Year In Review: 2013

Wow! What a busy year for the Vice residence.
From the birth of our first baby-to rounding out the year celebrating his 10th month on this sweet earth- it has definitely been a year for the books.
Here is our 'Year In Review':

 January 2013- I rounded up my 8th month of pregnancy by celebrating with a large baby shower that blessed Hayden with so many goodies. I had a group of wonderful hostesses. We celebrated the life of Christ with our church family at First Assembly with a terrific Revival to start off the New Year, God knew exactly what we needed at this time. I spent numerous nights playing College Football on the Xbox and downing tubs of cookies & cream ice cream with my husband-cherishing our last days as a family of 'two'. It was perfect.

February 2013- Hayden embraced the world head on [ha-ha] after 12 hours of nearly, painless labor. Our entire world changed. We discovered life, love, and the true meaning of being completely in awe of Gods work. He gave us the biggest blessing ever when we heard our sweet baby's  first breath of air.     This was definitely our most memorable month of the year- We also lost the man I grew to love and know as PawPaw. I was so thankful to have known him in the 5 years I did. He definitely made his mark on this big world with his huge heart, but I know heaven is so much sweeter.

March 2013- We celebrated Haydens 1 month birthday which
included milestones such as his first smile, and learning to follow things. He had newborn photos taken as well.

[Photo credit-Andrea Graham Photography] 

Check her out HERE

 April 2013- I celebrated my 25th (quarter of a century) birthday. However- my current mother status made this transition a TAD bit easier. We went on our first beach trip. It was super windy and some days rainy- but the vacation was so wonderful and it was so nice to just 'get away.' We also celebrated Easter and its true meaning. It was wonderful.

 May 2013-  I returned to work after being on bedrest/maternity leave for nearly 5 months. It was hard, but so worth it. I do miss my time with my sweet baby but duty calls. Hayden was also dedicated by Scottie Fulcher, our Pastor at First Assembly. Hayden started sleeping in his own bed this month & nearly slept 6 hours straight the first night.  We also, had our first (of many i'm sure) visit to the E.R. While taking family portraits Hayden took a little spill and landed on the ground. Needless to say after fear and many tears- he was fine. We learned how hardheaded he actually is. (HAHA)

June 2013- My husband celebrated HIS 25th birthday & his first Father's day. Hayden made him some sweet goodies at Daycare (which we love). He is an amazing dad, by the way. I know I mention that in nearly every blog, but I sometimes have to remind myself how blessed Hayden and I truly are.

July 2013- We found ourselves at the beach for the 2nd time of the year. (Thanks to my precious in-laws). Hayden's feet found the waves for the first time, he discovered sunscreen, the pool, good food, and sand. He loved it. My child is mine, most definitely. The beach is where its at. We had a wonderful time & cannot wait to go back again next year.

August 2013- We lost a precious member of our family, my aunt Virginia. She was 50 and beautiful. She had such an impact on our entire family. Hayden got to meet his Great-Grandmother this month and take a trip to West Virginia too (the reasons broke our hearts, but we are so thankful he got to love on his MawMaw Daniels.) ON a lighter note, Hayden started eating pureed food made by, yours truly. He loves food. He gets it honest. What can I say?

September 2013-  We gained a brother in law this month & Hayden got a new Uncle (who spoils him). My one and only sister changed her last name for the man of her dreams. They have been together 8 years and I figured he had put up with her this long- it was a definite he just needed to throw a ring on it. & he did. So thankful for this man and who he is and what he does for my sister and our family. This was Hayden's first wedding to attend and be apart of. He was the ring bearer (and show stealer). HAHA

October- We kicked off fall (my favorite time of year) with weather in the 80s/90s, but that didnt stop me from putting Hayden in a full fleeced, precious, googoo, gahgah, lion halloween costume, that I am certain he will one day not speak to me over. Of course I took millions of pictures. Hayden got to open his first gift this day too. He ate more paper than he tore, of course. But it was cute, none the less.

Photo Credit- Andrea Graham Photography

November- We celebrated Hayden's first Thanksgiving and I endured a 2 hour trip (cut in half thanks to my driving-your welcome) to Tuscaloosa to shop the day after Thanksgiving. This was my first. It was not as bad as I had pictured. Apparently all the crazies shopped the night before. I think I have started a new tradition. Hayden had a full on turkey meal. It was great. He loves dressing. A Lot.

