First Birthday! Part 2

At the party you had fun with lots of people and lots of balloons, which you loved to play with. Both Momma and Daddy's friends were there as were all of your grandparents and cousin Andrew with his Momma and grandparents. Momma had a special Hungry Caterpillar shirt made for your first birthday.

You had fun with Meghan's necklace and even managed to pull it off-luckily it had a magnetic clasp.

Kika and Deb

Dee-Dee, your wonderful babysitter, and her daughter who could not get enough of you!

You had a nice chat with Grandad Gammon.

You looked a little stunned by all of the people and the decorations when Daddy brought you into the clubhouse. Grandma and Grandad Gammon and Conrad and Daddy had assigned jobs to get you and the clubhouse ready for your first party. As always Momma was very organized and creative in developing the theme of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, one of her favorite books. There were colorful caterpillars all about.

The clubhouse was a great place to have your party.

Momma made a Very Hungry Caterpillar that had a picture of you from each of your first 12 months.

Your First Birthday party was perfect but the best part was the eating of your cake which will be in Part 3.

I am at your house and think I hear you waking up. Grandma needs to get you ready to take to Gymboree. I love you and love when you call me "amma"

Hayden's First Birthday-Part 1

Dear Hayden--Grandma came up a day before your birthday party so that she could help with the preparation. She had brought a few birthday presents for you and Momma and Daddy said it was fine for you to open them early. Your birthday event posts are going to be divided into sections because your birthday was spread over 4 days! The Christmas present in the background was from Aunt Mary Lynne.

Daddy helped with opening the Animal See and Say. Your Momma had a much earlier version of this when she was young. Yours is much more tricked out!

You opened some new puzzles that were like the ones you liked to play with at CMOR. And of course, you found them to be the perfect new item to gnaw on. We were wondering when that top tooth was going to come in.

Ah! Tissue paper--your favorite to shred!

You were trying to get your new school bus out of the box--but the toy companies make sure that quite a bit of time is spent getting all of the packing undone. You sat on your bike box to open one of your presents.

A new farm and animals to play with.

A new bike that is for the first 3 stages of your bike riding career. You love climbing on your new bike box. Since then, Daddy put the trike together and you have had a grand time on it. But pictures of that to come.

After you opened your presents, Momma and Grandma (mostly Momma) began decorating your cupcakes (and the kitchen) with green icing to make the caterpillar for your party. Momma and Daddy have quite the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" birthday party planned. More of that in part 2.

Bunches of love
Grandma

January--your birthday month!

As Grandma has written, the weather continues to be unpredictable. The flowers again this year are quite confused. This daffodil bloomed on January 27th in Grandma's yard!

You have now grown enough to need "big boy" towels and you look quite cute in your doggie towel. Of course Grandma is very biased regarding your level of cuteness.

You continue to love your bath. Grandma had bought a whale toy for the bathtub (little blue dot in the corner of the picture). You were very surprised when it sprayed you in the face but Daddy quickly wiped the spray from your stunned face. You found the green tub frog much more fun.

You continue to love to "help" with folding the laundry.You also love to "hang out" and play with Momma and Daddy--especially on pajama days. Daddy continues your education on the art of the joy stick-controller for video games.

You now can now get yourself to a standing position without help.

You remain fiercely determined when you set your sights on an object that you would like to have, such as your football. Sometimes the determination is centered on your favorite items--electrical cords.

Grandma is not sure how you ended up in Daddy's Pittsburgh Penguin Malkin shirt--you have a little way to grow before the shirt will be a great fit (and by then Malkin may have retired from hockey). You continue to enjoy all of your toys--both old and new as you continue to explore the world around you. Being able to watch your developmental achievements is such a blessing for Grandma.

I love you so much Hayden!

Grandma