Welcome Home Hayden 2/2/2011

Dear Hayden--You came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. It was pretty windy and chilly out there and Momma and Daddy had you covered with the sweet blanket that Great Grandma Santmyer had handmade for you (Your Momma and Daddy had chosen the colors) You had on a cap and mittens which didn't seem to bother you a bit. You settled right in and after eating you slept for quite a while in your Little Lamb swing. That gave Mom and Dad some time to eat dinner. Then you woke and ate again and decided to take a 2 hour nap on Grandma's chest--I think you found comfort in hearing the heartbeat. That was also a good thing because Momma got to take a shower and do several other chores before it was feeding time again--or at least that is what we thought. You were crying quite loudly and Grandma climbed the two flights of stairs where your parents were and literally as I hit the top step of the second set of stairs, you went back to sleep and you and I settled into the rocker for a bit for a little more Grandma time. Each set of stairs was 13-14 stairs so Grandma was quite proud that we made it up without stopping.

As the night went on, things were not as smooth and all of us got very little sleep last night as you were awake and crying much more than usual. You had a doctor's appointment today for a check up and it turned out you needed more to eat even tho you were eating every hour. Mommy's milk wasn't in yet and you had lost a few more ounces. You had 2 ounces of formula at the doctors and you returned to our happy little baby. In fact when you arrived back home, Mommy said you were a different little guy after the formula and that you appeared to be in a milk coma. The pediatrician helped your parents work out an interim plan for feeding. You will go back to the doctors tomorrow to check on your weight and your little bit of jaundice (normal stuff for a baby).

Right now all of you are back asleep after a mid afternoon feeding and hopefully you and your parents will catch up on some much needed sleep. Grandma had gone out shopping for some formula and other necessities while you all slept.

I love you so much and you are just the sweetest, cutest baby in the world

Grandma

You are the cutest! 2/1/2011

Grandad and I went to the hospital to see you and Momma and Daddy on Tuesday. You slept 5 hours! the first night and one time when Daddy heard you stirring in the bassinet, he found that you had turned on your right side! You had a procedure and another shot yesterday and neither seemed to phase you. In fact, we all had problems getting you to wake up to eat. Grandma did what we used to do with Anne Marie and Duncan when they were infants and didn't want to wake up. We took off your shirt and even layed you down on a surface, you objected at first but then went right back to sleep. The breast feeding specialist came and gave some valuable advice to your parents--after all you were not even 24 hours old at the time. Your Momma has not had any sleep and is very, very tired--not because you kept her up--she just has difficulties sleeping in the hospital with all of the usual hospital noise.

Grandad got to hold you during the visit--he was a little hesistant right after you had been born on Monday but he was anxious to hold you Tuesday. You and he seemed to have quite the time and you would open one eye to make sure, he was still there.

Great Aunt Debbie and Uncle Tommy came to visit and brought very cute outfits and some size one diapers since you had outgrown your newborn ones (before you were born!). They brought me a "Grandma's Brag Book" so that I can show you off to friends and family. Uncle Tommy didn't get too close as he thought he was getting a cold and we didn't want you getting that. Most of you was hidden as you cuddled with Mommy so Aunt Debbie only got to see your cute head.

The night before Uncle Bryan and Aunt Sara had come to visit and brought your parents a beautiful orchid and they were very excited to get to hold you.

Your grandparents Conrad are due to come in this weekend and everyone is looking forward to the Steelers Super Bowl game. Your outfit has already been planned for the event with a Steelers onsie etc.

Hopefully you will come home on Wednesday!

Love every ounce of you

Grandma

Welcome Hayden Joseph Conrad January 31, 2011

Dear Hayden--what joy you have brought to all of us. Once you decided to leave your comfy space, you decided to come pretty fast. The events started at 8 am and all of us thought we would have a long wait at the hospital before your birth. But your Momma is an amazing woman and by 1 pm it was time for the"pushing" part of birth and your Momma pushed for an hour with Daddy and Grandma and the doctor and nurse helping and at 2:11 pm, a beautiful baby boy named Hayden was born! You weighed 9 pounds and 5 oz and you were 22 inches long--translated for you youngun-you are one big long handsome baby with nary a wrinkle. And you were so alert and appeared to be looking all about. Your baby birth scores were 9/9 which is very, very good. Daddy cut your umbilical cord! and everyone in the room oohed and awed over what a handsome lad you are. You seemed content to lie quietly in someone's arms and just take in your new world. You also seemed interested in eating early on and did well with your Momma feeding you the natural way. Momma was also starving and had her breakfast at around 3pm--as we all know your Momma loves breakfast at any time of the day.

Grandaddy Gammon came up for your birth and he was one happy Grandad. Eventually you and Momma were moved to the post partum unit and Grandad and I left so that you all could get settled and hopefully get some sleep.

I cannot tell you how much I love you Hayden Joseph--there are just not enough words.

Grandma

Love you and cannot wait to hold you

Not long after Momma's Richmond shower, along came Christmas. Great-grandma and Pappy Santmyer came to Richmond and luckily they got in right before the first snowstorm. As you may hear many times in your life, Grandma Gammon does not like snow, ice, or wintry mix storms--At All. Before global warming, Richmond saw very few major winter storms. Now the ones that did come, could be doozies. Someday we will tell you about the great ice storm and your Momma's pistachio cake that she made for Christmas that year. Recently, Richmond and many cities on the East Coast have seen major, major snowstorms with snow too deep to imagine. But we had a cozy Christmas despite the weather. You, your Momma and Daddy spent Christmas with your Grandma and Grandad Conrad and your Uncle Bryan, Aunt Sara, and Cousin Alex in Northern VA.

