Unexpected Road Trip

On Saturday I went to Park City with my sister-in-law Lauren to go shopping at the factory outlets kid-free. It was nice to get out and have some girl time. On our way back we were talking so much that we missed the exit to come back and didn't realize it until 50 miles later when I was talking to Dax on the phone.
Dax: Where are you?
Me: Um, I-80 east, is that bad?
Dax: Is that bad? Uh, yes.
Me: (As I spot the "Welcome to Wyoming" sign) Oh man, we're in Wyoming?!?
Dax: Jen, you are 100 miles from Provo. LONG sigh

I don't know how we were so involved in conversation that we forgot to turn onto US 189, or how we managed to drive for 45 minutes before it dawned on us, but there you have it. As penance to our husbands we stopped by Cafe Rio for take out dinner (Lauren actually bought ours as a peace offering for Dax. Thanks Lauren!). When I got home Dax said, "Well I'm glad you were at least having a good conversation."

1st Time Camping

Friday afternoon we went up Spanish Fork Canyon for an overnight camping trip as part of a ward Elder's Quorum activity. Hayden was in heaven, although the ground was so bumpy and the foliage so tall that he took some pretty good falls and has scrapes on his tummy and knees to show for it. He loved that Mom let him have 2 hot dogs and chips for dinner!

Unfortunately I forgot Dax's sleeping bag, and the one I borrowed from my sister is mummy style so you can't unzip it all the way. Let's just say Hayden and I were a little cold, and Dax was REALLY cold. I was worried about how Hayden would sleep there, but he slept through the night. The only problem we had was him wanting "outside, outside" when it was time to go to sleep. Those were the first words he said the next morning as well.

It just so happens that our last camping trip fell 2 years ago when I was 7 months pregnant, as I am now. I told Dax that we need to start timing trips where we sleep on the ground a little better.

Hayden wanted to be in a "Hayden burrito" several times a day prior to our camping trip


Unfortunately these are the only pictures I took while we were actually camping

H-E-L-P

Maybe the fact that Hayden started sleeping through the night is coming back to bite me, maybe Hayden is just going through some weird phase, or maybe I'm doing something wrong as a parent. Either way, I have not slept worse than I have the past 2 nights, and that includes when Hayden was a newborn.

Two nights ago Hayden fell asleep with Aunt Krystal at 6:30 PM for half an hour. Ok, I can see him staying up later because he wasn't as tired, but not only would he not go to sleep, he would NOT sleep in his own crib. We are talking that no matter how asleep he was, he would wake enough to realize he was in his crib and start screaming and crying extremely loud. After letting him "cry it out" for 30 minutes, we finally stuck him in bed with us, because otherwise I would have had to sleep with him in my arms in the rocking chair all night. Hayden moves around a ton in his sleep as well, so it was not a pleasant night for any of us, and Hayden woke up bright and early after only 6 hours of sleep for him (more like 4 for Dax and I).

Last night I got him to sleep and put him in his crib, unfortunately not until almost 10 PM, but at least there wasn't screaming involved. Then he woke up screaming at 1 AM and we had the same problem. He made sure he wouldn't fall asleep enough to be put in his crib. Finally he got in bed with us again, which resulted in the same horrible night as the one before. He woke up before 6 again this morning as well, and I haven't been able to get him to go back to sleep.

WHAT IS THE DEAL? I know he isn't getting too much sleep, he only sleeps for 2 hours during the day for 1 nap, and at night he sleeps 10-11 hours (when he is sleeping that is). Last week he wouldn't go to nursery either, they brought him to us after 25 minutes because he wouldn't stop crying. He has NEVER not wanted to go to nursery. I left him with my sister to do my glucose test last week, and he cried and cried until he finally fell asleep. We left him with my sister again (too afraid of how he would respond to someone he doesn't know as well) on Friday evening and he cried again until he fell asleep. She even brought pizza, a movie, and treats!

Please tell me he is just going through separation anxiety a little later than some other children (he has never been through it before) and that this will be over soon and he will adjust normally. From all I've learned in school and recently read it doesn't seem too unnatural. It just seems weird that it came on so suddenly and so intensely.

On the positive side, over the last 2 weeks he has not rejected any food I've given him (besides a cookie, but I am definitely ok with that). :)

Riding the Black Stallion

As I write this, Hayden and Dax are out for a ride in our old 1984 Chevy Blazer, which Dax has nicknamed the black stallion. Ever since we pointed it out to him, he has been fascinated with "dada's car" and wants to be in it. This is his first, and may be one of his last, rides in it. I think we've finally decided the money poured in to that thing to keep it running has outgrown the car's usefulness to us, much to Dax's dismay. It was his first vehicle, and he has done A LOT of work to keep it running as best he could, so he definitely has a strong attachment to it.

The look on Hayden's face as he was being strapped in the front seat (yes, with a car seat) was pure bliss. The kind of smile that lights up a whole face. For a toddler, it doesn't get any better than a ride in the front seat of daddy's car.

Sweet Summer

We have had a couple of beautiful days, and we have loved being outside! Hayden would live outside if I would let him. He is never ready to leave the park, never ready to come inside from playing. He has a spirited personality, and I read that children with that personality needs lots of time outside to run around. It sure makes sense for Hayden. He just isn't the same happy little guy if he is cooped up inside all day. On the other hand, I have never seen a happier or more mild child if he gets to be outside for at least a few hours each day. Unfortunately we don't have a yard so all of our outside time involves going to the park or to a close friend's house who has a yard.

Playing at the park. This is the perfect park for toddlers, it was made especially for little kids, so Hayden can do all of the climbing and sliding by himself without my worrying that he is going to fall off the side

Hayden loves to swing on the bar before going down the slide




Playing in the sprinklers at his friend Anna's house. He asks for Anna at least several times a day.

What would summer be without otter pops?


Look at that smile. I'm so glad I get to be with him to catch them.




He loves to wear big people things, especially mommy's shoes and sunglasses




This is why making dinner with Hayden being awake does not work well. I finally gave him something I thought I was ok with him playing with, and he figured out how to get the top off of the parsley flakes. I suppose it is better than him touching the raw chicken, climbing in the oven, or unloading my cupboard, his activities prior to this one.


And so it begins... I am not actively potty training Hayden, but he knows when he needs to go poop, so I figured I might as well get the potty chair and give him a few months to get used to it without the pressure to actually go in it. I don't have any expectations for at least a year.


Hayden is getting so many 2 word phrases, it is fun to watch him say new things. He even said his first 3 word phrase the other day "Sing a song!" I think he says it now because I get such a kick out of it. I love this stage, he is just a sponge soaking up everything around him. I am amazed at how many new words, new feats, new understandings that he picks up everyday. He definitely knows what he wants and can tell you if you aren't giving it to him, but I just love toddlerhood for all of its joys.