Today, with all of the snow, we hunkered down and decorated our beautifully, gawdy, white, Christmas tree. Hayden especially loved the strings of red beads. 
Nothing much else is new. We're too busy becoming Guitar Heroes to notice anything else.
Christmas Prep
We've been pretty busy trying to get ready for Christmas around here. Last weekend, Nico came into town for a pre-Christmas visit. We had some Christmas parties so Aunty Heidi and Uncle David babysat Hayden at Nai Nai and Yeh Yeh's house. We returned the favour the next night while Aunty Heidi and Uncle David went to their own Christmas party. That was quite the adventure. It's a darn good thing the hotel had such a fun playroom!
Transitions
Just these past two days, I'd say Hayden has really transitioned from a crawler to a walker. He's walking way more than he is crawling. It's been neat to see the change.
The only problem is that now things have taken on a whole new level of dangerous...
Movie Star
Sorry it's been a while. Report card season...you know how it is...or maybe you don't. Here's a video that Aunty Heidi made this summer for Yeh Yeh's birthday. Hayden has a starring role and he does quite well if you ask me. Enjoy!
Baby Steps
Hayden hasn't done too much walking since his first big steps. He's just so darn efficient with his crawling. We got him some funny squeaky shoes to motivate him. Thank goodness you can take the squeakers out. Hayden does keep practicing. He loves the walker that Aunty Jaime bought him for his birthday. It's super fun.
Hayden's been sick this week with a bit of a fever. The doctor says he has a mild ear infection. Daddy has stayed home for the past two days to take care of him. Hayden says that he can't wait until he's sick again. Mama's staying home tomorrow just in case.
One Step Beyond...It's Madness!
Just this afternoon, Scott and I were trying to get Hayden to walk back and forth between us. We were sitting very close to each other and all Hayden could manage was a step or two as he fell forward towards us. Then, he was standing by the TV stand. He turned around and took the slowest steps forward. He ended up walking about 2.5 metres. I actually had the camera in my hand but I was so scared to miss anything that I only caught his last steps. He did try again and managed a few more steps that I was able to catch on film. Next step...skating!
Boo!
Elvis has left the building but Mike Holmes is here to fix it. 
Here is our little Mike Holmes, here to help Daddy with the basement reno so that it can be done right. Hayden was also a little cowboy because he's just that diverse. 
Thank you Nai Nai and Yeh Yeh for the costume. He had a great Halloween: made a bunch of crafts, gave out some candy, and played with some pumpkin guck. Here he is doing what he does every evening: getting into the food cupboard to snack and feed Jessie. 
No Time
Wow! There really isn't time for anything these days...including blogs. Here are some pictures to catch you up:
Hayden's new tricks are snapping his fingers, waving bye bye, protecting Mama or Daddy when one of them is being attacked by the tickle monster, solving global warming, and making even bigger and stinkier poops. Oh yeah, and playing the piano.
This week, Hayden is looking forward to a night alone with Daddy while Mommy is taking her students on an overnight to the Museum of Aviation. Have fun Daddy and Hayden!
Lord Love a Duck
Last week, Hayden and his peeps went to Valleyview farm to see some animals and pick a pumpkin. Before he went, Hayden told me he was really excited. I guess that was because he didn't know what he was getting himself into. Unfortunately, Hayden and the animals didn't quite mix well. One look at the ducks and he started to wail. He wasn't too fond of the goats either. I guess he's not destined for veterinary medicine or arc ownership.
Bad Boy
Hayden got his first reprimand at daycare today. When I picked him up, Laura had left to run an errand. I read his daily log to see how his day had gone. On it, Laura had said that Hayden had bitten Meghan. She told him, "No" and "That's not nice" and asked him to play with something else. He's been extra chatty all night and seems to be saying how sorry he is. He feels really bad that he hurt his friend. He may not seem so empathetic in this video though...it was taken before the big bite.
Thankful
What a great Thanksgiving. Lots of first, lots of mess, and lots of fun.
Hayden is very thankful for all of the firsts that have yet to come, all of the messes he gets to make, and all of the fun people in his life.
First, we'll start with the firsts. Hayden had his first trip out of the country. Aunty Heidi and I took him shopping at Target in Watertown. What a wonderful place Target is! 
