7 months and counting...

A little behind but be prepared for lots of reading! As you may know on June 13th I turned 7 months. The biggest thing that has changed over the last month is what I can eat. As you've probably read I still have bottles but now eat fruit, veggies, cereal and crackers. I haven't figured out the whole chewing thing yet but I'm getting better and more patient. I sit up by myself, I razz a little and talk a little bit more, work to get a toy out of reach, I can pick up tiny objects with just a couple of fingers and I love to play peek-a-boo. Mom's teaching me patty-cake and I am slowing learning to pivet on my tummy. Not crawling yet but working towards it. Here's me at 7 months:

Flamingos!

I can't give you all the details but we had a secret flamingo mission or adventure last night. We met some good friends who helped us decorate another friend's lawn....yep, with about 200 flamingos. Dad said it helped enhance his property value which I'm not sure about but it did make his lawn look pretty. The flamingos were pretty large for me to help too much, as you can see, but I did have fun playing with my new friend Mason. He's about 2 years older than me but I'm sure he'll do a good job looking out for me in the future.

I was pretty excited hanging out with my friends that I couldn't help bouncing around. Mom said I bounced myself silly as apparently I did it for about 5 minutes and kept giggling the whole time. Here's a quick snap shot with my friend Mason giving you a quick commerical for Cheese Nips...his favorite. Soon I might have more videos of me crawling or walking! We'll see...

Sippy Cups!

Well, since Friday, May 4th Mom and I have been trying all sorts of sippy cups and yummy apple juice. The juice is excellent but I have trouble figuring out how to drink out of those darn cups! Bottles are so much easier!

Finally tonight we had success! Yep, the Nuk cups did the trick and I finally figured out how to get some juice. I still have trouble holding the cup for too long while I'm sitting up and then I seem to get frustrated but once I laid down I did great! Mom says I'm growing up too fast! Oh, Dad & I tried carrots today and they were awesome. Can't wait for the next fruit or veggie. We'll have to see what they surprise me with next...

Duck Tales!

This past week I was introduced to my bath time duck, Moby, that my Uncle Jared & soon-to-be Aunt Ashley gave me for my 3 month birthday. Now that I can sit up on my own Dad & Mom thought I could try it out so above is us getting to know each other.

As you can see we got along great until I found out he actually quacked! And very loudly I might add! I'm pretty sure Kato doesn't appreciate his quack much either since he didn't come out while the duck was in the living room. Now that I think about it he didn't come out at bath time either...I don't think Kato likes Moby. Might have something to do with the fact they are the same size!

Well, we tried out the duck in the tub for the first time on Sat., June 5th and look forward to taking it outside too! Here's me & Moby hanging out in the tub at bath time.

You'll see my favorite bath toy, Hippo, which as you can see I won't let anyone take him away from me and one of my favorite bath time books about 3 little pigs. I must say Moby is pretty cool and I like him better than my infant tub because I can sit up easier. Pretty sweet!

This weekend was great because we didn't do much & we played and hung out all weekend! On Thursday, June 3rd I hung out with Grandpa Allen on his birthday (*& Grandma Judy) and even hung out with the boys on Friday, June 4th at the shop. Grandpa Allen told me all sorts of stories & showed me all around the farm. Then on Sunday, May 6th we went to Mom's friend from work, Kae's son Logan's graduation open house. Mom & Dad said they had amazing food even though they wouldn't let me try any of it. I am up to eating apples, bananas, prunes and peas & about to conquer carrots!

I loved hanging out around home all weekend since it was the first time in a few weeks that we didn't travel. It was so awesome! We played a ton! I am really starting to like interactive toys such as my play table my Uncle Kyle & Aunt Jenni got me. It even has legs on it so as I grow & can stand for longer periods of time I can stand & play with it more.

Here are some fun pictures of me playing with my table and with my flying ball machine with Dad. I didn't realize that if you tip the machine over the balls don't fly upward any more they actually fly at you and hit you in the head. Yep, I got hit more than a few times and you'd think that after the first few times I tipped it over I'd learn my lesson but where is the fun in that! I think Dad enjoyed laughing at me anyways...good times!

