Swimming

I took Hayden for his first swimming experience. Since he won't even get into his kiddie pool at home, I knew it would probably be disasterous and it almost was. I planned ahead and got him the little panda float while Suzi and I were at Wal-Mart. I didn't know if it would help, but I figured it couldn't hurt. You know how there are experiences that kids dread, but you know once they try, they will love? This was one. He SCREAMED when we were putting him in the float. He tried to hang on to my neck and cried for about 10 minutes. I felt so bad, like I had just told him to sink-or-swim. Of course, I was close to him, constantly reassuring him that I wouldn't let anything happen to him. And then, he started to loosen his grip on my neck. It helped that my nephew, Matthew, was playing in the pool. Hayden actually started smiling and even laughing. Before long he was kicking his legs and shooting Matthew with the water gun. We even got him out of the float and bounced around the pool and splashed. He even kicked his legs while Suzi was holding him on his stomach. Maybe he will turn out to be a water lover like me and Craig after all. We stayed in the pool almost three hours and by the time Uncle Chris got home, Hayden was ready to get out. I think it was a good experience and I hope that next time he is a little more willing to get right in.

A Fate Worse Than Death.

Otherwise known as swimsuit shopping. Never an enjoyable experience unless, of course, you are a Victoria's Secret model. And since I am in my third month of my second pregnancy, it was complete torture. I figured a true maternity shop would have exactly what I was looking for. Boy, was I ever wrong. I had a choice between ONE suit that looked like "Omar The Tent Maker"had fashioned it himself and SEVERAL that fit like casing on a Hillshire Farm breakfast sausage. Oh, the choices (insert sarcasm here). Appearantly the latest style is a fitted top with below-the-stomach bikini bottoms. There was not ONE suit that had any type of flattering fit for me. I was told that there were numerous suits on their website and I could have it shipped directly to my house! That didn't help me though because we were planning to go to my Sister-in-law's house to swim yesterday and I needed a suit right then. So I finally found one that both I and the nice sales lady agreed was ok, (translation: the best you're going to find here).

When I got to Suzi's house, I got online. You would not believe the selection. Every suit I had already tried on, only in a different color. Again, all the choices! So, Suzi said we should go to Wal-Mart. She had gotten her suit there and it was similar to what I was looking for. I wanted something that had a skirt for the bottom and a halter-type top that wasn't fitted. That's exactly what I found! In fact, for the cost of the one suit that I bought at the maternity store, I got 1.5 suits at Walmart. That store didn't have the bottoms to match the second top. That just means I have to go to another store. Thanks for the help, Suzi! So I took the first suit back and got store credit, because you can't return "intimate" garments, and plan to get a dress for the cruise.

*stay tuned for the blog on Hayden's first swimming experience.

Yesterday was a good day!

I had my first OB appointment at 10:00a.m. yesterday morning! The bad part was that I had to go by myself since Craig was on a job in South Texas. I was so anxious and excited all at once. This was my first chance to see our little peanut! When my OB asked how I was doing I told her. And she said, "well, lets get right to it! We'll ask questions later." I just love her! I was afraid to look at the screen for fear that something might be wrong, but there was a little tiny baby that was very active! It was kicking and waving already. No flips yet, but definitely very active! The heartbeat was 171bpm and sounded like music to my ears! I confess that I had snagged some Kleenex before she entered for fear that I would tear up and I did. The size is right on with my LMP and the EDD is January 19, 2010! However, since Hayden was 9 pounds she is planning to induce a week early. That means this one may be born as early as 1/10/2010! Wouldn't that be neat birth date? If I am allowed to pick the date, that's what I want. But what I want most of all is a healthy, happy little baby. God has truly blessed us!

