All Smiles, All the Time!

I love mornings and I am always happy when I first wake up so Mom asked me to show off some fun morning pictures.  Here's me rolling over all smiles in my crib on Wed., September 22, 2010.  Yep, smiling at 6:30 a.m.!  Even though I'm pulling myself up I needed Mom's help to stand in the third photo.  Getting pretty good on my feet though!

That morning Mom and I picked out a fun Air Jordan outfit to wear and as Grandma Judy says I was "duding" out!  I even have matching shoes!  At 10 months I now wear a size 5 for shoes.  As Mom says, the bigger the feet the better my balance, especially since I think I'll be walking on my own soon.  I'll keep you posted.

That night I had bath time with Dad and we had fun making soap sculptures including a soap goatee!  I'm getting pretty good at splashing as Mom & Dad are near and almost got Kato this week! 

I surprised Mom on Friday, Sept. 24th by pulling myself up in my crib, without any help!  I kept playing peek-a-boo with her after I figured out how to go up & down.  I was pretty proud of myself!

I almost forgot to mention on Friday, Sept. 17th we went to a fun farm related party and I got to ride on my first bus!  It was to shuttle us to and from our cars but still a bus.  I really enjoyed pounding on the windows and getting to face forward & actually look out.  As Dad says I never get to do that as my car seat is rear facing still.  The party even had a live band so it was fun dancing to that too!  For my 1st Christmas Great Grandma & Grandpa Kress got me a Geo-Trax train set.  We got it out for the first time this past week and I even ran the remote control to make it go forward & reverse.  It even makes cool train noises and the conductor's name is Samuel.  I love watching it go around the tracks or rather taking it off the tracks as it goes around!  So much fun to play with.

 

10 Months Old & No Pacifier!

On Friday, Sept. 10th I got to hang out all day with Grandma Judy while Mom worked & took Kato for knee surgery.  I'm happy to report Kato has healed really well and goes back to the doctor on the 24th to have his stitches removed.  He did have to wear a cone of shame for a little while and had some fur shaved for the procedure (*you can see in picture) but otherwise he's been happy & running around like normal.  Here Mom got a quick snap shot of Kato & I hanging out; that is to our surprise!

On Saturday, Sept. 11th I worked on giving up my pacifier for good.  Yep, had two naps without it!  I did get a little fussy going down at first & I did need it a little at bedtime but pretty good for my first day.  I did awesome on Sunday, Sept. 12th because I didn't need it at all!  Even went to bed without it.  The good thing is I've got lots of extra cuddle time with Mom & Dad as I think they were more worried about it then I was! By today I've gone a week and haven't needed it; as Dad says quit cold turkey.

On Monday, Sept. 13th I turned 10 months old and can do even more stuff including:

• Stand holding on to someone or something
• Pull self up to stand; did for the 1st time with an object instead of a person with a dollhouse at daycare on Sept. 1, 2010.
• Around August 20, 2010, I started taking steps while holding hands
• Started feeding self smaller items like puffs, Cheerios and bananas as of August 30 & 31, 2010
• I pull myself into a standing position & can sit back down with someones help
• Can sometimes "play ball" where I roll a ball back & forth with you
• I can hold my sippy cup & drink (*which I went up to the next Nuk size for 6 to 18 months)
• Had more firsts including 1st ISU football game, 1st horse drawn carriage ride, 1st cut up fruits such as peaches, plums, plucot (*hybrid of plum & apricot), bananas, strawberries, blueberries, melons, etc.
• And of course gave up my pacifier!

Did I mention I also get around really well by rolling (*a lot!), scooting, marine crawling on my tummy, spinning and pushing off.  I'm getting really close to crawling but not quite yet; I think I'd rather walk.  Here are a couple of pictures of getting up on my knees and then as Mom says "nothing"; yep, I go back to a sitting position or roll over to inspect something.  We'll get there soon.  Either way I can't be left in one spot anymore as I'm always on the move!  Do you like my overalls with the little trains on them?  Mom thought they were pretty cute and fun to break out the fall wardrobe.  Sad that Dad & Grandpa Allen are in the field but the sooner they get out there the sooner they will be done.  Here's to a happy & blessed harvest.

1st Cyclone Football Game!

Here's me having no clue what was about to happen!  Well, that was what Dad & Mom said as we drove to Ames, IA for my very first Iowa State football game on Thursday, September 2nd.  We didn't tailgate but we got to see a lot of family & friends including Grandpa Scott, Uncle Jared, Cousin Deb, Julie & Joe, Brad, Wendy & Ethan, Cory and a whole lot more.  It was amazing!

