Hayden's First Time Getting Firewood

Hayden had us up at 4am this morning. Ouch. It actually ended up working out in our favor as Shane had made plans to meet with our friends, Billy and Vanessa, to go and get firewood at 6am. I went along to drive one of the trucks and be of moral support...mainly, I was in charge of baby monitoring. Shane cut down the tree (something neither Billy nor Vanessa had seen before...and thoroughly loved) and cutting it into 16" lengths. Billy and Vanessa rolled the rounds into the open area and then chopped each round into quarters. They were all very busy little bees. The dogs, Boone and Cookie, got to chase squirrels, chase each other and eat sticks while the work was happening. They both had a blast.

Hayden was very good on the trip. He was bundled up to protect him from the 6am chill and slept in the truck on the way up. He spent most of the time sleeping in my arms or sitting in my arms while we took the dogs for a walk. Only on the way home did he start to get fussy due to tiredness (not very good quality sleep when a chainsaw is humming and axes are pounding) and hunger. He got to visit with my parents over Skype for a little while before going to bed this afternoon and now Shane, Boone and Hayden are all appreciating an afternoon nap.

In Preparation For Halloween...

...we'd like to introduce you to our little pumpkin.

Sleepy Day

Hayden has had a sleepy day. He has been up a few times during the day for a couple of hours each time; but, most of the day he has been peacefully sleeping in his crib while sucking his thumb. Shane and I did manage to get some playtime with him in his room before he started crying...and then we took a walk to Safeway to get some ice-cream (for Shane and I...not the baby, of course!). Today was the first time that Hayden sat facing forward in his stroller (i.e. he was not in the car seat part of his stroller). This means that he was able to watch the world go by from his seat and this seemed to entertain him.

An Afternoon Outside

Hayden and I took a walk along Hat Creek with Vanessa and Cookie. It is my favorite walk and the one that got burned up earlier this summer. It is the first time that Vanessa and I have been back there since the burn and were pleasantly surprised to see that not as much damage was done as we anticipated. I think that it will actually green up nicely back there once the rains start up later in the autumn. Anyhoo, Hayden was very sweet. He stayed awake for the first half and watched the world go by from his kangaroo pack on my front. He dozed for the second half. It was nice to get out in the sunshine and spend some time with Vanessa.

This evening he has been kind of fussy. I think he just got overtired with the fresh air and sunshine. He did not take a nap when we got home (not for a lack of trying) and was just exhausted by bedtime.

Special Day

September 26th is a special day in Marisa history...it was 11 years ago today that I first came over the United States with the intention of being a nanny for just one year... And here I am 11 years later with a husband, baby and home. I am grateful to everyone in my life for the support they have offered in making my life today what it is.

Today is also a special day for another reason. One year ago today, Hayden was conceived. Happy "Kinda 1st" Birthday Hayden! - We love you and are so, so proud of you.

Playing With The Big Ball

Pictures from the family playtime tonight in Hayden's room.

Hayden's Afternoon At Work With Dad

Hayden went to work this afternoon with Shane. Shane had to take pictures of foliage in the woods, so he decided it was a good afternoon to take Hayden with him. He put him in the backpack and packed him around. By all accounts both fellas had a good time.

When they got home, Hayden decided to open the gates and had a giant, giant poop...it was so bad that Shane had to bathe him to get the poop off of Hayden's neck!! Needless to say, the shirt Hayden was wearing at the time has been classified as useless and has, therefore, been permanently retired. After bathing him, Shane put Hayden in his crib while he answered the phone and when he went back to check on Hayden, he was asleep...at 4:30pm!! Goodness knows what our night is going to look like with Hayden going to bed so early!! I am expecting a wake-up call around 3am...oh the joys.

Hayden Meet...Hayden

Hayden had a great play time this afternoon. We played on the floor of his bedroom while listening to the Celtic Woman CD. Hayden talked to all his stuffed animals (but particularly his buffalo), he proudly swung his two stuffed elephants around his head, he shook his rattles (one in each hand) as if he were playing the maracas and he, most significantly, met himself. He was able to make himself giggle, laugh and talk and was fascinated that this other Hayden did exactly the same moves at exactly the same time. It is so much fun to watch him interact with his world...which is just getting larger by the day.

All that playing is exhausting. He is now tucked up in bed fast asleep for his afternoon nap. Sweet dreams Hayden.

Mumma Time

Shane stayed home with Hayden for a couple of hours this morning which enabled me to be able to go and ride with Diane. I have not ridden in a long, long time...so my legs were very shaky and I did not ride my best; but, even with that being said, it was so, so nice to be back up on a horse and riding again. I really hope to be able to do it again soon. Thanks Diane for getting me back out there!!!

Good Morning, Happy Day

After a staggering 13 hours of sleep last night, Hayden woke up a very happy little boy. He has eaten, been changed and played in the sunshine for a while. Now he is hungry again (he has to make up for 13 hours of no food!!) and ready to take a nap. It is hard to believe that he is ready to sleep again after 13 hours (have I mentioned that he slept for 13 hours last night?!!); but, it appears that he is.

Good Night, Sweet Dreams

Shane continues to do an excellent job of bathing, feeding and putting the baby to sleep every night. Hayden enjoys his "daddy" time and giggles while being bathed. He also likes to surprise daddy by peeing on him while he is getting undressed for the tub and then he really gets a hoot out of pooping in the tub!! More often than not, Hayden likes to create bubbles, and surprises, in the bath... Shane hangs his head and sighs out of the mild frustration that Hayden has done it (yet) again while I sit and giggle discreetly (OK, not so discreetly) in the corner. Ahhhhhh, the memories that are already being created!!!!

These pictures were taken while Shane was feeding and burping Hayden the other evening.

Mum's Cuddle Bunny & Dad's Hunting Buddy

Hayden has had an exhausting weekend...we went to Redding yesterday as we needed food and building supplies for Shane's work shed. Hayden had a rough day as he did not sleep well while we were in town and, as a result, got tired and had difficulty going to sleep last night. He is making up for it today though - as he has slept most of the day!!

Staying Home Today

It seems as though work tires Hayden out. He does better when he is allowed to stay home one of the five work days. I just don't think he gets enough rest at work (although he sleeps well) - it is just not his own bed. He was a little fussy yesterday at work...not bad as far as babies go; but, for him, he was fussy. He slept longer than usual for his morning nap this morning. His morning nap is consistently two hours long; however, this morning he slept for over 2.5 hours and wanted to go straight back to sleep after nursing. I will work from home this afternoon and over the weekend to make up for the hours I am missing today. I am so grateful to have such a supportive work environment that allows me to put my child's needs before theirs...I cannot imagine what I would be doing right now if McArthur Farm Supply had not hired me.

Maybe I will try and stop at the doctor's office and get Hayden weighed this afternoon....hmmmmmmm, now there's a thought.