Playing Catch up Part Deux

Hayleigh's birthday was great! Lanterns hanging from the trees, balloons everywhere, I had purchased over 100 and my mom had 50 filled- I thought we could have used more- you can never have too many balloons! She had 2 smash cakes, a Sweet Table, cupcakes, jelly bellys, suckers, taffy, and all kinds of goodies. It was very very hot and humid- high 80s. We had a great day- everything turned out beautiful, and Hayleigh had a great time. We videoed more than we took pictures, but I think I would rather have the videos to watch. I know I cried several times that day, and I am certain I put more planning into Hayleigh's first birthday than I did in our wedding. It was worth it all.

The Sweet Table- take home treats for the kids at the party

Hayleigh's tutu and diaper cover for her special day

The most amazing cupcakes my sister made- raspberry filled soo yummy!!!

Hayleigh's cake

Her birthday hat

Hayleigh and her Godfather Garrett

The invitation

to be continued.......

What you missed- Playing Catch Up Part I

This is the video I worked for 3 days on and several hours on to get it just right for Hayleigh's birthday. More about her birthday - to be continued......

New Beginnings

I know it has been a REALLY long time since I have been on here. 2011 has not been too great of a year for my family, and I just haven't had the time to get on here or really the spirit to write. It is New Year's Eve, and I am actually making a New Year's Resolution List for this year. I have great hope for 2012, and anticipate many big great changes. Okay, my resolution list of hope for 2012...

1. Get Hayleigh potty trained and throw out the pacifiers- we are starting tomorrow on the potty training! I went out and bought her a pink potty last  week, and we are waiting on the 1st to start fresh from day 1. I think I have a special plan for the pacifiers this spring, thanks to insperation from one of my friends.

Hayleigh's new potty chair!!

doubles as a step stool too!

2. Get more organized- as always I think everything in the house is scattered all around. 2011 I made great progress getting our junk room and spare room cleaned out- stuff donated or thrown away. I think I ended up with probably 2 truck loads of stuff I finally let go of. We now have a very large play room for Hayleigh's toys, and Allen now has a den room- no more junk room/ storage room! The biggest problem I now have is storage- our under the stairway closet is packed to the door of Hayleigh's old clothes- yes, I kept them ALL, her baby toys, swings, etc that we can hopefully use for another baby girl someday, and clothes from Hayleigh's cousin that we will start getting to use in the next 2 years. I need to get more closet organizers, and organize the closets again for the 10th time. We made our stairway closet a pantry this year, since I was running out of room in the kitchen. The closet is right next to the bar, so it really is in the perfect place. I also finally rearranged our whole family room downstairs too this year- I had not moved the furniture any other way since we had moved into our house in Spring of 07'- much better now, and I don't know why I never thought of arranging it that way before!

Our family room facing the side that used to have the tv- everything got flip flopped

Our family room facing the side that had the couch and chairs- used to be very congested compared to now, we actually have room to play the kinnect now.

L

Hayleigh's play room- used to be our den/spare room

Hayleigh is all set up to entertain- dog crates in the back corner will be leaving the room tomorrow

Hayleigh's Chritmas tree

The play room facing the doorway

Hayleigh's new toy box- already full of toys

3. Update my blog, and get my pictures caught up on being developed, put in books, organized on the computer, and backed up. I also want to get our movies that we have been videoing with our new video camera we got right before Hayleigh's birthday made off onto DVDs. I need to learn how to do that. I am proud that I have kept up Hayleigh's baby book.

4. I get to start my psoriasis treatment on this coming Wednesday, January 3rd. I want to get my psoriasis under control, and the psoratic arthritis as well. There are a few things I have not been able to do because of pain in my hands from the arthritis.

5. I want to work on more projects this year- start crocheting, knitting, quilting, and wood working. I haven't been able to do most of that from the psoratic arthritis this year.

6. Spend more time doing activities with our family and friends. Go on VACATION this year. I get 3 weeks of vacation this year, and I am wanting to go with Allen and Hayleigh to Holiday World, the zoo in St Louis, the Magic House in St Louis, at least a weekend vacation just the three of us somewhere like Tennessee, or up North, and a weekend of just me and Allen- if I can stand to be away from Hayleigh for that much time. I want to start having a family movie night, and game night once a week, or every other week- movie night one week, game night the next- maybe even get a new game once a month for us all to play.

