Happy Thanksgiving!

This last week was a little touch and go.  On Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, I got my 3rd ear infection since the beginning of October and we weren't sure we'd be able to go to Waterloo/Jesup, IA for Thanksgiving.  I stayed home all week and by Thursday, Nov. 25th, Thanksgiving Day, I was a little better so we thought we'd head south. 

I got to see my Uncle Adam and Aunt Audra, I've missed them a lot, and even got to play with Grandma & Grandpa Vogel's cat!  Yep, pulled his tail and everything and he actually let me.  I really enjoyed wrestling with Grandpa and exploring their new home.  Even ate my first real turkey and Uncle Adam helped me make my sweet potatoes even sweeter with extra brown sugar!  It was awesome.  Did I mention I really like pumpkin pie too?

Great Grandma and Grandpa Kress and Great Grandma and Grandpa Vogel came to visit and play with me too.  Here's me and my Great Grandma Wilda Kress having a really good time with lots of giggling.

On Friday, Nov. 26th we had dinner at Grandma & Grandpa Sergeant's with my Great Grandma & Grandpa Schaefer.  We played and explored a lot there too!  Here's me and Grandpa Scott.  I'm showing off my new puppy dog hat.  I'm not as fond of it as Mom is only because it has a strap that won't let me pull it off.  I think that's why she likes it.  Very frustrating though.  It was a fun & relaxing Thanksgiving and I hope yours was too!

Santa!

On Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, I got my 12 month pictures taken in the morning and then in the afternoon I went with Mom to meet our friends the Grunden's.  We started with meeting Santa at Drummer's Garden Center and I was a little unsure about him.  I did fine at first but then as you can see got a little frightened...

 A little upset to I totally want my Mommy to get me off this guy's lap!

  

I just wasn't completely sure about him and as you can see I don't think he was completely sure about me!

After pictures we played at the Grunden's for a little bit and got bundled up for the North Mankato Winter Festival.  They had games, lighting of the Christmas Tree and a parade!  Either way a good excuse to wear my snowsuit & boots for the first time.

Here's Mom, me, Stacy & my Mankato girlfriend, Katelyn, all bundled up and cuddling at the parade.  It was pretty cold and we ended up going to the car early to warm up.  We did get candy and trinkets at the parade though which was pretty fun!

After the parade we warmed up with hot chocolate and grilled cheese at Culver's.  Yep, got my first fast food meal!  I even shared a vanilla custard with Katelyn.  Yummy!  What a way to start of the winter / holiday season.  I can't wait until I'm a little bit bigger and can go on the rides & jumping play-yards too!  As you can see I tried to take pictures like Mom with my John Deere camera Uncle Byron got me.  It lights up & makes fun sounds but I don't think I captured any pictures.  Still pretty neat though.

My 1st Birthday!

Good morning birthday boy!  You Party Animal!

We had a huge blizzard the day before so we were a little worried about my party but we were able to have it!  My First Birthday party outfit...all ready for cake!

Me and my Mommy & Daddy!

At noon on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, Mom & Dad threw me my 1st birthday party!  The party was at the old Benco building in Frost, MN (*so we could fit everyone comfortably) and we had a lot of loving family members in attendance.  We had a 1st birthday jungle theme with lots of blues and greens and even my own personalized sign!

 Mom got sentimental and even hung clothes from Newborn, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months to show how I've grown.  At 12 months I'm now wearing 24 month or 2T size clothing.  So big!!!

 Here's one of our place settings with two of my favorite things of the day.  Animal cracker party favors and a birthday horn I got to play with...

 Here's me and my cousin Hannah playing with our horns and she's being an awesome role model and showing me how it's done!  I made it work once or twice; I think?

For lunch Mom & my Grandmas made BBQ Pork sandwiches with all the fixin's, cheesy potatoes, 5 bean hot dish, veggie & Ramon salads, chips, fruit with dip and what seemed a ton more!  During lunch we watched a slide show Mom & Dad put together of my first year which was really fun.  Mom had to watch it a head of time so she wouldn't cry in front of everyone but I think she still got a little teary eyed, of course!

