The Perfect Baby

I was just reminiscing about Hayden's life with us so far, and it got me thinking...what am I going to do when I don't get a perfect baby?? Let me explain. Hayden started to sleep through the night on his own when he was 7 weeks old. While I was a full-time student he took a pacifier and bottle perfectly. When he was 6 months old and I began to worry about the day when I would have to wean him from a pacifier, he automatically quit taking it on his own. Whenever I needed to put him on a different schedule, or whenever we transitioned to a new schedule (for example, eliminating a nap), Hayden adjusted without me having to do anything. I always nursed him to sleep, so when I began to wean him at 13 months I worried about him not going to sleep well, but he had no problem with the change. I used to rock him completely to sleep, just because I always wanted to spend extra time with him, but when I decided that it was not a good habit to get him into, he started to WANT to be put down before he was asleep. When it was time for nursery (they go at 16 months in our ward), he didn't even look back at me the first time I dropped him off, and he still loves to go. I have done virtually NO training to this kid (I mean I teach him new things, and help him learn), he has done all of his transitions in life smoothly all on his own. He really is the most laid back child I know. What am I going to do when someday I get a baby who doesn't sleep through the night on their own (I REALLY value my 8 hours), or who won't quit taking a pacifier, or who has colic, or any number of things? Obviously Hayden does cry sometimes and we have other issues that we deal with that come as part of being parents of a 16 month old. But really, I have had it SO GOOD. The scary thing is, I'm sure I don't even know how good I've had it. When I get a baby who doesn't do all of those things on his or her own, obviously I will love him or her just the same, but I will definitely have to learn how to be a parent all over again. Maybe it really is that way with every child? Speaking of my perfect child...he just woke up.

Itching for Summer

Today was nice enough that I went walking outside and took Hayden to the park. It REALLY got me itching for summer. I plan to spend most of my summer in Provo doing the following:

Going for lots of walks/jogs with Hayden in this (my exact stroller, even the color):



Letting Hayden play on a lot of these:



Spending A LOT of time at 7 Peaks:



Eating way too many of these:



Aaahhh...I can't wait for summer.

Butter anyone?

Hayden has now mastered every physical feat in our apartment, the last of which were being able to climb onto our bed and lifting up the kitchen chairs when they are laying down so that he can still climb on the table. A few mornings ago I was cleaning up from breakfast and I saw Hayden out of the corner of my eye with a plastic container. Not a big deal, since I keep them low and he always pulls them out. However, a couple of minutes later I realized he was still looking into the same plastic container when I heard a "MMmmmm" come from Hayden. I finally walked over there and realized that he had the butter container on the coffee table, opened, and very much all over himself. It was all so mushed up I couldn't even tell accurately how much he had eaten before I apprehended it. From now on I better clear the table BEFORE I let Hayden out of his chair.



Other recent pics of Hayden

Hayden loves to sit in boxes, even ones that really are too small


His "why can't I be up here?" look


Saying "cheese"

The Screwtape Letters

First off, can I say that C.S. Lewis was an inspired genius? To even think of some of the things that he wrote about in this book is so far beyond my capacity that I almost feel ashamed. However, luckily someone was inspired and I can benefit from that inspiration. If you have not read this book I HIGHLY recommend it. I have just spent the last 10 minutes writing sentences to describe some of the things I've realized in myself only to delete them because I can't explain it right. This book made me think so deeply about some of Satan's pitfalls that are so easy to fall into, but just being conscious of them makes them easier to avoid. The totality of the book (for those who don't know) consists of an experienced devil named Screwtape writing a series of letters to his nephew (a much inexperienced devil) named Wormwood, instructing him on the way to go about claiming a soul for the devil. I feel as if I'm just rambling on and can't get out the words I'm trying to say. Just read it!