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.

Nursery And BedTime

Hayden and I went for a walk with Vanessa and Cookie this morning and then spent this afternoon at their house. It was a nice, relaxing day.

Shane and Boone spent the day in the woods with Shane's co-workers and their dogs. They were looking for signs of goshawks...they did not find any; but, Boone had a great day anyway as he got to play with six other dogs!!

The pictures show how we have decorated the nursery...or what will become the nursery when all our visitors have left us. Shane built the bookcase, his dad sanded it and his mum painted it!! It turned out great.

Hayden has been put in his bed/hammock for the night...he will wake up in a couple of hours to be fed again - and then every two hours after that! Ahhhhhhhhhh, the nights of uninterrupted sleep, where have they gone? !! :)

A Day Of Tree Work

We spent today at Amanda and Larry's so that Shane could work on (i.e. cut down) a few of the trees on their property. Hayden had the important role of supervisor...a role he takes very seriously. I spent the day primarily with Hayden and ended up taking a 1.5 hour nap on Amanda and Larry's couch with Hayden!!...I did not want Hayden to get lonely - Don't let it be said that I am not helpful!

Boone spent the day playing with Osa. They played a very complex game of keeping one bone away from the other.

When we got home, Shane gave the baby a bath. Hayden once again smells and looks great.

Eye Contact Has Been Made

Hayden now makes eye contact when he looks at you - it's awesome!! He looks straight into our eyes and holds our gaze...
He is also more content to lay on his back in his "gym" and entertain himself for longer periods of time...this is nice in order to get things accomplished around the house.
He is growing and changing so much everyday...

Weigh In

I took Hayden to get weighed at the doctors today...the kid has put on another lb. He now weighs 10lb 6oz!!

I Don't Want To Brag Or Anything...

...but our son is amazingly, and somewhat freakishly, strong! He has been able to lift his head when laying on our chests since he was about 5 days old - but today, he really showed his strength when playing on his belly. He really took a good look around every time he lifted his head - it is awesome to watch!
Last night's sleep was great! Shane (bless his wonderful cotton socks!) took over the night watch from 11pm (after Hayden had eaten) until 5am this morning. It means that I was able to get some great sleep and sleep off the headache I had developed. I had managed to pump enough milk for Shane to feed to Hayden and Hayden is willing & receptive to the bottle. We are becoming quite the team, I tell you what. I don't think Shane will ever understand how grateful I am to him for being willing to take the night duty on a work night.
Today has been a busy day for Hayden and I. We left the house this morning around 10:15 and went and visited our friends at Clearwater Lodge. Then we went onto the Farm Supply and spent three hours there! It was so nice to see all my co-workers/friends and spend time socializing. Hayden was very well behaved (of course) and slept through most of the visiting. It has been a good day - most enjoyable.

What A Difference 24 Days Makes

Believe it or not, both these pictures are of Hayden! The top one was taken shortly after getting home with Hayden, the bottom one was just taken today. He still sleeps the same way...arms up protesting his innocence (!) and his head turned to the right...but, he is much, much bigger! I can hardly believe this is the same child!

For the observant among you, you may notice two things:

1. The top picture is where the birth announcement photo came from

2. Hayden has had a change of clothes today since his bath. Let's just say that Mumma got sprayed by a magic fountain...yeah.

Just Had A Bath

Hayden has just had a bath and change of clothes...he now smells fantastic and looks a lot fresher!!

Shane came home on his lunch break today. We all gathered in the truck (yes, of course, dog as well!) and went to Burney creek for a quick picnic lunch. While we ate and Hayden slept, Boone ran around and swam. Then all four of us took a little stroll through the woods. It was so nice to get out of the house and stretch my legs. I would say it was nice to smell the fresh air...but it is still so smokey.

The sun is really orange at sunrise and sunset because of the smoke...it looks pretty, but it such a shame that there is so much smoke from all the fires. From what I've heard, a majority of the fires are now contained...let's hope so.

It's A Good Morning

Shane spoiled me last night...after I had fed Hayden at 11pm, Shane took him and was able to take care of the 1am feeding with the milk that I had pumped earlier in the day - this means that I had uninterrupted sleep from 11pm to 3am!! - Woo-hoo!! Then Hayden spoiled me by sleeping to 6am after his 3am feeding!! - Nice night of sleep for me; however, I think Shane is suffering a little this morning.
Hayden has been bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. He has been happy to play and exercise on the bed rather than demanding to be held all morning. His stomach/gas pains have definitely not been bothering him this morning! Which is lovely - I hate to see him hurt.

As for the fires...one of my favorite walks got burned up last night. I love to walk this one area where Hat Creek and the Pit River meet at Lake Britton. Between the two rivers is a great meadow which Boone loves because of all the birds and open space. My friend Vanessa and I are going to go walk around it in a couple of weeks (once the smoldering has stopped) to survey the damage.
The town of Burney is very smoky this morning. Even with all the doors and windows closed, I can smell the smoke. There is ash on the vehicles...it is all very strange. We are supposed to get more thunder storms sometime this week - of course, this is a Catch-22...hopefully there is rain to help put out the fires; however, there might also be lightning which means the possibility of more fires...let's hope not.
I'll keep you posted.