I ate Peas!

I had such a fun weekend I can't wait to tell you all about it. On Thursday night I stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Prestegard's for a fun visit. Grandma even fed me rice cereal. It was soo good Grandma couldn't get it to me fast enough - I was hungry! Then we played, giggled and got lots of hugs. What a way to start off my weekend!

On Friday Mom and I hung out and even ran a few errands. I was a big boy and sat up in the shopping cart at the grocery store! It was so much fun looking around outside the world of my car seat. I've practiced a couple of times before but always had to hold Mom's hand to stay up right but this time I didn't need any help at all. We had to go shopping because I started eating baby food. We picked out all sorts of flavors because I'm not sure what I'll like yet. This past week I got up to eating cereal twice a day and on Sunday, May 30th, I ate baby food with my cereal for the first time! Dad picked out peas as he says we farm that some times so we need to support our crops. I'm not sure what peas look like but I wasn't too sure I liked the taste at first. I think Mom and Dad got pretty scared when I started to make lots of faces and even acted like I was going to yack them back up. Actually, that part might have made Dad laugh, a lot. I didn't though and as long as they mixed them in with my cereal I did great. Today I eat them no problem. Dad & Mom keep saying they were so proud of me. You'll notice I'm sitting up like a big boy in a high chair at Bubba Gump's. We had a nice dinner and I got to watch all the people going by. So much to see.

Oh yeah, I went to the Twin Cities for our first family trip this past weekend. We went shopping, even got a few fun outfits and a pair of sandals to practice walking, and stayed in my first hotel! I really wanted to go swimming at the hotel, as I even brought my swim trunks, but after I ate dinner I was too tired to do much of anything so maybe next time. Since I have done so well sitting up Dad & Mom left my car seat in the Buick and I got to seat up front in the stroller. It was so fun looking around and watching everyone....I would get so excited I would talk & giggle randomly. I can't believe I'm big enough to sit up front already. It will make for summer walks to be way more fun.

While we were in the Cities we also met our good friends Brad & Wendy Weber and my new friend & future Alpha Gamma Rho pledge brother, Ethan. It was the first time I've got to meet Ethan and we had a lot of fun. He is pretty cool guy. When we were at the zoo my favorite place was the Aquarium because I could touch the glass and I even tried to touch the rays with Mom but they were down too deep. Mom says they are really soft and some day I may get to scuba with Dad & Mom and see them in real life like they have. I got to see a trainer scuba while she was cleaning the dolphin tank and my favorite "animal" I got the most excited for was the Sea Dragons. I'll show a picture of Dad and I checking them out. We did all the indoor trails but of course Mom kept putting sun screen on me. It was annoying! Oh, well it was fun walking around and hanging out as a family. We took a family photo and Mom even got a picture of Wendy and I playing. We were being silly with my hat. I couldn't help but laugh a lot. I must have been pretty loud because at one point Brad even thought what he was hearing was an animal noise but Dad said, no that's just Hayden!

After the zoo was over we went home and I slept the whole way! I was one tired boy. I must mention that Mom's good friend Jennie came over on Saturday and I got to meet her for the first time. We had planned 4 or 5 previous trips but old man winter didn't allow us to meet until now. As you can tell in the picture Mom caught me by surprise. I had a lot of fun hanging out with her and can't wait to see her again.

Besides our family trip the other big event this past weekend was Kato's 5th birthday on Friday, May 28th! Can you believe Kato is already 5. My big brother is OLD! Mom & Dad can't believe that on July 5th they will have had Kato for 5 years. We got a special treat for Kato, "Dog Pizza"....I didn't try it, peas were enough for me, but Kato seemed like he liked it a lot. He ate 1 piece in almost 1 bite! Happy Birthday big brother Kato!!!

