One Half of a Year.

DOB

April 10

May 10

June 10

July 10

August 10

September 10

On Tuesday baby Hayes celebrated being out of the womb for one half of a year. We celebrated with him by getting his 6 month well check, playing with toys, telling him how much we love him, carrying him everywhere we went, having other people tell us how much they love him and giving him lots of smooches.

I was hoping to take him for his first swing at the playground and Papa and I were planning on kicking off solid foods, but instead he took a long nap after his shots and fell asleep early in the evening, so we will try both a little later this week...if he is game.

Here are a few things to know about Hayes.

Stats: 19 lbs 8 ounces and 28 inches long.

Blue eyes, blond hair (barely any) baby rolls and elbow dimples.

Favorite time of day: He smiles like crazy in the morning.

Bath time: He is still lying in the tub and loves splashing.

Affection: He pats us, squeezes our neck, holds our face with both hands and leans to one side to be held by one of us and recently started to rest his head on us.

Teeth: We felt a bottom nub on Tuesday of this week.

Food: He nurses only but is very interested in what we are eating.

Mobility: He rolls from stomach to back and back to stomach with a little army crawl wiggle.

Language : He blows raspberries, hums, and screeches.

Interests: He likes beverage containers (cups with straws and bottles), people wearing glasses, balloons and Jake and Georgie.

Toys: He plays with books with crinkle paper, wood and elastic geometric ball, wooden anchor.

Clothes: He is wearing up to size 18 months.

Music Preference: He stops crying when he hears Rockabye Baby- Lullaby Renditions of Bob Marley, Coldplay and when I sing "You are my Sunshine" out of key.

Laughs : He laughs when we contort our faces, make silly high pitched noises, Papa sounds like a duck, we squeeze between his neck and shoulders and whenever Jake and Georgie move.

Travel: He has been to 15 states by plane, train, taxi, car, subway, ferry, boat, bus and/or trolley.

Sleeping: He sleeps in a co-sleeper and crib.  He has a few naps during the day and sleeps a 12 hour stretch at night with a few wake-up calls.

Diapers: He has gone through 6 sizes.

Hands: He uses his left and right equally.

Personality:  He is mostly happy and when he is upset he screeches loudly but settles quickly. He is tactile and enjoys nursing frequently and wiggles the entire time; feet kicking and arms waving. He is comfortable being held by people other than mama and papa and engages in smiling with strangers. His eyes widen when seeing either of us after we have been away from him and it is clear that he is aware of our presence. He is accommodating and tolerant of our schedule or lack there of, and as a result has proved to be a brilliant traveler. One caveat to that statement is his evolving displeasure for his car seat. He is inquisitive, alert, vibrant, and connected to life around him. He turns his head like a windshield wiper to observe as much as possible. He squeals with joy when he gets excited about something and if it happens while he is being held, he rolls up like a potato bug. He is so different than he was 6 months ago. He is changing daily and fast.

Now I know why almost everyone who has approached us when we are with Hayes says, "enjoy every minute because it goes by fast." Somehow 6 months of my own life, pre-Hayes, never seemed as eventful as living the past 6 months with him. He is the love of our lives.

Happy One Half of a Year of Life Hayes. We love you.

xo,

Mama and Papa

Bursting into a million pieces.

