Beautiful Afternoon

When I got home from work this afternoon, the sun was shining and it was just too pretty outside to be spending time inside. So, Hayden and I packed up some toys, a blanket and a juice bottle and headed for the great outdoors...the front garden! We had so much fun playing and talking with the neighbors, watching the cars go by...even two horses went by - that was fun!

When Shane and Boone got home from their busy days in the woods, they played out in the sunshine with us. Hayden played with Shane's hat (while it was still on Shane's head) as well as Boone's rope toy (while it was still in Boone's mouth).

I think Boone and Hayden are starting to develop that little boy and his doggy relationship. Boone seems a little more receptive to the idea at least...

P.S. Today is Hayden's 10 month birthday...this is NO April Fools joke - he really is 10 months old already!!

Playing With Boone In The Sunshine

Hayden and Boone played together in the sunshine for quite a while this evening. Hayden has figured out how to engage Boone in a game of rough and tumble...he steals Boone's toy! It was highly entertaining watching them both - Boone was even wagging his tail and showing signs of having fun!

Boone Loves Hayden...

...almost as much as he loves a poke in the eye!! At least Hayden seems oblivious to this fact, and he loves his doggy anyway...especially when he gets to climb all over him. Boone is just one big, furry jungle-gym.

Crawling In The Hallway

Hayden loves chasing the dog. The dog doesn't like the game so much. This video was taken this afternoon while we had some family time in Hayden's bedroom.

Hayden's New Ball Cap

Thanks to Nana and Grandpa, Hayden got his first summer hat in the mail this week...along with some great clothes. We went over to Daryl and Gayla's this morning to meet up with Shane, Daryl and Gayla that were already in full swing of a garage sale. Hayden was the official "Garage Sale Greeter" - a role he completed well.

Hayden and I came home after lunch because he was starting to get tired. So far, he has been asleep for over two hours!

Hayden's New Friend...

Today, Hayden made friends with a lint roller. He and the lint roller were stuck together for a good chunk of time...much to the amusement of my co-workers and I. After Hayden figured out how to remove the lint roller from his hand, and hold onto the handle, our office was cleaned to perfection. The carpet, walls, desks, cardboard boxes, chairs and everything else was lint-rolled. Such a big helper!!

Playing Trains With Nicholas

Shane and I took Hayden and Boone to Shingletown this afternoon to visit Chantz, Rhonda, Nicholas, Christopher and Yellowstone. Christopher has been home from the hospital for 3 weeks now after being born 5 weeks early. Yellowstone was not too impressed to have to share her backyard with Boone - but she got over it.

Hayden and Nicholas, however, had a great time playing with each others toys...but nothing was as much fun as the train set. Hayden loved standing at the edge, playing with all the vehicles and trains that he could get his hands on. Typical boy!

Thank you for sharing your trains, Nicholas!

"I Want The Camera...."

...please? I'll trade the diaper and the bum cream...promise.

The One That Holds The Bum Cream...

...is victorious! Nothing entertains a baby like a diaper and bum cream...especially when Mumma is trying to put said diaper and bum cream on the baby that is victorious.

But, even victorious babies have to have baths at the end of the day...

Needless To Say...

...we made it home safe and sound - yes, I know....TWO weeks ago!! I am sorry.

Hayden and I arrived back in Redding at 5:10pm on the 7th of March - without our suitcase. Somehow, in our three hour lay-over, our suitcase did not make it to my connecting flight. Not sure how that happened, but that is a minor problem compared to the night I had to stay in the hotel on the way to England, and the stomach bug Hayden got while in England. To say this was an eventful trip would be the understatement of the decade! Anyhoo, we got back safe and sound to one very delighted Shane.

Hayden has adjusted back to his old sleep schedule and did so remarkably quickly and easily. We went back to work the Monday the 9th and my work colleagues were over the moon to see...Hayden. Yup, not me! I am slowly getting used to being the Hayden delivery system!!!

To say that I am proud of Hayden and his amazing behavior while going to, staying in and coming back from England would be a very large understatement. Hayden, you did Mumma proud...as always.

To Daddy With Love

Back To His Old Self

Hayden is back! Yes, ladies and gents, the illness has finally passed and Hayden is back. He is still a little tired, but definitely well enough to travel. So, we head back to California tomorrow...from my parent's front door to ours is a 19 hour journey - wish us luck!!

These pictures are from the past two days. Enjoy!

