At The Cave

Yesterday we had a lazy morning and spent the time around the house. We sat out in the front garden while we read, chatted and played with Hayden. In the afternoon we went to the local lava tube...a cave created by lava flow when Mt. Lassen last erupted...and walked through the dark, cool cave.

Last night, Shane BBQ-ed us some great steaks and we spent the evening visiting. It is hard to believe that the Hardy visit is coming to an end already - so many months looking forward to the visit, and now it is beginning to wind down. Sad how quickly time flies.

Overdue Pictures...

Here are some very overdue pictures of Hayden. They were taken this morning during his usual playtime. He is now 'talking' a lot more and smiling big, wonderful, heart-warming smiles. He really is a lot of fun to be around!...As my mum says, he is a real time waster! I can spend hours just interacting with him and being with him.

Mum, dad, Jamie and I went down to Redding yesterday where we went to the Human Body exhibit at Turtle Bay. It was an interesting exhibit, but I could not help but wonder about the exhibits that were on display. Although they looked like they were made of plastic, they were real people that had been alive at some point. I wondered about their names, their children, their lives... Dad could not bring himself to see the exhibit so sat at the cafe and read his book. Hayden was amazing throughout the museum tour. He sat facing out propped up on my arm and looked around taking in the colours, lights, displays and people that came up to talk to him. He was wonderfully well behaved and did not fuss at all.

I then took the family to the outlet mall in Anderson where they shopped their hearts out...Jamie particularly! Hayden was, again, well behaved and looked around taking in all there was to see.

A Day At The Lake

Yesterday, Shane, Jamie dad and Boone took a canoe ride down Hat Creek to lake Britton and up to Dusty Camp. I dropped them off and Shane told me that they would be an hour and a half...mum and I went to meet them at Dusty Camp at the said time where we waited and waited and waited. Turns out they capsized the canoe (where the only one left in the boat was the dog!) and then had to battle the wind on the lake! It was a hard canoe trip, but sounds like it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Needless to say, we put aside the idea for the BBQ and went out to eat at the steakhouse instead!

Today we all went up to Crater Lake for the afternoon and for the BBQ we missed out on yesterday (!). Shane got to snorkel and hunt for crawdads while mum and dad took a canoe trip around the lake. Jamie and I read and tended to the baby. It was a beautiful place to relax and spend the afternoon.

Hayden has been wonderful the past couple of days. He has enjoyed his time spent out of doors, although he has not enjoyed the heat!

Fun And Fishing

Yesterday morning, Hayden spent time with Nanna and Grandad...where he successfully filled up two diapers - much to Nanna's amusement and horror! Jamie then spent some playtime with him before he took a nap.

Dad and Shane had a great time out on the Fall River with Billy yesterday and five fish were netted in the boat...although dad apparently caught one by the tail - yeah, I'm no professional, but I'm pretty sure that's not how you are supposed to fish!

Billy and Vanessa came over for a great lamb dinner prepared by mum. It was a nice evening of great food, great company and great conversation.

Fowler Falls

Yesterday morning mum, dad and Hayden talked to Uncle Adam in England. Hayden was very animated throughout the conversation and Adam enjoyed seeing Hayden awake.

As Hayden was feeling better, we decided to go and see the Fowler Falls. Fowler Falls are a series of three waterfalls along a river trail. The Hardy family successfully made the hike down the trail and we ate lunch at the Lower Falls where dad decided to make the leap into the water at the base of the falls from the top of the falls...not once, but twice! Both Hayden and Jamie were worn out from the heat of the day (despite staying in the shade) and so they manned the picnic area, with mum and dad, while Marisa walked back up the trail to get the car.

Last night, we enjoyed a dinner of pork ribs (excellently prepared by Shane....hmmmm, yummy!) and salad.

Today, Shane and dad are going fly fishing on the Fall River with Billy while mum, Jamie, Hayden and I stay home and relax. We are going to have Billy and Vanessa over for dinner tonight...it should be a fun day and evening.

The Hardy's Are Here!

Mum, dad and Jamie arrived on Monday night. They were all tired from their flight and their five-hour car journey up from San Francisco; however, tiredness was all forgotten once they saw the new addition to the family!

Yesterday we spent the day going sight-seeing around the local area which, of course, included the compulsory visit to Burney Falls!

Hayden has been struggling with a bit of a cold the last few days as well as an upset stomach. Last night, he had a temperature of 100.6 degrees fahrenheit, so Shane, mum and I took him up to the local ER to get him checked out. He had a series of tests (blood work, chest x-ray and oxygen count) due to his age and the symptoms he was experiencing. Dr. Watson gave him the all clear and gave us some medicine to give him every four/five hours. He seems a little happier this morning, although he is still very congested. It is heart-breaking seeing him feeling poorly and not being able to do anything to help him. Thankfully though, he has plenty of family members to love and dote attention on him. I'll keep you posted...

Seven Weeks Old Today

Hayden and I spent the day keeping Shane company as he worked hard at the house we care-take while the owners are away. Shane had gone over this morning to check on the house and mow the lawns; however, he quickly noticed that the house was flooded. Apparently the water hose had split on the back of the washer sometime between Wednesday evening (when Shane last checked on the house) and this morning, resulting in a lot of water damage. When Hayden and I arrived with fans borrowed from a friend and the shop vac to suction up the water, Shane had removed all the furniture, pulled up the carpets and the linoleum. Shane worked hard today and is very tired...