So the day just kept getting better... I went to lunch with my mom, better known now as G.G. We ate at the newish restaurant called Cafe Frontera. If you have never been there, it's great! It's Mexican food, but very reasonably priced. You order at the counter and they bring it out. They have a great salsa bar with any flavor you can think of, plus extra guacamole and sour cream! I can have all the guacamole I can eat! Then Hayden and I went to Mineola to visit my Brother and sister-in-law. We ate dinner with them and then headed home. We stopped in Gilmer to get diapers and as I was leaving Wal-mart, I saw a yard sale where they had a table. It was THE table that I have been looking for. Butcher block farm style! It needs some sanding and staining, but it's solid maple, has a serving drawer and seats 6. They wanted $125, but were willing to take $100!! I bought it on the spot and went to pick it up today.

And finally... when I got home, I checked the mail and in the mailbox were our passports! They took exactly 4 weeks to arrive. I put in all our information for the FUNPASS and now we are all set to go on our trip in August. I can't wait to get on that boat!

Best Buds.

Our nephew Michael came and stayed with us a few days. He's 15 years old and Hayden just worships the ground he walks on. The whole time that Michael was here, Hayden shadowed him around everywhere. Michael didn't seem to mind. I set up an air mattress for Michael to sleep on and when I came in I saw them laying on the mattress together watching Cars. I know at some point Michael won't think it cool to hang out with a 2 year old (he may already feel that way), but he sure seems to adore Hayden.

Michael and I went to the American Red Cross yesterday and got certified in infant/child/adult CPR and first aid. They also taught us the AED (automatic external defibrulator). I wanted to know CPR since it's changed so much in the years since I took it, but also since I live so far from civilization! Who knows how long it would take an ambulance to get to our place from town. Micheal is going to be a lifeguard next summer and has to have it for Boy Scouts. I definitely feel more confident should something happen to Hayden while I'm here by myself.

SNIP IT in the bud

I took Hayden to a new place to get his hair cut today. It's a place called SNIP ITS. It is so cute and perfectly engineered towards kids. A haircut is $15.99, but after the struggle Hayden put up today, it was definitely worth it. I had to ask if there was one in Longview, since I had never seen one there. She told me, much to my sadness, that there are two in dallas, one in houston and the one in Tyler. In my opinion, there should be one in every town with a population of 5+ people. Hayden was enteretained by all the colors, puzzles and neat toys.

Now when it came time to actually cut his hair, I was so nervous about how he would act. They have these neat chairs sized just for kids, but unfortunately they have a strap on them to keep the kiddos in the seat. I am secretly hoping that it didn't scar him for life. He cried almost the whole time! I don't understand because the first two haircuts went off without a single tear. Towards the end, he started relaxing and even smiled when he got down. She gave him a sucker and he seemed to be in a much better mood. At the end they get their fun pass and put in to the machine along with a piece of hair and out comes a prize. It's a little loud and sort of scared him, but he was glad to get a toy to take home. The pictures are not the best quality because it's my cell phone, but you can definitely see how the kids would like it! I'm hooked. I just hope it goes better next time around!

When he turns the dial the needle spins

to a different word. It's so cute!

The prize Robot!

Put your hair in the left slot, your card in the middle

and out comes a prize on the right!

Hayden trying out the robot BEFORE his haircut.

You too can be on T.V.

7 weeks

I have made it to 7 weeks! I can't believe that this is actually happening. I am still worried and am sure that I will continue to worry until the day that I see this child and hold him or her in my arms. I have my first appointment with my OB on June 19th. This is where the first ultrasound is done and we get to see if there is one or two or more! Hopefully it's just one, but twins would be amazing too! All I want is a healthy, happy baby and pregnancy. Craig is off that Friday and he will get to see our little peanut too. It seems like time is dragging, but I am going to be working some next week and the week of my appointment, so hopefully it will make it go by faster.

Left to his own devices

I put Hayden down for his nap a little while ago, but he was talking and playing for a few minutes. When he finally got quiet, I went in to check on him. This is what I found. He had gotten into the dresser and dragged out all the blankets and diapers! I sure will have a mess to clean up, but first I HAD to take a picture. Of course!