Dear Hayden,

Today is a big day for us!! Today marks the completion of your dad’s MBA. He’s been working very hard in graduate school every Tuesday and Thursday evening (plus group meetings, studying and electives some weekends) for the last 18 months! To put this in perspective, we found out I was pregnant 2 days before your dad started this program. So, he worked diligently on this degree throughout the time I was pregnant with you. Then, I went into labor right after Dad got home from class on a Thursday night and he had to go to class the Tuesday evening following your birth to take a test! It’s been very hard for him to be gone so much during your first year and it’s been a lot of work for him to go to work, go to school, study, and be the awesome dad and husband he is. My prayer is that you will commit to work to accomplish the goals you set for yourself, just like your dad.

Love you,
Mama

You and Dad

Dad and Bobby

Wearing Dad’s Cap!

Dear Hayden,

You have a variety of cool things going on, so here’s an update!

You are officially obsessed with Zoom:

And he is obsessed with your Cheerios:
(We only use cups with lids now!)

You are eating table food:
(Here you are enjoying a Middle Eastern feast!)

When we say “kiss” you come at us with an open mouth:

And you are walking around pushing this cart everywhere:

So that’s what you’re up to! We love watching you grow and change — you are up to something new every day!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today you are 10 months old! This is unbelievable to me because I feel like you just came into our world yesterday — it has all gone by so fast! You are a teething machine — you cut the four center top teeth this week, and now you are working on two more just beside those! You weigh 23 pounds and you are 31.5 inches long! You are a very tall girl — you grow out of everything longways before you ever get the chance to fill it out! You are cruising everywhere on furniture, and when there isn’t furniture available — you are the fastest crawler I’ve ever seen! You are quite the babbler, too — there’s always some kind of gibberish coming out of your mouth! You wave bye-bye on command and clap on command now, too! You are so much fun!

Love you,
Mama

10 Months Old!

10 Months Old!

Dear Hayden,

So, there’s a slight difference between when Daddy feeds you and when I feed you. Please see below as proof of this difference. Note that both of these photos were taken immediately after you finished eating. No paper towels or Photoshop tools have been utilized!

Love you!
Mama

After Mama’s Feeding

After Daddy’s Feeding

Dear Hayden,

Today is your very first 4th of July! We had an amazing day in North Carolina! We all hung out this morning, and then Oliver went on a trip with Aunt Lisa, and Grandpa left yesterday on a trip, too. So, you, Dad and I spent the afternoon and evening with Grandma, Uncle Ramsey, Charlie and Alex. Charlie and Alex baked a 4th of July cake with Grandma. It was chocolate and even had stars on it! We had a BBQ with some neighbors, and then it started POURING rain, so you didn’t even get to see fireworks on your first 4th! Maybe next year!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

We are in North Carolina this week visiting Uncle Ramsey, Aunt Lisa, Charlie, Alex and Oliver! This is a special trip because we got to meet Oliver for the first time! What a sweetie he is! Here are a couple of pictures we took this morning — one a Duke Gardens of you and Grandpa and one at the house of you, Grandpa and Oliver. Today you wore the most beautiful little white dress that Aunt Lisa got you!

Love you,
Mama

Grandpa and Hayden!

Grandpa, Oliver and Hayden!

Dear Hayden,

Today you are 9 months old! You weigh 20.5 pounds and you are 30.5 inches long! You are quite a sweetie! Happy Monthday!

Love,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

These days, you’d pretty much rather stand than do anything. You are completely UNinterested in crawling and you get antsy after sitting for a little while, even if you have some great toys and books to keep you entertained. I guess you’re one of those people who is always ready to take a stand.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today is Dad’s first Father’s Day and to put it simply — your dad rocks.

Love,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Here’s an update for you! You have quite a few things going on!

You are crawling:

You are blowing bubbles and babbling CONSTANTLY:

You are growing teeth:

And, you are hanging out and having a great time: