Firsts for Hayden (FOOD at last) Part 4

"I love my toes!"

"Yummo! Food"

Dear Hayden you have experienced many Firsts in just a couple of months and one of those was getting your own seat at the "big people's table". Prior to that you had sat in your bouncy seat in the dining room and watched everyone else eat. You would watch all of us closely and were imitating us as we chewed and you were definitely interested in the food being consumed. And then came along probably your biggest First-the introduction of rice cereal this past week. You must have known something was up because there were cameras and videos on the ready. Momma had milked it down as instructed so it was pretty thin. The pictures above capture your response. Momma gives the cereal and it looks like you are opening up for more but in reality you were trying to toss the stuff out of your mouth---a very normal reaction. The third picture sort of reflects what may have been going through your head--I know this is not what they have been eating and happy with! Daddy held your hand to encourage you in the new endeavor.

You did pretty well for your first time but your smiles indicated that you were glad that feeding time was done for the first day. On Friday night you really did well with the rice cereal and we all saw this as a great step forward. We keep telling you that you have to get through the rice cereal before the good stuff like sweet potatoes come!

Grandma decided to get a light weight stroller for our walks. At first you didn't know what to do about your little red deuce coupe and even cried when I went to put you in it. We sat on the porch stairs for a while and you checked it out as I showed you how it rolled etc and then you were ready to give it a try. You had decided that this week, sunglasses were not going to be an accessory, so we opted for your cute ball cap and used the sunshade on the stroller to protect your eyes. We did our usual walk and saw many beautiful blooming flowers--when I pointed them out to you, you gave me a look that said "Grandma when you've seen one, you've seem them all". Thank you Stephen and Sidney for giving Grandma a toybox full of toys for you. I brought some of them with me on this trip and you loved the sassy ferris wheel, the crinkly bright colored fabric ball, the Pooh rattle, and the red kangaroo that hung from the visor of the stroller. You have also been enjoying the books that Alison, Pat and Katie had given Grandma to share with you. We are surrounded by very generous and loving friends and family.

You have discovered your toes my handsome grandson and you now spend a great deal of time trying to get them into your mouth (and sometimes you succeed). You love your toes so much that Grandma put you in the playmat and before I knew it you had taken off your socks and your pants! in order to get to those piggies on your feet. You have given Grandma some gorgeous views this past week and have become quite the wiggle worm when diaper changing time comes. Sometimes I feel like I am trying to put a diaper on an octopus as you demonstrate your turning skills and flexibility.

Fun with my toes and Momma!

Well, some would say that having an indoor pool might be over the top but it was a great place to hang out awhile yesterday. Daddy blew it up (by hand) indoors and eventually it was moved out to the deck area. It is Pretty Big! I know you will have fun in the water this summer.

Grandma has to go back to Richmond on Tuesday and I will miss you more than words can describe. But you are with me in my heart each second of each day.

I love you so very much and look forward to more of your Firsts

Grandma

Hayden's Firsts Part 3

The first weekend in June, Momma and you came to Richmond for the first time for Meg's baby shower. You had been to the doctor that day for your 4 month check up and you received 3 vaccinations (one was oral). You were feeling a little puney and so we gave you Tylenol for the discomfort and Grandad Gammon held you while you took a nap. Later you were feeling much better and helped to open Grandad's early Father's Day gift--you were fascinated with the curly ribbon.

At your doctor's appointment you weighed 17.8 pounds (only the 97th percentile) and measured 26 3/4 inches long (100th percentile) and your head circumference was perfect.


We hung the jumping seat over the door and you had a great time twirling about and bouncing. It was difficult to get a clear picture because you were moving about so much but you loved all the free movement.

You have such a good time with your Rain Forest jumperoo at home that Grandma bought the zoo version for her house. It seemed to throw you forward so that your eyes were too close to the blinking lights and the seat didn't spin as well as yours at home. When I came up to watch you this week, I brought the zoo seat with me and I think we have it repositioned so that your eyes will not be hurt and more use will hopefully make it slide around easier (or a little WD 40!).

Your hands became your favorite toy (until you found your toes--later on that) and you love licking, chewing, and sticking as many of your fingers as you can into your mouth. You have become a master drooler and Grandma thinks you are thinking about having a tooth or two pretty soon.



