Another First

ok on my blog I have written about alot of first and this is also a first for me. No not about one of the boys newest milestones but a new topic all together. I have never reviewed or posted about a product before but when my sister shared this with me I knew without a doubt this was for me. Shutterfly is giving away 50 yes 5-0 Christmas cards just for me telling all of you that read this little blog about how I love the cards I buy every year. SO this year be on the lookout for our annual Christmas cards and let me give a big shout out to shutterfly for providing them to me this year. The quality of their card stock photos are fantastic. I am not a glossy photo paper kind a gal and some times it's hard to find good quality card stock but I have not been let down by Shutterfly. In fact, I used this http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/baby-boys-1st-birthday-invitations/blue-bubbles-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat last year for Hayden's Second birthday invitations. They were delivered promptly and looked great. Jeff always asks why I spend money on printing invitations and Christmas cards when people just throw them away but I love to hang on to them for mementos and actually save all the cards we get from people for birthday invites and Christmas cards if they are photo cards. One of my favorite birthday cards I have received is this one here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/invitations/twelve-months-blue-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=60388 and used this one for Landon's announcements http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/invitations/twelve-months-blue-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=60388 So you can see I use Shutterfly a lot and am a satisfied repeat customer. Hope you will check them out. Promise I will get a post up this week since I didn't last week and we have done some fun and exciting things in the last week.

One of those Days

Well everyone has them as much as we all wish we didn't but we do. I started my morning as any typical Thursday morning. Kids woke up cooked breakfast.. pancakes, sausage and eggs. I at a few nibbles they ate a lot. Then we did some laundry, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the playroom, cleaned the rest of the basement and vacuumed. The I got both kids ready, the diaper bag packed, Landon's lunch packed, myself dressed, the dog put away and we headed to the car right on time for Hayden's 3 year well child check, Landon's second flu shot, followed by lunch, a trip to Target or Walmart and then for Hayden's haircut at 4 but didn't get past our garage. You see as I was loading the kids up I notice Landon's car seat is missing. Turns out it was in Jeff's truck so we weren't going anywhere. Called and canceled the appointments (for the second time)and instead came in to cook us lunches of grilled cheese sandwiches, pickles and pears. I again at a few nibbles, they ate alot. Then went to put Landon and Hayden down for naps (or rests as we call them at our house) only to have Landon fall fast asleep but poor Hayden layed in his room for an hour and half and finally walked into my room where I was pretending to sleep in hopes he would fall asleep. "mommy I can't sweep, I have too much energy" Bless his heart. I told him it was okay and he could go play in his room with his sticker book and read his library books or he could climb in bed with me. He choose the later and climbed in. I told him as soon as Landon woke up we all could get up and go play outside. I start to drift off when he plants a big wet unsuspecting kiss right on my lips, I smiled and thanked him politely then drifted off again to be awoken then same way except this time he is patting my face in addition to the kiss. So much for sleep but at least it brought a smile. He is so tender hearted. About 15 minutes later Landon is wailing and I go to get home and find that after two hours of resting Hayden finally went to sleep. He slept for about an hour. We then cooked some spaghetti and meatballs again (I am addicted) and this time I ate a LOT and they ate a little but before we ate we played outside on this gorgeous unseasonably warm November day. So although we didn't accomplish what we sat out to do and the dog peed on a bag full of clothes Hayden got for his birthday, the deep freeze had been left wide open for two days and our refrigerator might be acting up again and I burnt the spaghetti sauce it was a not so good day turned great!

Hayden's Three Year Pictures

For now this will have to do

http://amandagravesphoto.blogspot.com/2010/11/birthday-boy-louisville.html

Once I get my order I will be sure to post some photos on here but for now the link to his sneak peak will have to do. Hayden had his pictures taken the morning of his birthday party and they turned out great. Hope you enjoy.....

A New Kind of Tradition

Every year since Connor was born we would go to Mason and Kellie's for Halloween. Well, this was the first year we weren't able to do that since they moved to Arizona. It wouldn't be the same without going door to door with Connor and Carson but knowing they would be back in a few years (although by then Connor may be to big for trick or treating) makes it better. So, in their absence we went trick or treating in our own neighborhood which was a first for us. We had family, friends and neighbors over for soup, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert before setting out to watch the kids transform in their costumes and fill their bags with candy, Capri suns and even a diet coke! After getting enough candy to make any one's belly ache we went across the street to movie night at the neighbors. They were kind enough to show Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin before their feature film, Ghost busters which allowed Hayden along with his friends to take part in movie night. Hayden, Aidan and Addison had so much fun and were so cute cuddled up on their blanket sharing popcorn and cheerios while sipping juice boxes. They whispered to each other and laughed together and where the cutest things. Andrea, Kevin, Erin and I had the best view watching them from behind. We are hoping to make this an annual tradition, at least until the original creators of this idea, Mason and Kellie, return. Thanks to all who brought food and fellowship as this made Halloween alot of fun.

Two at a Time

Teeth that is. Little Landon went from zero to two in two days. Last Wednesday I noticed the white sharpness protruding through his bottom right gum then the next morning I noticed it had a partner on the left. A week shy of 11 months and he got teeth. A month later than Hayden did but without a whimper. From about 6 months on every time he had a fussy few days I would blame it on teething but nothing. Then when he's as good as can be... boom... 2 teeth.

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!