Great Grandma and Pappy at Bethany 2011

You, Momma, Daddy, Grandma and your great grandparents Santmyer went out to dinner while we were at the beach. You had a chance to visit with your great grandparents before and after dinner. In the pictures above you were pointing out your recent pictures on the computer to Pappy and Great Grandma.



Great Grandma and Pappy love to see you-as Great Grandma has said so often "I have to see my baby". I love that you have been able to see them often this year.

I love you so much, Grandma

Bethany Beach 2011-adventures in eating

Momma was eating a fresh peach and you decided to reach out and grab it. You had already had fresh peaches as one of your "one new food" schedule, so Momma wanted to see how you would manage a fresh peach (versus pureed). You sucked and gnawed and thoroughly enjoyed the peach. Note how Momma is trying to protect her shirt by holding your hand--"sure Momma that will work!"Momma has now cut up fresh peaches and puts them in the freezer and gives them to you as a treat after some of your meals. I don't know the name of the "frozen peach holder" but it looks like a ring pop with a mesh bag attached. You can hold it yourself and just suck and enjoy the frozen peach. You also like to bang the ring type holder and will send it flying through the air every once in a while and laugh loudly at your efforts.

Your face says it all! "who tried to sneak that nasty chicken into my meal?" You loved the new veggie of the week-peas as seen in the remnants left on you face.
But my baby, you are not a meat fan as of now. Aunt Tivey thinks it is funny that there may be a vegetarian among the meat lovers in your immediate and extended family. I am sure that some day you will jump over to the carnivore side--we just have to find the right preparation.

"Where's the grub I'm ready."
"Do I need to remind everyone that I am waiting patiently?
Goodbye for now little wonder, Love, Grandma

Hayden's "personal pool" at Bethany- 2011

Momma really wanted to have a small pool for you at the beach and she was so excited to find the perfect pool for you while driving down one of the beach roads. You enjoyed nibbling on the pool and anything that ended up in the pool with you whether it was your sand toys or your boat or football. You didn't seem to mind at all that everything that you were chewing on was salty from the ocean water in your pool. It was such fun to watch you as you tried to figure out what to do with the pool and the toys. Every once in a while you would slip backwards and looked perplexed but there was always someone there to set you upright.

Grandma was so happy and blessed to be with you and Momma and Daddy at the beach. I love you very much Hayden Joseph!

Grandma

Bethany Beach 2011-favorites of you and Daddy

You and Daddy had fun at the beach as Daddy and Momma introduced you to the ocean waters, sand, and fun under the cabana umbrella.

Although we were wondering if the sand would end up in your mouth and other places, it was pretty easy to keep you free of sand this year. Next year may not be as simple. Your smiles bring such joy little one. You loved Daddies Pittsbugh Penguin hat and your naked parts were comfy on the Steelers beach towel.

You seemed fascinated with each new experience and it was such fun to watch you as you studied each new view of the world around you.

As Grandma writes this blog today, it is your Daddy's birthday and I hope he had a great one with you and Momma.

More to come munchkin.

Love, Grandma

Bethany Beach 2011-favorites of you and Momma

Dear Hayden, Grandma will eventually catch up the blog but I went through the pictures of the beach and found some favorites. In an attempt to reduce the spacing issues of the blog I decided to pick a few pics at a time to share. In the picture above you and Momma are taking a little nap after a busy day at the beach. It is exhausting having fun and new experiences!

You now "gnawl" rather than "suck" on objects of attention. In these pictures you thought Momma's chin would provide a nutrition source and it is obvious in the 2nd picture that you realized that what you desired was not coming from Momma's chin bone!

Momma and Daddy love the camera that they bought in anticipation of your birth. You will realize as you get older that both of your parents take a bunch of pictures in rapid succession.

Each one appears the same but there are small differences in each. The pictures capture your different expressions and your developing wonderful personality. We are all blessed with your sweet, happy nature.

Love you little one,

Grandma

Bethany Beach 2011

You, Momma, Daddy and Grandma took a trip to Bethany Beach in Delaware. Uncle Tommy and Aunt Debbie were very kind in lending us their beach home for our stay. Uncle Tommy and your great grandfather, Pappy, built much of the house many years ago and it has been a favorite vacation spot of ours for years. Your Daddy proposed to your Momma on Bethany Beach which makes it even more special.

Daddy and Momma bought an "umbrella cabana" to protect you on the beach. Momma even found a baby pool that we filled with sea water for you to have fun in.

When you got to the beach the first day, Grandma took you down to the water's edge and as always you studied your surroundings very intently and then the smiles began. We let the baby waves wash over your feet which you were fine with until you felt your feet disappearing into the depths of the wet sand. Daddy even had you in a little deeper and you seemed to enjoy the water. You watched EVERYTHING and EVERYONE as there were many children playing in the water. Won't be long at all until you will be diving into the ocean-- but first you have to learn to swim! The pictures above are from the days at the beach. More about the trip to come

I love you pumpkin!

Grandma