVES playing with the phone so if our number shows up on your caller ID, sorry! Anyways...Brian saw him with the phone and said "hello, hello". That must have been his cue to put the phone to his ear and say "Pop" (this is what he calls my dad) over and over and over. It was hilarious!

Exhibit I:

Apparently he was having a pretend conversation with Pop and it was quite funny. He laughed and laughed while he was saying "hi" and "Pop". I totally need to figure out how to get video on this site.

I totally got busted laughing at him and taking his picture. He gave me this look as to say, "Can I help you? I'm on the phone with Pop." I think I laughed even harder at him. He was in such a good mood last night - crazy giggling and running around like a crazy person. I think the pharmacy must have laced something in his allergy medication!

Exhibit II:

Something else Hayden has quickly learned to do....climb on the couch. He has figured out that if he goes to the corner of the couch and gets on the small foot stool, he can climb up. He then proceeds to use the couch as his trampoline until he gets into trouble. He goes to the end of the couch and will sit on the pillows and watch tv or giggle like a crazy man. I'm telling ya...somethings up with his allergy medicine. (Don't you LOVE his Cars jammies?)

Exhibit III: Am I the luckiest mommy or what?!?

Happy Birthday Aunt Lacey

Yesterday was Lacey's birthday (don't kill us for the picture).

Hayden and I didn't get a chance to wish her "Happy Birthday" but we are all celebrating it on Sunday. The picture above is from Hayden's 1st birthday party where the theme was "Jojo's Circus". All the kids had clown noses in their party boxes. Everyone loved them so we took pictures of each person with their clown nose on. They are all too adorable! I'll share a few pictures later.

Since it was Lacey's birthday, Hayden decided that it was only appropriate that he have cake too!

(This pic is from his birthday party. He had no problem digging into the massive amount of icing and cake.)

We hope you had a great birthday Lacey and can't wait to celebrate with you, Justin, and Addison on Sunday!

As I was on my way to take Hayden to "school" today, we got beside Brian on 101st. I did my normal wave and kiss and told Hayden to wave "bye-bye" to Daddy. Normally he just looks around for Brian and doesn't seem to understand the concept that he is not in the car with us. But this morning we had a break through!!! Hayden looked out his window and smiled and said "bye bye Dada" and then proceeded to shout "Daddeeee" at the top of his lungs. I couldn't help but laugh. Brian seemed pleasantly surprised to see that Hayden has finally figured it out. What a great way to start the day!

I was rumaging thru some pictures that I've taken of Hayden over the past couple weeks and stumbled on these.

This seems to be another of his favorite things to do. He has figured out that this cabinet is safe for him to play in since it only has plastic bowls and collanders in it. He will pull them all out and scatter them across the kitchen and decide that he wants to play with something else and leave things a mess. I'm hoping that we are getting close to learning how to put things away when finished.

This rocking chair has history. It was Brian's when he was little. His grandmother gave it to us when we were expecting Hayden. It is in fabulous shape and Hayden loves it too! Every night after bath time, he will climb in it (backwards most of the time) and rock himself and sing "rocky, rocky" and laugh.

Hayden has also figured out that he an ride on Beau and the dog doesn't care. He will walk around the house saying "Bo Bo". He calls Whiskey "Bo Bo" and every other dog "Bo Bo" even though he knows they are "dawgs".

I am so amazed at how smart he is. Just last night Brian was walking through the kitchen saying "ow ow ow" and as he finished saying it, Hayden started repeating it! So this is your fair warning everyone (especially Brian)....he hears what you are saying and WILL repeat it!

Welcome! Today is our first post of many to come. Hopefully you will come here to see what our family is up to and to watch Hayden grow.

Here are a few recent pictures:

Hayden playing at Grandmama Merle's house where he found one of her plastic snakes. Apparently he is not afraid of anything yet!

Hayden's favorite place - on daddy's shoulders. He will absolutely giggle when he is up there. I guess he likes the view!


He had such a great time playing with the yard squirrels at Grandmama Merle's. He would walk around holding them and laughing.


Hayden absolutely fell in love with Hunter's (Amie's nephew) Gator at Brett and Amie's house on July 1st. We were all there to cook-out and watch the fireworks set off by the Cumberland City TVA Plant.

Aren't they too cute? Hunter is driving and Hayden is hangin' on. We couldn't keep him off of the Gator for the rest of the night. Apparently Santa Claus will have to bring him one when he gets older.