The Big Vacation

I LOVE vacation!!

We ventured out and took our first vacation a couple of weeks ago and it was so much fun! It took quite a bit of work to get us ready to leave, but it was a lot of fun once we got there! Who knew you needed to take so much with you for a vacation? Well, I guess I did... I have always been a heavy packer, and it's just that much worse with a baby. We took the Tahoe and it was absolutely as full as it could be, not one more thing would have fit! I had to bring EVERYTHING because you just never know what you might need!!

The view from my seat...

I know from the looks of that picture you are wondering where Hayden was sitting, but don't worry he was safe and sound in his little part of the car! Oh, and Sydney always sits on one of our laps, so she was safe and sound as well!! We left our house around 4am, and that was one of the smartest decisions we have ever made. We were able to put Hayden to bed as usual around 8pm, and then when we were ready to leave we just transferred him to his car seat, and back to sleep he went until 7am. Well, by the time he was up and ready for breakfast we were in Valdosta, where Grandma and Grandpa Ronn live, where we were able to stop and visit. I fed Hayden and we ate breakfast, and then off we were again for the second part of our drive. Hayden took his morning nap during this part of the drive, so it made for a really nice trip for us. We were to our vacation destination in no time!! We stayed with some friends of ours, Joe and Rikki, in Orlando, and we had a really great time. They just had a baby in January, so Hayden had a playmate, and they have two dogs, so Sydney had the time of her life! The first weekend we were there was the weekend my sister graduated, so my family was there and we were able to spend a lot of time with them. Hayden got to do his first bit of "swimming," which was a lot of fun, and we all got to hang out.

Almost ready to swim!!

Let's go Mommy!

I'm ready Daddy...

Loving the water!!

He's not sure about the backstroke...

Check out those rolls!!!!!

Checking out his feet...

Kick Hayden KICK

Let's go inside!!

Hayden also had his very first trip to the beach while we were there. We took a day trip to Cocoa Beach and let him check everything out! It was a lot of fun. The amount of things we put in the car to take to the beach for the day was very amusing.... but very necessary! Auntie Tiz took some pictures of us at the beach before we put on our suits and that was an interesting photo shoot. Let's just say it isn't easy getting beach pics when the beach is full of wind, full of people, and a new experience for a baby!

As you can see, we had a good time! I also have a few pictures of Hayden and Grace together so I just had to share them as well. Grace is Joe and Rikki's daughter and we had so much fun with her! It was so cute watching the two of them interact!

He almost got her hand!!

Play time...

Matt, Joe, Hayden and Grace

Happy Mother's Day!!

Going in for his goodnight kiss...

So cute in their PJ's!!

We can't wait until our next trip... I'm sure I'll get better about the packing thing(maybe next time the car won't be SO full!).

Finally!!

Elizabeth(aka Auntie Tiz) graduated!! I really think she is done going to school this time. She graduated the first time from Berry with a degree in psychology, and this time from UCF with a degree in speech pathology. The graduation was actually back on the 8th, but I am just now getting around to uploading everything. The whole fam went down to see her graduate... we were so happy for her. I titled this post finally because it seems like she has been going to school her whole life, but now she is finished!! Hayden was perfect as usual until the ceremony began. As soon as we were supposed to be quiet he started crying, and we had to take him out. Matt and I took turns holding him while he screamed in the lobby, but Matt was the one who finally got him to fall asleep! Although the crying was frustrating, we had a really good time at the graduation. We were so glad we could be there. There were a couple of graduation parties over the weekend as well, and those were all great fun. Of course I took plenty of pictures of everything. After all, it was Hayden's very first graduation!!!

Auntie Tiz and Hayden

Sisters

Tiz and Brad

Daddy has the magic touch!

Yeah Auntie Tiz!!

Hayden and his Great Meem

The lobby where he slept!

Grandparents and Great Grandparents

Sleeping like a champ!

All four of us together!!!

Auntie May teaching Hayden how to party!

PARTY!!

Inside the auditorium it was really dark, so I couldn't get any pictures of how many graduates there were, but it was a ton... Matt got a good video of it! After the graduation weekend was over, we started our vacation. I love a good vacation in Orlando!! I will try to post soon all about it and post pictures.... it was a blast!

