Peek-a-boo!

We've had a fun, relaxing weekend at home doing nothing but playing and having a good time.  Thought I'd share some of our peek-a-boo pictures.  Hope you're having a fun weekend too!  Love, Hayden

Faribault County Fair!

This week the Faribault County Fair celebrated its 150th birthday!  Dad, Mom and I went twice.  On Wed., July 21st we went for the first time and we rode rides, had good food and saw a lot of animals.  When we arrived we lucked out and got to park next to cousin Mark, Phoebe and Max.  It was so good to see them as it has been awhile.  Cousin Angie we missed you though!  Then Mom and I rode the carousel and I got to sit on a giraffe.  I wasn't sure about going up and down at first but Dad & Mom were impressed how I hung on right away by grabbing the bar. 

After my first ride we walked around the grounds and saw the pigs, cows, sheep and 4H winners in crafts, etc.  Dad explained to Mom and me how the ribbons worked (*Mom's a city gal) and showed me the cows that I'll get to show some day.  The ones in the picture with me and Dad are Black Angus like Great Grandpa Pete raises.  Dad said I might have some like those some day too!

After we saw the show animals we went to the FFA petting zoo.  I got to hold a baby Kato; yep, they had little black & yellow puppies.  Dad wouldn't let Mom and me take one home though but hopefully Grandma Judy will get a puppy soon and we can play with hers.  Right Grandpa Allen? :)  Before dinner we rode one more ride; the slide!  I went up with Dad first and then rode with Mom.  It went really fast and Mom said my eyes got really big when we were done.  Don't worry I was braze and didn't cry or anything; just smiled.  We had so much fun I told them I wanted to go the next night.

So on Thurs., July 22nd Uncle Jared and Aunt Ashely spent the night on their way home to Waterloo, IA.  We met them at the fair and I got to go on rides again!  Here's me and Dad racing Uncle Jared.  Of course I didn't win because some kid snuck in between us and went on 2 instead of 3.  Totally cheated or maybe he didn't understand the countdown thing.  You know 1, 2, 3 then go....oh, well. 

Mom and I rode the carousel again with Aunt Ashley and then we showed them some of the animals.  There was another petting zoo by the horse barn so we saw that.  This time a lamb and a colt really, really liked me.  I really liked the colt too and petted him a lot.  The lamb was ok but kind of loud.  I really wanted to take the colt home but again, Dad said no.  I'll keep working on him.

We also saw a log sawing contest, the antique village and 150 tractors for 150 years.  My Great Uncle Butch and Great Aunt Patty had some of their antique Ford tractors there too.  Here's me sitting on one with Dad.  Uncle Butch does such an awesome job restoring and taking care of them don't you think?  

After we had a big adventure of an afternoon we went home and got ready for bed.  Uncle Jared and Aunt Ashley played with me for a bit and gave me a really cool children's atlas book.  After they gave me the book I got a case of the giggles as Aunt Ashley was being really silly with me.

 

Here's us playing; as you can see I'm still laughing at Aunt Ashley silliness right before this picture was taken.  Thank you for such a fun visit; I can't wait for the fair next year!

Oh, I may have forgot to update you that I've been eating meat!  I started with ham, then beef, then chicken and this week turkey.  I like chicken and turkey the best but I think that's just because baby food meat doesn't smell the best and they smell better than beef or ham.  It also helps when Mom and Dad mix it with my cereal or other food and heat it up a little.  Not bad though for a growing boy.  Need my protein.  I also had Cheerios for the first time at daycare on Tues., July 20th.  Not flavored like my puffs but just as good.  Next on the menu:  cheese and egg yolks.  I'll keep you posted.

First Love & I got a Swing-set!