Oh, I forgot to post Hayden's new weight. As usual, I got him weighed on Friday. He is now 11lbs 14oz - nearly 12lbs already.

In other exciting news, my parents and sister have arrived from England for a visit. They safely arrived at San Francisco International Airport this evening. They are staying in San Francisco tonight to help recover from their jet lag and will be here tomorrow night. I am excited to introduce them to Hayden!!!

Rolling Over

We've breed an acrobat!!

Morning Playtime

Hayden slept from 9pm last night to 2am this morning, 2:30am to 5:15am and then 5:30am to 7:20am - a great night!! It has resulted in a very happy baby...who has provided us with his first real smile! A great, gorgeous, beaming smile! I will try and get a picture of it soon!!

Hard Working Boy

Hayden came to work with me yesterday afternoon - he was the time controller...a position that wore him out.

He is proving to be very, very good at work - he's the hit of the office!!

Talking To Nanna Ann On The Web-Cam

Hayden spent yesterday morning talking to Nanna Ann in England over the web-cam...hard to say who enjoyed it more - Nanna Ann or Hayden!

Back To Work

Sorry, I do not have any pictures for tonight's blog...in fact, you are lucky that a blog is getting done at all!!
Yesterday was spent showing Bill, Kelly and Kerry around the local area - particularly Burney Falls. Mike took Bill and Kelly to the Falls and out to lunch, I took Kerry to the Strickland Paint Horse Ranch, out for a walk on Burney Mountain, to Burney Falls (where we also walked the mile loop) and to the dam at the bottom of Lake Britton. Shirley stayed home with Hayden and babysat for me. It was so lovely to be able to leave him with someone that I trust completely and not have to worry about his well-being...it meant that I had a chance to relax and enjoy time away from the house. It was great being able to get out, go for a nice long walk and breathe fresh air. Shane, unfortunately, had to work and Crystal & co had to leave yesterday to drive back to Colorado.
Last night the remaining Compton's went out for a steak dinner at the local steak and sea food restaurant. It was a very enjoyable evening spent in good company.
Today was (gulp) my first day back to work. I am very, very blessed in my employment and with my employers, in that I am able to take Hayden to work with me (at least for the time being). Despite this, I was, however, very anxious about my return. Hayden has a tendency to be more awake in the morning and sleep the afternoon away, so I decided to go to work this afternoon. It went relatively well - Hayden did wake up during the afternoon and resisted going back to sleep for about an hour. I was able to work during this time; but, my productivity was not as high as I would like. The return to work is going to take some time to adjust to.
This evening was great. When Shane got back from his long day of work, he spent a couple of hours on the bed visiting, playing with and singing to Hayden. It was amazing to watch the two of them interact and their bonding time enabled me to take care of some chores around the house. I am very grateful for Shane.
Now, it is late. Hayden is in bed asleep, Shane is in bed asleep and Boone is in bed asleep...I am going now too.

More Pictures From The Party

Shane's Birthday At The Lake

Shane's 30th birthday party at Lake Britton was a huge, huge success. We took over an area which has four picnic tables and two BBQs...there was easily 25 people that came to celebrate Shane's birthday with him and there was a lot of socializing. Shane brought along his climbing gear and put $5 35 feet up a tree for whoever climbed up to get it...ironically it was a six-year old with a broken arm that managed it!! Brenda and Dale brought along a couple of their fishing/hunting boats, one with a motor, for people to enjoy. At one point in the afternoon, Billy took Brenda, Vanessa and I for a great, fast boat trip to the other side of the lake where we enjoyed the sight of the dam and greenery. A friend of Chantz's came and brought his speed boat...it was great to watch friends and family trying to stay on the inflatable ring at high speeds while being pulled along behind the boat. Many people got in the lake for a swim or paddle and everyone enjoyed the food cooked on the BBQ as well as the great food that people brought to the party as an offering.

Hayden slept the afternoon away, waking only for feedings and when the party was over...he was easily the least social of all people there! Boone had a great time swimming in the water and taking boat rides.

BBQ With The Compton Family

Shane's Uncle Bill, Aunt Kelly and Kelly's sister, Kerry, all arrived safe and sound from Washington State today. It is absolutely fantastic to see them and have them here for Shane's birthday...

This evening we went to Hat Creek Park for a BBQ. Shane took Mike and Bill for a canoe float down Hat Creek starting at the Powerhouse and ending at the park. They all had a great time - how could they not? Hat Creek is one of the most beautiful rivers and very peaceful. The rest of us waited for them at the park where Ryan prepared the BBQ and cooked the steak, chicken and veggies. It was nice to use that time to catch up and visit. Hayden had a great time looking around and he is definitely a big, big fan of the great outdoors. He was more than content to be held and to watch the wind in the trees and the birds in the sky.

After dinner, Shane put on his scuba gear and floated around in Hat Creek looking for clams. No luck...he needs to do some research.

Oh, I forgot to say in yesterday's blog...I took Hayden to the doctor's office again yesterday - he now weighs in at 11lbs 6oz. He has put on another 1lb in two weeks.

Bath Time & Feeding With Dad

We've had a quiet couple of days around the house with the family. Hayden has struggled with a nursing strike and not wanted to nurse from me yesterday and today...so I've had to pump and Shane has fed him a few times. As of this evening, however, it seems that the strike is over as Hayden nursed for over 25 minutes!!!

Shane's aunt and uncle from Tacoma, WA arrive tomorrow ready for the birthday party on Sunday...the Compton family is taking over Burney!!