It was such a fun weekend it's hard to believe it is already Tuesday. I can't wait for our next long weekend; July 4th! This weekend I think I may stay home and relax as a guy can only take so much excitement. Dad & Mom did mention something about swimming with a duck though...those two always come up with some weird stuff. I can barely keep up. I'll keep you posted after I found out more about this "duck" thing. Hope you all enjoyed Memorial Weekend and remembered or supported our troops in some way. God bless all of them. XOXO

Love, Hayden

1/2 a Year Old!

Well, on Thursday, May 13th I turned 6 months old! I think I saw Mom cry a bit but otherwise a fun half birthday. I think she’s sad I’m so big. Here's me in my 6 month photo but I got a little pre-occupied by the sign. I'll try to remember to smile & look at the camera next time. I had my 6 month check-up on the 14th and I'm now 20.5 lbs. and 28 inches long. I've grown a lot in a month and do a lot more too! Notice I’m sitting up all by myself; I did so for the first time on May 7th and have been getting better each day. On the 18th I sat up at daycare for a whole half hour with out falling over. I think I could have gone longer but I got hungry. Here’s me and Dad practicing together. He’s really good at sitting; he must have been practicing too!

Now that Mother's Day is over I want to show you what I made for her (*with the help of my daycare ladies!). Yep, those may look like flowers but are really my hands & feet. Pretty cool, huh? I think Mom liked them a lot.

As you may know my Uncle Jared is getting married to my soon-to-be Aunt Ashley on June 26th. So on May 15th I went with Grandma Anne and Mom to Sioux Falls, SD for the first time for her bridal shower. I got to meet all of Aunt Ashley’s family & friends and had a really good time. We even got to go to her final dress fitting and saw the beautiful bride-to-be. The dress was so pretty I wanted to touch it but Mom wouldn’t let me. Afterwards I met my Uncle Jared for dinner and we traded hats. I have to say I look good in both hats but he doesn’t look good in mine. Sorry Uncle Jared. Here we are:

While we were in Sioux Falls we stopped at Kids Stuff and got my first highchair. I even test drove a few before I told Mom I liked this one. I look good if I do say so myself. I ate rice cereal for the first time with Mom & Dad on Sunday, May 16th at my 1 p.m. feeding in my new chair. I ate it right up and got a little mad when they weren’t going fast enough. For some reason Mom & Dad kept taking my picture and I kept trying to tell them I was hungry and feed me already. As you can see they kept laughing at me so I just got madder. They learned though as I spit up on them a little bit later. I got the last laugh!

On Wed., May 19th I got to go to my Grandma Judy’s retirement coffee. I had a lot of fun because I got to see my Aunt Jenni, favorite cousin Hannah, my great grandparents, Prestegard and Fenske, and lot of other fun individuals. I’ve decided my Grandma decided to retire so she could spend more time with Hannah and me. We are pretty fun people.

This weekend I got to go to Waterloo, IA with Mom for my Aunt Ashley’s bridal shower from our side of the family. On Friday, May 21st we met our cousin Danielle and two of her kids, Camille and Maddox. Maddox is 9 months and I’m 6 months, 3 months apart just like Mom & Danielle. We had our pictures taken together like Mom and Danielle did when they were kids but apparently they said they wouldn’t make us pose with weird things like fake plastic telephones and squeaky stuffed animals. I guess that was “in” in the 80’s. I can’t wait to see the proofs we looked GOOD! We played together for a little bit afterwards and then I got to see my Great Grandma Mary Vogel. I just missed Grandpa Richard but had so much fun hugging and playing with Grandma Great. Hope to see them all again soon. Saturday, May 22nd we had the shower at Grandma & Grandpa Sergeant’s for Aunt-to-be Ashley and here’s a picture with me and the ladies. I got to eat at the table like a big boy with everyone else. We had a lot of fun.

After we got all cleaned up I got to meet Grandma and Grandpa Vogel for dinner. I got to play a little and show off my sitting skills. Wish we could have hung out longer. Had a busy couple of weeks but my Dad was even busier! He and Grandpa Allen were finishing up planting and are now done! I’m so excited because that means Dad is home more to play with me. This past week we even went on a walk, just us dude’s because Kato came too, and hung outside in our “shop”. Mom was planting flowers but it was more fun to work on our new work bench we’re building. After a bit I got tired and Dad & I went to bed. Can’t wait for more fun summer times!

