Walk the walk...

Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

We have been getting our evening walk in each day and I really look forward to it. Great way to wind down. This is the first time we put your snack tray on, you put your sippy in the cup holder without ever being shown that is where it goes, things like that make me wonder where you get that kind of idea/thought from? I love seeing your reactions as we walk when the wind blows, or it starts sprinkling, birds flying in front of you, or Kitty Tucker ambles alongside you and listens to you call his name a zillion times.

Oh Snap!

DSC05220
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

So everyone I know says it's more than a bit odd....
You are 1 and can snap your fingers.
Hmmmm

Our childhoods entwine...

New play world
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

I downloaded Fantasia today. I forgot how amazing it is. I also had no idea how much it affected my spirituality at such a young age. My reverence of nature. You don't normally watch tv but I can see letting you watch this until your hearts content!

Things I think...

Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

So this picture of you is cute, and the time we had playing at our friend's house was fun. But the reason I'm writing this is about the doll you are holding. Barbie. Ah, it takes me back. Anyway, it did make me really excited to realize I still can and will buy you a couple dolls, if you want them that is. I find nothing wrong with that and know you will just use them to act out and model what you see at home, as all kids do regardless of gender. They are good imagination tools. Not to mention, I think more boys should play with dolls and get to have these mini "roll models" to act out the new generation of men that are there fathers: cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the babies at home same as mom does. So I guess a Barbie and Ken are on the "to buy" list down the road. It's just refreshing to know that the circle you travel in it will be not only accepted, but nurtured, you learning how to care for your "babies" as they often become.

It's just the perfect size for a Haydin!

It's just the perfect size for a Haydin!
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

Into things, up on things, opening, closing, exploring, all while walking around. You are gonna have the jump on me soon. Oh and the past couple days you will just come up to me and give hugs and kisses. Makes my heart just explode.

Burning up...

You've had quite the fever the past 2 days, talk about a miserable experience for all three of us. I'm proud of how I dealt with it, very level-headed, though I must admit there were times I was a bit panicky. Guess this is all practice before you actually get "sick" sometime. I know it could have been much worse and is bound to happen at some point. You and I have been sleeping in the blue room together, which actually has given me more sleep funny enough. You've been great about taking your Motrin. Even this a.m. all bleary-eyed and trying so hard to fall back asleep we walk into the bathroom and grab all the stuff, head back into the blue room, I sit you upright on the bed, you are yawning and fussing, I measure out the Motrin and bring it to your mouth. So sweetly you just open up, I think maybe now knowing it will help this strange feeling you've been feeling, so hot and sweaty, and then I turn out the lights, we curl right back up to one another and poof, off to dreamland. The reason I started typing this morning is I just put you down for your a.m. nap and come back out to glance at the living room... It took me a moment to register how different it is. Never in my past would I have thought I could manage allowing the scatter of Cheerios that is all over the place, pots and pans from the kitchen, every kind of toy imaginable to just BE, you know, stay there all day. Such a flurry and scattering of little boy all over my big girl world. 

Momma watch my brain zoom...

I am pretty amazed by you. In just the past couple days your walking has really taken off. Not only that Haydin, you are SO smart! Today you opened the drawers in the kitchen where I keep the pots, you are always seeing me cook. So you take out a pot lid and walk over to the stove where I was cooking (funny thing is I was using a pot w/o a lid) and you reach waaaaay up, standing on tippy-toes and try and get the pot lid up there. Caught you walking today kicking your ball as we have practiced while I hold your hands and lead you around, so you just remember these things. One day last week the pillows were off the couch and I lay on them and cuddled them saying "aw how nice and cozy". So every day since you pull the pillows off the couch and cuddle up to them, falling on top of them laughing, as if this is the most fun thing ever, just because your Mommy did it. I showed you how to brush my hair awhile ago, once, now it can be weeks and when you find your little, mini-brush you come right over to me and brush my bangs as I showed you that one day. Today I set a basket of laundry in the living room to come and fold, ran around the house doing odds and ends. I came back to find you had pulled out the specific cleaning rag I use for the floors and you were scrubbing back and forth as I do when I hand wipe the floors. Crawled forward, did a different section, and on and on. I think sometimes I can just see the rapid fire of synapsis of thoughts going through your head. All those neurons growing and forming new connections, with re-enforcement from me they build on one another, you keep learning. I could go on and on. You are learning at a fast rate from here on out. Love you baby boy. 

Oh, I am one lucky Momma. Look at that face.

Oh, I am one lucky Momma. Look at that face.
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

Could you be any cuter? You always know when to smile by the little red light on the camera.

1st Birthday...

Oh Haydin you are 1. We had the most lovely day yesterday on your Birthday. We are waiting to celebrate it tomorrow when your Nana and Pap are here. Your Daddy and I are in a very reminiscent mood. You have changed and grown so much, both physically but also in personality and spirit. If every year that follows is as amazing as this one... well, we know we are blessed. You have taught Da & I so much about ourselves and love, we really have grown in our love too this past year. I thank you for every precious moment we've spent together. I think back to the day I was in labor, I can remember so clearly the excitement I felt as I woke at 4 a.m. that morning. I remember doing odds and ends around the house that morning with your father in bed, contractions building, watching the sun rise, feeling just a sense of "rightness" in the world. A sense of purpose. I think back to the first time I saw you, the first time I held you, smelt you, kissed you. The emotions still overwhelm me. Though you should know every time I see you, hold you, smell you, kiss you is just as momentous as that first time. Happy Birthday Little One. 

Long day,,,

So we participated in a multiple mommy yard sale today. You skipped your am nap and food and still hung in there. Made for a LONG night!