Whew!

I'm tired! You're tired! We have been very busy and tackled a lot of new and interesting situations in the past couple days. We have had company and are still on our way to more this next weekend with your Uncle Craig arriving. You also caught a cold, haven't been eating much and have had, to put it mildly, not so fun sleep issues. I'm thrilled your Father got back last night and that this is also the last week of the training away from home. Ultimately though it's felt weird to me it's been nice to have so much going on because that means we are accomplishing lots too. That I AM still capable of that. :) Let's see... 7 teeth, holding steady on weight but slightly taller, lots of crawling still and the standing, getting up and down, cruising is in full swing. You are very pleased that you can seek out the objects you desire, mainly poor Tucker. lol. You chase him all the time and LOVE to use your first word "Kitty" over and over when you see him. You have reached the point of separation anxiety that they "warn about", still it means you are "developing" right on track. When someone you've been interacting with leaves, and it's not until a definitive door click, you break down in tears. You have also started showing frustration when we take something away from you, and a mischievousness when I tell you "No" and pull you away from something, you will get this sneaky, full-of-humor, smile on your face and zip straight at what you were removed from until I can find something that captures and diverts  your attention. I have a great feeling that tonight is going to be a good night. Daddy went out with the boys, you ate dinner actually, are sleeping great so far, I just made myself tea, so I'm going to go crawl into bed alone, read for a bit and then get some good Zzzz's. Night Love.

Nothing much...

You truly are wonderful. Such a light to my spirit. Making me a better person day in and day out. Appreciating the small things. Seeing things through your eyes. You're crawling fast as lightning. Standing and "cruisin" about. Lots of talk, lots of laughter and play. I can tell these moments fly by. 

Your Father is Amazing...

Only with great love can one endure great heartache. In the time I have known your Dad he's been such a happy, care-free guy. He's always been strong but we've never really gone through a test like we are now. He left this morning for training in Mooresville and tears flooded his face. It absolutely kills me because he just wants to stay with you so bad, at least come home to the same house as us every night and he feels so alone and far away. I am proud of him however. I had no idea he possessed this kind of strength. To love and care for us so much that he's capable of leaving us for a time. I wish the circumstances were different. I wish he didn't have to work at all for that matter. I am grateful though for this gift he gives us, our ability to be together. Never doubt for a moment Haydin how amazing your Da is... for I tell you right now, his strength of character, resolve and capacity of love far outweigh anyone you will meet in life. 

Standing ovation...

While at the hotel this past week I turned around only to find you just standing on your own. You had been playing "pull up and kneel" on countless things in the room. Seems you can make it a bit further. I'm still trying to digest your ability to be all over the place with crawling, including times when I loose you (ok, I never LOOSE you, you'll just get farther or hide somewhere I didn't expect). There have been numerous head banging incidents too as-of-late and that makes my stomach just churn with angst. I wonder if that will get any easier? You WAIL when hurt now too with big crocodile tears... truly yucky for Momma to witness. 

Well, you also are developing quite a little personality. My "always happy, sweet-smiling" babe now throws mini fits of indignation and frustration. God forbid I take anything away from you. Sends you into cry-about-it mode. But you are easily steered away from it, usually. Not yesterday though. Your Auntie Colleen and I were at the arboretum yesterday and I gave you a daffodil to hold. You did really well keeping it outta your mouth, but soon a petal was gone and after fishing it out of your mouth it was time to get rid of it. Boy was that traumatic! ;) Also with doors... it's so funny if you are crawling towards a cupboard or door I have open (including the fridge doors which are too high for you to reach anyhow) and I happen to shut them (though most often it's not directed at you, just me done with my task involving said doors) but you are quick to cry about that. Taking it as a personal slight I'm certain. 

Spring is in the air and it's just SOOOOO wonderful... I can't even begin to tell you. Last summer you were so little and I was learning the ropes so there was not much we did. Now however... the world is our oyster!