Happy 3rd Birthday Hayden

Birthday
First Birthday
Second Birthday
Third Birthday

It is so hard to believe that three years ago today a new life was born and a 6 pound 13 ounce baby let out a wail at 4:36pm on a Saturday. I remember the details of that day from the trickle of my water alerting me of his impending arrival, to taking a shower making the bed and folding laundry prior to taking Linus to Mas and Kellie's, to pleading with Jeff to stop and get me a diet coke before we made it to the hospital. I quickly changed my mind and demanded he take me straight to the hospital and skip the coke once my contractions intensified. I remember the shock of realizing I was 3 cm dilated once I was checked in and going to 10cm in under 2 hours. I was anticipating a looong labor and yet what it lacked in length it made up for in intensity. The pain I had no, i repeat, no idea what I was in store for. I thought I would be a silent sufferer. NOPE! I was very vocal. SO much so that the anesthesiologist told me to get control of myself or he would not be able to place the epidural. I quietly complied. Not much later, he was here. Perfect in every way. And at that moment,my life.... our life, changed. I never could have imagined how a single tiny being could turn your life upside down and inside out. I have watched him grow from being totally dependent on me and Jeff for everything to now still needing my help but wanting to do things on his own. To see him crawl and babble to now walk and talk. The words and actions that this little blond blue eyed boy says and does melts my heart. He reminds me of what life is about, loving, learning and growing. He makes me want to be a better person. He makes me want to love harder, forgive quicker and laugh often. I am learning daily about the power of patience and prayer. I hope that he learns from me what I am learning from him. The time has gone so quick and yet I remind myself he is still so small. That in a few more blinks he will be packing up and headed to college, to a life that encompasses more than just his mom and dad and the life we have built in our home. I am trying to burn these day to day encounters in my brain because I know they are just that, blinks and memories.
We had Hayden's third birthday party with a group of about 20 adults and 10 kids. It's pretty much the same group of people that have helped us celebrate his first and second birthdays minus a few and plus a couple. The day was perfect, warm and dry. We rented a large inflatable with bounce house and slide. This was a hit. We bounced in it for a while before the guests arrived and bounced until after dark when the "bounce man" came to retrieve his inflatable. We had great cake which turned out better than I can imagine. A long way from the disaster of a cake that we had for his first birthday. Mickey mouse was his choice and still is his favorite cartoon. This last year he has stayed loyal to mickey although he does enjoy Dora and Diego. He has gotten 3 of his 4 two year molars, expanded his signs and language skills, learned to ride a scooter, drive his jeep, potty trained, swim with floaties, dress himself, attend childrens church and became a big brother. This third year of life has brought many changes and milestones. He is 30 pounds and almost 3 feet tall. He still sleeps great in his big boy bed and still naps about 2 hours a day.
Hayden, mommy and daddy love you very much. God has blessed us with you. I thank him everyday for allowing me to teach you about Him and sharing you with us. I pray for you everyday and hope that I do not fail you. You are a smart, kind and shy boy that is very observant and sensitive to the needs of others. You don't like to see people sad or hurt and you are a great big brother. You have made me and your daddy very proud and want you to know that your are loved very much... now and forever. Happy Birthday; may there be many more milestones this year and many more happy birthdays to come.

Addison and Hayden
Avery and Hayden
Kayla and Hayden

Pa paw with Avery and Landon

Present Time

Daddy and His Boys

Mommy and Her Boys

Preparty in the Bounce House

Happy Birthday Hayden!