8 Month Fancy Photos

Our (No) Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is always a bittersweet holiday weekend to me. It means fall is really here, though the 90 degree temperatures would disagree with me. But at least its really on its way. I love fall and summer. I'm always a little sad to see another season pass but love each of them for what each of them bring (love the cooler weather but have to put away my white-I know, but I just can't let go of the rule.) I don't know if I could really ever give any of them up. Anyway, we had a great family weekend. Monday was a (no) Labor day for us and we went to the zoo and had a picnic lunch on the grassy open area there. We then enjoyed a free chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A while wearing our KSU and Illinois gear (it was a national promo yesterday in case you missed it.) So I didn't even cook dinner. Hayden was being stalked by the "Eat mor Chicken" cows because he was the only child in the eating area. He could barely get a Cheerio down without another cow coming over to attempt to get a smile or wave from him. But he did dig the cows. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. And though I don't know week from weekend, it was fun to have Dada there with us for a long weekend and Hayden is in Dada deprivation right now on Tuesday.

8 Months!

Hayden turned 8 months on September 1st. It was as if he knew. Last week he started babbling all the time. Dadadada, babababa, and some other things that sound like things like "I love you" but not quite. More like "Iwawu" as he crawls on mommy and buries his face in my stomach. He decided to cut two teeth this week. He started feeding himself this week because he didn't want to eat from a spoon (and Sadie found her new best friend at mealtimes.) He learned how to crawl up stairs (though it is just too much work to do that all the time.) He got really good at pulling himself to standing. He's a little speed demon at crawling which is why we had to instate the "baby prison" aka the playpen which amazingly he seems to like and keeps him entertained and safe for awhile while we eat or get some things done. It has been a whirlwind of a week. It seems like just when you think you've
got it all down, he changes. It's always a little wistful to see him grow out of clothes, and toys, and past certain stages. It really does go fast. I love each new stage though and will enjoy this one while we're here. Here are some fun pictures to show you his development this month.










(Cheap toys...and you always know where he is)













Everything is a teething toy...this one actually is though










Experiencing grass...not rocks

Travels and Reunions

Forgive the lack of posts in the last two weeks. Hayden and I, and Daddy for part of the time, have been traveling. We went back to Kansas for our 10 year high school reunion. I didn't really notice the years passing but when you have an anniversary to mark a significant amount of them having passed by, then you kind of realize that you are, in fact, getting older. I know, I know, stop complaining, I'm still in my twenties. Still, it was good to see friends that I hadn't seen in a long time.









We also got to visit grandparents and great-grandparents, my sister and her family, even some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Hayden got to swim in the same pool that his mommy swam in as a baby. My grandparents still live in the same house and put this pool in the summer I was born. I love it that he got to swim in it with his Aunt Katie and cousin Colton. I love having roots. I love that there are some things in life that are still there. Still constant. I miss having them there everyday. But I believe my living far away will ensure that I don't take a minute of them for granted. Hayden also got to experience animals that we don't have around in the everyday. He loves our dog Sadie (oh my you should have seen that reunion.) But he is an animal lover indeed. Grandpa introduced him to their horse George and to the cat Jezzie. Guess he got that love for animals from Grandpa. Grandma went the flora route and taught him about apples and pears in their orchard. I'll make some of his baby food with that after I get apples and pears when they pick this fall.
































Our next leg of travel was to Michigan to visit a long time friend, Kristi and her family. Her son is just a little bit older than Hayden and they were off to a great start in the car. Hayden got to visit the zoo in Grand Rapids and we also visited Lake Michigan which is more water than I've seen in a long time and more than Hayden has ever seen. We had such a great time and wish we could see them more often!

This Week in News

Hey all! Well ever since we discovered crawling it has been but a whirlwind of new discoveries this week including pulling ourselves to standing (one that merited Daddy lowering the crib), we've tried taking on the stairs (Daddy again will have to tackle all the baby-gating that needs to be done), feeding ourselves successfully 2 cheerios (now his cholesterol has been lowered...afterall that's what it says on the box), and learning how to get Mommy's attention very quickly (bee-lining for the stairs, the edge of the bed, a mass of electrical cords...Lord help us.) I thought he required a lot of attention before but we have now reached a new level because I literally cannot take my eyes off of him for 1 second...I mean 1 second. He's very sneaky. Productivity in the household has dropped to a new low since our napping has also decreased. How did June Cleaver do it? Anyway, we also had a hot air balloon float just over our roof and backyard...I could see the peoples faces and they could see me in my pjs. But anything for a little education, right? So Hayden got to see his first hot air balloon. I don't think he gets it but he was watching. I could only catch the balloon as it was floating away on my camera.

One of my Favorite Parts of the Day

I love bathtime! The splashing, the laughing, and the cutest nakey baby in the whole world. The best part is the end when he's wrapped up in his hooded towel and held in his daddy's strong arms and he gets really silly. I love getting him all worked up right before bed. Despite being really tired most days, not even bathed myself many days, and chores still to do before I can crash, I'm convinced its my own personal reminder from God every night that the dark circles under my eyes and my lack of hygiene is really a blessing. Since most of you won't ever see his bathtime I wanted to share my favorite part of the evening. My heart just about explodes with love everytime I experience it.

It's Official...He's Crawling

So cute! I don't think he understands why I am cheering so much for him. Its the most amazing thing to watch the progression of this little person. I love it that I caught the crawling today for the first time and that I had my video camera ready. Tomorrow's To Do list: Baby Proof!

Other Cute Pictures

His favorite toy right now...a little jingle ball










More please. Hayden loves his high chair and his big boy food.













Lounging time for the boys

The Mobility Update

Well, officially he's not crawling yet. He's a pro at rolling all over (and I do mean everywhere) and very quickly at that. He changes direction my spinning on his belly and then rolling in a new direction. He can push himself backwards and often gets himself lodged under furniture as you can see here. Just the other day he covered 2 feet (on my bed while I was close by) by getting on hands and feet (the all-fours approach as taught by Sadie). However, I had to stop him from flying right off the bed toward his best friend, Sadie the lab. On his hands and knees he rocks and rocks and rocks then whines and whines and whines. He wakes up in his crib doing the same thing. He's obsessed with achieving this milestone. Until then, it's mobility in an unconventional way. We'll let you all know when he gets it!

Hayden's Driving at 7 months!

Just joking! But we hit the arcade on his 7 month mark and he liked driving the Ferrari. Already he has expensive tastes. We raced his dad and won the first race and dad won the second race (but only after he had to ram our car off the road!) Hayden and I made daddy pay at ski ball. Hopefully, Hayden will get mom's rockstar acading skills.