Bark in the Park

This past Sunday we had our semi-annual trip to bark in the park! Turner Field hosts this event twice a year and we have been taking Sydney since they started. It is always a lot of fun for Sydney(and us of course!). There are tons of dogs and she always has a great time. It is so cool getting to see all the different breeds and watching them all "talk" to each other. This year was extra special because it was also Hayden's very first Braves game! I could tell he was really enjoying himself!! He was taking it all in... I think his big blue eyes saw the entire stadium before we left. Uncle Troy and Chubbs went with us as well which was an added playmate for Sydney, and a helping hand for us! Chubbs hadn't been to a game before, but I have a sneaking suspicion this won't be his last game!! He had a great time. As you can imagine I took a million pictures...

Nice backdrop huh?!?

Hayden and Daddy

Sydney and Mommy

Chubbs and Uncle Troy

He even wore his baseball PJ's the night before!!

If you have a dog and you haven't ever been you should consider going, it is a great "social" event! One of Sydney and Chubbs favorite things was the ice cream. Each dog gets a lik-a-lot, which is peanut butter flavored dog ice cream. It is the perfect treat because it is so hot outside... it cools them right off! Hmmmm... I just had an idea, maybe I can use that as my next excuse to eat ice cream... "I need something to cool me off"!! They also have water bowls all around in case the dogs need water(they even put ice cubes in the bowls so the water is ice cold!). Another cute thing is the blow up pools they have out for the dogs to "dip" in. Of course Sydney was not allowed to get in, but if you wanted to, your dog could go for a little swim! Maybe one day I'll venture out and let her take a little dive in, but don't hold your breath, I'm not big on her getting dirty! I did however let her go through the misting machine!!

Enjoying their ice cream...

Do you think he liked the game?

Syd and Chubbs

A few friends...

Time for a nap!

Go Braves!

I told you he had a good time!

We had to squeeze for this pic!!!

I don't think we could have had a better time at the game... unless the Braves won of course! We can't wait for the next one. GO BRAVES!!

Happy 5 months Hayden!!!

This has most definitely been the best 5 months of my life! I love having a little one... being a Mom is such a great feeling, and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful baby. Watching Hayden grow and progress has been so incredible. He really changes everyday(I know I say that a lot, but it is so true!). I have some 5 month likes and dislikes for you...

What Hayden likes:
- Food - I know none of you would have guessed!
- His jumper - I mean LOVES! He actually even plays with all of the toys attached... it is so cute to watch! He often gets tickled and it is so funny to watch him laugh at himself(I am still trying to get a video of this)!
- Talking to himself - every morning and after most naps he will just lay in his crib and talk away to himself for at least 15 minutes before whining for us to come and get him. It is the most amazing thing to me that he can just lay in there after his nap or bedtime and entertain himself for a few minutes!
- His friends - he loves seeing other little kids/babies, they always seem to make him smile
- His sleep - he is not a happy camper if he gets to bed late or misses a nap(one he schedules for himself of course!!)
- Bath time - he has started playing with more toys now, and we are having a blast!
- His lovie - his best non-human friend!!
- His ocean play mat - he now gets the music to turn on all by himself... just takes a little kicking which he is great at!
- Mirrors - he never gets tired of his reflection
- Bedtime stories - I swear he pays attention to every single page!
- His keys/teething toys - LOVES them! Although he would put anything in his mouth, he seems to like these the most.
- Sitting up - he will be doing this alone without falling over in no time
- Car rides - always an option if napping at home isn't working!

What Hayden dislikes:
- Being told what to do - he likes letting us know when he wants something(like wanting to take a nap, etc.), not the other way around!!
- Dirty diapers - still needs it changed immediately!!
- His swing - I think he is slowly outgrowing it... kind of sad:(
- Alone time - yes, he still wants us to watch every little thing he does...

What Hayden is not sure about:
-Burping - he used to hate this, but he is starting to come around... I think he is realizing it allows him to eat more!
- His bouncer - he will use it while I am getting ready or doing laundry, but any other time he is way too cool for it!
- Being buckled up - sometimes he doesn't mind it, sometimes he screams the WHOLE time!!
- His blocks - he hasn't figured out how to get them in the correct holes yet, but he likes eating them!
- Tummy time - he is coming around!!!!! He will hold his head up and push up with his arms and legs, but it still isn't one of his favorites.

The list in my head goes on and on, but I have to stop somewhere with the blogging!! I can't believe how fast it all goes by... good thing we have a camera and camcorder so we can look back one day at the things we didn't take in the first time. Enjoy the new pics!

Funny face!

Mr. Blue eyes

Just reading my book...

Loving bath time!

Did you call my name Mommy?!?

Sydney can't decide if she wants to
watch the photo shoot or look outside!

Hayden wants to look outside!

Tired of taking pics...

Talk, talk, talking!!!

Mr. Happy!