After lunch I got my first taste of cake! We got my cake from Hy-Vee and it was white with chocolate marbling. We had vanilla ice cream too but I was too busy eating my very own cake to notice. Well I ate the frosting the cake was just ok. I can't wait for someone else to have a birthday so I can have more!

After cake we got to open presents and I was completely spoiled and got some amazing gifts.  Some of the very cool presents I got included my 1st sled from Uncle Jared & Aunt Ashley, a hand stitched stocking from Great Grandma Betty, a homemade wooden train set from Great Grandpa Richard, my 1st tractor from Grandma & Grandpa Sergeant, a personalized name book from Grandma & Grandpa Vogel, my first Radio Flyer wagon from Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard and even my 1st 4-wheeler (*just like Dad's) from Aunt Jenni, Uncle Kyle & cousin Hannah!

Here's cousin Hannah and I racing with the tractor & 4-wheeler.  We kept taking turns riding each one.  I'm not as skilled as she is, yet, but will work on it; she's fast!  The best part they each make lots of noise!

 My new train set; can you believe Grandpa Richard made each car?  I love the Engine as it has an Iowa State sticker on it!

I loved that I got to play for awhile and then we had to clean-up - yuck!  By the time everything was done I was a tired, worn out boy.  We weren't even a mile on the road and I was fast asleep.  What a big day!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that helped celebrate my 1st birthday.  I am truly blessed with the best family and friends ever.  Thank you!

12 Months Old!

Today I'm 12 months old or 1 year!  I even have a fun "My 1st Birthday" shirt to wear!  I can't believe how fast the year has gone by and how much I've been able to do and grow in one year.  I can't wait to see what year two has in store for me.  Here are some of my highlights over the last month:

• Had my 1st haircut on Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, with Noelle at Liv Aveda Salon and sat like a big boy in the chair without straps or anything! 
• Had fun trips to Ames, IA to watch ISU football, trip to Lanesboro, MN, 1st time in the combine with Grandpa Allen, 1st Corn Maze and my very 1st Halloween & Trick-or-Treating dressed up like a cowboy!
• I'm still in the 95 percentile at 28 lbs. and 32 inches long.
• I now give "high-fives", play patty-cake or clap more and I'm even learning the itsy bisty spider!
• I'm down to two bottles a day (*early a.m. and bedtime) and graduated to the next sippy cup stage.  I even get mad sometimes when someone else holds my cup for me or feeds me.  I like to be a big boy and feed myself.  Did I mention I get a lot of food in my hair now?  Even eating big boy lunches at daycare now!  My very 1st lunch was grilled cheese, tomato soup & crackers, green beans & fruit cup.  I loved all of it!
• I now stand alone, even if momentarily, and do really, really well cruising around everything I can grab on to.  I sometimes like to show how big I am by standing on my own, holding my arms above my head and then falling over or into someone laughing.   More of a game than walking.
• Starting to understand and ignore the word "No" and using more and more gibberish / babble.  Still say "Mamma" and "Dadda" and I try to say "Hi" but not too consistent yet.
• I love to knock blocks down that Mom & Dad build, I like looking at board books by myself and/or being read to and I like to dance to music.  Always on the move.

Up next my 1st birthday party on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010!

Introducing Mr. Zebra!

On Sat., Nov. 6th Mom and I went to the Nebraska vs. Iowa State game in Ames, IA.  It was a beautiful day and a fun game to watch just disappointing to lose in overtime.  Definitely a game to remember though.  The best part was I got to hang out with Uncle Jared and Aunt Ashley.  I miss them very much!

On Sun., Nov. 7th after church Dad, Mom & I went out to lunch and did a little shopping.  As part of helping me learn to walk and for my upcoming birthday I got a Zebra!  Yep, introducing my new friend Mr. Zebra.  He is a walker, scooter and trike all in one.  Here's Dad and I doing my first wheelie!  Dad said I'd get more airborne if I lost my pants...not sure if it worked.