Have a great week. Love, Hayden XOXO

Happy Mother's Day!

Since we last talked I've been playing care taker for Mom & Dad as they've both been a little ill but seem to be on the mend. Last weekend I got to see Grandma Judy's side of the family because we celebrated Grandma Great Betty's birthday at Great Aunt Patty & Great Uncle Butch's house. Grandma Great hit a milestone and I had so much fun hanging out with her. I can't tell you which birthday because Mom & Dad said it isn't polite to reveal a lady's age. And my Grandma Great is a lady. Here's our 4 generations picture of Great Grandpa Albert, Great Grandma Betty, Grandma Judy, Dad and me. What a very handsome bunch!

I must have had a bigger weekend then I thought as I was a little tuckered out this week at daycare. Apparently I was playing so hard I feel asleep in the middle of the action. Hey, a guy's gotta catch his zzz's when he can! The ladies at daycare ratted me out and sent this picture to my Mom. I promise to nap better this week.

This weekend we hung out and celebrated Mother's Day all weekend. Mom and Dad got to go to Iron Man 2 while I stayed at Grandma Judy and Grandpa Allen's house for the afternoon. They said they really liked the movie and had a lot of fun. I had a ton of fun too and we even played with my ISU football and I showed them how I'm sitting up on my own. We were going to take Mom on a picnic today but it was a little chilly so we "rainchecked" for a warmer day and ate inside. I don't really get why if it's raining & cold we would "raincheck" for another day as wouldn't we want that day to be warm? Dad said to just go with it and it will make sense when I'm older. Here's me and my Mommy :)

Before it was raining Mom and I did a photo shoot and took some fun pictures for my "Grandmas". Here are some of our out-takes. I really like my sandals and hope you do too! Wishing my Mom, my Grandmas and all the mother's out there a blessed and very happy Mother's Day! Love, Hayden

Shorts & Sitting Up!

We'll its official...warm weather is here! I got to wear shorts for the first time on Thursday and it was so cool; really! Here I am trying to stand on my own to show off my little legs but the couch helped a little. I look pretty good if I do say so myself.

On Friday, April 23 Grandma Anne came to see me and we went shopping and played. Here's us sharing a meal together. Ok, ok so I'm the one eating but it was sure good. :)

On Saturday, April 24 Mom, Dad and I got to hang out at home together because it rained and Dad didn't have to plant. I was so excited that I sat up all on my own. Dad and Mom had to help position me a little and caught me when I started to fall over but I think I did pretty good. We've been working on it and I'm getting better each day. I can't wait until I can do it and not fall over and go boom. Soon!

Dad we miss you!

My Dad and Grandpa have been putting in a lot of time for planting as God has graced us with amazing weather! Dad we miss you at home but I'm so glad you got to sneek home and read to me a bed time story. Dad said he really liked my zoo P.J.'s with my rhino feet :) I'm gearning up to go to the zoo this summer. Can't wait!

Miss you Daddy! Love, Hayden

Busy Boy!

Hello everyone! It's been a long time since we last talked but I've been a busy boy! Don't worry I've got lots of pictures for you this time.

First, April 3rd & 4th was Easter Weekend and there was a lot going on. My Ehr cousins, Owen & Issy (*with Mom Diane) stopped by to play. Here we are with Grandpa Mark Vogel. Owen is 9 months and I was 4 months here and I'm almost caught up to him! Grandpa Mark said he was real proud of my growing and how strong I am. I kept telling Grandpa I wasn't trying to catch anyone but oh, well. It was so fun to watch Owen as he was just starting to walk. I hope I walk as good as him someday!

Grandpa & Grandma Vogel came up at the same time and we played until Dad got home. Then we went out to eat at Pizza Hut. Dad didn't know we had a surprise party waiting for him! Yep, Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard, Grandma & Grandpa Sergeant and Uncle Kyle, Aunt Jenni and my favorite (*& only) cousin Hannah came too! Dad's face was really red but it was worth it as Dad got confirmed at Easter Vigil Mass that night and we all wanted to be there to support him. They even had ice cream cake but too bad I'm only on a liquid diet...maybe soon.