This week has been amazing.  My Grandma Anne came up late Wed., July 14th, to surprise me Thursday morning to babysit me all day!  I didn't have to go to daycare or anything.  We played and had a ton of fun.  She stayed over Thursday night too.  On Friday, July 16th before we started our day we had our carpets cleaned.  When Mom brought me to the living room after I woke up it looked like we got robbed!  I didn't realize how small I was until all the furniture was gone.  We then left to spend the day at Medford outlets.  I got my first pair of Nikes and my first Vikings jersey.  Dad was so pumped he told me we'll wear them ever Sunday as apparently he and Kato have jerseys too!  Mom said she'll wear her Saints stuff instead.  Dad said we'll turn her yet. 

On Saturday, July 17th Grandma Judy came over and fed me before we went to Amy's wedding shower.  I must say it was strange being the only man there but it worked out in my favor.  My girlfriend Ava was there too!  Here's her chasing after me, how could she resist!  As we were eating there were these pretty flowers on the table and I decided to give one to my girl.

I think she liked it and all the other woman kept saying "oooo & ahhhh" and "oh, how cute".  Just being the ladies man my Dad has taught me to be. :)

After I got to hang out with Grandma Judy I took a nap and when I woke up Grandpa Mark & Grandma Dawn were here.  We hung out, had dinner and they spent the night too!  Today we went to church and then out to breakfast.  I got really spoiled as they brought me my very own tug boat to play with during bath time and Great Grandma Mary & Grandpa Richard sent me a fun book and homemade cookies.  Mom won't let me eat chocolate yet but Dad and Mom said they were really good.

Here's me with Grandma & Grandpa Vogel and then an updated family picture with me, Mom & Dad.   We tried to get Kato in the picture but he must have been tired as he's laying at Dad's feet.  Couldn't get him to sit up for it or anything.  Next time.  Once we got home we napped and then got my swing ready on my first swing-set.  Our good friend Kim & Tom Johnson gave it to me and its amazing.  It even has a steering wheel, slide and everything.

Here's me enjoying my first swing...Dad was pushing me really high and I loved it.  We couldn't stay out too long because Dad said the state birds, mosquitoes, were out too.  I didn't see any flying around but it was pretty buggy.  Can't wait to go again soon.  Thanks again Kim and Tom.  I'm really, really blessed.   Dad said there is some work to do because he wants to put in a sandbox with some equipment to get me practicing so can't wait to play with that too!  Thanks grandparents for a fun weekend and Grandpa Allen & Grandpa Scott I miss you and can't wait to see you soon too.

8 Months & First Words...

This past weekend was pretty low key but I kept Dad & Mom guessing which milestone I'd do next.  On Friday I got to spend the whole day with Grandma Judy while Mom went to work.  We had so much fun and even visited Dad & Grandpa in the shop.  That night we had a fun dinner with our good friends Steve and Mandy.  They are expecting and I can't wait to play with their soon to be little one.  They toasted the good news with sparkling grape juice but Mom would only let me have baby pear juice.  I've had grape & apple before so it was sort of as special and I did really like it so no complaints.  Maybe next time...

On Saturday & Sunday we played a lot and I even tried strawberry yogurt melts and wheat crackers.  I think I'm finally getting the hang of chewing or at least not scaring Mom & Dad as much by swallowing things whole.  I'll get there but what can I say, I've been hungry!  Sunday morning I surprised Mom by starting to bang things together.  We've been working on playing patty-cake and stuff so apparently all our hard work is paying off.  Seemed silly for Mom to get so excited over it as I've been pounding on things for ever but I guess its a big deal when you can connect the two.  We had a very nice dinner Sunday night after a wake with Grandma Judy and Grandpa Allen and when we got home Dad & Mom were getting me in my P.J.'s and thought I'd freak them out by saying my first word, "MaMa".  I think Mom even got teary eyed and the look of shock on Dad's face was priceless!  But I figured I have to keep them guessing otherwise having parents isn't any fun!  We'll see what we do next!

