An Afternoon At The Park

Today, Hayden and I took Nana to the park. It was a beautiful day...no jackets were needed. Hayden went down the big slide for the first time today - he held my hand for the first couple of tries and then was more than happy to do it by himself. As with every new skill he learns, he had to keep doing it over and over. Up the stairs, down the slide. Up the stairs, down the slide. All I kept thinking was "he is going to sleep well tonight!"

It has been a good week. Nana is still being an amazing help around the house and Hayden loves spending time with her. He sleeps an amazing amount every afternoon (read: 3 hours) because of the dedicated amount of time he gets to play with her. It is very special to watch him develop a relationship with her.

Baby #2

I had an OB-GYN appointment yesterday...turns out all the contractions I have been having are actually doing some good. I am 3 cms dilated. I had a baby less than a week later after being told this last time!...So, watch this space! Could be another Baby Compton unleashed on the world very soon!

Enjoying Some Spring-Like Weather

The weather this week has been amazing. Blue skies, trees starting to bud, birds singing....amazing. Of course, I have had to go back to work! - I got to enjoy two months of cold, grey skies and then I get to watch the sun out the window while back at work! Anyway, Shane and Shirley drove Mike over to Reno today; so, I had Hayden all to myself. We jumped in the car, with Boone, and headed to the woods for some fun. Hayden splashed in the puddles, went 'off-roading' through the bushes and climbed on tree stumps & rocks - he had a lot of fun. It was a very enjoyable and special little bit of time together.

Nana And Grandpa

Last Sunday, Shane's parents arrived. It has been such a wonderful week. They have looked after Hayden every day as I have started back to work and Hayden has been in grandparent heaven. He has been well loved on, read to, played with and spoiled rotten with all kinds of gifts from Shane's sister - including these very large, perfect trucks (thank-you, Crystal!!). Shirley and Mike have enjoyed getting to know the 'grown-up' Hayden and I am just so tickled they have had this time; however, all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, Mike got called back to work and he is currently catching a train from Reno to take him home to work which starts on Monday. Shirley made the difficult choice to stay here with us for a little while so that she can have more time with Hayden and, hopefully, be here when the baby is born. I know I am grateful for her help around the house.

Redding Logging Conference

Yesterday, Shane and I took Hayden to the Redding Logging Conference so that Hayden could check out some real-life big trucks. Hayden was a little over-whelmed by them...but appeared to appreciate seeing them nonetheless. Shane and Hayden went through the giant trailer that had all kinds of dead, stuffed animals in - Hayden really liked being able to reach out and touch the critters.

Hayden got to sit in an excavator, skid steer and Freightliner...all of which made him very happy; however, he was happiest when he was able to steal one of the Redding Convention Center cones and simply walk away with it.

Shoulder Rides

My boys are so handsome.

An Evening Stroll

On Tuesday of this week, I had to go and experience the joys of the second part of the Gestational Diabetes test. It left me wiped out...so Shane stayed home to help me take care of Hayden. That the afternoon we all took very extended naps(read: 2.5 hours!) and all woke up early evening feeling groggy as a result. The dog, however, was feeling energetic; so, we all bundled up in the pick-up and went to a local creek in order for the fresh air to revive us humans at the same time as tiring the dog out!

Shane and Hayden had a great time throwing rocks in to the water (mumma can't bend down that far, that easily!) while I took pictures of all my boys.

It was all fun and games until Hayden decided to take the wake up procedure a little too far...and went for a quick dip in the creek. Needless to say we had to high tail it out of there, strip him off and get the truck heaters blasting! It was a nice outing, while it lasted!

Look Ma!...No Hands!

OK, OK...before you go calling the social services and the police, the humane society and the IRS - please know that I am not drinking the beer...I am merely the beer holder for my husband who thinks that my capability to do so is the funniest thing on earth.

Helping Clean Stalls

These pictures are actually a week old already...sorry for the delay in getting them posted to the blog.

I try and get Hayden out to the horse ranch once a week so that he can get some fresh air, run around and be near the horses...as well as to let me visit with Diane. He seems to really enjoy his time in and around the barns...particularly the tools, tractors and hay bales! While we are there, I help Diane clean the stalls (in my limited-stomach-always-in-the-way way) and so does Hayden. He is getting pretty good with the plastic pitchfork - if you don't mind ducking, loosing an eyeball (or two) and jumping over it when he drops it!

Despite this though, his favorite thing to do is give the horses their hay. He pulls a few strands out from the bales and puts it into the stalls of his favorites. It's pretty cute to watch - even if I do say so myself!