Getting A Little Better

Well, Hayden looks as though he is finally on the tail-end of his stomach bug. It has lasted nearly a week and he is quite exhausted from it all. He has managed to play a little today while smiling, talking and giggling...something he has not done for a week. He is still sleeping quite a bit, which can only help. He is more interested in food (always a good sign) and his skin colour looks much improved. I am quite hopeful.
Through out all this, he has been such a trooper. Mum and I took him back to the doctors on Monday morning and Dr. Robinson agreed that it would be in Hayden's best interest to put off our departure again. So, we are not leaving today as planned and will likely leave this weekend instead.
Mum and Jamie have since gone down with the bug and I think dad is feeling worse than he is letting on. Somehow, I have managed to skate by (so far...knock on wood) without getting sick.
I miss Shane incredibly. He has been wonderful through this. I know that he misses Hayden and is worried about him; he has never once questioned my decisions to put off our flights and continues to remain supportive...although this may be because he does not want me to to see the state of our house! Shane, I love you...I miss you...I am grateful for your patience, support and kindness. See you very soon.

Proof!

Family Pictures

Yesterday was supposed to be our last day here; so, we managed to get a bunch of family pictures taken. However, Hayden did not improve during the day so mum and I ended up taking him to the on-call doctors about 9pm last night. The doctor recommended that Hayden stay here for just a little while longer as flying would not be fun for him or me. She wrote us a note so that Shane & I can claim the money back (the fees for changing flights) from my travel insurance. We are now staying until Wednesday.

Dad's Birthday

It was dad's 55th birthday on Friday. We did not do anything too exciting during the day; however, that night Adam, Carly & Maddie came around to join us for a Chinese take-out. Hayden started to feel poorly on dad's birthday; so, was unable to join us for most of the festivities...including a family picture.

Cuddles With Nanna

On our way back from Nan & George's, mum and dad dropped us off at Adam and Carly's for the evening. We sat and cuddled with Maddie while mum and dad took Hayden home to have some alone time with him. They bathed him, fed him and put him to bed. It was great for them to have that time with Hayden while I had some time without him....sounds bad, doesn't it? It was very nice to visit and catch up with Adam and Carly without having to chase Hayden around - oh yes, I have forgotten to mention this very large fact - Hayden crawls now. Real proper crawling. It is the cutest thing!! Oh, he also says A-Nan-Nan and A-Dad-Dad. I am not sure if he is knowingly saying them, and knowing to whom they apply; but, it is so cute to hear his voice. He is finding freedom in his voice and his movement.

Shane, we need to baby proof the house...pronto!!!

Dinner With Nan & George

Yesterday, we went down to Hastings to visit with Nan and George. Nan cooked us a fantastic roast lamb with all the trimmings (hmm-mmm) and George took care of every drink request we had! It was a nice day and I think Nan & George enjoyed visiting with Hayden.

After dinner, Dad, Jamie and I took Hayden to the park across the road from Nan & George. We used to go to this park a lot when we were kids. We would always feed the ducks with loaves and loaves of bread...they were well taken care of. I really wanted to take Hayden to do this...as it was such a big part of my childhood. He seemed to enjoy watching, and hearing, the ducks and gulls as they fought each other over the bread! It will be better next time when we come home as he will be old enough to stand at the fence and throw the bread in himself...he will really get the whole experience then!

Swimming In Eastbourne

Hayden LOVES the swimming pool. He splashed, kicked, bounced in and loved the water. He thought his grandad was hilarious when he went under the water to make him jump with a big "Boo" as he resurfaced.

Hayden was amazing...laughed, giggled and loved to watch the other kids playing in the pool; however, he was not such a big fan of the wave machine - even though we were in the shallowest part. I think this was the best day we have had by far...we both had such a great time in the water. When we get back to Burney, I think I will look to see if there are any 'Mummy & Me' groups in Redding that meet at the pool...Hayden would love that.

Needless to say, after 2.5 hours in the water, Hayden was asleep in his car seat before we even left the swimming pool car park!!

A Trip To Dickens World

We ended up not going to the swimming pool today as the slide is closed on Tuesday and Thursdays...and, as we are all adrenaline junkies (except mum, of course) when it comes to water slides - there was just no way we could possibly go today. Instead we went to Dickens World in Chatham. It was an inside full-size exhibit with people dressed in character providing information and insight in to Charles Dickens world. For example, did you know that after fathering his 10th child with his wife, he left her and lived the rest of his life with his mistress?

Anyhoo, we learned about the inspiration for his characters and more about his personal life. An interesting and informative day.

Tomorrow is the swimming!