Then Grandma and your great grandparents Santmyer were to come to Northern VA and have a gathering with Uncle Tommy and Aunt Debby, Sarah and Mike, Brad and you, your Momma and Daddy. BUT along came another snowstorm and your great grandparents headed back to Delaware before it hit Richmond and Grandma Gammon stayed in Richmond until the middle of the following week. Then she and your Grandad Gammon came to spend some time with you, your Momma and Daddy. We got to see your room which I think you will like very much. Your Momma and Daddy did a really great job with painting and choosing beautiful furniture and very cute decorations.

January seemed to fly by as we awaited your arrival on your due date of January 24th. But that day came and went without a Hayden in sight. Your Momma was scheduled for a procedure to possibly speed up your arrival on Thursday, January 27th. Grandma planned to come that day but low and behold another snowstorm was predicted for that day so Grandma came up on Wednesday. Momma had the procedure but it didn't seem to do the trick so the doctor told Momma to go home. While Momma, Daddy, and Grandma Gammon were at the hospital, wet, wet snow and lots of it had started to fall from the sky. The roads became blocked with cars who could not make it through the snow and after spending hours in the car, we had only gone a few miles from the hospital. Then it seemed that Momma went into labor and that you were thinking about being born. Trouble was, we were stuck in traffic that was not moving. Eventually your Daddy did some excellent driving and we made it back to the hospital and spent the night. Momma didn't get much rest at all and Grandma and Daddy slept intermittently. But by Friday morning, the doctor said that you were not coming and that Momma should go home and we were all so very disappointed not to go home with baby Hayden.

I am still at your Momma and Daddy's in Northern VA and it is Sunday and so far no sign of Hayden. I think you remain quite comfy inside your Momma. She and your Daddy went on a date this afternoon with lunch and a movie. Then this evening Momma has decided that she wants to eat at Fuddruckers (they have yummy burgers and chicken sandwiches) tonight as she and Daddy (and Grandma) prepare to go to the hospital again on Monday.

Well sweet baby I have tried to catch up and promise not to fall so far behind in writing to you in the future. I hope that I can put up a post with a picture of you, wrapped in a warm blanket being held by your Momma and Daddy SOON!

I love you, you are in my heart always and I hope you are in my arms soon,

Grandma

December 2010

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In December we had another shower for you in Richmond. Many friends, especially Alison, Pat and Jenn Floyd helped to make this a fun event. Your Momma's friends of many years, Grandma, Conrad and Aunt Elizabeth, Great Aunt Debbie and Cousin Sarah, and so many wonderful friends who were an important part of your Momma's life as she was growing up, and new friends all came to celebrate Hayden! We had your Momma's favorite food---Brunch (and cousin Brad's deviled eggs too). We played a few games and you would have been surprised at how competitive everyone was to win a prize! (Great Grandma could not be there but she was able to enjoy the Baby Rattle lotto tickets when she came down for Christmas a couple of weeks later. Of course she won and we had saved a few prizes for her. She really would have enjoyed the Baby Gift Bingo!) Again, everyone was so generous in the gifts that they gave you and we all hope you will enjoy all the gifts that await your arrival. Grandma cannot thank Alison, Pat and Jenn enough for being the greatest of friends and they along with so many, many, many others anxiously await your birth.

Love

Grandma

I tried to label the pictures but will have to seek "professional help" from Katherine and Alison as to how to make the picture process more doable.

Hi Again Little One

Dear Hayden, we were able to see 4 D pictures of you! My very first thought was how cute you are and the second one was--Wow you look crowded in there! But it would appear that, since you are now past your due date for arrival, that contrary to that thought you are comfy, warm, and well fed. But more about that in a bit.

After your Kindergarten shower, came Thanksgiving and the Santmyer/Smith families got together in Northern VA for the annual treat of enjoying family, fun, and great food (Thanks to your great-aunt and uncle, Debbie and Tommy). Everyone had a great time and everybody got to play Wii Bowling which led to many laughs. You were there and enjoyed all of the traditional Thanksgiving treats, especially cousin Brad's deviled eggs which your Momma loves. Grandad Gammon was able to come this year and everyone was glad to see him. We missed cousin Sarah and her husband Mike as they traveled to Ohio for Thanksgiving.

Just a short note for now but more to come as Grandma tries to catch up.

Love you bunches and bunches

Grandma

I love you Hayden!

Dear Hayden--Yes! Momma and Daddy let us know what your name would be around Thanksgiving. And what a beautiful name it is: Hayden Joseph Conrad.

Grandma must really apologize for how long it has been since I have written but I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and heart every moment of every day. A lot has happened since I last wrote. Your Momma and Daddy came to Richmond to help Grandad after he had some problems with his heart. We had a nice visit and Grandad was very glad that all of you came. He is doing fine now and is looking forward to your arrival.

Many of the events that occured since my last post were all about you! First there was a shower up in Northern VA that was given by Katherine, your Momma's friend and the best assistant in the classroom ever! Lots of friends from her kindergarten team were there and brought you so many wonderful gifts. Grandma was very excited to be invited and to meet new team members and friends. Here are some pictures from the shower

Will return soon

Love always

Grandma