Happy First Thanksgiving-part one

Although I was trying to catch up chronologically, I just wish to let you know on this, your first Thanksgiving, how thankful and blessed I am to have you, Momma, and Daddy in my life. We are also blessed to have Great-Grandma and Pappy, your Grandad Gammon, all of the Conrad family, as well as all of your great uncles, Grandma's brothers, and their growing families and many, many friends with us.
On a more minor note, Grandma is very thankful that we both survived your bath tonight. It was Grandma's first time to give you a bath in the "big boy" tub and she was flying solo. You love to splash and chew (teething again) on your bath alphabet toys and chase the boat and other bath toys. You had the delicious smell of a J and J baby as I bundled you up and dried you off. And Grandma so enjoys watching your face as we read a book before bedtime while we rock.
I am blessed to watch your fierce independence in feeding yourself your bottle, while you reach out to hold Grandma's finger and kick your leg against Grandma during the feeding. You are also stubbornly determined to reach whatever is in your visual field, usually it is a cord or something electrical. You put on your sad face when you hear 'Ahhhh" or "not for baby". Those phrases stop you for 20 seconds and then you are back in your pursuit. Luckily you can be diverted, if only for a short time. Independence and determination will serve you well my love as you grow and learn.
You are the love of my heart and I am so thankful,
Love
Grandma

So many changes in so little time!

Hello blueberries and eyes!

On September 11, Grandma sat with you while Momma and Daddy went to the Steelers/Ravens game in Baltimore. Grandma had bought the tickets for Daddy's birthday and was excited about them going to the game but also a little concerned about their safety in Baltimore while wearing their Steeler's gear. September 11 was the 10th anniversary of terrorist attack on the United States. If your parents ran into any angry Raven's fans, your Daddy had already rehearsed his speech "We're all Americans today!". Turned out there was no cause for concern as the Ravens seriously beat the Steelers. You and I watched the unfortunate game at home. Your parents had a good time at the game despite the score.

"The Steelers are making me drool Grandma"

"The Steelers games are usually nail biters."

"Ah! Grandma did you see that call?!"

During the visit Grandma noticed that you are becoming much more interactive with your toys and beginning to see cause and effect as you play. You can now press all of the buttons on you toy tool box and love the music and will "dance" to any music you hear. You have begun to attend classes at Gymboree on Saturdays and a large part of the class is music based and you seem to love it. One of your first toys was a caterpillar that you hold, press buttons and it plays classical music--and you continue to love it 9 months later.
You also love all computers and try to play with them at every opportunity. You were really excited on this day because there two to choice from--SO much fun!

You are really DROOLING and have been for a couple of months. You are also gnawing on anything available including human knees, fingers etc. Anyday that tooth should come threw!

You are getting so close to crawling- beginning with getting up on your arms and later the knees were up but then you were stuck. You would rock back and forth and want so bad to go forward. But it just would not happen for you buddy. Patience, the crawl will come.
But you are a champion with sitting on your own both on hard and soft surfaces. You like to "help" Momma and Daddy with the laundry.

You have just now woken up from a nap and are determined to help Grandma with her computer.
You sweeten every day of my life Hayden.

Love, Grandma

Another fun visit with Great-Grandma and Pappy

Your Momma, Great-Grandma and I went to Momma's cousin Sarah's baby shower September 10. Grandma and Pappy came over for a short visit after your nap. You had a grand time with them and above you are telling Pappy that Grandma won't share her bracelet.

You have found your voice and love to talk and yell.

You are trying to drink some water out of a cup and offered to share it with your great-grandparents.

You have many facial expressions now but as always your smile is Grandma's favorite!

More to come as Grandma tries to catch up. Love always,

Grandma

It has been a long time baby bug

Grandma must apologize for the delay in the posting of blogs. So much has been going on with you and Grandma can barely keep up with all of your developmental milestones, let alone the blog. But you are in my thoughts every second of every day. Grandma tries to get up to your home every 2 weeks or so to enjoy being with you.

You spent the rest of August developing a taste for more and more of Mommy's homemade food and you loved to help with eating by spreading it on as many body parts as possible. You smile so much and that smile brightens everyone's day. Meats were put on hold temporarily as they were not well received.

You learned to experience the beginnings of frustration with your attempts to move forward to get to wanted items such as your toys. Most of the time you looked like you were swimming on your stomach with arms and legs going every which way.

The pictures say it all---you are one happy baby. You are developing quite a regular schedule as Momma prepares to return to work.

There is a lot more to come but Grandma wanted to finish up August before we moved onto the month of September. I love you through and through Hayden,

Grandma

Up, Up and Away

Dear Hayden, the pictures in this post officially confirm that Grandma would do anything for you. While we were at the Boardwalk, we saw a small ferris wheel that you could ride with an adult. You and Daddy waited patiently in line. You looked all about and were fascinated by the car ride behind you and the green tickets. When it was time for you all to get into the ferris wheel car, it became evident that Daddy's six foot four frame was not going to get into the car. And with much trepidation, Grandma said she would ride with you. Grandma has not been on any size ferris wheel for 30 years due to the fact she is very frightened of heights.

We road round and round and eventually Grandma let go of the grip that she had on the frame of the car we were riding. I watched as you looked all about with fascination and continued longing at the fast cars right behind us. It was wonderful to share the ride with you and I will always treasure the memory of our ride together.

Love, Grandma

Hayden goes to Rehoboth Boardwalk and Funland 2011

Dear Hayden, one night we went up to Rehoboth Beach to take you to the Boardwalk and Funland. Your Momma spent many, many summers enjoying the Boardwalk and Funland from when she was an infant through high school. You were dressed in your fun duds and ready for the action.

You waited patiently in your stroller while Daddy went to buy tickets needed for the rides. You were too young for a lot of the rides but were able to ride the Carousel with Momma and Daddy. You were fascinated by all of the lights, music, people and the green ride tickets.

While you were riding the carousel with Momma and Daddy, you decided to have a snack and were eating the ride tickets. The lady sitting in front of you all realized why I kept trying to get your parents attention while taking pictures and Daddy got the tickets out of your reach.

You also rode the ferris wheel but that will come in another post.Your parents played a few of the games at Funland like frog bog and horse racing and then we headed back to Bethany.You were pretty tuckered out by all of the activities at Funland. You kept looking at other rides like the cars and boats but those will have to wait until next year and I can't wait to see you as you get to enjoy those rides as you get older.

I love you so much love bug,

Grandma