harper - smiling with the swing.

I took this picture earlier today and I had to share. My mom commented that she hoped that the swing didn't swing back and hit her in the head. Truth be told, it did. But Harper is a trooper and wasn't too upset. She needs to be a tough chick if she is going to grow up with Hayden!

weekend trip to jonesboro.

This past weekend, we went on a little trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas to visit Randy's cousin Heather and her husband Bryan. Joining us for this trip was Randy's mom and his aunt (who is his cousin's mom).

We all had a really good time. Hayden loved Jonesboro and can't wait to go back. They had an awesome park there that he LOVED. He mentioned that "it was impressive." We will probably make this an annual trip.

Here are some pictures:Some pictures I took with my iPhone at the AWESOME park - While we were in the area, Randy and I went to Blytheville, Arkansas - where Randy grew up - to check out some of the things he remembered from the "good old days."

First we went and got some donuts at Jeri-Lin Donuts.Then we stopped by the home that Randy grew up in.Then we went to a pond and fed some ducks.While driving through the downtown area, we saw this cool, old building. So we took a random picture of itAnd that was our little adventure. Fun times people.

This trip wrapped up our 'Spring Break' - I think it was a great ending to a wonderful week.

feeling like a burden.

I will warn you that this is going to be a bit of a vent, so consider yourself warned.

Now onto the post -

Sometimes I feel like a burden. Mostly in relation to my husband. As a stay-at-home mom with one child who doesn't yet go to school or a Mother's Day Out program, I have to arrange for childcare anytime that I need to do anything alone.

I suppose I could find and hire a babysitter, but I honestly don't want to do that. We have never had to get a "babysitter." Randy and I have been very fortunate to have parental figures who are able to watch our children. Randy's mom and aunt are available most weeknights and weekends. My mom is occasionally available; however, currently she is working as a nanny for my sister. She is not living in the area during the week and therefore isn't available to watch the kids. She won't be back in town until July.

So I feel like I am "doing it alone" so to speak and it can be tricky when I have meetings and appointments that I need to attend without the kids. Evening meetings/appointments aren't a problem - for the most part. But daytime meetings/appointments are tricky.

I have to check with Randy to see if he can watch the kids. I have to have his help. I am dependent on him to do anything without the kids. It is frustrating and I honestly hate it. I sincerely despise being and feeling so dependent on others.

Harper will start a Mother's Day Out program in the Fall. At that point, I will have two mornings a week in which I can schedule meetings and appointments without having to arrange for childcare. It will be a relief.

As an aside, I am also desperate for her to start the Mother's Day Out program so I can have some alone time. I can get work done at home and I can actually be alone. I remember when Hayden first started attending the Mother's Day Out program and the feeling I got being alone in my own home that first day. It was surreal and felt wrong - but it was still a nice feeling. I wasn't having to be "on" and I could just relax.

Suffice it to say, I don't like feeling and being so dependent on others. It's extremely demoralizing. I suppose that I shouldn't feel this way, but I do. Not always, but there are definite moments in which I feel like a burden.

spring break shenanigans.

It is 'Spring Break' here at our home - which only means that Hayden doesn't have school this week. Randy is still working and I am still being a mom.

We aren't going on any big spring break trip - although we did go to the lake last weekend and we are planning on going to Jonesboro, Arkansas this upcoming weekend with Randy's mom and aunt to visit Randy's awesome cousin, Heather, and her husband, Bryan.

So to make the week seem a little more special and super cool, we are letting Hayden sleep in his tent this week in our living room. Well, we let him do it last night and plan on doing it tonight. We will see how this goes.

Hayden usually goes to bed around 8pm and is alseep by 9pm.

As for last night, he ended up finally passing out and going to sleep at 1am!!!!! I thought he might stay up until 10pm, but I was shocked to find out he stayed up until after midnight. I had gone to bed at 9pm while Randy worked in our dining room. Meanwhile, Hayden "camped out" in his tent and watched tv (until 1am). Oh well - it's Spring Break!

This is a picture Randy took with his iPhone of Hayden last night after he finally fell asleep.
Miss Harper on the other hand woke up at 6:30am as usual, and I woke up at 5:30am (also as usual).

weekend at the lake.

This past weekend we went to the lake and spent time at my parents' Lakehouse. We had a great time and hopefully we can do it again soon.

I got some pretty good pictures of the weekend. Check them out:

five-year check-up.

Hayden had his 5-year check-up earlier this week. It was a significant check-up in that he had to have three shots and get cleared for Kindergarten.

He got his three shots without any problems (he did cry following the shots, but that was to be expected) and passed his "physical" - he can start Kindergarten in the Fall.

He weighed in at 46 pounds (75th Percentile) and is 43" tall (50th Percentile).

ten months.

Harper is now 10-months-old. She probably weighs a little over 21 pounds now. She is a big little girl. Most people think she is considerably older than she is (they think she is about 17-months-old).

She is still taking her one nap a day and she still isn't a big fan of solids - although she will eat some things occasionally and is starting to open up to the idea of "real food."

She is now walking some. She has taken at least 20 steps at a time. I would estimate that she walks about 70% of the time and crawls the remaining 30% of the time. It's apparent that she wants to walk, although sometimes she just isn't able to do so. I would bet that she will be full-on walking within the next few weeks.

She now has eight teeth - four on the bottom and four on the top.

She has officially said and knows her first word! It was/is 'bye-bye'. She says it to her daddy when he goes to work. She sortove whispers it as she waves good-bye. It's pretty cute and she always says it with a happy smile.

She also says 'dada'. She has yet to say 'mama' (at least not in a "meaningful" way). Makes mommy a little sad.

She can wave good-bye (as previously mentioned) and clap her hands. Sometimes she even blows kisses.

She is also still getting over her cold. It has not been fun. She has been snotty and does not appreciate having her nose wiped/cleaned - and that is putting it mildly.

Yet she is still a cute little girl. Here she is.