Hayden also had his first night away from Mama and Daddy. We went out to celebrate Miss Jenny's birthday. We had lots of fun eating, drinking, and dancing at the piano bar.
Meanwhile, Hayden got a kick out of sleeping in the same bed as Aunty Heidi and Nico. Thank you for playing with me Nico and Aunty Heidi!
Next up, messes. Hayden gave Yeh Yeh the gift of some warm peepee all over his clothes. He is so generous. Then, a really funny mess. Aunty Heidi, Nico, and Mama went into Loblaws for about 30 minutes. Nai Nai and Hayden stayed in the car because Nai Nai thought Hayden would sleep. As soon as everybody left the car to go into the store however, Hayden decided to have a poop. It was such a stinky poop that Nai Nai decided she had to step out of the car. Unfortunately, Aunty Heidi's car alarm started to go off so Nai Nai had to get back into the car with stinky Hayden. She started to tell him how stinky he was in Chinese. This made him laugh and kick in delight. Kicking made the stink spread. Nai Nai couldn't stand the stink but had to stay with Hayden for the entire half hour. Hee hee hee.
Hayden also had his first night away from Mama and Daddy. We went out to celebrate Miss Jenny's birthday. We had lots of fun eating, drinking, and dancing at the piano bar.
Meanwhile, Hayden got a kick out of sleeping in the same bed as Aunty Heidi and Nico. Thank you for playing with me Nico and Aunty Heidi! Next up, messes. Hayden gave Yeh Yeh the gift of some warm peepee all over his clothes. He is so generous. Then, a really funny mess. Aunty Heidi, Nico, and Mama went into Loblaws for about 30 minutes. Nai Nai and Hayden stayed in the car because Nai Nai thought Hayden would sleep. As soon as everybody left the car to go into the store however, Hayden decided to have a poop. It was such a stinky poop that Nai Nai decided she had to step out of the car. Unfortunately, Aunty Heidi's car alarm started to go off so Nai Nai had to get back into the car with stinky Hayden. She started to tell him how stinky he was in Chinese. This made him laugh and kick in delight. Kicking made the stink spread. Nai Nai couldn't stand the stink but had to stay with Hayden for the entire half hour. Hee hee hee.
We also went to Smiths Falls for Grandma's yummy turkey. Grandpa had fun chasing Hayden up and down the stairs.
Hayden is very thankful for all of the firsts that have yet to come, all of the messes he gets to make, and all of the fun people in his life.
Fall Fun
Today, Scott and I both raced home from work so that we could take advantage of the fall foliage at Gatineau Park with Hayden. Nature just gets so busy during the weekend so we wanted to enjoy it with fewer lineups to breathe the fresh air. Hayden liked it so much that his little giggles could be heard echoing over the lookout at King Mountain.
Next up is a visit from Aunty Heidi and Cousin Nico. Yipee!!!!
Whoa
It's been a while...
Not much has changed. Hayden's in college now and Scott and I are retired.
Actually, Hayden's been a little under the weather as have I. We've both got this cold that has clinged on for weeks. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he is sucking on my shoes as I type this. Actually, all of the kids have been sick from the daycare. Today it was just Hayden and his girlfriend Meghan. Laura said that the two of them were extra clingy to each other.
I promise to post some new fun stuff soon...just as soon as Hayden's nose stops crusting over with snots. I don't think anyone wants to see that.
Not much has changed. Hayden's in college now and Scott and I are retired.
Actually, Hayden's been a little under the weather as have I. We've both got this cold that has clinged on for weeks. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he is sucking on my shoes as I type this. Actually, all of the kids have been sick from the daycare. Today it was just Hayden and his girlfriend Meghan. Laura said that the two of them were extra clingy to each other.
I promise to post some new fun stuff soon...just as soon as Hayden's nose stops crusting over with snots. I don't think anyone wants to see that.
Funny Story
So, here's a fun fact about Hayden: if you put him in his crib in only a diaper, he will almost always tear that diaper off in seconds. Here's the proof:
That's a fun fact that I probably should have shared with Laura, Hayden's daycare lady.
