October Concluded

The last highlights from October (finally).

5. Grammy Visits

My mom was at a conference in Richardson on a Thursday and Friday, so we just picked her up when it was over and brought her home with us for the rest of the weekend! Mom and I had been looking forward to some fun times with Hayden (and Bryan too). We didn't pack the time too full. We picniced at the park, cooked, played with baby, went to church, and played some more! I cannot tell you how much I enjoy spending time with my mom and daughter simultaneously!

6. Reverse Trick-or-Treating

My friend Kerri has been so very gracious to invite me to the mom's group that meets every Wednesday morning at her church, King of Glory (KOG). This is such a great time to get together with other moms and share and receive encouragement. Anywho, KOG had planned a trip to a local assisted living home, where the kiddies could dress in costume and hand out goodies to the residents. Bryan and I are not the most social folks, so this was a stretch for us...but Hayden did great. She didn't mind all the patting, touching, oohing and ahing...it was almost like she had experienced it before. Hmm, I wonder who else can't get enough of her?

A BIG thank you to Hannah and Mandy Walk for letting us borrow last year's ladybug costume and to Kerri for taking these great pictures (Bryan forgot our camera).

My favorite quote of the trip was

ME to a resident: "Have a great weekend."

Resident: "You have a great weekend, I'll just be here."

More October In Review

Highlights continued.

3. Sitting Up

This was a complete fluke on our part. Hayden had recently been grabbing her feet while laying on her back and such, so one afternoon I picked her up while she was grabbing her feet, sat her on her bottom and she stayed...until she let go of her feet at which point she slumped over. Who knew? Slumping aside, we were quite impressed with the amount of time she stayed upright! (Must admit that Bryan and I quite enjoyed the learning process of sit, teeter, balance, face-plant.) We started putting her on her bottom all the time. It only took her a few days to really get it. What possibilities were opened up to her! A whole new world from the seated position. Bring on the exersaucer and the jumper!!!

4. Pumpkin Patch

So, like most first-time-mothers I know, I was very excited about visiting a pumpkin patch and snapping some fabulous pictures of Hayden and all the Fall-ness. I started with grand plans to visit the Dallas Arboretum, where there isn't just a pumpkin patch, but a beautiful Autumn extravaganza. We would have had to pay to park and then pay to get in and depending on baby's mood, may not have stayed more than 20 minutes, so scratch that idea (I'm thrifty, not cheap folks). So, Bryan and I both researched some local pumpkin patches, but didn't find anything worth the drive. Hayden just hasn't shown much interest in hay rides and I'm not interested yet in exposing her to the petting zoo. So, we visited our local Church of Christ's pumpkin patch, complete with hay bales and scarecrow set up in the manger scene's stable. (I applaud them for using their stable more than once a year.) Of course, Hayden was sleepy and much more interested in the grass, so we got very few looks at the camera, much less any smiles. Yea me for not paying for the Arboretum.

Still to come: Grammy's visit and reverse trick-or-treating. Hang in there, October is almost finished!

October In Review

Well, we've survived another month. Bryan and I are still sane and Hayden still breathes, so we count it successful. October was a whirlwind. The girl continues to grow and change so quickly, which makes the time seem to fly even faster!

Some October highlights...

1. Rice Cereal

The doctor told us that rice cereal might help with the reflux, so we were willing to give it a try a month or so earlier than anticipated. After Bryan picked us up a box at the Kroger (and I had cleared up his misconception that baby rice cereal isn't just soggy Rice Krispies) we dove right in. (Seriously, he was going to feed her Rice Krispies!)

Hayden was willing, though not overly pumped about the new experience...I think her reluctance was more about being strapped into the highchair than swallowing sludge. Apparently she isn't a big fan of restrictions. I'm sure that won't cause any problems in the future.

Bryan, of course, took a turn wielding the spoon. Not only was he a wonderful "feeder, " but he was also the quality control regulator. Yes, he insisted on tasting Hayden's cereal for himself. I'm sure the breast milk added that extra something special. What a caring father.

2. Friends Visit

Alex spent an evening with us. We played soccer at the park, went out for pizza and of course caught up on all the exciting things he is doing in school. He turns 16 in November!!! I cannot believe how he has grown and become such a young man. He is an absolute sweety with Hayden and it warms my heart to see them interact. What a blessing he is to us! We look forward to spending some time with him every month.

Next, Hayden and I occasionally host a girl's get together and on this particular occasion Ms. Brooke brought Emily and Ms. Janet brought sweet Avery over to play with us. (At this age, play means they roll around in the same space while the adults try to get them to slobber on separate toys. Yummy). The kiddos don't seem to really care about each other, but I grasp at any excuse to have other adults over. Anytime I don't have to carry on a conversation with myself or pretend that Hayden's growls and squawks are understandable repartee, I count it a treat.

I realize that I've only touched on two highlights and haven't even gotten to sitting up or reverse trick-or-treating, so I guess you'll just have to check back later for another overly detailed account of our lives. (Quite the tease, huh?)