Hayden you are a blessing for all of us and you could not be loved more.

Like your Momma and Daddy, you need white noise to sleep. They (and you) use a box fan at night and you have your snuggly giraffe that creates several sounds that help you sleep. Sweet dreams little one.

Love always

Grandma

Hayden's Firsts Part 2

Dear Hayden, as you can see you are an expert at holding objects now and they generally end up in your mouth. You still love to play on your play mat and are a "baby in perpetual motion" with arms and legs flying in every direction. You have found your voice and love to laugh, chortle, and squeal. Your "conversations" are much longer these days and you still expect all of those within your sight to respond to you. It has been an amazing experience to watch you grow and reach many developmental milestones.

Grandma found sunglasses that have velcro straps and they seemed to fit better than the sunglasses with the plastic sides that go over your ears. But you still manage to put the sunglasses in a variety of positions such as the "Joe Cool" position above.

You sleep much better when you are swaddled, however you are like Houdini. Your arms and legs are supposed to be inside the swaddler but you manage to get your arms and/or legs out and take great pride in that accomplishment. Grandma has watched in fascination as one little hand and then the second slither out the top of the swaddler and you get a very cheesy grin when Grandma asks how you got out. Usually your arms find freedom but this week those long legs came out of the bottom. I am afraid that you are outgrowing the swaddler.


You continue to love your bathtime and as you can see you can hold your head up well.

You spend more time on your tummy without protest, although you let everyone know very clearly when you have had enough. This week you turned over several times from your tummy to your back. Grandma, Momma and Daddy were very excited but your look indicated that you did not see what all the fuss was about.

You love your jumperoo and you can spin your seat around 360 degrees and spend alot of time squealing, swinging from side to side, jumping up and down and playing with all of characters as you spin. Thank you Katie for all the fun!

Grandma is going to get ready to go shopping with Momma so I will close for now. You are beside me on the couch grinning and carrying on quite the conversation. Hayden Joseph, you are one happy baby and

I love you so much!

Grandma Gammon

A Lot of "Firsts" for Hayden Part 1

Memorial Day weekend 2011 (more to come)

Dear Hayden, Grandma must again apologize for not writing in a while but she has been quite busy with you! One of your first "newest" firsts came when Grandma came up to stay with you overnight. It was the first time your parents were going to be away from you for the night and Momma was a little anxious--Daddy may have been too but he did not say it. This picture was taken on Mother's Day when you were awaiting their return. Your shirt says it all --You are Bananas over Mommy.

We went out for an early dinner the day before Mother's Day and you were an angel in the restaurant. Your shirt says that you dig Grandma and Grandma digs you too!!

This was your first ride in the carseat in Grandma's car and apparently you enjoyed it so much you took a nap. Grandma fretted because of the silence and she kept reaching over the console to feel your softspot to know you were okay. Grandma needs to get one of the mirror devices that lets the driver see her prescious passenger! The twins loved this seat too and we are thankful that they shared one of their seats with you. The seat should be good for you until you are 4 and Grandma is really comfortable with it because she took the twins in and out of it so many times. We met Momma at school so that we could go the pediatrician because of a rash. Turns out the rash is from your hormones and dry skin. You weighed 16#8 oz

You were ready for the Kenturcky Derby with your sun hat during one of our walks. Your Grandad Gammon's horse did not win but we actually watched the race to see what happened.

For the Memorial Day weekend you, Momma and Daddy headed to Grandma and Grandad Conrad's house in Pennsylvania. You were able to visit with Aunt Sara and Uncle Bryan and Cousin Alex, Aunt Elizabeth and all of the Conrad men.

You seemed to love being the center of everyone's attention.

Grandma Conrad, her sisters and your Great Grandmother

The family dog seemed to be the only one confused by you--should I protect this being, eat it or just follow it about?
Getting ready for the party in your flag shorts and red collared shirt that Daddy likes to wear.

You had another first while in PA. You played in a jumperoo that hung from the door frame and you loved to jump and spin.

This blog edition was three times this length but I need to reboot the computer. So this will be part one of your amazing "firsts!"

I love you Hayden Joseph and thank you for bringing such joy to my life.

Grandma Gammon