engagement anniversary dinner.

This past Tuesday, Randy and I went to dinner to celebrate our “Engagement Anniversary.”

We got engaged a little over 8 years ago on New Year’s Eve (2001). Every year, we mark the occasion by returning to the “scene of the crime” and having dinner at the same place we got engaged. The name of the restaurant may have changed as well as the décor; however, it’s still the “spot” and the food is still super yummy!

When Randy proposed, I was 20-years-old. I was a Junior in College. I was young and rather naïve (and probably still am). When he got down on one knee in the restaurant, I was shocked.

He had this adorable little bear he had made at a ‘Build-a-Bear’ store. He had recorded himself proposing to me on that bear and used the bear to “pop the question.”

Only problem: I couldn’t hear the bear. I suppose I should have known what was happening, but I was seriously in shock. Eventually, he said, “so what’s your answer?” I think I said something like, “yeah… sure.”

I didn’t cry. I didn’t freak out. I was certainly happy and elated… but seriously, I was just shocked.

Apparently, many of our friends and family knew of Randy’s plans because after dinner when we went to my parents’ condo, a good lot of them were there to mark the occasion. I sure am glad that I said ‘yes’ (it would have been awkward if I had said ‘no’)!

Anywho… so even though we don’t go to dinner on the exact same day of the engagement, we still make a point of going to dinner every year at around the same time, returning to the same location just to remember the moment… Plus, it’s a great excuse to have a wonderful date-night: to spend time with just the two of us.

Well, I love you Randy! I am tremendously happy that I said “yes” 8 years ago and that we got married a year and a half later. And I am particularly happy that we “produced” Hayden: our wonderful, special, unique little man.

feel good friday...

It's Friday and time for The Girl Next Door Grows Up's meme - Feel Good Friday. Today I have opted to deviate a tad from one of her “prompts” and write a list about 5 things my husband did this week that made me happy (as opposed to the original prompt which entails writing about 5 things this week that made me happy).

So here goes:

• He bought me flowers for our Engagement Anniversary (more to come regarding that special occasion in tomorrow's blog post).
• He watched Hayden for me so I could go walk on the treadmill (he did this twice this week).
• He unloaded the dishes from the dishwasher - this may seem insignificant, but I definitely appreciated it!
• He moved the pictures from my camera to the computer (I am not good at this task...).
• He went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart Wednesday night in preparation for the bad weather that was forcasted (ice/snow)... he doesn't generally do the grocery shopping so this was a big deal (the reason I didn't go was because I was home taking care of fever-stricken Hayden).

Here is a picture of the flowers he got me... so pretty! Plus, they smell amazing! It makes our whole home smell yummy...!Well that's it for my 'Feel Good Friday'. My thanks again to 'The Girl' and her meme. I really appreciate going back through my week, thinking of the positive things. It's a great way to end the week!

the white-button down shirt. a tradition.

When I was pregnant with Hayden, I read an article in a magazine that depicted a family’s tradition with their daughter.

Beginning with her first birthday, they dressed her in her grandmother’s vintage bathing suit and took a picture. They did this every year as they watched their baby daughter grow from a toddler, to a child, to a young woman.

It was amazing and adorable and I thought it was a wonderful way to show in photos how their daughter had changed and grown.

When Hayden was born, I tried to think of a way that we could accomplish the same tradition with him. I wasn’t about to put him in a pair of my Grandpa’s old swimming trunks (not to mention the fact that I didn't have any). That simply was not going to work.

Randy and I talked about it. We wanted the item to be something simple, yet classic. Something a boy/man would wear that would convey timelessness and class. The answer: a men’s white-button down shirt (from the Gap no less).

the first picture (1.23.08)

last year's picture (1.23.09)

this year's pictures (1.23.10)

We plan on continuing this tradition annually until Hayden is at least 18 (or until he refuses to participate).

I have to say that I am SO glad that I saw that article. To see the progression of age in this manner is truly remarkable and makes me smile.

hayden's 3-year check-up.

Monday was Hayden’s 3-year check-up. It went pretty well considering that Hayden generally isn't a huge fan of the doctor.

In all, Hayden seems to be meeting all the “3-year” milestones.