7. Get some projects done around the house. I am planning on taking the wall paper out of our upstairs bathroom, and painting it, and finish the wall in our entry that I will have to get scaffling to reach the ceiling to finish painting it over the stairway. We need to redo our front porch, put in some new landscaping in the front, and work on the yard a little bit this year. Shampoo the carpets at least 3 times through the year too.

8. Christmas shop throughout the whole year, and not the last 90 days... I am not doing this again- even though I say this every year.

9. Be more active outside with Hayleigh and, just try to get more in shape.

10. # 10 I want to keep to myself. I think that only a handfull of people even know anything about what the last thing is on my list. I really want to work on making our family and friend circle tighter together, and from what had happened this last year, I have really been questioning what to do about things. Our family circle has fallen apart in a few places, maybe for the best. This year I am focusing more on our family, and myself. I want to be a better person, so the last thing I want to accomplish can be more appreciated.

I know I probably will not get most of this list done, but, I have great hope and expectations for 2012, and if my feeling about this coming year is right, I know that the things that mean the most to me, I will get accomplished. I have great support from my close friends, family, and husband, and with that I can get anything I set my mind to done.

Meeting in the Middle

Our little sweetie pie- taken last week 

Mother's Day 2011 my gift from Allen and Hayleigh 

As Hayleigh's 1st birthday is rapidly approaching, I find myself reflecting back on the year we have had, along with years past, trying to make sense of it all. I have found that lately I have been telling Allen, "I just don't get it" about a lot of things that have happened or are currently underway right now. Growing up is tough...you are no longer allowed to be naive about things anymore- especially when you have someone else to worry about and protect. There are things from the past, I don't want to have happen to Hayleigh, that both Allen and I have experienced, and there are things that are going on now, that leave me scratching my head and saying whoa... People change, everything changes... Hayleigh is proof of this to me- 10 months old now- wow! We are trying to change as we grow older for the better, but it seems like almost everything I try to cling to around me wants to change in an opposite direction. Allen and I can both agree on one thing- that new baby smell has worn off for some people around us... I just hope that those people don't want to jump back and forth and dabble with Hayleigh and then be gone completely for months or years before deciding, if they even do, that they should have spent more time with her, or tried a little harder. We can't keep accommodating for everyone- they all know where we live, and we would like to spend some weekends at home. I just wish that some people would take the time to visit us, every once in a while, instead of complaining that we haven't been over in a while, or they haven't seen Hayleigh in a long time. Everyone close to us lives within 10 miles of us. We have been trying to also figure out what we want to do this year.. vacations at home sound soo great to us~ just to have a "normal" week at home with Hayleigh, eating supper together every night, taking walks every night, go to the pool, the zoo, and just RELAX! We don't get much of that time because we are either gone, or trying to get stuff done around the house, and Allen only gets 1 week of vacation.

Mothers Day this year was great- Allen and Hayleigh got me a gazebo that I helped assemble. We had a party on Sunday, with our neighbors, my sister-n-law, brother-n-law to be, niece, and Allen's grandparents. My mom had to work, and the rest of my family I guess had other plans. It was a really nice evening- weather was great. Allen cooked, and cleaned, did laundry, babysit while I mowed the yard, and let me take a 2 hour nap with Hayleigh so he could get stuff done. As usual we had entirely way too much food- Allen smoked a beef brisket, pork butt, beef ribs and pork spare ribs, and also made a cherry delight too. What a keeper huh?! After dinner we enjoyed playing with all of the kids, and then watched the guys partake in a snake killing- they killed 3 blue racer snakes that were tangled in netting behind our shed. Ughhhhhkkkk! We all hate snakes!