December- What a way to wrap up the year. Roy & I celebrated 3 fantastic years together. We had dinner, went to a movie, and laughed. A lot. It was perfect. Hayden experienced his FIRST Christmas. It was more fun for us than it was for him. After 3 family gatherings and 4 different occasions where he was showered in gifts, he ended up spending christmas day (evening) playing with a box that my new boots came in. [Go figure]. It was so wonderful though. We read the True Night Before Christmas and the Christmas Story out of the bible hoping to teach Hayden the true meaning of Christmas all while keeping the fun of Santa and his elves at hand. We started so many traditions. Hayden got his first 'Santa' letter, we made Christmas Breakfast together, and ended the night reading our favorite book and sitting by the fire. It was perfect. Roy scored his first buck of the year. Hayden scored the Christmas Tree and all of the its ornaments. (HAHA). Hayden also got to stay away from home for his first night (not by intention), while we celebrated the ending of the new year with the stomach virus (or food poisoning). Either way- it was a first and hopefully a last of the year for Roy & I. Today & tomorrow are the last two days of the year and I get to spend them at home with my family enjoying my last off day of the year. I could not think of any other way I would rather spend it.

Photo Credit- Andrea Graham Photography

If I have learned anything this past year (as cliche as it sounds), I have learned that kids grow fast. Especially when they are yours. It breaks my heart but at the same time its exciting. I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store for our little family of three. This past year has had many ups and downs but I choose to celebrate and focus on the ups. My resolution in 2014 is to try to find something positive in every situation I am put in. It will be challenging on most days I am sure- but worth it by the end of the year.


Until next time,
Enjoy!

Hero.

Okay, so my sheer ability to procrastinate is evident and the lack of "im going to do this" in my life is apparent. BUT- I am a wife and a mother. Aside from being a nurse (full time), a grocery shopper, a cleaner, a maid, a chef, a laundry mat owner, and a pet groomer. So a 'blogger' has slipped slightly to the bottom of my 'to do' list. Somewhere in between find time for yourself and Hayden's nap time. Needless to say, someway, somehow- I have discovered it. Yet again. I will make no promises to keep it up (if anyone even cares to read) and I will not make it a goal to do it daily, weekly, or even monthly. Ill just do it when I find time. Free time. Ohhhh the joys.


I say that with sarcasm, but literally- oh the joys. I had no idea the happiness, hardships, LOVE, gratefulness, strength, lack of sleep, but JOY our sweet baby boy would bring to us.

I now know what it means to 'go with little sleep,' or even how appreciative I am when that sweet 19 lb baby allows me to 'sleep in,' and by 'sleep in', I mean 8:00 a.m.
But the way my entire heart and soul  leaps out of my chest when I drag myself, eyes nearly matted shut, down the hall into his quiet and peaceful bedroom and see his big beautiful hazel eyes light up from the huge grin he is now bearing as I peek over his crib- erases any hardship, lack of sleep, or rough day I just THOUGHT I was going to have. In that instant I feel consumed, content, care free, loved, & needed. I feel blessed. I instantly become consumed by how good God has been and is to Roy and me. I nearly find myself in tears (i am an emotional baby) every time I walk into his room and lift him out of his crib as his snuggles next to my neck. I am suddenly at 7 in the morning after 6-7 hours of interrupted sleep, over taken by energy that comes from this sweet, small, baby boy who has no idea what he is even doing to my heart and soul.

He brings happiness in any bad situation. He lights up the room with his smile, & when I see my handsome and amazing husband scoop him up in his arms after a long, greasy, hard day at work and kiss him on his fat, chubby, baby cheeks- I cannot do anything but sit, stare, and smile. Its amazing what a child can bring to life. Children are truly a blessing from above. He has transformed a marriage that I didnt even know needed any work at all. He has strengthened me. He has strengthened his Dad.

He (at the ripe old age of 5 1/2 months) has saved so many of us from heartache, by creating love. Love blocks out all evil. Erases wrong doing. He is already my hero.

My child teaches me things that without him, I would have otherwise, never known.

This morning I took time for myself to spend time alone with God.
I striped the sheets off the bed-toted them to the laundry room and found myself emotional. I went back to the bedroom pulled out my study bible, my mom bible, & two devotional books-sprawled myself across the bare mattress and sank into time with God that i so much needed. By the time it was over- I had read Proverbs 31 & 1 Corinthians 13. I wont go into detail what it did to me or for me. But I needed it. Badly.

