Grocery Shoppin'

So yesterday... Bryan might have taken a day off, and we might have gone to the toy store and we miiiight have bought Hayden a new walking toy. SOOO fun!!! (It's amazing how much easier it is to rationalize purchases for her than for ourselves. And obviously she needed it.) She took to this like lightening. No practice, no faltering...just full speed ahead. She amazes us daily :)

So two videos in two days...

Raspberries Outside

The sun was shining and the temperature was in the low eighties so we just had to get outside for awhile! The wind was a little gusty (sounds like a hurricane on the video, though I promise it wasn't that bad :) so we didn't last long, but we got this cute video.

An Ode to the Daddy

10 great things about Hayden's daddy..

1. he changes diapers (wet, dirty or unidentifiable).

2. he can play for HOURS.

3. he is patient and steadfast in the face of my concerns and worries.

4. he does breakfast duty and is fabulous at it! (this includes Hayden's medicine, cereal, fruit, vitamin, teeth brushing and face washing. It allows me to shower and get ready for the day!)

5. he washes the dishes. (this by itself would be enough...don't tell him)

6. he doesn't "babysit" he parents.

7. he prays daily for our family and specifically for Hayden.

8. he "brings home the bacon" and will occassionally "fry it up in the pan" if needed.

9. he sets a great example for me to daily be in God's Word.

10. he wants to "be present" not content to observe or just pass the time, but available to soothe, tickle, discipline, entertain, teach, cuddle, love and encourage.

What more could a little girl ask for?

Thank you Lord for a dad and husband who loves and care for us!

Portraits

Granny, Mom, Hayden and I had a four generation portrait made in the fall. The photographer posted some of the pictures from the session on her blog. Visit them here: http://www.stephsimpsonphotography.blogspot.com/.

Love, True Love

(to be said with a lisp...you know, like from Princess Bride. wuv, twu wuv...)

Valentines Day. While some believe this to be a day formerly claimed by a religious figure now exploited by commercialism and worthy of little notice, if any (Jason), I believe it is a day to celebrate the ones you love. The occasional reminder (in holiday form if necessary) not to take special people for granted is always a good thing.

The Chamness family had a fabulous Valentine's Day!

1. My mom was in town, so we had secured the best (and least expensive) babysitter possible for the night out.

2. We visited with my aunt and uncle in Grand Prairie and enjoyed brunch at the Cracker Barrel.

3. Hayden raked in the Valentine goodies from Grammy. New locking beads, a cute purple polka dot dress and a red heart onesie!

4. We all received fun cards. Hayden loves to carry cards around with her. She carried the Thomas the Train Valentine card from Nathan around until it was an unrecognizeable wad of cardboard.

5. My diet allows for milk protein again, so Bryan and I went to Zizikis and had wonderful lamb souvlaki and multiple dishes that included feta cheese. ( oh feta, how I have missed you!)

6. Bryan and I had conversation by candle light, at a table, that lasted more than 5 minutes and wasn't interrupted by dropped cups, thrown Cheerios or loud squeeling. Heavenly.

Our family is truly blessed to love and be loved by so many.

Thank you Lord for showing us your love through others.

9 Months of Hayden

We can hardly believe that Hayden is 9 months old. This last month has seriously flown by. Makes me wish I had "baby DVR" so I could pause or replay moments. (pictures and video are nice, but not quite the same :)

The 9 month well visit went great. Dr. Straughn thinks she is fabulous and healthy. She is still on the petite side of the growth chart, but the doc doesn't seem at all worried. We thought she was starting to chunk up a tad, we swear there are rolls where there once wasn't, but we suppose the doctor's scale doesn't lie...15 pounds. Even. Her head on the other hand is making up for the weight...70+ percentile. Go brain, go!

She is sleeping great. Through the night still. 6:30 pm until 6:30 am. Last week she made it til 7 am...three times!!! Naps are still a little more of a struggle, but we are hangin' in there!

At the well visit the doc discontinued her Prevacid and said she can eat everything but nuts and honey (we say no to botulism ). We tried yogurt today...not an immediate favorite. Last night we might have given her some tiny bites of Chick-Fil-A chicken... definite favorite :) So many new and fun things to try!

Hayden is EVERYWHERE! She crawls like lightening and pulls up on everything. She will occasionally forget to hold on to things and stand "free" for a few seconds. She is cruising around tables and the sofa. Everyone says walking isn't far behind. Small parts of me are excited for the new developmental milestone, but the majority of me wants her to SLOW DOWN!

Hayden is a fake laugher. This is something she started recently. If we laugh, she laughs. When we stop and move on to something else, she will fake laugh to recapture our attention...and it always works. In addition to the fake laugh has come the head shaking "no" and the dancing/head nodding/bouncing move. (I think she gets this dance move from her dad--way cute!)

She will wave hello and bye-bye. She has started to say ba, ba, ba, so I think bye-bye may be word number 2! (I'm sure mama is coming very soon :) She definitely knows that da, da, da goes with Dad. He is her absolute favorite right now. (She will occasionally fuss when I have to take her from Bryan, like when he has to leave for work. He is secretly smiling the whole time...sometimes not so secretly.) When Bryan comes home for the day, Hayden stops what she's doing, smiles real BIG and crawls right to him. It warms my heart every. single. time.

Bryan and I are enjoying each new phase and experience. We are amazed daily by God's gracious blessings.

Thank you Lord for sweet baby Hayden!

Fun With Friends

My sweet friend Christina from Mom's group invited me and Hayden to her son Alex's 3rd birthday party/playgroup. Alex has a little sister, Sabine, who is almost 11 months old and is crawling and cruisin' like Hayden. It was very laid back and tons of fun.

I realize Hayden isn't really playgroup age yet, since at this point she and others her age might play "near" each other as opposed to "with" each other, but the idea is fun (and I love spending time with other adults...so it is really for me, I'll just be honest). We had a great time at Ms. Christina's house with Alex, Sabine, Ms. Kerri, Nathan, Ms. Jennifer, Maddy, Cooper, Ms. Sherri and Jack.

Thank you Christina for a wonderful afternoon! And HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY ALEX!

We chowed down on grapes, blueberries, strawberries, cheese & crackers, pretzels, gold fish...and of course CAKE! Hayden enjoyed the blueberries as well as the broccoli and cereal we'd brought from home. :)

Ms. Kerri and sweet Sabine

Hayden just cozied right on up to Cooper. He's pretty cute...so she's probably a little "sweet" on him.

Most of the gang. Nathan, Alex, Sabine, Jack and Hayden (who was ready to get on home).

The Yuck Monkies

We've all had the yucks, also known around here as the snots. Hayden and I had it last week and Bryan completed the circle this week. It starts with the sore throat and then the sinus pressure and runny nose. We've seemed to miss the chest congestion and coughing (thank you Lord!). We are all on the mend so hopefully there will be more blogging. (and more vacuuming, laundry, dusting, cooking...you get the picture.)