Rejuvinated

7 months and I am getting the hang of things. We decided to stick with CIO (crying it out) to teach and train Hayden to self soothe herself to sleep and sleep throught the night. It is going great. It is definately not for everyone, as we tried it a while back and I could not stick with it, but it is worth giving it several tries. And you know... a couple nights of crying and 10-20 mins checking on her, knowing it is leading to the future nights of a full sleep is definately worth it! You just have to prepare yourself for it mentally and stick with it. Giving in will only confuse the baby and it will be worse! I am so glad that I have learned these things and that I have had people supporting me. Justin's help has been so helpful as well. It is nice to have someone walking right beside you and you can both encourage each other. Justin and I just sat in the back vanity area and tried not to listen to the cries! Check the clock and peek in on her... give her a pacifier and pat her belly and walk back out. Re-assure her it is okay and eventually the dry, fed, tired baby will learn to get herself to sleep.

I was not against co-sleeping and did it for the first few months occasionally but it is a bad habit to break if you do not plan to do it for years or at least have your mind set to it. It was actually helpful and easier to co-sleep to an extent in the beginning when she woke to nurse 2-4 times at night but now she is able to sleep throught the night yet she was still waking 2 times, then three and I was not going to let it get to anymore... and it was not to eat but just for the boob! Sorry, I am not a pacifier and it was only draining me. I would not feel like myself all day and if I didn't get a nap... phew! My day was gone! Now, though, I have more confidence and I am having a better nights rest and happier throughout the day. So is Hayden. She is also learning self confidence and independence as well. If you question this method please read about it... www.babycenter.com/0_the-ferber-method-demystified_7755.bc

So... other news, she is eating solids 3x a day. She LOVES yogurt the most. I make her babyfood, just not the rice cereal or yogurt. I like knowing it is all natural and it saves money. It is so easy at that. Just steam or bake, puree, and freeze in an ice cube tray. Put the cubes in labeled baggies and take out how ever many they will eat. So simple and the most natural! Don't get me wrong I am not an organic person myself but her nutrition this early on is very important to me... and why not? - I am a stay at home mom- she is my number one priority and this is my job. How about she is getting on her hands and knees and rocking... she will be crawling before I know it - then walking! OOOhhhh! She can even hold on to something and stand for periods of time! I just love her. I am so excited to see her grow and mature but it is going so fast! It will be time for another one before we know it! lol but lets wait on that thought another year or two. Okay so time to add a few pictures, wish I knew how to get them all over the page but I don't. We took her to the park the other day and she loved it! She got in the baby swing and just smiled and laughed! :)

2009 SNOW!

March 1 2009 We got SNOW! Justin and I played in it, threw snowballs and built our snow family. We had so much fun! Today I got Hayden out in it and took some pictures. She was just wondering why she was out in such cold and what were these cold white snowballs beside her? haha. She is just so precious and just to think next year she will be running around playing in it! How exciting! We made snow cream and of course it was sooo good. Snow is nice every once in a while but now that we got it I am ready for the beautiful WARM Spring! I hope we stay clear from the flu and we all stay healthy!... Next week is Spring forward so turn your clocks!! Can you believe it? Hayden is babbling, sitting up momentarily and rolling everywhere! We are enjoying EVERY milestone! She has cut 2 teeth now on the bottom and getting back to her good sleep habits - THANKFULLY!

We've been parents for half a year! ;)

And Hayden has cut her first tooth! OH MY! She has been fighting sleep, cranky, and refusing to eat lately and now we know why! I tried to take a picture... maybe you can see it! She is growing so quickly! Not quite crawling yet, who knows, she may never crawl. She is trying to sit up on her own but she hasn't figured it out. We are trying cloth diapers on her little tush! They are a little aggrivating because I am new at it... but hey I am not giving up yet! I love how eco friendly they are... how much better they are for their bottom, and in the long run they save tons of money! Justin was not too for it at first but he has been somewhat supportive lately. I just wish everyone was more supportive towards them. They are not "too much work" and I will do what is best for my family! :) I am also trying to get in better shape and that is tough right now. P90X is kicking my butt! But I can't wait to look "good" again! I'm sticking to it! BRING IT!

Our Valentines

So our Valentines has already been truly special! We celebrated it early because Justin will be working on the actual day. Now, Justin usually does not like holidays but he went far beyond what I could have asked for... not only did I get some beautiful Tulips and the sweetest card ever but he even got Hayden a First Valeantines card, 2 books, and a baby doll... THEN took us on a picnic in Glencairen Gardens.

We had such a good time and the weather was perfect. We layed out a blanket and had sub sandwiches, took pictures, and just enjoyed our special family time. I could not have asked for a better time! He is such a sweet husband and such a wonderful daddy to Hayden. I love my family! Of course, I have to share the pictures, well, some!

Another month goes by...

My Hayden is growing so fast! I am waiting for the day she gets up and starts walking and getting into everything! I love being able to stay at home with her and watch every milestone! I also, however, enjoy working on Tuesday evenings to keep my head straight! I love what I do and that they have a nursery there if I need to bring Hayden. She is doing great with her solid foods and getting her tummy time. So far she loves sweet potatoes!

She loves baths, that is for sure - it is her fun time! We will put her on her tummy in the tub with a rolled up towel and she will just kick and play with toys! It is so cute!
She usually sleeps great through the night, sometimes getting up around 4am, but that is still a good schedule to me - it isn't every 2 hours thankfully! She is still nursing which I do enjoy and plan to keep it up for a while longer! I would like to continue to 9 mos unless she disagrees of course. Luckily she has yet to be sick! I really don't know what I will do when she does. I guess just be there and comfort her :/

Oh, so I think I am going to take her to the Library on Monday mornings. A fellow mommy on YCM told me that they have a time where they read and blow bubbles and etc. so I think she would have fun and it would be getting her out, around other people, and it is free! I also want to take her to the theatre in downtown York. I think that she would do great in there and they have a balcony, I can feed her... we will see I guess. So, FYI-yourk county mommies (YCM) is an online network for mommies in the area and they have great support forums and great advice. I have also been to several playdates and met some good friends... We took this pic earlier today - sooo cute.

Bowater is currently doing shut downs/lay offs so Justin has been home more - well until now that he is back working 16hr days!!!! That is tough but I am so thankful that we are blessed with that job still. And for me to have the ability to stay home and raise our little girl and know and trust we will be okay with Justin supporting us is absolutely reassuring and rewarding! Over all, we sure put our trust in God! Oh btw, today is his b-day -BIG 25! LOWER INS. BABY!

Once apon a time...

...there was a young girl who met a young boy and they fell in love. That is how our story begins.
So a little background, Justin and I met in 2005 at a rodeo through my best friend of 8+ years and now is my sister in law who married Eric, Justin's brother. (cute, huh?) Justin and I dated, went seperate ways, and after some time tried it again. 3 months later we were engaged and head over heels for each other. July 29, 2006, 7 months following, we were introduced as Mr and Mrs Justin Timmons as we had made our commitment to each other for the rest of our lives. Who knew it would be this good! December 07 we were estatic to find out we had a little one on the way. Aug 29th 2008 5:53am, Our beautiful daughter Hayden Ann was born - 7 lbs 14 oz PERFECT!