In other news, we are getting Hayleigh's ears pierced this weekend- something that I have managed to put off for too long now. Also, instead of getting Hayleigh's 9 month pictures taken, we are looking at getting 11 month pictures, and meeting in the middle, due to our photographer moving, and our schedules haven't jived. I am excited to have our 2nd photo shoot at our home for Hayleigh's next pictures- the last time we did this was for Hayleigh's newborn pictures and my maternity. We also just got Hayleigh her first pool today- small bubble gum pink plastic one, so we can put Hayleigh's two swim suits to use, and I can start working on my tan once again. Hayleigh's sleep issues are doing better. She did not fight me tonight, so far... I'm hoping it is all about her top two teeth trying to pop through, since she has been an excellent sleeper until now.

Saving Face

Today, I have had all I can take. I have tried being nice, PATIENT, and understanding, but, I am at the end of my rope. There are things that I would like Hayleigh to grow up with and things I don't want her to ever hear or see- everyone wants to protect their baby.
 Among the things that could hurt Hayleigh physically, there are things that could hurt her emotionally in the future that may not seem like big things to some people, but are like brick walls to me. What I am talking about is what we should all do around young ears...watch what we say, and how we say things. I do not want Hayleigh to grow up with ideas that I have concluded that she should have had to come up with on her own. She should be able to come to her on conclusions about things- just because I love to take care of our yard, doesn't mean that Hayleigh should be taught that if lawn care isn't a priority somewhere else, it is bad. I basically do not want Hayleigh to hear me say that just because I don't like something, she shouldn't like it as well. The main problem is I don't want Hayleigh hearing bad things being said about people, and repeating it to those people, or thinking it is perfectly fine to gossip about people, or say mean things behind their backs. I want her to learn from my Grandma Weidner... if you don't have anything to say, don't say anything at all. That woman is the wisest and most gracious lady I know, and has not had a bad thing to say about anyone. She doesn't gossip, which we all should not do. I would rather know what someone thinks about me and tells me to my face, instead of trying to hide it, yet tell everyone else about it. People being 2 faced is plain mean and wrong. I don't want Hayleigh brought up thinking this is okay...to lie. She is soaking everything up like a sponge right now, and the example we set today, will effect her tomorrow.

There are certain people in our lives that are close pulling this trick pony show, and frankly I am fed up with it. They are willing to watch Hayleigh anytime and want to watch her as much as they can, but, complain about watching her when we are not around. With Allen working as much as he does, it leaves a lot of responsibility for me around the house, and with Hayleigh here with me by myself, I cannot get the things that need to be done, done since Hayleigh is still very young. I really do appreciate help when I can get it, but, what I don't appreciate is single minded people, that do not listen, and let their mouths run like a leaky toilet around Hayleigh. I just do not get why they have to say hurtful things. I hear the things said about others, and wonder what is being said about me behind my back in front of Hayleigh. Everything seems to come full circle one way or another, especially when you compare notes with another person, and you cannot believe what is really going on.

There are ways to fixing and putting a Parental Block on the matter. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, or at least keep it to yourself, and not the whole world. Nobody likes a two faced snake.

Easter and Catching up...

We had quite a time celebrating Hayleigh's first Easter last weekend. I have enjoyed reaping the benefits of having a kid now and the sharing of Easter baskets. I always have and always will get an Easter basket from my mom...but, now, Hayleigh does as well which equals more candy for me! Last year, I was approaching my glucose testing and Hayleigh was measuring big, so I was told I could not have my favorite Easter candy- PEEPS! I was rationed peeps, and I HATED it! My sister was sneaking them across the room to me, from her basket. I was caught, but, savored every bite. This year, I have hoarded them I think mainly due to the rationing of them from last year. The chocolate dipped ones were great, but I didn't really care for the whole chocolate ones.

Hayleigh has been growing way too fast! She got her second tooth over Easter weekend. Both are bottom ones of course. I just started purchasing her birthday decor tonight. I started to give myself heartburn while our internet was down from all of the rain worrying about not having that much done yet. Just as soon as we got internet back up and running, I was on the lookout for what was on my list of things we needed. Now, for my list of things to get done outside for the party- ugghhh. Anyway, here are some pictures from the weekend and just random ones after that.

Grandma Sue and Hayleigh in one her Easter dress

Before Easter Lunch

Hayleigh and her Easter Basket 

Grandma Sue blowing a pinwheel candy toy for Hayleigh

First time with a bow CLIPPED into her hair!!!