Last night Dad gave me a bath and decided that I would look good with a mohawk.  He didn't even need to use gel or anything.  Pretty impressive.  I guess you get what you get when you let Dad do dressing duties.  For the record I did end up in P.J.'s after this shot.  The coolest part of my new do was that it lasted until morning and I got to continue to wear it all day for my 8 month unbirthday!  Can't wait to see what Dad does next time; he has the coolest ideas. 

Speaking of unbirthdays; today I am 8 months old!  As you can see I'm looking pretty good if I do say so myself!  As you've read I've continued to grow and some of the big things that have happened this past month include:

• 
  
  Got my 1st two teeth; the bottom, center
• I graduated to the big boy car seat from the infant carrier on July 2nd
• 
  
  My 1st Father's Day, my 1st CPS Golf Tournament, was a ring bearer, saw my 1st parade & fireworks, rode a pony, 1st non-relative babysitter on July 2nd & sat through my 1st tornado in the basement at daycare.  Scary but exciting!
• 
  
  Continued to eat more foods like 1st & 2nd fruits & veggies, 2nd meats, yogurt melts, crackers, toast, Gerber puffs, etc.  Mom boils & purees fresh fruit, like blackberries, for my cereal too.  Yummy!

 

I can reach my toes!

So Dad and Mom caught me...after bathtime on Monday, July 5th we were getting ready for bed and I sort of began sucking on my big toe. They couldn't believe it so they took a picture. Dad said after a bit I won't be able to get my foot by my shoulder let alone by my head. Just don't tell too many people it's a little embarassing! Can I just say I was hungry? :)

4th of July & Ponies!

We had a big holiday weekend. Mom went out with my girlfriend Ava's Mom, Anna and Aunt, Sheena, on Thursday, July 1st night so it was just Dad and I. Boys night! On Friday, July 2 Dad, Mom and I were able to finally get together with my Mankato girlfriend, Katelyn and her parents, Stacy and Mike. We kept trying but had to re-schedule so it was about time! I had my first non-relative babysitter, even though they were Katelyn's cousins, and Mom and Dad went to a movie and dinner with Katelyn's parents. Stacy and Mom said something about Team Edward and Dad said no, Team Jacob but not too sure what that was all about. I think Dad was just trying to argue. Go figure! I asked Mom later and she said it all relates to the movie they saw "Eclipse".

On Saturday, July 03 we met my cousin Hannah and my Aunt/Godmother Jenni for lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Prestegard. We then went to the Bricelyn parade at 1 p.m. I only got a little scared at the end of the parade with the loud sirens but did fine through most of it. Dad and Mom

seemed proud of me for how good I was though. I think Mom was a little over protective because she made me wear ear plugs but maybe they helped a little. Don't tell her that though. :) My cousin Hannah did an awesome job collecting candy for me and here's a picture of us at the parade with Aunt Jenni and Mom. Notice the really fun 4th of July outfit Hannah has on. She's so cool!

Mom wouldn't let me eat the candy but I did get to try my very first Mr. Freezie. It was blue raspberry and it was delicious! My bottom teeth are still coming in so it felt really good on them plus it was really hot outside so it was pretty refreshing. Hopefully I'll get to have another one soon.

After the parade we saw Great Grandma and Grandpa Prestegard and a blue grass band. Then the petting zoo opened and I got to ride my first pony! His name was Shadow and he was 20 years old or something but I did really good and even held on to the saddle all by myself. I can't wait to ride another pony again soon. We had so much fun!

On the night of the 3rd we met Grandpa and Grandma Prestegard for fireworks. I even got to wear my P.J.'s. I didn't cry once the whole time and loved the lights. I must admit I was a little sleepy but had such a fun time. Grandma and Grandpa even got me a glow stick. It even glowed until the next morning and I got to play with it then too!

On the actual 4th we went to Andy's house for a BBQ and hung out all day and relaxed. I must have been tired because I took 3 naps! Here's me and Dad and me and Mom on the 4th at Andy's. In case you couldn't see my 4th of July shirts said, "Mr. Independent" (*just like Dad) and the other "Mom's American Hero". Dad's shirt that I got him special said, "Minnesota's (*then crossed out & said World's) Greatest Dad because he is! Oh, and if you can't read my pacifier below it looks like ACDC's logo but actually says ABCD. I thought it was pretty "rockin" - get it! - ha, ha, so thought I'd show it off to you!

