I've got a big girl in the making...

We made the transition to a toddler bed this past weekend! "Oh my!" is right! I had thought her crib was supposed to be a 4-in-1 and turn from a crib - daybed -toddler bed - then to a twin or full. BUT I could not get it and of course we no longer have the paperwork on it anymore SOO... we bought a toddler bed from a friend on YCM for $20!! Wohoo! After I sanded it, I had help from Danny painting it and then I put it together and took down the crib and changing table. I am really proud of myself for taking this on and doing it. Usually Justin and/or Danny feel like I throw projects on to them and I never mean to, they just take over ;)... (really, they enjoy it though. Don't let them fool you - haha) I guess I should not have taken it all down until I knew if it would work or not because the first night was rough. If the crib had still been up, she would have gone in it! Then again, I am glad I took it down b/c soon or later, she would have to transition! Anyhow, we are on day 2 and it is slowly getting better. The first night she thought it was the coolest thing to be able to run over to her bed and sit on it with her books and stuffed bear ... then came bedtime.... She would lay down but as soon as I would get ready to leave she would cry a scared cry. After sitting by her bed and then sitting by the door and making my way out of the room she went to sleep an hour and a half later. 5am I hear a loud noise and Hayden begins to cry -- yep, she fell out of the bed. Let me remind you that this DOES have side rails on it and one side is against the wall... she just sleeps all over the place! So in the bed with us she goes!! Sunday nap she falls asleep in the car so that went well. We just moved her to the bed and she slept a good 2 hour nap. Now that evening was better than the first, only took about an hour. I just layed there and explained that she needed to sleep in her big girl bed and mommy was going to sleep in her own bed and see her in the morning and she did good. Now at 1am she fell out again! I layed with her for a min and left the room again. Today, day 2, daddy put her down for her nap but when I got home with groceries I guess I was loud enough to wake her up so I hear her, go in there and she is sitting on the floor by the door. Not a great naptime but it will do... in her crib if she had heard me she would have layed back down and went to sleep but not now that she can get out of her bed herself. So here we go to a big girl in the making.

Day 5 Update:

It is getting a lot better. I knew it would just like training her to self soothe when she was a baby. However, I have had to start building a little wall with some stacked pillows so she can't fall out. Riht now the ratio is 4:5. That would be 4 nights, 5 falls. Monday night I walked in to check on her and build the wall and she had hers knees on the floor but her head was still trying to hang on the bed, like a praying postition. It was cute but poor thing!!! Naptimes have actually been a lot better than expected. I thought it would be hardest, that she would just rebel against sleeping and want to play but she is doing better at naptime then bedtime.

Lesson learned for myself here - Well, a lot of patience, as usual. But also I think that with the next one I will be sure that it is time to transistion over. Now I am not saying it wasn't time for her but I may have rushed it a little bit. She was able to climb in/out of her crib and she does looked cramped sleeping all over the place in there but now ... she can get in and out whenever she wants!! LOL! I know that after talking to so many other parents that everything is different for everyone/child. Some never had any problems and started at a year old with the toddler bed... some wait 3 years or longer.

Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day becomes more and more special to me. Hearing Hayden say "I love you" is the most amazing feeling ever! I know the day she says it and knows what she is saying it will mean even more. She loves to tell people "I love you, muah, bye bye" It is sweet! I couldn't imagine life any different. It is also has changed the way I look at Mother's Day regarding my own mother. Oh how I can appreciate the role of being a mom now more than ever! I could never say enough wonderful things about my mom to make up for even half of who she is. What she has taught me and made me the mother I am to Hayden today. I thank God for giving me such a wonderful mom who cared, loved, and never gave up ;). There was never a day that went by that my mom did not help me (and her other daughters), love me, hug me, or pray for me. I hope one day Hayden will be able to feel the same about her mom as I do about mine.

We Love You Mom!!

This weekend my mom took Hayden for the day on Saturday while Justin and I went on the lake. We took the boat out and got some sun! We rode up to TBones on the Lake and had lunch on the pier, then got back on the water to lay out! How nice! I truly enjoy the time Justin and I get to have just one on one. Sunday, after Church, we went to Granny's house for a family cookout. Hotdogs and hamburgers are always good with good family time! I would do it every week if it were possible! The kids playing was so good to see.... Hayden, Ava, and Ali, and Justin and Josh running around! I think Hayden could be friends with anyone if they would just give her the time of day.... that means all their attention! :) She would go around saying "hug" and hug whomever. And cousin Lee and Larah were able to make it with the new baby Jude! He is so very precious! I got ot hold him and get my baby fix... I am all good to go now. :D

That brings me to this question: Does everyone eventually stop asking "when are you going to have another baby?" It doesn't seem like it cause I get it all the time. I really have no idea if we will have another baby or not. I don't know why I am having a hard time with this decision. There are so many good things about having a sibling for Hayden nut I am not sure if I can handle it all or not. I wonder that same thing about Justin too. Does that sound selfish? It really is a battle going on inside my head on this. I wish I could skip through and have 2 kids about 6 years old and 8. No I don't really wish that at all actually! I enjoy all the milestones watching Hayden grow and learn, I just know it will be tough in the first stages with 2 children. But there are many many women who have done so I know I could, I think. LOL No I know I could.

