First Haircut

Before

During

After

Well, a few hairs were looking kind of scraggily and then there ended up being more hairs and pretty soon we had to get out the buzzers. Hayden wasn't fond of the vibration on his head, so lets just say its not the best haircut. You might not be able to tell the difference in a picture but his hair is definitely shorter. I also discovered that even babies need a conditioning element to their hair. The soap you use on their body just doesn't cut it and down here in 2% humidity, you have to condition, condition, condition. Surely Aveeno was thinking of us when their made their moisturizing shampoo. Anyway, he's freshly shorn and shiny now. PS-I can't believe that I haven't gotten ONE comment on his funny faces entry. I thought it was my best work all year people! If you missed it its in December 2009. I look at it when I need a laugh anyway. Another PS. Prayers for Hayden's health. He's been sick for 12 days now with a GI issue (either nasty virus or new allergy issue or combo-pediatrician's don't know). He eats very little and has lost weight (not a big guy to begin with) and we'll just say has a few wardrobe changes per day.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...And a Happy Birthday...To Hayden

Well, I hope that Christmas found all of you safe, warm and stuffing yourself full of yummy treats. Derrick and I are trying to tame the food-baby beasts we created over the holidays. We visited Kansas for the 4th time this year-driving both ways this time. Hayden is a trooper. Fourteen hours in a car is no picnic for us, much less a one year old. Yes, its official. He is one. Our Christmas trip to Kansas was a little whiter than what we really were asking for. More like blizzard-like. We got our snow and 10 degree temperatures (again didn't ask for it to be that cold.) We actually got snowed into Grandma and Grandpa's house for 2 days and couldn't get out to other Christmas celebrations and even had to cancel and reschedule Hayden's 1st Birthday party because no one could get to us. Nonetheless, we celebrated it later without a few of our guests who had to head back to their homes far, far away. As for the fiesta, he raked it in thanks to his loving parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncle, and even a great-aunt and uncle. However, he would not partake in his no-milk, no-egg, no-peanut cake. Yes, they make cake mixes for that. Because, our beloved baby is allergic to milk which is in A LOT of things. But, wanting to avoid the commentary on how "we fed our kids everything at this age", we made him his own little special cake (which was good because I tried it) and I decorated a regular cake for everyone else. He was far too interested in all of his new toys to eat this sugary treat, so that's one fight I'll be avoiding for now.

(Almost) One Year of Funny Faces

So one year is around the corner. Yes, one year out of the 18+ that we will be fiscally, amongst other things, responsible for this beautiful little man may not seem like a big deal. But to us, it is proof that we are competent enough to be parents, because we have managed to, God-willing, keep him alive and well for one whole year. Which for us has been eye-opening. Human babies are the most helpless babies of any creature. They don't get up and walk an hour after being born. They definitely can't get their own food and feed themselves after a few months after birth. And they would probably giggle at the sight of a predator and think it was a fuzzy teddy bear. They are curious and constantly have to be protected from themselves. But, obviously what makes them so different is their complexity and intelligence. Our little man, besides being one of our greatest teachers this year, has also provided us with more laughs that any other person. Its amazing that God created their intense dependence on us to grow our love for and attachment to them phenomenally fast. And, oh man, do his Daddy and I love him! As well as a long list of others. But back to the funny part. So I took a ton of pictures of him this year. Actually probably more than that. But in all the pictures, you get some pretty funny faces. So I had to share. Enjoy the many faces of Hayden. He truly is a charismatic little man and has been from the start. Even the nurse who handed him to me at the hospital said so. Merry Christmas! Look for our next entry after the New Year!

Go ahead, make my day

It's my best smile...I promise.

You've got 2 seconds to take a picture of me holding another guy's hand, and I'm not going to smile.

Lounging like a real dude

A baby Pavarotti

Pure orneriness

Caught in the act

I'm ready for my close up

What did you say to me?

Pure glee. Couldn't help but add this one in.

Do I have food on my face?

Don't put me in this thing!

Ok, I'm in, but I'm going to complain about it the whole time

Ahhh, so relaxing. Where's my vino?

Ah man, there goes another pacifier. Can't keep those things in.

Can you see any teeth yet?

My best impression of the bitter beer face man

Grumpy Old Men-the prequel

Having a grand old time

I'm not sure about this anymore

Getting my dance moves on

Break dancing on a couch is much harder

Was that you!

So scary...where's my bunny?

Enough with the camera!

What...is...that?

So tired. Can't fight it anymore. (Thank God for swings)

I don't know about this. I liked my former residence better.

Thanksgiving Feasts

Happy Thanksgiving (a few days late). Hayden enjoyed his first Thanksgiving turkey and mashed potatoes at his Grandma B's house on Thanksgiving day. He really loved the turkey. Not a vegetarian as I first thought because of his love for tofu.


We're a little behind on blogging here because I've been preoccupied with starting up my Pampered Chef business part-time. I've had a few parties with family and friends, near and far. Its really fun for me so far and the parties have been fun as well. I love the actual products I sell too. Anyway, if you're interested in hosting a party, let me know. We'll have a grand time! I also have been busy with the Junior League (community service group) and all the action that comes with being a full-time mom and wife.

As for the munchkin, we have been busy in Kansas. We also did our longest car ride ever. 10 hours in one day, 2 1/2 stops in the whole trip. Hayden was a trooper with a little help from Lamby and a pacifier. (Lamby is his faithful sidekick of comfort)


On our visit to Kansas, we got to see a lot of family (not everyone we wanted too, but here's to future trips.)































Blog to ya later!

10 Months!!!

Every month I report on here that Hayden has turned yet another month older, my heart is joyful but also a little saddened. Everyday when I stop to look at our lives that seem to be passing so quickly, I'm grateful for the moments when God opens my eyes to the gift I've been given. He blesses me many times daily. And when each of those moments is occurring I swear time slows down for just a few seconds and my heart wells up with so much happiness I wish I could bottle everything about that moment. And each night when my little boy goes to bed, I am so grateful that God has been so gracious to give me all that He has. Praise God for all that we have and especially for the last 10 months Hayden has been ours to care for and love!

The Cutest Squash this side of the Rockies

How much better does it get to have free reign to dress an already pretty darn adorable baby up in something that makes them even more adorable if that were possible. I'm only going to have so many Halloweens were I get to choose the costume. We also got into the spirit with a very sweet shirt from our friend Janell across the pond.

First Snow

While other places were experiencing a temperate fall, the normally warmer New Mexico decided to have snow and some quite frigid temperatures, though I shouldn't complain because it did melt almost immediately at our house. But it was a beautiful first snow for Hayden to see. And I couldn't help but try and catch his reaction. It was precious. I love firsts.