the birthday boy.

Being the super cool spoiled kid that he is (just kidding - sortove - although he is admittedly slightly spoiled, he is still a wonderful, amazing little boy), Hayden essentially had 5 "birthday parties" this year. I kid you not.

This post features four of them (the fifth one wasn't really a birthday party - it was more of a birthday acknowledgment at our Character breakfast when we were in Disneyworld).

First, on January 22nd we celebrated Hayden's birthday at Randy's mom's home. Then on the morning of his birthday - January 23rd - we had a little birthday party at our home in which Hayden opened his presents from me and Randy (and then we sang 'Happy Birthday' and ate some birthday cupcakes). His big birthday party was January 30th at Boingo Bounce. It was a blast!

And finally, today - January 31st - we wrapped up Hayden's birthday celebrations with a little birthday lunch with my parents at their condo.
All in all, Hayden definitely had a super duper 4th birthday!

doing disney.

Guess what? I just got back from Disney World!

I didn't let on that I was going on a trip, because I was a little paranoid about putting that information out there and leaving my home vulnerable to a break-in, so I didn't publicize this trip.

But this past Sunday, my family (Randy, myself, Hayden, my parents, my sister Mary and her husband Clark) flew to Orlando to the land of Mickey. We returned Thursday evening.

We had a great time! Seriously. It was wonderful. I honestly wished we would have stayed one more night. We did all the Disney theme parks in 3 days - it was intense. It would have been nice to have stayed one more night, and had a "down day" - but all in all, the trip was fabulous!

The highlights of the trip (for me) were:

• Spending time with Hayden - watching his joy and excitement. He had such a great time and it was invigorating!
• Watching my sister participate in the 'Lion King' performance show at 'The Animal Kingdom'. It was HILARIOUS! She was extremely excited - as if she was on ecstasy. I laughed SO hard.
• Hayden's fascination and proclamation regarding his "love" of my mom's boobies (he did not see them). For some reason, Hayden is quite interested in breasts lately and takes it upon himself to express his latest obsession.
• Having a non-kid dinner with some friends and family (my husband, my friend Sara, my sister and her husband, and two of my sister's friends). It was great to see my friend Sara and spend some time with her. Dinner was AMAZING and the company was also superb. This is a picture of Sara and I before dinner - she plays Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid' show at 'Hollywood Studios'. We grew up together and have been friends since the 9th grade.

And now, here are my favorite pictures from our trip:

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)

the second picture (1.23.09)

last year's pictures (1.23.10)

this year's picture (1.23.11)

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.

Note: Randy and I talked about what piece of garment to use for Harper regarding this tradition and we decided on a simple, black dress. 

four years ago today.

Four 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.

Happy Birthday Hayden.

25-week appointment plus a pregnancy picture.

Wednesday I had my 25-week OB/GYN appointment.

It went well. My blood pressure was 100/60 - very normal for me.

Harper's heartbeat was 140 bpm - she seems a bit laid-back (YAY!).

As part of the appointment I did the 1-hour glucola test. I got the results back and I passed. YAY! I do not have gestational diabetes and I don't have to go back in for the 3-hour test (which would more accurately assess whether or not I have gestational diabetes - the 1-hour test is just a screening tool... if you pass then you are fine and don't have gestational diabetes, if you don't pass the test then you have to go back for the 3-hour test because you might have gestational diabetes).

In addition, they had planned on testing my iron levels; however, apparently my blood clotted and they couldn't test for it. They will now do that at my next appointment which will be February 16th (I will be 29 weeks). Following that appointment, I will begin going every 2 weeks! Very exciting!!!

And last but certainly not least, here is my latest belly shot. Enjoy!You can go here to see my previous belly shot - if you want to compare how much I have "let myself go." That is what my husband jokingly says... and he really is joking. It's funny - I promise.

fun in the snow.

It snowed in our neck of the woods last night/this morning - we probably got about 2 inches.

Schools are cancelled. I'm not leaving the house.

At lunchtime, I sent Randy and Hayden out to play - Hayden was pumped!

Here are the results of our playtime in the snow (after about 15 minutes I had had enough and came inside - the boys stayed outside and played for an additional 15-30 minutes).
Sledding.

me. I can't believe I let Randy take this picture. I look ridiculous. As you will see in some subsequent pictures, my whole outfit is rockin'!making a snow angel.ready for a snowball fight or rather Hayden throwing a snowball at me.Hayden getting hit with a snowball!fun in the snow.Randy and Hayden's attempt at a snowman - impressive. Well, maybe not. Randy said the snow wasn't "packing well."and last but not least - up close in the snow.