Ill close by leaving you with my sweet babys 'about me' & some fun pictures of a pretty awesome kid. He doesnt even know it yet. But he.is.awesome.

Hayden

Weight:- We got to the doc on 8/27 but according to our scales he is a whopping 19.5 lbs (give or take)

Height: if I had to guess- a good 26/27 inches long

Favorite TV show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

Favorite food: Bananas for breakfast and Sweet Potatoes and Carrots.

Favorite past time: Playing in his jumparoo

Favorite bedtime routine: Bath, Bottle, Bedtime book. 

Favorite time with Mommy: tummy time and nap time. 

Favorite time with Daddy: loves being outside with Dad. (esp riding the lawnmower)

Hayden is happy, laughing constantly, always smiling.
He loves his warm bottle @ night and still being swaddled.

Hayden's First Two Months

My entire pregnancy people continuously said "it will be here before you know it." "Just wait until he gets here, it will go by so fast." "He will be grown before you know it".

Well this morning I spent a little while sulking and crying and completely swooning over my now two month old baby. It literally feels like yesterday Roy and I were anxiously awaiting his arrival in room 373 at Rush Hospital. Now I am taking two month pictures of my baby. Now I am counting down the days that I go back to work (13 days, by the way). Today I am watching every movement, smile, and counting each breath and second with my sweet baby. Because yes, everyone was right, it flies by. 

I used to dread middle of the night feedings, or fussy nights, or waking up the next day just as tired as I was before I laid down the night before. 

This morning at 4:30 I woke up after my son decided to sleep for 6 hours straight (YAY) and although I was so happy and RESTED, I found myself a little sad as I gave him his bottle. This was the beginning of him not needing me as much as he did. 

He changes so much. 

He smiles at me now. & for someone who cannot say a word- I can tell how much he loves me (and its a lot) and that I am his entire world. He studies me all over. We have conversations (even if he has no idea what I am saying)- he smiles and stares at me as if he does.  We talk about all the things he could be when he grows up. I tell him how many people love him. I make sure he knows each day how amazing his Daddy is. I let him know how supportive and encouraging he is. How even though things and people have tried to tear him down- he still stands with his head held high. He is a role model & an excellent one at that.

I am learning to enjoy every second with Hayden. I now look at him and realize that tomorrow, I will never have this moment with him again. It will be a new one & I will never get those moments back again. He will be bigger-even if not noticeable right that moment. Pretty soon he will no longer need to be in my lap, or rocked to sleep, or kissed on his chubby cheeks until they are pink. Before I know it I will be loving on my sons children. Trying desperately to remember those small moments. 

Our life has changed so much. My life literally revolves around my husband and my son and I would not have it ANY OTHER WAY! 

I am going to try to keep this blog updated. For those of you that can continuously do this daily or even weekly more power to ya- you must not be a new mom. HAHA

I will leave you with some 'tid-bits' about Hayden. 

ONE MONTH TID BITS

Favorite food: Enfamil Gentlease & the breast 

How much I am eating: 3 oz every 4 hours plus Momma's milk

Favorite toy: His MAM pacifier
Weight: 7lbs 13 oz. (lost a good bit after birth)

Favorite bedtime routine: a warm bath, some good lotion, and a good book. 

Favorite time with Daddy: When he comes home and gets lots of loving

Favorite time with Mommy: Morning time- when he is in the best mood! 

New this month: Loves his swing 

Big changes: Circumcision 

TWO MONTH TID BITS

Favorite food: Enfamil Gentlease and breast milk (until 6 weeks)

How much I am eating: 5-6 oz every 3-4 hours
Weight: (not to sure- was 10lb 6 oz @ 6 weeks so im guessing around 11.5 pounds or so)

Favorite toy: Hayden LOVES his play mat and mobile on his swing. 

Favorite bedtime routine: Warm bath, rocking in the glider, and warm bottle

Favorite time with Daddy: Evening times curled up on Daddys lap- while he talks to me

Favorite time with Mommy- Morning times- we read a book (On the Night You were Born is our favorite) and time in our play mat. 

New this month: Hayden is cooing, following faces, swatting at his toys, and smiling (A-LOT). 