Speaking of, Hayden was in the bath tonight (looooves the bath) and picked up a foam letter "A" and said "A"... Isn't that great?! She is really smart, I swear she is, not just because she is mine. I think I was always afraid I would not know how to teach her things so I just "review" and do games and cards and stuff like that all the time. I sing the alphabet all the time and she will sing the tune with me but not yet the letters. She will say all the colors but it is just the words, not like the actual color with a match. But you know, some children do not yet talk as well at this age so I know she will do just fine! I hope and pray that she continues to learn as quickly as she does now so that she does not have study problems when she is older. Oh but how I do not want to get into thinking about school yet... that is a discussion in itself and it is so early. I cannot believe that in a few years I will be deciding what is best for schooling! I am considering all options - Private/Chirstian, homeschooling, public? Just don't know which is best. I need to get out there and ask some people who may have some input.

So to end a wonderful Mother's Day,

Happy Mother's Day to all of your wonderful moms out there!

Good Night!

Family Time

Lately we have been able to really spend some family time together. Justin was layed off at Bowater and we took advantage of that time. We went on the lake in the boat, all three of us. Hayden loved it. She just wanted to drive! We rode around for a couple hours on Lake Wylie and just enjoyed the fresh air.

We also packed up and headed to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. The drive took about an hour and a half but Hayden did surprisinly well. This was such a fun age to take her because she knew the animals and the sounds they made so she was very interested in seeing them alive and in action. We brought our own lunch and sat at the tables for a break then headed back for more. We did bring her backpack "leash" and found it useful. I would never walk around the store with her wearing one but somewhere like the zoo, I thought it was perfect. She felt independent and could squeeze through tight areas and yet I had her the whole time. She was so funny, she would mock the monkeys, saying "eh eh eh mon-key" She did this with a lot of the animals.

We got to feed the giraffes too! That was pretty neat. I think Hayden was a little scared but definately comforted being in daddy's arms. After one long, but wonderful day, Hayden was knocked out all the way home making it a good car ride home. I think I even napped a little ways while Justin drove. :)

And to clear things up, Justin does now have a job. He was hired on at Domtar 2 weeks after Bowater. Straight 3rd isn't exactly what I was thinking but it seems to be working out pretty well. We still get time together and it actually helps me out when I have to work over or have a house to clean in the morning or something but it is still 3rd shift and I know he doesn't get good sleep having to sleep during the day. I have to say I am proud of him!

New Discoveries

At 16 months Hayden Ann can say her ABC's and 123's! Haha. I am just kidding but she sure is close! ;) She said A B C D E for the babysitter and she says 2 and 3. She can brush her teeth - with mommy going back over them of course. She can rock the baby and give the baby a paci or bottle. She can say many words: "bi-bu" Bible, "ight" - light, no, "um" - yum, hey, hel-lo, bye bye, "ni ni" - night night, "bat" -bath, dog, apple - plain as day, momma and dada, nana and paw paw, "sa-ra", shoe, "suice" - juice, all done, baby, ball, "sack" - snack, eat, amen, "peas" - please, "tank u" - thank you, "cuse u" - excuse you, "bess u"- bless you.
She can make the sound for dog, cow, duck, lizard, monkey, tiger. Working on train and many others. She has many gestures, many! She can do fishy kiss, blow a kiss, clap, shake head yes/no, signs please, thank you and all done. She can name almost all body parts from head to toe. Not quite go knees and elbows ;) She climbs on everything and is not afraid of a thing! She dances on command - anytime anywhere!

Oh let me keep thinking and adding to the list as we go. ;)

Oh Boy!

Was this Christmas wonderful or what? We had so much fun with our little toddler princess! We stayed at moms Christmas eve (after an eventful night at 3 different family gatherings) and Jeannie stayed too -- so my mom had all her girls home for Christmas morning. Justin and I got to play Santa and set up a few of Hayden's toys. We left a couple bigger gifts at home for later. Sara Jeannie and I satisfied mom and threw reindeer food out on the lawn and mom got some pictures. We then played Twister and Justin was in charge of directions. What a fantasy. *eye roll* We woke up Christmas morning and all walked down the stairs together (even Miss Hayden Bug) She ran to her toys just like she knew what this was all about. Sara was a little jealous that there was a baby taking her morning glory but she got over it quick! Mommy and Daddy did Christmas with Hayden and Santa even came to visit. Hayden is getting used to the fat man with a big beard b/c she didn't get nearly as scared as she had a few weeks ago seeing santa for the first time... and around 7:20 daddy set off to work. We had breakfast dinner with family and friends and played all morning. We enjoyed nap time and then set out for more Christmas with family. We headed to The Timmons Christmas that evening at 6pm. We ate dinner and exchanged gifts where Hayden got yet another baby doll. That is what she is totally into right now and I am sure that she will be for a long while. It is okay that she got 4 for Christmas because she plays with everyone of them. Now we can toss the other 2 that have made their monies worth. :) We were able to video tape Hayden's Christmas with our new camcorder! We will have these memories forever!