Here's Dad, Mom & me just before kick-off which was at 7:00 p.m.  It was so fun to see "the pride of Iowa State" meaning the band, smoke rise on the field and the players rush out.  I didn't even get scared when the cannons went off or when people were cheering & yelling.  I must say I had a hard time focusing on the game with so much to look at and see.

Here's Mom, Dad, Grandpa Scott, Uncle Jared and me hanging out in lucky row 25.  Notice I have a cool ISU Jacket on that my Geat Uncle Craig & Aunt Mary Kay got me.  It got kind of chilly and it kept me toasty warm.  Speaking of warm...

...do you like my Mohawk inspired Iowa State hat?  I got many complements on it.  Mom & Dad thought it was fun to watch the other carry me through the crowd and every time someone saw me & my hat they smiled.  I guess everyone was jealous and wanted one too.  While at the game I think everyone was also jealous of my foam finger I got to bring back to my friends at daycare.  We love playing with it and cheering on the Cyclones each day.

One of the best parts of the night was that during halftime I got to see my friend Ethan and his parents Brad & Wendy.  He is so much fun to be around I couldn't help smiling!  Hopefully we'll see them at another game and get to hang out again soon!  Here's my future AGR pledge brother, Ethan & me with our Moms.

After halftime we went back into the game for a little bit, it was after my bedtime after all, but we had to say good-bye to Grandpa Scott & Uncle Jared.  Here's us watching the Cyclones grab their first victory against Northern Illinois for a final score of 27 to 10.  What a way to start off the season.  We then stayed the night in Ames and met our good friends Emily & Spencer for breakfast.  I think Mom was pretty excited as she kept talking about how Emily had tried to meet me 5 other times but old man winter wouldn't allow it.  We had an awesome breakfast and I even got to try fresh blueberries & melons for the first time.  I got one of my favorites, strawberries, too!  Yummy!

Afterwards we went to Waterloo, IA for the weekend to see some of my grandparents on Mom's side.  We surprised Great Grandpa Richard after his surgery to deliver some well wish hugs.  While Mom & Dad played cards with Great Grandpa Richard & Grandpa Mark I got to play with Great Grandma Mary & Grandma Dawn.  It was a ton of fun.  Here's me with Grandpa Richard & Grandma Mary.  I also got to see Grandpa Mark and Grandma Dawn's new home and its awesome!  They even made me a play area that I can't wait to run around in. 

On Saturday, Sept. 4th I got to see Grandma Anne and Grandpa Scott and even had dinner with Great Grandma Shirely & Grandpa Pete.  Here we are hanging out before dessert.  Part of the dinner was me entertaining everyone with my true Cyclone skills.  Yep, instead of teaching me "so big" I was taught to raise my arms when we said "Go Cyclones!"  Here's a quick video so you can see how impressive I am!  Note how intense my face & fists are!

Duluth, MN or bust!

On Friday, August 27th Dad, Mom & I traveled to Duluth, MN for our friends Amy & Allen's wedding.  As you can see Amy looked beautiful and Allen looked handsome.  Their son & my friend Gavin was styling in a tux too.

We got to blow bubbles at them as they walked down the aisle after becoming Mr. & Mrs. and here is Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard and I practicing.  I love bubbles!

We had a lot of fun at the reception, especially with the photo booth.  Mom, Dad & I got our pictures taken and I even got one of me upside down!  At dinner I even ate my first pickle or rather sucked all the juices from it.  I got to stay up past my bedtime and even played with my girlfriend Ava's grandparents or rather, my future grand-in-laws Randy & Sue.  Here we are:

On Sat., August 28th Mom and I woke up early to go swimming and we had the pool all to ourselves!  I hadn't been to an indoor pool before so I was a little unsure of what to expect & worried it would be cold.  Here's me before we went in, in my wet suit & trunks:

The water was an awesome 72 degrees which was perfect.  I didn't chatter my teeth once!  Mom and I explored the deep end but mostly hung out in the shallow end. 

My favorite thing to do was to stand on the stairs, yep I could reach, and hang on to the bar & swing underneath it.  I think I worried Mom a couple of times as she said I was a little slippery to hold on to but I had a ton of fun.  I can't wait to go again soon!  Did I mention I really liked slapping the water and watching it splatter all over Mom!  It was pretty funny.  Since then I've taken that slapping the water skill home & use it in the bathtub during bath time.  So much fun to get everything & everyone wet!  I can't say Kato likes it too much though.

After my morning nap we decided to go & explore downtown Duluth.  We met up with our good friends Steven & Mandy and started out our afternoon with lunch.  At lunch I got to meet Captain Morgan, my first celebrity, and Dad & I even got our pictures taken with him!