Big Changes- 6 weeks shots (he did great- hardly cried), and growing lots and lots of hair!

first smile captured on camera where he actually KNEW he was smiling and what he was smiling at

one month

two months 4-26-13

Growing so fast

Newborn photo- Andrea Graham Photography

Newborn photo- Andrea Graham Photography

Until Next time, ENJOY! 

Life as 'Mom'

Both of my boys are snoozing so well so, I decided I would submerge myself in my blog.
Life is grand.
I have finally (just about-but probably not hardly)- mastered being a mom and wife. Today, after no sleep at night (yes, Hayden was up majority of the night) I managed to dust the house, do the clothes, dishes, and put hot food in my husbands tummy when he came home, OH and I conquered the hardest of all the ENTIRE day; a happy baby!
Talk about feeling accomplished!?

If you would have talked to me 2 weeks ago, or asked me how it was going the conversation would have started on my end in complete tears. Being a Mom is hard. Breast feeding is hard. Having a sweet dehydrated baby the first week of his life-is hard. But buy the sweet grace of God through lots of prayers- we made it.

As many of you know, Hayden spent his first weekend on earth (after one day at home) back on the Peds floor @ Rush. My milk had failed to come in on 'day 3' like everyone had harped on- and I was feeding my sweet baby a little bit of colostrum (yes its good fatty stuff but not enough for an already growing boy).  Yes, I felt like a failure as a Mom. I had thought that this was how hard it would be for the rest of my life. BUT, after a jump start of fluids and some formula added into our diet we were discharged and sent home to give this whole new life a go.

So glad we got a second change at this. It has been a world of a difference.

Our parents have been amazing. If anyone reading this is pregnant or a new mom- GET HELP. Having a parent there to hold the baby (they love it) while you and the spouse grab naps is ahhh-mazing.
Obstacles I have discovered are getting out of spit up P.Js and putting myself in the shower and cooking a hot meal.

Yes, when you are a new mom you do not start out wearing cute clothes (youre still toting baby weight) and you do not have the energy to put the entire bag of makeup on your face or blow dry, root boost, tease, and straighten your hair.
My attire consists of pajamas covered in formula spit up, breast milk, some powder and mascara, and a tad of lip gloss on a good day.
I look forward to doctors office visits to get out of the house and dress up. (If I have the energy of course). Oversized T's & Yoga pants are where its at 2 weeks post partum. :)

I would not trade this life for a trillion dollars. Its amazing. I spend the entire day feeding and making my sweet baby boy happy. He depends on me from the time he wakes up until he lays his sweet head down at night. Its wonderful. I find myself holding him and staring at him and crying sometimes. I look at him and find myself in prayer over him often. I cant get over how perfect he is or how God allowed Roy and I to be parents to such a small, sweet, content, and handsome little boy. He has ten fingers, ten toes, a beautiful round head, and when he wraps his sweet little hand around my finger he has me smiling and crying at the same time. Talk about being 'wrapped'.

I will say this- I just THOUGHT I loved my husband. When I watch him feed, hold, or study our baby from head to toe, consumed completely in his offset gaze, it is so moving. I am so thankful God put Roy Oliver into my life. He was a great boyfriend, he is an amazing husband, and an outstanding Father. I know he has longed for this role for so long. He spends so much time talking about what they're going to do together. Reminiscing on what he did with his Dad so many years ago.  I have chills just talking about it. Hayden is so blessed and has the most excellent role model. I am enjoying every second of him being this little but I cannot wait until he realizes what an amazing person he has for a Dad. He has conquered so many obstacles and his head is still held high. No negative thoughts grace his mind and no hateful words come from his lips. He is full of love and positive energy. Its infectious. I feed off of it and I know Hayden already is. I catch him smiling quite often at his Daddy already. He knows how awesome he is, even at 16 days old!

I have about an hour to shower and get ready (we have a doctors appointment in the a.m) and I am sure most of you have discovered there is no point to this specific blog except the fact that we are blessed. Which if you have read any of my other blog posts- you can see that, being blessed is something that I harp on and mention quite often.

I hope this finds everyone well. I know I spend a lot of time dragging on and on about my original Vice boy, but now I have two. Two beautiful (yes, beautifully handsome) dark haired, big eyed, perfect to me Vice boys, so the dragging out goes double.

Until next time, Enjoy.