Hope everyone had a nice as 4th as we did. Enjoy the rest of the holiday week!

The Wedding!

On Friday, June 25th Dad, Mom and I traveled to Sioux Falls, SD for my Uncle/Godfather Jared's wedding to my now Aunt/Godmother Ashley. On Friday we hung out at the hotel, went to Kid's Stuff where Mom got me my first Yankee's book - so cool! Hey, to be fair she did check for a Twin's book but they were sold out...maybe next time. Then we went to the rehearsal dinner and hung out with family. Here's a picture of the three of us at the dinner:

On Sat., June 26th we had to be at the church for pictures pretty early and I started getting hungry. As you can see Dad is making fun of me a bit by putting his fingers in his mouth too! Even though our fingers are in our mouths we look pretty good in our 3 piece suits! :)

I also got kind of silly with my cousin Aaron and a few others kept me laughing as you can see here:

Here's all 3 of us just before the wedding:

After the ceremony Mom and Dad rode the party bus and I went with Grandpa and Grandma Prestegard. Once Uncle Jared and Aunt Ashley arrived can you believe Uncle Jared was wearing this! I didn't understand but Dad told me it,s because another man has fallen and has a ball and chain or something. I think he used the word incarcerated but I don't know what that means exactly. I like my Aunt Ashley so I just don't get it. Dad said I would when I'm older...

After we were done with dinner the storms hit and the power went out! We had to wait in the "cellar" for what seemed like forever. It was kind of fun though because I got to play with a flashlight and found a pan of mash potatoes I tried jumping in. Mom wouldn't let me though. No fun. After all the commotion was over I got to change into something more comfortable and take a pic with my Godparents. Notice the shirt does say, "Am I really related to these people?" He, he. Thought all our relatives there would get a kick out of it. Thanks Great-Uncle Mike!

Father's Day and Golf Carts!

On Friday, June 18th I went to Waterloo and spent the afternoon with Grandpa Scott and Grandma Anne. Storms hit while we were there and Mom had to go to a shelter at the Mall. It wasn't as scary as the tornadoes that touched down 7 miles from our house on Thursday, June 17th and I even had to go to the basement at daycare! Pretty scary! The night of the 17th Mom and I spent the night at Grandpa Mark and Grandma Dawn's house. While I was there Great-Grandpa Richard and Great-Grandma Mary stopped by for a visit and here's a picture of all 4 generations. Oh, Great-Uncle Kurt and my Great-Grandpa Chuck & Great-Grandma Wilda stopped by too & it was fun to see them. Here are some pictures of my Grandpa's opening their Father's Day gifts a day or two early too! Miss them all already!

The reason we went to Waterloo was the 30th Annual CPS Golf Tournament took place on Sat., June 19th. This year Mom hung out with me but I got to see a lot of my family and our family friends. I even got to "drive" a golf cart with Mom and rode around on one with Uncle Jared and Great-Aunt Becky. We had a ton of fun and I didn't even get bugs in my mouth!

On Father's Day, June 20th, I hung out with Dad and we went over to Grandpa Allen and Grandma Judy's house for lunch. Here's us opening presents:

We had a relaxing day and even took a nap together. I'm not allowed to post that picture though :) Maybe next time. Dad said he really liked my gift from daycare and the ones we got him but his favorite was that my front bottom teeth came in over that weekend. Yep, both of them! Mom and Dad said they've been impressed that I haven't been fussy or anything just drooling a lot and having a mild temperature. I'm glad their through now because they brush them with this tiny toothbrush that feels really good and I love the sound I make when I eat crackers now. The first time I heard it I looked around like I wasn't sure what it was and then I realized it was me! The sound is so much fun!

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...