As she always does (because she's some kind of freak of nature), Laura put Hayden down to nap in the afternoon and didn't hear a peep out of him for the next hour and a half. Because it was warm, she had put him down in just a t-shirt and his diaper. That's the moment of the story that she would probably like to take back. When she heard him playing quietly after his nap (again, freak of nature type behaviour for the daycare only), she went to get him only to find him covered in his own poop. She said it was everywhere: in his hair, all over the crib, everywhere. She promptly bathed him and promised herself that she would never put him down without pants on again.
Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure Hayden says Mama now. He hurt himself at Laura's this week and as she picked him up and cuddled him, she said he was crying out, "Mama, Mama, Mama." Then, when I got home from work one day, I picked him up to hug him and then handed him off to Scott so I could visit the little girl's room. He immediately started crying out again for, "Mama, Mama, Mama." Lucky me...I have a name now.
Have a great weekend.
Wii!!! What a party!
This weekend we had Hayden's first ever birthday bash. Hayden had no idea what was about to happen as he played quietly that morning. 
Before he was able to finish the important business of moving all of his beads, both sets of grandparents, Aunty Jaime, and Ray and Jenny showed up at our door bearing gifts and food galore. We ate delicious potato salad and, in true Chinese tradition, noodles to ensure a long life. 
Hayden also had his first ever birthday cake. Not just any birthday cake though.
This little monkey was a 4 hour labour of love and just look at how Hayden disrespected all of that effort. 
After we ate, Hayden got down to what mattered most...the gifts. 
He loved the toy box from Grandma and Grandpa and the rest of the thoughtful toys, clothes, and books. The first thing he did when he got up on Sunday morning was to go look for all of his new toys that were so conveniently tidied up. 
Mommy and Daddy gave Hayden the best gift of all...a Wii! Now, it may take him a few years to appreciate this gift but we'll make sure to take care of it for him until that time comes. Nai Nai, Ray, Jenny, Mommy, and Daddy all made sure that it was going to be fun enough for Hayden by testing it out for him. 
Hayden of course, partied so hard that he passed out an hour past his bedtime. Lucky for him, he didn't wake up with a hangover on Sunday.
We love you so much Hayden and we're oh so proud of you. We hope you had the bestest birthday bash ever because you deserve it!
Before he was able to finish the important business of moving all of his beads, both sets of grandparents, Aunty Jaime, and Ray and Jenny showed up at our door bearing gifts and food galore. We ate delicious potato salad and, in true Chinese tradition, noodles to ensure a long life. Hayden also had his first ever birthday cake. Not just any birthday cake though. This little monkey was a 4 hour labour of love and just look at how Hayden disrespected all of that effort. After we ate, Hayden got down to what mattered most...the gifts. He loved the toy box from Grandma and Grandpa and the rest of the thoughtful toys, clothes, and books. The first thing he did when he got up on Sunday morning was to go look for all of his new toys that were so conveniently tidied up. Mommy and Daddy gave Hayden the best gift of all...a Wii! Now, it may take him a few years to appreciate this gift but we'll make sure to take care of it for him until that time comes. Nai Nai, Ray, Jenny, Mommy, and Daddy all made sure that it was going to be fun enough for Hayden by testing it out for him. Hayden of course, partied so hard that he passed out an hour past his bedtime. Lucky for him, he didn't wake up with a hangover on Sunday.We love you so much Hayden and we're oh so proud of you. We hope you had the bestest birthday bash ever because you deserve it!
Birthday Boy
Then
Now
Birthday Boy-eee!Wow...the big birthday blog. It's a lot of pressure. What can I write to match the enormity of this occasion. My little half 'n half is one year old. We're very proud of everything that Hayden has accomplished in a year: learning to crawl and climb, charm the ladies, being able to eat his toes (I mean his thumbs...I mean his toes), growing, starting proper investment strategies, and so on. Why, just today, he spoke his first word! Check out the video...
When I think back to a year ago, I find myself wishing that I could do it all over again. Yes, even the labour part. It was a great first year for me and I know that the years to come will be just as fantabulous.
Hayden's peeps from daycare
Dental hygiene is oh so important for growing boys
Purple PJs then
Purple PJs now