Dad thought since the Captain was wearing a cool hat that I should wear one too.  Note that Dad is not wearing a cool hat even though he said it was the cool thing to do.  I wonder... After lunch we explored the shore side of Duluth's Canal Park along Lake Superior and even went to the Maritime Visitor Center.  There we got to be "real captains" and steer a ship!  Here's Mom & me being ship captains:

We also got to see the Aerial Lift Bridge which operates with pulleys and lifts the entire bridge up & down rather than breaking & lifting in the middle.  It was pretty amazing to watch.  Afterwards we went on a carriage ride with the Top Hat Carriage Service and our horse's name was Babe.  I thought that was the name of some pig but I guess a horse can share the name too.  He was really gentle and it was fun to look at everything from up high with a nice breeze.

While in Duluth we also learned that Bob Dylan was born there and that Judy Garland lived there in her formative years.  On the way home we did some shopping in the Cities and got some good food.  It was a great family trip.

On Mon., August 30th I had to return to daycare, no more partying, but hit a big milestone...I feed myself!  We had been practicing up until now with puffs, cheerios, etc., however, on Monday my friend Murron was eating bananas and I snuck a few for myself!  I wasn't sure what I had put in my mouth exactly but it tasted good so I had another.  So on Tues., August 31st Mom & I practiced with rice crackers and sure enough I knew just what to do and ate them like a big boy without any help.  Here's me munching away:

I've also feed myself graham crackers & strawberries too.  Getting a little better each day!

Parties, Parties & More Parties!

On Friday, Aug. 20th I had my 9month photo shoot with Mandy at M Creations in Blue Earth, MN. She always does an amazing job and here are some of our outtakes / previews. We did a day at the beach, bathtub fun and safari adventures. I can't wait to show off the final results.

On Sat., Aug. 21st we went to our friend Diane's retirement party which was so much fun.  I got to see our good friends Erin & Nate from Arizona, Erin's Dad Larry & his friend Pat, and of course my girlfriend Ava and her parents, and my cousin Hannah was even there.  I hope Diane retires again next year so we can do it again!

On Sun., Aug. 22nd my friend Katelyn celebrated her first birthday.  I was so jealous because she got to eat cake & frosting!  Dad told me to watch closely because I will get to eat some at my first birthday party soon too.  I can't wait.  She sure is cute!

Here Katelyn & I are hanging out at the party.  My Mom got me this cool shirt when she was on her girls trrip to Charleston, SC.  I loved to play with the tie.  Can you believe that I'm 3 months younger and just as tall.  Dad said if I keep this up I'm going to be a middle linebacker for the Vikings!

I got a little hot at the party so I got to cool down with my own bottle of water.  It felt really good to hold and I drank out of it like a big boy.  My hair even got curly like Mom's with the heat.  I love parties and had so much fun.  Thanks Katelyn for inviting me!

Sunday night Dad & I watched some Vikings football with my new Vikings jersey and football.  Well, I got to watch until it was bedtime; can you tell I'm kind of tired?  We've been telling Mom that her Saints & her are going down in a couple of weeks when we play.  Can't wait for the big game.  Dad said even Kato is a Viking so Mom's out numbered at home!  Skol Vikings!  Can you see I'm waving hello?  Have a great week!

9 Months & 6 Years!

On Friday, Aug. 13th I turned 9 months.  We went to my 9 month doctor's appointment and found out that I'm 25.5 lbs. and 30 inches long; apparently 95 percentile!  We also had blood work done and I didn't cry at all!  The nurse was so proud of me she gave me an Indiana Jones rubber duckie.  Dad and I played with him during bath time and had fun.  We named him Rashize.  We got our blood work results back and apparently I tested negative for lead which Mom said was really good.  Still healthy, strong and growing! 

We had another relaxing weekend hanging around home.  On Sat., Aug. 14th Mom & Dad celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary so as a family we went out to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant.  It's a really fun place with an indoor waterfall which we had our picture taken by:

I had a hard time eating as there was so much to look at, especially our cute waitress that kept flirting with me.  Hopefully we'll go back there again soon.  Can't wait for next weekend as I'm going to my first birthday party for my friend Katelyn.  She turns 1 year old!  Hope you have a great week!

Cowboy Hayden!

Mom & Dad wanted to show off my cowboy P.J.'s that I have grown into.  Yep, now wearing 18 month clothes at 9 months.  I have to admit I really like the fringe and kept grabbing for it.  If only I had boots & a horse... 

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.