Say Cheese...

I can't even handle the fact that we are going for Corbin's birthday party tomorrow.... the part I can't wrap my head around it that I will be taking my very own child to Chucky Cheese. Holy cow.

Outta my head and onto the "paper"...

Gosh,

There really is a lot to jot down lately. I feel as though I've been slacking. Your Father and I are sitting here on the couch and so we are going to collaborate on little, tiny things that we want to remember. So lately you are so astute... you love it when Daddy gives you long complicated tasks. Seriously, I don't know how you do it, seems you understand so much vocabulary. He'll say, Haydin, bring your truck over here and put the pool balls in it. No problem. Then days later, Daddy will mention, What's in your truck?... and you show this "light bulb ah-ha" moment and run to get the pool balls out. You are trying out so many new words too that of course only we can understand, but you are very consistent. Also, your sign language is really picking up. You enjoy being able to tell us certain things, that's obvious. All the time you do this "Muh Muh" thing that isn't "Ma Ma" but with an arm outstretched means you want something. When either of us obliges you just MUST come give us a kiss as a thankyou. You initiate it. It's so very thoughtful and welcomed... since we can never get enough kisses from you. You like to share food, drinks, sniffing of flowers, etc. with us. Any time one of us lays down on the floor to play with you, you hop right up and get a pillow and bring it to us putting it right at our heads. Sesame Street is the only tv you really watch and we put it on when you are overly cranky and it just fixes anything... so just just singing the song. You like music so much and we really must get you instruments. Right now you think it's cool that you can hear music from the little iPod headphones. Books are a great hit with you, especially when we get a big pile and you sit on the couch by one of us and just go through them all at your own pace. You are really starting to chow down on food this week, much to our happiness. You can plow off a whole container of Yo Soy yogurt or Soy Pudding in addition to eating a good meal... and that just blows my mind. Like I said your vocab is so good, when we are cooking in the kitchen together you make the same sounds and gestures every time you see steam. You know to pick up specks of food and put them in the trash. After each meal you run and get the broom to "help" clean up your mess. Nothing makes you happier than pots, pans, measuring cups, lids, spatulas... especially since you have a whole cupboard to yourself with these kind of things. You adore the remote that turns on the fan and lights in the living room and love that you can work it yourself. You say bye-bye so often right now, to everything that is finished, left behind, done with... but it's always in the right circumstance... it's neat to see you know all the different aspect/levels in which bye-bye is appropriate. You like to hand things back to us right now: if you are done with your drink, food, toy... you give it back to us, almost like you realize okay M & D will hold this and take care of it for me, keep track of it, until I need it the next time. Coloring has become fun for you too and I'm excited to go out and buy you finger paints soon. I think we will go to the newspaper printing place and get and "end roll" of their butcher paper to roll out on the floor like Mommy had when she was a girl and let you go at it with the art supplies. You are still my little baby Haydin, but more and more I'm missing you. Seems like you are growing so quick. I don't want to loose the "I need you Mommy" part. ~sigh~ You are just the greatest.

Me with shorter hair...

Me with shorter hair
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

Thanks Mom for my first haircut! (Though Mommy misses my longer curls already). We had been so nervous about doing it. It definitely could have been a bit better but since it's wavy/curly it's kinda hard to tell how things will lay after the fact. But you did so good. I put you in your booster at the kitchen counter with some crayons and that's all it took.

Getting this messy is so much fun Mom and Dad!

Getting this messy is so much fun Mom and Dad!
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

Your first chocolate soy pudding!

He loved knocking these together.

He loved knocking these together.
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

Oh sweet child how great it was going blueberry picking with you this year. Daddy and I took you to our favorite spot, where we go for every anniversary. Where we went 2 days after we found out we were pregnant with you. You enjoyed the hike, helped pick blueberries, and loved being in the great wide open. At the end of the hike we not only got stuck in a rainstorm but got separated from Daddy at the end. So we hunkered down in the woods by the truck waiting for him while cuddled together amidst hail pounding down on us. You did really well through the whole thing. Daddy came bounding through the woods, we all clamored into the truck and wheezed and laughed!

Taking you to "playdates"

Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

I enjoy it very much (except when you get sick afterward). It's really neat to watch you grow and adapt with other children your age as well as how you watch and imitate the older kids. Daddy came with us to this event and enjoyed watching you run around with other kiddos too.

Sometimes, you just can't get enough banana in your mouth.

Sometimes, you just can't get enough banana in your mouth.
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

I sure do love seeing you as my little kid, growing form my little baby. You think it's so neat to copycat the big person things Momma and Dada do. When we give you the freedom of carrying and eating you OWN banana and the like... well you just act so proud!

This is how Haydin rocks out...

This is how Haydin rocks out...
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

well and you full out dance, nod your head, stomp your foot, while snapping all together. You know the words "music" and "dance" and tune right in when we mention it.

Oh so fun!

Oh so fun!
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

This is you the first day of pre-school. I left you in high spirits and picked you up in high spirits. I think it's going good... for all of two days. Excited to see how this next week goes. I know this is so good for you to have other adults creating structure in your life, kids to help you build and grow, a full and rich life. I feel blessed to realize that and happy to be excited about gifting you with that.