 Happy Hayden playing with Mr. Zebra.

 Smile!  I can't I'm too busy trying to figure out how the horn works!

Crawling...

On Tues., Nov. 2nd my Grandpa Mark, Mom's Dad, came up hunting with his friend Joel.  That night we had dinner and we got to play & hang out.  I had so much fun learning how to wrestle and do take downs.  Grandpa says now I have to practice my new skills on Kato and Daddy!  I don't think Mommy is an option.

As you know I've been rolling over for some time and even though I've crawled and cruised for awhile rolling has still been my preferred method of travel. By the beginning of November I finally started to rethink rolling vs. crawling and now I'm doing a lot more crawling.  I guess I have to admit its so much faster to get into things!  For example playing with the wheels on my highchair or just beyond that the wires to our Internet!

 Mom finally caught me on all fours.

 I'm cruising more and more and almost walking.  That means I need assistance to walk but getting closer!

Here's me playing on my activity table that use to be my saucer.  Pretty cool how it grows with me. 

Cyclones & My 1st Trick or Treating!

Unfortunately the week of Oct. 24th I started feeling under the weather again and by Tuesday, Oct. 26th we were back at the doctor.  We found out I had another ear infection in my left ear however the doctor thought the first one, two weeks ago, never really went away.  More medicine!  The good news was I got to stay home and had great care takers such as Dad, Mom, Grandma Judy and Grandma Anne.  I could really get use to this whole cuddle me, rock me, spoil me, love me treatment though.  Glad to be feeling better.

On Saturday, Oct. 30th Mom, Grandma Anne, Grandpa Scott, Cousin Deb and I went to the Alumni Association Homecoming tailgate at the still newish Alumni Center in Ames, IA.  We had an awesome lunch and the best part I got to meet the cheerleaders, I mean Cy!  Well I did get to meet the Iowa State cheerleaders and I have to say the blonds were my favorite.  Mom kidded me I now prefer blonds because when the one holding me came around I put my arms up & she picked me up.  Hey, can you blame me? 

I did get to meet Cy and he is pretty awesome.  I couldn't stop smiling and giggling!  Here's Cy, Grandpa Scott and I.  So cool!

After the tailgate we went to our regular tailgate for more good food, friends, family & Cyclone fans.  Then after I had a good nap Mom & I went to the second half of the game.  It was gorgeous outside.  Here's me with Mom & Mom's good friend, Aunt Jennie.  Notice my face was a little disgusted because at that moment Kansas scored.  ISU pulled through with a win 28 to 16 though - go Cyclones!  After the game Aunt Jennie, Mom & I went out to eat in Mason City on the way home and then crashed!

On Halloween, Sunday, October 31st, we got to chill most of the day to gear up trick or treating.  Kato put on his horse saddle (*which didn't last long) and I in my cowboy outfit/hat and we headed for treats.  Our first stop was our neighbors the Couriers and I got honey grahams!  Here's Dad, Mom and me, Cowboy Hayden!

Next stop Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard's...note Dad tried stealing my hat but I got it back.

Here's me with Grandma and Grandpa Prestegard.  Note the cool trick or treat bag Dad & Mom got me with my name on it.  Can't wait for next year when I can hold it on my own!  Grandma and Grandpa were prepared for me to because I got some Biter Biscuits which are so yummy!

Then we saw Great Grandma and Grandpa Fenske.  We had a nice visit and they must have known I was coming or they heard my horse because they had Gerber Puffs for me.  My grandparents sure love me and must know how much I love my Puffs!  Thanks for making me feel so special.

We then saw Great Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard at Great Aunt Jean & Uncle Loren's house.  Aunt Jean even gave me my first taste of one of Dad's favorite desserts, Orange Tapioca Pudding and it was good!  It was very festive given the occasion.

We ended the evening with lots of laughs at Great Aunt Patty & Uncle Butch's house.  I had fun laughing  and climbing all over Uncle Butch.  What a fun first Halloween!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween too!