In the past I have heard the phrase "my heart burst into a million pieces" and I may have even said it myself.  If I did, I didn't really know what it meant or felt like, until this past Monday. This past Monday was not supposed to be an unusual day, in that we had no special plans or changes in our general routine. However, this past Monday was different because I finally experienced what I believe to be the sensation of a heart bursting into a million pieces. You see, I wasn't entirely sure that I would ever be a mama.  If you know me, then you know I love kiddos, but wasn't sure I'd have one of my own.  Then, in a short period of time no turned to maybe turned to yes, and I became a mama. May I just say that I am so glad I did, become a mama that is.  I woke up on Monday and looked over to find my son's sweet face looking at me. Every time, without fail he starts his morning with a smile...a gummy smile.  For about 10 minutes he was silent, peacefully looking at the ceiling.  I talked to him about our plans for the day and as he sat on my lap he placed one of his little hands on my wrist. He tapped my arm and wiggled his fingers, then reached for my face. It was clear that these were purposeful movements. We played with his toys and read some of his books (he tried to eat them) which meant I held the book and he attempted to turn the pages. He rolled onto his back and began making noises. He started to blow bubbles and startled himself by his ability to do so.  He was in between pajamas and his daytime outfit and I took a few pictures of him wearing feather printed diapers. He was lying on his stomach and used his upper body strength to straighten his arms, lift his head and look right into my eyes. He had a soft smile, the sides of his mouth upturned and his blue eyes were like two calm pools. I took him with me to my closet and placed him on the floor where he could look in the mirror. He looked straight ahead and as he became tired, he dropped his head and turned his head to the side and quietly looked at himself. I took him to run errands and when I held him he leaned his head on my shoulder. When he became excited he tucked his knees in towards me, squeezed my shoulder and bit down with his gums, as he squealed from excitement. When we arrived home I nursed him and he would stop intermittently to look up at me and laugh. I could feel one of his hands behind me, moving his fingers as if he was playing piano on my back. When he finished I placed him on his back and he would look at me and then reach for various toys I held in front of him. I picked him up and placed him on his back, over my knees and he looked at his surroundings upsidedown. He loves to look at his surroundings in this position. This time he was quiet and I realized he had fallen asleep. He slept for several hours while I prepared dinner. He woke up in time to keep me company while I made dessert. He sat in his swing and watched the dogs walk around the kitchen. He would lean to one side and stretch his hand out toward Jake and Georgie. The simple act of the dogs walking made Hayden laugh. Next, I bathed him and he splashed and smiled and splashed and smiled some more. Soon after he fell asleep for the night.  

On this day, there were so many firsts for him as a baby and for me as a mama.  All day he proved to be more alert, interested, engaging, aware and present than he had the day before. He exhibited more strength, ability and intention in his actions. His eyes were more expressive, his touch more purposeful and his reactions, more meaningful. I kept having these moments that made me stop what I was doing because I was overwhelmed by joy. A joy that made me feel like screaming, I was tense but from excitement and then it would quickly change to this feeling of being liquid.  This must be my heart bursting into a million pieces.  

I am a mama to this sweet little boy. I waited a long time for you, Hayes Oliver White and you were certainly worth the wait. You brighten every one of my days and I do not remember well, life before you were here. You bring so much joy to my life and when I look at you or even think about you, it is clear to me that I was meant to be a mama, your mama.

I love you. 

Guy Time and Ice Cream.

As part of my non-mama job, I am required to complete a Pediatric Advanced Life Support class every 2 years and today was the day.  So, I left Hayes (for the first time since he was born) in good hands, with his papa, for some quality guy time.  They spent the day playing and strolling and cruising the aisles at Target.  I especially love papa's outfit choice of stripes and chartreuse socks;) We all survived the day, with only a few tears from Hayes, luckily the majority of which were right before they picked me up.  To celebrate this successful first, we went to Foster Freeze for an ice cream treat!!

Has it been 3 months, already?

I am pretty sure that your papa would agree with me, you are our greatest achievement, Hayden Oliver White. After 41 weeks and 4 days, we laid our eyes on you. It has been a little over 3 months since you became my sidekick and I cannot get enough of you. You fill my heart with joy and when I look into your sweet, blue eyes I smile, knowing that you belong to me. I am the luckiest mama getting to spend my days and nights with you. I love you baby Hayes.

milk yawn.

window baby to treat jaundice. 

bay area grandparents (papa's aunt and uncle)

3 generations 

nothing sweeter.

cheeky baby.

mama's day at the market

for the love of books.

not sure this mouse loved the  fireworks.

pisces like his mama...we love water.

neighborhood walk.

the sweetest sleeper and look at that hand.

surprise!

with papa having oysters. 

grandma joanne visits.

in honor of his colorado grandparents-the rhino shorts.

never too early to protect your skin-sun babe.

waiting for papa watching cars go by.

hayden and deedle.

hog island oyster trip

peanut butter jelly time

papa notices hayden's neck control.

sunnies.

you see you.

early morning cole

who needs coffee more?

lashes.

i have hands.

my mama kisses me all day and I am a drooler.

squeeze me.

discussing our pizza options.

someone belongs in a Dr. Seuss movie

i love my papa and he loves me.

i grab my mama's shirt when i sleep.

my papa plants one on me.

i am a smiley guy.

Carmel Beach Trip- stayed here with my puppies.

Opa and Omi visit

Baseball first.

you've arrived and we couldn't love you more.

sleepy mama, but worth it. you fell asleep like this.

laugh. play. wiggle. repeat.

one of many kisses to come.

sweet boy.

First Bath.

This has been the best 3 months of my life and I could not love you more.

xo, mama