Daddy's Day Off...

The three of us had the best day. Not only was Daddy up nice and early to see both of us but we went out to the Farmer's Market to the plant sale. Not even to buy anything, but just for your outing of the day. He carried you in the backpack and Daddy and I had great ice cream. Then we spent time on the deck, got things done around the house, cooked a fantastic dinner, he gave you a good scrubdown in the bath, and you two are on the couch right now reading books.  This was a GREAT day! 

You are on the tail end of a cold. We are hoping you sleep better tonight. Daddy propped up one end of the crib and that seems to help with your congestion. 

Family and playtime...

Well your Uncle Craig was here last week and now your Grandma and Grandpa Butz. It melts my heart to see others love you so much. Gives me a sense of safety and security that no matter what you would be taken care of. You are giving all of us plenty to laugh at with your growling. You also loved the web cam when we talked with U.Craig today and saw him smiling back at you, not to mention you know what the camera means. You were in the paper for Easter, hunting eggs. Today we went to the soccer field for me to meet up with a friend and for you to play with a little girl we know. You were totally into the soccer balls though and I could help you walk as you chased and kicked the ball over and over. Your Da would have loved to see it. You also were so interested to see all the big boys play and run around. You tried crawling to them and chasing them lots, just hoping to join in. 

Just one day's notes...

Today you:

Slept later than normal, though we were up from 5-630.

You fell back asleep propped up on my chest in bed.

Lots of wake-up kisses and hugs.

Ate a great breakfast of Oat-bran and Applesauce muffins I made and scrambled yolks with salsa! 

Took a nap.

Spent time with Daddy and Uncle Craig while I went to a mechanic and took care of a friend's puppies.

Clapped.

Nibbled a bit of Turkey Loaf and endemame for lunch.

Napped :)

Played lots and lots and chased the Kitty til he went mad from it...(he's your fave).

Had some Chicken/Apple Sausage and some White Bean Chowder for dinner, oh and steamed zuchinni.

Little bit of kiwi too.

Play, play, play. 

Kisses.

Cuddles.

Bath, books, fussing, bed. 

Night sweet Angel.

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!

Staying in the hotel...

We stayed in a hotel this week in Mooresville to be with your Daddy. He's away training for a new job. No fun for any of us as we all miss each other. It did his heart good to see you and yet I know it makes him sad too. Anyway, we didn't make it into the pool this time but we will try for that next time. You did so good being in a different place regardless of having a cold and teething. I wish you would have been able to sleep in your playpen that night to keep our new routine going but since it was a king size bed it was pretty comfy for all of us. Last night was long and tiring despite my initiative to go to bed early and alone. You woke lots. I don't know if it makes it more or less frustrating remembering the week before this when you slept alone all night and I only went in to feed you a couple times. That was heavenly. We all got much more sleep than normal which I think is so important at this point. Today is pretty cold and we are supposed to meet up with lots of people throughout the day. Momma's friends that want to see you. 

Valentines Day = 9 months.

So Daddy is gone right now and it's soooo hard on me but I'm trying to stay strong for him because I think it's even harder on him. I can't imagine being far away from you for that long. Also, you are now officially crawling all over. Not only that but trying to pull up on things which is just scary as you crash and fall. Loud thwacking of head hitting the floor isn't Mommy's favorite sound, nor the heart-wrenching screams to follow. You quickly forget though as all kids are so resilient. You wake up through the night though to practice your skills, and crawling in bed is just exhausting to me. I want to just lay there and let you wear yourself out but you would end up on the floor and that's just no good. I know the solution is just to always put you back in the crib as we've been doing more of that but with Da gone it's lonely and oh-so tempting to keep you with me. Still I can admit that this makes you wake much more than necessary. Lately you aren't interested in solids either and tend to take in the majority of your calories throughout the night. lol, leaving me with maybe 5 hrs of broken sleep. I love you so you wild child! ;) 

My 30th Birthday...

I just put you down for your morning nap. You've been getting up around 6 each morning. You've been sleeping so well lately and even staying in your crib for the majority of the night. It's bittersweet. While we are proud of you and know it's for the better so that you are well rested, and we get much needed rest too, I'm missing you next to me. Daddy goes away soon for training at his new job and it will be very hard for me to go to bed without him, let alone stick to the plan and keep having you sleep in your crib. Anyway, today I turn 30 and I couldn't be happier. This has been the best past year for me yet and the one we are headed into I'm so excited about. I feel so blessed to be where we are at in life right now. We have everything we need and continually are gifted with more. I feel so looked after by the Creator. Oh, and my Birthday presents were all kitchen/cooking themed including 100 cookie cutters! They are so neat because I can see years of fun ahead of us with those! I love you son.