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!!

Having Fun Poolside

For the past couple of nights, Shane, Hayden and I have been enjoying poolside BBQ dinners at the hotel where Shane's family have been staying. Jacob and Lilly have been enjoying post-dinner swims with Crystal, Ryan, Shane and Mike (my father-in-law - who manages to get away with not being photographed). Hayden has been enjoying cuddles and love from the whole family and I have been enjoying good company and great food. It has been a fun couple of days...

Nana Shirley and Hayden

So, despite knowing I am going to get seriously hurt by my mother-in-law (!), I am going to post this picture. It was taken a couple of nights ago while we all ate a great BBQ dinner poolside at the hotel. Jacob and Lilly were having a great time playing in the pool while 'Nana Shirley' had a great time playing grandma to the latest family addition.

I think it's a great picture...

Family Play Time

After a nice long nap, a feeding and a diaper change, it was down to some serious play time with mum and dad. Hayden is kicking and lifting his head as well as tracking sounds and working on his smile...yup, that's right, Hayden is starting to work on his charming smile. His lips are starting to curve and his eyes glint...it should be soon, hopefully!!

Hayden is also rolling over from his front onto his back...the life of a busy baby!

Playing At The Lake

Shane took Crystal, Ryan, Jacob and Lilly to the lake for the afternoon. Scuba Shane went exploring while the kids played in the shallow water. Lilly was the first in and, despite shivering, did not want to get out. Jacob tried out his snorkeling gear, but had a hard time walking in to the water in his flippers on. Boone probably had the most amount of fun - he got to run up and down with dogs that he found playing on the beach.

Hayden and I spent a quiet afternoon around the house. We both took a nice, long nap - hmmmm, heaven!!!

Waking Up Is So Hard To Do

Yesterday was the start of Burney Basin Days - the weekend of celebration for the 4th of July. We went to the chuck wagon breakfast and then the parade in the mornig. In the evening we went over to Daryl and Gayla's for a great BBQ where we got to see a lot of our friends.

Hayden has been having some mild colic most nights. The time of the colic varies each night. Last night it was from 7pm-10pm which meant that the night time feedings were a little easier. He slept in late this morning and is a very happy, bright-eyed baby as a result. He is taking the extra noise in the house in his stride and his cousins have confessed to liking him (phew!).

Shane is working one of his climbing jobs this morning so his sister & co have gone to watch him. This afternoon is going to be spent by Hat Creek where Shane and Jacob can test out their scuba gear while looking for fish - sounds too cold to me!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Shane's sister, Crystal, brother-in-law, Ryan, nephew, Jacob, and niece, Lilly, arrived today. It has been a fun and busy day. Jacob got to climb trees with uncle Shane in the new harness that Shane got him and then both kids got to play at the park this afternoon. They are currently outside setting up the tent and making smores around a little fire... Unfortunately, due to the recent wild fires there are no fireworks to celebrate the 4th; but, the kids seem happily diverted by smores!!

Hayden has had a good day. He appears oblivious to the extra chaos and commotion in the house...and in true male style, is only focused on his next meal. Let's hope that all three kids have a good night's rest so we can head to the chuck wagon breakfast and parade in the morning.

Boone At The Lake

I couldn't ignore Boone...he had so much fun exploring the area and swimming in the lake - he deserved his picture on the blog as he was such a good boy.

Lunch At The Lake

Today, Hayden and I met Brenda at the spot on the lake where we plan on having Shane's 30th birthday party next weekend. We got to sit and catch up for a couple of hours in the shade of the pines. Brenda got her baby fix and Boone got to go swimming.

It was nice and cool by the lake. It is going to be a great spot for hanging out with family and friends next weekend.

Good Morning!

Despite being awake for two solid hours during the night (again!), Hayden slept well this morning...we both managed to sleep to 9am - much better!!

Shane took a picture of us as we were sleeping...yes, I know - I shouldn't 'spoil' Hayden by letting him sleep on me; but, it worked in my favor as got to sleep so late this morning. Plus, I like him sleeping on me in the morning - it is a nice way for me to start my day.

He is now taking a morning nap in his bed...catching up on his zzzzzzzzz's.

I'll post more pictures tonight.

Struggling With Sleep Deprivation

Hayden had a rough night last night. He was awake from 3:45am to 5:45am after taking a long time (and a lot of screaming) to go to sleep last night. It means that mummy was up too...and I am feeling the effects of it.

Shane rescued me from the 11pm feeding last night which meant that I could get some quality time sleeping - good thing, considering I was then up for two hours in the early hours of this morning! Then he rescued me again when he came home for lunch...bless him!

I am looking forward to the night when Hayden sleeps longer stretches as I am the most exhausted I have ever felt.

Hayden is asleep now, better take advantage of it...and go to sleep myself!! Good night!!

Here We Are, Again...

...only this one is an extreme close-up!!!

Hayden Is One Month Old!

Happy Birthday Hayden!! Hard to believe that he is already one month old...time has gone by so quickly, yet it seems like he has always been with us.