1 Year Checkup

Originally Hayden's one year checkup was scheduled for her birthday, but I decided that was just too much and delayed it for the following week...post party. Apparently her memory is working very well because she remembered that going to the doctor's office wasn't her favorite activity. She cried (read screamed with back arching) when the male nurse weighed her, measured her length and listened to her heart. She cried when Dr. S. looked in her ears, throat and eyes. She cried (understandably) at the 4 injections and the 1 toe prick/squeeze. (I believe the nurse's comment was, "man, she's so strong for such a little thing"...said as Hayden bucked like a rodeo bronc) Whew. I think all three of us left the visit feeling like we had run a marathon.

She weighs 16 pounds and 1 ounce (yay 16 pounds!!!) -- 3%; length measures 28.25 inches--35%; and head circumfrance measures something that was in the 80%. (Ben, you aren't getting any head inches till you cough up those pounds) The doctor isn't worried a bit about the weight. He says linear growth is the better measurement for health and development so we are going with it.

We have begun the weaning process. I think it will be more difficult than I first suspected...perhaps more to come (in general terms) later. Hayden is walking everywhere and isn't a big fan of holding your hand. (She can do it herself) Sometimes Bryan and I feel as if she is reaching toddlerhood a little too quickly. Tap the brakes please!

Lord, thank you for a healthy little girl who is developing like a champ!

Birthday Bash

We survived Hayden's 1st birthday party. I had decided early on to keep things simple, try not to stress and just enjoy the day. Of course those good intentions flew out the window as the party got nearer. I made the picture slide show, the decorations and the cupcakes. We scurried around cleaning up and throwing the snacks together. Bryan and I prayed that Hayden would nap and be in a pleasant mood. And you know what? Things went brilliantly!

We had a wonderful time talking and looking back on the last year of our lives with Hayden. She has made things so much more...more fun, more complicated, more joy filled...you know what I mean...MORE. Great friends came over and we had a fabulous time playing and snacking. I must say, Bryan and I had a wonderful time. (and I'm sure Hayden had a good time as well)

A big thank you to Lindsi who loaned out some supplies and was the official party photographer! Thanks Linds!

For all the birthday pictures visit our Picasa Album at http://picasaweb.google.com/HaydenChamness/HaydenS1stBirthdayParty

Thank you Lord for a time to celebrate Hayden's presence in our lives. Thank you for our friends and family who offer so much love and support. Thank you for birthdays and fun birthday parties!

Birthday Rundown

quick review in pictures...

Birthday breakfast...oatmeal with blueberries, cheerios and some boiled egg. Yummy.

One of the day's highlights was picnicing with daddy for lunch. The weather was perfect! We ate, practiced walking, kicked the soccer ball around, admired the swans, and did some swinging. We may have also stopped off at JD's Chippery for a few cookies :)

A wonderful family birthday celebration!

The birthday girl!

Showing off the birthday diaper.

Birthday kick-around.

She went barefoot for most of the day, but had to strap on her hot pink Crocs to cruise around outside. (they coordinated so well with her ball)

Swingin'!

Birthday friends.

Max, Sofia and Avery along with Ms. Brooke, Ms. Kyrstin, Mrs. Allen, Ms. Lindsey and Ms. Janet came over for Birthday cupcakes and some fun.

Thank you Lord for birthday fun, family and friends!

One Year of Hayden

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy first Birthday dear sweet Hayden...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!



Oh my soul! Can you believe how this past year has flown? At this time last year I was dragging my I.V. pole (and my very large stomach) around Big Baylor trying to get the sweet girl to come on out! She finally arrived with some gentle persuasion around 11:45pm...barely making it on her Aunt Tosha's birthday. Whew!

So a birthday prayer for our baby girl...

Thank you Lord for entrusting us with this precious gift. Thank you for her good health, her strong will (which we are sure will come in handy eventually), her sunny smile, and her fun personality. Lord, please help Bryan and I to grow in wisdom as we parent her. Father it would be our greatest joy for Hayden to walk in your truth from an early age. Please continue to hold her safely in your hands.

Hayden and Maxwell sittin' in a tree...

So, our cute friend Max (and his cute mom, Kyrstin) came over to visit the other day. The moms are sitting around chatting and catching up on all the important adult issues of the day (husbands, jobs, children, etc) and keeping very vigilant eyes on the kids (I'm sure) when we noticed Hayden gettin' all fresh with sweet Maxwell. We didn't catch the original, but we did get them to reenact the best part...

check out Max's cute shirt!
(and those blue eyes aren't bad either :)

Thank you Lord for friends!

Cinco de Mayo

For most, Cinco de Mayo represents the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. (You knew that already, right?) But for me and my family the 5th of May was always the day we celebrated my dad's birthday. (I must admit that the regional Mexican holiday made remembering dad's birthday very easy. ) I think about Dad often, but even more around these special days.

So far this morning I've spent time thinking about him playing volleyball with me in our front yard (he strongly espoused the idea that to build a child's self esteem they should find something they enjoy and work hard at becoming good at it...he was always willing to help with the learning/practicing process), helping me with math problems at both home and school...hoping that if I continued to plead ignorance he would finish just one more, saying the offertory prayer at church, and (hardest of all) laying in the hospital bed at home being so brave for the rest of us.

It's been almost two years since Dad died, but his memory and legacy continue to be an ever present comfort to me. I see him in my brother's integrity and love of puns, my mom's continued ministry and steadfastness, my love for books and the way one eye squints when I smile, and even in my daughter's determination and boundless energy. I miss him, but I hold fast to the knowledge that God redeems all He allows.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful, earthly example of You.

Visiting Daddy at work...

...also known as reminding Daddy that we love him with a large chocolate malt from Brahms.

Hayden and I braved the afternoon traffic on Tuesday to drive to SMU and spend a few minutes with daddy. This was probably the 2nd or 3rd time we have gone to Bryan’s work. It is always fun to show off, I mean introduce Hayden to the office. After an initial period of being clingy and quiet, she turned on the charm and waved, threw some kisses, gave out some high-5s and took some steps. I always enjoy seeing her through other’s eyes…it makes me even more thankful for her.

I know that Bryan had a good time showing her around and receiving all the sweet compliments. He might even let us come back sometime…with or without the bribe, I mean malt.

Thank you Lord for Bryan’s good job, time together and Brahms.