The day after Christmas I was blessed to be able to go shopping and hit the great bargin deals stores had. I have really needed some clothes since having a baby and losing weight. I was able to really put a dent in my closet - Thank God! My best deal was at Belks where I spent a total of $111 and saved $259! I thought that was pretty good!! I also got to get a few things for Christmas next year on the half off sales. Like my cheesy Christmas Villages that I totally wanted and Justin makes fun of me for it. They were originally $70 and I got a couple for $13! Hey! Can't beat that! It was so hard not to go buy Hayden something, just one thing (although she doesn't need ANYTHING) so I bought a couple books! You can never have too many of those! They make for such great gifts and kids love them - well, Hayden does right now at least and I will continue to encourage it. I got home yesterday and a wonderful lady I clean for had given me a Shark steam mop for Christmas! I was stoked. Never expected that at all but how wonderful! This is definately a good incentive for my business, along with my wonderful basket full of supplies from my in-laws. Is that silly I get so excited over cleaning products. Haha. I am so glad that I love to do it though. I get it from the best - my lovely clean mother ;).

Now we head into a new year... with lots of reminders of how important family and friends are to us. How blessed we truly are and how important every moment is. I am so excited to start off a new year with new goals and aspirations! Personally I would like to improve and learn so much more as in true appreciation and patience, learn to just say no and to turn the other cheek. I want to work on my relationship with my God and my husband to make them stronger. I am not going to let the small things get the best of me -- "and in the end they are all small things". Psyically I would like to help my family to be healthier. I will try harder to exercise. I am going to work on better management of our money and paying bills. All this comes down to ME, changing myself!! But I am motivated and excited about seeing these changes happen!

Deuteronomy 31:6 Amen!

Life is wonderful

and all the glory goes to God! Christmas is right around the corner and I am all in the holiday spirit this year! Thanksgiving was wonderful, as food and family is always a wonderful thing! I cannot wait to share the joy and peace of the holidays with my little Hayden. We have done really good this year with shopping and all. Almost done actually. Hayden is going to have a great Christmas! I can't wait to watch her eyes light up on Christmas morning. She may not quite understand yet but I know she will still feel the excitement. Justin has to work 1st shift on Christmas day so we are thinking that we may get her up before he goes to work so that he can be apart of her morning. He hates that he will not be able to watch her play all day but soon enough he will be on top of the ladder at work and he will not have to work Holidays like this. Soon enough! Hayden is really an amazing little girl. I need to put up pictures and give you her status... I will work on that shortly!

Catching Up

Catching up...

We celebrated Hayden's 1st birthday on Aug 29th 2009. She had many friends and family over. We had a slip n slide and baby pools. She had a blast and her friends did too! We had cake and Hayden dug into hers and made a beautiful mess. I have been waiting for that moment. :) And yes, she got a lot of toys which is now over-powering the living room! She barely plays with them... so then, "what does she do?" She walks from room to room over and over agian. Heehee. She just loves to walk. She is so funny and really building her own little personality. She is so smart too. She knows where her head is. She can squat when you say "down" and stand when you say "up". She can find her paci and milk. She tries to put the lids on all the tupperware when I am putting dishes away. She just cracks me up. I have been working a lot lately with my part time job and now the cleaning jobs have really picked up. It is very good but I hate it as well. I just don't like leaving before she is up, coming home just to get ready to leav for work again. Not all days are like that and it really makes me appreciate EVERY moment I am with her but those days that it does happen are no fun. I love what I do too so that makes it easier. Here is my vent: I really like my part time job and my boss has been asking me to get my license to sell Life Ins but I just don't think I am too motivated for that. I mean I want to if it is just to get it behind me to do it later but I don't know if I can devote myself to that right now. In a couple years I want to have another baby and be home for a while. I don't want to do this and it change my plans. I just don't know. I don't know that it is what I really wnat to do either. I would LOVE to be a lactation consultant. I would LOVE it! But you see that I have not done anything about that either. See, no motavation! But I have been motivated to do something... and that is to walk. I love walking and wish I could do it everyday. We try to get out and walk in the morning or if I am working we have been going that evening. It is wonderful and something I think Hayden enjoys too. I would really like to get back to the gym but hasn't happened yet. There is always an excuse.

My little sisters birthday is in an hour! WOW! I cannot believe she will be 20! Look out! I love my baby sister. She is my best friend. We are very different but so much alike. We always have a good time together and can always count on the other. I know that she would do anything for me and likewise. It is so good to have that best friend that you can go to for anything whether it is for a favor, a vent, or a good laugh. That is Sara. True friends are hard to find and should be treasured if found. I hope she knows that I treasure her friendship. I love all of my friends and I feel very blessed to have such great ones.