KaThunk...

Sometimes I get little surprises from you. Today we were laying in bed for our nap and I had my hand on your chest and there went your little heart, KaThunk, KaThunk, and I was so excited and blown away. Granted these are things that are always going on but as with anything that is constant, we sometimes forget about them. I was so happy to feel your strong, healthy heart beating, feel your chest rise and fall with sturdy breaths. What a joy. What a wonder. 

Stroller Club...

So you and I took a very nice walk yesterday. We went to the lake right by the house, Enka Lake/Biltmore Lake. It was a bit rough on you in the stroller though you didn't seem to mind, I was just worrying that it was bouncing you too much. The paths were all mulch or sand and the stroller we have for you isn't one of those jogging/all-terrain deals. So there were some times it was hard for me but it gave me a great work out. So there was a point were I was just struck with " I'm almost 30, I'm pushing a stroller, the stroller has MY son in it, when did all this happen?" Seems my life has flown by so quick up to this point now. Feels like it was yesterday I was a kid enjoying climbing in my lemon tree in California. Or playing in the fields and tending to the goats in Ohio. Even all my crazy antics through high school seems not so long ago. I looked at you there sleeping and it was the happiest I've been yet... through any point in my life. I felt so at peace. I'm enjoying this Motherhood deal. ;) 

Your first hike...

So we went on our first hike together when we had some company in from out of town. I wore you in the Moby Wrap and was worried you would get too hot and I'd have to pull you out and just carry you over my shoulder. However, you just loved the walking momentum and then you began to look around and pay attention. I was so thrilled for you to smell Pisgah. It has this very amazing smell that I've always loved and isn't replicated anywhere else. So we drove up on the Parkway and went to Devil's Courthouse. The first time I was there I was 15. "Long before you were a glimmer in my eye". It was one place, among many, that sang to my heart and told me I belong here in these mountains. It felt so right having you up there. My footsteps treading the same path as so long ago yet with my son. How amazing. I'm sure over time you and I will do that same hike, many times. What conversations will we have on the journey? Will you sit up there and contemplate the greatness of the world, as I do? Will your heart be struck with such happiness? I say so many prayers for you, wherever we go Haydin. Saying prayers from that height makes them feel closer to the source in a way. 

Singing in the Shower...

So now all three of us have taken a shower together twice. Since you are small and slippery it takes two of us, one to hold you and one to wash you. But it is so much fun. You got water in your face last night more than you've ever had and you were so great about it. No fussing at all. You're just curious and like to study things. I think you liked the part where I just held you and faced you to the water stream and let it hit your feet, but because you watched all the sparkly things falling. The way the light is in there it made it really neat for you. Also we sang and it's really echo-y. Someday you will run around in there with me and it will be so much fun!

Ha Ha Ha!

Haydin! Oh you laughed today... Lots, I might add. Daddy cradled you with his arms extended and swung you side to side as you gazed at the fan. Talk about lots of fun things happening to you at once. So your Father and I laughed along with you which encouraged you more and more and it was the highlight of both our day! You just laughed and laughed and we were so amazed with you! 

4, 5, 6...

Our newest increments of time asleep at night. You've done only one 6 hr stretch but it sure was heaven for me. The 4 & 5 hour stretches are just as divine, much better than every 2 hours. Course, I still wake up quite often just because my body is, and has been, on so many different schedules with you. When you sleep longer than normal I still wake up and  lean over you in bed or in your bassinet to see if you are going to wake, believing in our connection, and you just keep on sleeping. I find myself exhausted and yet there I stay, leaning and looking at you. 

Barefoot and ?...

Pregnant? no. That's the way the phrase goes, yes. But it wasn't until you were here that I came down with a severe case of "mommy brain". Apparently meaning I not only forget things, am spacey, can't hold a full conversation, but am just plain not "Kate". Anyway, left the house with you yesterday for an appointment. Almost got on the interstate and realized I wasn't wearing shoes. No, didn't just take them off to drive, as I would for a road trip. Plain left the house barefoot. lol. Turned around, now slightly late for our appointment, and home to get em. Silly momma. 

Hair today...

Gone tomorrow, well not really tomorrow but soon. You are loosing quite a bit of hair Haydin and it appears it will be coming back in blonde. I am already missing your dark hair and can't picture you any other way. It's funny, not only does your hair look like your Daddy's but sometimes it even smells just like his. There is an underlying something that is the same... must be in the DNA seeping through.  

This sunrise brought to you by...

Haydin! Yes, I would say throughout my pregnancy and since you've been born, I have seen more sunrises than I have my whole life. While I'm excruciatingly tired I still feel so wonderful each time I glimpse that beauty. There is something special about early morning when everything has that hush except for the birds waking up. When the whole world seems to belong to them. Our valley, full of mountain clouds drifting through and rising. So many colors washing over things, streaming in through your bedroom window making the prisms dance with rainbows. I love the smell of the air at this time of day second best to twilight. Well, you are fussing right now so I'm done on here. Just thank you for letting me appreciate the earliest times of day. 

Size and looks...

So at 7 weeks you wear 3-6 month old clothes. The last time we weighed you was 2 weeks ago and you were 13lbs. 9ozs. approximately (had to weigh you on a package scale because you don't go back to the docs for quite some time). I imagine you are even more now. I'm constantly impressed by your hands and feet. I haven't been around a lot of babies in my life but I can tell you have very wide hands and truly some sturdy lookin' feet! Your hair is still amazing also though I have noticed it falling out a bit and maybe coming in lighter or that could just be because you are out in the sun more. You are sleeping on your belly occasionally for naps which seems to help the gas situation. I should be napping right now with you but I'm always trying to get little bits done while you are sleeping. Anyway, you are a very healthy boy. Also, your face has changed slightly, slimming a bit in the cheeks. We love it when you yawn because your face thins out and we can catch a glimpse of a little boy face. You also have this face sometimes when sleeping and Da and I alert each other to it because it's so precious.