I must say that mass got kinda long so after about 5 minutes or so I decided to go to sleep. Everyone tells me that Dad did a good job though & didn't fall over or anything. Dad told me he was kinda sad I didn't stay awake as apparently he stayed awake for my Baptism but hey, at least my ceremony was during the day. What did he expect?!?

That night Grandma and Grandpa Sergeant spent the night and the next morning the Easter Bunny came! Mom and Dad said I was a good boy since he brought me a basket that even has my name on it and filled with books, toys and even some fun shoelace socks. I dressed up for the occasion as I wore my first Easter P.J.'s that even had bunny feet and a bunny tail on my bum. Grandma said I looked adorable. I think Grandpa and Dad had other opinions but they didn't say anything because Mom was around. I didn't mind except the ears got kinda old. Here's me and Dad Easter morning!

Later that morning we went to Grandma and Grandpa Prestegard's for Easter lunch. Here's me in my Easter outfit. We had a wonderful Easter weekend and a lot of fun.

The Monday after Easter, April 5th, Mom left to go out of town for almost the whole week for work. Just Dad & I hung out then. Grandma Judy helped a lot and picked me up from daycare each day and we had lots of fun together. Here's Mom & I playing when she got back; I missed her a lot!

While Mom was gone we had our bathroom remodeled. Everything turned out great although I think Dad didn't like using the bathroom in the basement as it was a long way to go. I told him I didn't mind as I still use diapers. I don't think that made him feel better though. Can't wait for you to see the bathroom; it looks awesome!

The weekend after Easter we went to Waterloo and Grandpa & Grandma Sergeant babysat me for the day. We had lots of fun playing and meeting some more friends and family. Even Great Grandma & Grandpa Schaefer stopped by to play with me. On Sunday I went to Jesup to see my Grandma & Grandpa Vogel, my Great Grandma & Grandpa Vogel and even my Uncle Derek, Uncle Adam and Aunt Audra were in town! It was so much fun to see them. I miss them all already.

This past Tuesday, April 13th, I turned 5 months old! Dad and Mom say they are proud of me because this last month I've rolled over, I sit up and stand up with little assistance, I really pay attention to what is going on and I laugh and smile more based on who's around me. I've even started to pull on Kato's fur. Apparently he doesn't like it too much but he still lets me do it! As of my last doctor visit this past week I'm now over 19 lb. and 28.5 inches long. Still in the 97% but aiming for 100!

This past week things were a lot more slow which was nice. On Friday, April 16 I went to see Grandpa Allen and we planted together! Yep, I got to ride in my first tractor and Grandpa must have been crazy because he let me drive. He didn't even seem concerned when I took my hands off the wheel. I was just trying to see if he was paying attention but he did say something about autotrack or something. Maybe that was why he wasn't worried. I've got lots to learn before I take over. I did wear my Prestegard Farms coat and if you look close you'll notice I was so excited to see Grandpa I lost my shoe. I think Mom found it though. It was so much fun and I can't wait to ride with him again. Mom said she was proud of me because I didn't even get scared with all the noises or anything. Here's some pictures of us.

Later that afternoon Grandma Judy stopped by and played with me. She even read to me. Here's she's reading one of my favorites, "The Belly Button Book". My Great Aunt Debbie & Uncle Brian got it for me. It's really funny and even has half naked Hippos in it that sing!

Not much else has gone on. Daycare is going well and I've even been on a walk with my girlfriend Ava. The weather is so nice out we've been going outside a lot more. On Friday, April 9th Mom even took me to the park in Frost and I got to swing for the first time! I loved it and even cried a little when we had to go home. Hey, you can't blame me for trying to get to stay a bit longer. It's so much fun being outside I just can't wait for summer to start. Hope you've enjoyed my update and hope you have a great week. Love, Hayden