Getting ready to dye Easter Eggs

Decorating the eggs with stickers and Great Grandma Una

9 months old! And soo HaPpY!

Hayleigh's Firsts

Sunday, while we were in Nashville, Hayleigh got her first tooth! FINALLY!!!! Her bottom left side tooth has now poked it's way through, even though we can't really see it yet, it is there! I felt it Sunday, when I was feeding Ms. Parana a puff puff, and felt that sharp little tooth poking it's way through!

In other news, Hayleigh is on the verge of standing up on her own! She can now pull up to stand, and has given up on the whole "crawling" thing...inch worming is more her style until most recently. She now pushes her head down on the ground and raises her butt in the air, like she is doing a summer sault, and then walks her feet up as far as she can go, and tries to squatt down, while balancing herself. The balancing thing is the only problem so far. She is sure to be walking within the next few weeks!

Busy as a Bee

Once again things have been quite busy, and I haven't been on here in quite a while. Hayleigh has been growing like a weed- she can say "Dadda", and "Mamma", and is what we call inch worming all over the house- her form of crawling. We have added a safety gate to our stairway that is bolted straight to it for extra protection, and have been enjoying a house overloaded with baby stuff. I thought it was funny looking back at pictures of us and around the house from the past 4 years we have been there, just how super clean the house was, and how bare it looked compared to now. I clean our house all of the time now, but, I don't go to the extreme measures like I used to of cleaning like a bumble bee swarm right before anyone come over.

With all of the nice spring weather, Hayleigh now has a swing up in our back yard. I cannot tell you just how happy it makes me to look outside and see that pink swing hanging in the tree. Hayleigh really has enjoyed our visits to the park in town, and spending time in her own swing, along with visits with her cousin, Xena, who is 4 months younger than Hayleigh. She really enjoys "kissing" babies, and hoots and squeals, bounces, and makes grabbies with her hands when she sees another baby- soo cute to see her acting like a little monkey.

Other than the total randomness of this blog post, I cannot believe just how fast time has been flying by. It is already time to get Hayleigh's 9 month pictures taken, and we are getting ready to get her ears pierced as well. Hopefully time will slow down just a bit for me to catch this all up.

Hayleigh 6 mo Pictures

Click here to view these pictures larger

Hayleigh 6 month Preview

These were taken last Friday for Hayleigh's 6 month, even though she turned 7 months on Sunday. I think they turned out great- and cannot wait to see the rest, especially the one of her standing up all by herself next to the wicker chair! I will post the link when they are up!

Wordless Wednesday...You are the Weakest Link...GOODBYE!

For the last few months, Allen and I have been making the game Hayleigh has finally started "pickup" is what it is commonly known as in other houses, into a some what humorous game for us. After writing about this once already on Facebook, it is very clear we watch entirely way too much tv.
Some nights when Hayleigh starts throwing toys off the edge of whatever she is occupied on/in, we start in on our own. We have affectionately named this game many things now, after many hit shows on tv, or just put our own commentary on the situation.. "We've got a jumper", to "Be gone with you I'm through", to "Off with their head!" The game themes we've had so far have been Weakest Link, Survivor- "the tribe has spoken", The Apprentice-"You're Fired", you get the idea. Anyway, here are some pictures from play time yesterday in the middle of one of those episodes.

Contemplating what the fate of the toy will be....

Insert tv show theme here....

She must feel somewhat guilty of throwing the toys off- she always checks to see where exactly they fell after she tosses them off the edge.

These other pictures are from Sunday from sledding down the road at Grandma Sue's house. This is Hayleigh's second sledding trip outside. Her snow suit kept her quite warm, and unable to sit up- it was very slick and puffy~reminded me of Randy the younger brother from A Christmas Story.

All bundled up and not too thrilled about it

I think she is somewhat speechless about the whole snow experience

getting ready to head back in after a 10 minute sled ride complements of Grandma

Wordless Wednesday... Look Who's Cooking!

Today Hayleigh decided to get cookin and make me lunch!

Look Who's Cookin!

Slaving over a "Hot" stove

Can we make Slomber? (One of Aunt Magen's favorite "pretend" foods to make when we were little)