I really didn't have any questions for the doctor, aside from wanting to know what his height and weight percentiles were.

Before the appointment, Randy and I bet on how much he would weigh as well as what percentile he would be in terms of height.

Weight:
I thought he would weigh 30lb and Randy guessed 32lb.

Answer: 30lb. (I was correct)(Note: Last year he weighed 25 lb. and was in the 25th Percentile)(he is still in the 25th Percentile for weight).

Height:
I thought he would be in the 17th Percentile for height and Randy guessed 5th Percentile for height.

Answer: 10th Percentile (Randy was correct)(Note: Last year he was 33” tall and was in the 25th Percentile)(this year Hayden is 3' tall - he has grown 3 inches).

Conclusion: We have a short, little man on our hands - which isn't a shocker. I am only 5’1” and although Randy is 5’9”, I bring our man “down” (literally).

Anywho, he is happy and healthy. And that is really all that matters.

turning 3.

WARNING: This post is going to be loaded with pictures and family "junk" that some of you may or may not be interested in reading. Proceed with caution. You have been warned.

Saturday was Hayden's 3rd birthday; however, we began celebrating the occasion Friday at my parents' condo.

Here are some pictures.

These delicious cupcakes are from a local 'cupcake shop' (Bliss Cupcake Cafe). They were yummy! Hayden ate the one in the middle ( although in reality, he only ate the icing).

hayden with my dad. so silly. this was my favorite picture from the night.

Then Saturday morning we woke up and did our little family birthday with just the four of us (Randy, me, Hayden, and Alfie).Saturday afternoon we went to the UARK Ballroon for Hayden's birthday party. It was a blast! I think everyone had a great time. I'm not sure what we are going to do for his birthday next year, because this really was a great birthday party!

Hayden got shy during the singing of 'Happy Birthday' - this was the result.

my dad on Hayden's plasma car. priceless.

And last but not least, on Sunday evening we went over to Randy's mom and aunt's home and wrapped up Hayden's birthday celebration at their home.
Well, that's it. I think that wraps up all the birthday fun. I cannot believe Hayden is 3 now. It really didn't hit me until Saturday night when I realized that I no longer have a 2-year-old. To me, 3-years-old is bigger and very significant. Wow. That's all I have to say about that.

hayden's height. a tradition.

Since Hayden was 1, we have been measuring and documenting his height by marking it on his armoire with a black Sharpie. We have done this every 6 months. I am thinking we will eventually do it annually, but so far we have had 4 measurements (at 1-year, 18-months, 2-years, and 2.5-years). This past weekend, marked our 5th measurement: 3-years-old.

Here they are.Another part of this process involves us taking pictures of us documenting his height.  Every time we mark his height, we take pictures while we do it.

Here are those pictures:

1-year-old18-months-old2-years-old2.5-years-old3-years-old

Some day, we will make a little photo album of these pictures (or something like that). I love doing these dorky little things. It makes me happy and I like to see how he has grown. Such a big little boy!

award...!

Nearly 2 weeks ago, Mass Hole Mommy gave me the Lemonade Award...I have to admit I was humbled. She has over 300 Followers and picked me (along with 9 other people) to receive this award. So needless to say, I was very flattered.

Now I have the privilege of bestowing the award to other bloggers who I feel show great “gratitude/ attitude.”

Here goes:

• Ally and Lela at Two Normal Moms
• Manic Momma at Mommyhood Exposed
• Amy at The Lemon Cottage
• The Crazy Baby Mama
• Christina at Peanut's Page

My thanks again to Mass Hole Mommy!

three years ago.

Three years ago today, on January 23rd, 2007 at 9:00 am, our son, Hayden Samuel Werner, was born. Weighing in at 7 lb, 12 oz. he was 19.75" long. He is now our little man, and he is amazing and wonderful in so many ways.

Check out the progression.

Birth Day (or at least VERY close to the day he was born):

First Birthday:

he got VERY scared and upset when we sang "happy birthday"

he didn't really like getting messy.

but he got used to it.

Second Birthday:

the morning of his birthday at our home eating his cupcake.

at his actual birthday party at Chick-fil-A.

Note: Today we will be celebrating his birthday and I am sure there will be a blog post in the very near future featuring this celebration.